Chapter 46
Chapter 46
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 46
Chapter Title: Han Geon-ju (1)
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They say even madmen have their medicine.
I'd wondered why that saying existed, assuming they had at least some semblance of sanity, but seeing Sa-yoon made it all click. That guy really was beyond saving.
Who in their right mind throws someone off a cliff and still wears that expression?
That infuriatingly calm smile and the fingers swaying lazily side to side—it was a talent how much they grated on my nerves.
What the hell did he have in that head of his?
I couldn't predict his next move at all. With different information and power at his disposal, it was hard to deny that ever since meeting Sa-yoon, I'd been constantly tossed around by him.
This latest stunt was a perfect example.
My opinion hadn't factored in even a little when he suddenly dragged me into a C-rank gate—that was baffling enough. Then he said we'd rest before the next one, only to dump a sleeping me in front of an S-rank gate. I regretted trusting him so easily, but the injustice burned all the same.
Who could've guessed someone would drag another to an S-rank gate like this?
And who could've imagined entering that gate in a car, only to get flung off a cliff?
Lions might drop their cubs off cliffs to toughen them up, but that's lions for you—I'm human. In Sa-yoon's mind, though, lions and humans were the same as long as they were strong.
Judging by how he grabbed my collar without a second's hesitation the moment the setup was perfect, like he'd been waiting for it.
Actually, real lions have strong maternal instincts and don't actually drop their cubs off cliffs. Sa-yoon was worse than a beast.
No wonder those rumors spread.
Among the baseless rumors about the Night Rat leader circulating in the world, the most famous was that he was a lunatic.
I'd thought it made sense given his terrorist group reputation, but I'd worried inwardly about why he'd let such nonsense spread. Meeting Sa-yoon in person, he was every bit as bad as the rumors—or worse.
He was the kind of guy who'd take "lunatic" as a compliment and laugh.
That crazy bastard.
Unable to swallow his rage, Geon-ju glared daggers at Sa-yoon with his eyes and mouth, even as his body plummeted rapidly. At this rate, he'd splatter on impact.
His once mundane, boring life had finally shown him the path of a hunter—he couldn't die so pointlessly.
Desperate to do something, he clawed at the cliff face, but it wasn't enough. His accelerating body dragged him down relentlessly, no matter how hard he gripped. His nails, embedded in the rock, ground away with a screech, splintering uselessly.
His bloodied fingertips burned.
Finally grasping a protruding rock with his bleeding hands, it held for just a moment before crumbling to dust seconds later.
No matter how many times he reached out, it was the same. Futile efforts, one after another.
"Fuck, I really...!"
Swallowing a curse, Geon-ju retracted his hand from above and shifted his gaze.
If up wasn't working, he'd find a way below.
He'd assumed it was a sheer drop all the way, and despaired, but surprisingly, bushes appeared a bit farther out. This must be why they say the world isn't so harsh that you have to die.
His mind raced.
Diving into those bushes would raise his survival odds more than clinging to this useless cliff. Hesitating briefly, glancing between the top and bottom, Geon-ju made up his mind and lifted his foot.
To lessen the impact, he needed to aim for the densest foliage.
Decision made, he acted fast. Baring his teeth, Geon-ju kicked off the cliff.
Thud!
Resisting the downward pull as best he could, he launched himself. His vertical fall shifted trajectory.
Blue filled his vision.
Confirming the bushes drawing closer, Geon-ju squeezed his eyes shut.
Krunch!
"Urk!"
The branches couldn't fully absorb the impact of Geon-ju's fall, snapping viciously with cracks. Splinters and twigs scraped his skin in the chaos, drawing groans as he shielded his face with his arms. He could do without blinding himself.
Each stab into his flesh piled another curse toward Sa-yoon in his mind.
Sa-yoon's taunting words from before echoed, fueling his fury.
Come back alive and punch him in the face?
Like he'd survive.
So much for making him S-rank—was that for his soul, not his body?
