#316. How Do You Lock an S-Rank in Ujungdo?
Na Sang-myeon thought it was quite the coincidence.
'A high-rank hunter got killed without even putting up a proper fight. Baek Hyeong-gyu was A- rank. Even if he got ambushed by an A+ rank, it shouldn't have been this clean—no traces at all. The only one capable of that would have to be around S-rank.'
He'd dismissed the possibility as a joke, but getting a call from Korea's one and only S-rank right after made it worth investigating as an investigator.
While Na Sang-myeon organized his thoughts, the bell stopped ringing. Before he could decide what to do, it rang again.
He decided on a direct approach. Pressing the call button on his smartphone, Joo Se-ah's voice burst out.
-Why the hell aren't you picking up?
Na Sang-myeon gleaned one fact from her reaction.
'These two know each other.'
Sensing something off, Joo Se-ah checked again.
-Hello? Baek Hyeong-gyu hunter?
"This is Investigator Na Sang-myeon of the Hunter Investigation Agency."
-Why's a hunter investigator answering Baek Hyeong-gyu hunter's phone?
"First, I'd like to know your relationship with Baek Hyeong-gyu hunter and Guild Master Joo Se-ah."
-Baek hunter's one of ours.
"Records show he's with Dreamer Guild."
Na Sang-myeon asked in a voice thick with suspicion.
-Huh? Transfer approval not through yet? Hang on. Director Kang, Baek Hyeong-gyu hunter's transfer—system not updated?
-Delayed by the Seoul incident. Few more days, they said.
A familiar voice came from beside her.
'With Director Kang Moo-hyuk.'
Na Sang-myeon had been involved in escorting Kang Moo-hyuk to the National Assembly for the hearing. He'd nearly clashed with Jang Deok-gu back then.
He suddenly recalled how Jang Deok-gu had backed off with his tail between his legs when Kang Moo-hyuk showed up. He'd been surprised that Jang Deok-gu listened to anyone besides Joo Se-ah. That left a strong impression of Kang Moo-hyuk.
As he thought about Kang Moo-hyuk, Joo Se-ah took the receiver again.
-Seoul mess slowed admin procedures. Baek Hyeong-gyu hunter transferred to Iron Will. Talk to me about him. So why's an investigator holding his smartphone?
"Baek Hyeong-gyu hunter is dead."
Only quiet breathing came through the smartphone.
Na Sang-myeon couldn't speak. Not because he was choosing words—he just couldn't part his lips.
He swallowed dryly without realizing. Joo Se-ah was far away. She wasn't yelling, just breathing.
'But... what the hell is this?'
His instincts screamed danger from a hunter he couldn't even see.
'Is this what S-ranks are like?'
He couldn't continue.
After a moment of silence, Joo Se-ah spoke, releasing the pressure.
-Monster? Killed by a monster?
"No. Judging it as murder by another hunter for now."
-Your personal opinion? Or investigation done?
"No autopsy yet... Just my take."
-Got it. Tell me where Baek Hyeong-gyu hunter is. Coming now.
"Can't go to the scene. Suspects don't enter as policy. Come to HQ."
-Suspect? Me?
"High-rank hunter died instantly, no resistance. Natural to suspect Korea's sole S-rank. You can refuse. We'll send a summons instead."
Silence again, then Joo Se-ah replied.
-See you in two hours. We'll notify Baek Hyeong-gyu hunter's family.
The call ended, and Na Sang-myeon exhaled the breath filling his lungs. His back was soaked from the tension.
His junior investigator beside him looked pale too.
"Senior, you're badass. Standing up to Joo Se-ah like that."
"I don't even know what I said. Just blurted it out."
"Still, calling her a suspect? Reference witness, maybe."
"I regretted it too. That's why I mentioned the summons later. Gave off vibes I'm not convinced she's guilty. She got it."
Na Sang-myeon pulled a cigarette from his pocket, stuck it in his mouth, and offered one to his junior. The junior exhaled long, face grim.
