Nangong Hui
"Disciple, what are you scribbling away at so diligently?"
"Ah, geez! Master! I told you to knock before coming in! What kind of person sneaks around like a ghost?"
The mild-mannered man finally knocked on the door—knock knock—before grinning sheepishly.
"If you couldn't even sense that obvious presence, you'd be perfect prey for an assassin's blade."
"If there were an assassin like you, Master, they'd be the Assassin King himself. No need for a separate title... Hey! Stop peeking like that! You're crossing the line, Master!"
"My youngest disciple wounds me with her words. What on earth is it? Show your master."
"No way. Not showing you."
"Why on earth is the very first line 'Make a Disciple'? Is our little disciple planning to descend the mountain soon?"
"Argh! You saw it all!!"
The girl in the blue martial robe shot up from her seat and lunged at the man, swinging her fist wildly. Of course, her reckless punch never reached him.
"Training, more training. Training tomorrow, training the day after. Train in your sleep, train while you eat. As the youngest, you're sorely lacking. At this rate, when will you ever take down the eldest disciple?"
"What's with the sudden nagging?"
"So what is it, disciple? Even if you descend the mountain, it'd be nice to give us a heads-up."
"It's not like that. Just... a wishlist? Something like that."
"A wishlist? You write it all down like this? That many?"
The girl gave a wry smile and sat back at her desk.
"So I don't forget."
"That damn 500-million-year story again."
He said it dismissively, but the man's expression soured too. It was because the girl's usually bright face was shadowed by an indelible worry.
"'Make a Disciple'... Such a simple yet profound wish."
"It's hard? Why? Can't you just get strong, snag some decent guy, and raise him?"
"Finding a disciple worthy of your eye is harder than plucking stars from the sky."
"And I'm that star from the heavens, right?"
"Cheeky thing."
Chuckling, the man took her book and wrote a 二 right below the first line's 一.
"Hey, that's my wishlist! Why are you writing on it, Master? Make your own list!"
The girl's fists pelted his back sharply, but he didn't flinch. He simply wrote down the second wish he hoped his disciple would fulfill.
"If you take a disciple, I hope you achieve this second wish too."
Reading the content, the girl stopped her punches and pouted her lips. No refusal came.
The Association President ushered Namgung Hui inside without hesitation. No, it was more like he welcomed him.
But a corner of his mind swirled with unresolved confusion. Why the hell is Cheoncheon Sword Lord Namgung Hui here? Doesn't seem like he's holding a grudge, but seriously, why? And when did he learn Korean so fluently? Also, that eccentric? Who's the eccentric?
Baek Hye-seo was just as baffled. She'd only just learned today that Namgung Hui could speak so normally. At the Hunter year-end party two years ago, he'd done nothing but gorge at the buffet. Non-stop eating. Last year, he'd gone into secluded training and hadn't emerged. Other times she'd glimpsed him, he only spoke of swords—or not at all. And even then, in Chinese, so not even fellow Masters from his country could hold a proper conversation with him.
Yet here he was, speaking flawless, polite, and composed Korean? Could there really be such a normal person among the Masters...?
As the Association President wore a bewildered look and Baek Hye-seo gaped in astonishment, Namgung Hui entered the office with careful steps.
"Thank you for allowing me in. I have nothing to offer now, but I will repay you greatly someday."
He bowed politely to the Association President and Baek Hye-seo in turn, then turned his gaze to Haneul.
Snow-white hair and mystical amethyst eyes. Meeting the blank stare of Haneul, who gazed at him dumbly, Namgung Hui couldn't hold back his admiration.
"Ah..."
Jaw-droppingly beautiful features? Innocent eyes? Flawlessly clear skin? Impressive, sure—but that wasn't why. He'd sensed a fraction of her power, and the awe slipped out naturally.
Even though she was suppressing it to the extreme, radiating only a moderate aura, Namgung Hui instantly knew Haneul was a transcendent expert. Thus, he naturally realized this petite girl was the benefactor who'd helped him immensely.
Age, gender, pride, status—none of it mattered. Without hesitation, Namgung Hui dropped to his knees.
"Thank you for your help, Benefactor."
"Huh...?"
A dumb question slipped from the Association President's mouth. Baek Hye-seo, sitting right beside Haneul, choked as if she might faint on the spot.
The only calm ones were the kneeling Namgung Hui and Haneul, who accepted his greeting.
"Thanks to you, Benefactor, I was able to cast off my chains. Truly, thank you."
"Chains?"
