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Solo Leveling Novel Chapter 42 Average 5 / 5 out of 1
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Summary
The office of the President of the Hunters Association.
The facial expression of the doctor examining Goh Gun-Hui wasn’t so good. He removed the stethoscope from Goh Gun-Hui’s chest.
“….President.”
“No need to say it. I can already tell from the look on your face.”
Goh Gun-Hui chuckled gently as he buttoned up his shirt.
The doctor couldn’t bring himself to say anything.
‘President Goh Gun-Hui…. What with the state of your health, you walking around like this is a miracle in itself already…..’
Even then, the President of the Association did not show any signs of slowing down. He actually didn’t even have the time to stop by at the hospital, and had his personal doctor come to see him at the office, instead!
“Actually….”
President Goh Gun-Hui slid his arm in the sleeve of the jacket and spoke.
“Back when the Healers began appearing here and there, and healing magic was discovered, I thought that for sure I’d be able to regain my youth, and that I would be saying bye bye to this terribly inconvenient old and decrepit body of mine.”
Goh Gun-Hui then chuckled again.
“However, the truth didn’t work out that way.”
“There was no improvement from the treatment, sir?”
“It seems that this thing called ‘age’ is beyond the capability of the high-ranking Hunters and their magic.”
If the Healer-type Hunters could heal any and all types of sickness with magic, then without a doubt, every single hospital in the land would’ve closed up, and doctors would’ve ended up on the street, begging for food.
But fortunately, or perhaps, unfortunately, such an event didn’t occur.
Only speeding up the regeneration.
The healing magic was limited only to healing the external injuries.
Although magic could miraculously cause the amputated arm to grow back, it could not lower the temperature of a child sick with the flu.
‘Well, thanks to that, I managed to not end up as unemployed, though…..’
The doctor stared at the President of Association getting ready to leave the office.
‘If only I could borrow magical power as great as the President’s and cure him in full….’
However, both the healing magic and the modern medicine couldn’t do much at this stage. All this doctor could do was to offer his advice.
“You need to maintain calm no matter what, sir. Also, you need to take a regular break, even if it’s for a little while.”
“I wish I could do that, as well.”
Unfortunately, if he did take a break, then just what would happen to the Hunters Association? Goh Gun-Hui used his gentle laughter as a replacement for his words.
‘An Association without Goh Gun-Hui, is it?’
The large Guilds were spending huge sums of money to grow ever larger even at this very moment. Their might already equalled that of some nations’ military forces.
The only reason why the Association could still flex its muscle among these Guilds was because of the presence of Goh Gun-Hui as its President, not because the government was backing the Association.
The moment the Association lost its true trump card, the Hunters would become rein-less wild horses and run amok.
‘Not just yet…. Yes, not just yet.’
Indeed, he couldn’t retire just yet.
The Association was the only rope that could rein them in.
With no viable alternative in place, how could he even think about leaving the scene?
‘In order to show how robust and healthy the Association is, I must stay.’
The rank S above all the other S ranks.
Indeed, the name of Goh Gun-Hui was a must-have.
So, until that time, he must….
“M-mm!”
A pained moan leaked out of Goh Gun-Hui. He grabbed his chest and the tidy shirt crumpled under his grip.
“President, take this….”
The doctor brought along a pill of painkiller and a glass of water.
“Thank you.”
He could just barely regain his bearings after ingesting the painkiller.
It was then.
‘Mm?’
His phone issued a ring.
But, he ordered no one to disturb him when his doctor was here.
Goh Gun-Hui frowned slightly and picked the phone up.
“I’m with my doctor at the moment.”
It was at this point that the urgent voice of his male PA came from the phone’s speaker.
– “Apologies, President. But this news is too urgent, sir.”
“Did the Japanese call again?”
– “They did, but this isn’t because of that, sir.”
Goh Gun-Hui’s brows quivered slightly.
‘A bigger problem than the ants of the Jeju island?’
Just what could it be?
“Tell me what’s going on.”
Before the patience of Goh Gun-Hui had the chance to run out, the PA replied in the nick of time.