Absurdity and betrayal made his eyelashes tremble. From now on, when the world got harsh, he'd curse Sa-yoon instead.
How the hell did I end up tangled with that psycho?
From our first meeting, my gut had screamed bad vibes.
Ever since spotting Sa-yoon—not at some torture villa, but at the awakener registration center.
After 22 years of observing people and sizing them up, you develop a knack for sensing someone's essence even on first sight. Call it a highly tuned instinct.
That gut feeling kicks in sharpest at first meetings, letting you guess if they're dangerous, foolish, selfish, or whatever.
The first thing Geon-ju felt upon meeting Sa-yoon was dread.
Senior hunters weren't exaggerating when they said new awakeners had to stick around the center for at least a month post-awakening. Fresh hunters had tons to do—licenses, tests, stat reports, rank assessments—keeping them glued to the place whether they liked it or not.
That day, he'd visited to report his last beginner gate clear and get a rank reevaluation.
He'd been there several times before, so the center felt like his own backyard. But that day, it felt strangely unfamiliar.
The entrance was noisier than usual, and the atmosphere inside buzzed with unease. Soon enough, Geon-ju figured out why.
Two shady-looking guys stood at the center entrance.
One wore a sharp suit but had a massive build and a brutal face that drew stares. The other, in a simple hoodie and jeans, exuded an odd aura that pulled eyes anyway.
You know that "celebrity aura" thing?
Sunglasses, black mask, hat.
Face completely hidden, yet an inexplicable vibe leaked out. Most people at the entrance eyed the suited guy warily, then peeked curiously at the one beside him. Geon-ju couldn't join in.
A chilling menace seeped through those shaded lenses.
A man you shouldn't touch.
He knew it instantly, no need for second or third looks. Twenty-two years of people-watching had his instincts blaring warnings.
Whoever he was, getting involved would be dangerous.
He'd encountered unsettling types before, but never one this hair-raising.
That's why he felt he absolutely shouldn't get tangled up. Truly dangerous people don't pop up in everyday life often.
Lying if he said he wasn't curious about the face behind that celebrity-like cover, but useless curiosity is poison—he knew that.
Even spotting the guy scanning around like he was searching for something, Geon-ju quickly looked away.
So he pretended not to notice and tried to pass by.
'Kyaaack!'
A scream sharp enough for a horror flick pierced the air, and murmurs erupted. Looking toward the sudden commotion, he saw the man from before staggering, blood pouring out. Specifically, gushing from under the mask.
The eerie scene froze him momentarily. He thought his eyes met the suited guy's as he fussed over the fallen man calling "hyungnim, hyungnim," but they soon left, and he dismissed it as imagination.
Up to then, he'd figured it was just a minor incident at the center.
If the black-hatted guy hadn't tailed him all the way home.
It was his first taste of stalking in 22 years.
At first, he wondered if he was paranoid, but watching the guy follow from bustling streets to quiet alleys confirmed it. Whatever the stalker's deal, this was definitely stalking.
Gut feeling bad, but the sun hadn't set yet—he felt a sliver of relief. No matter how rough the world, bad stuff doesn't go down in broad daylight.
How naive that was became clear as he entered a deserted alley near home.
Thwack!
Before stepping into the dim alley, he'd checked around just in case—no signs of life. But the moment his foot crossed the threshold, a heavy blow hit.
He hadn't noticed until the last second, so the attacker was no ordinary person. Definitely a higher-rank awakener.
Realizing that, he tried to turn and see the face, but another impact struck.
His body lurched, vision swimming. On the verge of blackout, one thought dominated:
'I just submitted my leave of absence a few days ago...'
Living alone and now on leave, no one would miss him for a while.
He wasn't the type to chat often with people unless in a group.
He got invites to meetups or drinks, but ignored most. After ghosting twice, people started treading lightly and contacting him less.
So even if unknowns kidnapped him now, his disappearance wouldn't surface for at least a week.
Perfect setup for snatching and killing someone unnoticed.