Fierce Beast Hunt
Jeong Beom-ho asked Seong Ye-han for his understanding before summoning Ha Yeon-ah to the president's office. He suggested it would be good to at least see her face while they were at it. Seong Ye-han agreed it wasn't a bad idea to forge a connection with the last active S-rank hunter in Korea, so he gladly accepted Jeong Beom-ho's invitation.
And so, a short while later.
The firmly shut door to the president's office swung open.
A woman strode in confidently through the gap.
The "Saintess" Ha Yeon-ah.
Her ability was called Holy Light.
Despite the thick religious undertones in her moniker and power, she had no actual ties to that world. She was a textbook psychic-type Awakener, much like Yeo Seon-hui—but more specialized in mana and her unique ability itself, in the style of a traditional mage hunter.
If compared to modern military roles, she was artillery. True to her power's nature, Ha Yeon-ah excelled in recovery, defense, and offense alike, making her the most sought-after ability user on any frontline.
A beauty who could open the eyes of the blind, serving as the battlefield goddess known as artillery, obliterating the enemy lines and providing healing during or after combat—who wouldn't love that? It'd be weirder if she wasn't popular.
Her bright golden-blonde hair emitted a faint glow. Among psychic-type Awakeners, some underwent physical changes tied to their powers—like how Shin Ye-hwa's eyes had changed color upon awakening, with a subtle purple tint weaving through her hair. Ha Yeon-ah seemed to be a similar case.
Her softly waving blonde locks cascaded to her waist, making the term "Saintess" fit her like a glove. And then there were those large, magnificent breasts that no man could ignore—their swell asserted a presence more intense than any woman Seong Ye-han had ever seen, impossible to hide even beneath her loose, ample clothing.
Shin Ye-hwa had top-tier assets that held their own anywhere, but even she'd bow her head before Ha Yeon-ah.
Truly godtits...The breasts of a goddess.
Lowering his gaze a bit, her waistline was obscured by her outfit, but those vast hips were inescapably on display. The perfect handle, just right for gripping with his hands.
This was leagues beyond the internet photos he'd glanced at after his encounter with Seon-hui noona, just to put a face to the name. She was intensely alluring, shaking a man's instincts to the core.
She's insane.
Seong Ye-han swallowed his involuntary exclamation and quickly averted his eyes. It had been a fleeting moment, but Ha Yeon-ah seemed to catch it—her gaze turned unnerving.
Her expression remained an icy blank, but the chill radiating from those coldly flashing golden eyes made him feel like he was standing in the heart of a massive glacier.
Worried for a second that this vibe might lead to trouble like his first meeting with Seon-hui noona, Seong Ye-han relaxed when she instead dipped her head slightly in greeting.
"Thank you for waiting... and for accepting my rudeness."
"No, not at all..."
A impeccably disciplined apology mixed with gratitude. Compared to Seon-hui noona's case, her demeanor was so detached it bordered on saintly.
Rumors said she harbored something like misogyny—no, misandry—but from this alone, it didn't seem that severe.
"Must be a special day or something. Never imagined three S-ranks gathering in a place like this... Have a seat."
At Jeong Beom-ho's words, Seong Ye-han and Ha Yeon-ah took their seats.
A little fa—
"Hm."
Seong Ye-han returned to his original spot, but Ha Yeon-ah was different. Normally, with Jeong Beom-ho at the head seat and Seong Ye-han beside him, she'd sit opposite Seong Ye-han. Instead, she chose the far diagonal corner.
Well, she could sit wherever she wanted, but...
The deliberate distance was palpable, confirming the rumors. Seong Ye-han sighed inwardly.
I never seem to start off on good terms with S-ranks.
As he pondered this, Jeong Beom-ho spoke first.
"So, what brings you here?"
"I'd like to join this hunt."
"Hm?"
"Huh?"
Her words mirrored the exact topic Seong Ye-han and Jeong Beom-ho had just discussed.
"You too...?"
Jeong Beom-ho's tone carried a hint of surprise. Ha Yeon-ah shot him a questioning look, then realized the implication and turned to Seong Ye-han.
"'Too' meaning...?"
Their eyes met. Seeing her perfect brows furrow slightly, Seong Ye-han could only muster an awkward smile.
