Chapter 40: Hunter Gallery Real-Time Analysis Thread
The bell that rang every time the door opened sounded especially sharp today.
It always annoyed me, that ding-dong from the automatic door.
But today, it felt like a warning alarm.
This was a convenience store—anyone could walk in at any time.
Yet now, anyone who walked in made the situation feel off.
I was unpacking boxes behind the counter when I took a deep breath and looked up.
The person who entered was Baek Sihyun.
She scanned the store with her usual composed expression: shelves, fridge, entrance, and finally, me.
The moment her gaze landed, the back of my neck stiffened involuntarily.
"H-hello..."
My greeting came out almost like a sigh.
Baek Sihyun gave a slight nod.
"You're here again today."
"Y-yes. I work here."
"I know."
That's what scares me.
I pulled another beverage box toward me for no reason.
The cold cardboard against my palm snapped me back a bit.
She stopped in front of the triangle kimbap corner.
She didn't pick anything up—just stood there.
Not looking at products, but observing paths, like someone mapping movements.
Where I placed the boxes, where I'd glance first if a customer entered, which way my shoulders tilted in those brief moments—her eyes recorded it all.
I couldn't hold back and spoke up.
"Um... is there something else you need to check?"
"Yes."
"What?"
"You."
My stomach churned.
"I'm really just F-class."
"Including that statement."
I had no idea what to say, so I shut my mouth.
"Um..."
Before I could get the words out, the door opened again.
Ding-dong.
This time, the footsteps hit first—before the sound.
Heavy, confident strides.
The man strode in before the door fully opened, not bothering to look around, heading straight for me.
Lee Dojin.
I froze inside, not even able to curse in my head.
"Ah."
He spotted Baek Sihyun and grinned.
"Knew you'd beat me here."
Baek Sihyun didn't blink.
"Figured you'd show up soon too."
"We left it hanging yesterday—would be weirder if you didn't."
Lee Dojin's eyes locked on me.
"Kang Minsu."
"Y-yes..."
"Thought about it?"
"About what?"
"My guild."
I was so dumbfounded I lost my words for a second.
"That was a scout?"
"Wasn't at first."
He smirked, lip curling up.
"But now it is."
Baek Sihyun spoke low.
"Quick."
"Gotta be, or you lose out."
"On brand for you."
I glanced between them.
One here to analyze me, the other to recruit me.
Neither explaining properly why they needed me.
Why?
Why keep coming after an F-class?
"I'm working right now."
I finally managed, and Lee Dojin shot back instantly.
"I know."
"Then later..."
"We can talk after shift."
"No, that's not..."
Ding-dong.
The door opened again.
What's with today?
This time, a man in a suit.
Black tie perfectly knotted, thin briefcase in hand.
He looked like he belonged in a boardroom, not here—but he entered smoothly, glanced around once, then bowed toward me.
"Excuse me. Are you Kang Minsu?"
I instinctively looked behind me.
Please, let there be another Kang Minsu.
There wasn't.
"Y-yes..."
"From the Taesung Guild."
He offered his business card first.
"Could we speak briefly?"
I gaped, not even taking the card.
"No."
My refusal came too fast; the polite man blinked.
"May I ask why?"
"Because I'm really F-class."
"No need for humility."
"No, I mean, really..."
"We're well aware."
"Of what?"
"Including that you're hiding it."
My head throbbed.
Baek Sihyun, trying to dissect me.
Lee Dojin, dragging me off relentlessly.
And the Taesung Guild guy, weighing me down to the bone.
Three gazes with different goals, all strangling my neck in this cramped store.
I gripped the counter edge hard.
The plastic dug into my palm.
Without that sensation, I might've collapsed right there.
"Excuse me."
I finally spoke up.
"Why do you all keep coming to me?"
Baek Sihyun answered first.
"Can't analyze you."
Lee Dojin followed right up.
"Figure taking you along will sort it out."
The polite man added calmly.
"We deem you worth verifying."
Their answers were so different, it choked me more.
"I'm just a part-time clerk."
"Doesn't look that way."
I stared at the man, face drained, after his polite reply.
Lee Dojin laughed.