– “I just received a call from the Evaluation Division, sir.”
“From the Evaluation Division? Why?”
The role of the Evaluation Division was to assign ranks to various Gates as well as to newly Awakened. Such a department wouldn’t be a likely candidate to cause much trouble.
‘Or, could it be….?’
Did they make another blunder with assigning a Gate’s rank?
Thinking back to the debt he had to owe the White Tiger Guild not too long ago, Goh Gun-Hui’s expression crumpled a little. But his unhappiness lasted only for a short while.
The news conveyed by the PA easily exceeded the scope of ‘problem’ Goh Gun-Hui had been expecting.
– “Just now, the Evaluation Division had…. an Awakened who couldn’t be measured appeared, sir.”
***
“The President of the Hunters Association, Goh Gun-Hui??”
Did I hear that right?
Jin-Woo doubted his own hearing just then.
A man often referred to as the most powerful Hunter in South Korea wanted to talk to him and chased him all the way to this hospital??
‘That must be some kind of joke….’
Just as Jin-Woo stood there not wholly convinced, Woo Jin-Cheol pointed behind him, further driving the point home.
“Yes, the Association President is here.”
Woo Jin-Cheol looked a bit anxious as he waited for Jin-Woo’s reply.
The current atmosphere definitely didn’t come off as suitable for throwing around dumb jokes at all.
‘…..He must be telling the truth.’
Why was someone like Goh Gun-Hui looking for him? A powerful curiosity suddenly invaded Jin-Woo’s mind. The only thing he could think of was the result of the rank reassignment test he took…..
‘Is it to lure me into signing with the Association?’
However, the Association was a non-profit organisation. Its President wouldn’t necessarily show up with the top agent from the Monitoring Division in tow just to headhunt a lone Hunter.
Besides, Jin-Woo hadn’t even finished with his evaluation yet.
The more he thought about it, the more curious he became regarding the President’s reasons.
“Okay, I will.”
Jin-Woo finally agreed.
Woo Jin-Cheol formed such a bright expression that the anxiety of a second ago seemed like a lie long forgotten.
“Thank you very much!!”
His voice sounded incredibly earnest just then.
‘This ahjussi with that stonewall of a face can also form such expressions, huh.’
Jin-Woo was inwardly surprised as he followed after Woo Jin-Cheol.
When they walked past the corner, he could see an old man sitting in one of the waiting room’s chairs.
‘So, that must be….’
Jin-Woo swallowed his saliva.
The heaven above heaven.
The S rank Hunter Goh Gun-Hui, also known as the sky above the sky.
After discovering Jin-Woo, Goh Gun-Hui stood up from the seat.
“You must be Seong Jin-Woo Hunter-nim.”
He might be over 80 years old, but his physique was still quite amazing. Indeed, his size reminded one of either a retired pro wrestler or a traditional grappler.
However, he didn’t emit any of the overbearing aura one might expect from someone like that.
‘That’s surprising.’
Judged from his appearance or his station, Jin-Woo expected him to be a bit of douche, a stuck-up of sorts, yet the entourage accompanying that man carried scarier expressions instead.
“Yes, I’m Seong Jin-Woo.”
Jin-Woo replied.
Goh Gun-Hui extended his hand for a shake with a bright face.
“It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance. I’m Goh Gun-Hui.”
The two men shared a short handshake. Goh Gun-Hui pointed towards the chairs in the waiting area, already rearranged in a way that those sitting there would look at each other.
“Why don’t we have a chat after taking seats?”
“Thank you.”
Jin-Woo sat down first, and Goh Gun-Hui too parked himself on the opposite chair.
Jin-Woo inadvertently caught the glimpse of a golden badge pinned to Goh Gun-Hui’s jacket. This man currently served as a member of the National Assembly, and at the same time, as the President of the Association as well.
‘And a rank S Awakened on top of that, too.’
Goh Gun-Hui wasn’t someone anyone could meet just because they wanted to. One couldn’t even count the number of people who wanted to speak to this man, be that the giants of the financial and political world as well as bigshots from other countries.
