Chapter 14: One Hath Internet Friends

Hunter Gallery

Gallery users were spinning their own wild theories, claiming some massive force or national agency was behind it.

Watching the uproar, I couldn't help but let out a hollow chuckle.

'Nah. Truth is, I just sent my two kids from my air-conditioned room...'

The reality was nothing compared to their grand conspiracy theories.

Of course, those two happened to be ridiculously strong vampires.

Anyway, seeing another massive thread on the gallery sparked by me, I felt a bit embarrassed inwardly but smug at heart.

And one nasty crime org got neatly erased, so overall good deed, right?

"Hmph. They make such a racket, do they not."

I muttered absentmindedly as I closed the gallery.

Instantly, my two familiars standing by opened their mouths.

"Foolish vermin, how dare they presume to measure my lord's greatness."

Katarina sparkled her blood-red eyes and launched into blind praise.

"Their shallow wits cannot even chase Master's shadow."

Siyeon chimed in with her calm, flat tone.

"......"

I shut my mouth.

'Sigh. Now they do it in tandem.'

One was burdensome enough; two taking turns in fanatic mode doubled the fatigue.

But hey, better than them growling at each other in pissing contests.

I checked the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠calendar on my smartphone.

'Time flies.'

Tomorrow, the weekly cooldown for Tower of Trials floor 3 would finally end.

The annoying Black Cow cleanup homework? Perfectly done.

Slush funds stacked, no loose ends.

'Perfect. Tomorrow, take Katarina and Siyeon to steamroll floor 3. Rest today!'

With a light heart, I logged into my usual AOS game, League of Hunters.

But my friend list had a green light.

'Huh? Been ages.'

Seeing the online status, fondness welled up.

Truth be told, I had basically zero real-life acquaintances or friends.

Orphan background, dark gamer shut-in non-awakener—naturally, contacts faded.

But was that a misfortune? Hell no.

Better off not being a social butterfly.

If I had daily real friends, how'd I explain suddenly turning from a 22-year-old dude into a silver-haired red-eyed vampire loli?

On that note, I was deeply grateful for my total loner status.

But humans are social creatures.

Stuck in my room, sometimes you'd crave chit-chat.

This guy was the perfect game buddy for that.

No face met, pure online pal, but playstyle meshed, vibes clicked—we duoed a ton, got close.

I vaguely knew he worked as a hunter IRL.

By the way, turns out Noble Bearing doesn't kick in for in-game chats or cyber stuff.

Anonymity means no need for face, I guess? Whatever, relief.

Would've been a nightmare otherwise.

'How've I been? Living the dream.'

I grinned, tiny fingers clacking the keys.

Took a bit to adjust to small hands—typos galore—but a few days of gaming, back to speed.

I hit party invite right away.

But got declined.

Chat closed, status went offline.

'Eh, busy happens.'

I shrugged it off and queued solo ranked.

Clearing my head with games today for tomorrow's Tower climb.

Same time.

Korean Hunter Association HQ.

A woman walked the corridor of a high-rise overlooking Seoul's skyline.

Subtle blue mid-length hair to her shoulders.

A striking, icy beauty.

Eunseol Baek.

Known as the Ice Emperor, she was one of Korea's four sole S-rank hunters.

She turned off her smartphone screen.

'Sigh. Was gonna duo after so long.'

Eunseol let out a short sigh.

Just back from a month-long European S-rank Gate raid.

All she craved was gaming.

And thoughts of that nameless online friend cropped up now and then.

Before leaving, he'd said job hunting meant less playtime—bummer—but now awakened? Great news.

'...Was gonna pull strings for ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠an Association spot if he struggled, but no need now.'

Her one true 'real' friend. A faint smile touched Eunseol's lips.

Straight off the Gate via private jet.

No comms inside Gates, so zero clue on the past month's outside world.

Just wanted rest and a game sesh with her pal...

"You're here. The President awaits inside."

The Association President's secretary's polite greeting halted her.

"Yes."

Reason she turned down the duo?

Emergency summons from her boss, Korean Hunter Association head Taesung Kim.

Calling an S-rank fresh off Gate duty without rest meant national crisis level.

'What the hell happened while I ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠was gone...'

Creeeak-.

Door opened to reveal Taesung Kim, gazing out the window standing.

"President. I'm here."

At her voice, Taesung turned slowly.

Fatigue etched his face.

"Hunter Eunseol Baek, good work. Sorry to drag you here right after the Gate when you're beat."

"So, what's the issue?"

Her direct question drew a heavy sigh from Taesung.

"While you were cut off for a month, a lot went down. In short..."

He paused, choosing words carefully, then cut straight.

"A規격外 monster appeared in Korea."