Chapter 33: A-Rank Hunter Seo Ye-rin (2)

Seo Ye-rin, Team Leader of the Hunter Association’s Audit Division.

She is a highly competent Hunter trusted deeply by the Association President—and well-known across South Korea to the point where virtually no one doesn’t know her name.

Because of the overwhelming presence of the Association President, who stands as a giant within the organization, Seo Ye-rin’s abilities are occasionally underestimated.

But make no mistake—she is undeniably a seasoned A-rank Hunter.

And not just any A-rank.

She has extensive field experience from working directly under the Association and also possesses a rare magic-type Trait, making her a unique case among Hunters.

But that’s not all.

The potential of Seo Ye-rin’s innate Trait doesn’t stop at A-rank.

With continued support from the Association, she’s widely expected to reach S-rank in the near future.

Thanks to that high expectation, Seo Ye-rin’s name recognition is on par with that of a national figure.

Exceptional skill.

A promising future.

And outstanding beauty.

Perfect in every way—perhaps that’s why she’s so popular among many men.

However, Seo Ye-rin herself is famously known for firmly rejecting any romantic interest.

To the point that arguments have broken out among elite young men over what her “ideal type” might be.

Who could possibly win the heart of a woman like her?

Is there even a man alive who could soften her cold, expressionless face into a genuine smile?

But ironically enough, her current state couldn’t have been further from the public’s image of her.

“Ah, crap. This is bad.”

Seo Ye-rin’s rose-pink lips, usually shut tight, finally moved.

Her eyes, cold like the deep sea, shimmered with light and shook violently.

Even her normally chill, emotionless voice changed—now filled with confusion and concern, spoken with human warmth and natural tone.

“Nngh…”

She set her smartphone down on her desk and let out a groan, burying her head in her hands.

Her silky black hair, like strands of polished ebony, spilled between her fingers.

“Maybe… I should’ve checked the situation before jumping in…”

Her anxious gaze stayed glued to the smartphone screen.

More precisely, her eyes were locked onto the man in black martial robes hosting the broadcast onscreen—

Song Cheon Hwi.

A mysterious man broadcasting under his real name.

A man of tremendous power hidden behind an unassuming presence and ordinary energy signature.

That heavy sense of presence she felt face-to-face with him after the Red Gate—she remembered it clearly…

[Well then, I’ll be ending the broadcast now.]

“Oh…!”

Seo Ye-rin, lost in thought, snapped back to reality at the sound of his voice coming through her phone’s speaker.

The broadcast had ended—clean and precise, like a blade.

In disbelief, she blinked her wide eyes a few times.

But all she could see was the pitch-black screen reflecting her own face.

Finally, Seo Ye-rin let out a long sigh and leaned back into her chair.

“What kind of outcome would make someone slam the ground in regret…?”

He was the man who raised a D-rank awakened—who hadn’t even graduated from the Academy, into someone nearing the peak of C-rank in just one month.

Now, in this new challenge, the time limit was also one month.

Of course, strengthening an awakened individual and elevating an unawakened person to awakened-level power were two very different tasks.

The latter was so complex that even academia had long declared it impossible.

Seo Ye-rin swallowed hard.

Logically speaking, this was a bet she couldn’t possibly lose.

But then again, had anything that man done so far ever made logical sense?

No.

He had always defied common sense with ease, making the absurd seem routine.

This time would be no different.

Anyone could see it, just from the calm, confident way he carried himself.

…It wouldn’t be a chat mute or ban, right…?

Seo Ye-rin gulped as she imagined the worst.

At first, it had just been curiosity.

A few days ago, she’d started watching his broadcast out of pure, innocent curiosity—nothing more.

But now, looking at herself…

That curiosity hadn’t faded—it had only grown stronger.

And along with it came new companions: enjoyment and anticipation.

This isn’t good…

Seo Ye-rin told herself that, yet she still couldn’t stop watching his streams.

The stiff, formal air of the Audit Division…

The pressure of expectations and trust piled onto her from all sides…

The admiration and envy that poured in from people of all ages…

Her life had always been painted in dull, muted colors—rigid, monochrome.

Seo Ye-rin couldn’t bring herself to push away the small refuge that had entered her heavy, exhausting daily life.

‘Ugh… come to think of it, the business card. I gave him my card, didn’t I?’

That memory suddenly resurfaced—when she handed him her business card, accepting the embarrassment and the potential awkwardness that could follow.

She also remembered what came after.

All the questions and glances she got from the men who lingered around her, clearly having noticed.

And, of course, the result.

“Haah…”

A weak sigh slipped through Seo Ye-rin’s lips.

Even though it had been quite some time since she handed him that card, she hadn’t received a single call.

‘Almost time to clock out…’

The time on her smartphone read exactly 6:00 PM.

Normally, Seo Ye-rin would have already taken advantage of her position as team leader and the excuse of “personal training” to leave right on time.

