Chapter 81
Chapter 81
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 83
Chapter Title: Verification (3)
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In the atmosphere chilled like a bucket of cold water had been dumped over them, Cha Su-ho was the only one with a smile playing on his lips.
"Living at Association headquarters is considered a success, huh."
Cha Su-ho smiled as he stared at the Association Chairman.
"Then I guess I won't succeed."
The Chairman's eyes twitched faintly.
[ "You... what did you just say......" ]
"I've told you from the start. I have no intention of getting tied to headquarters."
Indeed, Cha Su-ho had made his refusal clear from the very first meeting with the Chairman.
"I don't plan to belong to headquarters or anywhere else. I don't want to be leashed like a dog."
[ "Helper Cha Su-ho, you need to think this through carefully. Even Hunter Jin Seong-hyeok joined Branch 1 to avoid causing any disturbances. If Helper Cha Su-ho doesn't affiliate with anywhere, it'll leave room for other branches or national governments to make their moves." ]
Trevor's words weren't wrong. They would probably keep trying to win him over and tie him down.
A way to minimize disturbances without becoming the Association's dog.
"How about I start my own new Association under my name?"
Start an Association? The three faces—excluding Cha Su-ho—turned pale.
"Haha, just kidding."
Even after Cha Su-ho's words, the three couldn't relax their expressions. Turning serious, Cha Su-ho addressed them.
"I have no intention of belonging to any Association or nation that just wants to exploit Hunters and Helpers."
[ "W-Wait a minute. Helper Cha Su-ho, what are you talking about? The Association is for Hunters and Helpers......" ]
"For Hunters and Helpers?"
Cha Su-ho let out a small scoff.
"If it's for Hunters and Helpers, did you put collars on the Hunters and brainwash the Helpers?"
The Chairman's face twisted in panic.
"Sorry, but I have no plans to wear a collar."
Cha Su-ho stood up from his seat.
"You said my existence would cause a disturbance... I kinda like the sound of that."
Since he was already being arrogant, he might as well go all in.
"Being F-grade, I was craving some attention anyway."
Cha Su-ho gave a polite bow and turned away.
"Then, I'll take my leave first."
No one could speak up first. They seemed stunned. The silence lingered even as Cha Su-ho left the Chairman's office and the door closed behind him.
[ "...A wild colt with no reins." ]
The Chairman's face contorted menacingly.
[ "We'll need a way to tame him." ]
Cha Su-ho pondered for a moment. Was it okay to go this far?
'Shouldn't you have thought about that before hopping on the teleport?'
Cha Su-ho let out a hollow laugh at Jin Seong-hyeok's words.
'You're right.'
'You did well, so why worry?'
Jin Seong-hyeok sounded quite satisfied as he continued.
'The Chairman's face twisting when you mentioned starting a new Association was a sight to behold.'
'It just slipped out.'
'Hmm, you could actually make a new Association. It might not be a bad idea.'
They said the company shapes the man, but he had no desire to get tangled in a place rife with politics. Whether he wanted it or not, power would come with it.
'I prefer the front lines.'
It had been Cha Su-ho's dream from the start. Even if the education he received at the orphanage had brainwashed him, he had dreamed of it every day: going out to the front lines and becoming a hero who slays monsters.
Of course, when he dreamed of being a Helper, it was standing beside a monster-slaying Hunter, performing Cleanses. But now, he wanted to be Jin Seong-hyeok's successor.
'Yeah, even to catch up to my toenails, daily training wouldn't be enough.'
Cha Su-ho burst into laughter at Jin Seong-hyeok's words.
'I'm curious how the Association and nations will react from now on.'
'It'll be a hassle.'
The moment he was about to say he hated hassles, the mechanical chime announced their arrival, and the teleport door slid open.
'Already here.'
Returning to Branch 5's Training Field, Cha Su-ho stepped out slowly. As he exited the teleport zone and passed the examination room, the examiners recognized him and began whispering.
It seemed the rumor of his SSS-grade rating had spread. Ignoring the embarrassingly intense stares as best he could, Cha Su-ho started walking away.
[ "Hunter Cha Su-ho!!" ]
Someone called out to him loudly. The friendly tone was from a voice he didn't recognize at all. Turning toward the sound, Cha Su-ho saw a hefty man waddling toward him from afar, with three or four security personnel chasing after.
[ "Our Hunter Cha Su-ho! Long time no see! You look great in Branch 5, huh?" ]
Cha Su-ho's expression turned icy. The one spouting nonsense in front of him was none other than the Branch 5 Director.
[ "I was really worried about you. I mean, our Hunter Cha Su-ho—would you adapt well to Branch 5? But your complexion looks even better than when you were in Branch 1! Haha." ]
What was he even blabbering about?
'Looks like the rumors have spread.'
'Yeah.'
'He'd be better off dieting instead of wasting time on this crap.'
Jin Seong-hyeok clicked his tongue.
"What brings you here?"
The Branch 5 Director responded shamelessly to Cha Su-ho's question.
[ "What do you mean? I just wanted to chat with Hunter Cha Su-ho." ]
The Director's intentions were obvious, despite his polished nonsense.
'Probably trying to pin me to Branch 5.'
