Chapter 83: The Branch Manager (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 83: The Branch Manager (2)
Following the man with the slicked-back hair, I came face-to-face with someone I never expected.
“It's a pleasure to meet you.”
The 13th director of the World Hunter Association's Korean branch, and the undisputed S-rank hunter of South Korea who could pulverize anything with his fists alone.
It's safe to say that among the citizens of South Korea, you might find someone who doesn't know the president's name, but you won't find anyone who doesn't know this man.
“I'm Kang Cheolho.”
The Iron Man, Kang Cheolho.
“...It’s an honor to meet you. I’m Kang Hyun-woo.”
I shook a hand that was easily twice the size of my own and took a seat.
It wasn't just his hands that were large. Even I, who was always told I was tall, had to tilt my head up just to see his face.
His build was enormous, reminiscent of a minotaur beast-kin.
...And he's in his late fifties?
The man, who was approaching his sixtieth birthday, looked young enough to pass for his late thirties, save for a few faint wrinkles. It was because, just as with Grandma Choi Young-ok, the body's aging process slows down once one's magic power surpasses a critical point.
It was the same principle that made 8th Circle archmages look like they were still in their twenties.
Moreover, it wasn't just his appearance that surprised me.
His aura was so refined that not a single wisp of magic power could be felt from him; you could easily mistake him for an ordinary person.
It was faint and weak, only barely perceptible when I deliberately focused, but the magic power contained within was on a level I couldn't even dream of reaching.
Even though I had reached the 4th Circle, an insurmountable gap existed between us.
If I were to attack him with all my might, could I even last ten seconds?
Impossible.
That single word filled my mind. I swallowed dryly without realizing it.
The same feeling I'd had when I witnessed the Tower Lord's magic beyond the gate swept over me once more.
“So.”
Thump— The air suddenly grew heavy.
It felt as if a virtual mass was pressing down on me.
This was neither magic nor a superpower.
“Are you done sizing me up?”
Magic power doesn't inherently have mass, but he was giving it substance through an overwhelming amount of it and a corresponding density.
“...You look much healthier in person than you do in the media.”
With that one sentence I managed to force out, the crushing magical presence vanished as if the pressure I'd felt had all been a lie.
To think he could do something like that as easily as breathing.
Thanks to that, I was able to get a small sense of the weight the title of S-rank hunter carried.
“Your accomplishments are quite impressive for someone so young.”
“They're nothing compared to yours, Director.”
“Is that so?”
A chill ran down my spine as his cold gaze swept over me.
I couldn't tell if what I was feeling was simple survival instinct or an arrogant desire to win.
“My apologies for summoning you so suddenly. I hope I didn't pull you away from anything important.”
I shook my head lightly.
It was true I had other plans, but I couldn't just say that.
There's an old saying that you can even curse the king when he's not around, but that doesn't mean anyone would actually cuss out the president to his face.
I wasn't clueless enough to complain to a man who was the very definition of living power—a man rumored, half-jokingly, to have a higher unofficial rank than the president.
Besides, I had no idea why someone like him would call for me in the first place. If I had exchanged the minotaur's magic stone, I might have understood, but...
As if sensing my confusion, Kang Cheolho gently set down a teacup smaller than his palm and spoke, his voice heavy.
“Do you remember the D+-rank magic stone you exchanged recently?”
For a moment, my blood ran cold.
...Don't tell me he called me here to question the source of the magic stone.
The thought was fleeting; I quickly shook my head. The idea that a man of his stature would summon me for such a trivial matter was just me being self-important.
Just as the chief of police wouldn't personally investigate a criminal just because he had free time, it was hard to believe that the Branch Director would call me in just to ask about the origin of a magic stone.
Besides, they had to know that even if they questioned me, I could just use the Magic Tower as an excuse.
“No need to be so tense. I was simply curious about the peerless genius of a mage who managed to form a Circle in just one week.”
Kang Cheolho's gaze seemed to pierce right through me.
Just as I had been sizing him up, he was sizing me up as well.
Before long, a strange light flickered in his eyes.
After a moment of seeming contemplation, he finished the black tea in his cup and opened his mouth.
“Two days ago, an unidentified gate was discovered in Dangjin, South Chungcheong Province. It was measured as C-rank.”
Watching my reaction, he suddenly handed me a document that was on his desk.
The title of the document was ‘Unidentified Gate Report’.
“To cut to the chase, I want you to participate in the investigation team for this gate.”
It was an inappropriate thing to say to a mage from the Magic Tower, not a member of the Hunter Association.
Even more so for the director of the association's branch.
“...Could you give me some time to think about it?”
Unable to answer rashly, I asked for a brief reprieve.
“I expect an answer within three days.”
*
By the time I left the Hunter Association building, it was well past noon.
But I wasn't hungry. I tended to be like that when my mind was a mess.
Tiring—
[S Bank]
[Deposit: 207,600,000 Won]
Besides, seeing the deposit notification made me feel full even without having eaten lunch.
Exchanging all the magic stones I'd brought in my bag yielded a little over 200 million won. To make 200 million purely from magic stones, with no byproducts or gathered materials...