"Honestly, even if Joo Se-ah's the real killer, I'd pretend not to know. How do you lock an S-rank in Ujungdo?"
"……."
Na Sang-myeon didn't reply. He felt the same.
'But what if she really did it? Better if it's another S-rank. Then Joo Se-ah'd catch 'em.'
Joo Se-ah ended the call and closed her eyes, slowly reining in the killing intent in her gaze before turning to Kang Moo-hyuk.
"Director Kang."
"Heard it. Baek Hyeong-gyu hunter's dead?"
"Gotta head to the Investigation Agency. Coming?"
"Take legal team lawyer... No, go alone. Looks more innocent."
"Not coming?"
"I'll dig from another angle. Call if I find anything."
"I'll share what I hear there right away. Oh, and..."
"I'll contact Baek Hyeong-gyu's family too. Clear schedules after urgent stuff—I'll visit personally, or Guild Master."
"Yes. Please."
As soon as Joo Se-ah left, Kang Moo-hyuk called Mr. Jo. He explained the situation and gave orders.
"Can you find where Baek Hyeong-gyu hunter died?"
-Agency radio's always monitored. Easy to check.
"Secure nearby CCTV. Vehicle dashcams too."
-Agency guys are hunting for it too.
"Handle it cleverly."
-Damn. Means steal it, huh.
"You got lines into the Agency."
-Don't. None.
"Then make some."
-Tch! Never give up. Call when I have it.
After Mr. Jo, Kang Moo-hyuk summoned Jang Deok-gu. He explained, then asked about Na Sang-myeon.
"Investigator Na Sang-myeon. The one who fetched me for the hearing? Your junior hunter days."
"Yes."
"What's he like?"
"A+ rank. Solid hunter, top investigator."
"Personality?"
"Stubborn, hot-tempered, rough. All the virtues of an investigator."
Kang Moo-hyuk wondered why hot-tempered and rough were virtues but didn't ask.
"He summoned Guild Master now. Informal, just witness questioning. Not sure if he'll listen."
"He'll have to. Unless he wants to die."
"Like I said before, don't want Guild Master on nine o'clock news for violence. Especially beating an Agency hunter—headache."
"He doesn't wanna die either. Knows his place. No worries."
This was high praise from Jang Deok-gu.
Kang Moo-hyuk gauged his personality and dropped concerns about Na Sang-myeon. Issued new orders.
"You left Agency long ago, but got contacts?"
"Haven't called in ages, but plenty to poke."
"Just checking—not stabbing, right?"
"Am I an idiot?"
"No. Just worried you'd threaten active investigators if they clam up. But you're not that reckless."
Jang Deok-gu flinched.
'Did he just flinch?'
He schooled his face, firm.
"Abso. Lute. Ly. Not."
"Good. Meet Agency folks, dig on this case."
Jang Deok-gu sensed oddity in the request.
"One thing."
"Shoot."
"Iron Will hunter murdered—big deal, sure. But you're overreacting. And Guild Master said you weren't thrilled about his transfer. Something bugging you?"
Kang Moo-hyuk rubbed his chin, thought, then spoke.
"I know Baek Hyeong-gyu's skill. Not one to go down easy, even ambushed. No resistance means specialized assassin trait or massive skill gap attacker. Korea's top assassin is ours, so probably the latter."
"You really suspect an S-rank murder?"
"Not certain. But intel on unregistered S-rank entering Korea."
"Why not say now... Does Guild Master know?"
"No. Haven't reported."
Jang Deok-gu frowned—why hide from Joo Se-ah?
"Not confirmed, as I said. Mr. Jo's checking. Report when clear."
Kang Moo-hyuk thought it clear, but Jang Deok-gu didn't buy it.
"Overstepping, Director."
"Overstepping?"
"Even with full guild authority, share S-rank matters with Guild Master. Not just guild—national security threat."
