Chapter 98
Chapter 98
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 101
Chapter Title: Doubts (2)
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People had gathered in droves at the Teleport Zone. Today was the day the hunters and helpers from Center 1, who had been staying at the 5th Branch training field, were returning to their respective centers.
Cha Su-ho was there, of course. He had come to see off not just Derek, but even the hunters and helpers from the 5th Branch. Su-ho quickly scanned the surroundings.
He had been worried that the 5th Branch representative might show up, but fortunately, that fear proved unfounded. Relieved, Su-ho headed toward the teleporter, only to be stopped by Larry and Ronnie.
"Hey, Cha! Come visit anytime!"
"Yeah, next time we'll come see you!"
Su-ho and Kwon O waved back enthusiastically at the two waving vigorously. Jacob and Eric waved from a distance as well.
"Hunter Cha! Come back soon!"
Scarlett and Ji-young, who had spent so much time together, still had endless stories to share and showed no signs of parting. Clark stood off to the side with a sullen expression.
Ji-young finally said her goodbyes to Scarlett and stepped into the teleporter.
Su-ho kept waving until the end at the 5th Branch folks waving from afar.
The teleporter doors closed, and a mechanical voice announced their destination.
- Proceeding to Center 1.
With a whirring sound, the teleporter activated, and Ji-young murmured.
"A lot happened at the 5th Branch."
"Yeah."
"We should come back sometime."
Su-ho nodded in agreement with Ji-young's words. Thinking back, his first day at the 5th Branch had been tense. There had been friction with Clark, and he'd felt distinctly like a guest.
But gradually, he'd grown accustomed to it. The arena, the testing room, the treatment room. Just as he'd started to feel attached and comfortable, it was time to return to Center 1, which left him a bit wistful.
"No matter what, nothing beats home comfort, right?"
Ji-young smiled in response.
"Of course."
The 5th Branch was flashier than Center 1 and offered every convenience, but everyone felt the same. Their own center—the place that had become home—was the most comfortable.
Soon, the faint vibrations from the teleporter ceased. They had arrived.
- We have arrived at Center 1, 1st Branch.
The doors opened. Su-ho paused momentarily at the familiar sight he'd missed, then stepped out.
Was it because it had been so long? Even the Center Director was there. Trevor, who had arrived early, greeted the returning 1st Branch hunters and helpers warmly, as if they'd all been waiting.
"See you next time for the Evil Zone sweep."
Su-ho turned at Liu Xian's words. He'd forgotten. Centers 2 and 3 weren't housed at Center 1. The hunters and helpers from those centers transferred to another teleporter, exchanging farewells.
"Everyone, great work."
Su-ho offered a simple greeting. Another round of goodbyes unfolded.
"Take care, Su-ho."
Su-ho bowed politely to Takahiro, whose Korean had improved considerably.
"Until next time, Hunter Takahiro."
Branches 2 and 3 departed. Finally, it was time to head back to their rooms. As Su-ho moved to return to the room with Kwon O, the Center Director called out.
"Hunter Cha Su-ho. Long time no see."
"Hello, Director."
"Nothing major, but we've prepared a new room for you. Shall we take a look?"
He'd been an A-grade helper before leaving, but now he was an SSS-grade hunter first and foremost. Changing rooms made sense, but Su-ho didn't see the need.
"Do I have to move?"
"Not necessarily, but I figured you'd be more comfortable alone."
It was a valid point. But since everyone already knew he was a hunter, there was no need to hide his training.
Talking to Jin Seong-hyeok internally had become second nature. It wouldn't suddenly slip out like before.
"I'll just stay in the A-grade helper quarters."
"You sure that's okay?"
"Yes. Moving sounds like a hassle. The current A-grade helper room is plenty."
The A-grade helper quarters had common areas plus spacious private rooms. With Tae-il gone, only Kwon O and Su-ho used it—far too much space for two.
"Hyung Kwon O."
He had to check anyway. Kwon O might want it to himself.
"What do you think about me staying in the A-grade helper quarters alone?"
"Alone? That huge place...? Wait, are they making you move?"
Su-ho shook his head, reading Kwon O's hopeful expression.
"No, just asking."
Su-ho turned back to the director.
"Looks like no need to move after all."
"Understood. Let me know if you change your mind."
"Will do."
With business concluded, the director added one last thing.
"Welcome back, Hunter Cha Su-ho."
After bidding the director farewell, Su-ho returned to the helper quarters with Kwon O. Despite the time away, it was spotless—not a speck of dust. They'd clearly done a deep clean upon hearing of their return.
