Chapter 114
Chapter 114
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 117
Chapter Title: Branch 3 (2)
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A pet?
"Are you talking about a jaguar?"
Muhammad tilted his head at the mention of a jaguar.
[ "How did you know I keep a jaguar?" ]
"Ah, I heard about it. Not sure if it was the Center 1 Director or the Association Chairman, but someone said you like pets."
Unable to say it was Jin Seong-hyeok who'd told him, Su-ho spun a casual lie as if there was no helping it.
[ "When you come to Branch 3, I'll show it to you." ]
"So the pet you're offering to show me isn't the jaguar?"
[ "Yes. It's not." ]
Muhammad gave a strange smile.
[ "That's why you should come see for yourself." ]
What on earth could it be?
Curiosity stirred, but that was as far as it went. He'd made one resolution after visiting Branch 2: instead of wasting time touring other branches, he needed to fully make Jin Seong-hyeok's power his own as quickly as possible.
Which meant there was no time for Branch 3.
"I'm sorry, but..."
Su-ho met Muhammad's gaze and continued.
"I have no plans to visit Branch 3."
[ "What did you just say, Hunter Cha Su-ho?" ]
The air shifted subtly, turning icy cold.
"I said I have no plans to go to Branch 3. I'm staying at Center 1 long-term, so there's no need to visit the others. Right now, the priority is wiping out the Last Zone monsters. That's why I want to focus on training."
[ "Ah. Ah. I understand where you're coming from, Hunter Cha Su-ho. The Last Zone monsters are a problem these days." ]
Muhammad's stiff expression softened.
[ "But there's such a thing as fairness, Hunter Cha Su-ho. You visited Branch 2, but now you're suddenly refusing Branch 3? Our Hunters and Helpers here would be quite upset." ]
"That's not—"
[ "And I'd look like a fool as the Branch 3 Director." ]
"It's not like that."
[ "Even if you didn't mean it that way, that's how it'll look to everyone." ]
'Well, yeah. The Branch 2 Director would mock them.'
Even if Branch 2's visit with Su-ho was a flop, they'd surely laugh at Branch 3 for not even getting a visit.
'Their branches don't get along, right?'
'Probably.'
Even if the Association had decided without consulting him, fairness as Branch 3 put it made going seem reasonable.
'The Association's the real problem.'
Su-ho voiced his agreement with Jin Seong-hyeok's thoughts.
'We need to draw a clear line this time. Especially with what I have planned with Killian.'
He'd been planning to team up with Killian to stop the Association from using him to make money.
"Alright."
Two days. Yeah, exactly two days would be enough.
"But like with Branch 2, I'll only stay for two days."
[ "Two days. That's short." ]
A faint crease formed between Muhammad's brows.
[ "Still, I should be grateful you're coming at all, Hunter Cha Su-ho." ]
Jin Seong-hyeok muttered at the subtly mocking tone.
'Branch Directors are all so unlikeable.'
Su-ho felt the same.
"Got it. So, should we head to Branch 3 together now?"
[ "No. It's already late afternoon. With only two days..." ]
Muhammad smiled and continued.
[ "Come to Branch 3 early tomorrow morning. I'll go ahead and wait for you, Hunter Cha Su-ho." ]
"Ah, yes. Understood. See you tomorrow."
Muhammad nodded lightly and turned away, followed by security agents in black suits.
Min Gi-uk, who had been watching silently, approached Su-ho.
"Hunter Cha Su-ho. Are you going to Branch 3?"
"They asked, so I have to. I hope there are no more branch visits after this."
No sooner had Su-ho finished speaking than the debris scattered on the floor began floating into the air. The chunks rising even to the domed ceiling were grotesquely numerous.
Looking up, Gi-uk unwittingly frowned.
And then it happened. In an instant, flames roared to life in chains, surging upward.
Whoosh—.
As the massive blaze swam through the air, black ash began falling like snow.
The debris that had blanketed the ceiling was gone. Watching the drifting particles settle, Gi-uk paused.
The flame chains whipped through the air with a swish. A hot gust followed, and the black ash vanished in a blink.
Did he burn the ash again?
Su-ho spoke to Gi-uk, who stared at the flame chains in a daze.
"Cleanup's done. Let's go."
"Ah, yes."
Even following behind Su-ho, Gi-uk couldn't hide his astonishment.
