A Change of Pitch
About three hours into our hunter duties, we were suddenly released. And then, suspiciously, everyone became incredibly kind. It was almost sickening how the very people who had practically ignored us until we arrived were now greeting us with beaming, polite smiles.
The other guild members seemed to feel the same way, but since we didn't know the full story or what kind of trick they might be pulling, we kept our guard up and watched their reactions. Anyway, we washed up, changed our clothes, packed our gear, and got ready to head back, but... the Chinese hunters proposed a dinner. They claimed they wanted to treat us to a meal since we had all struggled together.
Naturally, we couldn't make a decision right away and hesitated. The sudden shift in their attitude was so drastic it was almost frightening.
"It is rather unsettling, but it would be difficult to refuse, so let us accept," Ddaengjung said.
Namgung Min fell into deep thought. First, those Chinese bastards lock us up, and now they want to buy us dinner? What on earth were they plotting... Someone even joked that they might have poisoned the food.
Well, I can detoxify any poison anyway...
Still, ignoring them felt uncomfortable, so we decided to accept for now. We headed to Hunan Province accompanied by the Chinese police and hunters.
The restaurant wasn't a typical eatery but a grand banquet hall, and it seemed they had hired a private chef.
"Chinese cuisine... I've never really tried it before."
"Is that so?"
Ddaengjung stuck close to my side. It seemed they had positioned someone capable of translating next to me, considering I was a key figure.
"The only Chinese dishes I know are Jajangmyeon, Jjamppong, and Tangsuyuk."
Oh, if I had to add more...
"Ah, Kkanpunggi too."
"Haha, when Chinese cuisine is good, it is truly magnificent."
Anyway, I wondered what kind of dishes would be served. I waited in anticipation, and when the food finally arrived, my jaw simply dropped.
The food literally kept coming without a pause. Even when the table was completely full, dish after dish kept piling up...
To be honest, many of the dishes were quite strong and heavily seasoned, and because of our different palates, there were quite a few things that didn't suit my taste. Still, it was edible, and it truly felt like we were being treated with the utmost hospitality. Dishes like sulfur duck and Dongpo pork suited my taste perfectly, and the fried rice was top-notch.
There was also a white soup with meat and dishes featuring a wide variety of ingredients. What was it called... Buddha Jumps Over the Wall? Ddaengjung told me he knew the dish well. There were also quite a few tofu-based dishes, and an unbelievable variety of eggplant dishes...
"This is indeed the Manhan Quanxi," Ddaengjung remarked.
Apparently, it was the ultimate course meal in China, famous for a seemingly endless parade of dishes. From high-end delicacies to everyday dishes, they just kept coming. Even when we were getting full and putting down our utensils, new menus were still being served... Apparently, a true Manhan Quanxi is supposed to be imperial court cuisine... I didn't care much about those details, but I could certainly tell it was spectacular. I tried a bit of everything, but I was so full that it was almost a shame I couldn't taste it all.
Afterward, they provided a hotel for us to rest comfortably. The facilities weren't incredibly luxurious, but there was no problem getting a good night's sleep. Since everyone was exhausted from clearing the gate and stuffed from the massive feast... no one could resist the drowsiness and fell fast asleep. I was no exception. I ended up sharing a bed with my sister...
"I'm going to sleep separately," Seo-hee said.
"Huh? Suddenly?"
"It's uncomfortable sleeping together."
When was the last time I slept in the same bed as my sister... almost fifteen years ago? It must have been around then. Now that she was older, she probably found it more comfortable to sleep alone. It was a bit disappointing, but since I didn't want to give up the bed either, I told her to go ahead.
After a deep, refreshing sleep, I wandered around the hotel. Along the way, I ran into the Chinese S-class hunter. What was his name again? Yang something? I hadn't bothered to memorize it. He approached me, accompanied by an interpreter.
"Did you rest comfortably?"
My, aren't we polite?
"Yes, I rested very well thanks to you."
To be honest, after some rest, my mind and body felt much lighter. If he had approached me yesterday right after we cleared the gate and were locked up, I wouldn't have even bothered talking—I would have planted my fist right in his face.
"Ahem!"
Yang-whatever suddenly cleared his throat, tried to look dignified, and spoke. The interpreter listened, nodded, and spoke very cautiously in Korean.
"He is asking if you would be interested in changing your nationality."
Hmm...
"A scout?"
"Y-yes, that is correct."
The interpreter looked incredibly tense. He explained that if I became a hunter for China, they would offer me treatment more than ten times better than what I currently received from the Murim League.
"I am sorry, but I do not have much interest in money."
If this were back when I was dirt poor, it might have been a different story, but now I had more than enough money to live comfortably.
"He says that if there is anything else you desire besides money, the nation can support you."
"There is nothing in particular I desire. If I had to choose, perhaps a peaceful life."
