Chapter 134
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 134
Chapter Title: Not Affiliated with the Association
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That morning, after hearing the news that more counselors would be hired.
Someone might think something like this.
'You're the only one on staff, doesn't it feel a bit bittersweet to be replaced?'
I can say without a doubt: not at all.
At least, not for me.
The reason I hadn't evaluated them myself was purely a personal matter.
My mind just wasn't settled yet. Even if I felt qualified, my heart wasn't in it.
I had always wanted to bolster our manpower whenever possible.
Because being the only one isn't an honor—it's a shackle.
It just means the void left behind when I disappear will be that much larger.
Does it even make sense for a counselor to have bodyguards?
Especially S-rank hunters.
Personally, I don't like it at all. It's incredibly burdensome.
But if someone is stepping up to share that heavy load, why on earth would I turn them away?
On the contrary, I'm thrilled.
I recalled the casual conversation I had with an Association staffer when I first started as a counselor.
'Counselor No. 1 is you, so when do we hire No. 2? As soon as possible would be great.'
At the time, the staffer couldn't meet my eyes, cleared their throat awkwardly, and replied.
'Probably... when the current position... becomes vacant... then the next... hiring...?'
In other words.
To put it simply, a successor would only come after I died on a mission, got buried in the ground, and grass had a chance to grow on my grave.
Thankfully, even without being buried, a replacement arrived.
How could I not be happy?
So, my mood heading into the counseling office today was...
Extremely relaxed.
Carrying that pleasant feeling with me,
I opened the door to the counseling office and went to my desk.
"Hoo..."
Why is it so cold in here...?
"Oh dear."
The window in the corner of the counseling room was slightly open.
I must have forgotten to close it after leaving the ventilator open for some air when I rushed out yesterday evening.
Clicking my tongue, I headed to the window. Since yesterday was a house call, that meant it had been open for two days.
But up close, the window's setup looked a bit off.
The inner part that opens and closes from inside was almost shut, but the screen door inside and the outer glass were wide open.
I tilted my head at the strange sight, but...
Sometimes when you close it too hard, the screen door bounces and doesn't latch properly.
Looks like there's some play in the frame.
- Click.
I pulled the stiff window shut.
Having been filled with cold air for two days straight, the office was pretty chilly.
Not quite to the point of seeing my breath, but my body was shivering.
"It's a bit cold..."
I hung up my coat, turned on the heater, and sat down at my desk.
I wonder who my client will be today...
I immediately opened the reservation management program.
But...
"......No one?"
[Today's Reserved Clients: 0]
Sure, there are occasional days like this.
Back in the day, there were a few, but lately, it's been booked solid without fail.
I clicked the mouse to refresh, but still nothing.
Guess these days happen too.
"Kinda disappointing."
Normally, I'd be thrilled.
But today, I felt a little let down.
I wanted to properly test out my new counseling technique.
The one I realized a few days ago and fully validated during yesterday's house call.
As proven with the Pilgrim Guild yesterday, the results were overwhelming, so I had high hopes for today too.
Well, too bad.
Of course, having no clients is great news for the hunter world overall.
This means today will be very, very leisurely.
Mornings are fully by appointment only, and I only take walk-ins in the afternoon.
With zero reservations, that means until afternoon, it's completely my free time.
Staring blankly at the empty monitor, a certain person's face naturally popped into my head.
My cute bodyguard, officially starting her first day at the 'Association' today.
"...Maybe I should go check on Yu-wol."
I turned down the interview, but this is different.
I wonder if she's doing well.
I hope she's not getting intimidated under Mary.
I hope... she's speaking her mind properly without cowering before her boss.
If someone says something mean and she gets sad, I'd be sad too.
"Hold on."
What is this?
Why do these thoughts keep coming?
Doesn't this make me seem like a parent leaving their kid by the water's edge... no, like a dad dropping his daughter off at kindergarten?
She's a full-grown adult and an S-rank hunter.
Curbing these overprotective thoughts seems best for both our independences.
However.
Contrary to my thoughts, I stood up from my seat.
With light steps, I grabbed my coat, put it on, and left the empty counseling room.
What independence?
Tell them to buzz off.
It's way too late for that anyway.
No need to hold back.
