Chapter 17
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Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 17
Chapter Title: Shall We Go?
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"Shall we go?"
As if it were no big deal, Sejin clapped her hands clean. The gauntlets fitted on Do Jaegyu's hands vanished without a trace.
Her voice rang out fresh and light, like she'd just returned from a casual stroll.
Sejin's eyes darted back and forth between the limp Tanjueo and Do Jaegyu.
'Is this a dream?'
She felt dazed.
[Sejin.]
If not for Breaking Army Star's voice, she might have stayed lost in a fog.
[Looks like we've been completely found out.]
Do Jaegyu strode over with his long legs, extending a clean hand toward her.
His palm was riddled with calluses. Seeing that rough, battered hand against his refined face stirred a rush of mixed emotions.
Watching real combat unfold right in front of her left her head spinning.
Everything she'd done up to now had been nothing more than kids' play. She finally understood why Breaking Army Star kept calling her immature whenever he looked at her.
Do Jaegyu, who had crushed a C-rank Gate with such ease, suddenly seemed like an entirely different person.
The Gates were the same rank as the ones she tackled, but the gap in their power was crystal clear.
Overwhelming strength.
His flames that battered Tanjueo relentlessly without a moment's pause.
Even with the elemental disadvantage, Do Jaegyu's fire never dimmed.
As if the water couldn't touch him at all.
Do Jaegyu simply stood there, hand outstretched, without pressing her.
Sejin stared blankly for a moment before clamping her mouth shut.
'Ah, that Tanjueo, though... what a shame.'
Snapping back to reality, Sejin smacked her lips.
No elemental affinities whatsoever... but it'd be perfect if she could add Tanjueo to her lineup.
[You're not thinking of sealing Tanjueo, are you?]
'No chance, right?'
She knew it was impossible, but the lingering regret was hard to shake.
The more summons, the better! And you need one for every attribute, didn't you know?
Sejin—the former collection queen who'd once scarfed down hundreds of monster breads in Tibushil—pursed her lips in a pout.
With Breaking Army Star's power, she could seal a total of three evil spirits. In game terms, that meant one slot was sitting empty.
How could she not covet it?
She always struggled on her own, and even her current spirit beasts often got lost in battle.
Her gaze flicked toward the sprawled Tanjueo.
[Think this through, Sejin. He believes your bow is your weapon right now. Besides, there's no hunter in this world who can wield as many different abilities as you. Showing all your cards would be too reckless.]
Breaking Army Star's voice pierced right through her collector's itch. Sejin turned away.
"Kh-hm, uh, ahem. Cough, hack."
She stole a glance at Do Jaegyu while relaying her message to Breaking Army Star through her words. The coughs she'd forced out were thick with intent.
'No telepathy or anything...?')
Sejin grumbled inwardly at the hassle of having to speak aloud every time she addressed Breaking Army Star.
Do Jaegyu, still holding the same pose, tilted his head slightly as he watched her cough.
"Must be the mist. My throat's itching for some odd reason... Let's head out."
With that ridiculous excuse, Sejin ignored his offered hand and started walking back the way they'd come.
As if he'd known she wouldn't take it, Do Jaegyu fell in step behind her without a fuss.
She knew Breaking Army Star was right, but a waste was a waste. Sejin barely corralled her wandering gaze.
Water attribute... the one missing from her arsenal.
She shook out the hand gripping her bow, and it dissolved into motes of blue light in the air.
'Hiiing. Such a shame.'
Do Jaegyu's eyes narrowed as he watched the bow crumble from Sejin's hand. But Sejin, walking ahead, noticed nothing.
"Didn't spot any other creatures on the way in. Must be a single-boss Gate."
"Ah, yeah..."
Sejin mumbled a half-hearted reply, her shoulders slumping.
'What do I do now.'
Her predicament—completely exposed to Do Jaegyu—felt utterly pathetic.
'He's definitely gonna ask me to join his guild.'
Anxiety gnawed at her, and she chewed her lower lip.
'How do I even explain that I'm unregistered.'
A wave of unease crashed over her.
An unregistered hunter.
What would people think of her? Sejin gently stroked the mole on the back of her hand.
'Haa, no clue how Do Jaegyu will react, but it won't be pretty.'
Even if she dodged him and begged the Hunter Promotion Agency for help, things wouldn't end well.
