The Second Self
Even the master of a thriving clan had no choice but to bow before the Minister of the Defense Strategy Department, a first-generation hunter.
"Have you been doing any club activities with the hunters lately?"
"Club activities? That's a bit much. It's clearly a clan, sir. A clan."
"Is that so? I heard the Boramae Clan holds more gatherings than actual hunter activities."
"You must be mistaken. We're not that kind of clan."
Yeah, right. As I listened to Kim Young-nam's excuses, a hollow laugh escaped me.
"Alright, let's hear what happened first."
"I'll report it."
Captain Im seized the moment and tattled to Ahn Guk-seon about everything that had transpired.
"Cha Eun-seong claimed ownership of the rune after taking down the Count, and then accused us of not putting bulletproof plates in the plate carrier, saying that's why he died?"
"Yes, Minister."
"He died because he deserved to."
Ahn Guk-seon stated flatly.
"If a so-called hunter dies from not inserting bulletproof plates into his plate carrier, we might as well call it natural causes. Don't you agree?"
"Ah, yes."
Kim Young-nam replied in a reluctant voice. After hearing the full story, he had nothing left to say. Even if not for the purpose of defending against bullets, plate carriers were essential for hunters. Even high-ranking hunters immune to gunfire wore plate carriers with various bulletproof plates to protect their hearts. Who was this nobody to talk?
"Then, it seems Eun-seong shooting your clan members was also self-defense."
"You are correct."
"Moreover, it appears Eun-seong was only trying to subdue your clan members, not kill them."
"Excuse me?"
"I heard his marksmanship is exceptional. If he intended to kill, there'd be no need to shoot the chest. He could've aimed for the head."
The minister glanced at me and said, "The way you're speaking... it seems he's a friend you particularly cherish, Minister."
"He's the friend I'm most looking forward to."
"Whaaat?!"
Startled, Kim Young-nam removed his sunglasses and turned to look at me. 'Ugh.' Thanks to that, I was the one in trouble. If the minister openly used such expressions, not only that guy but others would start paying attention to me too.
And as expected, it soon became reality.
"A new hunter that Minister Ahn Guk-seon has high hopes for?"
"What are you doing? Take the picture quickly!"
Click click!
Several reporters swiftly pressed their shutters. In 30 minutes, articles with my face plastered all over would be uploaded, and SNS users would rush to share them. By evening, my personal details would spread quite thoroughly.
'What a sly old fox.'
The minister's intention was obvious. He was trying to brand me as belonging to the Defense Strategy Department to prevent other clans from approaching me. It was possible because the department's influence was still strong, but I had no intention of joining any clan anyway...
'It was bound to happen anyway.'
If I wasn't going to operate as an unregistered awakened, it was impossible for a government contractor like me to hide my identity. Clearing gates and making a name during spatial transfers would naturally expose my identity.
"By the way, regarding this incident with Eun-seong..."
"Oh, Minister. Why worry about that? I'm not that kind of person."
Kim Young-nam hurriedly waved his hands.
"Can you promise that?"
"Of course. I have no intention of touching the new hunter you have high hopes for. In fact, I'd rather get closer to him. Hahaha."
Kim Young-nam gave a friendly smile.
"Cha Eun-seong, was it? I'm Kim Young-nam. Sorry about earlier. He was someone I got along with pretty well..."
"I'm sorry."
"Sorry for what? If Cha Eun-seong shot with the intent to subdue, he must have been considerate in his own way. It was just his fate to die."
"Still, it must be unsettling. My condolences."
"Thank you for saying that. Let's just forget about this incident. I'm saying this in case you're worried, but our clan won't cause any trouble over this in the future."
"Thank you."
"Thank you for what? We're the ones who were wrong."
"Haha..."
"Well then, let's meet again with smiles next time."
"Yes."
Thanks to the minister's mediation, I wrapped things up smoothly with Kim Young-nam.
"You've had a hard time. Are you hurt anywhere?"
"No, I'm fine."
"Good. It must have been quite a tough fight."
"It was fun."
"Fun? Just now? Even though you almost died?"
Of course. In my previous life, I was just a supporter cleaning up after others.
"Does it really matter if a hunter almost dies?"
"Almost dying doesn't matter, huh. You're on your way to becoming a monster too."
The minister mulled over my words and said nothing more. I didn't answer because I understood what he meant. The monster he referred to was someone who had lost their humanity.
And...
'I already am a monster.'
Perhaps even more so than you, Minister.
* * *
Thud thud thud thud!
Thanks to the Defense Strategy Department providing a helicopter, Choi Yoo-ra and I were able to return home very quickly.
Ring, ring, ring, ring...
Ring!