If she really becomes independent later and moves out like a daughter leaving home, I can feel bummed out then.
She's not there yet.
Didn't the future fragment show it?
Seol Yu-wol and I need to stick together for her dependency to fade and the future to improve.
This is right.
I left the counseling office.
The Association isn't far.
Yoo Seon-woo thought Seol Yu-wol might get intimidated by her boss...
But in reality, Team Leader Kim was the one completely cowed by Seol Yu-wol.
It wasn't just cowed—any more cheek from her, and he'd have been physically dead.
"......"
'What do I do.'
That was his inner thought.
This was hopeless.
He hadn't stamped the contract himself, but he was the one responsible.
For now, all he could do was wait for Team Leader Park, who had been dragged to the executive meeting room, to come back soon.
What the hell kind of contract was this?
How on earth had it gotten approved?
- Bang.
At that moment, the scout department door flew open roughly, and Team Leader Park walked in.
He looked utterly exhausted.
"Oh? Director, you're back already?"
He asked calmly upon seeing Team Leader Kim clutching his head on the sofa.
Instead of answering, Team Leader Kim threw the bundle of papers he was holding onto the table.
- Thud.
The director had tossed the contract onto the table.
Seol Yu-wol's bodyguard contract.
"What... is this...?"
"Oh dearie me."
Oh dearie me?
'Damn it...'
At that nonchalant exclamation, Team Leader Kim nearly jumped to his feet, but barely held back.
He could yell and berate.
That suited his personality better. He was good at it.
Squeezing subordinates for results was his specialty.
But right now, that wouldn't help at all.
He was the responsible party; from here on, they needed to put their heads together and fix this.
'Okay, let's think.'
Where to even start?
Targeted strike clause?
No-separation clause?
Or the influx of this external force called Shin Jung-won backing this insane contract?
As he carefully selected words to grill him with trembling lips, Team Leader Park broke the silence first.
- Rustle.
He tore open a bag of courtesy chocolates on the table.
Popped one in his mouth, chewed leisurely, and sank deep into the sofa.
"What might be the issue?"
What might be the issue?
His pronunciation was all mumbled from the chocolate stuffed in his mouth.
"Pardon...?"
Team Leader Kim was dumbfounded by the casual question.
Was he really clueless about the situation?
Or was he crazy?
"No, the building's about to get wrecked! That woman's insane—"
"Oh my, is that so."
He tossed in a soulless interjection, like watching someone else's house burn.
"......"
Only then did Team Leader Kim properly look at Team Leader Park's face.
No worry. No fear.
- Smirk.
The corner of his mouth twitched up faintly.
"That must hurt... I mean, since the contract's already done... couldn't even report it, just approved it on the spot..."
He continued with a smile.
"Can't undo it now. What can you do? You'll have to take responsibility. You're the director, after all."
Director...
He'd been calling him by title pointedly. Now the reason was clear.
He'd only ever called him team leader before.
As director, take responsibility.
"Hoo..."
- Rub rub rub.
Fine, got it.
Team Leader Kim rubbed his dry face to cool off.
Pressuring this guy further here would yield nothing.
The water was already spilled. Now they needed a way to clean it up.
"...Alright, I get it. But surely you've thought about it? Hunter temperaments, management manuals, something..."
Team Leader Kim asked, grasping at straws.
It's fine.
Two S-rank hunters. If they could control them... no problem at all.
Still well within manageable bounds.
Team Leader Park crumpled the chocolate wrapper and tossed it onto the table.
Then nodded toward the contract where Seol Yu-wol had drawn thick red lines.
"Isn't it written right there?"
"Pardon?"
"The solution."
His eyes turned icy.
"Don't separate them. Simple, right?"
"......"
"Tsk, you still don't get it."
Team Leader Park scoffed.
"Wake up, Director."
He stood, patted the shoulder of the dazed Team Leader Kim.
"Don't delude yourself. Get a grip."
And whispered the final blow in his ear.
"Those S-rank hunters..."
Team Leader Kim—no, Director Kim—closed his eyes.
"They're actually not affiliated with the Association."
That was the truth Team Leader Park had accepted and given up on long ago.
The Association had just provided lodging from the start.
The people to live, fight, and stir things up in that lodging were decided separately from the beginning.