Chapter 71
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 71
Chapter Title: Hunter Association (2)
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"Are you that bastard who's been seeing my granddaughter lately? You look even dumber than in the photos."
"Pardon...?"
"Didn't hear me? I said you look dumb as hell."
I was at a complete loss for words at Yoon Seo-jun's friendly repetition, emphasizing "dumb" like he thought my ears weren't working.
'...Does he think I'm acting like this because I didn't hear him?'
No, he'd barely glanced at me before blurting out that I looked dumb.
Are you the bastard dating my granddaughter? And I'd have to go, Yep! That's me, the dumb bastard!
This was ridiculous.
Part of me wanted to fire back instead of just thinking it, but the moment I opened my mouth...
I had a strong premonition I'd meet a swift death that would make surviving Arkin Row look like a joke.
So I kept my mouth shut tight and just stared at his face.
Yoon Seo-jun eyed me up and down a few times before getting to the point.
"Anyway, the reason I wanted to see you is simple. To confirm if you're really dating our Seo-rin."
"May I ask why you think that, sir?"
"That's simple too. To protect our precious Seo-rin, who wouldn't hurt a fly, I hid a bunch of Association agents inside the academy.
But at some point, they stopped reporting on protection and kept mentioning some guy hovering around her."
"Hmm... I see."
I was speechless again at how brazenly he admitted planting people in the academy.
But I showed no real reaction.
Why? No point in getting cocky—it wouldn't end well!
All I could do was nod like a trained dog and mutter "I see" or "Yes, sir."
Still, I had to clear up at least the bare minimum misunderstanding.
"To be precise, it's not me hanging around Seo-rin... it's her following me around, isn't it...?"
'...Huh? I didn't mean to say that.'
I realized it sounded off the moment it left my mouth, but it was too late.
The Association President's face twisted into something straight out of a goblin tale—exaggerated, of course.
"So... you're saying... our Yoon family treasure, the academy's most beautiful girl, likes a bastard like you... but you won't give her the green light, so she just trails after you...?"
"H-How do you arrive at that conclusion...?"
As I cautiously voiced my doubt, the corner of Yoon Seo-jun's mouth curled up in a chilling smile.
Oh no. This was bad. Really fucked.
"Ho... so I heard wrong? You're saying our Seo-rin chases after you?"
"No, it's not about permission—"
"Weak body, but stubborn as hell. Perfect candidate for a good thrashing."
'Shit, what's a thrashing candidate?'
I had no idea why he talked like that, but right now... was I about to die?
After barely surviving by contorting my whole body, clinging to the Book of Restraints... to go out this pathetically?
No way in hell. I'd survived this far—can't die here.
I steadied my racing heart with deep breaths and carefully opened my mouth.
And in that instant, miracle or curse, unfiltered words spilled out on their own.
"Well, y'know, uh, yeah... I like Seo-rin too. Truth is, we're, uh... yeah! Playing hard to get."
"......"
"...Pardon?"
I said it, and I panicked first.
What the hell did I just say? Am I crazy? It felt like someone hijacked my mouth...
Fuck, Oath of Indulgence—you've finally taken over my body too?
Are you dead set on killing me?
Just as I thought I was done for, truly no way out...
I noticed Yoon Seo-jun's eyes weren't gleaming murderously anymore.
They'd stiffened briefly, then relaxed ever so slightly.
"...Hmm."
His eyes fixed straight on my face.
No anger, no threat, no pressure.
Just appraising.
"...That one phrase is enough."
"Pardon?"
"That you... like my granddaughter."
His words echoed loudly in the quiet room.
I hadn't said we were 'dating' or that Seo-rin liked me.
"Everything before was just a lie. I was curious if our stoic Seo-rin, who can't even make proper friends, had taken an interest in someone. That's why I called you."
"I... see."
"To be more precise, I wanted to check if you were someone who'd hurt our Yoon family jewel."
Yoon Seo-jun slowly sat in his chair.
The earlier pressure vanished like a lie, replaced by the heavy aura of a battlefield commander.
"Anyway, let's get to the real point."
He tapped the document on his desk.
The cover read: Descent-type Gate / Report.