That was why Jin-Woo was getting even more curious now. Why was someone like Goh Gun-Hui seeking him out so urgently?
And, now that he thought about it….
‘After Choi Jong-In, it’s the turn of Goh Gun-Hui, isn’t it?’
Just in one day, he ran into two men who could proudly boast the title of the ‘best’ in a row.
….Even though he wasn’t officially confirmed as a rank S yet.
Goh Gun-Hui began speaking.
“I’d like to congratulate you on becoming the newest rank S Hunter.”
Jin-Woo tilted his head.
“But, the result of the reassignment test hasn’t come out yet.”
Goh Gun-Hui shook his head immediately.
“Actually, the test itself does not have much of a meaning.”
“Excuse me?”
While Jin-Woo formed a confused expression, Goh Gun-Hui was forming a gentle smile.
“The truth is, the so-called precision measuring device is used to draw a finer line on the level of one’s powers. It’s not designed to sense something that already has exceeded the scope of other device’s measuring capability.”
“Then, how come….”
“Do you wish to ask me why we created another process called re-evaluation?”
Indeed, he did want to ask that. If the end results were going to be the same, then why go through yet another cumbersome process?
Goh Gun-Hui answered in rather a straightforward manner.
“It’s because we were looking for a grace period.”
‘A grace period…?’
Even before Jin-Woo could ask what he meant by that, Goh Gun-Hui spoke up first, looking somewhat embarrassed.
“It’s to create an opportunity where we can meet and speak to someone like you, Seong Jin-Woo Hunter-nim.”
“….Ah.”
Listening to the Association President, Jin-Woo finally figured it out.
“As you may well know, there aren’t that many excellent Hunters in the Association, like Division Chief Woo Jin-Cheol here, compared to our size.”
That was because of large Guilds.
“And that’s because of the large Guilds.”
But, of course.
Jin-Woo nodded his head.
“Signing up with a large Guild guarantees you fat salaries and fame, so who would want to come and work for the Association?”
The salaries for the Association’s Hunters weren’t small by any means. But then again, when compared to what one could potentially be earning by working for large Guilds, the salary was pitifully pathetic.
It was the same story regarding fame, too.
“There are some people who can recite the names of every member of a large Guild’s main raid teams. But, you will have a very hard time trying to find someone who knows the name of our Division Chief Woo Jin-Cheol.”
Hearing the term ‘members of the main raid team’, Jin-Woo recalled the rank A Hunter Kim Cheol.
His Perception Stat allowed him to grasp another’s capability. From Jin-Woo’s perspective, Woo Jin-Cheol was definitely a level higher than Kim Cheol.
‘They both might be rank As, but the gap in their skills are pretty obvious.’
Jin-Woo took a deeper look at Woo Jin-Cheol.
Perhaps finding the praise of the Association President and the gaze of Jin-Woo burdensome, Woo Jin-Cheol lowered his head, looking a little flushed.
‘But, then….’
If Kim Cheol had made his debut as a Hunter without meeting that ‘accident’, then he’d have made a lot more money and become much more famous than Woo Jin-Cheol.
That was the difference between a Hunter working for the Association and someone signed to a large Guild.
“And so, we came up with a plan in case a truly exceptional Awakened decides to visit the Association.”
So, that would be the re-evaluation test, then?
‘Well, sure…..’
If the result of the evaluation was publicly made available and was spread everywhere, would the Association have the chance to make an approach like this? It certainly made sense.
“I won’t beat around the bush and get to the point.”
Before anyone had noticed it, that warm smile was no longer visible on the face of the Association’s President.
“We’re not a corporation, so we can’t promise you lots of money. However….”
Goh Gun-Hui touched his chest area, before extending his fist that was gripping onto something.
“However, we can help you in a different way.”
“I don’t quite understand…..?”
“What I’m saying here is that we can help guide you, Seong Jin-Woo Hunter-nim, down a very different direction.”
His clenched fist slowly unfurled. On Goh Gun-Hui’s palm, a golden badge gleamed brightly.
