210. Who Knew Such a Case Existed
The news invite segment featured the protagonist who had been heating up South Korea for months now. Korea's one and only S-rank hunter, Guild Master Joo Se-ah of Iron Will Guild. "Hello, Guild Master Joo Se-ah."
"Yes. Hello, this is Joo Se-ah."
The anchor smoothly navigated the early part of the invite with eloquent speech. The questions were all polished, without rough edges, so Joo Se-ah answered effortlessly.
But past the midway point, his true colors showed. Sensitive topics like checks from Tier Guilds or interference from neighboring countries started popping up, eventually touching on parts that could be risky depending on interpretation.
"There's a rumor going around that Baekho Guild's sudden disbandment was due to a scheme orchestrated by Iron Will. What are your thoughts on that?"
Outside the set, Pyo Beom-hee bristled at the anchor's question.
"What the hell is that guy saying? Hey, that wasn't in the pre-submitted questions!"
As part of the communication team, Pyo Beom-hee handled PR duties on the surface.
Usually, the PR staff supported the guild master, but lately, she'd been personally managing external activities. Considering she was an A+ rank hunter, it felt like a waste of talent.
But in situations like this, she became a solid pressure card.
"Y-yeah, right? Haha... Our anchor must've gotten too enthusiastic. I didn't know about that question either..."
The news PD sweated under Pyo Beom-hee's fierce glare and averted his eyes.
Whether he was pretending not to know despite being aware, or truly clueless, it was hard to read from his expression alone.
That's why I didn't want to come. The captain insists on actively handling media exposure, so dodging it isn't an option. Can't send the guild master to variety shows either.
Either way, ratings-obsessed folks were dangerous all the same.
In an era where even news prioritized sensational soundbites over fairness and truth, you couldn't blindly trust pre-approved questions.
It's all Kang Moo-hyuk's fault.
Pyo Beom-hee dumped the blame on the captain. But she couldn't just wash her hands of it. She had to play her cards somehow.
She considered halting the shoot right then. But she held back. It was a live broadcast. Forcing a cut would invite scandals.
Besides, that question's no good. Cutting it would just breed suspicion.
As Pyo Beom-hee paced anxiously, the anchor slyly pivoted and pressed Joo Se-ah for an answer.
"The prevailing view is that the sudden disbandment of a major guild like Baekho isn't good for Korea's national interests. Even same-tier guilds say dismantling one is tough. So, some see the influence of Korea's sole S-rank, Guild Master Joo Se-ah, at play. Your thoughts?"
Joo Se-ah crossed her arms, pretending to ponder, then cautiously opened her mouth.
"That's a weird question."
"What part?"
"Everyone knows about Baekho Guild's crimes revealed at disbandment. Evidence and witnesses were clear. Even China condemned their near-seditious plot. But this question sounds like you're defending Baekho Guild. Am I misunderstanding?"
Joo Se-ah countered instead of answering. The anchor's lips pressed into a thin line.
Pyo Beom-hee clenched her fist at her choice.
Good! Nice one!
Now the anchor, cornered, waved it off with excuses.
"Ah... Of course not defending them. Just that the incident had many suspicions, so I asked. Honestly, what's out there is just the result, right? No one's detailed the disbandment process, so I inquired."
The anchor sighed inwardly, thinking his response was decent, but Joo Se-ah didn't let it slide.
"I've heard a rumor too."
"Pardon? What rumor?"
"Something like, 'interfere with Joo Se-ah now that she's S-rank.' Spread from Japan? No, haters in Korea leaking it. They say they're puppeteering media and manipulating online opinion to trash me. You're not basing questions on that here, right?"
"Haha... Of course not. Just gathering various opinions."
"Figured as much? Hohoho."
The news ended with awkward laughter.
* * *
Joo Se-ah rode in the car Pyo Beom-hee was driving out of the station.
With no one around, she sprawled in the back seat, groaning.
"Ugh, I'm dying. Hey, sis, how long you gonna spin me through broadcasts? Please, enough already."
Pyo Beom-hee glanced at the back through the rearview.
In a flash, the form-fitting armor coat perfect for Joo Se-ah's body loosened. Her hair length subtly changed, and the faint red tint in her hair shifted.
"Until the guild master returns. You need to be known as in Korea now. So transform back, Mr. Jo. Can't get caught outside."
"Who's gonna see here? Tints are dark; no one's peeking."
"A hunter with x-ray vision watching? Possible."
