Chapter 38
Chapter 38
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 39
Chapter Title: The End of Incompetence (1)
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Center 1 executive conference room.
Surrounding the long oval table were the leaders of Branch 1, including Center Director An Sang-jun of Center 1, the directors of Centers 2 and 3, Chief Examiner Trevor, and the SS-grade Hunters and A-grade Helpers affiliated with Branch 1. They all sat with grave expressions.
"Takahiro."
Breaking the heavy silence that had settled over the room was Center Director An Sang-jun.
"I can't wrap my head around it. Could you explain in detail once more?"
The Center Director's words were simultaneously translated into each person's native language through the earpieces plugged into their ears. Even after the translation had finished, Takahiro, who hadn't opened his mouth, let out a short breath.
The conference room, which had been quiet, began to stir at Takahiro's words.
The Center 2 Director asked incredulously, and Takahiro nodded quietly.
Everyone's faces stiffened at the mention of red chains.
No one there didn't know that red chains were Jin Seong-hyeok's unique skill.
Ignoring the increasingly pale faces around him, Takahiro continued in a trembling voice.
"Hold on."
Center Director An Sang-jun interrupted Takahiro and asked,
"Symptoms of a rampaging Hunter, you say?"
Trevor, with his sharp gaze, then spoke up.
"Is it true that you saw Jin Seong-hyeok's aura?"
Takahiro slowly closed and opened his eyes, as if recalling the memory.
The Center Directors' mouths hung open, unable to close. Black aura. It was something only visible from Jin Seong-hyeok. Even SS-grade Hunters rarely manifested an aura. There were no SS-grades in Branch 1 who naturally overflowed with power to the point of visible aura, and even across all branches, there were only a handful. And when they did appear, they were white or a pale yellow at best.
Yet an aura had appeared. A black aura from Jin Seong-hyeok, on an A-grade Helper who wasn't even a Hunter.
"Helper Cha Su-ho…"
The eerily calm voice of Center Director An Sang-jun tensed up the entire conference room.
"…doesn't seem to be just a Helper anymore."
Not just a Helper. The Center 3 Director spoke up with a shocked expression.
The Center 3 Director couldn't finish his sentence. A Helper becoming a Hunter. No, someone possessing both Helper and Hunter abilities had emerged.
It was a story that defied all common sense. And the repercussions of such an existence appearing would be enormous.
The Association wouldn't stay silent, and leaders around the world would live in fear. Another Jin Seong-hyeok—or perhaps something even greater—had been born, and everyone would want to put a leash on him.
To turn that strength into a weapon for themselves.
It could even spark a war. In fact, the day after Jin Seong-hyeok received his SSS-grade rating, major powers pressured the Association to place him in their branch. Tired of it all, Jin Seong-hyeok said he'd stay in Korea, where he'd been, and the Association honored his wish.
That only made the major powers harass the Association even more relentlessly. But they couldn't win against it. No country could defeat the Association, which commanded Hunters and Helpers with abilities. Unless they curried favor with them, that is.
Even the Association couldn't casually defy Jin Seong-hyeok, who wielded such overwhelming power, without good reason.
That was why everyone had to tread carefully. If Su-ho's existence became known, it would cause even greater chaos than with Jin Seong-hyeok.
And the people gathered in this conference room knew that better than anyone.
No one dared to speak first.
"It's not confirmed yet. Hunter Takahiro might have been mistaken."
Takahiro shot up from his seat at Trevor's words.
Trevor calmly adjusted his glasses and replied.
"If it's really true, then we'll need to run tests. Helper Cha Su-ho hasn't woken up yet. It wouldn't hurt to examine him after he does and assess the situation. So for now,"
A cold gaze swept over everyone in the room.
"it's best to stay quiet and let it pass. Until it's certain."
No one objected. As Trevor said, Su-ho was still unconscious in the hospital. Acting rashly in a situation where nothing was confirmed would only invite backlash.
Center Director An Sang-jun nodded.
"Examiner Trevor's suggestion seems right. We should observe for now. Besides, if Helper Cha Su-ho rampaged due to Helper Won Tae-il's death, he'll need time to come to terms with it once he wakes."
If Takahiro was right and the rampage was triggered by Tae-il, he might go berserk again upon learning of it.
If Su-ho's true nature wasn't revealed yet and he rampaged inside the Center…
Center Director An Sang-jun furrowed his brow, as if the mere thought was horrifying.
"This emergency meeting is adjourned. We'll reconvene once Helper Cha Su-ho wakes. Until then, I ask everyone to keep silent about anything related to him."
Everyone nodded at the Center Director's words.
"Then I'll take my leave first."
As Center Director An Sang-jun hurriedly left the conference room, his secretary, Seo Yo-seop, stuck close by his side.
"Secretary Seo."
"Yes, Center Director."
They had to prevent any unforeseen incidents.
