Chapter 81
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Translator: MJK
Chapter: 81
Chapter Title: The Hidden Seed of the Curse (1)
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After Gorani sent Jayden flying, the Korean hunter world turned upside down.
The spark was a single document that MK Sphere's Lee Jung-hoon had tipped off to the Hunter Management Bureau's audit team and major media outlets.
A promise of an executive position at Phantom headquarters in exchange for cooperating in the Gorani-man lure operation.
"Phantom has never done anything like that! It's blatant forgery!"
Phantom denied it vehemently, but the guild's unique mana seal stamped at the bottom of the contract was irrefutable evidence.
"And what's this? Illegal items?"
On top of that, remnants of the illegal item [Temptation of Moonlight] that Jayden had used, sent by Gorani-man himself, along with humiliating footage of him taunting Gorani only to crash into a tree, exploded onto the scene one after another.
"Is all this really true?"
"So Phantom's been pulling dirty stunts like this behind the scenes?"
"The number two guild handles things like that?"
The situation snowballed out of control.
MK Sphere branded the incident a vile scheme that betrayed guild trust and issued an official condemnation statement.
The government also imposed the maximum penalties on Phantom Guild for using illegal artifacts within the country.
In the end, Phantom bowed their heads.
[Phantom Guild Decides on Complete Withdrawal from Korean Branch!]
[As an apology for illegal activities, they will waive penalties for all Korean hunters and pay out one full year of remaining salaries...]
[Breaking] Turns out it was for show? Korean government activates protections for domestic hunters—forcing Phantom to waive penalties!
Exposés followed, revealing that Phantom was taking credit for measures the Korean government had forced, stirring even greater controversy.
With the government's iron fist and public opinion fully turned against them, there was no way to hold out.
On top of that, Phantom's trustworthiness across the entire Asian market plummeted, putting their Asian branches at risk.
[Phantom Guild reviewing withdrawal from Singapore and Tokyo offices amid ethics scandal...]
The arrogant guild that had disrupted the Korean market with massive foreign capital crumbled pathetically.
"The number two guild collapses overnight like this."
"One wrong move against Gorani-man, and a whole guild disintegrates."
Hunters felt the weight of the name Gorani-man once more.
Gorani-man indeed!
Toppling the colossal corporation Phantom, backed by enormous foreign funds and shaking the entire Asian market.
"Is this what they mean by a different league?"
"Even three S-rank hunters couldn't dismantle a guild like that."
"Touch him, and you're done."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
"By the way, what happened to that Jayden guy who went after Gorani?"
Rumors said Jayden's entire body was shattered from Gorani's headbutt, leaving him bedridden for the next thirty years.
A miserable end, abandoned even by the Phantom he trusted.
A few days later, at the cooking class.
"...No way, was this what you meant?"
I-hana stared blankly at the guild notice on her phone and muttered to herself.
Full penalty waiver and immediate contract termination available for those who wish. One year's remaining salary paid in a lump sum...
She had steeled herself to pay the massive penalty and escape this rotten organization.
But not only was the penalty waived—they were even handing out a full year's unpaid salary.
Tap tap tap—
I-hana glanced at Kang-hyun, who was silently chopping vegetables beside her.
His cryptic words from not long ago.
"If you don't leave just yet and wait a little longer, something good will come your way soon."
Did he know about all this?
I-hana approached Kang-hyun, her voice trembling.
"Um, by any chance."
"Yes?"
"...Never mind. Just... thank you."
She didn't know why, but it felt like all these good fortunes were tied to Kang-hyun.
"No need to thank me."
Kang-hyun just scratched the back of his head.
Watching him, I-hana thought once more.
"He's far more extraordinary than I imagined."
Someone inexplicably trustworthy.
A wordless gratitude and a tiny spark of curiosity bloomed in I-hana's heart.
MK Sphere, executive director's office.
"Hahaha! I told you! Who knew that idiot would actually sign the document!"
Lee Jung-hoon couldn't hide his glee in front of Shin Seung-ah.
The secret contract he'd wrung from Jayden became the most damning evidence against Phantom.
For his功绩, he received commendations from the MK Group chairman and a public service medal from the government for "contributing to fair trade in the hunter market."
"Good work, sunbae."
"It was nothing."
Even as he spoke modestly, Lee Jung-hoon couldn't stop glancing at the shiny medal on his chest, beaming with pride.
"Oh, right. Gorani-man-nim sent something for you, sunbae."
"What? For me?"
"Yeah. He said thanks for the heads-up."
Shin Seung-ah handed over a small paper bag.
"What's this? No way, that aroma...!"
A rich, complex fragrance seeped from the unsealed bag.
Lee Jung-hoon recognized it instantly.
"It's coffee beans."
Lee Jung-hoon was a self-proclaimed coffee aficionado.
His sole hobby was a 20-million-won espresso machine at home and collecting rare beans from around the world.
"I hear it's not even on Tower Market. You hit the jackpot, sunbae."
"Really?"
Lee Jung-hoon hugged the bag like a child with a new toy.
"To give me something this precious! I'll brew it properly with my Slayer machine at home!"
"...What?"
Shin Seung-ah's voice turned icy.
"Why?"
"You're not... brewing it now?"
She pouted openly, looking disappointed.
"Even for you, no."
"Tch."
But his firm stance left her no choice but to give up.
The weekend, I invited the Kim Se-jin siblings back to my countryside home.
I had something for his daughter, but more than that, So-ye desperately wanted to see Kim Yu-na.
"Yu-na! Come here!"
The awkwardness from their first meeting was gone; they were like real sisters now.
So-ye grabbed Kim Yu-na's hand and showed her every corner of the yard.
"This is Kokko, super brave!"
