Chapter 14
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 14
Chapter Title: No Romance Outside the House (1)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
I step outside. The morning air is still cool, with a gentle breeze urging me to leave the house quickly. Giving in to that encouragement, I head out of the building, but once I'm out, I can't decide what to do.
It's been ten years since I've had any real fun, so even now that I've found my freedom, I just stand there with a blank expression, staring up at the sky.
Just then, the vast, cloudless sky features the sun shyly peeking out while the moon slowly fades away, coexisting in the heavens.
Nice weather. That's what I thought. The weather is always good, at least.
The paths I've walked so far may have been soaked in someone's blood, covered in flesh, and piled high with sins, but the sunlight shining on me has always been warm, and the cool breeze has always washed away the scent of blood.
As if telling me I can hold on a little longer, that I still have much to do, so take comfort in this.
But now I've shaken off that guilt, so I turn my steps in a daze. When I can't think of anything to do, I figure I should go see someone I know. So, I hurry toward the Hunter Association.
In the unfamiliar city center, I follow the most familiar street I've traveled countless times. It's well past rush hour, so there are no people around, just the occasional metal beast passing by, making some sign of life.
Soon, the Hunter Association building comes into view, and I feel an odd sense of joy. I just came out to kill some boredom, and that place should do the trick just fine.
With that thought, I enter through the entrance.
"Welcome...? Why are you here again today?"
The staff member at the counter tilts her head in surprise at my sudden visit and asks.
"Uh... yeah. I got bored and came to see my sister."
I'm just here to alleviate my boredom, after all.
"Pardon...? You need prior approval to enter."
"Ah. Then can I just pop in for a bit..."
Caught off guard by this unexpected hurdle, I scratch my head and subtly turn my feet inward.
"No, that's not what I meant... Stop trying to go in and come over here."
Hng.
"Then could you call Sihyun for me?"
Feeling unnecessarily downcast, I approach the counter, sit in the chair next to the staff member, and say.
"I can call her, but that doesn't mean sit next to me, Hunter Ansiu."
"Then I'll just stay like this until Sihyun comes..."
As I peek at her with a dejected expression, looking like an abandoned puppy, she sighs pityingly and nods.
"Fine. Just sit quietly next to me. I'll call her soon."
"Ah, thank you, ehehe."
I beam and start chatting eagerly with the staff member.
By the time Sihyun arrived, she looked a bit tired, but.
Probably just my imagination.
********
"So, you came to the Association on a whim because you were bored? Tormenting the poor receptionist?"
"Uh, y-yeah?"
Sihyun looks at me with a dumbfounded expression.
"If you'd called ahead, I would've come down to meet you."
"Right? I should've just called before heading out."
"Sigh... Whatever. Hey, don't sneak your arm down—put it back up."
Sihyun stares at me with utter exasperation. That expression is exactly like the one Sio used to give me whenever I did something stupid.
"Come on, I've been cooped up at home for a whole month already, so I got a bit depressed... This big brother of yours... has a fragile heart?"
"Shut up with the nonsense and raise your hand again."
"My shoulders hurt..."
"Quiet."
"Yes, ma'am."
I reluctantly raise my arms again, which I'd been slyly lowering. It's heartbreaking to see my little sister so mercilessly punishing her big brother.
"Oppa, stay put. Don't go anywhere, don't do anything weird, don't talk to anyone. I'll go down and apologize. Got it? If you cause trouble again... I won't be able to help you."
"Believe in this big brother. Even after getting scolded like this, I won't betray your expectations..."
Sihyun shakes her head at my words and leaves the office.
- Ah, what am I supposed to do with that rascal... He's way too immature.
Hng, so harsh.
This guy's hearing is annoyingly sharp when it's useless. Completely unhelpful.
I pout my lips and stare at the wall, arms still raised toward the sky. Isn't making me kneel facing the wall like a kid too much?
As I'm grumbling inwardly, I hear murmurs from behind.
- Senior, why is that guy doing that?
