Chapter 44
Chapter 44
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 45
Chapter Title: The End of Incompetence (7)
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‘What’s so urgent that he’s barging into the Helpers’ room like this?’
Jin Seong-hyeok’s mutter made Su-ho, who had been running, check the watch on his wrist.
Five missed calls. Min Gi-uk must have been desperately trying to reach him. Su-ho had been so focused on crafting the Flame Chains that he hadn’t even noticed his phone ringing.
‘He said it’s urgent. I’ll have to be more careful from now on. Things like this could happen anytime.’
The one silver lining was that the gate connected directly to the bathtub. The moment he spotted the swirling black waves of the gate, Su-ho threw himself in.
Splash—.
He heard water overflowing from the tub. Coughing, Su-ho opened his eyes and wiped the water from around them with the back of his hand.
“Hoo.”
Su-ho climbed out of the tub and dried himself with the towel he’d laid out in advance. After a few trips, he’d gotten used to it—not just that, but everything he needed upon return was prepared just right.
After roughly drying his hair, he changed into the Helper uniform he’d set aside beforehand and headed out of the room.
When Su-ho came down to the common living room, Gi-uk was standing quietly by the entrance.
Su-ho greeted him with an awkward smile.
“Sorry to keep you waiting. Ah, I’ve been working out a lot lately, so my digestion’s been great too.”
Gi-uk’s eyes silently scanned Su-ho up and down before his mouth opened.
“If you keep this up, I’ll book you a check-up.”
“No need! This is just the right amount!”
Just the right amount? Even Su-ho thought it sounded ridiculous, but he pressed on as if it were nothing.
“So, what’s the sudden emergency? I wasn’t told about any schedule.”
“There’s somewhere you need to go with me.”
Gi-uk was always expressionless, but today his face seemed even stiffer. Sensing the ominous vibe, Su-ho asked,
“Is it the Center Director or Chief Examiner Trevor looking for me?”
“...Yes, that’s right.”
As expected.
Why call him only now? He wondered why they’d left him alone this long despite knowing he’d used Hunter skills and even gone berserk.
“Where to?”
“I’ll guide you.”
Gi-uk took the lead. Su-ho followed, trying his best to shake off the tension.
‘Hopefully... they’re not going to experiment on me or dissect me or something, right?’
Jin Seong-hyeok snorted.
‘Don’t talk nonsense.’
‘Whew, I’m nervous.’
‘No need to be.’
If they’d wanted to drag him in immediately, they would have. The fact that they were calling him now meant they’d agonized over it plenty.
A being with both Helper and Hunter powers had appeared—it was only natural they’d be shocked.
On top of that, the Helper was A-grade, and while the Hunter rank hadn’t been determined yet, he’d wielded Jin Seong-hyeok’s techniques.
‘The people waiting for you right now are probably more nervous than you are.’
Su-ho let out a small breath at Jin Seong-hyeok’s words.
Everyone had acted like nothing was wrong, but he’d picked up on how awkwardly Kwon Oh and Gi-uk treated him lately.
They must have discussed him behind his back.
But he had no idea what they’d said. Since the Center Director and Trevor hadn’t summoned him, all he could assume was that they hadn’t reached a conclusion yet.
If they asked how he’d come to use Hunter skills, what should he say? If they asked whether he wanted to be a Hunter or a Helper, how should he answer?
As Su-ho’s thoughts multiplied, Jin Seong-hyeok spoke up.
‘What’s got you overthinking so much?’
‘...Can I help it?’
‘Wasn’t the answer already decided?’
Hunter and Helper. Becoming the first being to master both.
A Hunter’s weakness was a Helper, and a Helper’s weakness was a Hunter. Without one, a Helper’s abilities were worthless, no better than a civilian’s.
That mutual dependency left both at each other’s mercy.
‘You have no such weakness.’
He wouldn’t be swept up by nations or the Association shoving all the burden onto Hunters and Helpers under the guise of “for the country” or “for humanity.”
All he’d ever gotten from them was the “F-grade” label and brutal discrimination.
‘You’re not weak, either. You’ve only got stronger ahead.’
Even if they started treating him well now or hyped him up as the next Jin Seong-hyeok, Su-ho’s resolve wouldn’t waver.
‘So, a bit of arrogance wouldn’t hurt.’
The unspoken discrimination and prejudice against Hunters and Helpers. The world’s elites who propped them up while treating them like weapons.
It all had to change.
‘That way, they’ll know you’re not to be trifled with.’
Of course, Su-ho’s top priority was the extermination of all monsters.
Listening to Jin Seong-hyeok, Su-ho’s tension melted away.
‘A bit of arrogance, huh.’
One corner of Su-ho’s mouth quirked up.
‘Got it, Mr. Jin Seong-hyeok.’
Gi-uk’s brisk steps halted right then.
Su-ho had thought it odd—the path wasn’t leading to the Center Director’s office or the examination room.
Seeing security personnel lined up before the door, Su-ho instinctively sensed something major was afoot.
Gi-uk cautiously knocked and stepped aside.
“Please put this on first.”
An in-ear translator. Looked like interpretation was needed. Who could possibly require that?
It didn’t matter. Su-ho’s answer was the same regardless. After slipping on the in-ear, Gi-uk said,
“You can go in now.”
“Uh, by myself?”
“Yes.”
Su-ho stared silently at the door.
‘They’re not firing me already, are they?’
‘Not firing—it’s excitement. Now I can finally do what I want.’
Jin Seong-hyeok chuckled.
‘That’s some guts.’
‘All thanks to you, Mr. Jin Seong-hyeok.’
Su-ho’s lips curved. Gi-uk flinched at the sight.
Normally, Su-ho would be trembling with nerves by now. But that expression was unmistakably a smile.
Come to think of it, he’d changed. Ever since waking from that berserk episode—like a different person.
“Ch-Cha Su-ho Helper.”
Su-ho turned to Gi-uk, who’d murmured his name unconsciously.
“I’ll be back.”
Su-ho flung the door open without hesitation.
It was Cha Su-ho’s time.
World Hunter & Helper Association.
The atmosphere was suffocatingly solemn. People sat around an oval table in the center.
At the head sat a white-haired old man in a crisp kara ti shirt.
Endres. President of the World Hunter & Helper Association and its true boss. Despite being well over ninety, he looked remarkably vigorous.
The others filling the seats were representatives from the seven branches.
1st Branch, Asia. 2nd Branch, Europe. 3rd Branch, Middle East. 4th Branch, Africa. 5th Branch, North America. 6th Branch, South America. 7th Branch, Oceania.
When Jin Seong-hyeok was around, the 1st Branch had dominated. Not anymore.
With its power waning, the 3rd and 5th Branches vied for supremacy. The 2nd squeezed in between. The 4th and 6th clawed for upward mobility in a cutthroat competition, while the 7th watched leisurely from the sidelines.
Endres spoke, and all eyes followed his gaze to a middle-aged man in a homburg hat.
Call name: Mr. Cha. Korean name: Cha Dae-gun. Representative of the 1st Branch Asia and one of the Association executives.
Cha Dae-gun looked up at the president’s words.
Everyone knew Trevor, chief examiner over all branches, wouldn’t lie. A middle-aged woman across from him clicked her tongue.