Descending the stairs with noticeably lighter steps, I felt freed not just from the corset but also from the heavy veil. With each step, countless eyes tracked —mixed emotions, yet none condescending.
I almost had to thank Chatterbox—for drawing in these transcendent beings. Of course, it was my doing to lure them here, but still: gathering S-Ranks at my side was my power.
Clack. On the final step, a small silver dragon appeared beyond the open door. Its thin, shimring wings fluttered as the Changeling nad Gyeol flew to land on my shoulder. Today he’d changed his scales to a sleek, silvery hue—still adorable. Instead of speaking, he nuzzled my neck and cheek affectionately.
“It’s very quiet, everyone. You must have many questions.”
I casually tossed aside the mask and fern fronds I held—thunk thunk. Hunters near the rolling mask reflexively recoiled. Adorable mask, ordinary as any, yet high-rank hunters seed skittish. Stroking Gyeol’s chin, I advanced: one hunter, then another, yielding the way. I offered each a grateful smile.
“Since this is just the first day, I hope you’ll relax and enjoy yourselves.”
My gaze settled on a hunter whose reaction to had differed from the rest. He glanced away quickly—one who had only smiled at Chatterbox’s appearance, aning he’d never t Chatterbox but had accepted the invitation. A German, if I recalled. Video analysis would confirm, but I could prod him later. For now, I turned back to the other hunters—none approached.
Mint-flavored resistance skill, Hyur seed absent. It was too much to disable fear resistance here, yet leaving it on risked Hyur’s next antics. I’d promised to release the skill, but how to make anyone believe? Ugh, psychic skills. So entry required identity verification via contract.
Several A-Rank hunters, disguised under false identities, hadn’t entered the main hall—too many needed checking. B-Rank and below couldn’t enter at all. Thus, any A-Ranks inside were cleared of suspicion.
“How did you produce that aura just now?”
One hunter asked politely.
“It seems ❀ Nоvеlігht ❀ (Don’t copy, read here) even the S-Ranks around Director Han were unaware.”
“I received it personally.”
The hunter’s surprise was evident, but he didn’t press further. That was the point of strengthening Chatterbox’s mark without telling anyone: if Yuhyun, Yerim, Hyunah, Director Song, and even Seong Hyunjae showed no reaction, the S-Ranks around would assu the mark ca from —an F-Rank, and thus impossible.
Like seeing a dog wearing a diamond collar—you assu the owner placed it there.
“It’s a sign of... special regard. The owner of this mark treated quite uniquely.”
Not a lie: after trying to kill , they now sought to preserve forever. Of course, my expression and tone said, I’m honored by your attention.
“There’s give and take. We’re like friends of friends.”
If the King of Harmlessness is your friend, you attend his funeral politely. If Chatterbox threw a normal funeral, I’d leave a wreath.
“I can’t say more, but if you’re curious, contact later.”
Once one spoke, others began to open their mouths. Monts of tension broke as it beca clear the mark was not my power. So nodded as if saying of course—yet others seriously reflected that I must have personally negotiated with soone dangerous.
“If you summon people and then threaten them, shouldn’t you apologize first?”
With the mood softening, a Canadian hunter piped up. Accepting invitations broadly had skewed attendance toward hunters from developed nations—those from weaker regions either lacked the S-Rank hunters or couldn’t afford the long absence. Thus, only hunters from stable societies could freely co. Unequal, but reality is harsh.
“I... I didn’t know.”
I offered genuine apologies to the Canadian.
“You found threatening. I assud S-Ranks wouldn’t mind. I sincerely apologize. Anyone else require an apology?”
I waved my hand, but of course no one stepped forward. Who’d fear an F-Rank? Instead, faint sneers flitted, and the Canadian’s neck turned red.
“I too... am fine, of course.”
“See? But why were you upset, Phil Otis? Or may I?”
I smiled gently at him.
“Were you truly afraid? Even before awakening—Phil Otis, Canadian hockey player. Or forr hockey player.”
I’d morized every S-Rank’s appearance and background with effort. I should thank Seong Hyunjae for the intel... though it was a business transaction, so thanks all the sa.
“You...!”
Otis’s face burned with anger. Around him, the S-Ranks’ atmosphere grew deadly still—like predators spotting prey, eyes glinting in the hush. None sided for or against him. S-Ranks acted alone; they rarely helped peers. If one faltered, they watched indifferently—then attacked the mont they exposed weakness.
Stark loners, like wild beasts. S-Ranks were rivals, always threats. Given a chance, they’d sink teeth in without hesitation.
Otis, sensing this, froze. He could beco a second French hunter incident—far worse. The French hunter’s witnesses and recovery had been fewer; here, no such luxury. He was rely an F-Rank, non-awakened—no excuse.
I truly am the weakest here.
Yet that made the risk greater for anyone challenging . An F-Rank besting an S-Rank would be a disgrace no one could allow.
I recalled Otis’s profile: quick temper, rashness, widely known abilities—since he spamd skills without care. Often provoking non-awakeners. He’d bitten off more than he could chew.
“You’re kind, all the sa.”
I gave him an approving look.
“You endure so quietly. You’ve grown, Shy Boy.”
Shy Boy—a mocking nickna from his days as a burly hockey player, too embarrassed and terrified after harassing a crush to defend himself. More like Bashful.
Grrr— the gnashing of his teeth sounded. Laughable for an F-Rank to lash out, yet retreat would invite more mockery. I threw a small item from my hand.