"Move Helper Cha Su-ho to another room."
"Pardon? Another room?"
Center Director An Sang-jun nodded, his expression deadly serious.
"To the place where we confine rampaging Hunters."
It was quiet. Nothing could be heard or seen. He didn't even know if he was dead or alive.
Only one thing was vivid. The image of Tae-il being torn apart right before his eyes replayed in his mind with crystal clarity.
Then Su-ho's calm breathing quickened. At the same time, his heart pounded like he'd sprinted at full speed.
The end of his pride and stubbornness, born from inferiority, was pathetic. He'd witnessed the death of his first real friend with his own eyes.
Helplessness and guilt dragged Su-ho endlessly to the depths. A hollow laugh escaped his lips.
Flailing in an endless abyss of despair, he'd probably just die like this.
Then a surge of emotions welled up. Why had he clung to such pointless pride? When he'd said Jin Seong-hyeok would regret it, he should have admitted the truth.
That he wanted to be a Helper who saved Hunters and a Hunter who killed monsters.
And begged. To borrow Jin Seong-hyeok's power to rise, to help him.
He wanted to kill the past self who'd rejected Jin Seong-hyeok out of absurd stubbornness and bravado.
"You regret it so much you want to kill yourself, huh."
Su-ho's body jolted upright at the voice echoing in the darkness.
"J-Jin Seong-hyeok?"
Since he'd been dying too, Su-ho had thought Jin Seong-hyeok was gone as well. Or maybe he'd gotten fed up with Su-ho's indecisive idiocy and wanted nothing more to do with him.
A single ray of light appeared in the pitch-black void. And that light was gradually approaching Su-ho.
"Well, a big-hearted guy like me has to understand."
Behind the light, a black silhouette emerged. A man strolling leisurely with his hands in his pockets.
'Jin Seong-hyeok.'
The moment he saw Jin Seong-hyeok, emotions surged up unexpectedly. Jin Seong-hyeok looked down at him with his head tilted slightly. Su-ho was stifling sobs, forcing back tears. Jin Seong-hyeok let out a short sigh.
"Cha Su-ho."
He seemed to have reflected plenty, so there was no need for preamble. Jin Seong-hyeok got straight to the point.
"Tell me. What you really want."
What I really want?
Su-ho gritted his teeth at Jin Seong-hyeok's question, shaken.
What he wanted now was clear. To feel his presence on the front lines he'd longed for, to become someone who could protect others. It didn't matter if that was as a Hunter or a Helper.
He never wanted to see another person die before his eyes.
Maybe the answer had been set ever since he'd first used Jin Seong-hyeok's power. He'd finally faced squarely the facts he'd denied, harping on his role and status as a mere Helper.
The thrill that had wrapped his body when he'd killed his first monster with his own hands.
The sense of accomplishment and excitement when he'd restored Hunters on the verge of rampage with his own hands.
He wanted to feel it all. It might be greed or stubbornness, but still.
"Helper, Hunter."
Letting Jin Seong-hyeok's power sit idle would be a waste of talent. What Su-ho wanted now was simple—one thing only.
"What if I want to do both?"
A brief silence passed, then Jin Seong-hyeok asked calmly.
"Helper, Hunter. Both?"
"Yes. I want to do both."
Jin Seong-hyeok gave no reply. He simply stared at Su-ho. Su-ho thought he was too stunned to respond.
Worrying that he'd dismiss wanting to be both a Helper and Hunter as nonsense,
"You'll be the first."
"…Pardon?"
Jin Seong-hyeok curved his lips in satisfaction.
"A Helper doubling as a Hunter."
Su-ho's relaxed hands clenched into fists. Receiving Jin Seong-hyeok's approval made his resolve even firmer.
No more pathetic, indecisive Cha Su-ho.
"For that, I need your help, Jin Seong-hyeok."
"My help?"
"Yes."
Su-ho rose from his lying position and knelt on one knee.
"Make me stronger."
His words brimmed with sincerity and desperation toward Jin Seong-hyeok.
"A Helper stronger than anyone, and a Hunter like you."
A Hunter like Jin Seong-hyeok. A chuckle burst from Jin Seong-hyeok's lips.
Who else would dare claim they could become an SSS-grade Hunter? Only Su-ho. And he could, because Jin Seong-hyeok's power filled his body completely.
"Becoming a Hunter like me won't be easy."
"I'll work hard."
"Your innate physical condition is different from the start."
Physical condition. The gap between Jin Seong-hyeok's superior physique and Su-ho's ordinary civilian one was vast. Even so, he couldn't give up.
"That… I can't match exactly, but I'll get as close as possible."
Jin Seong-hyeok, who had been gazing silently, spoke with a serious expression.
"You can't become a Hunter like me. I'm one of a kind."
He said it as if it were obvious, smiling.
"But I'll make you strong enough to follow at my fingertips."