A Brother's Shadow
The hunters, having massacred dozens of wolves without a single casualty, took a brief rest.
While they checked their gear, the Masked Hunter approached before anyone noticed.
"…What will you two do now? If you'd like, I can escort you safely to the upper floors."
Her voice was slightly hesitant yet kind. I glanced at the Masked Hunter for a moment.
Her face was hidden behind the mask, so I couldn't read her expression, but I could see the look in her eyes directed at us.
She still gave off that strange feeling.
"I appreciate the offer, but aren't you busy?"
I glanced back at the other hunters.
They hadn't said anything, but their gazes toward us seemed a bit prickly.
They clearly didn't like wasting time like this.
Following my line of sight, the Masked Hunter glanced at her comrades and suddenly released a subtle pressure.
It wasn't particularly strong, but it was enough to make the hunters who'd been glaring at us flinch.
Her teammates all averted their eyes, pretending not to notice.
"…I have time to escort you."
She muttered softly and stared at us silently.
For some reason, her eyes looked a little desperate, leaving me a bit conflicted.
I glanced at Snow.
Snow, cradling our three children, nodded once.
She might not have understood the conversation, but she seemed to grasp the situation roughly.
Or perhaps she was just leaving it entirely up to me.
"I appreciate the kindness, but we'll pass."
"…Why? If it's because of my teammates…"
As she glared at her comrades again, releasing more pressure, I quickly continued.
"We can handle ourselves just fine. Thank you, but there's no need."
I stated calmly, and the Masked Hunter glanced between Snow and me.
After scanning us carefully and a moment of silence, she slowly nodded.
It felt like reluctant permission.
"…I see. If that's your decision, then alright… Take care."
Her voice was cooler now, a bit offended. She turned sharply.
Her thick robe cape fluttered lightly.
After Yang Yu-i, the hunter we'd spoken with briefly, gave a light bow toward us, her teammates followed the already-departed Masked Hunter and vanished into the forest one by one.
Quick movements befitting high-rank hunters.
[Hmm… What were they talking about?]
[…Weren't you roughly guessing?]
[This lady isn't clairvoyant enough to understand a conversation in an unknown language. I just pretended to follow since you kept looking this way. So, what did they say? The talk dragged on quite a bit…]
Snow watched me quietly with those eyes, so I explained the situation without holding back.
I had a feeling that if I misspoke, she'd turn it into a spar disguised as conversation.
[Hm… I see.]
Snow nodded lightly.
The odd atmosphere from before had vanished, back to normal.
Now I could relax.
[Humans are surprisingly kind. Offering that much consideration.]
[…They're just as cruel.]
I added flatly, and Snow nodded again.
Then, as Suli started wriggling restlessly in her arms, she set her down.
Now free again, Suli bounded around excitedly with a "Conk conk!"
To Soon-i hurriedly chased after her.
Always so bright and cheerful.
I watched them fondly for a moment. Snow, still gently stroking Rue who refused to leave her arms, continued.
[So, they went to deal with this land's ruler?]
[Yeah. Apparently, there are other humans too.]
[Oh? That's intriguing. Human fighting styles… Might be worth observing.]
Snow eyed the distance with interest, so I asked right away.
[Want to take a look?]
[Hm? Is that okay?]
[Sure. No real plans. With our stealth level, the humans around here won't detect us.]
I nodded casually, and Snow gave a small smile.
[You're not hoping to see that human again or anything, right?]
[…Absolutely not. Why does it always twist that way?]
[Hmm… You seemed pretty interested in her. If you weren't aware, no issue.]
Snow spoke quietly and gathered the rolling Suli and To Soon-i.
As I shot her a dissatisfied look, Snow let out a soft chuckle.
[Ah, just teasing. Stop glaring. I know your heart best. Would you look elsewhere with Suli around?]
Snow leisurely walked over and placed Suli in my arms.
[They've gotten quite far. Hurry, or we might be late.]
With that, she leaped ahead. I let out a quiet sigh.
[…It's not just because of Suli, you know.]
I muttered softly; not sure if Snow heard.
[Daddy? Not going?]
After that, Suli poked my arm insistently, and I leaped after Snow.
Our destination was where I sensed the hunters' presences.
* * *
After parting from the man and woman, the Masked Hunter and her team headed straight for their next objective.
It was the rendezvous point they'd coordinated with the other hunters in advance.
The Masked Hunter led silently at the front.
Watching her back, Yang Yu-i muttered quietly.
"Raid leader… Did you take a liking to that guy earlier?"
Unlike her usual distance from outsiders—except fellow raid members—recalling how she'd shown kindness directly, it seemed possible.
A young genius hunter who'd reached S-rank in just over two years, leading the Hwayeong raid team as an unaffiliated solo.
Rumors abounded because of her constant mask: ugly face, irreparable scar, etc.
But Yang Yu-i, who knew the real face beneath, knew they were all nonsense.
"Seriously… She's so beautiful and talented. Why doesn't she date?"
With her skills, she could have any man she wanted, no issue.
Yet today, the iron-wall raid leader showed interest in a man for the first time.
Even displaying unusual proactivity, unlike her stone-like rationality that had frustrated everyone.
Yang Yu-i, who'd quietly supported her all along, welcomed it regardless of the man's personality or ability.
