S-Rank Hunters Are Way Too Interested in Me

"What the hell is this?"

I called immediately after checking ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the articles and demanded an explanation. The civil servant hurriedly responded.

"We're truly sorry, but we don't know either. We've at least blocked any personal info leaks for now. Just wait a bit."

A sigh escaped me naturally. If I'd known it would turn out like this, I never would've gotten involved in that ridiculous mess.

At least my personal details hadn't spread everywhere. Small mercies.

I hung up and read the last article's headline, and the memory resurfaced.

'Three days from now, the Blue House.'

That's what Seo Ha-rin had left behind. So it wasn't just empty talk after all.

'Why the hell though?'

I couldn't make sense of the government. They'd abandon us like dogs when it suited them, and now they were making a fuss?

"Tch…."

Time for some realistic thinking.

Should I even go to that banquet? Standing out right now seemed like nothing but trouble.

When it came to this, nothing beat the gallery. I explained the situation in detail, and replies poured in right away.

They all prioritized extreme safety.

Listening to their detailed explanations, it sounded a lot like my own usual worries.

Earth had abilities similar to magic anyway—hunters and all that.

The logic was simple: in fights between those who defied common sense, the one who struck first usually won.

'Just skip it. It's not like I promised anything.'

I really just wanted to live quietly. I was already swamped with the tasks piling up ahead.

…Well, honestly, this new attention wasn't all bad for a first-timer.

Decision made, I opened the grimoire for the first time in a while.

First short-term goal: master the other elements.

Earth, wind, water left.

I'd just learned this from an internet search moments ago.

'Easier than I thought.'

Water: fill the sink, dunk my head in, hold for ten minutes splitting focus. Done.

Earth: hit up a mud festival once. Easy.

I was confident I could pick those two up as soon as my mental energy recovered.

'Wind's the issue.'

Paragliding maybe? Did they even have that in Korea?

It'd work out somehow.

Honestly, I'd thought lightning was one of the four elements.

Which had me wondering if I'd have to stick chopsticks in an outlet someday.

"Hm."

Crackle!

As I raised my index finger, static electricity sparked off it.

A new spell had already inscribed itself in the grimoire.

'This one's learned differently.'

First time without relying on the book.

After witnessing Seo Ha-rin's ability, my brain spun like mad chasing that clue of enlightenment. And I'd made it my own.

Felt like I'd grasped magic on a more fundamental level.

The thrill of that grasp was still vivid.

As I retraced the process carefully, a realization hit me viscerally.

'I've reached 2nd tier.'

Now I got what they meant—you'd know it when the time came. Mages were solitary by nature. No one could teach or force it on you.

It all stemmed from a sorcerer's innate talent. If you lacked it, you'd never reach it. Ever.

Simple truth. That's why it felt so terrifying and brutal.

So how good was my talent? Without the grimoire, was I lacking?

'Do I even qualify to aim for the end?'

The Cradle mages with their sweet talk weren't trustworthy.

"Haa…."

The first line on the contract grated on me hard.

'There's gotta be some catch to this.'

"The end" was way too vague. If it meant the end of magic, that was hopeless. The cases of folks getting devoured by outer gods while chasing 8th tier were still nightmare fuel.

'High chance it's the top of the Tower, right?'

I opened the window and stared at the distant sky.

Even knowing the Tower in Seoul wouldn't be visible from Incheon.

'Even if not, I'll have to climb the Tower eventually.'

That was the conclusion.

The negative headlines blaring on the news every day.

I'd shrugged them off before—what could I do? But things were different now.

'They'll clear floor 60 before I even get there, right?'

No way it'd take five whole years. I'd climb slowly for now.

Three main reasons.

First, hunters earned way more than civil servants—nothing compared.

'Even selling mana stones and adding my savings… still short for Seoul real estate.'

I had to get to Seoul somehow.

The nation's heart was the safest spot. Non-negotiable.

I'd soloed Arakhan to death, after all. At least up to floor 30 with that boss? Pure easy mode.

Second: watching high-level abilities up close like Seo Ha-rin's would help my mage path. Big time.