"You severed my Apostle contract, didn't you? I didn't investigate. I just felt it. I realized it's an impossible feat for anyone but a supreme expert like you."
"Oh..."
"I have nothing to give now, but I've built quite a reputation in the mortal world. If there's anything you desire..."
At that point, Namgung Hui sensed something off. Staring into those transparent purple eyes, he intuitively knew this wasn't what she wanted.
Then what did she seek? As martial artist to martial artist... He should reveal his own martial art.
How about the Nangong Sword?
He'd learned a flawed sword, but within that flaw, he'd sought the righteous path. The Nangong Sword he'd realized alone wasn't swift, beautiful, or sharp.
It was heavy and domineering. Overwhelming with sheer momentum. Advancing without hesitation.
Thus, a Nangong warrior should be the same.
"My apologies. Allow me to rephrase."
Namgung Hui bowed his head to the floor and continued.
"It's humble, but may I show you the Nangong Sword I've mastered, Benefactor?"
After a brief silence, a small laugh sounded. Namgung Hui cautiously lifted his head and met Haneul's eyes. The once-wide purple pupils now curved prettily in a smile.
"Sure."
His heart pounded at that smile. Not romantic attraction, but pride at being acknowledged by the Benefactor.
"While we're at it, let's go watch right now."
"...Thank you!"
Namgung Hui sprang up and followed behind Haneul. His precise steps never overtook hers.
Watching their backs, the Association President realized his mouth was agape only after drool dripped from the corner.
"Sigh... What the hell is this insane situation?"
"Master? Haneul? Me? S-rank? Association President? Huh? Benefactor? Haneul? Nangong Sword? Huh?"
"B-Baek Hye-seo Hunter? Calm down first. Let's go watch too. Seeing Namgung Hui swing his sword will be educational."
Coaxing Baek Hye-seo, who teetered on the edge of trance, the Association President hurried after Haneul and Namgung Hui.
He had no clue what was going on, but if Namgung Hui was swinging his sword with such a happy face at the Korean Association...
...This works.
It would bring massive publicity and ripple effects.
What the hell did Yoo Haneul Hunter do...? No, who cares? As long as Yoo Haneul Hunter did something to make this happen...!
Pushing headaches to future-him, affection for Yoo Haneul bubbled up wildly in the Association President's heart.
Word that Namgung Hui had come to the Association spread to every employee. And to every Hunter in Seongbuk-gu, where the headquarters stood.
Not only had one of the ten Masters worldwide come to Korea, but he'd learned Korean and headed straight for HQ? Rumors were inevitable.
What was happening amid the chaos at Namgung Family Guild? What did other Constellations make of this? What was Namgung Hui planning in Korea?
The area around Association HQ instantly buzzed. Forty percent of staff had to go outside for crowd control. Even civilians gathered, pulling in police.
But none could see what unfolded inside. The Association President wanted publicity, but not to Korea's masses. A small elite audience sufficed now. Bigger ads would poison the Association, government, and Haneul.
Or is this already huge publicity?
Who knew. He gave up overthinking and focused on the scene ahead.
Finishing meditation, Namgung Hui rose.
"I'm ready, Benefactor. Say the word, and I'll begin immediately."
"You know my name?"
"...I'm ashamed of my ignorance."
"Nah, I never told you. I'm Haneul."
Haneul beamed.
"Yoo Haneul."
"Ah..."
Countless titles danced on Namgung Hui's tongue: Supreme Elder, Elder, Grand Elder—any exalted honor for this great benefactor. He even dreamed of "Master," but held back. Such words came only after full acceptance—and only if she allowed it.
"Thank you for telling me, Benefactor. I'll never forget it."
"Good. Let's get started."
Gasps of shock rippled from the onlookers at their casual exchange. Natural, in a world that ranked and divided even before Hunters. When Hunters arrived, visible power fueled the frenzy. They ranked from Apprentice to F through S. Later, beyond S came a whole new tier: Masters.
Unofficial rankings followed. In one-on-many fights, Cheoncheon Sword Lord Namgung Hui always topped the list.
For such a Hunter to humbly defer to a girl? Prime gossip fuel.
Everyone hushed, focusing. Some to advance via his sword, some to match him, some to see a fallen Master crash, some to blame their weakness on lost Constellations...
Haneul, oblivious, spoke lightly.
"Mm, our Gung Hwi. You've got a fine face on you."
"Thank you."
Namgung Hui ignored the odd nickname and weird compliment. His eyes fixed solely on his sword tip.
Unshaken, serene. More stable and honed than ever since becoming a Hunter.
In that state, Namgung Hui unleashed his first form.