Thunk!
Shy Boy charged. Boots thundering, his movent was weak—visible through my Teacher skill, and even on Noah’s monitors in the security room. Not fast for an S-Rank; killing would be inconvenient. Just enough force to batter a non-awakened F-Rank—and his frontal rush.
Swish!
A spiderweb-like net sprang to block him. An item crafted by Myung-woo. An S-Rank could break free easily, but Shy Boy was holding back his strength.
“Argh, what is—!”
Entangled, he halted in place. Seizing the chance, I drew a gun and fired—bang!—the slug struck his forehead. Only a slight bruise, but the snap! echoed like a playful flick. Hunters couldn’t help but stifle laughter. While he stood dazed, the gun spun once in my hand before I holstered it.
“You shouldn’t attack elders, kiddo.”
Laughter broke out. Shy Boy, furious, drew a dagger and slashed the webbing free. He signed an X in the air, noting no link to Chatterbox. That cleared him.
“Expulsion.”
“Expulsion!”
Just before he lunged again, Yerim flashed in. She sprayed the floor with non-alcoholic champagne for minors. Shy Boy slipped on it—Yerim’s freeze speed must’ve improved. As an S-Rank, he righted himself—but Yerim didn’t just watch.
She dropped low, braced with two hands and one foot, and kicked Shy Boy’s ankle hard. Though at a disadvantage in power and combat focus, adding two hands gave her the edge. His balanced ankle couldn’t withstand it.
Whack!
He staggered. Yerim then pressed her hands to the floor, leapt into a handstand, and drove both feet into his jaw.
Thud!
He flew backward; she flipped elegantly to land. Wow—Yerim’s martial skill has improved. Once her combos were choppy; now they were fluid.
Spectators cleared his path, and he slid away unimpeded.
“You can’t draw weapons. Please exit quietly~”
Yerim called. Shy Boy rose, panting.
“He drew first!”
“Tsk, Mr. Shy Boy.”
I clicked my tongue.
“Expect equal treatnt with F-Rank stats? Of course I’m exempt. Under the rules, I couldn’t even enter here.”
Only A-Rank and above allowed. Shy Boy rubbed his jaw, scanning the mood. He’d humiliated himself enough; retreating now would save face—but he stared at Yerim, hoping perhaps to reclaim honor. Or maybe he saw her as an easy target.
“The exit is on the opposite side.”
Yuhyun said coolly.
“No—”
“The opposite side.”
A brief silence stretched between Yuhyun and Shy Boy. It was a contest of wills, but Shy Boy was alone against Yuhyun’s unwavering duty—today was garbage-collection day, after all.
At last, Shy Boy turned and left. The remaining hunters returned to their conversations as if nothing had happened. But Otis and his guild would remain deflated.
‘Co to think of it, Korea really is peculiar.’
Thanks to Director Song’s presence. An S-Rank, absent forced hierarchy, remains personal—yet in Korea it revolved around Song Taewon. Yuhyun seldom mingled with other S-Ranks, but obliged with Director Song. Even Hyunah’s social circle abroad couldn’t compare: before I returned, the only S-Rank he t often was Director Song. Seong Hyunjae was just a bonus.
And I, too... though it embarrasses to admit, but it’s true: no other gathering of S-Rank hunters is as cohesive as mine.
Yerim asked with her eyes if I was okay, but I couldn’t linger.
“I heard you plan to produce firearms—are these prototypes?”
“Yes, you could say that. They should prove useful to lower-rank hunters.”
Mine were S-Rank-safe but impractical in combat due to recharge tis. Thanks to Shy Boy’s humiliation, no further scuffles arose. Instead, questions turned to mounts.
“Is the Sesung Guild Leader disappointed?”
“Why ask that?”
So even wore expressions of... camaraderie. Perhaps they’d been spurned before. Seong Hyunjae shrugged it off:
“Don’t mind the small stuff; it happens.”
Another hunter piped up. Seong Hyunjae cursed under his breath.
Following rchandise sales from the ranch, I heard talk everywhere:
“Please ship Dodam rchandise overseas.”
“Certainly.”
And:
“How did Peace learn corporeal form?”
“Likely due to a gigantify skill.”
Though I answered, I didn’t truly know—only that Peace wished for it.
The hall’s mood was good. Noah and Haeyeon’s S-Rank hunters pored over their analysis and checked key points with —of course, through Noah’s vantage. Teacher skill made this possible over distance—so convenient. If only they’d rena the skill.
Hunters with no questions stayed apart, mingling with their guildmates. As senior awakeners, ordinary conversation could be heard clearly from afar.
‘Those who t Chatterbox stay away.’
On Hyur’s side, none yet identified themselves. Chloe quietly sipped wine alone. I considered joining her—no. I turned toward Seong Hyunjae’s table, glimpsing him through a gap. The mont I looked, so imdiately stepped aside—yet curious gazes followed.
‘What do they expect?’
His table lay open before . Director Song shook his head—please don’t co. Hyunah bead with excitent.
“I stand with Director Han Yujin.”
...Who whispered that? Support the F-Rank? I spun my wine glass slowly. Seong Hyunjae t my eyes and gave a radiant smile. Handso as he was, I felt the chill of a poisonous mushroom—or rather, a viper. Best to avoid. I turned to Chloe—then:
“Director Han Yujin.”
Seong Hyunjae called. Ugh, no. Where is Riet? Still not here...
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