The Chairwoman's Hidden Agenda
Leysha Barrett, chairwoman of the World Hunter Federation.
An SS-rank hunter who had ascended to the pinnacle of the world before even turning thirty, she stood closer to the absolute top than anyone among the often willful high-rank hunters.
With her position and power, no one could fault her for doing as she pleased—but she didn't.
She was a leading figure in the regulation faction, believing that hunters required even stricter restraints and discipline.
No Gwan-sik, also a regulation advocate who thought hunters needed leashes, found this meeting with her particularly meaningful.
After initial greetings and some back-and-forth conversation, having gauged her character to some extent, No Gwan-sik set down his teacup with a sip.
The beautiful woman with bronze skin gazed at him impassively.
"Heh heh. This has truly been an enlightening time."
"...It has been enlightening for me as well. We'll handle the details in writing later."
"Of course. I'll compile and send it over as quickly as possible."
"Thank you."
Leysha conveyed her thanks with a nod of her eyes, then quietly sipped her tea.
Watching her for a moment, No Gwan-sik casually asked in passing, as if it were nothing.
"So, what brings the ever-busy chairwoman all the way to this distant country?"
"...Officially, to meet the president of the Korea Hunter Association, who skipped the recent council."
"Which means there's a reason you can't speak of it openly."
Leysha set down her teacup with a soft clink and nodded matter-of-factly.
"It's a personal matter, so it's hard to bring up lightly."
"Mm. As president of a national hunter association, I can't just stand by and let a high-rank like you roam free. You understand."
"...I do. That's why I'm seeking your understanding in advance."
With that, Leysha glanced at her aide, Richard, waiting in the back.
He quietly handed over the briefcase he was holding.
"I will sponsor the Korea Hunter Association in my personal capacity."
"Hm. Not in the name of the Federation?"
"I can't invoke the Federation's name for a personal matter."
Leysha passed a few documents from the bag to No Gwan-sik, speaking flatly.
No Gwan-sik quickly scanned the contents.
"...Eunha, Seongho, Bukdu, Saebyeok. Joint subjugation of an SS-rank monster with four of the five major guilds? When did this even happen?"
"I met with them before coming to see you. The talks went well, so we signed on favorable terms."
Leysha continued calmly toward No Gwan-sik, whose expression was subtly twisting.
"I'll be participating purely as an observer. I'll receive only a tiny portion of the byproducts—nothing more. In any case, this gives me a legitimate reason to stay in Korea."
"...Heh heh. Feels like this old man just got outplayed."
"I got lucky."
Leysha smiled faintly and pressed on.
"With my sponsorship of the association moving forward, and this joint subjugation ending smoothly, you'll have plenty to show for it as well, President."
"...Very well. I won't say a word about your stay in the country."
"Thank you."
Leysha gave a light nod of thanks and rose from her seat.
As she moved to end the meeting, No Gwan-sik quietly asked.
"Do you have a precise schedule?"
"Nothing set in stone yet, but it doesn't seem far off. Most preparations were already done from the start; we can move out as soon as I'm ready."
"Mm. I pray the subjugation goes smoothly."
"Thank you."
Leysha flashed a bright smile before leaving the office with her aide.
Gazing at the empty seat she left behind for a moment, No Gwan-sik scratched his head with his usual kkeureung groan.
"Not someone to underestimate, that's for sure."
He'd hoped to leverage this for some gain.
"Well, sponsorship in her name alone should bring substantial support."
As one of only two official SS-rank hunters left, the ripple effect would be immense.
And if they made good use of the unofficial SS-rank hunter Nix's existence, Korea's hunter scene could see major growth ahead.
Envisioning that rosy future easily, No Gwan-sik smiled contentedly for the first time in ages.
Watching his smile from the side, Hwang Seok-ho cautiously asked.
"You didn't mention 'that' to Chairwoman Leysha?"
No Gwan-sik's smile faded as he slowly shook his head at the question.
"Too early for that."
"Isn't she trustworthy enough? Her views align with yours on many points."
"Don't believe what you see on the surface, Seok-ho. Given the scale of this, no one can be trusted lightly."
"...Do you think even the chairwoman might be involved?"
"Who knows? I don't know her well enough. But the possibility exists, so better to be cautious from the start."
"I see."
As Hwang Seok-ho nodded thoughtfully, No Gwan-sik glanced at the documents Leysha had left behind.
"Those no-good major guild brats. Once a subjugation schedule is set, they should've reported to the association first thing. Instead, I hear it from an outsider? The nerve."
Letting out a hollow chuckle, No Gwan-sik examined the documents closely.
"Rank SS. Official name 'Lava Wyrm (Magma Wyvern)'... They've prepared thoroughly, and with Leysha as observer, no issues there."
Setting the documents down, No Gwan-sik's gaze drifted out the window.
"So, will Nix show up today or not? Things are getting boring."
He murmured softly, staring at the clear, cloudless sky.
* * *
Having finished her meeting with No Gwan-sik, Leysha boarded her prepared car and headed to her hotel.
"Does this wrap up your schedule in Korea?"
"Yes, Chairwoman. Only the subjugation in a few days remains."
"Then some rest for now."
How long had it been since her last break?
Leysha had crammed months of schedules into the past few just to visit Korea.
She sank deeply into the seatback.
Even as an SS-rank superhuman hunter who rarely tired, the relentless pace had worn her down.
Unlike her usual poised, strict public image, she slumped limply and glanced out the window.
The bustling streets in front of the Seoul Great Labyrinth passed by.
Gazing at the vibrant crowds, Leysha murmured softly.
"Other districts are lively too, but this area's energy is something else."
"It's a great place. If Hunter Seong Jae-myeong hadn't vanished, Korea might've been called a G2 alongside the US."
