EP6. Amusement Park
Jae-jun checked Hye-seon's condition again on the way back to Seoul.
Apart from some scrapes from brushing against trees while running or tripping and falling, there were no other injuries.
It was a miracle.
But even though Hye-seon was fine, it didn't make him feel entirely good.
Because so many people had died in this incident.
'Whew.'
And they were young students, no less.
In the heavy silence that had settled, the only sound was the radio inside the car.
Just then, the radio was discussing the incident.
The main topics were two: the hero who appeared riding a dragon and saved the citizens, and the dungeon breaks that kept happening lately.
Host: It's spreading like wildfire on SNS right now, but that Dragon Hunter—or as people are calling him, the Dragon Knight, right?
He didn't just summon a dragon; he even called out a Stone Golem to block the monsters. When we asked the Hunter Association about his identity, they said they'd announce it soon, keeping us in suspense.
What do you all think?
Lee Panelist (gruff voice): Dragon Knight? Come on. The Hunter Association doesn't even know who he is, do they? You can tell from their recent actions. They were late dispatching hunters again this time, dragging their feet on the response—like how they got ripped apart at the World Hunter Association conference. It shows just how incompetent they are.
The association employee driving the car let out an awkward cough.
Kim Panelist: No, I have a completely different opinion. I can guarantee you, the Dragon Knight is definitely in close contact with the association.
Lately, gates keep causing incidents every day, but an anonymous hunter has resolved all the major disasters, hasn't he?
Host: So, you're saying the Dragon Knight feels like the association's secret weapon?
Kim Panelist: Exactly! You chose the perfect word, host. Haha!
Hye-seon shot Jae-jun a look that said, Is that for real?
Jae-jun had nothing to say, so he turned his head to the window.
Lee Panelist: Secret weapon? How can you call him that just because he showed up once? This was the first time he revealed himself, wasn't it?
Host: Good point from Lee Panelist. Now that relatively clear footage of the Dragon Knight Hunter at the amusement park has been released, tips are pouring in. Let's connect with a few callers. Hello?
Caller (tense male voice): Uh, hello.
Host: Where are you from?
Park Dae-gi: Ah, I'm Park Dae-gi, a reporter for the hunter section at Goryeo Newspaper.
Jae-jun felt like the voice and name sounded familiar.
Host: Ah! Reporter Park Dae-gi! Aren't you super famous in this field? I hear you run a regular hunter column too. Do you have a tip on the Dragon Knight? As a reporter, you must know more than most.
The host's voice brimmed with anticipation.
Jae-jun thought for a moment and remembered: the guy he'd saved during that sudden quest when he was trapped in the department store. He'd vanished abruptly after, so he'd forgotten until now.
Park Dae-gi: Well, that panelist said the Dragon Knight only showed up this time, but that's not true, and I wanted to point that out.
Lee Panelist (sneering): Oh, really? Then tell us, reporter.
Park Dae-gi chuckled softly.
Park Dae-gi: Um, do you remember the department store incident last time by any chance?
Host: Of course. A mysterious red barrier suddenly enveloped the department store, and monsters attacked people inside. There were a ton of casualties and injuries, right?
Park Dae-gi: I was in there too. I almost lost my life to a gargoyle. But thanks to my benefactor—er, the Dragon Knight Hunter—I barely survived.
Host: ...So you're saying that nameless new S-rank hunter back then was the Dragon Knight?
Park Dae-gi: Yes, exactly. If it weren't for him, no one in that department store would have survived. And that's not all.
Park Dae-gi's voice grew stronger as his tension eased.
Park Dae-gi: There's this video floating around SNS called "Troll Transformer Guy." It's footage shot by students trapped in a school back then. If you look closely, you can tell it's the Dragon Knight. Everyone will recognize it right away.
Host: Ahh! That guy? Wow. So this wasn't his first time? No wonder. Hiding his identity while helping people—classic heroic style!
Kim Panelist (excited): Yes!
A murmur from Lee Panelist came softly.
Lee Panelist: Hero? Isn't that just the reporter's personal opinion? No other tips to back it up.
Host: Hold on, Lee Panelist—another tip just came in. This person? Wow, let's connect right away.
Caller (clearing throat, middle-aged male voice): Ahem. Do I just talk now?
Host: Yes, hello. I'm Go Gil-dong, a member of the National Assembly. Hahaha.
Host: Nice to meet you, Assemblyman. I heard you're busy with hearings— what brings you to call?
Go Gil-dong let out an awkward laugh at the mention of the hearing—about his bribery scandal.
