episode_0146

Kwaang!!

The desk falls over.

Stylish nameplates, trophies, and other miscellaneous items are pouring down, and pure white documents are fluttering like snowflakes.

bang! Quang!

What I couldn’t help but throw on the floor was a bottle of my favorite potion.

Named [Galaxy Potion], he throws away with all his might the bright red potion that even the most powerful guilds are dying to have.

A shattered glass bottle.

Solution splashed out in all directions.

Water already spilled.

“… … … Clean it up.”

“Okay.”

Is it because I feel sorry for the broken potion?

The middle-aged man, whose anger subsided in an instant, spoke.

Then, people wearing researcher gowns begin to clean up the messy office with stern faces.

“So, I couldn’t find a single trace.”

“Yes.”

“Not a single piece of body was recovered, including the 8 people who went missing at [Cheorwon Gyeoljang], the 1 person who went missing before that, and the 3 people from the former [crude solution collection team]… not a single piece of body was recovered.”

“… … Yes.”

Phew……

Deep sigh.

Researchers cleaning up a messy floor and a middle-aged man leaning on an antique table.

The sharp voice of a middle-aged man, and the hard, timid voice of a researcher.

A table runs across the office, separating the men and researchers.

Test tubes containing red liquid are lined up like trophies on the table.

However, the test tube left at room temperature for a long time was full of dark stains, and the man who picked up one test tube looked at it with shabby eyes.

“… … [Changcheon Geomga] interfered.”

“I think so. On the day of the decision to retrieve the ‘unprocessed solution’, a ‘new type of monster’ appeared at the [Cheorwon crack yard] managed by [Changcheon Geomga], causing chaos. It is clear that there was some kind of trick.”

A researcher who quickly finished cleaning the floor said as he straightened up the fallen desk.

On the day of execution of ‘Operation to secure crude oil’,

A ‘new type of monster’ suddenly swept through [Cheorwon Crack Ground].

8 hunters disappeared due to commotion.

Immediately, the crack field was sealed off in the name of safety.

Soon after, a search party directly participated by the guild leader of [Changcheon Swordsman] entered the [Rift Field]… and said that neither the ‘new monster’ nor the ‘eight missing people’ were found.

The timing is so good.

Every action is so blatant that it makes you laugh.

The middle-aged man was confident.

[Changcheongeomga] protected the ‘unprincipled liquid’ using some kind of means called a ‘new type of monster’.

Even the guild leader came forward and completed the cleanup.

“… … … What about the headquarters manager?”

“There is a record of two hunters receiving emergency treatment at the association hospital on the day of the incident.”

One patient had bilateral eye damage.

The other is multiple organ failure due to massive mana loss.

“It is presumed that they are agents of Team 1 of the [Rare Hunter Protection-Assassin Division] that protected the original solution.”

“With an injury of that magnitude… it means that, if there were no external interference, we would have succeeded in securing the ‘refined solution’.”

I don’t like it from start to finish.

The middle-aged man’s lips trembled as he touched a test tube containing red liquid.

I don’t like it.

An operation that keeps failing.

The following things are missing.

The current situation.

Everything.

It seemed as if something invisible was protecting the ‘refined solution’.

“… … How much [Galaxy Potion] is left?”

“The existing product was diluted by 75% to roughly match the sales volume. However, considering the freshness of the ‘blood’ being stored…”

“Not much time left.”

A cliff that has been cut down is visible.

The front is obscured by thick fog and cannot be seen.

You have to go back or jump over it.

“… … .”

A middle-aged man.

He has the eyes of an old man and his voluminous black hair is swept up.

After contemplating for a moment, he expressed his thoughts to the waiting researchers in a rigid posture.

“Sell only up to the currently reserved quantity, and do not accept any more. Only until the ‘crude solution’ is secured.”

“The backlash will be severe.”

“This time, the 8 people who went missing from the [Cheorwon crack shop]… How about announcing that one of them was an association agent with the skills necessary to produce the [Galaxy Potion]?”