Kang Moo-hyuk rubbed the cooled teacup rim. Buying time. Hoping Jang Deok-gu realized Joo Se-ah's position. But he didn't—still challenging.
"Overstepping's what you're doing, Jang Deok-gu hunter."
"……."
"Still adjusting? Guild Master Joo Se-ah isn't the old one. S-rank hunter. All eyes on her—Korean hunters, neighbors. If she knew unconfirmed S-rank in Korea, would she sit? It'd show. Korea's rep S-rank needs to anchor steady. Can't look swayed by shaky intel."
Jang Deok-gu wasn't dense. Got it. Realized he'd crossed a line.
"Reckless of me. Sorry."
"No. Guild Master needs guys like me—and loyal ones like you. Just do roles right."
Less compliment, more warning. Jang Deok-gu knew. Nodded readily.
"Got it."
"Good. Handle what I asked."
"Yes."
As Jang Deok-gu turned to leave, Kang Moo-hyuk stopped him suddenly.
"Jang Deok-gu hunter. Don't actually hit investigators."
Flich.
'Flinched again?'
Jang Deok-gu turned stiffly.
"Won't. Hap. Pen."
"Baek Seong-bin!"
At the call, Baek Seong-bin stopped training and turned. The caller was the guy he hated most in the guild.
"Seo Dae-chi. You looking for me?"
"Not me—Expedition Leader Lee Jin-joo."
"Me? Why her?"
His tone softened, unlike with Seo Dae-chi.
"Regular check-in."
"Oh? Time already?"
Baek Seong-bin tidied training gear. Seo Dae-chi tsked at his fussiness.
"Obsessive-compulsive ass never changes."
"Better than you messing shit up."
"Why hire guild staff? For this crap. Hunters focus elsewhere. That rigidity's why you always fuck up."
Baek Seong-bin bristled at the jab.
"Fuck up? How?"
"Playing dumb? Healing factor guy loses it at monsters. Gotta prove it every time?"
"You bastard!"
"What? Poke more holes? Won't fix stupid anyway."
"Grab weapons! Settle this today!"
"Think I'm scared?"
As words turned to fists, Gyeong Su-hyeok watching intervened.
"You assholes fighting again? Please stop. I always get chewed out 'cause of you. For not stopping fights. Fuck! Shouldn't have taken party leader. Buncha trash."
"Trash is Seo Dae-chi!"
Baek Seong-bin yelled, thumping chest in defense.
"No guild loyalty. Disrespects Guild Master, Director—picks fights. Don't lump me with him."
"Bullshit. You and Dae-chi same crap. Fuck. Quitting party leader. Demote me. Why suffer for glory?"
"Perfect. I take it?"
Seo Dae-chi stoked flames; Gyeong Su-hyeok scowled.
"Pretending while eyeing my spot? Easy gig?"
"You make it look simple."
Baek Seong-bin snickered at red-faced Gyeong Su-hyeok.
"Learned the hard way?"
"Fuck it. Try me today."
Gyeong Su-hyeok grabbed training weapon too. As trio eyed attacks—
"Why the racket?!"
Lee Jin-joo yelled from 2nd-floor railing overlooking training room.
She gripped rail, glaring at the problem trio.
Baek Seong-bin and Gyeong Su-hyeok bowed heads, avoiding eyes. Seo Dae-chi tossed weapon far, looked away.
Lee Jin-joo turned to Baek Seong-bin.
"Baek Seong-bin."
"Y-yes!"
"Come quick when called. Make me wait?"
"No, ma'am."
"Always trouble. Clean up and hustle!"
"Sir!"
"You two help!"
"Yes!"
Gyeong Su-hyeok bellowed; Seo Dae-chi just nodded.
Lee Jin-joo back in office, Baek Seong-bin and Gyeong Su-hyeok glared at Seo Dae-chi.
"Read the room!"
"Dude, beg. Stopping your fights harder than hunting. Quit picking."
Seo Dae-chi silently tidied training room.