Dragged off to the agency, she'd probably end up in some bizarre experiment. Wild thoughts raced through her mind.
Treated like a mutant. Just like the first hunters—feared and shunned by the masses.
The emergence of a new humanity.
The sole hope to defend Earth from the apocalypse.
But the gaze toward "hunters" wasn't always kind.
Humans, unable to contain their awe, crossed lines they never should have.
Biological experiments.
To ensure that horrific atrocity never repeated, the subject History of Gates and Hunters was added to school curricula.
If her true nature got out, her future would be no different.
'No way. I'm not doing anything wrong—why should I live like some criminal?'
Defiance bubbled up, and Sejin stomped her feet deliberately as she walked.
"Guess you don't like that I tagged along? Hmm."
Monitored the whole time—how could she feel good about that?
What? What kind of twisted logic is this? Sejin shot Do Jaegyu a glare. She had to crane her neck all the way back, of course.
'Why is he so damn tall.'
Her face twisted into a scowl.
"Who in their right mind would be happy about being stalked?"
Common sense, where?
Arms crossed, Sejin cocked her head to the side.
"Is that so? I'm just doing my utmost as guild leader to scout talent."
Sejin arched her brows defiantly, radiating displeasure.
"And if I say no?"
"Hmm, that might not end well for you."
Do Jaegyu flashed a ominous smile—like he was daring her to try—and strode ahead. Sejin gnashed her teeth at his supremely confident back.
'A mere unregistered hunter like me... what leverage do I even have...'
Her trembling fist went slack, and she hurried after him.
No choice left but to figure out how to twist his offer to her advantage.
The Gate, blazing with dark black flames, shifted to a crimson glow.
"Ah."
Do Jaegyu halted right before it, though he'd been walking steadily until then.
Sejin had no choice but to stop too, staring blankly at his broad back.
'Freakin' huge. Could probably farm crops on it.'
That absurd thought crossed her mind because Breaking Army Star wouldn't shut up.
Drained, Sejin pressed her fingers into the dark circles under her eyes.
Her mind, under constant real-time assault from Breaking Army Star the whole way here, screamed for rest.
[Are you even listening to me?]
Light finally flickered back into her pupils.
'I got it, okay! I know!'
She shook her head side to side like she was shaking off water, snapping back to attention.
The gist of Breaking Army Star's nagging—disguised as advice—was this:
No matter what terms he dangled or provocations he threw, don't give in easily.
Too hot-tempered, too easy to read—his "facts" hit like verbal gut punches nonstop.
"Why?"
A beat late, Sejin met the gaze of Do Jaegyu's pitch-black eyes, fixed intently on her.
"I'll head out first and scout the situation outside."
"...Huh?"
"Just wait here a sec."
What is this guy planning? Trying to leave me tied up in here?
Before she could even nod, Do Jaegyu zipped out of the Gate.
"What the... total control freak."
[No idea what his angle is. Still, this could be a golden opportunity for us.]
"Opportunity my ass."
[Doesn't he need you—the Black Shadow—for his operations? That's why he's pulling out all the stops to recruit you.]
Don't trust him, now it's a good chance—what was she supposed to do? Sejin pursed her lips in a sulky pout.
"He's got dirt on me."
[Going this far just to mess with government hunters... overkill, sure, but...]
"Exactly. Guy's a total psycho."
That playful smile paired with those crystal-clear eyes... like staring into the gaze of a pure-hearted lunatic.
Sejin clicked her tongue against the roof of her mouth and ruffled her damp hair. Strands clung stickily to her fingers.
"Ah, my hat."
She finally remembered the hat that had flown off.
Hastily yanking the hood on her outfit down low, Sejin hugged her knees to her chest.
"What the hell is that guy even thinking."
5. Confrontation.
Leaving Sejin inside the Gate, Do Jaegyu stepped out.
He shrugged his shoulders against the sticky liquid clinging to his body and scanned the surroundings. A quiet park came into view.
The landscape was unchanged from when they'd entered. Do Jaegyu lifted his wrist.
The second hand on his flashy silver metal watch ticked away busily.
"You've arrived."
As if he'd known it all along, Do Jaegyu spoke without even raising his head. A cold voice responded.
"Sounds like you expected me here. Or am I wrong?"