Chapter 104
Chapter 104
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 107
Chapter Title: Dangerous Invitation (4)
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"It's truly an honor to have Hunter Cha Su-ho visit our branch."
The man leading the way, Kakt, came to a halt. Before them stood a massive golden door. It wasn't just any door. It was like something out of a movie, intricately carved with dragons and knights.
"Branch head Miriam had this room specially remodeled just for you, Hunter Cha Su-ho. I hope it suits you."
Kakt pushed the door open. As the heavy door slowly swung inward, revealing a space of dazzling opulence, a short sigh escaped Su-ho's lips.
What the...
Before Su-ho could finish his thought, Jin Seong-hyeok muttered,
'What a waste of money.'
He should have realized it the moment they arrived at Branch 2. This was luxury taken to the extreme.
It felt familiar, like something from TV—a scene from a European royal palace. They'd said Branch 2 was extravagant, but he hadn't expected this.
Kakt, beaming with pride as he watched the speechless Su-ho, spoke up.
"I'll let Representative Miriam know during tea time later. Please, make yourself comfortable in the meantime."
With Kakt's parting words, the door closed. Only then did Su-ho slowly scan the room, turning to Jin Seong-hyeok.
'It's really a waste of money.'
It was overwhelming. Red curtains, gold wallpaper. Paintings everywhere, exquisite furniture. The room looked like it had been lifted straight from some European king's chamber. Su-ho furrowed his brow at the sheer extravagance.
'Why does it smell like the Branch 2 rep's perfume in here...'
'It's not "like"—it straight-up reeks of it. Her taste is the absolute worst, even on second glance.'
'...Was it like this with you too, hyung?'
'Yeah. Every damn thing she used was encrusted with jewels. That crazy old bat.'
Jewels? As Su-ho let out a hollow laugh at Jin Seong-hyeok's words, something sparkly caught his eye. He stepped closer to inspect it, and his expression turned icy.
'Ha? She's even studded the bed with jewels?'
Jewels for real. And not just the bed—wardrobe handles, bed headboard, tabletops. Everything was embedded with them.
'She's definitely lost it. Who wastes money like this?'
Jin Seong-hyeok grumbled in disgust, and Su-ho replied,
'Branch 2's problem is its rep.'
'Not just Branch 2. All the reps are messed up. Missing a few screws each. Once they taste power, they cling to it and rot in place.'
It was the same everywhere. Those who seized power got addicted and refused to let go.
Treating Hunters like monster weapons and brainwashing Helpers into lives of service to them—it all fit the same pattern.
It gave them the justification to keep holding onto power.
'Hyung.'
'What.'
'Just wait. I'm planning a full purge.'
The day Su-ho fully absorbed all of Jin Seong-hyeok's power as his own.
He'd replace the Association Chairman and every rep, smashing the chains that bound Hunters and Helpers alike.
As Su-ho clenched his fist with resolve,
Knock knock.
A knock echoed from the door.
'Already calling for tea time?'
'Yeah. How long have we even been in here?'
Sighing at the thought of facing the Branch 2 rep again, Su-ho opened the door.
"Uh...?"
He'd expected the Chief Examiner Kakt or the rep's secretary, but standing there was a young-looking man.
"You're the SSS-grade Hunter, right?"
Su-ho blinked at the abrupt question.
"Yeah, but who...?"
Purple irises. They swirled mysteriously. As Su-ho met that violet gaze, the focus faded from his eyes.
The man grinned at Su-ho's blank, frozen expression.
"Sorry, late introduction. I'm Killian."
Click. The door shut behind him, and Killian circled Su-ho slowly.
"I had high hopes since you're SSS-grade."
Disappointment flickered across Killian's face. Compared to Jin Seong-hyeok, the SSS-grade standing before him felt utterly different—in appearance, aura, everything.
"I thought there'd be something special about you, but nope."
Of course, he'd deliberately hypnotized Su-ho, but it wouldn't have worked on Jin Seong-hyeok anyway.
Killian waved his hand in front of Su-ho's face. No reaction. He scoffed.
"You really SSS-grade?"
Even Branch 2's Hunters seemed better. A few had resisted his hypnosis, shaking it off quickly if it landed.
"What a rip-off."
Bored now, Killian turned toward the door, reaching out—
Whoosh!
Flames erupted in an instant, chains of fire blocking the door. Killian flinched at the heat, whipping his head around.
"I watched to see what you'd do."
Su-ho stared at him, head cocked to the side.
