Chapter 46
Chapter 46
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 47
Chapter Title: Leap (1)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The moment Cha Su-ho returned to his room, he threw himself onto the bed. Even though he needed to pack his things, so much had happened all at once that he just wanted to lie down for a bit.
'That Jin Seong-hyeok guy and the Association President... He didn't notice anything, right?'
'Yeah. Even if he's a sly old fox who keeps his thoughts hidden, that didn't look like he'd caught on.'
Cha Su-ho let out a sigh of relief.
The Association President had shown up out of nowhere and told Center 1 Director that he needed Cha Su-ho for a bit. He wanted to confirm the rumor that he'd brought back An Ji-young, who had gone berserk.
And the President had mentioned that berserk Hunters were spiking dramatically. Everyone was desperately feeling Jin Seong-hyeok's absence, that much was clear.
The Center Director couldn't defy the Association President, and Cha Su-ho hadn't refused the man who grabbed his hand and asked for his help.
'You should've just said no.'
'There could be berserk Hunters out there. If we just leave them... You know what happens, Jin Seong-hyeok.'
A berserk Hunter's end was self-destruction. Jin Seong-hyeok knew that better than anyone.
'I figured you'd say that.'
'Then why even ask?'
Jin Seong-hyeok let out a chuckle.
'Anyway, Trevor must've agonized over it quite a bit.'
'Chief Examiner Trevor? Why?'
'He only reported it now. You fixed An Ji-young's berserk state ages ago.'
It was true. Trevor had only reported it months after the fact, when it should've been immediate.
'That means they're keeping a close eye on you.'
'I know.'
Trevor might even have wanted to experiment on Cha Su-ho's body.
'Remember what Center 1 Director said?'
As Cha Su-ho turned to leave, Center 1 Director had quietly called him back and spoken earnestly.
'Something about hiding your Hunter abilities?'
'Yeah.'
He could've used his powers right in front of the Association President and negotiated from there, but Cha Su-ho decided to follow Center 1 Director's advice. He needed time to check out the Association. And the President himself.
'We're not the ones in a hurry.'
Cha Su-ho nodded in agreement.
'Exactly. It's actually a good thing. I can't fully control your power yet anyway.'
He needed to build up abilities he could reliably control while keeping them hidden.
'Who knows. If they see you don't play along, they might sic an SS-grade Hunter on you to take you out.'
Words that would've terrified him before now just made Cha Su-ho laugh.
'I'd need power to beat an SS-grade easily for that.'
'You have the power. It's the control that's lacking.'
'I'd get crushed flat.'
Jin Seong-hyeok snorted.
'That's why I said train more.'
'Got it.'
It was the alarm he'd set earlier.
'Time to head out.'
As Cha Su-ho got up from the bed, Jin Seong-hyeok spoke.
'By the way, did you unpack your bags?'
'Oh, my stuff!'
Cha Su-ho bolted upright and hurriedly packed. He shoved clothes and portable items into his bag before heading out.
The moment Cha Su-ho emerged from the Helper room, Min Gi-uk was waiting right there.
"The Association President is waiting in the Teleport Zone."
Cha Su-ho blinked in surprise.
"What? Didn't he go ahead?!"
"He said he wanted to go with you, Cha Su-ho Helper."
Go together?
'That old man's either senile or up to something.'
Jin Seong-hyeok's tone was rough.
'Not the first one. The second.'
'Gonna probe you on the way?'
'More like try to win you over.'
An A-grade Helper who could revert berserk Hunters? Of course they'd covet him.
Too valuable to tie down to just one branch.
Sure, A-grades did get sent to other branches when needed, but they were still affiliated with their home branch.
Jin Seong-hyeok had chosen Branch 1 himself, but they'd try to pull Cha Su-ho to the Association side. They could leverage Hunters' lives to negotiate with branches and governments.
'That's the worst case.'
As Cha Su-ho stayed wary, Jin Seong-hyeok said,
'Don't give them any openings.'
'No plans to.'
Jin Seong-hyeok found it fascinating how Cha Su-ho now knew exactly when to draw the line, unlike before.
'Good to see the spinelessness gone.'
He'd muttered it softly, so Cha Su-ho didn't catch it.
'What?'
'Eyes front. Teleport Zone's already in sight.'
Cha Su-ho looked up, and sure enough, the Teleport Zone loomed ahead. In front of the whirring, intersecting circles stood the Association President and three or four men in black suits.
"Safe travels. Call if you need anything—it can be sent via Teleport Zone."
"Got it."
"Here's your in-ear. Figured you'd need it talking with the President."
"Ah, thanks."
"Take care."