'Such an obvious tactic.'
'Yeah. He's being so blatant—should we play along once?'
It was the perfect time to give the greedy Branch 5 Director a solid hit.
[ "How about a cup of coffee?" ]
"Sounds good."
The Branch 5 Director brightened up. Cha Su-ho's gaze turned cold as he watched the humming Director lead the way.
Unlike the early days when he'd treated him like a subordinate, the Director had done a complete 180 the moment he got his SSS-grade Hunter rating. It was revolting.
Cha Su-ho had been utterly sickened by people who judged others by rank. The ones who mocked him as an F-grade worthless Helper and this Branch 5 Director were all the same breed to him.
The Branch 5 Director, who had been striding ahead, suddenly stopped. He yelled at a staff member who had greeted him.
[ "What are you doing? Open the door!" ]
The startled staff member bowed his head and hurriedly opened the door.
[ "Tch, the Center's in a real mess." ]
Then he crooked his finger in the air, and a man in a black suit approached closely. He was clearly a secretary.
[ "Have new staff ready by tomorrow." ]
[ "Yes, sir." ]
The humming Branch 5 Director entered the room. The interior, which looked like a reception room, was lavishly decorated. Plopping down on a single-seater sofa, the Director gestured for Cha Su-ho to sit.
[ "What kind of coffee does Hunter Cha Su-ho like? Just say the word!" ]
He crooked his finger again, summoning his secretary.
[ "Bring coffee—every kind, so Hunter Cha Su-ho can have some too!" ]
He'd only asked as a formality, with no intention of waiting for an answer. For some reason, the Branch 5 Director kept humming cheerfully.
[ "How's life in our Branch 5? As you know, our Training Field is the best around. Hunters and Helpers from other branches are dying to come here." ]
Cha Su-ho hadn't even responded, but the Branch 5 Director kept rambling on.
[ "You'll love it. The room you're in now is just standard for visiting Hunters and Helpers from other branches, nothing special. But if you join Branch 5, you can decorate it however you want. Especially for you, Hunter Cha Su-ho, I could even make you a private suite!" ]
'His yapping is annoying.'
Irritation laced Jin Seong-hyeok's voice.
'It's hilarious, though. I haven't said a word, and he's monologuing. Is he always like this?'
'Leave him be, and he'll brag for an hour straight.'
'...You've let him before, huh.'
'Too much hassle to stop him.'
Given Jin Seong-hyeok's personality, he'd ignore the blabbering and just stand up and leave abruptly.
'By the way, none of the branch directors I've met so far seem decent.'
From Branch 1's Director Dae-geon to this Branch 5 Director. They were all awful. Was it just those two branches, or were all branch directors like this?
'Pretty much. Some are annoying, some more annoying, and some the most annoying.'
Cha Su-ho couldn't hold back his laughter at Jin Seong-hyeok's words. The Branch 5 Director, mid-self-praise, cut off abruptly.
[ "Did you find that funny? Yeah, I've got some wit. That's why even now, women are lining up for me." ]
As the Branch 5 Director started bragging again, his secretary and a staff member appeared with a tray. The secretary silently placed coffee cups on the table. One, two... a total of eight cups.
Two went in front of the Branch 5 Director; the remaining six all went in front of Cha Su-ho.
[ "Pick your favorite. If you like one, just say so, and we'll bring more." ]
He lifted a cup with a pudgy finger adorned with a shiny gold ring. It looked exactly like a pig holding a coffee cup.
Staring quietly at the cups before him, Cha Su-ho spoke up.
"Director, you're hoping I'll stay in Branch 5, right?"
The Branch 5 Director's eyes lit up.
[ "Oh, Hunter Cha Su-ho, you're quick on the uptake!" ]
As if he hadn't been blatantly obvious up to now.
[ "Truth is, I'm not the only one waiting for you. Like the leaders of the countries under Branch 5." ]
Branch 5 covered the US and Canada, so leaders meant presidents or prime ministers.
[ "They're all waiting. For Hunter Cha Su-ho to join Branch 5. Think about it—we've got massive capital and tech. Join us, and you'll enjoy wealth, fame, and more." ]
"I'm grateful they're waiting."
[ "Of course you are! Who are we? Branch 5, Branch 5. After Jin Seong-hyeok died, Branch 1's gone downhill! I might even become the next Association Chairman." ]
The Branch 5 Director continued toward Cha Su-ho with a face full of arrogance.
[ "So, let's say Hunter Cha Su-ho stays with Branch 5 from now on." ]
"I never said I'd stay."
[ "Yeah, you'd be gratef— What?" ]
The Branch 5 Director froze mid-sip and asked Cha Su-ho again.
[ "What did you just say? I must have misheard." ]
"I feel my skills aren't enough for the great Branch 5, so I won't stay."
[ "No, wait, what do you mean......!" ]
"Once the Dead Zone sweep is done, I'll head straight back to Branch 1."
As if that concluded things, Cha Su-ho stood up. No reason to stay longer.
[ "Wait, Hunter Cha Su-ho!" ]
Ignoring the Director's desperate call, Cha Su-ho threw out his parting words.
"By the way, I like mix coffee. Not this stuff."