Chapter 44
Chapter 44
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 44
Chapter Title: Moon Kang-woon
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I stepped out of the taxi and scowled up at the towering landmark.
Was it because I only had bad memories of this place? Just looking at it made irritation bubble up inside me.
Last time, I'd clashed here with the head of Changseong Group—the man who was my parents' enemy. In the end, not only had I landed a solid hit on them, but I'd also neatly concealed my true strength.
'Even so, they'll keep getting steady reports on my movements.'
They wouldn't have me under 24-hour surveillance, but they were definitely receiving updates on my general whereabouts. And the moment anything seemed off or unpredictable, they'd send assassins my way without hesitation.
'Until I grow stronger, I'll keep my power hidden.'
I'd show only as much strength as a promising prospect could muster—nothing more, nothing less.
If I displayed anything below what they'd judged me capable of, they'd grow suspicious, and things would only get more annoying.
That was why I'd come to the Association. To register for my [E]-Rank promotion exam.
Compared to previous top graduates, it was a bit early, but showing this much wouldn't raise any flags.
Besides, humans—not the system—determined hunter ranks, and the criteria were vague enough that some leeway was always acknowledged. No real issues there.
I headed straight to the lobby information desk and signed up for the exam. A quick check on my phone showed it was in three days.
Registrations closed three days prior, so the timing was perfect. I finished up and left the Association immediately.
The last thing I needed was to run into the Association Chairman or that Inspection Department head and stir up trouble.
"Should I go see Seo Mi-na?"
She'd hounded me to visit her in the hospital, but I'd brushed it off, claiming I was just staying with my sister since there was nothing wrong. I owed her at least one visit.
It absolutely wasn't because of her ominous threat during our last call—that she'd get revenge if I didn't show up right after discharge.
No! Definitely not because I feared the power of Seo Hwa Group. I was just going to soothe a sulky comrade, that's all.
She was a precious connection who'd one day become an SS-Rank hunter. Ruining that relationship would be a headache.
With that, I turned my steps toward Seo Hwa Group and spent the rest of the day catering to Seo Mi-na's moods, pouring every effort into cheering her up.
"Fuck. Fuck. Fuck."
A man spat curses with wild, manic eyes, pulling his cap low over his face as he hurried along, dodging CCTVs as much as possible on his way to his destination.
His face, barely visible under the brim, was covered in stubble, his eyes sunken, his hair a greasy mess.
"Daring to turn me into this?"
He kept spewing profanity, not even bothering to hide his madness.
The former Star Cloud Guild scout who'd commissioned Shin Juha's assassination through the company—the mastermind behind it all. Now discarded by Star Cloud Guild, forced to cough up massive compensation, his life in ruins, reduced to vermin.
The man, Moon Kang-woon, ground his teeth. He couldn't accept that this had happened to him.
'Why? Why me!'
He'd been the Scout Team Leader. In the mighty 5th-ranked Star Cloud Guild, he'd held immense power, overseeing the crucial scouting division entirely.
Drunk on that authority and his own ego, he'd done whatever he pleased, abusing his position and connections—and he'd gotten away with it.
What protected him was always that Scout Team Leader title from Star Cloud Guild.
But this time, he'd crossed the line. Trying to assassinate the pampered princess of Seo Hwa Group? Unforgivable.
Of course, he'd actually targeted Seo Hwa Group's princess by mistake—his real mark had been Shin Juha.
But the outcome made it look like he'd gone after Seo Mi-na.
Naturally, this scandal far exceeded what Star Cloud Guild could cover up. Rankings alone—Seo Hwa at 2nd, Star Cloud at 5th—told the story.
Seo Hwa was the nation's top conglomerate; Star Cloud barely clung to the edge of the big three. No contest in power or influence. So Star Cloud Group and Guild chose to crush the parasitic troublemaker.
But Moon Kang-woon saw it differently. Star Cloud Guild! Star Cloud Group! They could handle that kind of pressure, right?!
After all his devotion! All the talented rookies he'd scouted for the guild!
Discarding him over one tiny mistake?!
His rage naturally turned to Shin Juha. He lacked the guts—or madness—to challenge Seo Hwa or Star Cloud directly.
"Here it is."
Moon Kang-woon approached a mansion. The guards, sighing and frowning at his approach, sensed the hassle and sent the rookie to block him.
"Get lost."
As expected of a major conglomerate chairman's residence, all the guards were D-Rank or higher hunters with awakened mana. Moon Kang-woon flinched at their sharp hostility, trembling, but soon stoked his mania and pressed forward.
"I have a proposal for Chairman Lee Seo-yong. Let me in."
That's right. This was the home of Changseong Group's chairman—Shin Juha's sworn enemy.