"Know that line makes you more suspicious, right?"
Baek Sihyun added curtly.
"Agreed."
Why do they only agree on that?
I bowed reflexively.
"Sorry, but I have shelving to do."
Lee Dojin glanced at the box beside me.
The Taesung guy noted the cutter in my hand.
Baek Sihyun clocked the angle I'd retreat.
All terrifying.
I grabbed the box and turned toward the ramen aisle.
Even then, their gazes stabbed my back.
Cold sweat beaded thinly down my spine.
The scout spoke calmly again.
"Then, perhaps after your shift..."
"No."
Lee Dojin chuckled.
"Quick rejection."
"Obviously. He minimizes unnecessary contact."
I nearly dropped the box at Baek Sihyun's words.
"That's not it. I'm just scared..."
Their gazes froze simultaneously before I finished.
Silence.
Real silence.
Then I realized what I'd said.
I'm screwed.
Why'd I say it straight?
Then the door behind the counter burst open.
The store manager emerged from the storeroom, calling me.
"Minsu."
"Yes."
"Stock the shelves first."
Those words were the most welcome sound ever.
"Got it."
I grabbed the box and bolted like I was fleeing.
The manager eyed the three, then added in a very practical tone.
"If you're customers, shop. If not, don't block the aisle."
The air in the store chilled oddly for a moment.
I slipped behind the ramen shelves in that gap.
Hiding didn't make me invisible.
If anything, their gazes sharpened, following me.
Baek Sihyun's expression barely shifted at the manager's words.
She set down her cup and flicked a brief glance my way—confirmation complete.
She wasn't backing off; she was reclassifying the new data.
Lee Dojin smirked and stepped half a pace from the counter.
"Alright. That's it for today."
No way that's the end.
"Next time, I'll see how long you hold out."
"Not holding out."
I muttered softly from behind the ramen boxes.
"Even better then."
He laughed openly.
"Guys who endure on pure will stick in your memory longest."
The polite man didn't waver.
He accepted the manager's words gracefully, straightened his briefcase.
"Understood. We'll coordinate after your shift then."
"I said no..."
"Noted that too."
Baek Sihyun narrowed one eye at his words.
"No need to record—just narrow the observation scope."
"You're too hasty, Ms. Baek."
"Less than you."
Their low exchange carried undiminished pressure.
In the meantime, I picked up a cup noodle and fussed with the shelf labels unnecessarily.
Straightened the tuna mayo front, fixed a crooked ramen lid, pushed back a chocolate milk.
All already perfect.
Still, my hands kept going.
This'll end eventually.
No, it won't.
The more I tidied, the more I wanted to run.
Lee Dojin caught it, peering over the shelves.
"Nice escape form."
"Not escaping."
"Quick comeback too."
Baek Sihyun murmured low.
"Body moves before words."
I was truly wronged.
"Of course. Why should I stick around here?"
"We asked."
The Taesung guy picked up calmly.
"We need to verify why Kang Minsu is in this position—and why phenomena shift around it."
"Verify somewhere else."
"Can't."
"Why?"
"It shows most here."
I nearly dropped the cup noodle.
Baek Sihyun's gaze shifted ever so slightly.
"That's your conclusion today?"
"Not yet."
He stated firmly, looking my way.
"But Kang Minsu, you're far more central than you think."
I edged one step sideways behind the shelves.
Picked a spot between ramen and the drink fridge—no one would look here.
Not invisible, but less suffocating.
The manager saw and sighed.
"Minsu. Once the boxes are done, check backstock too."
That one line felt like salvation.
"Yes."
I answered and moved right away.
Pretended to head to the storeroom behind the counter, squeezing past the three.
Lee Dojin stepped aside with a grin.
The Taesung guy retreated a pace.
Baek Sihyun silently read my path.
Looked natural to anyone watching.
The problem: it all seemed calculated just for me.
The moment I grabbed the storeroom handle, my phone buzzed short.
I froze.
Then the bell rang again from behind.
Ding-dong.
Door opening? Someone moving? Unclear.
And I thought, genuinely.
Why do S-class hunters keep coming after an F-class?