Cheorwon crack market managed by [Changcheon Geomga].

A place turned upside down by the sudden appearance of a ‘new monster’.

There, key personnel of the association went missing.

Production of the Galaxy Potion has been discontinued due to negligence in management by [Changcheon Swordsman].

“… … Would that really work?”

“Is there any evidence that this is not the case? Rather, most people will doubt the [Changcheon Swordsman]. Do you think it makes sense that that dangerous ‘new type of monster’ has not yet been discovered? From what I heard, the monsters at the crack were slaughtered.”

“If the eight missing people are still alive…”

“He must have died. That’s how they were raised.”

A middle-aged man who has calmed his anger puts down the test tube.

Knock knock… Fingers tapping on the table plan the future.

They say there are no repeated coincidences.

This incident made it clear.

Aside from Director Go Young-in’s faction, [Rare Hunter Protection – Killing Division], there is another force that protects ‘the original’.

That’s probably the large guild [Changcheon Swordsman].

I should have recognized the guild scout named Jeong So-ra from the moment she started snooping around ‘Won Aek’.

“Who can be assigned to the [crude solution collection team]?”

“That……”

“… Well, actually. No fool would go into a place where the entire team went missing twice in a row.”

I can’t organize my thoughts.

Is it because I’m angry, or is it because the plan that was messed up from the beginning continues to go awry?

The middle-aged man tapped the table.

“… … That’s right.”

he thought.

Before…

The first [crude solution collection team],

Disguising himself as a gas inspection employee of [Blue Dragon Energy], he tried to infiltrate ‘Won Aek”s apartment.

“How about doing it like this?”

“What do you mean?”

“They’re putting the blame on [Blue Dragon Guild]. Let’s unravel the information appropriately.”

Everything is [Blue Dragon Guild]’s fault.

An attempt was made to draw ‘undiluted’ blood by disguising it as a blood donation center.

Even past raids.

“[Changcheon Swordsman] has already smelled it. It means that you can no longer keep the secret of the ‘unique solution’ to yourself… It’s a shame, but what can you do?”

So, I’m leaking information.

Let one of the blue dragons smell the sweet scent and approach the ‘undiluted liquid’.

Have fun biting and fighting with the [Changcheongeomga] who carelessly put his saliva on someone else’s ‘unclean liquid’.

In a place where mutual interests are exchanged, the truth is not that important.

[Changcheon Swordsman] would have beaten the [Blue Dragon Guild] hard, claiming that they had a good excuse.

This is a battle over ownership of the ‘raw price’.

The right to research and use an unprecedented skill called [self-healing].

Potion dispensary.

Rare Hunter Protection – Kill Section.

Changcheon Geomga.

[Blue Dragon Guild] is formed there.

“They probably don’t know who the culprit is… We’re the only ones who know the ingredients of the [Galaxy Potion].”

I have doubts, but I’m not sure.

Because there is no evidence.

So, if you throw a passing blue dragon into the fence of doubt, the fence surrounding the Hunter Association will disappear by itself.

Talk. Tap…

The middle-aged man sat at the desk organized by the researchers,

He patted his own firm skin and smiled happily.

“Then who leaks information to the [Blue Dragon Guild]?”

“Why, you know that guy. The parachute son was captivated by the off-white color of the ‘refined solution’, joined the [refined solution collection team], and disappeared.”

I’ve been out of my mind lately.

The middle-aged man, who simply chose which force to sacrifice and who to sacrifice, burst into laughter.

“… … Me, manager…”

“Something else.”

“Why don’t we try to involve ourselves?”

“… What?”

“The opponent is still a D-class hunter, so just go through some appropriate cajoling…….”

Kwaang!!

And at that moment,

When one of the researchers cautiously proposed another suggestion,

The middle-aged man hit the desk with all his might.

A wooden desk made of expensive wood creaks and screams.

