#290. Why Is the Embarrassment Always Mine?
Han Byung-gu spoke as if it were no big surprise at all.
"That's right, it's an Ain. We call them Hirbat."
"How is an Ain here...?"
"You've met Aila, haven't you? Why act so shocked? Did you think Ains only exist in the Federation?"
It was true there was no rule saying Ains could only be found in the Federation.
'But given their nature as otherworlders, they can't survive without protection. Coming to Earth with the gates was a matter of survival in itself.'
Ains, regardless of their race, were beings full of talent.
As a commander with access to Federation intel, Kang Moo-hyuk had pored over countless documents whenever he had the chance, confirming this fact.
In places like Africa or the Middle East, Ains had been hunted simply for looking different from humans.
In South America, they'd been recognized for their utility and kept alive as slaves—a small mercy, considering how hellish their early days on Earth had been.
'To survive in this new world, the Ains allied with humans, sharing vast knowledge to combat the monster threat. The organization born from that alliance became the foundation of today's Federation.'
Now known as the World Hunter Federation, its origins lay in a self-preservation effort by the Ain races.
They provided the most urgent intel on Earth and received human protection in return.
This deal profoundly shaped hunter history, but only a handful knew the truth.
The Federation had evolved, yet traces lingered in groups like the Forest of Life and the Mother Tree Society.
Kang Moo-hyuk examined the race called Hirbat.
The child's face glowed with healthy color, but wrinkles etched with age framed eyes full of vitality. Shorter than Kang Moo-hyuk's solar plexus, its hands and feet were covered in fluffy fur. Barefoot on the dirt floor, its four thick toes resembled a puppy's paws.
"Hey, you old fart. What's with this guy? Why's he staring like that?"
"Staring? You talking about me...?"
"Yeah, you. You. Tall lanky freak."
"I'm not that tall..."
"Talking back already? Kids these days have no manners. When you see an elder, you bow first and introduce yourself. Standing there gawking like that? Back in my day, we'd drop to the ground in a full prostration for elders. For the big shots, upside-down handstands were standard."
Kang Moo-hyuk was too flustered to respond right away.
This childlike Ain was lecturing him like some cranky old-timer. The scene felt so absurd it could have been from a hidden camera prank.
And this Ain had an oddly Koreanized vibe, like it'd been patched with some glitchy Confucian software.
Kang Moo-hyuk bowed lightly in greeting.
"Pleased to meet you. I'm Kang Moo-hyuk."
"Got a slipped disc or something? Bend deeper."
"Hey, Doki. Ease up. No need to play drill sergeant. You're over three hundred—time to act your age."
Unable to stand it any longer, Han Byung-gu stepped in to rein in the Ain called Doki. But it wasn't out of any goodwill toward Kang Moo-hyuk.
Kang Moo-hyuk saw it clearly: Han Byung-gu's lips twitching as he fought back a grin. He was enjoying the show.
"If you weren't a war buddy, we wouldn't even share a table. And here you are, bossing around some kid?"
"My niece told you—find whoever brainwashed me with that etiquette crap, and I'll make 'em pay."
"That brainwasher's long dead. Buried where the dragon eggs hatched."
Casual as the joke was, Doki sobered up. Han Byung-gu fell silent too.
As the two elders grew gloomy, Kang Moo-hyuk had to lighten the mood.
"So, what is this place?"
"What else? Our village. Where Hirbats live. You came without knowing?"
Kang Moo-hyuk glanced at Han Byung-gu.
"He's right. This is the village of Hirbats who settled on the Korean Peninsula."
Only then did reality sink in for Kang Moo-hyuk.
"You wouldn't call a couple folks a village. How many Hirbats are there?"
"Fourteen."
"Thirteen, you fool. Forgot old Goti passed last year? Who knows when I'll go."
Doki corrected the count, plunging them into solemnity again. Han Byung-gu bowed his head in silent prayer, Doki's eyes reddening. Kang Moo-hyuk quickly changed the subject.
"This is Pyeongchang, right? How has no one found it until now?"
Han Byung-gu answered.
"You were chatting on the way, so you missed it. That little bridge we crossed? Barrier starts there. No ordinary person—or even most hunters—can detect it. Only those with the token can enter."
"Does Hunter Go Eul-ji know about this place? She never seemed aware of Ains."
"She doesn't. She's my granddaughter, but too honest—can't lie to save her life. You saw how she spilled everything about the Dragon Scale Hairpin to you."
"Yeah, she's got that side."
Kang Moo-hyuk agreed.
In truth, clues to the Association's legacies came from piecing together Go Eul-ji's offhand slips.
"Old fart, I've been wondering. Why bring this outsider here for a background check? Letting strangers into the village? The elder's gonna blow a fuse."
"Why'd I bring him? Because he's worth it. You'll see him around a lot—get friendly. He's the next caretaker after me."
"What? Caretaker? This lanky beanpole?!"
Doki's eyes widened impossibly further as he sized Kang Moo-hyuk up and down.
He scowled and protested to Han Byung-gu.
"He's not even a hunter."
"Right. Not a hunter."
"Then caretaker?"
"Does a caretaker have to be a hunter? No such rule."
"Well... no? But still, you need a hunter to protect the village."
"Have I ever stood guard here? A good caretaker manages well. What more do you want?"
Kang Moo-hyuk cut in.
