Chapter 94
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 94
Chapter Title: They're Bothering Us Again
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Right in the middle of their shopping spree.
"There seem to be a lot more Hunters around."
Su-hyeon sensed the growing presence of people and muttered under her breath.
Sure enough, the murmur of voices inside the store began to swell.
"Yeah, the parking lot was super empty just a bit ago."
"Is it peak time right now?"
"Does Hunter Outlet even have peak hours?"
"Hmm..."
"...Excuse me, even if that's the case, you can't do this inside the store!"
At that moment, amid a bit of commotion, several men strode purposefully toward the group.
"Hunters?"
It wasn't unusual to see Hunters at Hunter Outlet.
But their matching suits and the way they beelined straight for them? Anyone would sense something off.
"Huh?"
Even the store clerk assisting Su-hyeon's group furrowed her brow.
"Um, sir? What's the problem?"
"Hold on...!"
The female clerk who'd trailed the Hunters tried to intervene, but they ignored her completely.
"Kang Chan-seong?"
One of them addressed Chan-seong directly.
"Yes. What can I do for you?"
"We're from the Korean Hunter Talent Development Council. We need to verify some details about your past activities. Come with us."
"Pardon?"
Was this about the Pitbull Guild and the human trafficking incident?
Why bring it up now, after all this time...?
Da-hye stepped forward immediately at their aggressive tone.
"What are you talking about all of a sudden? That matter's already been resolved, and he's been cleared of any involvement. If anything, Chan-seong was the victim!"
"Sorry, but this is an official Council investigation. Stay out of it, civilian."
The Hunters' attitude didn't budge an inch.
"...According to Article 17 of the Awakener Safety Management Special Act, Hunters can't forcibly investigate another Hunter. That's illegal. What authority do you have, when you're neither police nor Guards...!"
"You some kind of lawyer?"
The Hunter cut her off with an annoyed look and gave Da-hye a once-over.
"...Yeah, I am a lawyer. So talk to me."
"Then you know this too. A-rank Hunters under the Council have priority investigation rights on matters tied to national security. That includes authority to command on-site Guards."
These were privileges meant to uphold the authority of veteran Hunters.
But with police and Guards around, there was no real need for them to step in, making the powers mostly symbolic.
"That only applies in cases of clear threats. How is Kang Chan-seong threatening national security?"
"We can't disclose that here. There's sufficient suspicion, and the investigation will reveal the truth."
"You're treating him like he's already guilty... This is a blatant overreach!"
"Let's not waste time. Someone who knows better shouldn't be making a fuss."
As the atmosphere grew tense, Su-hyeon glanced around uneasily.
The clerks who might mediate looked hesitant, powerless against the Hunters' might.
'Who can I ask for help...?'
Su-hyeon scanned the surroundings for anyone who might assist. Then it hit her—Brüel was missing. Her heart sank.
For reference, Brüel was currently replacing the front door at Su-hyeon's house.
It might even be done by now, but...
Was coming to the outlet a mistake, since it'd be noisy and dangerous outside?
"If you keep this up, we'll have to resort to force. Chan-seong."
The Hunter singled out Chan-seong on purpose.
Chan-seong met his gaze, nodded, and stepped forward.
"Understood."
"Wise choice."
The men hooked arms with Chan-seong and started leading him away.
The guys were built tough, but Chan-seong towered half a head over them.
"...Then I'm coming too!"
"No can do. This is internal Council business. No civilian involvement allowed."
"Eek!"
Da-hye was shoved back roughly.
She didn't fall, thankfully, but her face twisted in shock and fury.
"Are you okay?"
The clerk rushed over to support her.
"Ah..."
Just then, as Su-hyeon stood frozen, a soft voice came from behind.
"Baby divine beast, are you alright?"
"Huh...?"
There stood a man in a pitch-black suit and familiar helmet.
'An Elf...!'
The memory from that morning flashed back belatedly.
"Su-hyeon, there'll be noise and dust, so why not spend some time out? It shouldn't take long."
"Yeah, I was planning to buy Ga-eun a gift anyway. We're heading to that outlet in Paju or wherever."
"Understood. Team 1's leader will provide close protection in my stead today. I know it's inconvenient, but please bear with it. I'm not quite up to the honor, but your front door is crucial, so I had to swallow my tears and..."
"Okay, got it~."
She'd brushed off his rambling dramatics.
