2
Chapter 2:
Monsters.
Predators that had toppled humanity from its position at the top of the world and claimed that apex for themselves—a true natural enemy in every sense of the word.
And yet, there exists a human who even those near-calamitous monsters cannot dare approach—a human more monstrous than the monsters themselves.
That is precisely what an S-rank hunter is. To put it in perspective, the power of a single S-rank hunter is said to be enough to replace an entire legion.
In other words, it's no exaggeration to say I'm currently being crushed under a legion's boot. Thinking of it that way cooled my head.
The chance given to me is, at best, just one. If I slip up here and say the wrong thing, my life ends on the spot.
'Let me start by calmly analyzing the situation.'
Seol Eun-ha had me pinned down firmly. She even had both my wrists captured in one hand, pinned above my head.
I was completely subdued, but it didn't particularly wound my pride. Because my opponent was an S-rank hunter.
There's no way I, already retired eight years ago, could be a match for an active S-rank hunter. Meaning, my options here are……
"Let's settle this with a conversation first."
"Do you really think something as flimsy as conversation can resolve this situation?"
"Let's make a deal. A deal that can satisfy you."
I can't match her by force. Among S-rank hunters, Seol Eun-ha ranks within the top three in pure combat ability alone.
And hoping for someone else to save me in this situation is completely out of the question. Meaning, I have to handle this on my own somehow.
Then the only thing I can do right now is to talk my way through this somehow. Every other option is hopeless.
Perhaps the word deal was at least to her liking. Seol Eun-ha gave a crooked smile and nodded.
"I'll hear you out for now."
"You must be disappointed. But at least know this."
"Yes?"
The opponent is none other than the Thousand-Kill Star herself.
Trying to talk my way through to someone who doesn't even listen to the Association President was, naturally, close to impossible.
Then there's no trick to it. A head-on battle! Simply and clearly, I convey my pure, honest feelings without hiding them.
"Everything I have done for you up until now—every single bit of it—was sincere."
"Teacher……!! I'm so happy!"
'……Could it be working?'
"In other words, it was a love where our feelings perfectly aligned! Ah…… I don't think I can hold back any longer."
'Damn it!!'
Sincerity working on a beast—what a joke.
If anything, I'd only made things more dangerous.
I gritted my teeth and thrashed about trying to shake her off somehow, but regrettably, I didn't budge her even an inch.
Yet at that moment of absolute crisis, a completely unexpected voice of salvation came from a completely unexpected place.
"That's far enough, Thousand-Kill Star."
"What? It's White Knight."
White Knight. As if to prove that very epithet, a head of white hair that no filth could ever taint revealed itself.
Snow-white hair as beautiful as fresh powder, sparkling golden eyes—they slowly emerged from the darkness.
White Knight, Yi Ha-yeon. Eight years ago, the first hunter I had ever sold—brokered a contract for—and the Vice President of the Central Association.
The only problem was that such an esteemed figure was, at this very moment, crawling out from under my bed like a turtle.
"Where exactly are you crawling out from……"
"I knew you were there, but to think you had already claimed such a prime spot. The Vice President has good taste."
"I'll graciously accept the compliment for now. But that and this are separate matters."
"???"
Just when exactly had she been in there.
I was dumbfounded, but kept my mouth shut for the time being. Yi Ha-yeon could at least hold Seol Eun-ha back.
Of course, once everything was over, I'd have to interrogate her about exactly when she had staked her claim under my bed, but……
Even Thousand-Kill Star Seol Eun-ha found White Knight to be no easy opponent. She had no choice but to release my hands.
"Why don't you hurry up and leave my home? Or stay hidden and console yourself watching our intimate moment."
"Everything requires proper procedure and justification—charging in alone like a wild boar won't do. And……"
"And?"
"Who ends up spending that lonely time consoling themselves—well, that remains to be seen."
Those chilling red eyes filled with murderous intent. Even so, Yi Ha-yeon held her gaze without a flicker of agitation.
Crackle.
A sound like lightning striking between the two of them rang out. A pure battle of will with not a single step of retreat from either side.
Surprisingly, the one to back down first was Seol Eun-ha. She glanced over at my face, then let out a small smirk and spoke.
"Fine, I'll fall back for now as you say."
"……Unexpected. I thought you would draw your sword."
"I don't want to be hated by killing you. Still, be careful—if you keep getting in the way like this……"
Next time, you die for real.
◇
In the end, I had barely managed to save my life. Though in exchange, I had picked up two unwanted attachments.
