Mad Dog Marcson
Marcson Porter. One of the Four Heavenly Kings leading the Saint Guild, guild master, and the sole blood brother of Mr. America, one of the world's strongest hunters. He was famous for slaughtering monsters and villains with the twin swords in his hands.
A hunter known for his free-spirited personality, occasionally disrupting team dynamics with his impulsive actions. One of the persons of interest listed in my report. His arrival meant exactly what I thought.
Lee Kang-san must be pretty worried about his little sister.
The Four Heavenly Kings of the Saint Guild. Ironclad Lee Kang-san, the world's number one tank. Mad Dog Marcson Porter, who tears enemies apart with his twin swords. Diana, the Invention King leading the magic revolution. And Jackson Porter, Mr. America. I'd heard these four cherished each other like family, having weathered countless battlefields together.
Since I'd gotten involved with his little sister, Lee Hye-ri, it was only natural that one of them would show up.
It's well within the range I anticipated.
The moment I realized Lee Hye-ri was interested in my classes, I'd considered it. Teaching her would inevitably create a connection to the Saint Guild. And that was precisely what I wanted.
I just didn't expect to meet a representative this quickly.
The people who knew I was Shadow Mask were Daesung's top brass, the inspectors and lawyers involved at the time, and the judges. No one knew what lay beneath my mask, so why couldn't I hunt? When my hunter license was revoked, they documented and digitized my mana pattern, registering me as a forbidden figure from entering dungeons. Hunters called it an identification code.
The code itself wasn't a problem. But if someone with an identification code got involved in a specific incident, it would register as a villain code.
If an awakener with a registered identification code entered a dungeon, a warning would go out to the hunters inside, turning it into a villain code and making them a prime target. From that moment, I'd be designated not as a civilian, but a villain, hunted by all hunters.
Even without entering a dungeon, using mana to commit a crime would trigger the same change. Detecting it was incredibly complex, so most villain codes came from those caught red-handed.
To be safe, I'd minimized mana use even while rescuing Yoo Ara. What a hassle. Live normally, and no issues arose. But cause trouble while using mana, and you'd become a target. That was why I'd chosen to live as an appraiser.
He must have brought a code detector. Even a thoughtless guy like Marcson wouldn't skip that. At Lee Kang-san's request, to check if I was suspicious or not.
I had excuses prepared for everything. But still.
It's a gamble.
High odds of success, but failure meant game over. Yet it was a problem I'd have to face eventually. Without bearing such risks, I couldn't take down Daesung. That's why I'd accepted Hye-ri as a student.
If I navigated this well and earned Marcson's trust... no more problems ahead. As long as I didn't directly meet those who knew my face.
I took a deep breath. Stay as calm as possible. Relax. He doesn't know me. So act completely natural. Like a capable teacher instructing Hye-ri.
"Who is it?" I asked in a steady voice.
"Oh, you're inside! Good!"
"You can speak English if you like."
"Ah, perfect. Wait, you knew I was coming?"
"Yes, Hye-ri mentioned it."
I opened the door. A foreigner a full head taller than me stared down.
"Nice to meet you. Marcson Porter."
"You're famous. Kim Siu, Hye-ri's private tutor."
"You seem to follow hunters closely."
"Who doesn't know Saint's twin-sword master, Marcson?"
"Hahaha! You know your stuff!"
His hearty laugh carried wariness.
"You know why I'm here, so let's cut to the chase. Mind if I run a few tests? Sorry in advance."
"I know you're not asking for permission."
"Sorry. I don't usually do this, but a friend asked."
Marcson pulled a cylindrical device from his pocket and held it to me. Beep.
Code Number NO. 2-2554. Identification code confirmed.
"Code identifier. And of course."
"Right. I got framed in the past."
Identification codes came in two grades. Grade 1 for irredeemable threats needing special caution. Grade 2 for minor offenses or uncertain suspicions. Despite the murder frame-up, Daesung's 'consideration' had placed me at Grade 2 instead of 1.
Yeah. Consideration. That's what they called it.
-Out of old sentiment, we've classified Shadow Mask at Grade 2. But if you cause trouble, or if our story leaks from your mouth... you'll be reclassified as a villain immediately.
-Thank Shin Seo-ah. She specially requested it.
What bullshit. Utter crap. Thank the bastards who sent me to hell? This wasn't consideration for me. It was Daesung's deceit to humiliate me. Never forget. The difference in status. Shin Seo-ah, you fucking bitch. Does deceiving and toying with me to the end feel good?
But thanks to it, I could dream of revenge.
"Framed, huh? You think I'd buy that? I hate criminals who sin and don't learn the most."