'This guy—no, Elf—is Team 1's leader?'
Su-hyeon eyed the man kneeling on one knee.
Even seated, his proportions looked impeccable.
Were all Elves this gorgeous?
"I apologize for revealing myself without orders on how far to intervene. I couldn't confirm if these people were your friends, baby divine beast, or threats. A word from the team leader would have helped."
"How could they be threats to friends like that!"
"My apologies. There was no sign of harm toward you..."
Apparently, Elves viewed humans a bit differently.
"Su-hyeon, who's that...? Another bodyguard?"
Da-hye regained her composure and approached.
Her fingertips still trembled from the shock.
"Yeah, kinda. Hey, can you get Chan-seong back from those guys?"
"Shall I kill them all? Give me a moment..."
"No!"
These guys were way too bloodthirsty.
"Ideally without hurting anyone. Possible?"
She didn't know how many A-rank Hunters there were, but it looked like seven or eight.
She trusted the Elves, but assuming they were all A-ranks made her uneasy.
"They're strong. Neutralizing without injury is doable, but it'll cause a scene. We'll target them on the road out."
Da-hye stopped the man as he rose.
"No. Their high-handedness is our leverage right now. Responding with violence hands them the justification."
"Th-then what do we do?"
"We fight fair. But they won't listen, so we need someone with real pull they can't ignore."
Jun-hyuk's face flashed in Su-hyeon's mind.
The highest-status person she knew.
"Let's contact Mystic first."
"Oh!"
But Chan-seong and Jun-hyuk had no real connection.
And asking might put him in a tough spot...
Notify Mystic, and if that failed, seek help later.
"We'll tail them for now, then."
"Yeah, let's go quick!"
"W-wait, Su-hyeon...!"
"Call if you need assistance."
Su-hyeon left the bowing Elf behind, supporting Da-hye's shaky legs as they hurried to the car.
She buckled into the passenger seat Chan-seong had pushed all the way back.
'Come to think of it, if the lawyer had gone along, we might not have made it home.'
"Can you drive?"
Da-hye's trembling hands earlier came to mind.
Maybe call the Elf leader for a designated driver?
"What do you take me for, sis?"
"Sis...?"
She seemed to have recovered quickly.
Though, registered at 23, she'd never been called "sis" before...
It felt weird, especially by another woman.
Guys were a whole other story...
"Urk."
"You okay? Carsick?"
"...Nothing."
And so they headed to Mystic Guild.
A small sedan pulled into the visitor parking lot following directions.
"Feels like the car's roomier inside."
Da-hye sighed at Su-hyeon's comment.
"It was made for me to drive solo, after all."
Stepping out, Su-hyeon looked up at the Mystic Guild building.
Not as massive as Camellia Guild's HQ, but its sleek glass-and-steel modern design caught the eye.
The clean, refined exterior perfectly mirrored Seo Na-rin's image.
"You've seen it before...?"
"Once, when Chan-seong signed his contract."
"Aren't you Ga-eun's dedicated lawyer...?"
Why Chan-seong's contract, though?
As Su-hyeon tilted her head, Da-hye averted her eyes awkwardly.
"Uh, well. Ga-eun's side doesn't need much beyond ad reviews, so I moonlight in my free time."
"Oh, gotcha."
Su-hyeon nodded at the vague explanation.
Not that she was dying to know.
She wasn't an expert on lawyers or Hunters anyway.
"Makes sense, with stuff like today."
"...Yeah."
The mood grew heavy again.
Su-hyeon and Da-hye passed through the glass doors with grim expressions.
Da-hye strode up to the nearest guard.
"Hello. I'm lawyer Lee Da-hye, who visited before for Kang Chan-seong's contract. Here to see Hunter Seo Na-rin."
The guard, wearing sunglasses indoors, nodded and radioed in.
"What's the purpose?"
"Chan-seong got nabbed! We were shopping at the outlet when they just...!"
Su-hyeon's outburst drew stares.
Her enthusiasm outpacing maturity made her look like an excited kid.
"...Ahem. Details, please."
The guard's lips twitched at the surprise assault but held firm.
Da-hye grabbed the babbling Su-hyeon with both hands to calm her, then explained properly.
"Kang Chan-seong was taken by Hunters from the Korean Hunter Talent Development Council. It was forceful, no room for talk. We'd appreciate the guild lodging a protest."
The guard listened intently, radioed again.
"This way."