"Guess there's nothing special after all, huh?"
Killian's eye twitched at Su-ho's crooked smirk. His gaze turned worshipful, like he'd found an idol.
"From the start...? Or when...?"
"No idea what you tried on me."
Killian had used informal speech first anyway, so Su-ho matched it.
"Nothing happened."
So the hypnosis hadn't worked at all?
Killian's eyes vibrated.
This was a first. Hypnosis had broken before, but nothing and no one had ever been immune.
That's why he took pride in it—his power worked on everyone.
"Then... why'd you just stand there?"
Su-ho's unexpected reply came.
"Curious what you'd try."
"Ha, haha! You're incredible!"
Killian burst out laughing, eyes sparkling as he stared at Su-ho.
"Can I try again?"
Su-ho got it immediately—he wanted to test his power again.
"First, tell me what your ability is."
"Me? Hypnosis. I control people with it."
As expected.
'Hyung was right.'
Su-ho said to Jin Seong-hyeok,
'If the eyes swirl weirdly, it's a hundred percent that.'
The moment Su-ho opened the door and faced Killian, Jin Seong-hyeok had warned him.
'Why's this kid's eyes rolling like a dead fish?'
As the irises began swirling,
'Hypnosis.'
Even knowing wouldn't have helped normally—it was already cast, leaving the target helpless.
But Su-ho, with Jin Seong-hyeok in his subconscious, was the exception. After being controlled by Ji-young once, Jin Seong-hyeok had trained against hypnosis and manipulation. His body auto-rejected it, and he'd never fallen victim again.
Last time, after Su-ho fell for the Catcher's illusion, Jin Seong-hyeok regretted not teaching him sooner. He insisted Su-ho learn it before the Last Zone anyway—the training to repel hypnosis and control from his body.
Su-ho had jumped at it, training diligently. Daily mental fortitude sessions in the Hunter test room had made Killian's hypnosis fizzle out.
'No way to know if it was working back then, but glad I learned it.'
A smile tugged at Su-ho's lips as he locked eyes with Killian.
"Go ahead."
His challenging tone ignited Killian's competitive fire.
"This time, for real."
Their eyes met again—violet swirls, mysterious and bottomlessly deep.
"Ah..."
Su-ho let out a soft gasp. His mind fogged. Recognizing the hypnosis pull, he snapped out of it.
"W-what?!"
This time, Killian had gone all-in. Su-ho's eyes had glazed, so he'd thought it worked—only for them to clear instantly.
Su-ho grinned at the stunned Killian.
"So, you came all this way just 'cause I'm SSS-grade?"
"Yeah... curious."
"Fair enough."
"That's part of it, but...!"
Killian's eyes swirled as he continued.
"I was a huge fan of Jin Seong-hyeok, the SSS-grade. When he died suddenly, I thought it was an Association prank. Even went there myself..."
"You went to the Association?"
"Yeah. Hypnotized everyone— they all swore he was really dead."
Hypnotizing Association staff. He looked young, but no ordinary guy.
"Went to Korea too. Thought maybe their government was hiding it. But no... he was really gone..."
Killian trailed off, tears streaming. As flustered Su-ho opened his mouth, Jin Seong-hyeok scoffed.
'Ugh. Not even a girl—now I gotta watch a dude bawl.'
'...He's your fan, hyung.'
'Only female fans count as real fans.'
Su-ho gave up talking to him. Jin Seong-hyeok would say the same no matter what.
Fans are women only.
"Even went to his memorial space in Korea. Jin Seong-hyeok was my idol."
He pulled something from his pocket—a photo of Jin Seong-hyeok standing tall.
"Hated training, no interest in Hunting... but after he died, it all felt pointless."
Su-ho pitied him. Of all people, a fan of Jin Seong-hyeok, who ignored guys entirely. About to offer comfort—
"Then you showed up! Using Jin Seong-hyeok's skills too! Heard you soloed a Dead Zone boss recently."
Mad eyes fixed on Su-ho.
"And immune to my hypnosis...! You're as awesome as the real Jin Seong-hyeok! Gotta tell the Association—get you more promo."
Now Su-ho felt uneasy. Would those manic eyes turn on him? One wrong move, and he'd have a huge problem.
'Hyung...'
'Congrats in advance.'
'...No male fans for me either.'
'Why not raise one this time?'
Jin Seong-hyeok teased, and Su-ho's bad feeling hit home.
"Decided. I'll follow you from now on."
Damn it.