Leaving Min Gi-uk's send-off behind, Cha Su-ho approached the Association President—but his steps halted.
"Cha Su-ho Helper."
The translated voice came automatically through the in-ear. Cha Su-ho stared at the President.
He bowed his head toward the mildly smiling man.
"Hello, Association President."
"Come on in."
The President led the way into the Teleport Zone. Strangely, while others needed ID scans, he didn't.
As Cha Su-ho pulled out his Helper ID to scan it, the President spoke.
"No need. It's preset for headquarters."
Of course the President wouldn't carry an ID. Cha Su-ho stepped back and nodded.
It had been a while since he'd ridden a teleporter. He stood side by side with the President, his security detail like guards behind them. Amid the awkwardness, the mechanical voice announced,
Normally it would list passengers, but apparently at the President's discretion, it skipped everything but the destination.
The blue circles spun with a whine. Just as Cha Su-ho thought it was starting, the President beside him spoke.
"First time at headquarters, I assume."
"Yes. It is."
"We'll head straight to Branch 5 territory, but next time, I'll show you around slowly."
"It's fine."
"Not fine. It'll be your home base from now on."
Your home base from now on. At the blatantly obvious intent, Cha Su-ho let out a soft chuckle.
The President paused, narrowing his eyes up at him. Cha Su-ho turned to meet his gaze.
"Ah, sorry. It's been so long since I rode a teleporter, my body's all tingly."
"Haha... Yeah, it can do that after a while."
"Association President."
Cha Su-ho's lips curved oddly.
"Just in case, I wanted to say..."
No one had ever brushed off the Association President's words. He led all Hunters and Helpers—his word was law, beyond any nation or center.
Except for one man. That overplayed, obvious name.
Jin Seong-hyeok.
"I have no intention of tying myself to headquarters."
"...What?"
The President's mind flashed back, overlapping past memory with now.
The words Jin Seong-hyeok spat rejecting headquarters were eerily similar to Cha Su-ho's.
"I have no plans to stay at headquarters."
Jin Seong-hyeok had flatly refused with a blank face. Cha Su-ho smiled as he turned it down. Ironic how similar they seemed.
"I prefer freedom over being tied down."
Tied down. A polite way of saying he wouldn't be dragged around.
Seeing the President's stiffened face, Cha Su-ho's eyes crinkled in innocent smile.
The mechanical voice chimed right on cue, no names or titles as before.
Cha Su-ho gestured for the President to exit first.
"After you, Association President."
The President stared inscrutably before turning and stepping out.
'Old man's pissed good.'
'Had to say it.'
'Good stance.'
With Jin Seong-hyeok's chuckle, Cha Su-ho exited the Teleport Zone. He drew a sharp breath at the grand building interior before him.
'This is... headquarters?'
'Yep.'
The flashing blue lights weren't just one—over a dozen at least.
All teleporters?
'Connected not just to branches, but origins and training grounds too. All linked.'
'Headquarters lives up to the name.'
Scanning around, Cha Su-ho stopped. The Association President and branch reps were eyeing him.
'Hyenas swarming.'
Jin Seong-hyeok clicked his tongue. They'd come to see the rumor in person, no doubt.
One man caught Cha Su-ho's eye. A burly middle-aged guy. The only East Asian made him stand out. Or maybe he just looked familiar.
"That's the Helper?"
Cha Dae-gun's question got a nod from the President.
"Come to think, weren't you an A-grade Helper too?"
"Haha, yes. But it's been so long, not sure I'd test as A-grade now."
As the two chatted amiably, someone cleared their throat.
"Ahem. Nice atmosphere, but you forgot something."
The black suit jacket strained over his bulging belly. The waddling Branch 5 rep planted himself before the President and Cha Dae-gun.
"Branch 5 is in a rush. Our Hunters are due back from the Dead Zone soon."
Dead Zone. With Jin Seong-hyeok gone, SS-grades struggled most. Monsters overflowing from Last Zone flooded down, overwhelming them. Still, Hunters pushed to their limits.
Leave it be, and humanity's survival hung in balance.
In that mess, SS-grade berserks amplified the dread. Only they could handle Dead and Last Zones—with limited forces, they couldn't lose more.
But if berserks could be saved? Test it quick.
Confirm if he could really revert them.
"Ah, right. Branch 5 Hunters returning soon."
The Branch 5 rep nodded.
"I'll handle business first."
He turned his hefty frame toward Cha Su-ho. Arrogance soured his face—disagreeable.
"Cha Su-ho Helper, right?"
He jumped straight to casual speech, grumbling on.
"Let's go. My kids are waiting."