Tosun's Growth and Old Grudges
As To Soon-i grew to B-rank, her appearance had changed dramatically as well.
She was still quite small for a B-rank, but no longer the size that could be carried around like Suli or Rue.
That said, venturing outside as freely as before posed a bit of a problem—but there was no need to worry about that.
Snow had taught her Inhwa's Art early on, back when To Soon-i reached B-rank.
The art itself was incredibly difficult, and at mere B-rank, it wasn't easy for To Soon-i to master it properly, but she'd managed somehow.
In Snow's words, she'd powered through with sheer "grit."...
One could only imagine how grueling the process must have been.
I offered my silent condolences to To Soon-i for her hard work under Snow's tutelage.
In any case, To Soon-i could now use Inhwa's Art without issue.
Her base mana was still lacking, so she couldn't maintain it for long, but she could perfectly mimic a human whenever she wanted.
In human form, To Soon-i looked like an ordinary high school girl of sixteen or seventeen.
Her stark white hair and red eyes drew some attention, sure, but in a modern world teeming with hunters, it wouldn't spark much curiosity.
And since she kept her presence low with Stealth at all times, no one would bother her anyway.
With that, we emerged from the labyrinth and headed straight for the Black Market, as expected.
There was no better place to catch up on the outside world's news.
Jeong Soo-ah sat leisurely in her office, as always.
"Oh my. Look who it is? Our president, who hasn't shown his face in a whole year?"
"From the way you're talking, things must've gone well for you."
"If you saw the workload I've handled in your absence, you wouldn't say that... The top boss was gone, and it was hell. Ah, and sis is here too. How've you been? Long time no see, Suli. Still as cute as ever."
Despite it being our first reunion in over a year, Jeong Soo-ah greeted us casually and offered seats right away.
She nodded approvingly, humming in satisfaction as we naturally took the head seat.
"See? You need someone—or something—to hold the center. It feels so right with you here. Stick around as long as possible, okay?"
"Any trouble while I was gone?"
"What could touch us? We've got our excellent hunting dog, and an SS-rank monster—er, hunter."
"What about the Association?"
"They've been calling nonstop since that incident, but I haven't bothered responding."
"Hm. And the underlings?"
"Well, you laid down the law before leaving, so no major troubles. Ichijo's been a bit rowdy, like an angry monkey, but Toda and the hunting dog handled it well..."
"Hunting dog? You mean Song Jae-ha?"
I tilted my head slightly, and Jeong Soo-ah nodded emphatically.
"Yeah, Song Jae-ha. The guy's like a whole new person. Seeing that really drives home how amazing sis's abilities are."
Snow smiled warmly and nodded at Jeong Soo-ah's glance my way.
"I put in quite the effort, so it's only natural. Still, no major mischief? Might have to reward him this time."
"If you're handing out rewards, start with me? I slaved away."
"Brought a few things. I'll pass them along later."
"...That sounds less like gifts and more like more work..."
I shrugged lightly at her sidelong glance.
I planned to hand over the labyrinth gear we'd acquired, plus a few pieces from Seong Jae-myeong.
She'd dispose of them well enough.
"No other reports, then?"
"Nope, nothing major. I'll compile everything later and report."
"Good. Got it."
Jeong Soo-ah glanced over as I nodded slowly.
Her eyes sparkled with curiosity—fixed on To Soon-i, of all things.
"So, who's this adorable little cutie? Where'd you kidnap her from?"
"Hm. Didn't we meet once before?"
"Huh? Me, with someone this cute? No way. I'd remember a kid like this... You sure you're not mistaken?"
I chuckled softly at her incredulous stare.
Of course she wouldn't recognize her—To Soon-i was using Inhwa's Art.
I nodded toward To Soon-i, who was shivering under the intense gaze.
She promptly released the art.
Looking relieved to be free of the stifling form, To Soon-i let out a soft sigh.
"Oh my?"
"Ring any bells now? It's To Soon-i."
"...That chubby—no, plump kid grew up like this? Her aura's completely different now..."
"She hit B-rank recently. Even I'm surprised at how fast."
"...That's kinda scary. She looks like a total normal high school girl, but she's a monster? What if there are tons of disguised monsters out there?"
I pondered her question briefly.
It wasn't entirely far-fetched.
Monsters disguising themselves to live among humans seemed unlikely, but with me as an example, it was worth considering.
Even if there are, no skin off my back unless they cross me.
