First Friend
“Whoa!”
Yoo Haneul couldn't hide her awe as she arrived in front of Kim Seung-hyeok's house. She hadn't even stepped inside or seen the full layout, but the sight alone drew out an exclamation.
“Why does your house have walls like a fortress, Uncle?”
“...It's just a decent fence.”
“A decent fence looks like this? So what does an indecent one look like—building-sized?”
The wall, easily three times her height, encircled the property in a perfect rectangle. And the thickness? No way the monsters from that recent gate could punch through it. Plus, with similar houses all around, even reaching this point would be a nightmare for any monster.
“Gates break out a lot around here, so I built it as insurance. Any C-rank Hunter sets up something like this... Your neighborhood doesn't have 'em?”
“Nope, ours is a safe zone.”
“Ah, Sinwol-dong.”
Kim Seung-hyeok knew property values had skyrocketed there during the height of the gate panic. Relieved that Haneul lived in such a secure spot, he patted her back and led the way.
“The inside's even cooler, so let's head in.”
“Cooler? It's big on the inside too?”
“You bet.”
Choi Seok-il, Choi Seok-hyeon's older brother, had amassed a fortune—enough to found a guild, probably. After killing the man and even taking in his brothers, all that wealth had naturally fallen to Kim Seung-hyeok. No need for legal nitpicking with gangsters. He'd sold the main house, split the proceeds with the brothers, and ended up alone in this secret safehouse Seok-il had kept hidden...
Haneul's eyes sparkled as she heard the story.
“So this is the safehouse.”
“That's right.”
“Does it have secret rooms and stuff?”
Kim Seung-hyeok grinned.
“Of course. Hide in there, and no one finds you. Triple security and all.”
“Gasp! You're telling me about it?”
“Yeah. Touched?”
“Super! From today, we're secret friends, Uncle!”
“Hahaha! You can see it that way.”
“Ooo...”
Haneul's eyes glittered. A man's dream packed into one: the safehouse secret room. Pull books from a study shelf in order? Or press a hand to a fake wall? What treasures inside? Unlicensed firearms? Or Hunter-style hidden gate loot?
“I'm so excited I'm shaking...”
“Heh, no worries. I'll show you everything nice and easy once we're in.”
“It's that impressive?”
“Damn right. It's mine, but even I get proud sometimes. Go wash up first. I'll prep.”
“Huff huff... Awesome.”
After a deep breath, Haneul followed him. Behind them, Yoo Sera—ears enhanced to the max—grimaced harder.
Secret room? Show her everything nice and easy? Proud of his... thing? And secret friends? That bastard...!
'I'll kill you for sure...'
Seven minutes until Association staff arrived. By the time the girl finished washing, they'd be in position. Then, a clean rescue. Yoo Sera's eyes burned with justice.
*****
Inside Kim Seung-hyeok's house, Haneul was floored again. The shower room he showed her was twice the size of hers. And it had a hot tub, cold plunge, and sauna.
“B-ranks must rake it in...”
With this kind of cash, she could slap a cool badge on her streaming nickname. Or drop chicken on community forums to go viral.
“Safehouse...”
A new goal formed. Someday, she'd build one in a hidden spot, complete with secret room.
What to stash? Cross, Bodhi tree and Dharma wheel, Ruyi Jingu Bang, Gungnir, Keraunos, Excalibur, Green Dragon Crescent Blade, Yata no Kagami, Brynhildr, Ea and so on. To fit everything she owned? Needed to be massive. Which meant tons of money.
“Earth's still all about cash...”
Vowing diligent Hunter life ahead, Haneul sank into the hot tub.
“Ahhh...”
Tingling bliss shot from her toes to her scalp. After soaking in the steam, she reached into empty air.
Crack—a pale gray mana stone emerged from the rift into her hand. Fresh from gate monsters. A substance she'd never seen in her endless life.
She examined it, then popped it in her mouth without hesitation.
Crunch crunch—sharp, bitter tang spread. Her mind sharpened, scattered thoughts aligned. Subtle pleasure rippled through her body.
“Yum...”
Familiar taste to her. Not beast meat, not divine beast. Only one thing gave this instant-awakening zing.
“It's got divinity in it.”
Not quite like full divinity, though—bland. Still, confirmed: divinity-tainted mana stone.
'Divinity means Constellations, right?'
She'd sensed one twice today. The first at the entrance: new face. Even she hadn't met every being. Human-origin divinities? Rarely bothered.
But the next? Familiar. Cain, first murderer of mankind. Choi Seok-hyeon's exploded-head power was definitely Cain's.
Which was weird.
'I ate him whole—how's he still kicking?'
Haneul had devoured Cain entirely, gaining his senses, sickle, everything. His mark transferred to her, drawing higher-up pursuit... But Cain was gone.
'Did he just shed a piece?'
Like lizards dropping tails. Gods could too. So this stone: severed divinity chunk?
'Should ask.'