"...Seong Jae-myeong."
Murmuring the name, Leysha glanced at Richard.
"Have you ever seen him?"
"Once in passing, long ago. An extraordinary man. No one compared except Garcia."
"Compared to me?"
Richard looked troubled at the flat question.
Leysha chuckled, reading the unspoken answer in his face.
"I'm still lacking, right?"
"...Your combat styles differ from the start, Chairwoman. Hard to compare. But you're the undisputed 'top' hunter. And unlike the late Seong Jae-myeong, time is on your side."
"...Thank you, Richard."
Her gaze returned to the window.
The teeming streets.
As she watched impassively, her eyes drifted to one spot.
A man sat quietly on a bench there.
His presence was so faint that even she might have overlooked him without a twinge of oddity.
Around him, two creatures that looked like a puppy or pig scampered busily.
Nearly missing the scene, Leysha spoke urgently.
"...Richard. Hold on."
"Pardon? Chairwoman?"
Ignoring his flustered words, Leysha exited the stopped car.
Adjusting her dark sunglasses and wide-brim hat, she told Richard.
"I'll take a short walk. Head back to the hotel first."
"Ch-Chairwoman?!"
Her uncharacteristic impulse left Richard at a loss. Then a beep! from the car behind urged him on.
In the end, he had no choice but to leave first, swallowing his frustration.
Leysha walked slowly.
The closer she got, the more astonishing it was.
The man's spot felt like a world detached from the surroundings.
Some skill at work?
Feeling a faint doubt, Leysha stepped forward.
She strode past the invisible barrier severing the space.
Only then did the man's gaze flick toward her.
She gave a light nod to his impassive eyes.
He accepted it nonchalantly.
"Kyung kyung!"
"Kyu... kyuuung!"
The two creatures racing around him rushed toward the sudden intruder, Leysha.
They halted warily, refusing to approach.
Leysha spoke at their guarded stance.
"Monsters."
She'd guessed from afar, but up close, it was certain.
Just as she'd thought—monsters, unleashed without leashes or restraints.
"They're young, but high-rank. At this level, they could easily hurt civilians."
Gazing at the little fox sniffing at her feet, Leysha continued.
"Suli and Tosun-i wouldn't attack humans recklessly."
"They may be like daughters to you, but to others, they're ferocious monsters."
Leysha pressed on flatly, then glanced down at a curious kyung? from her feet.
A baby fox with three swishing tails gazed up sparklingly.
And beside it, a pig-rabbit thing frantically kyung-kyung-ing to intervene.
Leysha quelled her unconsciously rising smile.
"...Anyway, prepare leashes or muzzles next time."
"Leashes and muzzles for my daughter? Ridiculous."
"Even if they're like daughters, it's unavoidable. They're monsters."
Leysha glanced down again.
The baby fox still stared up, unmoving.
Unable to resist any longer, she knelt.
Then paused.
"...May I pet her?"
The man frowned at her question.
As he opened his mouth with clear displeasure—
The fox, eyes sparkling at her, beat him to it and pounced into her arms.
"Kyung kyung!"
Leysha's lips finally betrayed her with a grin at the fox rubbing against her without hesitation.
I sensed it from the car, but she's so soft!
Enchanted, Leysha stroked the fox's fur.
Its fluffy, velvety texture sent her smile climbing endlessly.
Watching silently, the man let out a hollow heh.
A pure white snake peeked from his bosom.
The fidgeting rabbit dashed to him in distress.
"Kyu—! Kyuuuung—!!!"
"...It's fine. No hostility there. Look at that face—where's the malice?"
Pointing at Leysha's utterly relaxed, beaming expression, he sighed softly.
After petting the fox at length, Leysha snapped back at his clearing throat.
"Ah...!"
"...Back to your senses now?"
"Kyung kyung—!"
Realizing her lapse, Leysha bowed her head deeply.
Her ears flushed red.
"...My apologies."
"...No harm done. Suli seems to like you well enough."
"Kyung kyung!"
The fox's cry, as if saying I'm fine with it!, drew a soft laugh from Leysha.
"She's truly adorable."
"Isn't she? Suli's cuteness is the best in the world."
Stroking the fox now nestled in his arms, the man declared proudly.
Leysha nodded in agreement.
"Still, safety measures are essential. Not just for others, but for her sake too."
"Hm. Speaking from experience?"
Meeting his impassive gaze, Leysha smiled faintly instead of answering.
Seeing the bitterness hidden in that smile, the man fell silent.
He rose slowly.
"Leaving already?"
"Time to go."
Gathering the fox and rabbit, he walked away.
The intangible oddity around them vanished seamlessly.
Over his retreating back, the fox peeked out.
The rabbit and snake followed suit.
"Kyung kyung!"
Leysha smiled warmly, unconsciously waving back as if returning the greeting.
It reminded her of her precious old partner, long gone from this world.
The reason she refrained from taming others despite her SS-rank Taming skill.
Leysha smiled bitterly at the memory of her irreplaceable companion.
By then, the man had vanished completely.
No ordinary person.
Even with her exceptional detection skills, Leysha struggled to sense his presence.
His rank was impossible to gauge.
They said no new talents since Seong Jae-myeong? Not anymore.
Gazing in the direction he'd gone for a moment, Leysha turned away.
...Come to think of it, three monsters? How?
Standard Taming skills limited users to one, regardless of rank—but he had three.
How had he accomplished what even SS-rank Taming couldn't?
The question lingered, but Leysha didn't dwell.
Memories of her old partner left no room for deeper thought.
Back to the hotel for some real rest.
She'd need an excuse for Richard.
Turning, she vanished as seamlessly as the man—like she'd never been there.