Chapter 77
Chapter 77
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 79
Chapter Title: Hunter (6)
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Is Cha Su-ho superior to Jin Seong-hyeok, who was SSS-grade?
Trevor couldn't answer Derek's question easily. Until yesterday—no, until just before receiving the blood test results today—he had been certain.
That the current Cha Su-ho was at least SS-grade.
An A-grade Helper ability on top of SS-grade Hunter power. It was already an absurd combination. Yet the blood reacting to all abilities was exactly the same as the SSS-grade Jin Seong-hyeok. And on top of that, some of the numerical values far surpassed Jin Seong-hyeok's.
"...Perhaps."
Trevor's face was filled with confusion as he slowly parted his lips.
"He might even be stronger."
"W-what did you say?"
Stronger than the SSS-grade Jin Seong-hyeok. That single fact sent Derek into a panic. It was then that Trevor tried to check the test results again.
The lab door burst open with a bang. And the person who appeared was none other than the 5th Branch Director.
His bulging belly protruded as always as he bustled in, his movements somehow frantic.
"That Helper—who was it? Cha? Cha Helper! That Helper can use Hunter abilities?!"
The 5th Branch Director seemed to have rushed over upon hearing that a Helper could use Hunter abilities.
Derek finally snapped out of it and greeted the Director.
"H-hello, sir!"
"That's not important! Tell me quickly. Is it true? That a Helper can use Hunter abilities?!"
Under the Director's pressing question, Derek glanced at Trevor before nodding.
"Ha, hahaha."
The 5th Branch Director let out a bizarre laugh before instantly turning serious.
"What was that Helper's name again?"
"Cha Su-ho, Helper Cha Su-ho!"
"Right, Cha Su-ho. Cha Su-ho."
The 5th Branch Director's face, swept up in madness, was somehow chilling.
"An A-grade Helper who can even revert berserk Hunters. That's more than enough reason for him to stay in our branch, and now he has Hunter abilities too."
His tongue flicked out to lick his lips, his face dyed with greed. For the 5th Branch's authority, to squeeze more money from the government, to ascend to Association President—Cha Su-ho was needed.
A Helper who was also a Hunter.
The 5th Branch Director's head whipped toward Trevor and Derek, his eyes flashing.
"What's that?!"
He snatched the paper in front of Trevor with his pudgy hand and rolled his eyes over it.
"This is Cha Su-ho Helper's test sheet? So what's the result?!"
"It's not confirmed yet, but..."
Derek glanced at Trevor as he spoke up.
"Helper Cha Su-ho's Hunter blood test came back SSS-grade."
"...What? What came back?"
Doubting his ears, the 5th Branch Director asked again, and Derek repeated.
"SSS-grade. SSS-grade."
SSS-grade. The Director's face looked queasy, as if he might topple over backward at any moment, staring blankly at Derek.
"So Helper Cha Su-ho's Hunter ability is SSS-grade?"
"...Yes, that's correct."
The 5th Branch Director started laughing like a madman. His laughter, which had even snorted through his nose, cut off abruptly.
"Then we have to secure him, no matter what it takes."
At those words, Trevor stood and positioned himself in front of the 5th Branch Director.
"We haven't even reported to the Association President yet. Moreover, Helper Cha Su-ho belongs to the 1st Branch."
"Who cares about his current affiliation?! We can change it."
"5th Branch Director. This violates Association rules. Priority goes to Helper Cha Su-ho himself."
"I know that! Have I done anything wrong? I just said we need to secure Helper Cha Su-ho. And as you said,"
The 5th Branch Director curled one corner of his mouth as he continued.
"Priority is with Helper Cha Su-ho. If he decides to stay here, isn't that the end of it?"
Trevor narrowed his eyes at the mocking words.
"5th Branch Director. Greed can bring disaster."
"Trevor. You should pick the right side now. Even now and in the future, I'm the strongest candidate for Association President."
It wasn't wrong. With the strongest backing and immense support, some Hunters and Helpers wanted to join the 5th Branch.
"Haha, this is great news. Well then, everyone, keep up the good work."
The 5th Branch Director laughed heartily and left the lab. Derek, who had been watching cautiously, glanced at Trevor.
"Um... Chief Examiner Trevor."
Derek had done nothing wrong. No matter that he was an examiner, belonging to the 5th Branch meant obeying the Director.
Especially in the 5th Branch, where the centers were merged and there was no Center Director—the Branch Director held all power.
The problem was that the fact Cha Su-ho had SSS-grade Hunter abilities had reached the 5th Branch Director first, not the Association President. Trevor stood quietly and spoke to Derek.
"Helper Cha Su-ho."
An A-grade Helper turned SSS-grade Hunter. He feared the storm that would come once this spread, but there was something to do first.
Bring Su-ho to the Association ahead of everyone.