‘Political power….. Is it?’
Even after that, Jin-Woo maintained a suspicious expression.
“I still don’t quite understand.”
“Pardon?”
“Is there a reason for you to go this far for me?”
That was a valid question. A certain glint flickered in Goh Gun-Hui’s eyes as he continued to gaze at Jin-Woo.
‘To think, this young man can still calmly ask what’s on his mind, without being scared by my background, nor influenced by potential benefit right in front of his eyes….’
….Was I in a too much of a rush?
Didn’t someone once say this?
‘Patience decreases with age.’
That concept certainly wasn’t wrong.
Goh Gun-Hui suppressed his smile and continued on.
“You know about the five Guilds, yes?”
How could anyone not know of them? Jin-Woo silently nodded his head.
“Currently, you’ll find that in South Korea, the heads of five large dragons are locked in a delicate balance.”
Around the capital, the Hunters, the White Tiger, and the Reapers.
And in the countryside, the Shining Star and the Knight Order.
“If you decide to enter one of the five Guilds, doesn’t matter which one, the delicate balance will shatter and everything will change.”
Even now, the status and authority of large Guilds were soaring into high heavens. However, what if one of them managed to sign up another rank S Hunter, and used that as the springboard to soar even higher?
Would they listen to the Association anymore?
The Association’s sole role was to remain as the centre of the balance among the Hunters by using power.
“It is simply far too inadequate to control and tie down Hunters with laws and regulations and the threat of prosecution.”
Jin-Woo too thought like that before. Monsters found in dungeons weren’t the only ‘monsters’ out there. Hunters were also, in a way, ‘monsters’.
If one were to look only at the ‘strength’ aspect, then Hunters were far more dangerous ‘monsters’ than regular monsters found in dungeons.
“That is why the Association exists.”
Goh Gun-Hui’s expression became far more grave.
“And the Association needs your help, Seong Jin-Woo Hunter-nim.”
….The help from someone like you, who possessed great power.
Gou Gun-Hui’s gaze became sharper.
‘Sure, I’ll have to keep an eye on him and find out what he’s like, but….’
But, as long as Seong Jin-Woo gave his OK here, the Association would support him to the utmost fullest.
A rank S was certainly worthy of such an investment, after all.
‘This should be enough of an explanation.’
That was why….
For the first time in a long, long while, Goh Gun-Hui was feeling nervous and expectant at the same time, as he asked the next question in a soft but firm voice.
“What will you choose, Hunter-nim?”
That wasn’t a bad suggestion.
If Goh Gun-Hui were to lend his support, then even the most average guy would be on the fast track to success.
The National Assembly, the government, the Hunters Association, and even the mass media, too – it’d be very hard to find a sector that Goh Gun-Hui’s reach did not extend to.
Not only that, if the person receiving that support just so happened to a rank S Hunter?
‘I can’t even imagine how far a person like that would climb up.’
All of a sudden, Jin-Woo pictured himself sitting right next to the member of National Assembly Goh Gun-Hui while kitted out in a super-dope designer business suit.
His heart palpitated ever so slightly.
‘Such an opportunity wouldn’t come knocking every day, right?’
Even if one wanted to walk down on this ‘different path’ Goh Gun-Hui had suggested, not everyone was qualified to step on this road, after all.
However….
There was one important thing missing from that scenario.
‘If I sign up with the Association, I won’t be able to increase my level.’
The higher ranked Hunters working for the Association never participated in raids at all. Their main role was to deal with other Hunters, not to hunt down and kill monsters.
And, even if he managed to get permission and participate in raids organised by the Association….
‘Dungeons the Association deals with are rank Ds and Es, those that the Guilds aren’t interested in.’
Could he continue on by hunting down low-level mobs that didn’t even give him any experience points? No, of course not.
Jin-Woo strongly baulked at the idea.
‘I wish to become even stronger.’
To a higher place…..
He wanted to climb up as high as he could.
Unless it was impossible, or there was no certainty, why should he give up on something he was fully capable of achieving?
