Inside a luxuriously decorated office.
Despite the large size of the office, there was only a single desk.
Adorning the walls were stylish photographs of hunters, reminiscent of movie posters, and each picture bore a gold-emblished 'G' mark.
Glory Guild.
The largest and greatest hunter organization in existence.
This was the Chairman's office of the Glory Guild, undeniably the pinnacle of South Korea.
“Are you sure?”
Chairman Gu Gyeon asked in a tone as sharp and irritable as his spiky hair.
Anyone would normally shrink back at the cutting voice of an S-rank hunter.
But the Chief Secretary maintained an utterly unwavering deanor.
“I’m sure of it.”
In most cases, the Chief Secretary’s words were almost always right.
Gu Gyeon knew that well, yet he couldn’t help but ask once more.
“The Bishop Guild isn’t just stalling, right?”
"They're not the type to do that. In fact, a representative from the Bishop Guild has been making rounds to check on our movents."
"...Damn it. Where the hell is he holed up, and what the hell is he doing?”
Gu Gyeon sighed, as if dumbfounded.
“He’s got the whole world’s attention, so why isn’t he making a move?”
“According to the reporters, he not only refuses interview requests but even ignores them when they run into him by chance.”
“Unbelievable.”
If it were him, he’d be desperate to take advantage of all that spotlight.
Instead of taking advantage of the attention, that ‘bastard' was lying low like a mole hiding underground, not even a hint of him to be seen.
Where was he hiding, and what was he up to?
Chun Haesun.
It had been over a month since he beca an S-ranker, yet no one knew Chun Haesun’s whereabouts.
“You said he’s not just holed up at ho, right?”
“Yes. After finishing his probation period, he’s been regularly going out.”
“He’s not just casually going hiking or anything. There must be sothing going on..…”
It was frustrating.
He had never encountered soone so unpredictable before.
In South Korea, the law was simple: when the Glory Guild called, you answered.
No wonder the term 'Glory is Success' was circulating.
Even the rookie hunters, who initially held their heads high, eventually accepted the Glory Guild's offer.
Because it offered honor, money, and fa that you can’t experience in other guilds.
In recent years, the Glory Guild had almost monopolized all the ‘A’-rank hunters.
Other guilds have voiced complaints, but that was none of their concern.
The only organization with which they needed to maintain a friendly relationship was the ‘Hunter Association.’
Glory Guild’s strategy was to recruit promising talents by offering double, or even more than triple, the amount proposed by other guilds.
However, Chun Haesun was taking a different path from the norm in many ways.
‘If he's not considering other guilds, then what on earth is he doing...?’
The bullets were loaded in abundance.
They must secure Chun Haesun, even if it ant paying the highest sum in history.
He was worth it.
[Perhaps... he might even be above .]
Maria's honest confession ca as a trendous shock to Gu Gyeon.
He had known that Chun Haesun's potential was exceptional enough to warrant using a Golden Core, but the possibility that he might already have surpassed her was staggering.
Maria was revered as the top healer in the country, no, in the world.
The ergence of a genius who surpassed even the most unparalleled healer in history was unprecidented.
No one in the world could have anticipated the arrival of such a being.
The problem was that this genius wasn't aligning himself with anyone.
"For a while, journalists and guild agents were lurking near his ho... But each ti, he'd track them down like a ghost and threaten them.”
"Threaten them?"
"I only heard this secondhand... but he supposedly told them that if he saw them one more ti, they'd never have the chance to have contact with him again.”
"Hah."
A soft chuckle escaped Gu Gyeon's thick lips.
It was not like he had social anxiety or sothing.
How long did he plan to keep hiding away, lurking in the shadows like this?
Wait.
Hiding in the shadows...?
"We need to change our approach."
"Yes?”
“If we just keep following him like we are now, there’s no way to win him over. We need a shift in approach.”
“Are you saying we won’t be looking for Cheun Haesun anymore?”
"Yes."
The smile at the corners of his lips curled into sothing despicable.
There are two ways to lure out soone who's hiding.
Either by taking action to draw them out, or by creating a situation that forces them to co out themself.
"Even though he's an S-ranker, he's still just a kid. He's a minor who can't even legally drink. If we target and shake his ntality, he won't be able to handle it.”
Hunters hold an honorable profession dedicated to saving lives.
'S'-rankers, in particular, enjoy popularity comparable to that of top celebrities.
Countless people are intensely interested in every single move an 'S'-ranker makes.
Most of the ti, people enthusiastically praise them, but if soone makes a mistake, the backlash is equally severe.
“So, you’re planning to wage a public opinion campaign.”
“Yes. That’s exactly it.”
Having made up his mind, Gu Gyeon sank deeply into his chair.
Why hadn’t he thought of this sooner?
People naturally have certain expectations of an ‘S’-rank hunter.
Joining a major guild, clearing dungeons, saving people when a Gate opens.
It's only natural that the higher the rank, the greater the expectations placed upon them.