"Find out where he is."
Upon hearing they were using the arena, the examiner promptly lowered the safety glass barrier.
"Eun-woo... Be careful! Got it?"
Su-ho felt embarrassed watching Airin clasp her hands in prayer toward Eun-woo.
'Want me to step in for you?'
'...No need.'
Su-ho curtly responded to Jin Seong-hyeok's teasing and looked up. Tension gripped him as he watched Eun-woo slowly loosening up.
He had seen firsthand how Eun-woo wielded his sword. Movements like a dance. A light swing scattering monster blood. It felt different from Masa's indiscriminate slashes.
"Then."
With a smooth shing, Eun-woo drew his sword from its sheath. The spotlessly polished longsword gleamed under the light.
"Shall we spar?"
Su-ho replied calmly to Eun-woo's words.
"Yes."
The tension in his eyes from moments ago was gone. Having switched to a serious gaze the instant sparring was proposed, Su-ho drew Eun-woo's wonder as he lightly swung his sword.
The blade, moving as smoothly as a dance, flew toward Su-ho's face in an instant.
Thud.
Eun-woo stood silently looking down at Su-ho, who had fallen backward. A chill touched his cheek. Su-ho rolled his eyes sideways to see Eun-woo's sword pressed right against his ear.
"Your movements are slow."
Eun-woo pulled the sword from beside Su-ho's ear and continued.
"Unlike mental Hunters, we lead with our bodies. So."
Eun-woo tapped his temple with his index finger.
"If you can't block it before you think, you're dead."
Even among Hunters, mental and physical types were worlds apart. Mental Hunters used psychic power for abilities, while physical ones boasted monstrous stamina, innate strength, and animalistic senses.
In close-quarters one-on-one, physical types had the edge. Mental Hunters could cast skills, but agile dodges or preemptive senses allowed physical Hunters to strike first.
Su-ho stood and said.
"I let my guard down for a moment."
"Looks like you have the luxury for that."
Eun-woo lightly swung his sword to readjust his grip and assumed an attack stance again.
"Dodge this time."
No sooner had the words left his mouth than Eun-woo's leaping blade closed in on Su-ho.
Whoosh—.
A red chain blocked the blade hurtling toward Su-ho's face. Blazing flames pushed the tip away. Eun-woo seemed to pull back for a moment before resuming his stance.
"Flame Chain."
Eun-woo's eyes suddenly sharpened as he murmured softly.
"Nice."
The blade rose diagonally from below. Through the breaking flames, Eun-woo approached with sword raised.
Su-ho needed to focus. If this were Deadlock, he'd have died multiple times by now.
'Now I see why they said it's impossible.'
Neither Deadlock nor Eun-woo—Su-ho couldn't even keep up with their speed. A single blink, and Eun-woo was right in front of him.
"Slow. At this rate, you'll die over and over."
Expressionless face, drier tone.
"Mental Hunters have one way to beat physical Hunters."
"One way?"
"Yes. Bind them. With telekinesis or control. Especially against high-agility physical Hunters like me, you have to restrain them no matter what."
Su-ho turned to find Eun-woo, who had vanished from sight in an instant.
"Or you die."
Reflexively whirling at the voice by his ear, Su-ho gaped at Eun-woo standing right behind him.
"Good call asking for this spar today."
Su-ho quietly flexed his fingers.
"Then, as you said."
Su-ho slowly lifted his gaze to meet Eun-woo's.
"I'll bind you."
Eun-woo's body suddenly floated into the air. Despite the abrupt lift, no surprise crossed his face. If anything, he seemed relaxed.
"You use telekinesis too."
His tone was like confirming Su-ho's capabilities.
"One tip: be careful against physical Hunters or boss-grade monsters."
Su-ho's hand trembled faintly. He felt the telekinesis binding Eun-woo waver.
"Strength can overpower telekinesis."
Eun-woo landed softly on the ground.
'Thought he was just a psycho after my girlfriend, but he's pretty skilled.'
Su-ho agreed with Jin Seong-hyeok. It wasn't just skill. With his aloof, icy image, Su-ho had expected stiffness, but Eun-woo was explaining everything step by step.
"The telekinesis Helper Cha Su-ho has now could kill regular monsters, but boss-grade ones are impossible."
"I'll have to strengthen my telekinesis."
Eun-woo nodded toward the serious Su-ho.
"Again."
Seeing Eun-woo treat him with full seriousness, Su-ho wanted to respond in kind.
Su-ho closed his eyes. Unlike before, he drew mental power from his dantian this time. Gathering all his focus from head to toe, he slowly opened his eyes.
Eun-woo, a physical Hunter with senses sharper than any beast, noticed instantly. Sensing the subtle shift in air flow, he instinctively tightened his grip and spoke.
"This'll be tricky."