"Heh, Captain didn't buy this pricey ride for nothing. Blocks x-ray."
"Not 100%. Always be cautious. 'Work for what we pay you,' right? Guild pay includes secrecy clauses. Earn it, Mr. Jo."
"Yes, yes. Got it. And call me Mr. Jo, not name."
"Oh? Makes sense. Pro spy; real name's a risk."
"Nah. Hearing my name from someone I'm not close to creeps me out."
"Fine. Mr. Jo it is. You stop 'sis'-ing like we're buddies."
"Sure, auntie."
Crack!
Mr. Jo thought a vein popped on Pyo Beom-hee's forehead and peeked at the driver's seat. No vein, but the steering wheel was smashed.
He read her face clear enough.
Step out, and you're dead.
Stay in the car.
Under her killing intent, Mr. Jo shut up and shifted back to Joo Se-ah. The loose clothes resized to fit.
Right then, the smartphone rang. A call icon and sender name appeared in the front windshield corner.
Answer?
"Answer."
"Yesss! Freedom!"
Ending the call, Pyo Beom-hee U-turned at the next exit.
Mr. Jo, thinking they were heading to Seoul, grew uneasy as they veered into quieter areas.
"Um... sis? Why this way...? Haha, Seoul's left turn back there..."
No reply. The car soon stopped.
Pyo Beom-hee got out, opened the back door herself.
"Hey, out."
* * *
Even Joo Se-ah's hellish training hadn't broken Go Eul-ji, but checking her phone during break, she looked like the sky had fallen, clawing her hair and wailing.
"What the f...!"
"Cursing in English now? Watch your mouth. Not all hunters are rude."
"Master, what do I do?"
Joo Se-ah wasn't curious but couldn't ignore her teary disciple.
Captain said look after the kid properly. Blamed Han Byung-gu for twisting her up by pushing too hard? Annoying, but she's deputy disciple. Show minimal effort?
Joo Se-ah feigned interest.
"What's up?"
Go Eul-ji showed her phone instead. A news article on screen.
"Yeah, knew you'd cry over a concert cancel."
"'Just'? It's BTA oppas! I joined here for this concert."
"Not the meal voucher?"
"Oppas busy, no domestic activities awhile. Just popped in for year-end last year. Gotta catch their overseas ones. Why study English? Planned LA this summer."
"Ah, hence English curse. But why no English from you besides curses?"
"Foreign languages? Curses first. Sticks in ears. Foreign kids learn 'sseibal' first in Korean too."
"What learning method. Sticks right in."
"Right?"
"Think I complimented you?!"
Tenfold Chains
"Ack! Stop knuckle-flicks! Master's are lethal weapons! Finger piercing steel?!"
"Oh? Blocking master's love flick with skill? Cocky since A-rank up?"
"Me? Cocky to S-rank over bare A? Eek? Again?!"
Joo Se-ah's flick pierced Go Eul-ji's barrier.
Clutching her swollen red forehead, Go Eul-ji whined aggrievedly.
"Graduating soon. Not a kid anymore. Keep this up, beaten at twenty. Who gets spanked now? Gonna hit TV."
"Won't hit when due."
"When?"
"When you quit idol obsession?"
"Beat forever?"
"Quit then."
"Too chicken; leave after oppas' meals."
"Yeah. Next guild's Association. Shine by gramps."
Go Eul-ji's face soured instantly but countered.
"Might join Slayer."
"What? Slayer?"
"Why? Scared I'll go?"
"Can't have you? Then smash it."
"W-wait. No more flicks!"
Go Eul-ji took more flicks and fainted. Exhausted blocking, not impact.
* * *
Life's ups and downs—in the infirmary, awakened Go Eul-ji got good news.
Waking, she heard Kang Moo-hyuk wanted her, headed to captain's office.
"Good and bad news. Which first?"
"Good. Eat dessert first type."
"BTA concert. Postponed, not canceled. Pyo Beom-hee confirmed."
"Really? When?"
"Fall. October. Exact date later."
"Aaah, live righteously. Gets rewarded."
Kang Moo-hyuk shook head at her clasped hands skyward prayer.
"Less your virtue, more US monster defense. LA massive incident caused cancel, cleared fast, rescheduled. Looked dire; US hunter power impressive."
"Best buzzkill. How'd you social climb at Titan? Team lead with that?"
"Ability, character?"
"Pray instead, Captain. Thanks."
"Sure, networked well. Ditched stubborn prior team lead endangering hunters. Buried those defying strategy causing casualties. Efforts made me."