It was the sa for Chun Haesun.
But he remained completely hidden, not even joining a guild, let alone engaging in any public activities.
In other words, he lacked the 'awareness' expected of an 'S'-ranker.
'The headlines are ready... next step is.’
There were plenty of journalists who could write articles tailored to his needs.
He might as well use a major dia outlet for the greatest impact.
The sense of responsibility that cos with being an 'S'-ranker.
If he were to highlight that, Chun Haesun would have to join a guild, even if he didn't want to.
And his choice would undoubtedly have to be the Glory Guild.
Maria and Chun Haesun.
A guild that possesses not one, but two S-rank healers would be incredibly difficult to find not only in Korea but across the entire world.
"Now that you ntion it, I haven't seen Maria all day. She isn't in the 'Healing Room,' is she?"
"No, she isn't. She ntioned she had a personal appointnt this morning.”
"Personal appointnt?"
Gu Gyeon's thick eyebrows twitched.
Maria, who was essentially like a walking corpse if you took away work and guilt, was having a personal appointnt.
It was definitely unusual.
"Did she say where she was going?"
"No. She didn't ntion eting anyone in particular.”
“The sun must be rising in the west. Maria has a personal appointnt.”
Gu Gyeon smiled and rose from his seat.
It was a little botherso, but it shouldn’t be a big deal.
Maria had never once disappointed him.
“Contact the editor-in-chief of the Daily Capital Eye. I have sothing urgent to discuss.”
* * *
Again.
Soone was following again.
How tireso.
Since becoming an ‘S’-ranker, my house had turned into a den for reporters and guild officials.
Things like what ti I left ho, when I returned.
And which bus I took, all these mundane details would be published in the news.
I could brush it off if it were just about , but seeing the impact it had on my sister and the other residents made it infuriating.
So I decided to take drastic asures.
I openly declared that no matter who I encountered, I would build a wall between us and their affiliated organizations for the rest of my life.
When I conveyed my opinion with a friendly (?) smile, they began to listen from that mont on.
If I boycotted, they wouldn’t have been able to handle the backlash as re employees.
However, just when I thought things had quieted down recently, another person appeared on my radar.
And they were by far the most clumsy of anyone I’ve seen so far.
They were staring at so intently that the back of my head was tingling.
“Baseball cap and ponytail….. you there.”
If they ran away before I confird their identity, it’d be for nothing, so I decided to use ‘Poison Steps'.
Pat.
“Ah…!”
A clear voice ca from the person wearing the cap.
They seed quite startled, but that was none of my concern.
"State your affiliation.”
“Huh?”
“Tell where you’re from and go back. If I see you even once more, you’ll never have any dealings with for the rest of your life.”
The woman, her hat pulled low, hesitated before answering.
“You should already… know my affiliation.”
What…?
What was she talking about?
When did I ever see her…
Huh? Wait a minute…
“Maria?!”
“How have you been, Hunter Chun Haesun?”
Maria greeted with an awkward smile.
This wasn’t the first ti I’d seen her in person.
I’d seen her face when I encountered Gu Gyeon, and during the Hunter Qualification Test.
But I never expected to see Maria here.
“Ha…”
No matter how many tis I see her, her appearance still doesn’t feel real.
Perfect facial features with not a trace of flaw, as if crafted by AI.
If you placed a rectangular fra in front of her, it would be believable as a scene straight out of a TV.
“…I’ve been doing fairly well. I didn’t expect the one watching over to be you, Maria.”
“I’m sorry. I showed up without contacting you beforehand.”
Have we ever even shared contact information?
Seeing the conversation falter, it seed Maria wasn’t exactly calm either.
“It’s fine. This isn’t the first ti sothing like this has happened. Do you have business with ?”
“Yes.”
“If it’s sothing like a recruitnt offer…”
"No."
Maria shook her head vigorously, as if to say that would never happen.
Because her cap was pulled down deeply, it was hard to tell from a distance, but even in her casual clothes, an aura distinct from that of an 'S'-rank healer was practically overflowing from her.
“I didn’t co as a mber of the Glory Guild, but for personal reasons, to see you, Hunter Chun Haesun.”
If anyone heard that, it would be easy to misunderstand.
Even without conversation, Maria and I possessed far too many qualities that would draw people's attention.
I suggested to her a place that would be suitable.
A location that might shock others, but for us, it was perfectly convenient.
* * *
“…It’s still the sa here.”
Maria let out a deep sigh.
There wasn’t a single living being in sight, not even an ant.
The place where traces of civilization still remained, but only desolation could be seen.
The place where countless people died, and where I awakened as a Poisoner.
This was the Gaebang Neighborhood Gate area.
“It’s been quite so ti since the Gate exploded… and there’s still no sign of repairs…”
"To the general public, this place would be no different from Chernobyl. Of course, even so, it's true that the response has been sluggish.”
