Repaying a Kindness
As Lisa had promised, I received information on Park Kwang-yeol's family just half a day later.
I carefully reviewed the details delivered through Na Yeon-seong, as always.
Fortunately, his family was doing just fine.
It had been a huge ordeal when Uncle passed away, but thanks to the hunter death insurance he'd signed up for early on, they didn't have to worry about putting food on the table right away.
Now, his adult son—who'd given up on college—had started earning money, and while they weren't exactly living in luxury, they were getting by without any major issues.
Good.
They hadn't fallen into the kind of tragic poverty you see in movies or novels after losing their breadwinner.
If Uncle's son had still been a kid, it might've been different, but he was already grown up. What a relief.
At a glance, everything seemed stable, and they appeared to be living their lives as best they could. But there was one small problem.
His son working hard to make money instead of going to college was admirable, but the method he chose...
"The labyrinth..."
I clicked my tongue briefly.
Was it because he was a hunter's son?
Most people would shy away from it, but Uncle's son had headed straight into the very labyrinth that took his father's life.
I got it. I understood.
The labyrinth was dangerous, but it offered solid rewards in return.
For a healthy adult who'd skipped college and wanted to make big money fast, there was no better place.
Yeah, I could see the logic...
"But still... not as a hunter, but a 'porter'."
A short sigh escaped me involuntarily.
That's right.
Uncle's son was a porter.
If there's a hunter in the family, the odds of other family members awakening are pretty high—but it's still case by case.
High probability doesn't mean guaranteed.
So it wasn't strange that Uncle's son hadn't awakened, despite his father being a hunter.
I had plenty to say about it, but I kept it to myself.
Choices are always one's own to make.
My job was just to repay the favor—not meddle where I didn't belong.
Still... a porter, of all things.
Having experienced the hardships of being one myself, my chest tightened.
So I decided to pay him a visit.
It was late afternoon, with the sun starting to set.
Time for hunters to trickle out after their afternoon hunts.
And the busiest time for porters.
"Hey! Park Min-seong! Move your ass faster! We gotta unload this and grab dinner! You gonna take responsibility if we're late for the reservation?"
A hunter's shout sent a young man scrambling. It was Uncle's son, Park Min-seong.
Park Min-seong grunted as he hauled a box far bigger than himself, all alone.
Naturally, no one around offered to help.
Just another day in a porter's life.
One hunter could've lifted it effortlessly, but they didn't even glance his way.
Even knowing it was porter work, the sight was pitiful.
And it wasn't just indifference—some hunters went way too far.
Like right now.
"Hey! I said move it! You taking our money to slack off?"
One hunter prodded the box Park Min-seong was carrying. It looked light, but the strength gap between hunter and civilian was huge.
Even a casual tap felt like death to the porter.
I knew from experience.
And things were even worse now.
This wasn't petty mischief—they were outright bullying him.
The prods tipped the box over, spilling labyrinth byproducts everywhere.
The hunter bellowed.
"You fucking idiot! Can't even carry that right?! You know how much that's worth?!"
"S-sorry! I'm sorry!"
Park Min-seong bowed until his back nearly snapped, then frantically scooped up the mess: mana stones, monster parts, rare labyrinth herbs—all jumbled in chaos.
And of course, the hunter didn't just watch.
"You moron! Do it right! You think I hired you out of pity just to watch this shit? Thought the kid looked pathetic, so I let you tag along!"
The hunter and Park Min-seong looked about the same age, but that didn't matter to him.
He just needed a punching bag.
No logic, no reason required.
Hunters venting labyrinth stress on porters was common.
You saw it all the time outside the labyrinth. Nothing unusual.
Even though it absolutely was.
Still, this hunter was decent compared to others.
How could I call that decent? From my perspective, having seen and heard every horror, he had some conscience.
At least Park Min-seong walked away in one piece—that said enough.
I watched him for a while.
I could've stepped in to help, but I didn't.
It'd fix today, but not tomorrow.
Unless he quit portering altogether.
I couldn't babysit him forever, and helping just this once solved nothing.
Assuming he'd keep at it, I needed a more fundamental solution.
What would actually work?
"Huh? Master?"
A sudden voice drew my gaze. There stood six young hunters: Yoon Ji-su and her party.
The ones I'd met crossing the Desert Zone, now my loyal subordinates thanks to Magic Eye's mind control.
I'd planned to use them as informants, but the Black Market's convenience made me forget all about them.
Not that it mattered—I was thrilled to see them now.
Perfect timing. They were exactly who I needed to solve Park Min-seong's problem.
What luck.
I quickly checked Yoon Ji-su's group.
No porter in tow.
Ideal.
