Chapter 103
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 103
Chapter Title: Interference
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A muscular woman who looked like she could beat a gorilla in arm-wrestling.
Having finished orientation, Carmen stepped out to the smoking area behind the camp and lit a cigarette.
In reality, she could probably roll a gorilla around with just one finger, but fortunately, she didn't have a hobby of tormenting pitiful endangered species.
Puff— sizzle.
Hoo—.
"Hm?"
Carmen exhaled a long plume of cigarette smoke and scanned her surroundings, noticing something odd.
Every tree around the camp was wilted and drooping.
The leaves hadn't fallen yet, but they looked like they would any moment.
"...It's supposed to be summer soon, isn't it?"
For a moment, Carmen wondered if she was in Australia.
Australia's winter started in June, after all.
"Hmm..."
Looking a bit farther out, she saw mountain beasts pacing restlessly around the camp.
"Still smoking, I see?"
A staff member approached her.
His identity was Jun-hyuk, face and head hidden under a cap and mask.
"Tried a Korean brand, but it's too light. Smooth, sure, but not enough kick."
Carmen smacked her lips regretfully.
"Don't they sell American brands? Like Marlboro or Camel..."
"Kid, when you're in Korea, you gotta try Korean smokes. Stuff like this is rare here—only in Koreatowns abroad."
"Ah, right."
She was the instructor he'd met in America.
After three months of her ruthless training, Jun-hyuk had finally become worthy of his rank.
Her real age was late forties. Rank: A-grade.
Even while working as an instructor, she often took point in ultra-large gates—a capable hunter through and through.
"So, what'd you drag me all the way out here for?"
"I wanted to tell you sooner."
"Can't help it—no flights."
"I offered a private jet."
"Idiot, that'd blow my cover."
The reason Jun-hyuk had gone to such lengths to bring her here.
He needed an ally. Someone the council's info couldn't reach.
An A-grade hunter from overseas—America, specifically—fit perfectly.
Posing as an instructor wouldn't raise suspicions.
"Not certain yet, but the old folks' movements are suspicious."
"You called me out here on suspicion alone? Still as paranoid as ever."
"Haha, can't rule out even a one-in-a-million chance."
She smirked faintly around her cigarette at his answer—that she was one of the few he trusted.
"Well, when my student's the one asking, can't say no."
"It's been months... Anyway, here. Read it right here."
Jun-hyuk handed over the document folder he'd been holding.
Carmen took it casually.
Flip.
"...Hm?"
But the moment she turned the first page, her face soured.
Flip, flip, flip.
"You don't mean... all of these are...?"
The pages Carmen flipped through were densely packed with names.
Staff members, classified by some criterion.
"You opened this camp just for this?"
"Just in case."
"Ha."
Slam.
She closed the folder with a loud snap.
"...Any among the participants?"
"Not the participants. Except one."
"...You shady bastard."
"Picked it up in America."
"Bullshit. I never taught you that."
Jun-hyuk took the folder back with an awkward grin.
Hiss— hoo.
"It's that little kid, right? Green? Yellow? Hair."
"Lime green in Korean."
"Whatever."
Carmen ground out her spent butt in the ashtray.
"...What's the connection?"
"Eh, friends."
Carmen almost scowled, thinking it was another bad joke.
But she read the complicated emotions on Jun-hyuk's face.
She debated lighting another cigarette but decided to head inside instead.
"You live a complicated life. Should just keep it simple like me."
"I hate losing what's mine."
As she half-exited the smoking area, Carmen jerked her chin.
"Do something about those trees."
The moment Carmen vanished completely, the folder in Jun-hyuk's hand crumbled to ash.
"This feels like Kim Su-hyeon's doing..."
Jun-hyuk sighed and pulled out his phone.
A message screen full of curses directed at him.
"...Not because of me, right?"
No clue, but his own feet felt hot under the fire anyway.
"What's this? Everything feels so sluggish today."
"You too? Same here. Kinda like a rainy day—don't wanna do anything..."
The afternoon's first program.
After team-building and intros, a gloomy mood hung over the camp.
"Gonna step out for a bit~."
"I'll just sit and rest... Doesn't it feel all drowsy?"
They were friends who'd spent months with Su-hyeon, so they might've noticed her odd demeanor—but these were people she'd met just hours ago.
No way to tell if this was her usual self or just a bad day.
Anyway, with a brief free period, Su-hyeon wandered the hallway alone, footsteps dragging.
"Haa..."
Until team assignments with Ga-eun and So-yeon's pair, she'd thought she'd chat with Ga-eun soon enough...
"How about Sky unnie? She's bright and confident..."