"Not called 'effort' usually."
"What then?"
"Fraud, blackmail. Conspiracy?"
"Effort. Part of job."
"Wrong. Guild's off. What life? Too twisted."
Ignoring her cry, Kang Moo-hyuk continued.
"Now bad news. Fall concert—you can't go, Go Eul-ji Hunter."
"What?! Why?!"
"School term. Skip?"
"Duh. BTA. No college anyway."
"Checked. More skips, no grad. Missed for Tumen River unified raid. Extra year."
"This counts official... Ah, hiding hunter status?"
Her grandpa Han Byung-gu faked records to shield prodigy granddaughter from Japanese threats.
Thus, training/raid absences logged as runaways/delinquency. Labeled delinquent.
Now biting her.
But undaunted, she declared.
"Quit then. Would've without Nari."
"Nari? Your sole friend?"
"'Sole' emphasis hurts."
"Other friends I missed?"
"None sadder."
"High school grad's Han Byung-gu's will. No grad? Iron Will kicks you, no mercy. Then Association."
"You're with guild master?!"
"Obviously. My superior."
Go Eul-ji slumped. No hope. Enemies everywhere—Red Gate+, worse. Joo Se-ah, Kang Moo-hyuk, gramps boxed her.
In despair, light beamed.
"Bad news needs fix, right?"
"Knew it, Captain!"
"Reveal you. Official hunter registration."
"Okay? Gramps opposes..."
"Chairman approved. Threats gone."
"Gone?"
"Guild master's S-rank declaration. All Japan eyes on her. No time for prospects. Surveillance down; restore license."
"Screw then cure. Owe guild master. Next?"
"Fall term, hunter training excuse. Fits LA trip."
"Such method?!"
Go Eul-ji fist-pumped.
Dream BTA concert secured.
"No place like Iron Will?"
"Yes, Captain. Bury bones here."
"Lifetime contract then..."
"Huh? Quitting time. Later."
Kang Moo-hyuk smacked lips watching her bolt.
"Close."
* * *
Sinuiju Prison Village.
No longer prison-worthy; transformed.
Sinuiju War replacement: council building, new homes lined.
Sinuiju hunters' families lived. Kids new clothes, good food, school.
Hope overflowed unlike before.
Not all happy.
"Hey, kid."
"Huh? Uncle?"
Watching friends play, Park Cheol-i startled at half-year No Song-rin, ran up. Severed arm sleeve flapped.
Missing arm, but balanced unlike before. Adapted.
"Heard you awakened hunter last time?"
No hello, straight to point; Park Cheol-i felt relief.
"Still same, uncle."
"Same how?"
"Never heard nosy?"
"Heard scary face, 'save me' lots. Nosy first."
"Much changed then."
"Half-year remake?"
"Unchanged? Always were."
"Nosy?"
"Fun... caring."
"Caring? Fun new. Kid."
No Song-rin awkwardly smiled.
"Yeah, maybe. Anyway, purpose today."
"Purpose?"
"Awakened hunter. Without, died in village. Toughened life let you survive bleeding. Captain says—our guild captain Kang Moo-hyuk, groaned here before."
"Know. Captain Kang Moo-hyuk."
"Yeah. Stats: more mana exposure, near gates, near-death ups awakening odds. Not absolute, general. Sinuiju risky; high odds. Makyung-near high mana. Yours lucky..."
"Heard. But this arm? One-armed..."
"Said before? Famous one-armed S-rank swordsman. Don't quit over arm."
"..."
"Now real purpose."
Park Cheol-i looked up.
"Too young for training, need guardian. Trustworthy. Parents usually; yours gone."
"So?"
"Asked Captain; he said me. Not that trustworthy."
"You my..."
"Simply, I'll be godfather. Enables training later."
"Uncle..."
"Said all. Stay healthy. Trouble? Call. Lawyer later; listen. Bye."
No Song-rin left curtly.
Park Cheol-i lingered long after.
* * *
Late night paper search, Kang Chang-su rubbed tired eyes, rose.
Shutting PC, email pinged.
From mana addiction paper site.
"Email here?"
No mails before bar admin notices.
Sender not admin; curious.
US. Thomas Lee? Korean descent? Chinese? Hope no spam.
Clicked; long. Skimmed opener, closed.
But first line hooked; read all near-two A4s.
"Who knew such case. Clue to cure Moo-hyuk maybe."
>> Part 2 Complete. Continues in Part 3.