"I'll have to bring this up as soon as I get back. The area has been reduced to ruins, yet there's doesn’t seem to be any intention to restore it at all..."
The look of regret on Maria's face was clearly visible.
I brought her here because this place was a 'convenient location.'
Not only ordinary people but even most hunters avoid getting anywhere near a Gate that once spawned Poison-type monsters.
That's because no one could guarantee that the monsters' poison had completely disappeared.
However, if a healer, especially one of Maria's or my caliber, were to set foot in this area, it wouldn't be a problem.
The problem is that Maria, having witnessed the devastation here, felt guilty…..
“It wasn’t intentional, but it’s not sothing I could have stopped either.”
Before being an ‘S’-rank healer, she was a mber of the Glory Guild.
She didn’t harbor as much hostility as Gu Gyeon, but as long as she was on the sa side as them, she couldn't escape responsibility.
The responsibility of weighing human lives.
“We should be able to talk safely here.”
"Yes... That's true."
Maria, who had been surveying the ruins of the Gaebang Neighborhood with a gloomy gaze, turned her head toward .
“Do you rember the monster you healed, Hunter Chun Haesun?”
"Yes. I rember."
The Imperial Tiger. The one I nad ‘Big Tiger.’
Could that creature have gotten reckless now that it was strong?
"Imperial Tiger escaped."
Oh.
That little bastard. It succeeded.
“He finally did it.”
“…Yes?”
“Ah… well… It ans my healing was successful. That’s what I’m trying to say. You’re not trying to pin the responsibility for its escape on , are you?”
“Hehe. Of course not.”
Maria shook her head with a small, sly smile.
Was she really a woman who could smile like that?
“As a fellow healer, I was curious. At that ti, the Imperial Tiger wasn’t just physically injured, it was also poisoned, and its core had so damage as well.”
It was the first ti I've heard about damage to the Core.
"Imperial Tigers are a species referred to as spiritual beings. They possess intelligence on a completely different level from monsters. So spiritual beings can even transcend 'space.'”
"Space... You don't an...?"
"Yes. Although the association is keeping it quiet, given that there's no evidence of any artifacts being damaged, it appears to have escaped through spatial transcendence.”
Wow.
It was even more impressive than I thought, huh?
A giant monster that can transcend spaces.
Wait a second.
Then shouldn't it have co to first to express its gratitude?
"I thought restoring a damaged Core was impossible. Until I witnessed Hunter Chun Haesun's healing abilities.”
So this was the personal reason she ca.
As ‘Healer’ Maria, she wanted to share her thoughts on healing.
But what could I say?
My healing process is fundantally different from that of a typical healer.
“Well… other than flowing Aether into the subject, there’s nothing particularly special I can tell you. You probably use the sa thod too, Maria.”
“I see… so that’s how it is… I thought there might be sothing special…”
After that, we shared a brief conversation about a few aspects of healing.
She opened her small mouth wide in surprise when I ntioned that Big Tiger could communicate via telepathy.
“Spirits are truly remarkable. I feel like I’ve heard so very valuable stories today.”
Maria didn’t even ntion recruitnt until the very mont she was leaving.
Of course, this could be a form of psychological strategy, but judging by her expression, I couldn’t help but think it might not be.
“If it’s alright with you…”
She took a small object out from her arms.
A business card from the Glory Guild, perhaps?
But it was just a simple note.
A phone number was written on it.
“This is my personal number, not registered with the Guild. Contact later if you ever need anything personally.”
Seeming mindful that she was a mber of the Glory Guild, she didn’t ask for my number.
A situation where only one side could initiate contact.
I had no reason to refuse.
“I’ve learned a lot today. I hope we can et again soon.”
Most hunters have a tendency to be arrogant.
Perhaps it’s only natural, given that there are so many people who idolize them.
However, not a single trace of that arrogance could be found in Maria, who was called the hunter above hunters.
Either she was genuinely that pure-natured, or she was an incredibly cunning fox.
It must be one of the two.
I stopped her as she was about to leave after our farewell.
“Maria.”
“Yes?”
From the mont I first saw her until now, there was one question I’d been curious about.
“Do you ever participate in combat yourself?”
“??”
I knew it was a stupid question.
Who would assign any role other than healing to an ‘S’-rank healer?
But if not that, there was no way to explain this ‘phenonon.’
“No… I focus solely on healing on the battlefield.”
“Then why are there so many healed wounds on you?”
"!!"
On the surface, it seed like all the wounds were healed, but I could see otherwise.
Her entire body bore regenerated scars, horrific injuries beyond description.
How could Maria have sustained such wounds with at least a few tankers around her?
“Th… that…”
Maria’s porcelain-white face suddenly turned pale.
Did I ask sothing I shouldn’t have?
“Well then, goodbye!”
“?!”
She bolted from the scene as if fleeing.
We hadn’t t often, but she had a horrified expression on her face that I'd never seen before.
And so, for a while,
I was left staring at the ground she was just standing on a few monts ago.
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