I stole a glance to the side. Seol Eun-ha's red eyes, fixed on my face since a while ago, came into view.
And then to my right sat Yi Ha-yeon's golden eyes. Someone who didn't know better might think I had a beauty on each arm.
'A beauty on each arm, my foot. More like a nuclear warhead on each arm.'
This was by no means a joke or an exaggerated metaphor. If an S-rank hunter went on a rampage, the surrounding area would be reduced to ashes without a trace.
There's actual precedent for it. I turned my head and looked at Yi Ha-yeon. Ha-yeon, meeting my eyes, gave a smile.
To the outside eye she looked like nothing more than a young woman of striking beauty, but……she too was unmistakably an S-rank hunter.
'The first hunter I ever sold—no, brokered a contract for—and the monster who single-handedly brought down the Far East Association.'
Far East. Eight years ago, the most powerful Association that had monopolized Korea's hunters. Three out of four S-rank hunters were affiliated with Far East.
It would be no exaggeration to say they effectively held absolute power among the four hunter Associations all on their own.
Naturally, corruption was rampant—and the misconduct was no laughing matter either. The one who brought them down was Yi Ha-yeon.
'At the time, she killed two of the three S-rank hunters affiliated with Far East, and effectively crippled the one that remained.'
The Far East Civil War. The Central Association, to which Yi Ha-yeon—the war's victor—belonged, absorbed and succeeded Far East, leading to where things stand today.
Thanks to that, North Alliance and South League came to me begging—practically on their knees—to sell them products, if a little late.
My one and only concern: whether or not Yi Ha-yeon, with that formidable track record, knew my secret.
'In pure combat ability alone, Seol Eun-ha has a slight edge, but in terms of reputation and influence, Yi Ha-yeon is overwhelmingly superior.'
Korea currently operates under three Associations: North Alliance, Central Region, and South League. The strongest among them is, naturally, Central Region.
In addition to its existing power base, it had even absorbed Seoul—where Far East had been rooted—greatly swelling its size.
And Yi Ha-yeon now held the position of Vice President of that very Central Region. It goes without saying that her influence is anything but low.
"Congratulations first. You've risen to the position of Vice President."
"Thank you, though it's a seat I took two years ago."
"……"
"Honestly, I was a little hurt. I worked so hard, and yet—not only did you not come to visit, I didn't even get a single call or text……"
Well, of course not.
From the moment the contract with the Association was brokered, the product and I were strangers. So not a single trivial text was sent.
Keeping business and personal life strictly and thoroughly separate—that is the secret to making money and surviving in this line of work.
To think that a Vice President of all people didn't know such an obvious fact. I clicked my tongue inwardly and opened my mouth.
"I'm sorry, I was just far too busy."
"I understand, Teacher is doing righteous work. Still……please spare a thought for me every now and then."
Ha-yeon looked up at me with moist, doe-like eyes and carefully tugged at my sleeve.
For a moment, a memory from the past surfaced. Eight years ago. That day—the day I had personally rescued Yi Ha-yeon from a monster……
Ha-yeon, who had lost her parents before her eyes, had simply followed me with dead eyes. Tugging gently at my sleeve, just like this.
Seol Eun-ha, who had been watching the exchange between Ha-yeon and me in silence, soon curled her lips into a crooked smile and spoke.
"Give me a break."
"……Are you lacking in social awareness, or are you simply devoid of sentiment?"
"You already know everything. So where do you get off playing innocent and acting all virtuous?"
"Hold on—you already know everything?"
"Of course. You're not from just any Association—you're the Vice President of Central Region, no less."
"……Actually, that's exactly why I came."
I looked at Ha-yeon. She was trying her best to maintain a cold, expressionless face, but with her ears flushed red as a tomato——
It seemed she was terribly embarrassed at having her true feelings exposed. My goodness……the artistry with which she changed the subject was something else entirely.
Honestly, it was the most shocking thing that had happened to me all day, so I thought nothing could surprise me anymore……
"All the other S-rank hunters know as well."
"……Pardon?"
"I mean that the remaining five, aside from myself and Seol Eun-ha, are also aware of this."
"……"
I see.
So they all already know.
I quietly reached for a cigarette. Even if the end was near, at least one cigarette should be fine.
But in the end, I had no choice but to put the cigarette back.
'Can't risk getting cancer. I mustn't do anything that would damage the product.'
Though the situation was suffocating enough that I could hardly bear it without a smoke……
Even so, the after-service has to be thorough.
Because I am a professional.