"Excuse the interruption, but I have a question."
"Shoot."
Doki nodded.
"What exactly is a caretaker?"
Doki glared at Han Byung-gu instead of answering.
"Old fart, you brought a kid who doesn't even know what a caretaker is?"
"That's why I brought him—to explain."
"This flat-faced lanky idiot gonna handle caretaker duties? I don't trust it."
Offended by the "flat-faced" jab, Kang Moo-hyuk switched to a sly tone.
"Ains fall under Federation jurisdiction. Living out here separately? Must've pissed them off big time. Got kicked out?"
"Hey, we left on our own."
"Sure, that's what you'd say. Running away's still leaving on your own two feet."
"Whoa, this punk's not just rude—he's got no shame. Listen up, beanpole. Us Hirbats don't join that sneaky elf-dwarf club like the Federation. It's no home—it's a prison. Bound by their rules? What else you call that?"
Doki huffed indignantly.
Kang Moo-hyuk regained his rhythm, seizing control.
"Some loners blame everyone else. Pushed out 'cause they couldn't hack it?"
"Loner? What's that?"
Han Byung-gu explained Doki's question.
"Means you. Outcast."
"What? This flat-faced lanky ppoyak!"
"What's ppoyak?"
Kang Moo-hyuk asked Han Byung-gu.
"Hirbat talk. Packs a punch—think 'son of a bitch,' 'fucking mutt,' ' goddamn asshole.' That's the light version; there's more."
"Huh. Creative curse."
Unfazed, Kang Moo-hyuk's admiration only fueled Doki's rage.
"What gives you the right to trash the Federation?"
"Me? Oh, right—forgot to introduce properly. In Korea, I run Iron Will Guild. With the Federation... I just became the fourth commander."
"What?!"
"Huh?!"
Han Byung-gu and Doki exclaimed in unison.
Before Kang Moo-hyuk could continue, Doki leaped onto Han Byung-gu, grabbing his collar and shaking.
"You bastard! Selling us out? Bringing a commander here?!"
"Gah, gah. Hold on—I just found out too."
"You knew I was taking the Federation exam, Chairman."
Kang Moo-hyuk poured oil on the fire over Han Byung-gu's excuses.
"You idiot, that was... I didn't think you'd pass."
"Pass or fail—you knew."
"Hey, hey. Talk it out. Drop the mana. Don't mess with the barrier."
"Then why're you powering up? Oh, rebelling? Showing your true colors? Wanna tussle after all these years?"
"Tussle? With your skills?"
"Whoa, hitting Hirbat pride now?"
The squabble escalated into a manly ego clash. Kang Moo-hyuk backed away.
Association secretary Bae Ki-tae, who'd moved the car back, approached with a thermos.
"They fight like this often. It'll take a bit. Tea? Yuzu."
"Yes, please. Tell me about this place while I drink. You came with the chairman—you must know."
"Normally I'd keep quiet even at knifepoint, but since he's named you caretaker, it's fine. I'll tell you what I know."
With the yuzu field getting wrecked in the background, Bae Ki-tae poured into the lid.
Kang Moo-hyuk asked his burning question first.
"What's a caretaker?"
"It means the one who manages Chairman Han Byung-gu's hidden legacies from the Great War era."
"And this village is one?"
"Part of it."
"Others too?"
"Bigger than you imagine."
"Not just objects, then."
"The scope is vast."
"Examples?"
"Items, places, humans, Ains, and more. Beyond what you picture. Can't see it all in a day—key ones firsthand, rest via list."
Kang Moo-hyuk admitted the legacies far exceeded his expectations.
And the responsibility matched.
'Tempting, but not sure if taking it on helps.'
Thomas was flustered by his situation.
'What's this? Not a thing in America?'
Mana addiction treatment needed prep, so it was delayed.
He'd come to North Pocheon, Iron Will's HQ, and gotten squad barracks.
Dull for most, but perfect for Thomas, who hated crowds.
Trouble started after unpacking. Uninvited guests hit his room.
One guy, one girl.
The woman introduced herself as Choi Mi-ran with a fierce glare; the man awkwardly grinned as Kim Seong-hyeon.
Choi Mi-ran asked.
"Newbie?"
"Ah, yes. Thomas."
"Thomas? Koryo-saram?"
"Yes. Adopted young. And you?"
"Your seniors."
"Pardon?"
"Heard you're C-rank. I'm a step up. Been here forever—super senior."
Kang Moo-hyuk had split Thomas's profile: public C-rank Korean-American mage, secure S-rank mage.
Choi Mi-ran lacked clearance, so C-rank it was.
"I'll brief you on the guild from now on."
"Ah, thanks. Hunter Choi Mi-ran."
"Hunter? Call me senior properly. Ever hear of the land of propriety? Follow Korean ways here. No American arrogance."
Choi Mi-ran's threats had Kim Seong-hyeon facepalming, muttering "oh god."
"Why Is the Embarrassment Always Mine?"
"Shut it, Kim Seong-hyeon. Cocky rookies everywhere lately. Gotta instill discipline early or the guild crumbles. Cooperate, Thomas—for order."
At "order," Thomas got it.
"Ah? Senior Choi Mi-ran handles guild inspections?"
"Sharp. You'll adapt fast. Serve well."
"Yes. Looking forward to it."