Hunter Registration 2.
I never imagined Shin Serin's name would come out of Team Leader Gu Gangcheol's mouth. I slowly turned to face him.
"Hunter Park Woojin, would you care to speak with me somewhere private? This concerns the fate of the nation."
"Sure."
Team Leader Gu Gangcheol appeared to be in his mid-40s. His pursed lips suggested a resolute character, and his slightly large nose gave him an exotic air. As I walked behind him, I observed his back. Broad shoulders. And the calluses etched into his fists. With that battle-hardened muscle build, it was clear he was an exceptional hunter himself.
He led me to a quiet consultation room inside the building. The soundproofing was impeccable—no outside noise penetrated at all. Only after locking the door did he finally exhale deeply.
"Hunter Park Woojin, can you trust me?"
"Does trust spring up overnight?"
Gu Gangcheol pulled a small device from his pocket and placed it on the table. It unfolded this way and that, forming a small screen. A portable tablet with a folding display.
"I'm defying orders from above right now to tell you the truth."
I crossed my arms and watched his actions warily. A video began playing on the unfolded display.
Surprisingly, it was footage of me putting on my mask in front of Nam Seohee's apartment.
Was there a camera above the door?
It was from the Gangnam Mud Festival. Clips from the fixed camera at Nam Seohee's place, edited to center on me. Ending with my back as I entered the house across the street.
A chill ran down my spine.
"No need to worry. Nam Seohee hasn't secured this footage."
Gu Gangcheol straightened his posture and continued.
"They still don't know you're the mind-manipulating ability user behind the Gangnam Mud Festival."
I swallowed hard and stared at him.
Mind-manipulating ability user? They must have mistaken my "Quick Relief" power for something like that.
"How can you be sure Nam Seohee doesn't know?"
"We have a skilled hacker on our team. We wiped all locally stored data. No one outside our team knows the Gangnam Mud Festival is connected to you, Hunter Park Woojin. Not even the higher-ups."
Gu Gangcheol's face was tense with nerves.
"Is that beanie to protect against my mind manipulation?"
"Hahaha. Embarrassing, but yes. Not sure if it'll work, but I came prepared."
His face flushed as he removed the beanie. The inside was lined with foil plating to block signals. Gu Gangcheol shook his static-tangled hair into place.
"Feel free to manipulate my mind. Everything we're saying is being recorded anyway. I've taken some precautions for my own safety, so please bear with me."
With Baal's legacy and his drug cartel power source needing to be crushed, my identity had been exposed far too quickly. Korea was infested with damn CCTV and cameras.
I was too careless.
He asked for understanding, but I didn't miss the air of superiority in his expression.
...Should I kill him?
Too valuable to turn into a summon. And I only had five slots left.
I stared steadily into Gu Gangcheol's eyes.
"Ever think about this?"
"Pardon? What?"
"That I could kill you and everyone here."
I grinned and unleashed my mana. Gu Gangcheol's face drained of color.
The mana filling the small consultation room was overwhelming even for hunters, let alone civilians. The result of special training with O Nangryun in T-16's fog.
"Pl... please... mercy."
Struggling to breathe, he began begging me.
"Guh... ugh... Hunter."
He tried desperately to say something. Nearby electronics started popping—bang, bang—exploding one by one. His camera, recorder—every device monitoring me shattered.
"No more cameras or recordings needed."
I reined in my mana and killing intent. As the oppressive mana vanished, Gu Gangcheol steadied his breathing and tugged at a button on his dress shirt.
"Wh... who the hell are you?"
"I'm B-rank Hunter Park Woojin. Forever."
He gulped, his pupils dilating as he stifled hiccups with his mouth clamped shut.
The conversation's momentum had shifted to me.
"Let's be straight. Why do you need me?"
Gu Gangcheol suppressed his hiccups with a long sigh and licked his lips.
"Because you're fighting Nam Seohee and Shin Serin. Their drug cartel... that's the enemy our team is up against."
"Funny. Weren't you cops in bed with them? The police chief and prosecutor general are drug addicts too."
His expression sharpened. Biting his lower lip to contain his rage, he growled at me.
"Justice is gone from Korea. Judges rule for money and fuck on drugs. Cops protect drugs instead of citizens. Prosecutors are just puppets shielding the cartel. Media too."
I tilted my head.
Someone with this much sense of justice still existed?
"Did you know elementary kids are getting hooked, and half of middle and high schoolers are already addicts? Fuck..."
Rage burned in Gu Gangcheol's face. What was his story?
"It's the age of barbarism now. An era where hunter power creates authority. I despaired knowing druggies become hunters... but I believe it depends on how you play the cards."
He met my eyes with conviction.
"Do you know how happy I was to learn there's a hunter like you, Hunter Park Woojin... one who opposes drugs?"