Moon Kang-woon had coincidentally witnessed Lee Seo-yong and Shin Juha clashing in the Association lobby that day. And he'd thought: The enemy of my enemy is my friend.
No matter his remaining connections, he couldn't take on Shin Juha under Seo Hwa's protection alone. But with Changseong's backing, revenge would be easy.
The problem was pitching that proposal—it didn't look easy.
"Ha... What the fuck is this retard? You think you're buddies with the chairman? You got a proposal? Does he have to go, 'Oh, thank you,' and meet you?"
"What the hell? This bum again? Hey... Just rough him up a bit and send him packing."
"Yes, sir. Hear that, punk? Time for a beating."
With that, the guard grabbed Moon Kang-woon by the scruff and tried dragging him off. He fought back, thrashing wildly.
"Fuck! Just pass the message! You goddamn mutts! Gatekeeper scum! Do you even know who I am?!"
"Ever seen a psycho like this?"
Thwack!
The B-Rank hunter's fist slammed into the civilian Moon Kang-woon's gut.
Gurk.
Unable to breathe, he doubled over in a C-shape, vomiting bile. The guard grimaced.
"If one punch shuts you up, why the tantrum?"
As he reared back for another, the sound of an approaching car echoed from afar. The guards hurriedly assembled.
The one beating Moon Kang-woon kicked him to the ground and joined the line, bowing his head.
The car sped up and stopped before them.
Flinch!
Normally ignored, its sudden stop flustered them; they bowed deeper.
The window slid down smoothly, and a man's hand emerged, beckoning. It clearly pointed at the rookie who'd just hit Moon Kang-woon.
Pale-faced and panicking, the rookie nonetheless rushed to the car and bowed, compelled to obey his master's command.
"What is it?"
A smooth, feminine voice came from inside—but it sounded like the grim reaper's to the rookie, who trembled and shouted with his head low.
"Nothing, ma'am!"
The guards' faces hardened at his yell. A brief silence followed, then a sigh and the man's voice again.
"Did I ask for your judgment? The guard dog's deciding and answering for his master now? I asked what happened—not for you to judge and reply."
The prior courtesy gone, his sharp words flustered the rookie. Sensing the piercing stares and icy atmosphere from behind, he corrected himself.
"Some lunatic showed up at the mansion gates, demanding to propose something to the chairman, so we were handling it."
"Hm... A proposal?"
"Yes! But he looks like a bum or a nutcase."
The man pondered quietly, then ordered.
"Bring him."
"Pardon...? Yes, sir!"
The rookie dashed over, hoisted the trembling Moon Kang-woon—who was still sprawled on the ground—and dragged him to their young master.
"This guy? Looks like a bum, all right. Filthy and gross. But... those eyes are alive. I like that madness."
A chuckle accompanied the appraisal. Moon Kang-woon came to and peered into the car.
A handsome man sat there, looking down at him.
Lee Seo-yong's grandson, Lee Ji-yong—the C-Rank holy knight who'd attacked Shin Juha.
"So, what proposal brings you barging into someone else's home?"
Despite shaking from pain, Moon Kang-woon opened his mouth at Lee Ji-yong's question.
"Shin Juha. I want to screw that bastard over. Kill him if possible. Help me. Use me like a dog, a tool—whatever. Please, just help me."
Prostrating desperately, madness pouring from him, Lee Ji-yong smiled with interest.
"Shin Juha... The worm who humiliated me and Grandpa."
It was a few weeks back, but still fresh. At his grandfather's request, he'd tested the top graduate of this class by picking a fight—and gotten burned instead. The hunter forums had roasted him for weeks.
Money had silenced the articles, but too many witnesses that day had tarnished his reputation.
Even those praising him as a holy knight turned: Typical chaebol heir—money fixes everything, doesn't change the spoiled punk even after awakening.
After shedding his playboy image and earning Grandpa's approval, to get tangled in some F-Rank newbie's scheme and stir scandal?
'Insolent little worm.'
Grandpa said leave him alone, just basic reports. But Lee Ji-yong had no such plans.
He'd blemished him, his grandfather, and the Changseong name. Time to pay.
"Intriguing. Hop in. Let's take a drive and talk more."
Back to his polished chaebol demeanor, Lee Ji-yong's words had Moon Kang-woon slamming his forehead to the ground in gratitude.
He climbed in through the door a guard opened and spent about an hour chatting with Lee Ji-yong, plotting revenge all the while.
"That's as far as I'll help. Now prove your worth. Handle it well... and the Star Cloud Guild Scout Team Leader spot is yours."
"Thank you. Truly, thank you. I swear! I'll take that bastard's... that punk's life."
"Ah... You know not to let Changseong or my name leak, right?"
"Of course. Please, go ahead."
Bowing 90 degrees, Moon Kang-woon grinned, having gained more than he'd hoped. And so, three days passed.