Hunter Center Trouble
Yeonwoo headed straight to the Hunter Center. She'd talked her sister into letting her go quickly, but the real reason was the sheer hassle of the place. And this was five years ago, when every wannabe with a bit of pull from across the country was flooding in to become hunters.
With a soft whir, the massive automatic doors slid open as they detected her.
"So explain properly, systematically, logically why I don't qualify for Silver—make me understand!"
"You guys live off the mana stone fees I pay, and this is how you manage things?! You think I risk my life for your benefit?!"
"Hah. Add more counters already. Hell, if I asked for a phone charger now that batteries are dead, would you even have one...?"
It was chaos. Every general counter except VIP was occupied, and the wide waiting room was packed, chairs overflowing with people.
Still stupidly crowded as ever.
Her brows furrowed instinctively from memories of the past. Back then, the line had been so long she'd been kicked out when closing time hit. It had taken five whole days, weekends included, just to register her hunter license.
Am I screwed again this time?
She'd come early, but the crowd was insane. She figured she'd at least check the wait count and went for a ticket from the kiosk—
"Hey, check that person. Why're they bundled up like that?"
Someone spotted Yeonwoo. Idle folks turned the world into gossip fodder, and the center was a mountain of them killing time.
Even I think it's a bit much.
The largest hoodie from Yeonseo's closet, zipped up to her chin. Not enough, so she'd added a mask, bucket hat, and hood. But this face... it was too small, too perfect. It made for ironclad camouflage. Suspicious as hell, sure.
"What, did they commit a crime? Criminal vibe?"
Whispers made Yeonwoo drop the full disguise. She pulled off the hood, and her long hair cascaded down with a shimmer. Hat and mask off, and suddenly light flooded the waiting room.
"Yup... that's a criminal-level face......"
"I'd give her life imprisonment. In my heart."
Gasps and sighs erupted everywhere.
"I'm a man with no wife or kids when it comes to money! No one touches a single penny of mine... well, not always. Hm......"
Even the asshole hunter yelling at the counter, veins bulging as he pointed, lowered his voice and straightened his clothes.
All eyes locked on her.
Hah. Gonna lose it.
The attention was suffocating, but she got it—she'd reacted the same way staring in the mirror that morning.
Just get this over with quick.
Understanding was one thing; living it was another. Her face burned under the prickling stares. She hustled to the kiosk for her ticket.
Tick. Tick. Tick.
Flustered, she jabbed repeatedly, but it wouldn't register.
Embarrassing.
Tick. Tick. Thunk. Thunk!
As she pounded harder—
"Um, excuse me."
A security-guide staffer approached. Hands clasped, peeking at her face, eyes darting to avoid meeting hers—it was comical.
"Yeah."
Yeonwoo gave a curt reply. Obviously embarrassed, playing it cool.
"This way. I'll guide you."
The staffer strode ahead briskly. Yeonwoo followed, scratching the back of her head irritably.
Hah. Did I hit it too hard?
Looked like she'd get chewed out for abusing the kiosk. Damn temper. Veteran hunters all got prickly at the center. Endless waits. Sluggish service. And those empty VIP counters! Top dogs or connected folks skipped the bullshit—VIP fast-pass.
Fucking assholes.
Especially the mega-corp pricks. Babel, those damn bastards.
I don't play that dirty.
Yeonwoo reaffirmed it, even as her mind scrambled excuses for the kiosk.
"This way."
"So that button is... Huh?"
She stopped mid-excuse. The staffer had led her to the exclusive counter. The so-called VIP lane for those lucky shits.
"Why?"
Yeonwoo asked. Genuinely clueless.
"Pardon?"
The staffer blinked back. Equally baffled.
"Why?"
"Why? Well, obviously......"
The guide glanced at her. Ragged clothes like she'd grabbed whatever. But that couldn't hide the stunning beauty. She even wore the awakening earring, and her aura dominated the room. Not VIP? That'd be weirder.
"I'm here for a general license registration?"
"Y-yes...?"
The staffer craned her neck in shock.
VIPs didn't touch kiosks anyway.
"Oh, uh. R-right. You're here for general registration."
"That's what I said."
"Ah, got it. No, wait—is that right?! Then let me guide you back to the kiosk."
The staffer fumbled, leading her away. A ridiculous, laughable scene.
"Pfft."
"Hah, what the hell is that?"
The idlers watched, amused. And they filled the room.
Why drag over someone just standing there!
It was mortifying. The stares itched like hell, and now they'd paraded her to VIP, teased, then ditched her.
Face flaming, she twisted her innocent hair in frustration. So damn soft, too.
"Look at these clowns working!"
Then, from the nearest general counter, a middle-aged hunter slammed his desk and stood with a bang. The fee-obsessed asshole from before.
He wagged a finger at Yeonwoo.
Shit, picked the wrong mark.
Memories flashed: buying that type a drink once, becoming his emotional dumpster for over a month.
As Yeonwoo inwardly sighed—
"Just handle that young lady there! You brought her over by mistake—take responsibility! Responsibility!"
An unexpected voice cut in.
"Right! What's so hard about processing one person?"
"Yeah! Own it. Own it."
"Unnie, you're too pretty!"
"One person's no big deal! The center's so rigid, zero flexibility."
Not just one or two. Counter folks and sitters chimed in. Some off-topic, even.
"Ah, a-ah! Well, can't be helped then. This way again!"
The staffer whipped around.
What's got you so hyped?
Anyway, no reason to refuse guidance.
"Hmph."
The middle-aged hunter snorted in satisfaction, sitting back. His pointing finger flipped to a thumbs-up for her.
"Hm."
Yeonwoo mirrored it with a nod.
Noses rubbed everywhere in the room. Some even unconsciously thumbs-upped.
Thanks anyway.
Somehow, she'd cut the line. Fast-passed the symbol of asshole privilege.
But not cheating. Refusing the public's goodwill would've been ruder. For real.
The world changes this fast?
The prickles lingered, but the payoff was sweet.
Not everyone welcomed her, though. The receptionist at her VIP counter didn't.
She took pride in her spot. Years of shifts, effort, results—like a hunter's license rank.
Yet they plop a rookie—no corp affiliation!—here for a "mistake"?
Thinks she's sly under that face? Fox through and through.
Prejudice armored her. No fox tricks would fool her.
Yeonwoo sat. Lounging sideways, arm slung over the counter. Leaned in, casual wave with the other hand.
"Whew, thanks for your hard work."
"......"
Slouchy pose, folksy greeting. Voice like rolling jade beads. Then—crash!
"W-welcome! Heh heh."
Prejudice crumbled in a heartbeat. No fox, no pretense—just a good person. And she hadn't even wanted the seat herself.
"I'll get your license registered right away! You're already awakened, so it's simple—just fill in the marked spots."
"Got it. ID?"
"Personal info's auto-processed."
Back then, it'd been endless forms and sighs. Now, cute highlighter circles guided her.
"Awakened folks process instantly. And that earring suits you perfectly."
Praise sprinkled in.
Smooth sailing—until
"Uh......?"
The receptionist glared at her monitor. Narrowed eyes, long stare, tilt, glasses off for a wipe.
But the screen didn't change.