Can I ascend? Staring blankly upward, she sighed softly—no method yet—then grinned.
No way up? Drag 'em down.
'Close the gate first.'
Gates open, Constellations descend—linked for sure. Shut it, and one might show.
'Insolent mortal!' or whatever.
Meant scouting every corner. Even the far end she skipped today.
“Got it.”
Plan set, she swallowed stone dust and buzz with tub water, then climbed out.
“Brr...”
Water evaporated, chill prickled her skin. She roughly toweled off with the big one Seung-hyeok provided and looked around.
No clothes brought. Summon fresh? Fine, but dressing damp felt gross.
“Gotta go out to change.”
So what if someone's there? Mumbling, she opened the bathroom door.
“Huh? H-hey?!”
Eye contact with the woman who'd been pacing outside.
“You! Yooo...!”
“Uncle's girlfriend?”
“What the hell kinda nonsense is that?!”
“Huh...?”
Oddly, a super familiar voice. That snappy tone and speech—etched in memory. Who? Voice rings a bell, but new face...
Haneul tilted her head.
“You my mom maybe?”
“...Huh? What? M-mom...?”
Chewing the words, the woman's face twisted horribly. Tears welled—guess she lacked a mom too.
“I'm... not your mom. Clothes first.”
“Okay.”
Dressed and in the living room, Haneul spotted a familiar face.
“Branch Chief Uncle? What? Here for pork belly too?”
“...Pork belly? What're you on about? Wait, why are you here?”
“Came for pork belly.”
Scanning for Kim Seung-hyeok, she replied. Baek Seungcheol clearly wasn't here for BBQ—evidenced by Seung-hyeok pinned under other Association staff.
“Uncle Seung-hyeok, you okay?”
“For now... I'm fine. Glad you're safe too.”
“What's the big idea? They finally nab you for that Apgujeong supermarket heist?”
“...Cut the crap.”
Kim Seung-hyeok squeezed his eyes shut. No time for explanations, so Haneul eyed Baek Seungcheol.
“They bust Uncle Seung-hyeok for the supermarket thing?”
“...Hunter Kim Seung-hyeok. Don't tell me you're the Apgujeong department store thief... No, not the point. Yoo Haneul, why are you here?”
“Told you, pork belly and kimchi stew.”
“That's it? No shady deals for cash?”
“Nah, just tagging along for pork belly with Uncle. He said he'd launder my money. What's laundering anyway? Can't figure it.”
“...Launder?”
Baek Seungcheol's sharp gaze speared Kim Seung-hyeok, who sweated bullets and looked away.
Should've kept his mouth shut... Who expected the Association raid?
Kim prided himself on legal living lately. Not saintly, but law-abiding—no humiliating takedowns like this.
Baek Seungcheol rose, face grim.
“...No clue what's going on. Need explanations from both sides. Yoo Sera, yours too.”
“...Yes, sir.”
Realizing her mistake, Yoo Sera pursed her lips. Baek Seungcheol sighed deeply, hauling Kim up.
“Sorry for the rough handling without warning.”
“...Forget it. Can't blame anyone for my life.”
“Still, need the full story. The other Hunters you entered with never exited—turned out a false alarm, so compensation's due.”
Kim shrugged. Head spinning, no words. Haneul might spill from meeting to betrayal. He'd have to recount too... Unpredictable.
Constellation killed Hunters?
'Highest odds: frame job.'
Sponsored Hunters wouldn't blame their patrons. Kim eyed Haneul wistfully. No blame—she saved him. Just wished he could look after her now this happened.
Aware or not, Haneul blinked innocently.
“Where's my pork belly and stew?”
Seemed his turmoil meant zilch to her...
“We skipping today? We planned more after eating.”
Kim Seung-hyeok didn't answer—Baek Seungcheol did.
“That damn pork belly... Finish this, I'll grill it myself. Just behave.”
“Branch Chief Uncle grills well too?”
“Ran a butcher shop before Hunter life.”
“Boss man, huh.”
Butcher boss? Stew probably killer too. Haneul nodded happily, plopping down.
“Boss, what now?”
“...Sudden formal talk?”
“'Cause you're the boss.”
“You respect a butcher more than an Association chief... Whatever. Just explain what happened with Hunter Kim. Memory order's fine—I'll sort it.”
“From first meeting Uncle Seung-hyeok?”
Haneul recounted steadily: encounter, Choi Seok-hyeon's knife swing, Constellation intervention killing the Hunter, exiting gate together, arriving here.
Done, Yoo Sera—face crumpled—bowed frantically to Kim and Baek.
“I'm sorry... So sorry... I'm a bad bitch. A naughty bitch. A killable bitch... Sorry!”
Bad bitch. Naughty bitch. Killable bitch.
That familiar voice and rhyme tickled Haneul's mouth. No idea why, but lips and tongue moved on instinct.
“O-pan-moo.”
“Huh?”
She startled at her own words.
“What the—?”
Truly a mystery.