The Reason You're Thinking Of
Darkness had settled over the city.
There, a woman was walking along the sidewalk with two larger women draped over each of her shoulders.
Under ordinary circumstances, such a sight would have been nearly impossible. But considering that the person carrying it out was A-class Hunter Gwon-sun, it was nothing particularly remarkable.
Regardless of that fact, I followed behind her through the night and found myself speaking with automatic apology in my voice.
"Um… are you all right? Even so, I could at least take one of them…"
"Nah, no need. I may not look it, but I'm a Hunter too, right? This much is nothing."
"That's… true, but I still feel bad."
"If you feel that bad, Adjutant, go grab us a taxi already."
"Ah—yes. Understood."
At Gwon-sun's words I scanned the surroundings a little frantically, but the hour was late enough that no taxi was immediately available.
"This is… looks like we'll have to call one."
"Hmm… can't be helped. That'll take a bit, though… Let's just settle in here and wait."
With that, Gwon-sun propped the two unconscious women against the empty bus stop. From the looks of it, both of them were completely out cold, breathing in soft, even snores with no sign of waking anytime soon.
"Ugh… I've been thinking it since earlier, but both of them went a little too hard tonight. Well… given how good a mood they were in after finishing the mission that cleanly, I guess they earned it…"
Gwon-sun said this with a bitter smile. But considering she had been the one who drank the most at the barbecue restaurant earlier, I couldn't help thinking she was hardly in a position to talk.
"Even so… Jogus, you don't seem particularly drunk. You must have a surprisingly high tolerance?"
"Hmm… not really. I just get drunk a little slower than most people. I'll probably end up in floor-bed mode like those two before long."
"…I'd appreciate it if you could hold out at least until we get back to our rooms. Even so, for someone who isn't even a Hunter to carry three women at once is nearly impossible."
"Heh. Fair enough. All right. I'll try to stay conscious as long as I can."
With that, Jogus sat down, perching herself on the corner of the bench as if slightly worn out. Then she began sucking on a piece of candy she'd brought as a palate cleanser while looking at her phone.
Even though she was a Hunter and clearly an adult, watching a woman with tanned skin and dyed blonde hair sitting like that automatically brought the words delinquent student to mind.
Still, talking to her, she doesn't seem like pure trouble…
Honestly, setting aside her delinquent appearance, she had never once shown any sign of causing a scene or acting out. If anything, appearance aside, she gave off a rather mature impression for her age, and watching her assess and handle situations, I was currently evaluating Gwon-sun as a better person than I'd initially thought.
Then a question suddenly occurred to me, and I carefully looked at her as I asked.
"Come to think of it… the conversation got cut off when Are passed out. How did you end up becoming a Black Hunter, Jogus?"
"Me? Well… you can tell just by looking. It's for the reason you're thinking of."
"Ah…"
As she said, her free-spirited, slightly rough appearance—the gold-haired, tanned delinquent look—really didn't suit the military at all. The image of someone who disliked being bound by rules and seemed to pursue so-called freedom. I automatically understood and nodded.
"I understand what you mean."
"Right? Beating up Abysses is fun, but living cooped up in some backwater is stifling, and having to get up every morning to that reveille trumpet is even more of a nightmare."
"Hmm… I hate that too. That devil's trumpet blasting in your ears every morning…"
The terrible melody flashed through my mind and I automatically grimaced. Gwon-sun smiled lightly at the sight of me.
"That's it. The reason I left the Hunter Guild and became a Black Hunter… was because I hated those kinds of constraints."
"I see. Understood."
Gwon-sun spoke in a light voice. Having grasped her circumstances, I honestly felt a sense of relief.
Thank goodness… I was worried she might have some heavy story like Are. Looks like she doesn't have that kind of problem.
Are, who had been consumed by vengeance and madness after her family was slaughtered. Although she had found a measure of salvation after meeting Suyoung, I still couldn't help feeling automatic pity and sorrow for the tragedy she had endured.
In that regard… the fact that Gwon-sun had no such pain felt truly fortunate to me.
Meanwhile, turning her gaze toward me as I sat there relieved, Gwon-sun looked up at the night sky for a moment, sucking on her candy as if it were a cigarette—with an expression that momentarily seemed to carry some strange, unidentifiable emotion.
After arriving at the company by call taxi, Gwon-sun immediately tossed the two unconscious women onto the bed.
"Whew… done. All done."
"Thank you for your hard work. I'll be heading in as well, then."
"Yeah, you worked hard too, Adjutant. Get some rest."
After seeing Jinhyun out, Gwon-sun looked down at her colleagues tangled on the bed, sleeping as if the world didn't exist.
Glass, with her easygoing nature, who believed that enjoying life was what mattered—and who, as a result, lived a carefree life free of major worries.
Are, who had once been drowning in despair, but after meeting someone who could save her, had found the ability to smile again… and who, in the process, was dreaming of new happiness.
Looking at them—whether they carried wounds from the past or not—now able to wear genuine smiles on their faces…
She.
The woman named Yu Gwon-sun began to feel genuine envy.
It won't come for me… a day when I can wear a smile without lies like yours. Unlike you, my ending isn't a comedy…
The day after completing the B-class mission.
Are began walking alone down the corridor toward somewhere. A wide, straight corridor with no other doors along the sides. At the end stood only a single door.
Upon arriving there, Are slowly opened it and stepped inside.
"Welcome."
"I've returned, Chairman."
A familiar voice reached her ears. At the same time, before her eyes appeared the figure of someone sitting with their chair turned away, face not visible—not looking back toward Are, simply gazing silently out the window.
Without particularly minding this, Are placed the documents she had brought on the desk in front of her.
"This is the report on this mission. You've already heard the rough outline, but it was a victory that can only be described as overwhelming."
"Yes, it was truly remarkable! To think that against Abysses of that caliber, a perfect victory with not a single casualty! And in less than half a day, no less… Hmm!…"
The Chairman settled a slightly excited voice and trailed off. A light smile formed on Are's lips, and a voice carrying a hint of expectation flowed from her mouth.
"Then… would this be considered a pass?"
"Of course. Honestly speaking, it far exceeded expectations. I even regret not listening to you sooner, Are."
"Thank you for saying so."
At the joy in that voice, Are began to feel a sense of pride.
"To think that someone we can call our benefactor is also so exceptionally capable… it doesn't get better than this. We'll continue to support you actively, so keep up the good work. If you need any help, just say the word."
"Yes, thank you."
With those words, Are left the room with lighter steps than when she had entered.
Meanwhile, watching Are leave…
A deep smile began to form on the Chairman's lips.
Truly… I'll be looking forward to what comes next. Lee Jinhyun…