What a nonsensical notion that was.
‘As long as I keep levelling up, I will get stronger and stronger.’
Thump.
Thump.
Imagining that caused his heart to thump way harder and faster than imagining himself being next to the Association President Goh Gun-Hui.
Goh Gun-Hui too sensed the change in Jin-Woo.
‘His breathing has suddenly picked up. Did he finally make up his mind?’
He could only hope that the decision was a good one.
‘No, it simply has to be a good one.’
….If he thought about his remaining time.
His own anticipation no less than that of Jin-Woo’s, Goh Gun-Hui waited for the answer. Each passing second felt like a minute.
Jin-Woo eventually opened his mouth.
“I’m sorry.”
Goh Gun-Hui’s expression hardened immediately.
‘I thought I saw determination fill up his face just now…. Was I mistaken?’
He couldn’t hide the disappointment in his face.
‘In the end, the ambition of the man named Seong Jin-Woo was only about this much….’
Goh Gun-Hui wasn’t lying about lending support for the ‘other path’. Actually, he was thinking of something even greater.
‘A new rank S to appear in two years….’
Goh Gun-Hui was thinking of keeping this youth close and teaching him the ropes, and if the kid showed promise, groom him to become the next successor.
Because, a powerful figure was needed to support the Association when he was gone. Meaning, Goh Gun-Hui was planning to hand over everything he had.
However, for the result to be like this….
‘How laughable I am.’
Goh Gun-Hui took away the golden badge and asked in a dejected voice.
“Is it…. because of money?”
Jin-Woo replied right away.
“No, it is not.”
Goh Gun-Hui snorted inwardly.
‘They all sound righteous, of course.’
However, they were all the same inside. In the end, it was all about the money. And, the accompanying fame would be like icing on cake.
‘Then again….’
Chasing after material wealth was an innate instinct found in all human beings, so Goh Gun-Hui didn’t have any thoughts of faulting the youth for that.
Only that, he found it utterly laughable that people couldn’t be honest with themselves.
“In that case, why did you say no?”
Goh Gun-Hui asked, even though he already knew the answer. He just wanted to see the youth’s response.
However…..
“I want to fight.”
Jin-Woo’s unhesitating reply smacked the back of Goh Gun-Hui’s head.
‘What did he say??’
It definitely felt like he got sucker-punched just now.
“That…. Did you mean that you want to fight against the monsters?”
“That’s correct.”
Jin-Woo didn’t bother with unnecessary explanations and spoke frankly.
“I want to enter Gates and hunt down monsters. I believe the place I belong is inside dungeons.”
‘How can this be?’
Goh Gun-Hui’s eyes widened.
A man like him standing on top of many others knew whether someone was telling the truth or lying through their teeth simply from the light emitting from their eyes.
The position he occupied could only be reached by possessing such a skill, after all. That was why Goh Gun-Hui knew it.
‘Those eyes…. He’s being dead serious.’
Goh Gun-Hui’s own eyes staring at Jin-Woo did a 180.
‘How long has it been since I felt this?’
By the time Goh Gun-Hui had ‘Awakened’, his body was already too old. That was why, instead of fighting against monsters, he looked for other things he could do, instead.
By using the money he got from selling his company, he established the Korean Hunters Association, gathered Hunters, and with his fame serving as the foundation, he marched straight into the National Assembly, and even had a hand in creating laws that governed Hunters.
However, there was this lingering regret in his heart that would never go away, even though he worked tirelessly all this time.
‘If only I was younger by 20, no, 10 years, I’d been…. With these young people, I…..!’
Thump, thump, thump….
Goh Gun-Hui pressed his hand on his chest. His heart that threatened to quit at any time was pounding quickly, rather noticeably, now.
‘My heart can still make a noise like this?’
The rhythmic beating of the heart felt good.
On the other hand, Jin-Woo was tilting his head.
‘Isn’t this strange?’
He refused the suggestion of Goh Gun-Hui, fully preparing himself to be at odds with the Association in the process, yet the President seemed to be happy about something, instead.