Go Gil-dong: Haha, no matter how busy, the truth must be told! Everyone knows I was one of the survivors from the department store incident. The person I bonded with inside was the Dragon Knight! We're close friends now too!
Not just Hye-seon, but even the association employee stared at him like, Really?
"Oppa, is that true? I heard that guy's no good."
"First time hearing the name."
Hye-seon nodded with an I knew it look.
Assemblyman Go Gil-dong mostly talked about how he'd helped the Dragon Knight save people. But he suddenly rambled about his bribery charges being political attacks, causing a brief commotion. Still, as more callers claimed to have seen Jae-jun, the mood shifted to accepting the Dragon Knight as the association's new S-rank.
The association employee's pleased expression—must be my imagination?
Lots to say to the association president tomorrow.
What surprised Jae-jun listening to the radio was how many callers knew him. Dengchi, the raid leader from the dungeon he'd cleared with Tae-seong, was one.
Dengchi: Back then, I thought he was scary, but looking back, maybe the Dragon Knight joined our raid team on purpose to protect us. If you're listening, please know I'm grateful.
'How'd he know I'd be in danger to join?'
Dreams are nothing compared to interpretations, Jae-jun thought, chuckling in disbelief. The others nodded at him with As expected looks.
"Your oppa is so cool."
"Ahh, what?"
He heard Hye-seon's friends whispering nearby.
'Ahem.'
As Jae-jun gazed out the window to sort his thoughts, the radio was nearing its end.
Host: Ahem. Things have been unsettling lately—incidents popping up, inexplicable phenomena. But we must unite and push forward. With heroes like the Dragon Knight, Hunter Team Today won't stop running! Back tomorrow at this time.
Finally over.
It felt uncomfortable how they were packaging him as some glamorous hero.
"We've arrived."
The association employee opened the door politely.
"Thanks."
"No problem. Dragon Knight—er, Hunter Choi Jae-jun—I'll drive you anytime, anywhere."
"Appreciate it."
Jae-jun exchanged quick goodbyes and left. Hye-seon's friends were getting rides home by the employee, so Jae-jun went inside with Hye-seon.
And waiting for him at home was someone he never expected.
Another Guild Master's office.
Choi Sung-ho's face twisted as he scanned the documents.
'Getting worse. What's the problem?'
Just recently, during the first North Korea Gate raid, Another Guild's master had been killed pathetically.
Many mourned Korea's S-rank hunter, but not Choi Sung-ho.
'Idiot charged in relying only on his strength and fell into a trap.'
Obvious without seeing it.
Thanks to that, vice-master Choi Sung-ho became the new guild master.
He was just one of many A-ranks, but his political skills and persistence earned him the position easily.
Yet not even a month later, problems erupted everywhere.
The Hunter Association kept demanding hunters for North Korea Gate raids.
He complied at first, but after the second and third failures, the guild lost a fifth of its manpower.
Still, they demanded more for a fourth raid.
'Crazy bastards.'
The association demanded disproportionately from Another Guild—Korea's undisputed top guild with tons of members. But really, new master Choi Sung-ho was the easy target.
Grind.
'Ignoring me 'cause I'm A-rank.'
The pen in his hand snapped, ink splattering his clothes.
Knock knock.
"...Come in!"
"Master, you need to see this."
Choi Sung-ho took the documents from his secretary.
Several pages of photos: a man captured mid-battle.
"Scouting target?"
"No. You told us to look into Choi Sung-woo Hunter, remember? We found a man using the exact same weapon as the one Choi Sung-woo wielded."
"What?"
Choi Sung-ho examined the photos closely.
Yes. It was definitely the Frost Blade he'd gotten from an A-rank dungeon boss.
Why was his only brother's weapon...?
"This bastard. Who is he?"
Grind.
Choi Sung-ho growled, his eyes gleaming like a beast's.
"We're still confirming."
"Find him fast, whatever it takes."
"Yes."
Click.
As soon as the secretary left, Choi Sung-ho pulled out his phone.
He was too furious to work.
'Need to meet her.'
The woman he'd met by chance at the last guild association event. Eclipse Guild, right? Her scent when she handed him her card lingered.
Huuuh.
Thinking of her beauty stirred intense desire, blood rushing to his face.
He usually tired of women after a few meets and dumped them, but not her.
The more he saw her, the deeper he sank.
Sometimes he'd zone out just recalling her glowing red eyes.
Choi Sung-ho breathed deeply to cool his boiling blood.
Author's Note:
Thank you.