Chapter 61
Chapter 61
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 61
Chapter Title: Find the Right Path (7)
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15.
“How’s your body feeling?”
At Do Su-jin’s question, Do Ye-jin let out a groan.
“Every spot the bullets pierced feels hollow and throbbing. Other than that, I’m okay.”
“Don’t act like a kid. That was the best way.”
“I’m sixteen. I’m allowed to act like a kid.”
“Fair enough.”
Do Su-jin smiled brightly.
Do Ye-jin had been admitted to a ward in the old Gangbuk Samsung Hospital building. There still weren’t any nurses available since Gyo-nam-dong hadn’t been opened to civilians yet.
“This isn’t the end. It’s just the beginning.”
I said it from where I stood by the window.
“The reason my plan worked was because the Nightmare Hunters are pragmatists.”
“……?”
“It’s harsh, but… now you have to prove your worth. Show them you’re worth holding back their hatred.”
Do Ye-jin’s face twisted in pain, but she nodded obediently.
“……Yeah. I promised I would.”
“Good. Rest up. You worked hard dancing to my tune today. Sorry about that.”
Do Ye-jin looked flustered that I was apologizing.
I patted her small shoulder and left the room, with Do Su-jin following me out.
“Kim Baek-jun.”
“Oh, Su-jin.”
I turned to the beautiful woman with long hair, Do Su-jin. Her face held a puzzled expression.
“Why… did you help us?”
“……What do you mean?”
“You could’ve lost everything. Like I almost did. Protecting us could’ve blown away all the reputation and achievements you’ve built. But why?”
“There was some pragmatic calculation with the subordinate weapon, but nothing grand.”
“……Then why?”
Why? Why? Why?
I’d gotten that question plenty of times when I’d done someone a good turn in life. I answered the same way I always had.
“Because I thought it was the right thing to do.”
Do Su-jin’s large eyes stared at me for a long while. Then she suddenly bowed her head and let out a soft chuckle.
“You’re really an idiot.”
“I hear that a lot.”
“……Thank you. Truly.”
Her voice trembled slightly with emotion, but I didn’t point it out.
When Do Su-jin lifted her head, I lost myself for a moment. If Jeong Ha-kyeong’s smile was beautiful, this woman’s tears were beautiful.
“Someday… I’ll definitely repay you for what you did today. I promise.”
Do Su-jin bowed deeply. In response to her sincerity, I gave a weary smile.
“You two are going to be busy from now on… Please take good care of Ye-jin until then.”
I walked out of the hospital alone and gazed up at the building fading into the starlight for a long time.
Civilization Tuning… It really is something.
A building completely collapsed by Arishel’rap had reverted to its former grand cathedral, as if nothing had happened.
I’d have to witness scenes like this endlessly on the path I had to walk. Just as he’d said.
- The path you must walk is still narrow, treacherous, and sorrowful…
I still couldn’t see the end of that path. But… this Paradise integration felt like proof that I was moving forward.
- I’ll cheer for you and pray for you.
I clenched my right fist tight. Until I found the door to dawn, I’d go to the end of this path.
“What’re you thinking so deeply about, Chairman?”
I turned at the friendly voice and, sure enough, Hong Byeong-gyu was walking over.
Yoon Geon-woo, Cha Seung-hyeon, and Jeong Ha-kyeong were with him.
“Lead Hunter and Inaugural Association Chairman. You’ve got all the fancy titles locked down.”
“Don’t call me that.”
“Why not? You are the Chairman.”
“It’s not some hierarchical organization. Think of it more like a cooperative leader.”
The conversation paused for a moment.
“Are you mad? About helping Do Ye-jin.”
“Mad? Well…”
Hong Byeong-gyu scratched his chin awkwardly.
“I was baffled at first, but I’m not mad. If anything, I’m grateful now. I was about to turn into a beast from the grief… Thinking about it, she didn’t do anything wrong…”
“……Byeong-gyu.”
“What. Tongue, bro kept us human.”
Yoon Geon-woo occasionally used poetic expressions. As expected… good people at heart. Jeong Ha-kyeong let out a sigh.
“We’re fine with it, but… a lot of people still distrust Do Ye-jin. Some just went along with the vote in the heat of the moment.”
Jeong Ha-kyeong nodded toward the prime example standing there: Cha Seung-hyeon.