I gave the order.
No objections, naturally.
Now Park Min-seong would porter for Yoon Ji-su's party.
That was the bare minimum I could do right now.
But I couldn't just throw them together suddenly.
No time to explain to Park Min-seong, and prep was needed.
First, I waited until they finished unloading, then approached the hunters as they parted from him.
No time to kill them.
Just amped up the mind control a bit.
Normal life was probably off the table for them now.
Not revenge for dredging up old memories.
Really.
Through mind control, I had them fire Park Min-seong "naturally."
Porters get dumped out of nowhere all the time, so he wouldn't suspect.
Then, as he hunts for a new raid, Yoon Ji-su's group approaches.
After that, he's their porter.
That's the plan they enabled by showing up.
Sure, safety issues lingered even with them, but I pushed that aside for now.
Threat of death came with the porter job from the start.
It was his choice—I wouldn't meddle further.
This was all I could do.
But I wouldn't just abandon him.
I couldn't face Uncle otherwise.
Just the minimum for now, since time was short.
I'd think long-term after handling immediate matters.
...Time to pay her a visit.
The lingering sun had fully set.
I followed the growing lights, moving quietly.
Destination: a luxury hotel nearby.
The one I was meeting: Charlotte Michelle, naturally.
A luxury hotel not far from the bustling labyrinth district. Charlotte was staying in a suite.
Despite top-tier amenities, her face was ashen.
No—anyone could see it was terrible.
Not illness, but devastation from a massive blow, leaving her haggard in no time.
Ever since confirming Lee Ha-na's state moments ago.
"...Amy Hunter."
Her hoarse voice echoed softly.
At Charlotte's call, Amy—who'd been standing statue-still in the corner—responded swiftly.
"Yes, Lady Charlotte."
"...Is the skill use complete?"
A voice so weak, it didn't sound like the usual Charlotte.
Feeling a mix of emotions, Amy bowed politely.
"Yes, it's done."
"...What did you find?"
Amy recalled what she'd seen at the quiet question.
Lee Ha-na looked peacefully asleep at first—no murder? But reality differed.
"...Lee Ha-na Hunter was murdered."
The room's atmosphere shifted instantly at Amy's cautious words.
From gloomy melancholy to choking killing intent filling the air.
Even mere intent made Amy clutch her throat, gasping.
"...By whom?"
"G-gasp... A... a man..."
As the pressure eased, Amy gulped air.
Charlotte, ignoring her, spoke again.
"How many?"
"J-just one."
"Korean hunters SA-rank or above?"
"Five confirmed officially... All have alibis. Kwon Je-na Hunter at the scene checked out personally."
"...No match on description?"
"Not among the confirmed..."
Amy trailed off carefully; Charlotte stated flatly.
"But unofficially, maybe."
"...There are surely shadow operators. They need licenses for labyrinths, but..."
"They hid their rank."
Amy nodded at Charlotte's murmur.
Charlotte closed her eyes.
Amy sweated in the silence.
Even briefly, an SS-rank's intent was beyond imagination.
Amy was no combat prodigy, but A-rank elite.
Yet mere pressure choked her.
She felt Charlotte's power anew.
And silently pitied the man who'd crossed her.
"...Should I sweep the shadows?"
Still eyes shut, Charlotte murmured—not really a question to Amy.
Her habit: asking and answering herself.
Amy silenced her presence.
Suddenly, Charlotte's eyes snapped open.
Double the prior pressure surged.
Amy held her breath.
"Kh... G-guh...! Ch-Char...lotte...!"
Charlotte ignored Amy's suffering, gaze fixed outside.
Amy's eyes followed shakily.
A-rank senses spotted the man on a distant rooftop easily.
Still staring out, Charlotte spoke amid the pressure.
"...Is that him?"
Somehow spared the intent, Amy felt lighter.
Second time alone with her, gasping again: "Y-yes...! That's him!"
Her shout deepened the pressure.
A crooked smile formed on Charlotte's lips.
"Came himself...? To me, Charlotte? The killer of my dear disciple...?"
Decor shook under the intent.
Table and chairs creaked; thick glass cracked.
Amy trembled nearby in terror.
Then the man on the roof turned, strolling away leisurely—like an invitation.
Charlotte watched, then chuckled dryly.
"A challenge?"
SS-rank at the world's hunter peak for over a decade. When was the last such arrogance?
From her disciple's killer, no less.
Beyond rage—absurdity. Charlotte growled lowly.
"I'll pursue that man. Tell no one to follow."
Without waiting, she shattered the suite window and left.
Left alone, Amy stared blankly at the gaping hole, frozen.
She snapped out only when hotel staff arrived at the commotion.