Chapter 110
Chapter 110
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 113
Chapter Title: Secret (4)
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Killian's expression grew calm.
"So you're agreeing with me? That the Association and the branches are useless right now."
"To be precise, it's not the Association or the branches themselves. It's the people."
The Association Chairman, the branch directors, and even the examiners who treated Hunters and Helpers like less than human.
"You're right. It's the people who are the problem."
Killian nodded in agreement, then seemed to remember something and spoke up.
"But are you going to be okay? Miriam's been looking everywhere for you."
Su-ho stopped in his tracks. He glanced around quickly. This was the Integrated Center's teleport zone, with three teleporters humming away. One was the heavily secured double-door teleporter to the Last Zone, and the other two led to Branch 2 and Branch 3, respectively.
"If you go back, she'll grab you and make a huge fuss, you know?"
"That's exactly the excuse I'm using to head back."
"Back to Branch 1?"
"Yeah."
Killian gave him a puzzled look.
"I've been wondering—why are you and Jin Seong-hyeok so insistent on sticking with Branch 1?"
"It's not insistence."
Jin Seong-hyeok had only stayed because moving was a hassle, and Su-ho felt the same. Besides, the branch directors were all the same no matter where you went. If anything, thinking about Center 1's director made Branch 1 seem tolerable by comparison.
"It's just a pain to move."
"Hmm, so when are you taking me with you?"
"No plans to."
"What do you mean, Su-ho? I'm the leader of your fan club! A fan has to stick by your side! Like today—I stepped up and helped you out of that mess!"
Su-ho let out a short sigh as Killian stomped his foot in protest.
"If you really want to come, it's not hard. But what about the rift between Branch 2 and Branch 1?"
"Who cares what happens to those two? Hunters have the authority to switch branches anyway. If I say I'm going, I'm going."
Killian pouted.
"Branch 2 only wants my blood anyway. I can just get it drawn regularly and send it over. They'd probably love that. The other Hunters think someone like me is useless too."
Su-ho knew he shouldn't feel sorry for him, but he couldn't ignore Killian's dejected look.
"Do whatever you want."
"What?!"
Su-ho spoke flatly to the beaming Killian.
"As long as you don't bother me, I honestly don't care. Switching branches is your call."
"Yes! Let's go meet Miriam right now—no, we won't even need to. The examiners will drag her off the second we arrive at Branch 2, like they've been waiting."
And Killian was right.
The moment they arrived at Branch 2 via teleporter, the first thing Su-ho saw was a swarm of white-coated examiners.
They rushed over the instant they spotted him.
"Hunter Cha Su-ho! We were so worried when you vanished like that."
"Director Miriam is waiting! Please follow us."
Killian snickered at Su-ho.
"See? Told you."
"Yeah."
Su-ho sighed as he followed the examiners.
"And now I have to smell that perfume again."
"Breathe through your mouth—it helps. Also, from now on, I'm invisible to everyone but you, so act like you're alone."
"What?"
Killian quickly pressed a finger to his lips, signaling silence.
"Hunter Cha Su-ho? Did you call for us?"
"No... Am I going to the director's office alone right now?"
"Yes, sir. We'll escort you there and then head back."
"What about Killian? Where is he?"
The examiners looked at him like the question was absurd.
"Hunter Killian? He's probably skipping training and hiding somewhere slacking off again."
It was true. Somehow, they'd already forgotten Killian had been right there with him moments ago—maybe he'd hypnotized them.
"Got it."
As the examiners turned their attention forward again, Killian grinned beside him and whispered.
"Told you. You won't see me."
"Just checking. Curious."
Soon, the examiners stopped before a grand door adorned with jewels on the handle. Su-ho's brow furrowed at the sight.
'They're wasting money here too. Actually, this is probably where they blew the most.'
Su-ho knocked on the door, hearing Jin Seong-hyeok's disdainful mutter.
Miriam's voice rang out from inside, as if she'd been waiting.
"My Cha Su-ho Hunter!!"
'Pig voice reeking of heavy perfume.'
No sooner had Jin Seong-hyeok finished than the door flew open. Sure enough, a headache-inducing wave of thick perfume hit him.
"Come in! I've been waiting so long!"
Su-ho stepped inside, and Killian slipped in right after. Miriam didn't notice him at all, her eyes fixed solely on Su-ho.
Killian hopped lightly onto one of the colorful sofas in the director's office.
Su-ho deliberately chose a seat as far from Killian as possible. Miriam sat right next to him and beckoned her secretary with a flick of her hand.