"What's that animal in clothes?"
"Badger! Oppa dressed it like a honeybee!"
The two girls burst into giggles at the chickens basking in the sun and the badger waddling in its bee costume.
Kim Se-jin and I sat on the porch, watching the children with warm smiles.
"Hyung-nim."
Kim Se-jin spoke cautiously.
"I've... almost saved up enough money now. Next week, I should be able to take Yu-na to a proper hospital."
"They'll start with mana allergy tests, right?"
"Yes, that should give us a clear diagnosis."
I just patted his shoulder without a word.
"Alright, everyone, dessert time."
After lunch, I brought out the main event.
"Wow! Pudding!"
So-ye and Kim Yu-na cheered with sparkling eyes.
Panna cotta from the last cooking class.
White milk pudding drenched in syrup, topped with freshly picked [Sunshine Strawberries] from the garden.
-Sniff!
"Pwing!"
Muryong and Hasuo gathered, drawn by the sweet scent.
"Here, So-ye's. And this for Muryong and Hasuo."
Finally, I placed a fresh panna cotta in front of Kim Yu-na.
"This one's yours, Yu-na."
Sprinkled with [Moonlight Honey Dew].
"Wow..."
Kim Yu-na scooped a tiny bit with her spoon, as if it were the world's greatest treasure.
"...Tasty."
That single word made everything worth it.
Ingredients from my sweat-soaked garden.
Seeing little lives enjoy the food I poured my heart into.
That was my greatest joy now.
"And most importantly..."
If this food could heal a child's frail body.
"Yu-na, have some of this too."
So-ye shared her strawberries, and Yu-na wiped cream from So-ye's mouth.
Like sisters raised together—natural and heartwarming.
Scrape scrape—
I quietly watched Kim Yu-na finish every last spoonful.
The murky energy filling her tiny body was washed away by the pure energy of the honey dew, purifying her.
"You'll be okay now."
I was certain.
This siblings' long suffering would soon come to an end.
A lazy afternoon after catching our breath.
So-ye and the kids were lost in play with their new bubble toys in the yard.
"The Seoul building should be sorted by now."
I'd stocked up beans for opening the café once So-ye starts school.
The coffee machine felt familiar now too.
"I can slip away for a bit."
Time to keep the promise I'd put off.
I messaged Shin Seung-ah via Tower Market.
Ready to meet Hunter Xiao Lin.
The reply came instantly.
Coordinates scroll sent via Shin Seung-ah, handed over personally by Xiao Lin.
"What to bring?"
Hard to say without seeing Hunter Liu's condition, but since it's a curse like Yu Jin-hyuk's, better pack what I could.
I opened my inventory, grabbing some [Life Carrots] that worked on Yu Jin-hyuk and bottling [Moonlight Honey Dew].
"Hmm."
Who to bring?
Everyone would be fun, but visiting the sick wasn't a picnic.
Gorani was too big and conspicuous anywhere, and Hasuo was engrossed in his own garden plot—no need to interrupt.
That left.
"Muryong-ah, let's go."
-Whirr!
Muryong leaped excitedly onto my shoulder.
"So-ye-ya, go play at the neighbor grandma's? Oppa'll be right back."
"Okay! Be safe!"
"Take this to grandma."
I handed So-ye a small basket of freshly steamed [Tireless Vitality Sweet Potatoes].
"Let's go."
Gorani mask on, film camera in bag.
Tore the scroll labeled [Xiao Family Exclusive Coordinate Scroll].
Whoosh!
The scenery shifted to an unfamiliar, elegant Eastern garden.
Vast pond, stately pavilion, centuries-old bonsai.
Like an ancient emperor's rear garden from a Chinese film.
The Xiao family.
An ancient martial clan, the giant hand steering China's shadow economy.
Rumors said they personally sponsored dozens of S-rank hunters—a force near royalty.
Their prestige was evident in this garden alone.
"Gorani-man-nim!"
Xiao Lin waited at the garden's heart.
"You've come...!"
She looked even gaunter and wearier than before, but hope and joy lit her pale face.
"It must have been a hard journey—shall we eat first...?"
"No. Let's handle the most important matter."
At my firm words, Xiao Lin nodded solemnly.
"...This way."
She led me to a secluded annex in the garden's depths.
A quiet, solemn space.
No guards in sight, but the aura in the air marked it as the Xiao family's top-secret zone.
Unauthorized intruders would vanish like dust, unheard and unseen.
Creeeak—
Through the door crack, a figure lay still on the bed.
"This is where Liu is."
Xiao Lin's voice trembled pitifully as we entered.
"......"
On the bed, she slept without a stir.
Skin pale to near-transparency from lack of sun.
No rise or fall of the chest, slender, emaciated fingers unmoving.
"Like a doll."
Her vital rhythms seemed halted.
"One moment."
I approached Liu, gently placing fingers on her wrist.
Channeling internal energy into her body.
"Different from... the Dragon King's curse."
The Dragon King's curse was there, yes.
But deeper still.
At the core of Liu's mana core, something alien coiled, devouring her life force.
Hummm—
I refined my internal energy flow, relentlessly tracking the foreign power's source.
And finally.
"...Found it."
The true culprit behind the genius healer's vegetative state, hidden by the Dragon King's curse.
"H-how is it?"
Xiao Lin asked tensely.
"It wasn't just the Dragon King's curse that felled Hunter Liu."
"What? What do you...?"
It was certain.
This state couldn't be just the Dragon King's curse.
"Something else hides behind the curse."
"What could that be?"
I answered softly.
"A seed of curse."
"A seed of... curse?"
"Yes. A literal seed. It's taken root inside Hunter Liu's body."
The truth hidden for three years was revealed.