The Old Fox's Secret
The next day, I visited the Hunter Association at President No Gwan-sik's invitation.
Unlike before, I entered openly and officially this time, and thanks to the prior notice, there were no issues as I made my way straight to the president's office.
Reuniting with No Gwan-sik like this, we exchanged words.
It wasn't particularly substantial conversation.
Just idle chit-chat and stories from his past experiences, rambling on all day.
What the hell was the point of summoning me here?
When I asked directly, No Gwan-sik answered nonchalantly.
"Just building trust, that's all. We don't have anything between us yet for discussing important matters, do we? I wanted to lay a solid foundation first."
"Does trust really form just from chatting like this?"
"It's better than doing nothing. At least through these talks, you get a sense of the person."
No Gwan-sik smiled slyly as he said it.
He looked exactly like a crafty raccoon, and I couldn't help but click my tongue in annoyance.
Ignoring my reaction, No Gwan-sik chuckled happily and kept talking.
"So anyway, back when I was young..."
His droning tales of his youth made him seem just like a nagging old-timer.
Part of me wanted to storm out right then, but every now and then, stories about Seong Jae-myeong popped up, making it impossible.
Having idolized Seong Jae-myeong since my human days as a little kid, I couldn't help but perk up at tales from someone who'd been one of his closest aides.
From midway on, he seemed to notice my interest and dangled Seong Jae-myeong tidbits like bait, doling them out sparingly.
Especially uncanny was how he'd bring up Seong Jae-myeong right when I was about to lose patience and leave—like a sly old raccoon indeed.
Using even my fandom to keep me hooked...
I hate myself for falling for it despite knowing better.
"Heh heh. That was a fun time!"
After over three hours of gleefully monologuing, No Gwan-sik laughed contentedly.
He looked refreshed, while I was utterly drained.
I'd rather fight Wang Feng again than endure this mental fatigue.
"...Let's hope we don't have to meet again unless necessary."
"Hmm... Next time, I was going to tell you about when Seong Jae-myeong headed to the Yeongwol Labyrinth in Gangwon-do... You sure you don't want to hear it?"
A surge of murderous intent was blocked by my fandom.
The Yeongwol Labyrinth in Gangwon-do—that was where the gumiho appeared.
The incident where Seong Jae-myeong, on vacation, accidentally took down an SA-rank monster.
Even I, a kid of about eight at the time, had heard it endlessly on the news.
To hear the vivid details straight from his closest aide?
Damn it, I can't resist even knowing it's a trap.
"...I'll come back."
"Straightforward, I like that! You must've enjoyed my old tales too. Come anytime! I'll have good tea and snacks ready."
"......"
I slipped away quietly, pretending not to hear his last bit, while No Gwan-sik grinned ear to ear.
Unable to stomach the sight any longer, I fled the room.
I felt his presence waving goodbye from behind, calling to see me next time.
So what now?
On the way home, I quietly pondered internally, and as expected, a barrage of varied responses echoed back.
Among them, I focused on the seventh voice.
[No malice detected at all right now!]
Unlike the others, it was remarkably polite and composed, resonating clearly in my mind.
Upon evolving to SS-rank, my nine heads each gained unique Magic Eyes.
Though my proficiency was still low—barely used in the fight with Wang Feng—they were undeniably powerful.
The seventh head's Magic Eye was Insightful Magic Eye.
Not full omniscience, but it revealed key info about targets: hostility or lack thereof, truth or lies in their words, current mood.
Useless in direct combat, but invaluable for dealing with humans in daily life like this.
And through the seventh eye, No Gwan-sik showed no hostility toward me.
Not overflowing with goodwill, but not antagonistic either—worth investing time in for now.
Especially since...
[He's hiding something, main body. Probability: about 99%.]
I nodded faintly at the ninth head's quiet whisper.
I'd sensed No Gwan-sik holding back a major secret too.
His obsession with 'trust' means he can't share it yet.
That must be the 'important matter' he mentioned himself.
No plans to seek out trouble right after the last mess, but curiosity was inevitable for any intelligent being.
Likely, I'd need to keep engaging with him until 'trust' formed and he spilled it.
[Hilarious. You just want to hear more Seong Jae-myeong stories!]
I quietly ignored the left head's usual snark.
It protested loudly, demanding attention.
[Hun─gry─... Let's get chicken.]
I nodded at the right head's whiny plea and quickened my pace.
After enduring that old schemer, I craved healing time with Suli and the kids ASAP.
Our meetings continued afterward.
One day, two days, three...
The frequent sessions wore my sanity thin, but conversely, the 'trust' he mentioned did build steadily.
Neither of us truly believed simple chats built trust, but superficially, it felt real enough.
Rumors even swirled in the Association about my daily visits to the president's office.
I didn't dig for details, but it didn't matter.
Once Ichang-geol, Toda, and Ichijo returned from China and Japan, and this wrapped up, I'd head back to the labyrinth.
Rumors fade with time—no need to stir them.
Just wait them out.
And amid this growing 'trust,' today's meeting unfolded much the same.
Growing tired of his repeating old tales—debating whether to ditch the secrets and Seong Jae-myeong talk entirely—
No Gwan-sik suddenly spoke up.
