Hunt (1)
"Eat."
I gathered the executives and handed a melon to each of them. I currently had four enhanced melons. Im Jui's unlock rate was already at 97%, so I decided to skip her this time.
Jeong Su-hwan, Han Seol, Han Byeol, and Han Eun-ji stared at me with bewildered eyes.
"We've already eaten them before?" Han Seol said.
"That's true, but..."
"We've already had ours, so it might not be efficient for us to eat another. Wouldn't it be better to give them to others?"
"No, it's most efficient for you all to eat them."
This was the conclusion I'd reached after racking my brain alone for days. I put off plans to create a new super soldier for now and focused on strengthening the executives I already had.
"Eat up quick. We need to measure your unlock rates afterward."
"Thank you!"
"Thank you so much!"
They bowed their heads to me and began devouring the melons.
Im Jui was staring at the wall. Ever since that day, she'd been avoiding me—it felt strange. I didn't dare get closer, worried she'd slip into stealth mode and bolt.
"Jui... I'll give you one next time, okay? Is that alright?"
—I'm already receiving more grace than I deserve, so it's fine if I don't eat one.—
"Yeah? But why have you been wearing your mask around me lately...?"
Im Jui flinched in surprise, her hands trembling as she reached for her mask.
"No, you don't have to force it off."
After they finished eating the enhanced melons, I remeasured their unlock rates.
Satisfactory results. They clenched and unclenched their fists repeatedly, clearly feeling their newfound strength.
One more round like this, and everyone would surpass 80%.
From feeding them the melons, I'd vaguely realized: enhanced melons truly unlocked a person's innate talent. They only released existing potential—they didn't create new abilities from nothing.
That meant even if all the executives reached 97% unlock rate, Im Jui would likely still be the strongest. The difference between unlocking 97% of 100 talent versus 97% of 50 was vast.
Excluding Im Jui, the executives' combat power was fairly even. Of course, compared to outside Awakeners, they were top-tier.
I had two reasons for giving them the melons. First, storing artificially created melons felt wasteful. Second, I planned to deploy them for what I had in mind next.
"Point demand is sky-high, but supply is pitifully low..."
All the points I'd scrimped together had gone into colony development. I'd originally planned to upgrade the territory's LV.2 houses to LV.3 once I hit over 2,000P.
But with Guryongju and Daemojo added, those plans fell apart. Facilities were still woefully inadequate to provide sufficient medical and bathing services to Gangnam's citizens. At minimum, I needed two more LV.2 houses and one LV.2 hospital each in Guryongju and Daemojo.
And I wanted to spruce up Namsan and Hoeseong too. Putting the cart before the horse—focusing on outposts was delaying the main base.
Seo I-rang was working hard, but Seoul's monsters—named ones aside—were drying up. Some even whispered it wasn't that people had killed so many, but that monsters sensed something off and were fleeing the city.
I'd considered tackling the most well-known remaining named monster in Seoul, Monolith, but it was too soon. With Im Jui's stealth and the executives' special abilities, it might be easy—but that was just speculation. Tetora had seemed quick too. No room for complacency.
So I turned my gaze beyond Seoul. Gyeonggi-do outskirts teemed with monsters incomparable to the city. No rumor—this was fact. That's why most Gyeonggi warlords hunkered down in districts bordering Seoul.
"So... I'm thinking of having you all hunt monsters in Gyeonggi-do. What do you say?"
"Sounds like a good plan," Han Seol said. "I can fly now, so I'll join."
—I'll go too.—
"My lord, please grant me the chance to serve the Reconstruction Government."
"Security is my duty, but if you command it, I'll hunt Gyeonggi monsters."
"This time, I want to go myself instead of piloting drones."
As Awakeners, they were itching to test their strengthened powers fully. Fights in Gangnam's bunker weren't real battles—just one-sided slaughters.
"No need to be so eager; I'm sending everyone."
Han Byeol tilted her head. "But... if we go to Gyeonggi-do, won't the warlords there find it suspicious? They might think we're scouting or, worst case, trying to unify Seoul and swallow Gyeonggi."
"I've got that covered."
I dispatched diplomats and soldiers from the Reconstruction Government to Gyeonggi-do. They were to meet the warlords and relay my offer.
Monster bounties. Spot a monster horde and pass the intel to me—I'd reward them with alcohol.
Things went smoother than expected. Gyeonggi warlords were initially skeptical: "Even if you're hunting monsters for free—which is hard to believe—you're paying on top?"
But persistent persuasion won out. Truth be told, it was less conviction and more resignation—the power gap between Seoul and Gyeonggi was so vast, war would mean Seoul's overwhelming victory.
Gyeonggi warlords sent intel and photos of monster hordes they'd already scouted on the outskirts.
"Whoa..."
