Growth 1
As expected, the World Hunter Association's investigation wrapped up without any real results. Just having the name John wasn't enough to go on. The same went for the woman who had clashed with Choi Taesu. Even though she'd lost to him, a hunter capable of holding her own against him should have left some trace. But it was as if she'd dropped out of the sky—no information anywhere on a hunter with her level of skill.
Should've given her a quest after all?
My biggest regret was not learning her name. If I'd given her a quest, I might've gotten it out of her, but I hadn't. It wasn't like I thought Choi Taesu would let her slip away; something about her just felt like I shouldn't reveal my quest ability. In the end, though, he'd lost her, and her identity remained a complete mystery.
Was that belief she mentioned her own, or her group's?
I had so many questions. Her identity, the organization she belonged to. But from the start, I hadn't assumed this was the work of a lone individual. No matter how I thought about it, this scale of operation didn't fit a single person pulling the strings.
And the biggest curiosity was that belief she'd spouted. What kind of conviction was "protecting hunters' rights" that she'd burn her comrades to ash but stop at knocking out Choi Kyunghee?
That's right—Choi Kyunghee hadn't died. When investigators reached her home, she was just unconscious. Once she came to, they questioned her, but she knew nothing.
And so, the raid on the Dungeon Studies Research Institute targeting the dungeon books ended without a single lead.
But the real investigation was just beginning.
"All three died at least five years ago. They must've faked their deaths and lived under new identities."
I'd first asked Lee Musin to verify the identities of the three names I knew. But we hit a wall right away. I'd figured the masks and body disposals were to hide their identities, but they were already dead? I couldn't hide my disappointment.
—These guys are more meticulous than we thought. Faking deaths for new identities wasn't enough—they burned the bodies to cover every contingency. NPC, why not bail now? You don't need to tangle with these types.
Lee Musin sounded worried.
"I want to, but I have a feeling we'll cross paths again."
That was my biggest concern. I just had this gut sense I'd see that masked figure again. That her group would block my path once more. Those instincts kept me hooked on digging deeper.
"But no need to worry. I'm not getting directly involved. First..."
I asked him to discreetly leak the trio's info to the World Hunter Association. From the outside, Korea—including me—had to look like neutral third parties.
Lee Musin's voice steadied, approving of my approach. After setting the association in motion through him, I contacted Heo Jinhyuk and briefed him on the research institute incident.
—Are you okay?
Heo Jinhyuk, who'd been out of the loop, sounded shocked.
"Yeah, I'm fine. But I need a favor. John Jones, Vince Cage, Russell Cruiter. All dead at least five years ago. Can you track them? I need info on their group."
—Of course.
"Don't push too hard. The association's moving too, and intel matters, but staying hidden is priority one."
—Don't worry. I won't let anything touch you, Guild Leader. I'll get their info, guaranteed.
He was brimming with motivation, finally feeling like he'd earned my trust. I passed on everything Lee Musin had dug up: nationalities, pre-death activities, the basics.
And then.
"Oh! Swing by Switzerland on your way."
Thankfully, the dungeon books recovered after the incident were all intact. A few had damaged covers, but none with ruined contents. As the institute lay in ruins, the books were moved to the World Hunter Association building. From now on, the research institute would be housed there, not in a new facility.
Originally, after the attack, they'd planned to stash the books in a treasure vault, suspecting some secret worth targeting. But voices arguing for accelerated research amid the threats won out, so the association building it was.
While remodeling the space continued, we got a forced vacation. I was making the most of it.
"Kuh!"
The searing pain jolting through my body drew a short cry before I could stop it, but I gritted my teeth and swung my sword at Choi Taesu.
But in that instant, his form blurred into afterimages and vanished. Simultaneously, a powerful electric shock hit my back.
"Gah!"
This time, I'd anticipated it as he faded, but the intensified jolt forced another groan. Still, I spun, sword slashing.
Whoosh.
As my blade cut air, I spotted him and activated Swift Step without hesitation. Closing in fast, I swung wildly, laughing maniacally.
"Hahaha! Die!"
But my hopes didn't last.
Crackle.