"About this incident. I got Choi Eun-ha's report, but..."
His gaze pierced me again.
"...I want to hear it from you. There are some suspicious parts."
"......"
That one line made me draw a shallow breath and think.
Damn, did he catch on?
Yoon Seo-jun could've spotted inconsistencies between Choi Eun-ha's testimony and the scene.
Dungeons vanish 24 hours after clearing, so guilds including the Association must've investigated Arkin Row's fortress beforehand.
In that process, they could've found traces of magic no close-range tanker like Choi Eun-ha could've used,
and unique mana residues on Arkin Row's body.
Of course, lying wouldn't help, so I slowly nodded and began explaining.
"...Understood. I'll tell you everything honestly."
Of course, not entirely—90% truth mixed with 10% lies.
After about five minutes of explanation, Yoon Seo-jun, who'd listened silently,
glanced back and forth between the report and my face before slowly speaking.
"To sum up... Choi Eun-ha did take down the elite and veteran demons, but you made a significant contribution too?"
"...Well, you could see it that way."
"Got it. Some doubts linger, but they're cleared."
Yoon Seo-jun stood and walked back to the floor-to-ceiling window, gazing outside.
Feeling like I should follow, I slowly rose and stood beside him, looking out.
"This is just my gut."
About three minutes passed as we overlooked the peaceful Seoul streets below. He spoke.
"I think another great war with the demons—like the catastrophe ten years ago, or the ones from centuries back—will erupt within two years at soonest."
"...May I ask what makes you think that?"
"Simple. This Descent-type Gate incident, the demons in the academy's artificial dungeon before that, and the noticeably rising demon sightings lately."
Mana surges erupted around him, uncheckable.
"Those filthy bugs are prepping for another round. Stinks to high heaven."
"Kuh... Is that so?"
Insane. Is this the power of a retired hunter?
I could tell he was deliberately avoiding me, but even the faint mana brushing me squeezed my heart.
I instinctively lowered my stance.
His mana pressure wasn't suppressing me, but as a fellow mana user, I knew.
This wasn't battle. It was a warning.
A warning to the demons—for his granddaughter's protection, and preparation.
Yoon Seo-jun gazed at the peaceful daily life outside and murmured low.
"...But there's one silver lining."
I caught my breath slightly and looked at his profile.
"This generation has... kids who can fight. Seeds that might end the long war with the demons."
His words were too flat for praise, too soft for orders.
"Seo-rin, Choi Eun-ha, Wol Ha-yeon, you... and a few others."
He turned slowly.
"But—"
His eyes shifted from the window to me.
"Don't get complacent with your current strength."
My breath caught.
One phrase carrying decades of battlefield experience and weight.
"...I'll keep that in mind."
I could only answer sincerely.
Yoon Seo-jun didn't change expression, turning back to the window.
"Good. That's enough for today. You're dismissed."
His curt dismissal.
I gave a final bow and headed for the door.
As my hand reached the knob—
"Kang Hyun-sol."
I froze at his voice from behind.
"Always... make Seo-rin smile."
I didn't turn, but somehow I knew from his tone.
That wasn't from the Association President or an S-Rank hunter. Just a grandfather's request for his girl.
"It was heartwarming, seeing that kid—who always stayed expressionless, aloof, choosing solitude—worry for someone and be together."
I nodded very slowly.
"...Yes. I will."
The door opened, then closed.
Down in the Association lobby and out into the street, urban noise pulled me back to reality.
Office workers dashing with coffee, people hailing taxis—familiar daily life.
But in my ears, only his last words echoed.
Make Seo-rin... smile.
I let out a long breath.
"Ha... what a mess."
The war coming someday.
Who to protect, who to lose in it.
Never once succeeded.
Reaching the finale without a single sacrifice.
That's why it was always for game clear.
Brainwashing myself it was to see the ending I craved, calculating who to let die at this timing for minimal loss.
"But now it's reality... no such choices. Means I have to get stronger again."
I gripped Silver Moon's hilt tight.
The cold touch in my hand. Moonlight vibrated faintly within.
"Yeah. Let's do it."
I muttered that and slowly stepped forward.