‘Well, it doesn’t matter one way or the other….’
He had said what he wanted to, so Jin-Woo got up from his seat.
“My younger sister is watching the house alone, so I should get going now.”
“Thank you for your time.”
Goh Gun-Hui got up along with Jin-Woo and pulled something out from his inner pocket.
“And, please take this.”
It was a business card.
‘…..?’
“If you require my assistance, don’t hesitate and give me a call.”
Goh Gun-Hui was smiling brightly.
What Jin-Woo said was right. Powerful Hunters belonged in dungeons.
Although he had failed in recruiting Jin-Woo, as the President of the Association, or perhaps as a fellow Hunter, Goh Gun-Hui wished to help Jin-Woo out however he could.
If he were to be more honest, then….
‘This young man, I like him.’
That was why he needed to offer advice, as well. Nagging would only come from someone holding interest towards you, after all.
“It’s impossible to enter high-ranked dungeons by yourself. Please, give it a careful consideration when choosing a Guild to join.”
‘Your choice would change the status quo by a great deal.’
After hearing Goh Gun-Hui’s earnest advice, Jin-Woo briefly formed a mysterious smile.
“Thank you.”
Jin-Woo pocketed the business card in his wallet, lightly bowed towards Goh Gun-Hui and Woo Jin-Cheol, and left the waiting area.
“Fuu….”
While letting out a sigh, Goh Gun-Hui plopped down on the chair.
“Are you alright, sir?”
Woo Jin-Cheol guessed that Goh Gun-Hui wasn’t feeling good, and quickly approached his boss. However, Goh Gun-Hui smiled and waved his hand away.
“No, I’m fine.”
Actually, he was beyond fine.
What an enjoyable meeting this had been, a first in such a long while.
Goh Gun-Hui sat there smiling for a long time, before turning to his PA and handed out an order.
“Clear the schedule for the rest of the day.”
“But, sir. The meeting with the Ministers….”
“Cancel them all.”
Goh Gun-Hui chuckled to himself.
“I do not wish to waste this good feeling on those small-minded idiots.”
He wished to retain this lingering feel-good attitude for today, at least.
Suddenly, Goh Gun-Hui shifted his gaze over to Woo Jin-Cheol. Seeing that rarely-seen smile on the President’s face, even Woo Jin-Cheol began feeling a bit hyped up, as well.
“Is there something you need, sir?”
“No, well. It’s nothing serious but, my man…..”
Goh Gun-Hui took his time as he scratched below his chin.
“How about having a drink with me today?”
At this quite unexpected suggestion, Woo Jin-Cheol could only form an awkward smile.
“I’m not very good with holding my liquor, sir…. Will that be fine with you?”
“Uh-huh. I didn’t take you for a person like that.”
Goh Gun-Hui playfully clicked his tongue.
“Haven’t you heard of the old saying about the cup size of a man’s drink determining the extent of the world he can make his own?”
“My apologies, sir.”
Woo Jin-Cheol’s face reddened in embarrassment and scratched the back of his head.
“I was just kidding with you. I’m feeling rather good right now, and jokes just seem to come out on their own.”
Also, the one he wanted to share drinks with was someone else.
Goh Gun-Hui’s gaze shifted towards the end of the corridor that Jin-Woo had disappeared to.
‘Hunter Seong Jin-Woo….’
How well would he be able to hold his liquor?
Thinking that he’d like to find out someday, a thin smile formed on Goh Gun-Hui’s lips.
***
Screech….
Clunk.
Jin-Woo stepped down from the bus that came to a noisy stop.
‘Well, I did escape from there with my sister as an excuse, but….’
When he took a look at his watch, it was still too early for her to be home. Jin-Woo slowly walked towards his home.
Tick, tick.
Hearing an unfamiliar noise, he turned his head to look, and spotted a street lamp that was definitely malfunctioning.
‘Now that I think about it….’
He realised that the street was far too dark.
What with this district being so derelict, to begin with, just from walking a bit away from the main street one would find themselves in a dark and isolated location like this one.
It was at this point that a certain news item entered his mind.