Having witnessed too many horrific sights during my time in the Hero's party in the other world, I wanted to live as comfortable a life as possible now. Of course, I would still deal with matters related to the other world. I hoped such things wouldn't happen, but if a problem like the Great Forest Gate arose, I intended to take active steps to resolve it.
"He says it is a great pity."
"I appreciate that you recognize my abilities. I intend to help if you request assistance in the future, so do not worry too much."
Wasn't this exactly what this hunter was aiming for?
"He says that is more than enough. We will not disturb you any further, so please rest comfortably."
He bowed and withdrew with his interpreter. It felt like he gave up a bit too easily.
I let out a soft chuckle and looked out the window. Since we were on a high floor, the view below was wide open. China, too, was just a place where people lived, so it didn't look all that different from Korea. Though there were some differences...
Afterward, the Murim League raid team was finally able to board a plane and return home. On our way back, I learned that the Chinese side had actually tried to scout every single member of our raid team. They had tried to hold onto them by offering massive amounts of money and various other perks... but everyone had refused.
The reasons varied, but a significant factor was the typical Korean aversion to China. Besides, hunters of the caliber to be sent here in the first place already had no financial struggles and made excellent money. Since they lacked nothing and wanted for nothing, scouting them was never going to be easy. Anyway... after returning quietly to Korea, what happened next? I had planned to rest comfortably... but news of our trip to China had somehow leaked, causing quite a stir.
Public opinion was filled with mockery, with many asking how pathetic the Chinese hunters must be to have to bring in South Korean hunters to clean up their mess. The disgraceful behavior previously displayed by the Chinese hunters was brought back into the spotlight... and somehow, the fact that the Chinese S-class hunter had died during the gate raid was also exposed. Well, S-class hunters are public figures, so they couldn't have kept it a secret forever. Thanks to this, the reputation of the Murim League soared.
I was currently in my room, browsing through these things on my phone. The information on the internet was surprisingly entertaining. "Netizens," was it? There were so many hilarious comments left by people reacting to the news.
The joke about them being too petty to be a great nation but too large to be a small nation was incredibly funny, and it felt spot-on. Anyway, I was just glad everything was peaceful.
When I visited the guild office, Jegal Cheon informed me that an interesting proposal had come in for me.
"An offer to throw the ceremonial first pitch?"
"Yes. It involves throwing a baseball before the game begins."
Apparently, it was a pre-game event featuring popular idols, celebrities, or politicians.
"Is that important?"
"It's not exactly critical, but many people do it to boost their public profile."
Since every baseball game was broadcast, the ceremonial first pitch was also televised. Although brief, appearing on TV throwing the pitch was considered a decent way to raise one's profile.
"You don't necessarily have to do it, but I am checking in case you might be interested."
Baseball was the most popular sport in the country, boasting impressive TV ratings. On weekends, viewership ratings sometimes surpassed 3%, which spoke to its immense popularity. And they were inviting me directly to such an event?
"Didn't you clear the gate at Jamsil Stadium? Since there's a connection, they decided to reach out."
"A hunter?"
"Well, there are actually a few hunters who have thrown first pitches before."
Apparently, some of the middle-aged hunters who used to watch baseball back in the day were thrilled to do it. But in my case, there was a different reason...
"Naturally, it is because of your beautiful appearance, Miss Nix."
Just standing there, my looks would make countless people envious. Apparently, some people would attend just to catch a glimpse of me.
"What a tiresome reason."
"Then I shall decline on your behalf."
Huh? Did it sound like that?
"No, actually, I am quite interested. Accept it."
Jegal Cheon stared at me with a bizarre look. Even to my own ears, it sounded a bit contradictory.
"It is tiresome, but it looks fun, so I shall try it."
"Understood. I will accept the offer and arrange the schedule."
Since Jegal Cheon would handle all the annoying administrative details anyway, I simply gave my nod of approval.
When I told my sister about it, she asked, "Why are you suddenly doing something so troublesome?"
"Just because. It looks fun?"
"Sigh, well, with that body and face, I suppose you'd want to show it off."
It wasn't really like that, though...
"Show off? I told you, it just looks fun."
"That's basically the same thing."
No, it really wasn't... This bratty sister of mine was totally misunderstanding me.
"Why don't you join me?"
"Together?"
On my way back, I had looked up a few things about ceremonial pitches... While the catcher catches the ball, the person standing at the batter's box varied from time to time.
"I heard there are cases where they have both a ceremonial pitcher and a ceremonial batter."
"Are you asking me to be the batter?"
"If you're not interested, then never mind."
My sister looked at me with suspicious eyes.
"You're only asking because you're afraid going alone will be too tedious, aren't you?"
...Honestly, she hit the nail right on the head.
"Hehe, you caught me," I admitted honestly.
"Well, I am worried about you, so maybe I should?"
"Then tell Jegal Cheon to arrange it."
"Okay."
Although the schedule hadn't been finalized yet, my sister and I decided to do the ceremonial pitch and bat together.