Killing intent leaked out. The mad dog's fangs aimed for my throat.
"You've already tested, haven't you? How much Hye-ri's improved, how she's growing."
"Yeah. But if your intentions are impure, I'll stop it."
"...I want to do business."
"Business?"
"Yes. With an identification code from a frame-up, I can't hunt. Can't just starve either, so I found a way."
"What's that got to do with business?"
"I'm building a guild. Tutoring to fund it."
Here, a bit of honesty was needed. Guys like Marcson, who trusted their gut, sniffed out lies like demons.
"And?"
"I taught Yoo Ara first. Gave her great grades. Her effort helped, but my know-how too."
I sat on the living room sofa and continued.
"Then Hye-ri from her team came. Wants to be a tank."
"Tank..."
"So I agreed. 20 million per semester, plus 20 million success fee."
"..."
"No plans to mess with Hye-ri. I know who's behind her. Why would I?"
"Criminals like you..."
"Grade 2 isn't criminal, Mr. Marcson."
His brow furrowed as I cut in.
"Fine, not a criminal. How do I trust you?"
Simple.
"Don't trust me."
"What?"
His hand went to his waist, ready to draw.
"Watch Hye-ri grow because of me. My ability."
His hand paused.
"You won't believe my words. We've known each other less than 10 minutes. Simple: watch me teach her. Stay at a hotel if you want to observe long-term. Our contract's one month anyway. Judge after results, extend or not. That's Hye-ri's deal with me."
"..."
"Three weeks in, next week's the last."
"That true?"
"Ask Hye-ri."
I met his eyes.
That was it. All I could say. And I was certain: whatever Marcson said, Hye-ri would keep learning from me.
"...Fine. But if it's a lie."
"Cut my head off then. I'll note it in my will: Died for lying to Mad Dog Marcus..."
Clang!
"You bastard!"
Marcson drew his twin swords for my throat. Simultaneously, I used telekinesis. Yoo Ara's skill blocked his attack.
So this is what a skill feels like.
The old me would've rolled back to dodge that explosive strike, stance broken, vulnerable to follow-up. But now, without budging, I parried.
This is why people need skills.
"Getting too excited?"
"One more word from that mouth, and you're dead."
"Do as you like. I won't die till Hye-ri's a proper tank."
Deliberate provocation. Needed to use a skill in front of Marcson once. Insurance if he suspected my identity later.
He couldn't guess. The half-baked hunter Shadow Mask never used skills until retirement. Famous even among F-ranks.
Marcson, pushing against the blocked swords, glared piercingly. Killing intent stabbed my body like he might decapitate me any second.
But I didn't avert my eyes. I'd done nothing wrong. Why should I?
After a long standoff, he sheathed his swords.
"Some truth to it, huh."
"What?"
"You tested me, right? Provoked the mad dog on purpose?"
Did he notice? S-rank instincts?
"Saw your eyes just now. Not lying eyes. Seems you're no threat to Hye-ri."
"What?"
"What? Tested you. If you're fit to teach Hye-ri. Not some trembling rookie, at least."
"Weren't you calling me a criminal?"
"Yeah. But framed, right?"
Sudden shift threw me. Not onto my game.
"Guys with skeletons shake at a little pressure. You took my killing intent without flinching. Good enough."
"Weird standard."
"That's me. Trust my gut. Believing machine data's for bespectacled nerds. Still not 100%, so I'll stick by Hye-ri awhile. Last class next week?"
"Yes."
"I'll observe the last one."
Hm. Problematic, Mr. Marcson.
"I can't decide that."
"What?"
"Ask Hye-ri if it's okay."
He looked dumbfounded.
"You're the teacher. Teacher's law, right?"
"No."
"No way!"
As expected, Hye-ri refused flatly.
"If you're that worried, wait nearby. I'll call when class ends."
"But Hye-ri."
"Absolutely not!"
She yelled, face red, glaring at me. Fierce eyes.
Couldn't help it? No power on my end. Your brother's guy—you chase him off.
I smiled at Hye-ri, eyes blazing at Marcson. Good girl. My student.
"What were you thinking?"
Having forcibly ejected Marcson, Hye-ri crossed her arms, glaring.
"What?"
"Letting him observe!"
"Not letting him. Just asked your opinion."
"Hah, but you knew I'd refuse?"
"Yeah. Knew you'd say no."
"O-of course!"
"But what power do I have to refuse an S-rank like Marcson?"
"Ugh..."
She glared with axe eyes. Kinda scary like that.
"I-I absolutely can't show! How could I let anyone see that class? No! Never!"
I knew. No way I'd show others. My method, my student. No stealing, no observing.
But her flustered anger was cute, so I just smiled at her.