‘The case of serial murders that have been happening around here lately.’
Weren’t the victims supposedly all women?
His little sister frequented this road, as well. Not only that, late at night, too.
‘Since her school’s nearby, we can’t just move house willy-nilly, either.’
He began to get worried now.
Apprehending the criminal wouldn’t be difficult at all as long as the murdering b*stard had been found, but he couldn’t really stand around here every night because of his worries.
Wasn’t there a better way?
He stood there thinking with his arms crossed, before a smile crept up on Jin-Woo’s lips.
‘Well, all I have to do is leave someone else here as a lookout, right?’
Didn’t he possess the perfect candidates for that task?
“Come out.”
At Jin-Woo’s call, shadow soldiers popped up.
‘Five should be enough.’
These guys had levelled up quite nicely during their conquest of the Demon’s Castle. Just looking at them gave him lots of confidence.
“From today onwards, you guys will serve as this district’s watchmen. Start your patrol.”
As soon as he finished speaking, the soldiers melted into the shadow-like state. And then, they began moving while weaving in and out of the shades found between various buildings.
‘That’s right. Move around like that avoid being spotted by other people.’
Holy wowsers, what wonderful little kids they were turning out to be!
Unless that serial murderer was a high-ranked Hunter, he’d never be able to win against a shadow soldier. And even if that murdering b*stard did somehow win against his soldiers, Jin-Woo would know right away.
He was an S rank Hunter, after all.
‘No, hang on. Since I don’t have my revised licence yet, should I say that I’m an S rank Awakened, instead?’
Well, what did it matter anyway?
A suburb being protected by a rank S, didn’t matter whether he was a Hunter or an Awakened.
If the truth of a free security system being deployed in this area for 24 hours became known, wouldn’t the land price jump up overnight?
A smirk leaked out of his mouth.
‘Very good.’
With this, he felt more relaxed.
Jin-Woo scanned his surroundings once more and turned around to leave while looking much more satisfied than before.
***
“I came running because you said you’d buy me a meal, but it’s just some measly pork belly??”
“Huh?! Are you looking down on the mighty pork belly now??”
“…….”
“This place is where my great memory of me and my hyung-nim was created, you know!!”
Yu Jin-Ho and his deeply-reddened face put the empty shot glass of alcohol down on the table and snorted out in drunkenness.
“Okay, so why did you bring me to this place of such a ‘wonderful’ memory?”
Yu Soo-Hyun formed a flabbergasted expression.
She was getting ready to sleep, but then, Yu Jin-Ho called her out of the blue.
– “Noona, please console me. Please.”
– “….Why ‘noona’ all of a sudden?”
– “Noooooonaaaa~~.”
She found his tearful whimpering rather desperate and pitiful, so she hurriedly came out to meet him, but to think, the place he brought her to was a diner….
It was only obvious for Yu Soo-Hyun to be less than impressed by her current situation, when considering the fact that she grew up as a refined lady of a chaebol’s family, and also from the fact that she was working as a top model nowadays.
Glance, glance….
Because she was in a hurry, she threw on whatever and even wore a baseball cap on top of that too, yet the glances from the surrounding men were still flying towards her non-stop.
“What’s going on? Will you just speak up?”
Yu Soo-Hyun asked while pouring more soju in Yu Jin-Ho’s empty shot glass.
“Look, look at this. This is the phone number of my dear hyung-nim. Right?”
Still sounding tearful, Yu Jin-Ho pushed forward his smartphone. On the screen, one could see the lengthy list of calls.
One successful call, and four failed attempts.
Even then, the first one that got through was apparently cut short in the middle, too.
“Wait. Did you call me out here because you couldn’t reach someone you know on the phone?!”
Nod, nod.
Yu Jin-Ho’s head bobbed up and down.
“Ha-ah…”
Yu Soo-Hyun could hardly believe this crap. She snatched Yu Jin-Ho’s phone away.
“Gimme that.”
She quickly tapped on the ‘Call’ icon.
Ringgg….