“What? Recruitment? Appeasement!? So does that mean the head of the headquarters is right!!!”

A man with a red face, as if he had touched something evil, yells loudly.

It was a stubbornness,

Maybe he was a piece of trash that could be called a stubborn person, but…

There was no one in this office who had the courage to refute his fiery, angry cries.

“Sorry, sorry! Manager! I made a mistake.”

“… … Huh… if you understand, let’s go out. Let’s discuss the detailed plan later.”

“Okay…”

The man takes a deep breath and gives the order to congratulate the guests.

And the researchers who had been looking at the man like a senile old man quietly left.

no one knows,

Taking place in a gloomy office,

Quiet story.

… … .

“We have to hurry. If, by any chance, the ‘unique’ is captured by a large guild… that bitch who is no longer one of the ‘association’s’ rare hunters will be killed by the [Rare Hunter Protection – Killing Department].”

Fighting over one woman,

A dizzying story.

… … .

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

‘Tsk… I had my doubts, but I still feel bad.’

The [Galaxy Potion] announced by the Hunter Association was a potion made with one’s own blood.

After finishing the cafe, Eunha walked home from work with a complicated expression.

Confidence, not doubt.

Ban Harin, who has good ‘observation skills’, told me… the story that Kang Na-ri’s potion made from her own blood and the association’s [Galaxy Potion] were made from the same ingredients never leaves my mind.

‘Mr. Ban Harin doesn’t seem to know… is he? Is it acting?’

I don’t know.

To have a headache.

I wish they would just let me live quietly.

I’m already busy managing the apartment and dealing with strange people.

I didn’t want to feel like this because I became a D-class hunter and became more popular than before.

“Phew… It’s okay! Rather, I like it.”

Thinking positively, Eunha quickly regains her energy.

Still, it’s better than I thought.

Unlike monsters whose lives are always threatened, they can deal with humans.

There’s no such thing as chopping someone up for breaking a rule, or looking up with innocent eyes, saying you want a friend’s arm.

If you get it wrong, you can just hold a reading party for [The Black Book], so there’s no need to make a fuss.

(『Are those who deceived you a threat to you?』)

(『I realized one day. If the ants feel sorry for the lump of sugar they are carrying, their feelings will be no different from those of the ants.』)

One day, I reflect on the grains of wisdom I picked up in the park.

It’s surprisingly calming.

Eunha thought it was easy.

The heads will be cut off in the order in which they were brought in.

Annoying but not uprooted,

This is a method that will only lead to more people getting involved…

‘Why? I think we should do it like this.’

Because this is a method that will only lead to more people getting involved…

Grumbling,

Dragging a suitcase containing [The Black Book],

Carrying around many things filled with resentment,

Eunha thought.

… … .

‘I wonder if that old man is doing well… I can’t go because I’m scared after being treated badly before.’

As I was thinking about this and that, I found myself in front of Saetbyul Apartment.

Today, as she was passing by the security office, she bent down and looked inside.

The old man, shaping clay as usual, smiles kindly.

I must have been drinking the soy milk that was gifted to me the other day, so there are packs of used soy milk piled up on one side of my desk.

“Hello, old man. Did anything happen to my apartment?”

“Heh heh… Since yesterday, notes containing suggestions from residents have been piling up in the security room.”

“It’s because of me. I’m sorry.”

“The lady did her job. Well done.”

“Then I’m less sorry.”

“Hehe…”

A compliment from an elderly person suddenly makes Eunha’s heart flutter.

Eunha smiles and shakes her body in a strange but good mood.

At Eunha’s excitement, the elderly security guard slightly looks away as if he has nowhere to focus his eyes, caresses the back of his wrinkled hand and clears his throat.

“Uh huh, the grown up girl… is so careless.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, but I’m glad to be praised by an older person. I will continue to work hard to manage the apartment.”

As Eunha confidently reveals her aspirations, the elder’s gaze returns and looks up at her.

