Who the Hell is This Woman?
Yoo Taejeong forgot all about nearly dying just moments ago at the sudden appearance of this woman.
Where the hell did she come from?
There had been no one inside the reception room. He'd scanned the place over and over, wondering if he should make a break for it—if anyone had been there, he would've spotted them for sure.
Which side is she on?
Hanrasan had tried to take him out, so if she'd stopped them, she was probably with Rainzer. They might've set up some contingency from the start.
But Lee Mu-bae didn't seem to recognize her at all.
What? When did they...
Unlike Lee Mu-bae's confusion, Cha Min-su's face was twisted in near horror. His legs shook as he stumbled back, like he'd seen a ghost.
Lee Mu-bae smirked at the sight and spoke up.
"What the hell is she? Your face says she's not one of yours."
Cha Min-su didn't answer Lee Mu-bae's question. It was like he couldn't even hear him.
"Suddenly gone mute...?"
"Th-the Empress."
"What?"
"Th-the, uh, Psychic Empress."
"Psychic Em... What!? What did you say!?"
Lee Mu-bae's pupils dilated as he mulled over the words. His reaction matched Cha Min-su's exactly.
The Psychic Empress. Also known as the Witch of Annihilation.
A hunter of the ultra-rare Esper class, even among Hiddens. She earned the witch moniker for single-handedly dismantling Devil Castle, one of the world's three great clubs.
Over three thousand hunters died by her hand in that bloodbath. It was one of the deadliest single battles since the monster outbreaks.
What made it infamous? Even those who surrendered were wiped out.
A woman with no mercy, no tears—just pure cruelty. From then on, "witch" stuck to her name.
"Th-that woman's really the Psychic Empress?"
"Does your guild not even have basic intel?"
"I've only seen her masked photos. How the hell would I recognize her bare face? How do you know it's her?"
"You're getting dumber by the minute. We have files on the Empress. The features might vary a bit, but you can't miss it. Plus, who in your crew even noticed her enter?"
"Hmph. Just that? High-level assassins could..."
"No. This room has permanent Decloak active. Any assassin would've tripped the alarm ages ago."
"Decloak? It was up? You're thorough."
As they bantered back and forth, the woman spoke up, bored of waiting.
"You done talking?"
Lee Mu-bae stepped back and asked,
"Y-you're really Han Seol-ah, the Psychic Empress?"
"I went by that once."
"Wh-why are you here?"
"A friend's request."
"What kind? If it's about taking that kid..."
"And if it is?"
"We got here first, so priority's ours, right?"
"Priority? What, the right to off him if he doesn't play ball? Korea hasn't changed a bit since I was last here. Outdated scum like you still pulling this crap. No wonder this scene's your playground."
She stepped forward. A chilling voice slipped from her small mouth.
"Get out. Unless you want a funeral."
Utterly insulting. But Lee Mu-bae and the others couldn't move.
She was the Empress. She could say worse, and it'd be fine.
Even a guild master might hesitate to face her—she was that strong.
Give up this easy? After we almost had him?
Lee Mu-bae agonized. Was there really no way?
Han Seol-ah glanced at Taejeong and tilted her head.
"Not going?"
"Huh?"
"Sticking around won't end well."
"Oh."
Taejeong hesitated, then nodded. Better to bail first.
As they inched toward the door behind her, Lee Mu-bae made his call.
No one's seen her fight up close. Fuck it—all or nothing.
He signaled nearby hunters. Without hesitation, those on her flanks lunged.
Point-blank ambush. Clean kill, by all looks.
But—
BOOM!
A thunderous crash. The attackers flew back, smashing into the wall.
So fast, Taejeong behind them couldn't even track it.
Is this even human?
Before his jaw could close, she approached a baffled Lee Mu-bae and whispered,
"Try that again. Next time, I'll smash the skull that made that dumb call."
"......"
She walked past the speechless Lee Mu-bae. Taejeong followed silently. No one else blocked them.
Outside with Han Seol-ah, Taejeong gaped at the corridor.
Nearly two hundred hunters littered the floor.
Did she...?
Stunned by the massacre, he froze. She waved it off.
"No need to freak. Just knocked 'em out."
"R-right."
In the elevator, Taejeong bowed his head, pondering.
Who the hell was she? Helping him? Or same as those guys?
Psychic Empress? What's that? They acted like she's a big deal...
He'd never heard it, but she was clearly huge. Otherwise, those hunters wouldn't let him go so easy—not even for war.
As he mulled, her hand hit the button for floor 6—the restaurant.
Taejeong blinked. "Why here...?"
"Starving. Problem?"
"Not a problem, but those guys from before..."
"Relax. Unless their brains are rotten, they won't touch us."
They entered a Korean restaurant.
"What'll you have?"
"I'm good."
"Cool. Best dish for me, please."
As she ordered, Taejeong fired away.
"Why help me?"
"Told you—friend's request."
"Who?"
"Our leader."
"Leader? Don't know anyone that big-shot."
"Surprised me too. He's not the requesting type."
"What exactly did he ask?"
"Nothing much. Tail you for a few days, keep you safe. That's it."
Taejeong sank deeper into confusion. Requests meant interests. Why protect him?
No clues. She chugged a drink and spoke.
"By the way, you're Hidden too, right?"
"Me?"
"Yeah. Or not?"
"Kinda, yeah."
"Perfect. Join our guild if you're interested. No pressure. Bit weird saying it, but it's a solid place."
"With someone like you? Must be elite."
"Someone like me? Sounds stiff. How old are you?"
"Twenty-eight."
"What? Twenties? You look young. Kinda fits now."
"You too, right?"
"Lip service?"
"Nah. You look my age."
"Cut it. I'm at least ten years older."
"What?"
Taejeong's surprised gaze hit her face. Flawless skin—no crow's feet, neck lines, or laugh lines. Peak twenty-something beauty.
But late thirties minimum? No way. He'd pegged her younger.
"That face? You really thought... Fine, I'm baby-faced. Anyway, I'm older—call me noona. Feels right, yeah?"
"Sure, whatever."
Now properly introduced, the vibe warmed unexpectedly. Unlike her penthouse majesty, Han Seol-ah was fun, upbeat. The more they talked, the more likable.
Curiosity bubbled up.
"You seemed insanely strong up there. Top twenty in Korea?"
"Top what? Never ranked myself. But if I had to guess..."
"Guess?"
"Top twenty, maybe?"
"Twenty!?"
Taejeong nearly spat his wine. Unreal.
Top ten: guild heads. Plus thirty raid leaders. Forty total. She was in that league—sitting with a titan.
"For real?"
"Why so shocked? I lowballed it."
"That's lowball? Then you're the strongest in your guild."
"Nah. At least two stronger than me."
"......"
Two above a top-twenty? Taejeong burned to know her guild. Only Han San-do came to mind with three in the top twenty.
"Which guild?"
"Wanna know? Join us."
"Lemme see it first."
"Listen, kid—no free rides."
"......"
"Kidding. Ever hear of Superhuman Club?"
"Yeah, searched it this morning. Wait—you mean...?"
"Bingo. That's my crew."