Cleanup Fees and Seaside Plans
Kwon Yul had even asked Ryu Shin-ah once if he wasn't getting fed up because of her.
"...Aren't you getting kinda annoyed with me?"
"Me? Why?"
"Y'know, because of me."
"What, you're worrying about that? Don't sweat it, General."
Of course, Ryu Shin-ah had just waved it off like it was nothing.
"He won't say anything for now, at least..."
"What'd you say?"
"Nothing. Just talking to myself."
Yul scratched her head.
She glanced upward, where Ryu Shin-ah and Jeon Se-han were talking on the floor above.
...He'll handle it fine, whatever.
Go get 'em, Shin-ah.
Much to the chagrin of Yul's silent cheer, the atmosphere on the second floor was downright hostile.
"...Ha."
Ryu Shin-ah let out a hollow laugh. He dragged a hand down his face, looking more baffled than anything.
Whoa, what the hell did I just hear?
"Hey, Director."
"......"
"You know this is way over the line, right?"
Jeon Se-han fell silent.
Ryu Shin-ah stared him down, not expecting a response. His golden eyes were icy cold—hard to believe they'd been with Yul just moments ago.
"You think I don't know? That you orchestrated this whole impersonation mess by roping in guilds."
"......"
"Sure, there was probably pressure from above. But you were the one who pulled it off."
"......"
"And after all that, what? You want me to tell you where that Lee Sunjwa killer is? When I can guess exactly why you're asking."
Ryu Shin-ah spat the words like venom.
"You messing with me right now?"
Rrrrrumble...
The table began to vibrate faintly. The coffee cup on top—and its contents—sloshed in tandem.
Jeon Se-han spoke calmly. "I know it's an impertinent request."
"Then you shouldn't have brought it up with me. She mentioned it first, said she'd come find you herself."
"That's what I heard."
"So you couldn't wait and came sniffing around for her whereabouts?"
Crack!
The glass finally cracked. Coffee spilled across the table, pooling on the floor.
Ugh.
Ryu Shin-ah dragged a hand down his face again, forcing himself to calm down. The vibrations stopped.
This is the cafe's stuff too. What am I gonna tell her mom?
Jeon Se-han said quietly, "I want to sincerely apologize—not as an official statement, but as the director, for my personal failings."
"Nice excuse."
"The hunter and guild master responsible will come along too. They'll confess everything without omission and offer genuine atonement..."
"Yeah, skip that."
Ryu Shin-ah waved him off irritably.
I've already told you everything anyway.
"You're desperate to put out an official statement ASAP, since you don't know when she'll show. Fire's on your feet, huh? That's why you're here."
"......"
"Dunno how sincere your apology is, but I'm not passing it along. Just so you know."
Ryu Shin-ah shot back snidely.
"Deal with the mess you made yourself. Or, y'know, brace for the Management Bureau HQ getting trashed."
"...As long as my head stays on my shoulders, that'll be a relief."
"You get it."
General wouldn't go that far, though.
Ryu Shin-ah swallowed the last part inwardly. His words were harsh, but he knew better than anyone that Yul had no intention of major retaliation.
The ticketing thing fell through, but that's happened before.
Luckily, she hadn't poked any sore spots, so it'd probably end with a warning. She wasn't rushing over right now because it wasn't that urgent—not because she was cooling off.
She told him to wait... and he couldn't hold out, came to me instead. That's what pisses her off.
In the end, regardless of Yul's choice, he was the one annoying her.
Ryu Shin-ah shot Jeon Se-han a glance. The guy was a total pain, but credit where due—he'd mustered the guts to come see him.
"...She'll drop by in a few days. Probably."
"...!"
"Oh, and I'll be ratting out how you bothered me today too."
"Of course."
Ryu Shin-ah clicked his tongue.
This is why dealing with organizations is such a hassle.
Jeon Se-han rose and bowed politely. "Thank you for your time. Forgive my rudeness."
"Apologize with cash. Pay up."
"...For the damages...?"
"Nah, you scared off all the customers."
Ryu Shin-ah held out his hand.
"Cleanup fee."
"......"
Jeon Se-han was too stunned to respond, but Ryu Shin-ah just arched a brow defiantly.
What, why?