It was like a barbecue restaurant making a huge profit without selling any alcohol.
My mood lifted for a moment at my suddenly flush bank account, but as soon as I recalled the director's request, my thoughts grew complicated again.
As compensation for this request, he promised 100 million won in cash, as well as a favor—he would grant any reasonable request I had.
More than the cash, the chance to ask a favor of an S-rank hunter and the director of the Hunter Association was incredibly appealing, but there were too many suspicious aspects to accept it outright.
The Hunter Association couldn't be short on manpower... Kang Cheolho, why on earth would he offer such a request to me, someone he'd met for the first time today?
No matter how much I thought about it, an answer didn't come easily.
I habitually scratched the back of my head. I had no choice but to set the problem aside and think about it later.
I turned and walked toward the church right next to the association building.
Its splendid exterior, looking like it had been built with wads of cash, was still impressive. The inside of the church was quiet; it seemed churches were also empty on weekday afternoons.
“Welcome, brother.”
A man who appeared to be a priest approached me.
“What brings you to our church today?”
“I'd like to buy some Holy Water. Where should I go?”
During my last dungeon exploration, I'd realized it was essential to carry a spare supply of Holy Water.
Potions could cause addiction if consumed in large quantities, but Holy Water had no such side effects. On top of that, it was generally more effective than potions.
“Ah, then would you please follow me?”
The priest, seemingly pleased by the appearance of a customer for Holy Water, guided me with a much brighter smile.
I followed him through the church's interior and soon arrived at what looked like a very spacious chapel. A massive cross and the sunlight streaming through ornate stained-glass windows created a sacred atmosphere. This place also reeked of money.
As I was looking around, the priest brought me a small pamphlet.
“If you tell me the grade and quantity of Holy Water you wish to purchase, I will bring it from the repository.”
The grades of Holy Water ranged from highest to lowest.
“What's the usual grade of the Holy Water made by the Bishop?”
“The Holy Water made by the Bishop is usually mid to high-mid grade.”
I glanced at the booklet. As expected, the prices were quite steep. It seemed there was a reason the Tower Lord had brought it as a get-well gift.
“...Three vials of mid-grade and two vials of low-grade, please.”
“Yes, thank you. Please wait a moment.”
Unlike the priest who headed to the repository with a light step, my heart was heavy.
Even if it was a necessary expense, the amount of money I just spent on five vials was enough that even my parents would have called me a crazy bastard.
Of course, I don't have parents, but I couldn't be stingy when my life was on the line.
My heart was heavy now, but I had no doubt a day would come when I'd praise myself for this decision.
A short while later, the priest returned carrying a silver tray, his steps more careful than ever.
“Here are the three vials of mid-grade and two vials of low-grade Holy Water you requested.”
“...I'll pay by card.”
I handed over my card with a trembling hand.
Of course, having reached the 4th Circle, I could make as much money as I wanted, but that didn't mean the memories of living as an ordinary citizen for the past twenty-one years would just disappear.
The priest took the card with a bright smile and briefly excused himself. Something about how it would look too materialistic to have a card reader in the chapel.
I let out a heavy sigh and slumped into a pew.
“I have so much to do.”
Of course, going to see Cheon Yeo-hwa was a joyous occasion that needed no explanation, but after that, I had to give the director an answer to his request, and my promise with the Tower Lord was also waiting for me.
With my admission to the Magic Tower just around the corner, it was inevitable that my busy schedule would lead to more worries.
Tiring—
Though I suppose no problem is more serious than this one right now.
The notification that rang this time wasn't from the app. Having turned on my phone for the first time in a while, a message had arrived from a familiar person.
[What do you think of this?]
The message was from Choi Hyena.
She had sent a short message along with a photo of what looked like baby shoes.
[...What is this?]
[What do you think it is?]
I was terrified to read the next message.
[They're shoes for our baby.]
Clatter— My phone fell and rolled across the floor. It was a message I couldn't bear to see.
How did things end up like this?
Was it a mistake to have fucked Choi Hyena like crazy, going way beyond the scope of a rescue mission?
“Haa...”
Of course, mulling it over wouldn't give me an answer. And it's not like I could just tell Choi Hyena to get rid of it.
To enjoy myself to the fullest and then try to evade responsibility now...
That was less than a man, less than human.
“I guess... I'll have to get married.”
When I thought about it, it wasn't actually such a bad option. Choi Hyena was unbelievably beautiful, on par with Iris and Cheon Yeo-hwa, and she was the only daughter of a family wealthier than most chaebols.
Well... her personality is a bit flawed, but that's what marriage is.
It's a process where two imperfect people meet and learn to compromise and change for each other.
I just never thought I'd be doing it at this age.
I was worried, and I had a lot on my mind.
“Brother?”
“Ah.”
The priest had returned at some point and was looking at me with a concerned expression.
“Is something troubling you?”
“Huh? Ah...”
Normally, I would have just said nothing was wrong, but today, the words wouldn't come out so easily.
“Brother, sometimes keeping your worries bottled up can make your heart sick. If you're willing, how about making a confession?”
“A confession...?”