Chapter 58
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 58
Chapter Title: A Sudden Shift in Tone (5)
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A few days later, at Incheon Airport.
Kang Sa-hu, who had come to the airport to head to the Necromancer Society, turned to the guild members who had accompanied him to see him off and offered a greeting.
"Well then, I'll be off."
Kang Sa-hu looked at them and bowed, but his words barely registered amid the chaos.
"Guild Leader Kang Sa-hu! Just a moment! One minute! Please spare us some time!"
"We're from public broadcasting! Guild Leader Kang Sa-hu! An interview, please!"
"Ah, stop pushing!"
Incheon Airport had turned into utter pandemonium the moment Kang Sa-hu appeared.
From initial invitations by phone, followed by texts, emails, and even letters, the EX-rank Hunter Kang Sa-hu had never shown his face despite all their efforts.
He was such an elusive figure that journalists and media folks were desperate for even a single word from him.
"Sigh. Can't really complain since it's a mistake on their part."
Kang Ji-ye let out a deep sigh, disappointed in the airline's attempt to make amends by assigning Awakener bodyguards, but it was too little too late.
In stark contrast, Lee Yu-rim glared at the airline staff with eyes subtly laced with murderous intent, despite her efforts to hide it.
"If this were Russia, my fist would've flown by now..."
"Huh? What was that, unnie?"
"Nothing."
Lee Yu-rim muttered under her breath without realizing it, then quickly brushed it off when Kang Ji-ye overheard.
Due to the airline's lax security, news of Kang Sa-hu's flight booking had leaked.
And somehow getting wind of it, crowds had swarmed the place. Now, there were more reporters and NewTubers filming than actual passengers at Incheon Airport.
That alone was headache-inducing, but the gathered crowd wasn't just them.
"Hyung! Sa-hu hyung! It's me! Did you see my email?! I'm a fan!"
"I love you!"
"Did some guy just say he loves the Guild Leader...?"
Kim Ho-myeong looked around in horror, searching for the culprit.
Meanwhile, Bae Deok-ho approached Kang Sa-hu and smirked at him.
"Guild Leader, watch your back over there too. Not as bad as here, but all sorts will come swarming."
"Yeah, I'll have to."
Kang Sa-hu gave a wry smile and nodded along.
"Well then, I'll be off."
"Okay! Don't worry about things here! Wrap it up quick and get back!"
After exchanging farewells with Bae Deok-ho and the other guild members, Kang Sa-hu turned toward the gate.
As he casually scanned the massive crowd, something off caught his eye, making him freeze.
"...?"
Where his gaze landed, a group of bizarre figures stared back at him.
Numerous people dressed in black robes like formal suits gazed silently at Kang Sa-hu. The moment their eyes met his, they convulsed as if struck by lightning.
And then.
"...?!"
Kang Sa-hu stared in shock as they slowly bowed deeply toward him.
'...What the hell?'
As Kang Sa-hu gawked in confusion, the people rushing toward him followed his gaze, spotted the group, and reacted the same way.
"Wh-what are those people?!"
"Some kind of concept...?"
The others stared in bewilderment, but undeterred by the attention, the robed figures remained frozen mid-bow.
Wondering what on earth was going on, Kang Sa-hu glanced at his guild members.
Lee Yu-rim, catching his eye, awkwardly turned away and subtly stepped back.
"...?!"
The bizarre behavior of these strangers and Lee Yu-rim's odd reaction.
Spotting a connection, Kang Sa-hu looked back at the bowing figures and noticed prayer beads-like accessories wrapped around one man's wrist.
His eyes widened in horror at the skull charm dangling from the end.
"N-no way, that's...?"
"Sir! Time to board now!"
He'd just pieced it together in shock, but the airline staff seized the moment, politely urging him inside.
Snapping to attention, the crowd realized if he boarded now, they'd lose their one shot, and surged forward even more fiercely.
"D-don't push! Arghhh!"
The bodyguards shouted, struggling against the wave of people.
Rushed along by an airline worker who respectfully took his arm and guided him like royalty, Kang Sa-hu alternated glances between Lee Yu-rim—averting her eyes—and the still-bowing robed figures, his eyes shaking like there was an earthquake.
"Yu-rim."
[...Yes, Guild Leader....]
Lee Yu-rim responded in a dejected tone to Kang Sa-hu's call.
"What exactly is going on?"