I scratched my chin. His sharp gaze scanned me thoroughly.
Without realizing it, I'd become his hope.
"Our Patriot Guild recruits only those burning with hatred for the drug cartel. We'll crush them and drag them before the bar of justice."
I kept scratching my chin, staring him down.
Was he trustworthy?
...Not yet.
But his sincerity rang true.
"Punish them within the law? Delusional. In this country full of rotten judge-scum serving the elite, what do you expect?"
He shook his head at my cold tone.
"No. I'll change it. Cut out the rotten parts, tear them apart, and stitch it back together."
"Why go that far? Got a grudge like me?"
He started to say something, then swallowed and held back.
"Because I must. Because it's justice."
Did he know this was hell?
That my chest stirred slightly at someone still pursuing justice in this hell...
I needed someone to collaborate with within the law. I gazed at Gu Gangcheol quietly.
This wasn't spur-of-the-moment. Unbreakable conviction. Stubbornness. Something shining in his eyes.
Something I lacked.
Fine. I'd bet on his truthfulness once.
"Alright. I'll join the Patriot Guild."
I extended my hand to him.
Gu Gangcheol had rushed over after a frantic call from Lee Ji-eun.
"Park Woojin is here for mana measurement?"
"Yes. He's in line out there. I was shocked too."
"Any unusual signs lately?"
"No. Just back at work, commuting like a dutiful employee."
"Ji-eun, you measure his mana personally. If he tries lowering his rank intentionally, go along with it and cover the evidence."
"Got it, Team Leader~ But... I pulled an all-nighter, so I don't look pretty right now."
"Looks matter?"
"Chef Park Woojin is hot. Gotta make a good first impression. Ah... I'm nervous. What if he mind-controls me because I'm too pretty and fucks me senseless? Should've worn cute panties."
"Aigoo..."
"Even if he does, Team Leader... don't save me?"
"Fine."
Gu Gangcheol donned his beanie item for telepathy defense. Made to counter mental ability users. The foil lining inside felt cold against his skin.
Whew... if this works, great...
He steadied himself with deep breaths.
He couldn't hide his tension watching Lee Ji-eun measure Park Woojin's mana.
The moment Park Woojin emerged, Gu Gangcheol dashed out.
Can't let him slip. This is the last chance.
Nam Seohee's drug cartel was growing massive. With government higher-ups infiltrated, his Patriot Guild was nearly isolated.
Without a powerhouse like Park Woojin, victory was impossible.
"Pleased to meet you, Mr. Park Woojin. I'm Gu Gangcheol, Scout Team Leader under the Hunter Association."
He scrutinized Park Woojin's expression. No surprise or fluster. Just calm observation.
Not ordinary, as expected.
First bait: Overly generous treatment for a B-rank. Tested the reaction.
Predictably suspicious.
Good. Suspicion is normal. Too easy would've been suspicious.
Second bait: Signing bonus, salary, and an irresistible perk. Gate exploration priority—every hunter coveted it.
Can't refuse this!
But unexpectedly, he rejected and tried to leave.
"It's related to Shin Serin and Nam Seohee."
Park Woojin's steps halted. A subtle stiffening in his shoulders didn't escape notice.
Gotcha. That's your weakness.
Gu Gangcheol inwardly cheered.
Park Woojin's infiltration of Nam Seohee's party screamed grudge. Likely tied to ex-wife Shin Serin too.
Heading to the consultation room, tension and anticipation mixed.
Now the real game. Will it go as scripted?
He locked the door and activated hidden mini-camera and recorder.
"Hunter Park Woojin, can you trust me?"
"Does trust spring up overnight?"
Gu Gangcheol played the prepared video. Proof he knew the identity.
But the reaction was unforeseen.
"That I could kill you and everyone here."
Park Woojin's eyes changed in an instant. The mana pressure nearly suffocated him.
This... monster...
Electronics in the room exploded one by one. All his safeguards neutralized in a flash.
S-rank? No. Beyond the SS-rank from America rumors. Awe-inspiring despair at the uncontrollable pinnacle.
Terror beyond human comprehension. An unknown entity.
His heart froze.
I've entered the tiger's den.
Yet hope outweighed fear. A hunter this strong might eradicate the cartel.
As Park Woojin withdrew his mana, Gu Gangcheol caught his breath.
Real negotiation began. No more lies or acting.
He bared his soul: Rage at the cartel, hatred for corrupt elites, desperate wish for justice...
Park Woojin's cold gaze softened.
It worked?
When Park Woojin extended his hand, Gu Gangcheol's chest swelled.
Finally... hope.
But a chill ran down his spine too. Had he allied with something beyond human terror?
Was Park Woojin truly human? Was justice his real goal, or something else?
Shaking hands, Gu Gangcheol couldn't shake the unease budding in his heart.
But the die was cast. Only to see it through.