Chapter 100
Chapter 100
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 103
Chapter Title: Doubt (4)
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Cha Su-ho's steps felt heavy. He'd deliberately dragged his feet at the training grounds, wondering multiple times if he should just bail. But for a smooth life in Center 1, he couldn't ignore the director's words. After all, Dae-geon was the face of Center 1.
Whoosh.
Cha Su-ho checked the time. Quite a while had passed since meeting Dae-geon at the training grounds. The best outcome would be if Dae-geon got tired of waiting and left. If he ended up pissed off from the long wait, Su-ho could just claim he'd lost track of time training.
Praying desperately for the former over the latter, Su-ho knocked on the reception room door.
Knock knock. A dull thud echoed, followed by a voice from inside.
"Come in."
The moment he recognized it as Dae-geon's voice, a sigh escaped Su-ho's lips.
Just like Jin Seong-hyeok had said—having to sip tea one-on-one with a sly fox like him.
Forcing the door open, Su-ho stepped into the reception room.
"Sorry I'm late. I got so caught up training that time flew by."
Dae-geon eyed Su-ho, who recited his prepared excuse like a robot.
"Training suits you."
Dae-geon lounged comfortably on the sofa.
"I usually go this long, but sometimes it stretches even further."
"I see. Have a seat."
He gestured to the sofa across from him and continued.
"Tea? Coffee?"
'Do all these branch directors have some obsession with tea or coffee?'
Recalling Jin Seong-hyeok's mutter, Su-ho replied to Dae-geon.
"Anything's fine."
"Anything? How about instant coffee, then?"
Instant coffee?
Su-ho wondered if he was mocking him after hearing about it from the 5th Branch director, but Dae-geon's follow-up words drew a surprised look.
"I like instant coffee myself."
He even showed off the cup in front of him.
"This one's instant coffee too."
"Ah... Sure."
Su-ho had braced for some arrogant bragging, but this guy seemed different. A small relief, but the Center 1 director still felt off-putting.
Dae-geon beckoned his secretary and murmured "instant coffee." The secretary nodded in understanding, and soon a similar cup appeared on the table.
Drawn by the aroma, Su-ho lifted his cup. After a sip, he muttered in surprise.
"It really is instant coffee."
"Did someone try to pass off fake instant coffee on you?"
"No, not at all."
Dae-geon, who had been quietly watching Su-ho, finally spoke up.
"I called you here today because I have something to discuss with Hunter Cha Su-ho."
"Something to discuss?"
Finally getting to the point. Su-ho wondered what it was this time. He'd heard the 5th Branch had taken money on the condition he stay. Maybe something similar?
"The 5th Branch director has been dismissed."
Su-ho's hand paused mid-sip with his coffee cup. He wasn't the only one shocked by the sudden announcement.
'Looks like he really sold you out and pocketed all the cash behind your back.'
What Su-ho had dismissed as unlikely had become fact, straight from Dae-geon's mouth.
"He seems to have taken money from his government using you, Hunter Cha Su-ho, and spent it on personal matters."
Sure enough.
"Did the 5th Branch director perhaps make you an offer?"
"Yes. He asked me to stay in the 5th Branch."
"I figured. Anyway, the 5th Branch director is dismissed, and the position will remain vacant until a new one is appointed."
Good riddance. It was embarrassing for someone using hunters and helpers to chase personal gain to hold a director position. Su-ho thought it was time for a clean sweep.
"And there's something the association decided during a meeting with the branch directors."
Dae-geon continued cautiously, slowly.
"Branches 2 and 3 will soon invite Hunter Cha Su-ho to their branches."
Branches 2 and 3?
Su-ho already knew from the 5th Branch director that the association president had approved invitations from each branch. But no need to let on. He tilted his head innocently, feigning ignorance.
"Why would Branches 2 and 3 invite me?"
"To give everyone a fair shot. Each branch."
Su-ho furrowed his brow as if confused, prompting Dae-geon.
"First, some background. The association—and all branches—are currently debating which side to pull Hunter Cha Su-ho toward. The late SSS-grade Hunter Jin Seong-hyeok was the same. Everyone schemed to bring him to their branch, even resorting to smears."
Su-ho knew this, as Jin Seong-hyeok had mentioned it once.
"Fights broke out, nearly sparking a war."