"But he was with that stunning beauty…"
Of all people, she falls for someone taken?
Yang Yu-i lamented the irony of fate's opponent already paired.
And not just any beauty—a nation-toppling one that made the term seem inadequate.
'Our raid leader's pretty too… but honestly, compared to her… yeah, a bit—no, a lot lacking.'
Even as a supporter, Yang Yu-i couldn't deny that allure.
"…Raid leader, fighting! I'll help…!"
"…It's not like that."
A cool voice reached Yang Yu-i's ear as she muttered unconsciously.
Running vigorously, she flinched and nearly twisted her ankle.
Her high-rank balance kept her from falling, but she almost rolled disgracefully.
Regaining poise, she slowly turned.
There was her raid leader, the Masked Hunter, running right beside her now.
"R-Raid leader…?"
"…Don't think weird things. It's not that."
Yang Yu-i inwardly gasped at the quiet words.
Pretending disinterest but hearing everything?
It was her own fault for voicing her thoughts aloud, but the raid leader's ghost-like timing was astonishing.
"Haha… W-Well, you see."
"…Unni Yu-i always overthinks. It's absolutely not that, so no weird thoughts or actions."
Yang Yu-i swallowed hard at the calm tone.
"But… then why earlier?"
She asked cautiously. The Masked Hunter's lips twitched briefly.
After hesitating whether to speak, she answered quietly.
"…He resembles my brother."
"…Your brother? The one you've been looking for…?"
"…Yes. A lot."
Yang Yu-i clamped her mouth shut at the steady voice.
Having been with her over two years and heard the full story, she understood perfectly.
The raid leader searching for her biological brother, missing over three years.
Yang Yu-i fell silent, unsure what to say.
She glanced at the other teammates for help, but they avoided her eyes, pretending ignorance.
Best not to meddle.
The two-year bond meant nothing here.
'Damn… This mouth is always my enemy!'
She regretted her impulse immediately, but regret always came late.
Words spilled couldn't be unsaid.
"…I'm fine."
The Masked Hunter spoke first to the flustered Yang Yu-i.
Yang Yu-i's lips trembled at the nonchalant tone.
Finally, with a sigh, she said,
"You want to see him again, right? Want to go look for him with me later?"
"…How?"
"With our connections, finding one hunter's easy as pie! Leave it to me! That guy who resembles your brother? I'll track him down quick!"
Pounding her chest confidently, Yang Yu-i prompted a brief silence from the Masked Hunter.
Staring at her, she finally nodded slowly.
Unmistakable affirmation.
Though the mask hid her face, Yang Yu-i could imagine it.
Definitely blushing shyly.
Trembling with delight at the adorable image, Yang Yu-i watched as the Masked Hunter silently pulled away.
She knew from experience: stay close, and she'd get glomped anytime.
Indeed, Yang Yu-i shuddered briefly with base desire, then suddenly flung her arms wide toward her side.
Deflated at the empty space, but her sparkling eyes toward the raid leader showed no surrender.
The Masked Hunter ignored the gaze.
The promised rendezvous wasn't far.
Delayed helping other hunters, they'd likely arrive last.
Not too late, but with some prickly personalities among the group, better hurry.
Especially recalling one hunter who'd eyed them disdainfully, she accelerated.
What nonsense would he spew this time…?
Imagining the future grimly, she suddenly halted at a strange scent tickling her nose.
It wasn't just her.
Han Se-young, one teammate with acute senses, urgently called.
"Raid leader…!"
"…I know!"
Replying sharply, the Masked Hunter sped up further.
Her doubled pace forced the team to leap urgently after.
The scent was unmistakably blood.
Thick and cloying.
Something happened to the other hunters.
As Hwayeong raid arrived at the rendezvous, they saw it.
Hunters strewn gruesomely amid the underbrush.
All participants in this sweep operation.
Yang Yu-i, weaker-stomached, clamped her mouth at the horror.
Urge to vomit surged.
"…What the hell…?"
"No way… Even Cha Yu-rim and Jo Sang-hyun…?"
"…Lies… This is a lie…?"
Hwayeong was top among participants, but others weren't pushovers.
No other S-ranks like the Masked Hunter, but plenty of veteran A-rankers.
Yet now?
Those seasoned A-rankers lay as cold, mangled corpses.
As if maliciously crushed.
Silently surveying the carnage, the Masked Hunter spoke.
"…Not A-rank."
"…Pardon? Raid leader? What…?"
As Yang Yu-i suppressed nausea and asked confusedly, the Masked Hunter leaped suddenly.
Shoved aside, Yang Yu-i tumbled.
"Kyaaak!"
"R-Raid leader!"
"Ambush! Battle ready—!"
Amid the team's urgent cries, the Masked Hunter silently glared at the sudden attacker.
Under the darkening dusk sky, silver fur gleamed quietly.
Red eyes burned with malice.
The operation's target: area boss.
But it differed vastly from prior intel.
"…Fe-Fenrir!?"
"S-rank monster…!? Why's something like that in the upper floors…!?"
"Damn…! Did the Association give bad info!?"
"No! It grew in the meantime…!"
Teammates panicked at the evolved beast, beyond prior info.
A-rank monsters were rare here; this was off-the-charts.
Needed a massive raid team.
Hwayeong members fell into panic.