“Hyung-nim, why’d you do it?”
Cha Seung-hyeon asked.
His eyes demanded how I could forgive Do Ye-jin. Everyone fell silent.
“Like I said in the council room.”
I answered.
“One, because I believe Do Ye-jin is innocent. Two, because I saw her potential.”
“But…”
“Whether she remembers or not, you want to say she has to die because she killed Gye-sang?.”
He nodded firmly, and I couldn’t help but give a sad smile.
“Gye-sang wouldn’t want that.”
Yeah… he definitely wouldn’t.
That gentle man with the languid air would’ve been the first to extend a hand to Do Ye-jin.
Cha Seung-hyeon fell silent.
After a long moment, his eyes trembled with unbearable sorrow, tears welling up.
“Yeah… you’re right. If it was Gye-sang hyung…”
“Seung-hyeon. This wretched world is full of pitiful, powerless people… Remember that. The ones we should hate aren’t them. It’s the things that made the world this way.”
I patted his small head weakly.
“Even if it was me who died, Gye-sang would’ve said the same. Right?”
“……Yes.”
“Good boy, Seung-hyeon.”
I couldn’t blame young Cha Seung-hyeon’s intense reaction. The world and the things that made it this way were at fault.
“B-but what if…”
It was then that Yoon Geon-woo asked in a worried voice.
“Even if Do Ye-jin has no intention of betraying us, what if she loses control again? Like in Gyo-nam-dong.”
I’d have to kill her myself… I kept those words inside.
16.
We decided to rest fully that day. I hadn’t slept a wink since the assault.
Damn it.
I wanted to collapse into bed, but back-to-back fights had left my overcoat and underclothes in tatters.
“How about this?”
Jeong Ha-kyeong held up another outfit.
“Looks cool, right? Admit it?”
“It’s too flashy… Honestly, it’s overwhelming.”
“Come on. Time to dress like nobility. You’re the Chairman. Right?”
The citizen managing the [Clothing Shop] gave an awkward smile.
Ex-military and police fashion sense was truly tragic.
“No, this one’s a bit…”
“Better than you, fuck!”
After bickering like that, I ended up buying a frilly front-apron… anyway, ridiculously ornate noble attire.
Then simple tunics and pants sets, three each. Two pairs of boots. After that, we left the [Clothing Shop].
“Want something sweet?”
“Anything sweet.”
“Coffee and pastry?”
“You know it. Deal.”
Jeong Ha-kyeong and I walked side by side along the central docks of Paradise.
A breeze blew, gently rippling the canal waters, the fresh scent tickling our noses pleasantly.
We bought coffee and pastries from a street cart, and Jeong Ha-kyeong didn’t sit at the table—she headed to the dockside.
She kicked off her boots, dipped her small feet in the water, and let out a satisfied “Ahh~.”
“Feels cool. You try.”
I happily did.
Sitting next to Jeong Ha-kyeong, feet in the river, a sharp coolness washed over me.
“Ahh.”
Imitating her, I got a big laugh from Jeong Ha-kyeong, who splashed water at me.
“Hey, wait. Hold on. Water’s getting in the coffee.”
“So what? It’s holy water. Good for you. Won’t kill you.”
“Holy water, huh.”
We faced each other laughing, sipping coffee and eating pastries.
For that fleeting moment, we forgot the world’s end. Forgot all despair and sorrow, just enjoying ourselves.
We were both in casual clothes.
We’d grown sick of heavy armor everywhere, figuring if something attacked, let it.
“Hey.”
Gazing at the starlight scattering dazzling scales on the water, Jeong Ha-kyeong spoke.
“This job… doesn’t feel like something I can do forever.”
“Drinking coffee with me?”
She smacked my right arm, then stared back at the water.
“Every battle… my heart hurts. Scary. Wonder if it’ll burst and I’ll die first.”
“Who doesn’t feel that.”
“I didn’t. Before meeting you idiots.”
Jeong Ha-kyeong kept her head forward, glancing at me with just her eyes before looking ahead again.
“Guess I’ll have to go solo from now on.”
I couldn’t say a word.
Her words were so out of nowhere. She pulled her feet from the water and dried them with a cloth.
“Wait. Why all of a sudden?”
“I thought it over deeply.”
“Is it… because of the trouble with the Holy Apostles?”