The look in the eyes of the elderly security guard seen through the security room window holds a mysterious memory.

“Please let me know if you have more suggestions later. I will read it and reflect what I like in the apartment.”

“Yes… Whatever you want, young lady, do whatever you want.”

The greeting on the way home from work ends lightly, as always.

Eunha, running out of things to say, waves her hand and enters the apartment.

Chatting with the kind and gentle security guard during rush hour makes Eunha’s steps lighter.

Today too, she walks lightly and leaves.

… … Of course, right after entering the apartment building, I covered my mouth as if I was suppressing nausea.

Since I didn’t collapse at the entrance to the apartment and vomit like last time, I can say it’s okay.

“This old man will take responsibility for protecting this place that the young lady is taking care of.”

The mutterings of an old man with memories cannot reach anyone,

It disappeared between the wrinkles worn away by time.

Engraved on the castle walls that even time has not worn away,

It was a happy laugh, like a child’s scribbles.

… … .

… … .

Sigh…

“Oh, arrived. This is the apartment you mentioned, right?”

That evening.

Two men and a woman who parked their car on the side of the road were talking while looking up at the ‘9th floor’ apartment with the lights off.

“It’s really old. Why is there an abandoned building like this in Euncheon-gu? Shouldn’t it be demolished?”

“There is no problem with the information. Master said it was a secret from others.”

A security room with the lights off, an empty parking lot.

An eerie building with no traces of people.

A woman who was chewing gum in a bad posture in the backseat of a black car shivered from the unknown cold.

It’s a bad place.

“Tsk… You really sound like a dog. Tell me straight before I break your head.”

“Yes, it’s none of your business.”

A woman spits out the gum she was chewing.

She thumps the back of the head of the man holding the steering wheel with both large, gorilla-like hands, relieving the stress of going on a ‘preliminary field trip’ on such a late evening.

I must have spit out the gum quite often, and the gum I spit out with all my might from the backseat sticks to the wall of the apartment and sticks to it.

“Are you sure about the information? The person with the ‘rare skill’ that the association cherishes is here.”

“That’s right. It is said that there is a separate team protecting the hunter.”

“Hihi. That hunter, we’re sure! If you scout, you’ll love the association, right?”

“That’s what I came here for. The master ordered it.”

Ugh…

The ‘Blue Dragon’ pattern is engraved on an easy-to-move leather jumper.

A woman with blue mana in one hand smiles bitterly.

“Good! You said you were a D-class hunter, right? Looking at the way the apartment looks, it seems like all you need to do is give me some money, right? It will end easily.”

“Even if it ends quickly, other kids are waiting.”

“Ah, that’s right.”

Boom…

The two people who inspected the apartment decided that it was nothing special and quickly left.

A speeding car disappears in an instant, stepping on rainwater that has accumulated on the ground.

“Were the other kids following the youngest girl? I also want to see Miss Kang Nari~. I heard that she took out a private loan and had someone else repay it for her. Don’t you wonder how broken that quiet bitch must have been?”

“I don’t know.”

“… As expected, you can’t communicate well.”

A story no one knows moves through the darkness.

Waiting for one day to emerge from the shadows and bite into the sweet fruit.

“How should I recommend a guild to a D-class opponent~… Ah! There’s a restaurant over there! Since it’s annoying, I’ll just take him over there and do it while we eat. I’m a steak!”

“Do you also have sushi?”

Like gum stuck to the apartment wall,

Sticky and squishy, under someone’s gaze.

『… … .』

The two men and women,

I left behind the brightly lit 10th floor apartment.

… … .

… … .

Ta-ga-da-gak!

“Huh? Isn’t this the beat? ‘Fly’ is smart!”

『Uh huh. No matter how good ‘Fly’ is, praise should only be moderate… Look! Aren’t they excited and clinging to you? This is not how the ensemble works.』

Eunha is learning how to play the flute from [Bug Princess].

It’s an evening affair.