The ringtone got cut off a short while later. When that happened, Yu Soo-Hyun began glaring at him.
“Hey, you dumba*s.”
“Eh?”
Yu Jin-Ho raised his head from the table.
“The ringtone cuts out after 15 seconds. That guy’s not avoiding answering you, it’s just that his phone’s been switched off. And if the call got cut out in the middle, his battery must’ve run out.”
“…Really?”
“If you don’t believe me, call again.”
Ringgg….
Just as she said, the signal got cut off after 15 seconds.
“Hey, it’s for real?!”
Yu Jin-Ho’s expression brightened instantly.
“It’s sorted now, right? I’m going home.”
Yu Soo-Hyun was about to leave without a shred of hesitation, but Yu Jin-Ho hurriedly latched onto her sleeve.
“Noooona~. Please hang around until I finish this bottle, at least!”
“Am I a noona only on occasions like this one, ah?”
And this fool usually called her ‘You’ this and ‘Hey you’ that all the time, too!
In the end, though, Yu Soo-Hyun settled back down on the chair.
“Huh? Noona, you also want a drink?”
“You wanted me to wait until you finish the bottle, right? It’s going to take a long time before you solo that bottle and I can’t wait around until you manage that.”
“As expected, there can only be one noona!”
“Stop it, please?”
Even though she replied like that, they began emptying the shot glasses in a fun, relaxed atmosphere.
“By the way, just who is this ‘hyung-nim’ guy?”
“You’ll find out soon enough.”
After signing up with the Yujin Guild, that is.
Yu Jin-Ho was about to say those words out loud, but then, his eyes widened slightly after seeing the footage being shown on the TV mounted high up on the diner’s wall.
“Uh? Isn’t that guy….?”
Yu Soo-Hyun also turned her gaze towards the TV.
The screen showed a news broadcast, and it carried the news regarding a top celebrity named Rhee Min-Seong, who had gone through the Awakening process recently.
Standing in front of the huge throngs of reporters, Rhee Min-Seong spoke as if he was abashed by the attention.
– “Well, my filming schedule hasn’t been cleared yet….. Will only know after my evaluation result comes out…..”
The ticker tape on the bottom of the screen said that Rhee Min-Seong was planning to stop by the Hunters Association soon and take his rank assignment test.
“Wowsers. As expected of the star of the Korean Wave, Rhee Min-Seong! Look at the number of reporters there. Aren’t those guys from the Chinese media?”
Yu Jin-Ho sighed in admiration.
However, Yu Soo-Hyun simply frowned.
“How can that guy lie so boldly in front of so many people?!”
“Eh?”
“Everyone who’s in the know all know it already. That’s all just a show. He already has been ranked A, you know? He’s just playing it up for the cameras because he wants to be the talk of the town!”
“He’s putting on an act? But, that symbol of modesty Rhee Min-Seong is?!”
Yu Soo-Hyun clicked her tongue in annoyance.
Tsk, tsk.
‘How come no one has got any clue?’
This kinda felt like she was badmouthing someone behind his back, but within the circle of those who knew Rhee Min-Seong personally, that man’s reputation was the absolute worst.
The difference in his personality between when the cameras were around and when they were not was, as the kids liked to say nowadays, the 4th dimensional wall that no one could cross. (TL: It’s a Korean slang.)
That was the type of person Yu Soo-Hyun detested the most.
If he was just two-faced, then she might have overlooked his faults, but then again, that b*stard was notorious for his flirtatious ways, too.
Not too long ago, he called her up totally out of the blue and started his shtick while saying something about being a Hunter like her. She had to go through a wringer trying to end that call.
‘What an unpleasant b*stard….’
Even before he had Awakened, he was infamous for his incredible arrogance, but now that he was about to become a rank A Hunter, how bad would it get now?
Not only that, it looked like that the occasion of him being labelled as a rank A would be broadcast live nationwide, too.
‘He’s really good at using his head for stuff like this, isn’t he?’
Yu Soo-Hyun shook her head and slammed back the remaining soju in her shot glass.
< Chapter 42> Fin.
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