In the end, as he descended to the first floor, Jeon Se-han had no choice but to hand a check to Yul's mother.
"I'm sorry for the inconvenience. Please accept this modest compensation..."
"No need to worry about it...!"
"Please, take it."
Behind them, Yul and Ryu Shin-ah exchanged looks.
Got money out of him?Yup.Smooth con.How much?Three times today's daytime sales?
The two watched Jeon Se-han's retreating back and bumped fists silently.
That evening.
"You two must be beat from working the shop today. Go blow off some steam by the sea."
Pushed out by Kang Young-hwa, they arrived at the beach.
Yul wore a loose hoodie; Ryu Shin-ah sported a hat, sunglasses, and mask. A showy safety getup for the sake of her mom's worry over their peaceful daily life.
Yul and Ryu Shin-ah walked along the beach in silence.
Crunch.
Damp sand crumbled under their shoes. Fireworks from scattered revelers lit the surroundings just enough.
"Nice and cool."
"Yeah."
"Winter seas and night beaches are the best. Nothing beats this vibe."
Ryu Shin-ah stretched as he spoke.
"Mom's here, sea view... perfect for chilling."
"We barely got to rest during the day because of you."
"Think of the sales, General. It's easily triple the usual."
"Who cares about sales."
"You don't?"
"Nah, you're right."
Money mattered.
Yul declared solemnly. Ryu Shin-ah chuckled, knew it.
Constellation 'Blind Sovereign of the Sky' shakes bundles of cash, insisting he can give as much as you want.
Saying isn't this what our Yul likes? and want something flashier? it rolls the money into a bouquet and kneels, holding it aloft.
'Propose or what?'
Yul shook her head.
"Anyway, Star-nim's got our backs."
"True. Hunters' sense of money is straight-up heavenly. Not that we're complaining, but back in high school... y'know."
Unless they were near-civilians like F-rank hunters, even mid-to-high tiers pulled insane base incomes. Guild hunters even more so.
Just selling dungeon byproducts covered a regular salaryman's pay and then some.
And for top-tiers like them? No contest.
"So, what'd he say today?"
Yul asked. The sky had deepened to navy, merging with the sea—no horizon in sight.
They reached a quieter spot and settled carefully on the sand.
No sooner had they sat than Yul's constellation thoughtfully gifted her a can of beer (nothing for Ryu Shin-ah).
Ryu Shin-ah eyed the can without surprise, then turned to the sea.
Nothing much.
"Wanted to apologize to you."
"...So he knows he's sorry?"
"Sincere or not, anyone with common sense and eyes can see he should be groveling flat-out right now."
"Jeez."
"That's why I hate too much spotlight or orgs."
He grumbled. In that sense, his friend was a relief. High-profile, sure, but living normally.
Yul agreed silently.
True that.
Staring blankly at the night sea for a moment, she mentally checked her schedule.
Not looking, but the internet's probably buzzing with rumors and bullshit... Twisting things weirdly sucks for everyone.
It was Saturday night...
"...Gotta head there Monday."
"Hm?"
"Management Bureau HQ."
Ryu Shin-ah turned at Yul's words. Their eyes met.
"And those guild masters too."
Gu Se-ji, who'd teamed up with the director, and the guild master who'd made that "conscience declaration" last time.
Yul recalled the poster from the link Ryu Shin-ah had sent.
The hunter who'd gotten the director's offer first but turned it down. Risked backlash with that tough call—and went public with it.
"Feeling like paying a visit? I can describe what they look like..."
"I know their faces. Met one before."
"...Huh? You, General?"
Ryu Shin-ah blinked dumbly.
Yul nodded.
"In a dungeon."
Nice shield, too.
Yul added, tilting her beer can. The "conscience declaration" author was Lee Yu-na.
The tank from that last gate.
The night Yul unwittingly made her "comeback."
'...Regarding the No. 1 Hunter Impersonation Incident and the Hunter Management Bureau's Proposal?'
The title of the post from Ryu Shin-ah's link.
The Hunter Board wasn't "hunters only." Anyone—hunters or civilians—could sign up freely. Super accessible, totally public.
A conscience declaration like that? Tied to this mess?
Yul scrolled slowly, reading the post.