Jeong Ha-kyeong put on her boots, not denying it.
“That’s part of it.”
“Ha-kyeong.”
“Don’t worry. We’ll both be fine… You didn’t even need my help this assault.”
I started to truly fear.
If Jeong Ha-kyeong wasn’t there for future assaults… if she who’d always guarded my side was gone…
What to say? What?
I was clueless about romance.
Kim Gye-sang might’ve given good advice, but he was gone.
I racked my brain desperately.
What popped up was a scene from a romance drama a colleague watched on night shift.
I brushed Jeong Ha-kyeong’s mouth corner with my thumb. Specifically, the crumb there.
“Can’t even eat one pastry cleanly, and you talk about going solo.”
Her eyes slowly widened. Then I brushed my own mouth.
“And me… I can’t eat a pastry cleanly either. How could I go solo without you?”
Jeong Ha-kyeong leaned back, face flustered.
“W-what the hell are you doing? F-fuck, you lost it?”
In this world… my face burned.
Inside, I cursed myself, the idiot who’d flustered her with that lame move.
“I suck at this stuff… So I’ll just say it straight.”
“……?”
“I need you, Ha-kyeong. More than anything. Whatever the Holy Apostles ordered about me doesn’t matter… Stay by my side. Please don’t leave.”
17.
Morning starlight filtered through the latticed window.
Around the time birdsong grew boisterous.
I busied myself grooming in front of the mirror.
Noble upper and lower garments.
Luxurious boots.
All picked by Jeong Ha-kyeong.
Over that, I draped the [Shadow Exoskeleton Cloak].
Hm, fits weirdly well?
“All done?”
“Yeah.”
Opening the official residence door.
Jeong Ha-kyeong in business attire caught my eye first.
“Everyone’s waiting. Let’s go.”
Gyeonghui Palace was grand and exalted. Crossing the corridor, I saw hunters heading to the cafeteria through arched windows.
“Everyone’s so lively this early.”
“It’s 9 a.m. Early my ass. Looks good on you, though.”
“You look kinda cute in that outfit too, Ha-kyeong.”
“Shut up.”
Jeong Ha-kyeong elbowed my side. It actually hurt.
“Sleep well last night?”
“Yeah.”
Gyeonghui Palace had become <Association> headquarters. Lodgings provided free to members.
Meanwhile, Association Chairman me and secretary Jeong Ha-kyeong got special treatment: the old king’s chambers as our official residence.
Separate rooms, of course.
Don’t misunderstand.
Jeong Ha-kyeong stopped under the high, ornate archway.
Entrance to the New Gyeonghui Palace’s Midnight Hall.
Once part of old Gyeonghui Palace, now the <Association>’s executive council room.
“I’ll go in first. Enter on my signal.”
“……Do we have to do this?”
“It’s important. Shut up and do what your secretary says.”
Jeong Ha-kyeong grinned and entered. I perked my ears, waiting.
“Rise.”
Snap. Multiple people standing in unison.
“The Chairman is entering.”
Only then did I step inside.
My eyes feasted on the ultra-luxurious furniture.
Opulent cut-glass chandelier. Lavish solid wood table. Pure white linen tablecloth.
My seat: the top stone, an old throne.
Flanking it, seven executive seats, each occupied by the seven standing Association executives.
<Romance> Raid Leader Choi Uk.
<GodSpring> Raid Leader Shin Tae-yeop.
Technical Research Director Seo Hwa-yoon.
Recon Left Wing Leader Lee Seong-mi.
Recon Right Wing Deputy Leader Eom Jae-beom.
Support Team 1 Leader Yoo Seong-deok.
Support Team 6 Leader Hong Byeong-gyu.
All seven executives, true to the democratic group, elected by Association members’ votes.
The top seat was crude for a throne.
Aside from the intricately carved stars on the armrests, it was stone and steel.
A burdensome, heavy seat.
But now, an unavoidable one.
“Be seated.”
As I sat, the executives took their seats one by one. I opened the agenda list on the table.
“Then, from now on.”
I took a deep breath, forcing a smile.
“We’ll begin the <Association>’s first executive council meeting.”
Even as Inaugural Chairman, the nightmares still writhed, and my fate to cleave them all remained unchanged.
The hunt wasn’t over.
Yeah. In short, the hunt was only now truly beginning.