Even if the wielder was a monster.

Maybe someday I'd steal it with my own magic.

Last and biggest: the constraints of my Heavenly Killing Star.

Same reason I was skipping the Blue House.

What if I deemed the president "evil"?

'No point resisting. My finger would manifest in reality, punch through guards and countermeasures, and kill him for sure.'

Like with that Management Bureau guy. Lucky it was an imposter. If real? Irreversible disaster.

No confidence I'd survive assassinating the president publicly at a banquet everyone watched.

'So I need power.'

This era ran on raw power logic.

Never seen a country punish an S-rank hunter. Touch their sole hope, invite bigger crises.

And so my long-term goal solidified.

Climb the Tower—even if just to kill freely.

…No, to punish evil. Yeah.

"Alright, play today, get serious starting tomorrow."

I really needed a full day off. Maybe catch up on movies I missed.

Firm resolve made, I threw on a cardigan and headed to my usual cafe nearby.

Their 1L Americano was caffeine insanity.

Ding-a-ling—.

Stepped in feeling good, right as—

"Kyaa!" "Whoa?!"

I collided with a woman heading out.

Worst—!

Her drink spilled, soaking her. Not me, thankfully.

"…."

I was too stunned for an apology, just staring down blankly.

Blonde beauty, clearly foreign. Dizzingly gorgeous.

But what truly scrambled my brain was her outfit.

Thin coat over a white slip. Soaked through, no bra in sight.

Overwhelming size, heavy presence.

That violent allure filled my vision up close. Water droplets beading on her cleavage, dripping down. Striking.

'What a shitshow.'

I snapped out of it somehow. She looked out of her mind.

New scam sex crime? Or some perv boyfriend's mission to parade like this?

I averted my eyes and backed off in a hurry—

"Baek Seo-hu, I've been waiting so long."

"Sorry—."

Her words beat my apology.

Fluent English, but it hit my ears translated. Magic in her voice. Awakener for sure.

Everyone I met lately knew my name without me telling them.

"Making me go this far just to get your time. You're too much."

"You know me?"

Hallucination? Her replies kept coming faster than my questions.

Like she was reading my mind.

"I'm Elise Remiere."

"Who…?"

Third time? No coincidence.

Hearing that name clicked every puzzle piece.

Sudden prophecy.

Government's too-quick call to abandon Incheon.

My ignored rescue pleas despite connections.

The suspicions I'd harbored sharpened. I went ice-cold and spoke.

"It was all you."

Something had felt off all along.

"You from the start."

The mastermind didn't answer—instead, she hooked her arm in mine.

"You won't keep me standing here forever, right?"

She smiled sweetly, slipping her coat down her shoulders.

"Gasp!"

Someone nearby swallowed hard.

Whole cafe was staring already. Before those watermelons burst free, I grabbed Elise's arm and pulled her away.

'…Gonna lose it for real.'

This crap was melting my anger away.

She'd seized control. Felt like she was dragging me along.

Biggest issue: it didn't feel half bad. The woman who'd twisted my life wasn't repulsive at all.

'Snap out of it, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠you idiot.'

Out on the street, she finally buttoned her coat.

"Shall we go to your place?"

"If you wanted to talk, just say so."

"Tried a few times, didn't work. 'Three days from now, Blue House.' You weren't coming. Had to pressure another country's president for it."

She tiptoed, whispering in my ear.

"Elise Remiere sees the future. Your words, right? This is the result."

Chills ran down my spine.

Sending Seo Ha-rin last. Leaking my articles online. All her.

"Had to strip like this just to meet. Pervert."

Stop with the misunderstanding-loaded lines. Anyone could see I was the victim.

No choice—I brought her back to my one-room with me. No coffee, but my heart was pounding like mad.

Thump-thump—.

'Definitely not murder urge.'

Only two days ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠since quota. So what was this heartbeat?

'Pure horniness?'

Was I really that shallow?

I desperately tried regaining sanity unlocking the door.

"I'll wash up first."

…Might be impossible.