Chapter 113
Chapter 113
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 116
Chapter Title: Branch 3 (1)
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Knock knock.
A dull knocking sound echoed. The Center 1 Director, who had been solemnly reviewing approval documents, turned his head toward the door.
The 1st Branch Representative had left for the Center to attend a meeting with the Association President. And just moments ago, Yo-seop had delivered the morning briefing along with a report that Su-ho was training.
Barring any special circumstances, no knocking would disturb him until the afternoon, just like always.
Wondering if something urgent had come up, the Center 1 Director set down his pen with a puzzled expression and spoke.
"Come in."
The door swung open with a bang, revealing a pristine white kandura through the gap.
"I've interrupted you while you're busy."
The man's golden eyes flashed as he slowly removed his sunglasses.
"Not at all. I was just surprised since I hadn't heard that the 3rd Branch Representative was coming."
Muhammad smiled in response.
"I couldn't get in touch with the 1st Branch Representative because he seemed busy, so I just came over. Mind if I sit for a bit?"
Finally snapping out of his shock, the Center 1 Director stood from his seat—he hadn't even risen when the surprise first hit.
"Please, have a seat here."
The sudden arrival of Muhammad had already thrown the Center 1 Director's office into chaos. Security agents in black suits visible behind Muhammad, and among them, Yo-seop stared at the director with a flustered face.
The Center 1 Director gave Yo-seop a reassuring nod before turning his gaze back to Muhammad.
"The 1st Branch Representative is at the Association for a meeting with the Association President."
"Is that so? But I'm not here to see the 1st Branch Representative."
Muhammad settled into the seat with a relaxed expression.
"Is Cha Su-ho Hunter busy right now?"
Only then did the Center 1 Director's face calm as he realized the reason for the 3rd Branch Representative's visit.
"Did you come to see Cha Su-ho Hunter?"
"Partly to see him, and partly thinking we could head to Branch 3 together."
The Center 1 Director was aware. A few days ago, Su-ho had visited Branch 2, so now it was Branch 3's turn.
"I understand Cha Su-ho Hunter is currently in training. If you'd like, I can contact his secretary."
"No need. We shouldn't disturb his training."
Muhammad rose slowly from his seat and continued.
"That said, I'd love to see it if possible. How Cha Su-ho Hunter trains, I mean."
At Muhammad's words, the Center 1 Director glanced at Yo-seop. The flustered secretary, sandwiched alone among the massive Branch 2 security agents, quickly spoke up.
"Ah, uh! Cha Su-ho Hunter-nim is currently at the training grounds."
The Center 1 Director addressed Muhammad.
"The training grounds are open, so you should be fine to go take a look. If you'd like, I can guide you there."
"Then, if you would."
Muhammad slipped his sunglasses back on. The Branch 2 security agents promptly cleared a path.
"Lead the way."
Muhammad gestured as if to say after you. The Center 1 Director took the lead, followed by Muhammad and the security detail.
The training ground Su-ho was using now was a newly built one. And it was exclusively for Su-ho.
It might seem like special treatment, but it was for safety reasons. Training alongside other hunters could lead to injuries from Su-ho's techniques.
Su-ho also found the mixed gazes of other hunters—full of all sorts of emotions—burdensome.
Moreover, providing a personal training ground for an SSS-grade hunter like Su-ho wasn't much of a privilege.
Passing hunters training in the open grounds, a massive dome came into view.
It was Su-ho's training ground. Guarding the entrance was Su-ho's secretary, Gi-uk.
Spotting the Center 1 Director, Gi-uk moved to greet him but froze upon seeing Muhammad standing behind, his face registering surprise.
"This is Cha Su-ho Hunter's secretary."
The Center 1 Director introduced Gi-uk to Muhammad.
"Hello. I'm Min Gi-uk, secretary to Cha Su-ho Hunter."
Muhammad extended his hand.
"Cha Su-ho Hunter's secretary. Nice to meet you."
After a light handshake, Muhammad continued.
"If it won't disturb Cha Su-ho Hunter's training, may we observe?"
It was phrased as a question but felt like a declaration. A sly person would have flung the door open, but Gi-uk was no such person.
"He's focused on training, so I'll go in first and ask. If you don't mind, please wait here a moment."
A faint crack appeared between Muhammad's brows.
"Haha. Of course. Go ahead and check."
He laughed it off, but behind his sunglasses, his eyes seethed with murderous intent.
How dare a mere secretary tell me to wait?
If this were Branch 3, he would have quartered the man and fed him to his pet jaguars.
The Branch 3 security agents, well aware of Muhammad's temper, held their breath silently. They had no desire to become scapegoats.
At that moment, inside the dome training ground, Gi-uk's gaze turned to Su-ho.
Dozens of baseballs rained down on Su-ho, standing alone in the center. With a flick of his thumb and middle finger, a sharp snap rang out, and hundreds of baseballs exploded mid-air.
Whoosh. The debris poured down like rain, piling atop the already heaped remnants on the floor.
"Whew."
Gi-uk called out to Su-ho as he exhaled lightly.