As I sat in the helicopter watching the Seoul cityscape, my phone kept ringing with notifications.
[DM] Did you awaken???
Crazy;;
[DM] Did you see the news? Your face is all over SNS??
[DM] Long time no see. How've you been? Heard the news. You're a hunter now?
All sorts of DMs flooded into my SNS account, which had been as good as dormant. Not only texts but calls kept coming, making it impossible to use the phone at all.
"Looks like the article's up."
Choi Yoo-ra, sitting right next to me, spoke as if she understood.
"Enjoy it."
"What?"
"Your fame."
"Enjoy it while you can. Later, it'll only bring you stress."
Choi Yoo-ra gave a strange expression.
"Heh."
I chuckled and threw my phone out of the helicopter. It shattered into pieces on the roof of some building.
"What are you doing?"
"It was annoying."
"Does that change anything?"
"At least I won't get unnecessary calls."
"Whatever."
Choi Yoo-ra shook her head and continued.
"But it's unexpected."
"What is?"
"Usually, people get all flustered and cling to their phones. They get happy or sad with every comment."
"Did you used to be like that?"
"Sh-shut up."
"So you were."
"Do you want to die?"
Choi Yoo-ra raised her spirit sword slightly and growled. I decided not to pry further, afraid I'd get hit for no reason.
'Well, everyone has that phase.'
I too had a time when I was swayed by attention. Becoming a hunter changes your life. You get good treatment wherever you go, handle sums of money ordinary people can't even imagine, and receive respectful gazes from people. Every action gets reported in articles, and you have fans ranging from hundreds to millions. How could anyone keep a sane mind?
But that too would only be temporary. In a few years, when this world and society collapse, the people who used to support you would disappear too.
"30 seconds to arrival!"
"30 seconds!"
As befitting a high-end penthouse, the rooftop of our family's new home had a helipad.
"No need to land. Just lower the rope."
"You're just going to jump off?"
"Why land for no reason? I just need to get off."
"Do you know how?"
Instead of answering, I skillfully grabbed the rope and slid down smoothly.
"Let's go."
After waving at the surprised Choi Yoo-ra, I headed home.
* * *
It seemed our house wasn't an exception to the chaos.
"I'm back..."
"Oppa!"
"What, what?"
"Are you okay? Are you hurt anywhere?"
"Yeah, I'm fine."
"Phew."
My younger sister let out a sigh of relief.
"I thought you got hurt somewhere again."
"Suddenly?"
"Your face is all over the news. How could I not worry? I never thought I'd see my brother's face on the news while I'm alive."
She rolled her eyes. But the worry was clear on her face, warming a corner of my heart.
"Eun-seong! Are you okay? Are you hurt anywhere?"
Mother examined every corner of my body, worried there might be even a small scratch. She was the one who never worried about Father...
"Why didn't you answer the phone!"
"It broke during the operation."
I couldn't say I broke it myself, so I made up an excuse.
"Then you should've borrowed someone else's phone to call! Do you know how worried Mom was!"
"I'm sorry."
"From now on, always call first. Got it?"
"Yes."
"Use this. And give me the number."
Mother handed me a spare phone and prepaid SIM card from home. Since Father often broke his phone during operations, we kept several phones and SIM cards at home.
Breaking things wasn't limited to phones, though.
"Call your father right away. Do you know how worried he was?"
"Yes, I will."
As Mother said, I immediately called Father.
"Hello."
- Is that you, Eun-seong?
"Yes."
- Are you hurt?
"I'm fine."
- That's good. I'm on my way in, so I'll see you at home later.
Unlike Mother's words, Father's voice was as calm as usual. He probably didn't want to show his concern for his son...
"Yes, come safely."
- Okay, hanging up.
As expected from father and son, the call ended briefly and concisely.
"I'll go wash up first."
"What about dinner?"
"I'll eat when Father arrives. He said he's coming in."
"Alright."
My body was sore, so I decided to take a quick shower and sweat it out. As expected from a luxury penthouse, there was a sauna made of cypress wood next to the second-floor bathroom I used.
About an hour later.
"Well, as long as you're not hurt. Try not to do anything dangerous if possible."
"Yes, I will."
"Don't get swayed just because people show interest. Hunters aren't like celebrities."
"Of course not."
After roughly drying my hair, I went to the living room. I was talking with Father... what?
Startled!
I summoned The Butcher of Madness in shock.
"Father!"
"Why are you yelling in the house... hmm?"
Father spotted me and frowned. Then he looked at the other me he had been talking to and lunged like lightning.
Click!
Father quickly drew his pistol and took aim, alternating between me and the other me.
"What the...!"
I fully agreed with Father's words. I couldn't understand the situation at all either.