So-yeon spoke, and everyone nodded.
"Ah, my personality doesn't mesh with the leader type. How about Ga-eun? She's B-grade!"
"High rank doesn't always mean good leader..."
Sky was C-grade, So-yeon D-grade.
Not undeserving of the camp—they were fairly high-ranked—but they fell short compared to Ga-eun.
Ga-eun was top-tier not just here, but in hunter society overall.
Still, bubbly Sky refusing leadership was unexpected.
Thought she'd insist on taking it.
Sky subtly shifted, passing the armband to Ga-eun.
"Mm, but... this stuff's a hassle for me. Really, Sky unnie?"
Ga-eun initially demurred.
But Su-hyeon pushing her back there had backfired.
"I-I think Ga-eun suits it too. Reliable and..."
"Eh, uh...? If Su-hyeon says so..."
Meant as praise to cheer her up?
Not sure.
Ga-eun rarely flustered, but Su-hyeon's words did it—unusual, since she rarely voiced opinions like that.
Her awkward grab for the armband felt fresh.
...Didn't expect team leader to be this busy, though.
Dragging them off for meetings even after programs ended.
"Hey, Su-hyeon? Quick..."
"Y-yeah."
Actually, Ga-eun approached first when the program wrapped.
Su-hyeon had dodged, not wanting to bother her busy look.
"...You barely ate lunch. Hungry?"
"I-I get sun, remember? Yeah."
"R-right. Still, um..."
Still some distance, but different from before.
Earlier felt emotionless; now, hesitant? Hesitant like her.
"T-team leaders, come right away!"
"...They're calling you."
"...Yeah. Be back."
Ga-eun reluctantly left for instructions.
She glanced back oddly before going...
"Sigh. Whose fault is this."
Situations kept screwing up.
Another chance to talk with Ga-eun gone.
And honestly, even face-to-face now, what to say?
They hadn't fought; maybe she was overreacting alone.
Then a familiar voice sounded before her.
"Sighing that much? Floor's gonna cave in."
"...?"
Looking up slightly, a male staff blocked her path.
He tipped his cap, revealing her friend's face.
"...Gyu!"
As Su-hyeon lit up at the surprise, Jun-hyuk swiftly covered her mouth.
Her friend, meters away moments ago, now crouched before her—eyes wide as saucers.
"Shh... Not so loud."
"Mm."
She nodded; he released.
"Sorry, reflex."
"Nah, makes sense. But what's up? You look down."
"Oh, right..."
Su-hyeon's eyes narrowed suspiciously.
"...What's with you?"
"What'd you do to this camp."
Jun-hyuk faltered slightly.
Not showing it outwardly.
"...How'd you know?"
Sharp as expected, but this sharp...?
Misreading it as treating her like an idiot, Su-hyeon vented.
"Schedule, programs, teams—all tailored to me! How wouldn't I notice!"
"Oh, that..."
All activities paired her with Ga-eun's group.
Too contrived for coincidence.
Ending before 9 PM? Fine, he'd tipped her off.
Even inspections solo for "security."
Anyone not noticing was the fool.
"Question: everything with Ga-eun, so why separate rooms?"
"...Huh?"
Hoo...
Su-hyeon sighed deeply again.
For a split second, Jun-hyuk saw her overlap with Carmen's earlier exhale.
"Something happened between you two, huh?"
"...No idea. If anything did."
"Hmm..."
After, they grabbed vending machine drinks and sat on hallway chairs.
"Her attitude changed, but why?"
"Maybe my imagination..."
Objectively, Ga-eun was still kind.
But somehow, a subtle distance.
Embarrassing to say, but the fluffy closeness faded.
Post-lunch, though, more eye contact?
"Hmmm..."
Jun-hyuk pondered, then snapped his fingers.
"Ah, that?"
"...That?"
"Y'know, girls' that day. Once a month."
"...Oh?"
R-really?
"Ga-eun and I met two months ago-ish. Never noticed."
"Strong awakeners hide it better—thicker nerves."
"Hmm..."
Then bus nap, legs crossed unconsciously?
No, post-orientation, so maybe exhaustion; she overthought.
Wait, would she get periods aging up?
"Guys like us can't relate, but just be considerate quietly, match her mood. Later, when she's better, she'll apologize—turns out it was nothing."
"Ooh... How do you know?"
"Been through it."
"Aha."
Probably that sharp secretary, Kim Ye-rin, came to mind.
"So, what to do?"
"Start small. They melt for details."
"Got it."
Thus, their guesses veered to mountains, seas...
Unfortunately, no one around to correct the misunderstanding.