Ha Yeon-ah spotted the man already there and immediately realized who he was. No wonder the desk staff had hesitated despite her personal visit, mumbling about a prior guest... She could see why they were flustered.
Seong Ye-han.
The one who'd achieved S-rank in the recent hunter ability certification.
The physics-type S-rank succeeding Jeong Beom-ho... Considering four out of the five official and unofficial S-ranks were psychic-types (though two were a stretch as "pure" psychics), he was a welcome addition—but to Ha Yeon-ah, just another person not worth her attention.
Honestly, she'd only seen him in news photos a few times, barely glancing, but his face was unforgettable enough that she didn't need to ask "Who are you?"
Still, men...
She flinched as his gaze brushed over her. Having endured countless such looks, she clocked even Seong Ye-han's brief scan in an instant.
What was so great about these heavy, dull slabs of meat anyway...? At least he looked away quickly, better than most, but to her, they were all the same beasts.
Swallowing her rising disgust, she sat—far away. A one-on-one with the president would have been far more comfortable...
Regardless of her discomfort, she had a goal. She stated her business, only to uncover something shocking.
"No way—you...?"
First, Seong Ye-han was also joining the tiger subjugation. Not surprising. Despite his S-rank certification, he was a green rookie without real combat experience. With questions swirling about his actual battle prowess independent of his power, resolving this major incident was the textbook way to prove himself.
What troubled Ha Yeon-ah was the second revelation—the real shocker.
Seong Ye-han knew Park I-rae.
And not just knew—with the same agenda as her. The condition that he'd act alongside Park I-rae in this subjugation was something even disinterested Ha Yeon-ah couldn't ignore.
Her mind raced, piecing clues together into one swift conclusion.
"You... what's your relationship with I-rae?"
All those times Park I-rae had radiated happiness, desperately hiding something. She'd never named her man despite clearly having one...
Now it clicked—the silhouette and profile of the guy she'd secretly tailed I-rae on a date with overlapped perfectly with the man before her.
"We're close senior and junior."
He hesitated before answering. Fury iced over within her.
To her, I-rae clearly harbored deep feelings for this man. Her diligent training had slacked off after meeting him, her mind visibly elsewhere, lost in a daze that ended in small but genuine smiles. Anyone could see the beautiful woman in love—Ha Yeon-ah had begrudgingly wished her happiness despite her unease.
And yet...
"Just close senior and junior...?"
"Yeah. She's been a huge help since my E-rank days. A great junior."
Just a great junior? That single phrase laid bare how he saw her. To Ha Yeon-ah, with her distrust of men, it twisted into something uglier—like a body to use for fun, or a disposable toy.
Already itching to verify this guy's true colors, she composed herself.
"I see..."
She felt the chill seeping into her voice. Not yet. Couldn't tip him off.
"Please take care of our I-rae from now on."
"Of course. You don't need to tell me—she's precious to me too."
She knew well how blind and foolish people became in love. Telling I-rae to dump him now would fall on deaf ears.
So what to do? Only one answer.
Love needed a shock to shatter the rose-tinted glasses. Show her the ugly truth of men.
"Since we've crossed paths like this... how about a meal?"
Ha Yeon-ah smiled—perhaps the first genuine one she'd shown a man today.
"Phew..."
Clack-clack-clack.
Seong Ye-han let out a sigh of relief as he followed Ha Yeon-ah, who led the way. Contrary to her initial vibe, her softened demeanor suggested no drama like with Seon-hui noona was brewing.
Truth be told, he knew now that Seon-hui noona was a good person and understood why things had heated up back then—but their first meeting had left him thinking, What kind of crazy bitch is this?
On the flip side, Ha Yeon-ah had thawed from eternal glacier to warm spring breeze the moment I-rae came up. How great was that?
Seong Ye-han sent a silent thanks to the absent I-rae.
One lingering issue: she seemed unaware of his relationship with I-rae. But that made sense.
Their fling had blown up during the storm around his new S-rank status. Going public then would invite endless headaches for both.
He could easily infer I-rae was keeping it quiet from those around her. Respecting that, he'd dodged Ha Yeon-ah's prying with a vague answer.
"She'll tell everyone herself when she's ready..."
Honoring his lovely junior's wishes, Seong Ye-han followed the woman ahead, thinking how nice it was to watch the deep, round curves of her swaying hips...