Evidently a signal for tea, the secretary soon arrived with tea and cake.
"So, I heard it. Alina and Rene made a little mistake with you?"
A mistake? It was ridiculous. She'd ordered it herself and now pretended ignorance.
"A mistake?"
Miriam gave an awkward smile at Su-ho's feigned ignorance.
"Oh, no. Rene and Alina saw you looking hot and tried to help you undress... and then you suddenly fainted."
As if he'd faint out of nowhere. It was precisely because Su-ho had headbutted them. Whether Alina and Rene hadn't told the truth or Miriam was covering it up, one thing was clear.
She'd orchestrated the whole thing.
"Must have. I don't remember."
"Hohoho, if you don't remember, Hunter Cha Su-ho, then it's no big deal."
Jin Seong-hyeok muttered as Miriam slurped her tea.
'That lady hasn't learned her lesson.'
'Isn't this my mess because you enjoyed her scheme, Hunter Jin Seong-hyeok?'
'What are you talking about? I cleaned it up nice and tidy.'
Su-ho clicked his tongue at Jin Seong-hyeok's words.
'Killian needs to know. You can't resist any woman.'
'Say it right. It's not every woman. Just the pretty ones in my eyes.'
'Same difference.'
Jin Seong-hyeok grumbled in dissatisfaction, but there was no time for bickering. Su-ho planned to flatly refuse staying here any longer with Miriam and head straight back to Branch 1.
He couldn't comprehend the Association or branch directors making him tour branches while Branch 2 and 3 Hunters were fighting tooth and nail to hold back the monster-saturated Last Zone.
They only cared about their own interests. Hunters, Helpers, monsters—none of it mattered to them.
That's why he had no intention of staying. Time was short. Branch 2 and 3 Hunters couldn't hold the Last Zone entrance forever.
No telling when the overwhelmed monsters would surge.
Before that, he needed to fully make Jin Seong-hyeok's power his own.
"Director of Branch 2."
Even this moment felt wasted.
"Once my talk with you is done, I'm leaving the office and heading straight back to Branch 1."
Miriam froze with her teacup in hand, her mouth flapping open.
"Y-You're leaving now?"
"Yes. I'm going back."
Clang!
Miriam slammed her teacup on the table.
"Hunter Cha Su-ho! Why? I've been so good to you. Our branch isn't just anywhere anyone can come to...!"
"Then I guess I'm just anyone, so no need to stay."
"W-Wait!!"
"Have you been to the Integrated Center?"
Miriam furrowed her brow.
"The Integrated Center? Of course! Lots of times, for meetings with the Branch 3 director...!"
"What about the teleporter to the Last Zone?"
Her face paled in horror.
"Why would I go there? It's dangerous!"
Dangerous?
It was absurd.
"You call the place Hunters are risking their lives to protect 'dangerous'?"
Su-ho stood, as if there was nothing left to say.
"Helper Cha Su-ho! W-Wait! There's some misunderstanding...!"
"No misunderstanding possible. We've never been close enough for that, Director Miriam."
A sneer curled on Su-ho's lips.
"Well then, I'll be going. And once more, my apologies for the mistake with you, Director Miriam."
If not for the vomit in her hair, he never would've come to Branch 2.
"In return, if Branch 2 ever faces a monster crisis, I'll come help anytime. Goodbye."
"Cha—Cha Su-ho Hunter!"
Su-ho didn't look back at her shout, heading straight out of the director's office. Only then did he realize Killian was still inside.
Ah. Should I go back for him?
Su-ho hesitated briefly before turning away. Killian would handle himself.
And Su-ho's hunch was spot on.
Killian stood before Miriam, who gaped in disbelief at Su-ho daring to walk out mid-conversation.
"Y-You...! When did you...!"
"That's not important."
Killian's violet eyes swirled.
"Now, shall we tamper with some memories?"
Eventually, Miriam muttered blankly.
"Killian... Branch 1, Hunter Cha Su-ho... no more interference... don't overstep..."
"Good."
Killian turned with a lighthearted expression, as if the matter was settled. Even as he headed for the door, Miriam repeated the words in a daze.
Killian grasped the doorknob.
Creeak. As the door opened, his gaze flicked back to her.
"Hunter Jin Seong-hyeok—one time is enough. Try to grab leverage with your filthy tricks again, and I'll kill you, lady."
His voice was low and chilling, but his lips curved in a wide grin.
Click.
The door shut. With his back to the office, Killian said cheerfully.
"Now, shall I go join Su-ho?"