The final step triggered a brutal shock from the ground, sending me tumbling backward. Then his smug voice in my ear.
"Tsk tsk. I told you to coat your soles in mana too. How many times do I have to explain? Can't do that?"
"Damn it." With my last breath, I spat it out and blacked out.
When I came to, surprisingly, Choi Taesu was praising me.
"Good job. Not bad this time."
I blinked in shock. "Huh? Good?"
I'd braced for a roasting like always, so the praise left me dumbfounded. Especially after five days without a single compliment.
"Obviously. You coated your mana properly this time, like you said. Gotta praise that."
"Then what? I still passed out."
I sulked a bit. We'd sparred hundreds of times over five days—and I'd blacked out just as many. Today I'd finally thought I'd land a hit, but nope.
Even with his hands and feet bound, 70% power sealed, against the Brain Emperor, I hadn't touched him. Despair was setting in.
"You had to pass out. I cranked the intensity way up. Without proper mana coating, it wouldn't have ended at blackout—you might've died. See? You're a natural in real fights. Body reacts even if your head doesn't."
Understanding his "praise," I exploded.
"You goddamn bastard...! Just drop dead!"
I poured mana into my mana blade and charged full force. But before I could swing, his completed Lightning Web blocked it.
Crackle.
The shock made me convulse and collapse again. Even as I faded, his words fueled my rage.
"Tsk tsk. Attacking mid-conversation? Bad manners."
I was spending my vacation productively sparring with Choi Taesu. Training with him made me painfully realize how arrogant I'd been.
I'd relied solely on my NPC perks, never properly training. And I'd nearly died for it this time.
Sure, it was an unforeseen fluke, but I couldn't guarantee no more surprises.
Blindly killing for stats didn't appeal either. I wasn't some bloodthirsty psycho killer; no plans for indiscriminate murder just for points.
So I focused on what I could do now: sparring with Choi Taesu. I learned how to counter mage-type hunters, and it helped a ton.
Even if he made my blood boil. Still, the gains were real, so we kept at it.
The day before the association's construction finished and I headed to the new institute, Heo Jinhyuk arrived from Switzerland.
"Sorry I'm late."
"No problem. But... your face?"
I was most startled by his changed appearance. The burns were gone, healed perfectly—but it wasn't his old face. A new one entirely.
"From one of the dead guys. Needed a fresh identity anyway, so I took his."
"Got it. The others with you?"
"No, they're already off investigating. I'll head to Florida after seeing you."
"Need any help?"
I offered, but he was firm.
"No. We handle this with our own resources. No one else knows you ordered it—that way, if things go south, we cut tails clean."
His resolve made me think I could trust him more—and glad I'd prepared the gift.
"One more time: don't overdo it. Just curious, no plans to move on them yet. Here."
I handed over a small spatial expansion bag.
"Six leather armors and some potions."
"N-No way?"
"Yeah, raid team gear. I engraved magic patterns on the armors myself—hope you like 'em."
Knowing the dangers, I'd prepped for his team. The engraving was a pain, but leather and potions were plentiful.
Two buff potions, antidotes, high-grade healing potions.
He liked it so much he dropped to his knees, forehead to the ground.
"Thank you! I'll complete the mission!"
"No, it's not for that. Just safety gear for a risky job."
His eyes welled with emotion. It creeped me out a bit, so I pivoted.
"Last thing: no need to push. The association's investigating too—they'll be cautious."
But he was too far gone, voice thick with gratitude.
"Yes! I'll uncover their organization, no matter what."
Growing uneasy, I wrapped up quicker than planned.
"I'm off."
"You're such a weirdo. What's so great about those books? Got you grinning like an idiot."
With construction done, the institute reopened. Under Choi Taesu's escort, I reached the association building.
Thinking of diving back into dungeon books filled me with excitement, which showed—earning his weird look.
"I'll head in. I'll call when it's closing time, like before."
"Yeah. See ya."
I left him behind, stepping into the building abuzz with anticipation.
Clues on dungeons would be great. Or secret techniques. Anything.
As I lost myself in dungeon books again, debates raged over my status—but of course, I had no clue.
Next chapter continues...