"Hmm. Seems we've built some 'trust' between us now."
"...Yeah. Can't deny the 'trust' has formed."
I could recite his life story verbatim now—fair to call it trust.
He smirked at my displeased glare.
"Don't look so sour. It was a big deal, so I agonized over it plenty."
His calm demeanor felt different from usual.
Normally too lighthearted for a president, now he carried the weight befitting his position—grave and serious.
I had to ask.
"So, what's the verdict on your dilemma?"
"Not what I expected, but I can trust you, at least."
"...You really love this trust thing. Betrayed in the past or something?"
"Hoo. Took a big knife to the back once."
His casual admission slipped words from my mouth.
"Seong Jae-myeong?"
No Gwan-sik just smiled faintly, saying nothing.
When speaking of Seong Jae-myeong, he seemed both joyful and pained—endless admiration mixed with hatred.
Too complex for simple words: perhaps love-hate.
I stared silently.
He sipped his tea impassively.
"Well, time for the main point."
As the heavy silence dragged, he broke it, gesturing to Hwang Seok-ho waiting nearby.
"Bring it over."
"...Yes, President."
Hwang Seok-ho bowed and left, soon returning with a thick stack of documents.
He placed it politely before me. I glanced at the cover.
"Chimera Project?"
The words slipped out; No Gwan-sik, sipping tea quietly, replied.
"A tale unknown to the world."
He set his cup down with a clink.
"About 100 years ago, when labyrinths appeared and monsters revealed themselves to the world—and humanity was helpless against their overwhelming power—this idea first surfaced."
"......"
"Hunters overflow now, but back then, no awakened hunters, no proper countermeasures."
"......"
"Ordinary humans couldn't stand against monsters. So someone suggested transplanting monster parts into humans."
No Gwan-sik crossed his arms calmly.
"Absurd now, but revolutionary then. Secret experiments worldwide—inhuman ones fitting that era."
"Results?"
I recalled Yoshida and his men from Zhang Wei's black market.
"See how the world's going? Total failure, obviously."
"Hmm. Figures."
"Tech wasn't there. Soon hunters emerged, making experiments pointless. Better to fund them than waste on failures."
I nodded, skimming the documents.
"Why bring this up now?"
"Hmm. What if that inhuman plan revived in the 21st century?"
"This 'Chimera Project'?"
He nodded once.
"Hunter advancements reduced monster threats, but human greed is endless. Old shelved plans resurrect for more power."
Tsk—he clicked his tongue briefly.
"Plenty would do anything for strength. If grafting monster parts works, hunters would line up."
"Hmm. You don't sound opposed to the project itself."
He nodded at my probing gaze.
"Truth is, I'm not against it. Stronger hunters mean safer humanity."
—But...
He trailed off, pointing to the documents in my hand.
"The process is the issue. Check page 7."
I flipped to it: a graph neatly showing rising hunter disappearances nationwide.
Trend: Sharp increase compared to historical data.
"Way up from the past."
"Disappearances happen, but not like this. Raids are more standardized now—should be fewer, not more."
He gulped his tea like it burned his throat.
"Thought it normal at first. But patterns emerged. Dug into records."
—Next page.
I turned it.
"Not just domestic."
"Got this straight from World Hunter Federation—reliable. No huge spikes, but steady yearly rise."
"...I see. How'd disappearances lead to Chimera Project? That's a stretch."
"Stumbled on it investigating. Or close to it—more phantom than substance."
He gave a wry smile.
"Years of probing: ongoing inhuman experiments on missing hunters, some success, and our temp name 'Chimera Project.' That's it."
His bitter expression made me scan the well-organized files silently.
Quietly, I asked.
"Why tell me?"
"Haven't pinned the culprits, but scale suggests big players behind it."
He stated flatly.
"I need power."
His words recalled past events.
Yoshida mentioned a 'boss,' right? Must be the mastermind.
From back then, that 'boss' was no ordinary foe.
[Kyaah— I'll kill 'em! Rip off limbs, make 'em grovel pathetically, chew 'em to bits!]
I chuckled softly at the left head gnashing its teeth just from the memory.
Yeah, we had scores to settle too.
Collaborating with No Gwan-sik beat investigating blind.
One hitch, though.
"Power, huh. Could ask anyone else, no? Two SS-ranks left, and publicizing this..."
"Can't."
He shook his head firmly.
"Don't know who's enemy. Publicizing makes me target. Public safety first, but my life's precious too."
I nodded at his grinning admission.
"Suspect SS-rank behind it?"
"Or equivalent. Look at you—SS-rank out of nowhere. Wouldn't be shocked if a couple more lurk."
Technically monster, not hunter—but irrelevant.
Plausible hidden SS-ranks existed.
"Got it. That's all?"
"Details left, but main gist done."
I stood, nodding.
"Can I take these?"
"Classified. Handle with care."
"Won't leak."
As I turned to leave, he added.
"So, will you join?"
I nodded steadily.
His face relaxed into a pleased smile.
"Note: Purely personal interest. Not for 'public good' like you might think."
"Doesn't matter. We need firepower for when it hits."
"Hmm. Fair enough."
I nodded once more and departed.
"Visit often. Still much to discuss."
I ignored his final words, pretending not to hear.