The first time he'd met A-grade Su-ho, right after becoming a Hunter, and now.
Su-ho was advancing at an absurd pace. He changed every single day. Not long ago, he'd been shattering glass orbs using resonance phenomena, but now he was bursting hundreds of moving spheres at once.
And Su-ho's flame chains defied logic.
They weren't just identical to Jin Seong-hyeok's—they seemed even larger.
If he kept progressing at this rate, Su-ho would become ridiculously strong. He'd surpass the first SSS-grade, Jin Seong-hyeok, and climb an endless, unknowable path.
Being at Su-ho's side until then would be an immense honor.
"Hunter Cha Su-ho."
"Yes?"
Gi-uk adjusted his glasses and said,
"If you need anything, please let me know anytime. I'm your personal secretary."
"Ah. You're already doing more than enough. I owe you constantly."
[ "Hey, Su-ho!!" ]
Killian's sudden voice made Su-ho and Gi-uk turn simultaneously.
[ "The Branch 3 Director came by?!" ]
Who knew he'd heard? Killian stuck close to Su-ho and pressed on.
[ "So you're going to Branch 3? When? You're taking me, right?" ]
"Why would you go there?"
[ "Me? Of course I'm going. We're one body, aren't we?" ]
One body?
"No."
[ "Take me with you! That Branch 3 Director looks shady. You can tell he's up to no good just by looking. You survived Branch 2 thanks to me, didn't you?" ]
'He's got a point.'
With Jin Seong-hyeok chiming in, Su-ho sighed.
'Bro, you've been agreeing with Killian a lot lately.'
'He's right. You know the branch directors used to be Hunters or Helpers, yeah?'
Branch directors were Hunters or Helpers? Su-ho had no idea.
'No, first I'm hearing of it...'
Jin Seong-hyeok clicked his tongue.
'Tsk, see? You didn't know.'
'Wait, so all the branch directors are Hunters or Helpers?'
'Yeah. The Association Chairman was a Hunter too. Simply put, the current Chairman and branch directors are retired Hunters and Helpers who didn't die to monsters.'
Retired Hunters and Helpers who survived monsters.
'So they're all SS-grade Hunters or A-grade Helpers?'
'Not all. Some are S-grade, some B-grade Helpers. They're retired, their abilities have weakened, so ranks don't mean much now. But...'
Jin Seong-hyeok's tone grew ominous.
'Most retire because their stamina and powers decline sharply, but that's not the case with the Branch 3 Director.'
'Not the case? You mean his powers are still strong?'
'Could be. But it's just rumors. Still, better safe than sorry—take Killian.'
Killian, just in case?
'Killian?'
'His main ability is hypnosis and control. Same main ability usually means immunity.'
Same main ability.
'So the Branch 3 Director's main ability is hypnosis and control?'
'More precisely, brainwashing and control.'
Jin Seong-hyeok lowered his voice.
'Brainwashing is stronger than hypnosis, but similar in nature. So take Killian. Just in case.'
He was right.
'Even retired, an SS-grade could easily brainwash one person.'
For safety's sake.
'Got it.'
Su-ho let out a short sigh and looked at Killian.
"Fine. Let's go."
[ "Oh? For real?!" ]
"But you stay quiet the whole time."
[ "Don't worry. You know me? I'm just there to protect you. I'll stick by your side." ]
Killian's smile seemed somehow sly, but Su-ho brushed it off. He'd already decided to bring him, so no backing out now.
[ "So when do we leave?" ]
"Early tomorrow morning."
The Branch 3 Director had said early morning, so he'd match that.
No need to give them excuses to make him stay longer.
[ "Heh, sounds good. But hey." ]
Killian tilted his head with a peculiar expression.
[ "I heard something weird at the integrated center." ]
"Integrated center?"
[ "Yeah, from some Branch 3 Hunters." ]
"What'd you hear?"
[ "That the Branch 3 Director is obsessively into keeping pets." ]
Su-ho's face fell in disappointment at Killian's serious look—it was nothing new.
"What about it? He raises jaguars."
[ "Oh. Well. One of their Hunters said they passed by the Branch 3 Director's private building alone and heard a crying sound." ]
Su-ho's footsteps halted at the follow-up, his disinterested expression freezing.
[ "But it wasn't a beast—it sounded just like a monster's cry." ]