Hellish spots to others, but treasure troves to me. Now just send the executives.
I instructed them: if monsters proved tougher than expected, break off and retreat immediately. No risking the house to catch a flea.
Departure set for a week later. Op duration: max one month. Expected points: 500-600P.
With four colonies, monthly free points had risen to 200P. Once polished, I'd enrich the territory further.
But before they left, one issue needed resolving.
"So that's why Jui's been avoiding you."
"Not just nerves, huh."
"Jui has that side to her?"
"Yeah..."
Late night, I called Han Seol, Han Byeol, and Na Hye-won to the living room and spilled what happened that night. Tried handling it solo at first, but no progress. Better to confide in my closest women for advice.
If Im Jui left for Gyeonggi like this, weeks apart would make things even more awkward on return. Clear the air before she goes.
Na Hye-won was intrigued; Han Seol and Han Byeol brimmed with confidence.
"Just leave it to us."
"There's a way?"
"Just leave it to us."
"Alright..."
"But seriously, you had no idea Jui liked you all this time?"
"Yeah, no clue."
"..."
They eyed me like I was hopelessly dense—"There's a limit to obliviousness. Tsk."
Han Seol and Han Byeol double-checked if I was ready to accept Im Jui's feelings. I nodded, and they promised to create an opening, then headed to their rooms whispering conspiratorially.
Did I have feelings for Im Jui? Honestly, unsure. Just a month ago, she was underage. She'd been a reliable subordinate, my trump card, a socially awkward little sister figure.
With the twins already in my arms, morality wasn't a big hang-up—but it nagged a bit. All I could do was trust Han Seol and Han Byeol.
Two days before the executives' departure, late night—Han Seol, Han Byeol, and Na Hye-won knocked on my door.
"Now? At this hour?"
They looked utterly drained.
"Yes... no other chance..."
"It was a long, tough battle."
Na Hye-won stared blankly. "I never knew Jui could talk that much..."
"You didn't... get her drunk again, did you?"
"Just a little."
"She swore off alcohol for life after last time, so we begged and cajoled."
"Ahaha..."
I covered my face with both hands and laughed.
"This is messed up."
"Huh?"
"Getting a twenty-year-old drunk on dozens of bottles to bond... Seo Do-hyun's morality is in the gutter."
Han Byeol flashed a thumbs-up. "The rest is up to you."
I changed and headed to the spa. Im Jui was waiting in the rooftop open-air bath, they said. Déjà vu—familiar vibe, predictable end.
Still, I went up. The door creaked open to empty bottles strewn about and Im Jui soaking her feet in the water.
"Do-hyun oppa! Come sit here!"
Im Jui patted the rock in front of her.
"..."
How much did they feed her? Her eyes were already half-gone.
"How much did you drink...?"
"Not much!"
"Liar... you're staring right at me and talking straight..."
Utterly unlike her usual reserved, shy self. Maybe this lively side was her true hidden nature.
I sat beside her to say what needed saying.
"Jui, you know things got awkward after that day, right? I came to clear the air."
"Hot..."
"So today, let's bare our hearts, sort everything out, and head down fresh."
"Ugh... too hot."
Was she even listening? She just kept repeating it was hot.
"Are you listening...! What are you—"
"Not hot?"
Im Jui tugged her towel and fanned herself.
"Haa..."
I was the fool for trusting those three. She was too wasted for talk.
"Fine... we'll talk tomorrow. Get up."
I grabbed her arm to pull her up; she grumbled reluctantly and stood.
"Ah, here!"
She rummaged under her towel and pulled out a card.
"You... don't tell me that's..."
"Huh? Didn't Seol unnie and Byeol unnie tell you?"
"Tell me what...?"
"Unnies said to sleep here with oppa tonight."
"Having subordinates get a twenty-year-old drunk and book a room... how far will you go..."
I muttered self-reproachfully when Im Jui hugged into my arms.
"W-wait... Jui?"
She looked up at me. "You don't like me? Am I not good enough...?"
"..."
Whatever now.
"Be careful out there."
"Yes!"
I bid farewell to the departing executives. Of course, they took all the Dissolving Liquid, Coating, and Bombardment drones.
Plan: upon reaching hordes via radio, start with bombardment.
—Could you come behind the building for a sec?—
"Huh? Sure."
Thankfully, the awkwardness with Im Jui had thawed since that night. More than thawed—I staggered out of the spa only after sunrise.
97% unlock rate was no joke. I'd figured I'd lead since it was her first time—but only the first; after...
"Anything to say?"
"..."
Im Jui silently removed her mask. Head bowed, but ears beet red.
Mwah.
"Huh?"
She tiptoed, kissed my cheek, and pulled out her notepad.
—I'll be back.—
Boom.
She spun, leaped, and vanished. A crater marked where she'd pushed off.