- He said he was bored and was playing around with the counter staff until Team Leader An Sihyun came down.
- So immature.
I don't have much to say to that.
"Uh... Ansiu-ssi. What on earth are you doing...?"
Next to me stands Team 1 Leader, who has approached at some point, wearing a look of disbelief.
"Oh~ Team Leader, long time no see. How have you been?"
I grin and wave my raised arms. He's someone I know decently well, so I'm still glad to see him.
"That's not an answer. What are you trying to do?"
"Uh... I've been stuck at home for a month straight, so I got super bored and came to see Sihyun for a bit. I've never stayed home for a whole month before. It was really boring."
"Haa... Come with me for a sec."
"Eh, but I have to kneel facing the wall with my hands up."
"Ah, just come out. I have some questions anyway."
Hm.
I lower my hands and follow Team 1 Leader out of the office. Trailing behind him as he leads the way, we end up on the rooftop of the empty Hunter Association building.
"Oh, great view. Nice breeze too—excellent spot selection."
"Ansiu-ssi."
"Yes?"
"I've looked into you. Only up to before your disappearance, though."
"Eek."
"From your 12 years of school records through elementary, middle, and high school, to criminal records and military service—everything. No particular oddities. Just like you said, up to your discharge and disappearance."
I no longer know what was written in those records. I can't remember my actions from that distant past.
"Right? I didn't lie."
"So, may I ask about what happened after that? That power you showed last time..."
"That."
I bring my index finger to my lips and murmur softly. In moments like this, I need to put on some gravitas. That's how you make the other person tense.
"I don't really want to talk about what happened after."
Even if I did, I'd just end up a slave to work again. No way. I'm unemployed.
"But... you're currently a high-threat subject. We need information to make proper judgments."
"Come on, Team Leader. I'm not a bad guy. That time, I was just saving Association people, right?"
"We don't know your intentions. You helped this time, but..."
I cut him off naturally.
"Team 1 Leader, you're too distrustful. I'm just an unemployed guy freeloading at my sister's place. Really, I have no plans to cause any trouble."
"That... Sigh. Alright. And honestly, I thought you came to wreck the Association today. Heard you were causing a ruckus on the first floor."
It was just chatting, not a ruckus, but the rumors must have gotten exaggerated already.
"No... I really just came because I was bored..."
This is so unfair.
********
After finishing my talk with Team Leader Kang Jinhyuk—turns out his name is Kang Jinhyuk, which I finally learned—back in the office, all that's left is Sihyun glaring at me with her hands on her hips.
"My bad."
"Hands up."
"Yes, ma'am."
Feeling wronged, I glance pitifully at Team Leader Kang. With hands raised and facing the wall, peeking back, he sighs and tries to intervene with Sihyun.
"Team Leader An Sihyun, I took him out. Let him off and just bring him along on today's work. He says he's bored..."
"No, why are you taking his side too... Haa, Oppa. Come here. Stay with me today."
At Sihyun's permission, I trot over like an excited puppy and sit in the chair next to her.
"Wow~ What do Association hunters do? Go hunt monsters? Support other hunters? Help citizens? Stand guard? Train stamina? When do you start work? When do you eat? What're you eating? Is Association food good?"
"Shut up... If you're curious, just watch from the side."
"Yes~"
Brimming with pointless excitement, I watch what Sihyun does from beside her. Given it's a busy job, she must be running around everywhere—blocking gates, hunting villains, protecting citizens, something like that.
That's what I thought.
And it was wrong.
"Sihyun-ah... Why aren't we moving? When do we head to the field?"
"I'm drowning in paperwork—how could I go to the field? Oppa, hurry up and sort the documents I gave you."
No... It's been three hours already. It doesn't end.
"My romance.... My expectations...."
What is this? Give me back my romance.
"Busy with work and you're talking about romance. Finish quick so we can eat. Hurry up."
They say ten years changes mountains and rivers, but why hasn't exploitative labor changed?
And I'm an idiot for realizing it by experiencing it firsthand.
Should've just gamed at home.
Ah.