Word soon spread that I'd arrived, and familiar faces trickled into Jeong Soo-ah's office—Toda and Ichijo first, then Yi Chan-geol and others.
We exchanged brief greetings, then I turned to an unexpected face.
"Why are you still here?"
"I am your sword, Master. I've been standing by nearby, ready for use."
I frowned quietly at White Rose's bright smile.
"You haven't gone back even once?"
"Of course not. I pop back regularly to handle necessities."
I eyed her for a moment, then turned to Jeong Soo-ah.
She nodded readily at my questioning look.
"White Rose has been a huge help. She's pitched in on tasks, introduced overseas intel lines... Don't be too harsh."
I nodded slowly.
It wasn't disapproval—just curiosity why someone who should be in France was lingering here.
"You've grown even stronger in the time I haven't seen you, Master?"
All eyes turned to me at White Rose's sudden remark.
Some in disbelief, others in suspicion.
I ignored them and asked her directly.
"What makes you say that?"
"Born a sword, I'm sensitive to such things. Am I wrong?"
I shook my head at her tilted head.
"No, you're right."
"Then..."
"SSS-rank?!"
Jeong Soo-ah blurted in shock, and I nodded calmly.
Gasps rippled through the room.
"Unbelievable... SSS-rank... What happens to the hunter world—no, humanity now..."
I chuckled at her sighing mutter.
"No plans to harm humanity."
"...True. Our president was never into world conquest anyway."
Jeong Soo-ah clicked her tongue and continued.
"Kinda disappointing, though."
"How so?"
"Couldn't be the Demon King? Figured the Four Heavenly Kings under him was doable."
Her words drew a light laugh from me.
"Hoping I'll go for world conquest?"
"Nah. Work's piling up as is—if you actually tried, it'd bury us. Hard pass from me."
I chuckled and shook my head again.
No need for more empty chatter.
More importantly...
"One thing I'm curious about."
"What?"
I asked Jeong Soo-ah flatly as she tilted her head.
"Where's Kwon Je-na?"
"......"
A heavy silence blanketed the office.
No one spoke up, until Jeong Soo-ah ventured carefully.
"...Just to check, why her?"
"Why? For revenge, obviously."
"......"
"Gather info on the guilds and hunters from that expedition too. Leysha's probably not in-country, so she'll be last."
Jeong Soo-ah spoke quietly at my matter-of-fact tone.
"...I've got files prepped on that. I'll include them with the full report."
"Appreciated."
I hadn't forgotten Arde or the monsters slain that day.
Time had come for the long-delayed revenge.
This time, I'd offer hunter heads at Arde's altar to honor her spirit.
"...I'll report on the guilds and hunters from back then, but revenge on Kwon Je-na might be tricky."
"Why?"
As I frowned, she hurried to explain.
"She's out of the country. Left recently at Leysha Barrett's request."
"...When?"
"About two months ago. Public schedule says she'll be gone at least another half-year."
"...Lucky her."
I smacked my lips in frustration, but Jeong Soo-ah said no more.
I brushed it off and continued.
"Then she and Leysha go to the back burner. For now, compile on the other guilds and hunters."
"Got it. I'll make it clean and thorough."
I nodded as she replied steadily.
Another brief silence fell over the office.
Na Yeon-seong flipped on the TV to lighten the mood.
It was running a news segment on presidential candidates.
"...Outside's been noisy. Election season, huh?"
Jeong Soo-ah picked up as I stared at the screen.
"Peak frenzy time. Was gonna mention it in the report. We've had feelers from all sides."
"Trying to recruit?"
"More like 'stay quiet, please.' Leak a bit of our dirt, and plenty go down. After sitting out the last mess, they're begging us to behave since they can't buy us."
Maybe from all the dirt on politicians from the Japan-China underworld clash?
Jeong Soo-ah seemed to relish it, giggling sinisterly.
I ignored her and focused on the TV.
The news featured one candidate in particular.
"...Yu Cheol-yeong."
I muttered unwittingly at the familiar face in the footage.
My father from my human days.
The heartless, ruthless man was running for president.
Ridiculous.
The surprise soured my mood briefly, but it passed.
Whether he ran or won, it meant nothing to me.
To him, I was long-dead worthless son; to me, he was no longer father.
Not worth the effort to sabotage.
Just keep ignoring him, as always.
Would that we never crossed paths—but the world rarely obliged.
Another familiar face flashed behind Yu Cheol-yeong in the footage.
A mask-like blank expression.
My sister's mechanical smile twisted my face unbidden.