"Huh, looks like the rooms changed?"
At Kwon O's voice, Su-ho headed upstairs.
They had indeed. Tae-il's and Airin's rooms were gone, replaced by just two: Su-ho's and Kwon O's.
Airin's room had been nominal since she lived with Eun-woo, and Tae-il's seemed tidied up.
Crossing the hallway, Su-ho's room was on the right, Kwon O's on the left.
Something caught Su-ho's eye as he headed to his room. At the hall's end, like a nostalgic touch, nameplates for four A-grade helpers hung.
[Cha Su-ho]. [Yu Kwon O]. [Airin]. And the last one made Su-ho's chest tighten.
[Won Tae-il]
"At least they kept Tae-il's name. That's something."
Kwon O, staring at Tae-il's plate too, replied.
"Yeah."
After alternating glances between Tae-il's plate and their own for a while, Kwon O and Su-ho headed to their new rooms.
Su-ho stood before his door, now bearing his nameplate. Kwon O hesitated before his own.
"New room feels kinda exciting, huh?"
"Totally. Bigger space means more gym equipment."
Knowing "equipment" meant workout gear, Su-ho shook his head. He couldn't even imagine how much Kwon O loved training.
Su-ho flung open the door. He'd expected it even bigger, but it hadn't expanded much.
Instead, two new doors had appeared inside.
What? Sub-rooms within the room?
Peeking around, Su-ho stepped forward. One door read "Mental Testing Room" in Korean, the other "Intensive Treatment Room."
Curious, Su-ho opened the first: Mental Testing Room.
"Whoa..."
His eyes widened in admiration. Had Gi-uk suggested it? It was identical to the hunter testing room he'd used so much at the 5th Branch.
A space made just for him. The director must have been certain he'd choose to stay here. Otherwise, no way they'd invest like this.
Now he wondered about the Intensive Treatment Room next door.
Opening it revealed all the machines he'd favored at the 5th Branch. Gi-uk had definitely pulled strings.
'This setup makes staying here more than enough.'
Su-ho nodded, agreeing with Jin Seong-hyeok.
'Shall we test out the new room, then?'
A few days after returning to Center 1. For the first time in ages, hunters and helpers were granted leave.
Airin and Eun-woo were off on a couple's trip. Ji-young was yachting with Scarlett. Kwon O was buzzing with excitement to see his family.
"Su-ho, if you hate being alone... wanna come with?"
Kwon O asked, concerned about leaving Su-ho behind.
"I'm good. Got tons of training anyway. Have a safe trip."
"Don't overdo it. I'll bring snacks back!"
With even Kwon O gone to see family, Su-ho was the only one left at the center. He had nowhere special to go anyway. No girlfriend, no family.
Family. A wry chuckle escaped Su-ho. His "parents" had abandoned him for being F-grade. The orphanage director, whom he'd called new family, had abused him and ignored his bullying.
Family was never a positive word for Su-ho. Yet strangely, he envied Kwon O's family. He could feel their genuine care.
'Parents come in all kinds, I guess.'
Su-ho forced a smile. A twinge of loneliness, but it was so familiar it barely registered.
'Best to focus on training at times like this.'
His voice was subdued, unusually so. Jin Seong-hyeok knew why.
'Cha Su-ho.'
'Yeah?'
'I don't know family love either. Been separated from my parents since childhood, raised at the center.'
Jin Seong-hyeok's parents were civilians who obeyed the government. Born SSS-grade, he'd been taken from them young, and everyone revered him too much.
It persisted into adulthood. His parents grew even more distant; avoiding meetings seemed easier for them.
Eventually, he called them "those people." As an adult, he cut ties.
He'd harbored faint hopes of contact, but none came.
No resentment or hate. He just hoped they were well. Well, they were dead now, so...
'Absolute strength brings isolation and loneliness inevitably. Even so.'
Jin Seong-hyeok continued earnestly.
'Back then, I was too busy—now it feels regrettable. Things like looking around more, not just at monsters.'
Thoughts he'd never had alive surfaced after death.
'Don't get too used to isolation and loneliness. You've got good people around you.'
Sincere advice, like to a cherished little brother.
Cherished little brother.
Jin Seong-hyeok snorted in disbelief. Too sappy. Better: a disciple who took tons of effort.
'Anyway, take it to heart.'
Feeling the sincerity, Su-ho replied without complaint for the first time in ages.
'Got it, hyung.'