"Cha Su-ho Hunter-nim."
"Oh, has that much time already passed?"
"No, it's not that."
As Su-ho checked the watch on his wrist, Gi-uk continued.
"The 3rd Branch Representative is waiting outside."
"3rd Branch Representative?"
"Yes. He says if it won't disturb your training, he'd like to watch in person."
Su-ho's gaze shifted toward the training ground door.
'Dodged the fox, now it's a jaguar.'
'Why's the 3rd Branch Rep a jaguar?'
If the dodged fox meant Miriam, then naturally Branch 3 was the jaguar.
'He raises them.'
'The 3rd Branch Rep?!'
'Yeah. Lions, too—all sorts. Beat them so much as cubs that they tremble at the sight of his face.'
Su-ho's brow furrowed instinctively. Why were all these branch representatives so alike? An Sang-jun of Branch 1 was the least bad among them, though still off-putting.
"So, he's waiting outside right now?"
"Yes."
Su-ho swept back his damp hair and said.
"Tell him to come in."
Gi-uk nodded and turned toward the door. Footsteps soon approached, but Su-ho didn't turn around.
Using psychokinesis, he lifted baseballs from a full basket. An eerie number floated buoyantly around him.
It was a new training method Jin Seong-hyeok had shared: bursting multiple fast-moving objects with vibration waves.
Snap.
As his fingers met, the airborne balls began exploding in a chain reaction.
Growing accustomed to the sight, Su-ho turned at the voice from behind.
"It's even more impressive in person, Cha Su-ho Hunter."
Muhammad approached Su-ho with a smile.
"First time meeting. Nice to meet you. I'm Muhammad, the 3rd Branch Representative."
Su-ho lightly grasped the offered hand and replied.
"Cha Su-ho."
"Is this your dedicated training ground, Cha Su-ho Hunter?"
"Yes, it is."
Muhammad glanced around dismissively and snorted.
"Training in a place like this. Unthinkable in our Branch 3."
"Ah, yeah. This is my first dedicated dome too, so I think it's pretty amaz—"
"No. That's not what I meant by unthinkable."
"Then...?"
"An SSS-grade hunter training in such a pathetic facility. Says it all about Branch 1's level."
Shaking his head, Muhammad continued toward Su-ho.
"If you were in our Branch 3, you wouldn't be treated like this."
What nonsense is this guy spouting? Su-ho could only feel dumbfounded. Why did all these branch reps talk the same way?
'Birds of a feather flock together. Explains why the Association is the way it is.'
Su-ho wholeheartedly agreed with Jin Seong-hyeok.
'They all look the same to me.'
Su-ho let out a short sigh and addressed the 3rd Branch Representative.
"So, what's the reason for your sudden visit?"
"I heard one of our hunters made a mistake with you, Cha Su-ho Hunter."
A 3rd Branch hunter had made a mistake?
As Su-ho wondered if they'd even met, a scene flashed through his mind.
"I wouldn't call it that much of a mistake."
When he'd gone to the Last Zone with the 2nd Branch hunter, the one who'd brought up Jin Seong-hyeok was from Branch 3.
"We've already settled it anyway."
And he'd given plenty of warning back then.
"You have a deep well of understanding, Cha Su-ho Hunter. If it were me, I wouldn't have let that loose mouth run free."
The moment Muhammad heard that Su-ho had stopped by the integrated center, encountered 3rd Branch hunters in the Last Zone, and argued with one, he hadn't stayed idle.
He'd grabbed the hunter complaining about Su-ho cutting his hair and begun brainwashing him.
Brainwashing. Muhammad, the 3rd Branch Representative, was also an SS-grade hunter, his primary ability mind control and manipulation.
Though retired and diminished from his peak, he could still brainwash one person easily.
After an hour in Muhammad's grip, the hunter mumbled with vacant eyes that he'd never upset Su-ho again.
For days on end.
Not just that hunter—Muhammad had instructed all hunters and helpers in Branch 3 to be unfailingly kind and obedient to ensure Su-ho would stay.
"It won't happen again. That hunter even said he wants to apologize when you return."
"Doesn't matter. It's in the past now."
"It matters to me, Cha Su-ho Hunter."
Muhammad smiled—a creepy smile, much like the 1st Branch Rep's.
"Now it's time for Branch 3. If you're okay with it, how about heading there together now?"
Su-ho sighed briefly.
"Sorry, but it doesn't matter if I go or not. I'm staying with Branch 1, and right now, the Last Zone matters more than any branch."
They couldn't just guard the entrance of the saturated Last Zone forever.
He needed to grow stronger quickly and clear it out.
"So, I should focus on training. I'll visit Branch 3 later when I have time..."
"It would be best if you came with me now, Cha Su-ho Hunter."
Muhammad cut him off sharply and continued.
"I've prepared something very entertaining for you."
Something entertaining?
Su-ho eyed Muhammad suspiciously.
"I love taming things, you see. You'll find it amusing too."
A sinister smile spread across Muhammad's face.
"What do you say? Don't you want to see my pet?"