But today, she moved sluggishly, slowly rising from her seat.

She tucked the Audit Division badge into her pocket, grabbed her suit jacket off the hanger, and draped it over her shoulders.

On a typical day, she’d have straightened her clothes neatly before heading out—but today, she didn’t even have the energy for that.

As she stepped out of the team leader’s office, she spotted three team members chatting by the vending machine in the hallway.

“Heading out for the day?”

“Yes. Are you all working late?”

“Haha, not today. Actually, we’re getting off on time too. That, uh, Song Cheon Hwi guy took care of the Monster Wave, so the Association’s workload dropped a ton.”

“I see. Well then, I’ll be heading out first.”

She gave a polite nod to the smiling colleague who waved at her, then continued walking down the hall.

From behind her, she heard talk of grabbing drinks together—seemed like her team members were also ready to enjoy a rare, early night off.

Ding!

Lost in thought, Seo Ye-rin stepped into the elevator as the doors opened.

She reached out to press the button for the first floor—but her hand paused.

A sudden thought crossed her mind.

‘Maybe I should train a bit… it’s been a while.’

She’d probably just end up lying on the bed doing nothing if she went home now anyway.

If that’s the case, she might as well move her body and clear her thoughts while she’s at it.

With that change of heart, her finger slid slightly lower.

Below even the basement parking levels.

Down to the absolute lowest floor.

Seo Ye-rin pressed the button for the Association’s basement training floor, then leaned her back against the wall of the elevator.

“That movement… I wonder if I could pull it off too.”

Movements performed by someone who was, at best, a C-rank awakened.

She recalled Choa, who had effortlessly danced circles around the Bloody Arachne, and fell into thought.

It wasn’t about raw power.

Seo Ye-rin was confident that she could face Choa ten times and win all ten overwhelmingly.

But what if power was taken out of the equation, and it came down to pure skill alone?

“…That might be tough.”

It wouldn’t be just her—most Hunters would likely feel the same.

That technique… it had been so fascinating, so intriguing.

And because of that, the desire to learn it began to stir within her.

“If I keep copying it over and over… maybe someday I’ll get it too.”

Her eyes gleamed as her gaze drifted downward.

Looking at her own long, slender legs, Seo Ye-rin recalled Choa’s footwork and lowered her gaze further.

Today’s training goal was set.

Try to mimic that movement.

Just as she decided on that objective, the elevator arrived at the lowest floor and the doors slid open.

And then.

“…Huh?”

A loud noise came from the training room next door.

Was there already someone down here?

Seo Ye-rin tilted her head curiously but soon walked forward without hesitation.

After all, there were several training rooms—someone else being here wasn’t an issue.

Still, she was curious.

Who trains on a day like this?

On a day perfect for getting off work early, who would stay behind for personal training?

Driven by that curiosity, Seo Ye-rin casually opened the door of the room where she sensed movement, pretending it was just a mistake.

“…?!”

A platinum blur came flying at her at high speed.

No, not just a blur—a person in white martial robes, with golden-blonde hair, filled her entire field of vision.

“Wha—!”

Eyes wide for a brief moment, Seo Ye-rin moved on reflex and caught the flying figure.

The sensation of clothes soaked in sweat and sticking to her skin was unpleasant—but Seo Ye-rin calmly lowered the person to the floor and quickly checked their condition.

And then, Seo Ye-rin froze in shock.

“Choa-nim?”

“Ugh… H-Hunter Seo Ye-rin!”

It was the aspiring Hunter she had met during the Red Gate incident.

Trizik streamer Choa was the one she had just caught in her arms.

What is she doing here?

Seo Ye-rin’s eyes trembled.

The Association’s basement training floor was strictly off-limits to non-affiliated individuals.

Unless someone had escorted her in, Choa’s presence here simply made no sense.

“Oops.”

Before she could fully process the thought, an all-too-familiar voice rang out.

The same calm, composed male voice she had just been hearing through her smartphone speaker moments ago.

No way…

Seo Ye-rin’s head snapped up the moment the thought crossed her mind.

Her gaze naturally followed the direction the voice had come from.

Song Cheon Hwi…!

No doubt about it.

The same man from the broadcast.

The same man who had stepped out of the Red Gate.

He stood there in front of her, unchanged.

The stream had just ended minutes ago.

So how was he here already?

Seo Ye-rin’s mind was filled with questions…

Until she suddenly realized something.

Her eyes widened in realization as she looked around.

It was identical.

The background she was seeing now perfectly matched the one from the stream—down to the smallest detail.

That meant…

He had been broadcasting from the Association’s underground training room all along.

The moment that clicked into place, Seo Ye-rin’s eyes sparkled.

“Is there… any way I could be of assistance?”

It seemed like Seo Ye-rin’s early leave from work would have to wait.