Chapter 36
Chapter 36
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 36
Chapter Title: Ye-rin's Pursuit
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The path from the Hunter Association's main gate toward the central building.
With clear weather and a cool breeze, it was one of those moments where walking naturally lifted one's spirits.
Perhaps fitting for a public institution, the Hunter Association had clearly put effort into landscaping its vast grounds, making it feel like a stroll through a park.
"Ha, what nice weather...!"
Jeong-hyeon, too, spread his arms wide to savor the rare leisurely moment and take in a deep breath.
But at that instant, he spotted one person and froze solid.
'Wh-why is Ye-rin here?'
Cha Ye-rin was approaching him directly from that distance.
He hadn't done anything wrong, yet his heart suddenly clenched, his breath caught, and the refreshing mood from moments ago vanished.
Jeong-hyeon stealthily folded his outstretched arms and turned around as naturally as possible.
Even if it meant heading back out of the Association, he wanted to avoid any entanglement with Ye-rin.
'Damn it, why is that woman, an A-Rank Hunter, working at the Association instead of joining some guild...'
It wasn't peak rush hour for arrivals or departures when crowds thronged.
Who could have imagined running into Ye-rin, of all people, right at the entrance of the Association on a casual visit?
Grumbling inwardly for absurd reasons, Jeong-hyeon began retracing his steps as naturally as he could.
However,
"Weren't you just thinking, 'Why is an A-Rank Hunter working at the Association?'"
"Eek!"
Jeong-hyeon let out a startled yelp at the voice coming from behind—the one that shouldn't have.
"How did you..."
"Oh? Is that really what you thought? That's hurtful. There are plenty of A-Rank Hunters at the Association besides me."
"N-no, how did you close that distance in one go from way over there..."
She had clearly been at least 200 meters away when he first spotted her.
And it wasn't like the area was deserted.
Even if it wasn't peak hour, amid a crowd comparable to a busy street, she had spotted him, pierced through, and reached his back in less than three seconds.
It was a bone-chilling experience.
"Ah, well, that's because I'm an 'A-Rank Hunter.' No idea why I'd work at some 'Association' like this."
"No, I didn't think that!"
"More importantly, how long are you going to stand there with your back to me? I'd like to see your face."
Only then did Jeong-hyeon realize he was still facing away from Ye-rin.
Whenever he encountered her, he felt like prey cornered by a predator, unable to muster any strength.
"Haha, you startled me. How have you been?"
"Not well at all."
"......?"
Was that the kind of response you gave to a greeting?
Of course, the Association's infamous powerhouse wouldn't be a pushover.
Maybe his luck was just bad today.
But even so, responding to a hello like that wasn't normal, right?
Especially when Jeong-hyeon wasn't even the cause.
"I heard you went hunting with Jeongjin Guild?"
'Ah, so I'm the reason.'
That explained why Ye-rin felt particularly intimidating today.
Like a malfunctioning robot, Jeong-hyeon creakily turned to face her.
Ye-rin was smiling, but somehow, that beautiful smile hid the sharp fangs of a beast that made his legs tingle.
"Well, I didn't really want to go, but they insisted... Wait, how did you know?"
"Never mind that. Why don't you go hunting with me sometime?"
'Is she deliberately changing the subject? So thuggish?'
The suspicion crossed his mind.
Not that it was surprising, given it was Ye-rin.
He could guess how she knew about Jeongjin Guild and the gate.
Guild reservations were handled by the Association anyway.
Someone of her rank—section chief level—could easily access that info.
She probably had connections in the guild world too.
Anyway, hunting with Ye-rin?
He'd rather die than agree, but he had to ask one thing.
"...What's your level?"
"Oh, a casual level 5 gate should do."
"You're not crazy, are you?"
"Of course not."
Her nonchalant retort and immediate reply left no room for doubt.
A level 5 gate?
It was a proposal that made him wonder if she was desperate to kill him.
Jeong-hyeon's level was barely approaching level 4, if he was generous.
Hadn't he struggled immensely even in a level 3 gate?
'I was thinking of trying level 4 soon... but seriously, what's with this woman?'
"So you're level 5?"
"If you're curious, come hunt with me and find out."
Ye-rin replied with a relaxed smile.
She was probably lowering her level to accommodate him, but the pressure of level 5 was immense.
It was a clear barrier low-rankers couldn't reach and a turning point that separated high-rankers into tiers.
Even for an A-Rank, reaching level 5 at her age required exceptional talent and experience.
'This woman is more of a monster than I thought...'
What was hidden inside that delicate face and slender body?
Anyway, now he really didn't want to hunt together—or even approach a gate entrance with her.
"Unfortunately, I can't go hunting with you. See you around."
"Oh, where are you off to?"
"The rental shop. Nice seeing you."
His tone clearly screamed he didn't want to see her face again.
With a light wave, Jeong-hyeon hurried off.
However,
"...Why are you following me?"
Ye-rin started trailing him, deviating from her original direction.
Jeong-hyeon asked without turning, refusing to give her any opening.
Ye-rin chuckled and replied.
"You're a person of interest, Jeong-hyeon. Just making sure you don't sneak into any restricted Hunter areas."
"I'm not! Geez!"
Why was he suddenly a person of interest?
Sure, if his EX-rank traits were exposed, he'd be one—but for now, he was just an ordinary unregistered hunter.
It was especially burdensome coming from Ye-rin of all people.