He generally didn't pry into personal matters unless absolutely necessary, but since this involved him too, he had to ask.
After a pause, she hesitantly spoke up.
[Um, Guild Leader. Do you remember... all the chaos during that C-rank Gate upgrade incident?]
"Of course."
He was at the center of it, and it had caused a global uproar—no way he'd forget.
[Yeah.... It actually started back then.... Those people are like... a fan cafe worshiping you.]
"...? Fans?"
Kang Sa-hu blinked in confusion, prompting Lee Yu-rim to explain with sudden enthusiasm.
Hunters wielding mysterious powers to protect humanity were sharply divided in public opinion.
Some envied them as lucky bastards who hit the jackpot.
Others condemned those who abused their power for crime or personal gain.
And some idolized them as heroes defending the world from monsters emerging from mysterious Gates.
Naturally, the more exceptional the Hunter, the more polarized the views—like a brighter light casting a deeper shadow.
Kang Sa-hu, listening intently, spoke up with a dubious expression.
"So.... Those people are among the latter, the ones who revere me. Fans, in other words."
[Yes....]
Her voice, brimming with passion moments ago, deflated again at his words.
But Kang Sa-hu wasn't angry or annoyed.
Just a bit flustered.
Following the strong was a primal human trait since ancient times, an instinct shared by all animals.
Necromancers, despite their power, often faced fear and rejection due to their summoning abilities.
So while their support felt burdensome, it wasn't unwelcome.
The issue wasn't them.
"But why are you involved with them?"
They might not cross paths with him much, but Lee Yu-rim was different.
She was his comrade, guild member, and protector for Kang Ji-ye in his absence. Her actions inevitably affected guild dynamics, so he had to be sensitive.
Of course, if she admired him enough to join such a group, that was a good thing.
Still, clarity mattered. He asked gently, mindful not to make her uncomfortable.
[Th-that's because... I respect and trust you too, Guild Leader.]
"I see."
His usual calm tone eased her tension, letting her elaborate thoughtfully.
[Yes. From our first meeting, you've always been so insightful. Back when we cleared that F-rank Gate together, even though you could've soloed it easily for my growth, you hung back, teaching me how to hunt and watching over me.]
The Corpse-Eating Ape Gate.
An old memory, faded amid countless events since.
But Lee Yu-rim recounted every detail as if it were yesterday.
[Many things happened after, but you were always the same. That inspired my respect, and I wanted to support you more....]
Kang Sa-hu cut in as she delved deeper than expected.
"I get it. I'm not scolding you—I was just surprised. No need to bare your soul."
She fell silent.
"Your personal time and choices are yours. Still, I worry there might be issues. Any weird activity in the group?"
[No, no! Don't worry! The Coming World Church isn't like that!]
"Good to hear. If anything strange comes up..."
He paused mid-sentence.
"...Hold on. Did you just say 'church'?"
As he asked incredulously,
An announcement blared, and a flight attendant approached with an awkward smile.
"H-hello, sir. We're about to take off soon..."
Kang Sa-hu nodded.
Lee Yu-rim kept talking, but he'd already missed chunks, and she was rambling anyway. Better to continue later.
"Yu-rim. Plane's about to depart, so I have to hang up. We'll talk when I get back."
[Yes! Got it, Guild Leader! Take care!]
"Thanks. See you soon."
He ended the call, switched to airplane mode, and sank deeply into his seat with a weary expression.
'Fan club and a religion.'
Both involved pursuing what one admired based on belief.
But the weight was worlds apart.
A mere fandom would've been fine, but a serious religion bearing his name meant he had to get involved.
'One misstep, and I'm branded a cult leader.'
He knew overseas, where religious freedom was stronger, some already deified Hunters.
But never imagined it happening in Korea—with him as the object. Flustering, to say the least.
'More things to manage piling up.'
From hunting Gates as a Hunter, to government entanglements after founding the guild, various interest groups.
Now the Necromancer Society trip, plus a fan club at risk of turning cultish.
He sorted his tangled thoughts.
'Handle what's in front of me first.'
Priority: Head to the Society and create his ace units, Death Knight and Draugr.
'Solving this advances most Hunter-related matters.'
Hunters pursued profit while hunting Gates and protecting humanity with overwhelming power.
Essential: Unyielding strength available anytime, anywhere.
'Finish as fast as possible.'
Resolving to act immediately upon landing, Kang Sa-hu closed his eyes to rest.