Dae-geon noted Su-ho's calm reaction, as if he knew, with an intrigued expression.
"Jin Seong-hyeok choosing Center 1 settled it temporarily, but with another SSS-grade emerging, the debate reignited. We also learned the 5th Branch director approached you first. Naturally, the Branch 2 and 3 directors threw fits, demanding fair chances from the association president."
Dae-geon let out a small sigh.
"The president approved, so Branches 2 and 3 got their invitations. But with a condition: after you experience all the branches, whichever you choose, we'll accept cleanly."
Deep down, Su-ho wanted no affiliation, but as Jin Seong-hyeok said, that would just leave room for others. It was why Jin had picked Center 1.
"Can't I just stay in Center 1?"
Dae-geon looked troubled.
"The president already approved their invitations... If you stick with Center 1, who knows what schemes Branches 2 and 3 might pull behind the scenes."
"I see."
"I know this might breed distrust, but I see it as an opportunity. A chance to cleanly resolve this controversy."
Listening to Dae-geon, Su-ho asked Jin Seong-hyeok inwardly.
'What do you think, hyung?'
'They went for the most peaceful route... but something feels off.'
'Yeah, me too. But it's the most peaceful option.'
Su-ho nodded slightly.
'Annoying, but I'll play along. Bonus if I uncover corruption in the association and branches.'
'Sounds good. It'll help when we overhaul the association.'
'Exactly.'
Su-ho looked up at Dae-geon.
"So, when do Branches 2 and 3 plan to invite me?"
"No idea. But probably soon. They'll know you returned from the 5th Branch to Center 1."
"Got it."
"That's all I had to say. Go rest."
"Ah, yes. Thank you."
Su-ho stood. He bowed lightly and headed out.
On the way back to his room, Su-ho thought it was unexpected. The talk with the Center 1 director had been straightforward. No discomfort or subtle arrogance like before.
He even felt like the man was looking out for him.
'Still, stay cautious. At his age, he can fake sincerity easily.'
'Got it. But...'
Su-ho asked worriedly.
'Do Branches 2 and 3 have good training spots?'
'Planning to train there?'
'Obviously.'
'They'll hound you nonstop. Especially the Branch 2 director—she'll drill you from dawn till dusk.'
Dawn till dusk? Su-ho paled.
'You mean they'll tail me?'
'Tail you? Nah, monitor your every move. That lady's no joke.'
'Lady?'
'You'll see.'
Germany. Far from the capital, in a restricted zone off-limits to outsiders. Amid signs banning civilian access and ominous warnings stood a palace utterly out of place.
A real palace. The kind from movies—massive. And this was the newly remodeled headquarters of Branch 2 in Germany.
"Is Hunter Cha Su-ho's room ready?!"
A shrill middle-aged woman's voice prompted a response from one of the lined-up secretaries.
"Yes, fully prepared."
"Incorporated his tastes?"
Another secretary jumped in.
"That too. We expanded the hunter testing room he favored in the 5th Branch, plus the arena and fitness center—bigger and flashier."
Only then did the woman cackle in satisfaction. Her name: Miriam, Branch 2 director.
Miriam was infamous for her extravagance. Dripping in luxury brands, her offices in every center were the gaudiest.
She'd overseen a massive remodel of the HQ, inside and out. Delighted, she prowled around, eyes darting everywhere.
From the third-floor stairs, Branch 2 hunters and helpers watched her familiar antics with uneasy expressions.
"Heard it's another Easterner."
A man towering over 2 meters spoke, and others chimed in.
"Yeah. Same country as that SSS-grade Jin Seong-hyeok."
"Jin? Which country was he from? China? Korea? Japan?"
A woman sighed.
"Maximilian, how about cracking a book sometime?"
"Why? With this face, body, and hunter gig, I eat and live well without studying."
"It's Korea. And you should know basics like this. Especially with the director going nuts."
A blond man from the corner spoke up.
"You missed a show. Ask about his country again, and the Branch 2 director flips. Maximilian, you might get shipped solo to the integrated center till she steps down."
A woman watching from behind, arms crossed and chewing gum, added.
"Anyway, watch your mouths. We need this SSS-grade in our branch. Don't forget that's why Miriam's raging."
"Right. Can't let Branch 3 snag him."
They glanced down at the bustling first floor, hoping that Eastern SSS-grade hunter would arrive soon.