But with her decided on following, there was nothing Jeong-hyeon could do.
Unless he knocked out an A-Rank level 5 Hunter—which he couldn't without extreme measures.
'Just wait till I hit A-Rank...'
All he could do was grit his teeth and endure.
In the end, Ye-rin followed him lightly to the rental shop behind the main building, seeming oddly cheerful.
Screech—
"Welcome... Huh?"
As Jeong-hyeon opened the rental shop door, Park Cheol-yong greeted him in his usual archaic tone.
But he tilted his head before finishing.
Either surprised that Jeong-hyeon was back before a month was up, or at Ye-rin entering behind him with a beaming smile.
"I'll let the young one slide, but Section Chief Cha? What brings you here?"
Probably the latter.
"Oh, nothing much at the rental shop. Just tailing a person of interest."
Can't have security breached, right?
Ye-rin added with a grin.
Jeong-hyeon was too tired to protest or get angry anymore.
"Person of interest, my foot. What brings you here, kid?"
At Park Cheol-yong's smacking lips, Jeong-hyeon suddenly remembered why he'd come to the rental shop.
Come to think of it, wasn't this more infuriating than Ye-rin following him?
"Hey, Uncle. Look at this mace. See this mess? Who'd trust and rent from you like this?"
"What? Oh dear, what a pity."
'Pity? Yeah, a pity—for my life!'
Park Cheol-yong took the now-separated mace—handle and head—and examined them with a regretful gaze.
Jeong-hyeon complained fiercely, as if steam would blow from his nose.
"I nearly died because of this. See? Ghoul scratches all over it, right?"
It felt like his pent-up frustration was exploding at the perfect moment, and his momentum was sharp.
But Park Cheol-yong wasn't one to back down easily.
"Oh my, that's unfortunate, but since the gear is damaged, we'll have to charge for that."
"What? Charge me? Uncle, would you have paid for my life if I'd died?"
"Young man, watch your words. I'm sorry, but damaged is damaged."
Tension crackled between Jeong-hyeon and Park Cheol-yong.
Neither willing to yield.
As they glared silently,
"From what I overheard, Hunter Han Jeong-hyeon rented this mace, and it broke in combat, right?"
"Yes."
"That's it exactly!"
Ye-rin interjected.
Though not directly involved, who had more influence than Cha Ye-rin?
They both looked at her with expectant eyes.
"Staring like that makes me shy."
"Ahem."
"Cough."
This time, they both blushed and cleared their throats almost simultaneously.
Ye-rin smiled and continued.
Park Cheol-yong might not know, but
"Per rental regulations, if gear breaks in combat, there's a full refund plus 200k compensation, right, shopkeeper? I'm from investigations, so not my expertise, but is that wrong?"
With her as the opponent—and Jeong-hyeon involved—the outcome was decided.
"!"
"What? There's a rule like that?"
"Cough, ahem! Yes, there is such a regulation... It's just so rare, I forgot."
The tables turned instantly—decisively.
Jeong-hyeon pressed Park Cheol-yong heatedly.
Ye-rin answered for the stammering man.
"Of course. Gear is a hunter's life. Charging them would make the Association no better than thugs. You must have mixed it up with everyday damage rules, shopkeeper."
"Right, I confused it with civilian damage! In combat, compensation is standard, of course."
Park Cheol-yong made excuses, sweating bullets, but Jeong-hyeon saw through it.
'What a pathetic guy.'
No matter how charitably he tried, Park Cheol-yong was irredeemable.
Trying to squeeze low-rank hunters who rented gear—not just for equipment, but nearly for their lives.
Then Ye-rin placed the gear from Jeong-hyeon's hands on the counter.
"When...?"
Jeong-hyeon gaped at her, unaware she'd taken it, but she just smiled at Park Cheol-yong.
"Please handle the return. And make sure the compensation goes to Hunter Han Jeong-hyeon via the Association."
"Ahem, got it. I won't forget."
"We've finished our business, so shall we go?"
"Wait, there's more—Urk!"
Seeing Jeong-hyeon still fuming at Park Cheol-yong, Ye-rin grabbed his wrist and dragged him out.
"Hunter Han Jeong-hyeon."
"Yes?"
"The shopkeeper wouldn't have charged you anyway. Though he'd probably skip the compensation too."
"Exactly! Rules are rules!"
"Well, everyone has their circumstances."
Ye-rin's gaze fixed on him seriously, devoid of playfulness, silencing Jeong-hyeon.
Circumstances?
"I'll pass this to the relevant department for proper handling. Any other business?"
"Oh, I need to pick up a—custom cake I ordered. My head's spinning. Go handle yours first if you're busy."
Unprepared for her sudden seriousness, Jeong-hyeon nearly spilled his plans but covered.
But Ye-rin's eyes had already sharpened.
"As expected... A hunter awakened barely a month ago using the forge. Definitely a person of interest."
"Not the forge, a custom cake—"
"Shall we head there first?"
"...You're following there too?"
Ye-rin just smiled silently at his question.
Locking eyes briefly, Jeong-hyeon sighed and started walking.
Toward the forge behind the rental shop, of course.
In a way, thanks to Ye-rin, he'd gotten compensation—maybe she'd help at the forge too?
"You sure know how to work every nook of the Association facilities. Ever thought of joining—"
"Please, just shut up!"
Of course, he'd have to endure the stress.