episode_0158

“What do you mean…! What is [Cheorwon Gyeoljang]?”

Head of the Hunter Association’s Seoul branch.

Go Young-in rubbed the dark circles under her eyes while receiving a report from her secretary.

The general manager’s office has all kinds of exercise equipment placed in one corner of the room.

However, fluffy dust accumulates on exercise equipment that has not been touched for a long time, causing discomfort.

What is hitting the window is the monsoon rain, which is nearing its end.

The sound of pouring rain calms the mind of the listener.

“This is the Hunter Association’s statement regarding the ‘eight hunters’ who went missing on the day a ‘new monster’ occurred in [Cheorwon Gyeokjangjang].”

“This must be the position of the potion dispensary. You seem like a very greedy old man…”

Go Young-in, who was reading documents on the desk, took out a piece of sweet white chocolate from a drawer and put it in her mouth.

Documents placed on the desk.

The eight hunters who went missing from [Cheorwon Crack Ground] are actually researchers from the ‘Potion Dispensing Room’.

The fact that one of them is a hunter who possesses the ‘skill’ essential for making [Galaxy Potions].

Because of this, the production of [Galaxy Potion] will be suspended indefinitely after the quantity sold this time…

No, this is a statement that gives off a disgusting smell of lies disguised as facts.

“The problem is that they created the problem themselves, and this time they just put their stamp on it… It looks like the conversation with the newspaper company is over.”

“Unlike others, I, the secretary, am having a hard time thanks to the general manager who has no personal connections.”

◦ at

Go Young-in washed his face once and blinked his bleary eyes.

Nothing happens.

“If we stop selling [Galaxy Potion] like this, the association will share the blame with the [Changcheon Swordsmen]… Let alone the fact that we are completely at odds with the large guilds.”

“Isn’t there something bigger than a large guild?”

“… … yes. Galaxy Hunter is a big deal. I was even attacked in the [Crack Field]”

ha…

I sigh without even hiding my complicated feelings.

Director Go Young-in looked down at his body without a single muscle and smiled bitterly.

“What is that crazy old man thinking? How many times have they attempted to kidnap someone before falling down and begging is not enough… It’s not like treating people like objects, so what are you doing?”

“Hehe… That statement stings even me.”

“Both are the same. How much money can you make with [Galaxy Potion]? Ugh…”

I have nothing to say.

Those who put their crazy plans into action, or those who just watch helplessly.

They are the same guys.

Go Young-in regretted the past that would never return and shook her knees like an anxious person.

Nothing happens.

Is this a natural result?

‘… … If you think about it, it was from May.’

Starting with the death of Hunter Kim Song-ah of the ‘Artifact Management Department’ in May,

Magic began to join the Hunter Association.

Eunha stopped donating blood.

Several employees went missing after throwing an unreasonable number in the ‘Potion Dispensing Room’, which became impatient.

Even unheard of monsters appeared in [Cheorwon Crack Ground].

“… What happened to the ‘new monster’?”

“I couldn’t find a single trace. [Changcheon Swordsman] seems to be in a panic, too, and is randomly sending requests for cooperation to other guilds.”

“That’s right. That evil was born in the [crack yard] they manage.”

Not long ago, it was said that a group of black bugs appeared in [Cheorwon Cracking Ground].

‘Black Disaster’ wiped out 90% of the monsters in the crack field in less than an hour after starting its activity.

However, except for the ‘8 people’ who went missing, there was not a single casualty, and since then, he has disappeared like a lie… causing headaches for many people involved.

In the end, the conclusion is gathered that it is a hallucination caused by the hunters’ group confusion… but what will it be like?

Director Ko Young-in felt fortunate that at least this wasn’t the only difficult situation.

He cheered in his heart for the [Changcheon Swordsmen] who were still working hard.

“Gather only those employees who do not have a schedule right now, those who are Grade C or higher, and send support to [Cheorwon Crack Center]. If sales of [Galaxy Potion] are discontinued, they will be busy fighting with [Changcheongeomga], but if they send support staff from time to time, it will serve as a bit of a cushion.”

“I would guess that he possesses ‘detection skills’. What about employee bonuses?”

“What can I do if I have to use my own money? And… oh, damn it…”

Beetle…

Suddenly, Director Go Young-in’s body shakes and falls on the desk.

The secretary quickly approached him, grabbed him by the hair with a familiar touch, and slapped him across the face.

Soon after, Go Young-in comes to his senses and straightens up, blinking.

“Phew… I’m always sorry.”

“It’s good for me to legally beat up the head of the department. But do you really have to wake me up like this?”

“When I doze off at my desk because of overtime work, my friend always wakes me up like this… It’s already been 20 years.”

Shoot…

Go Young-in turned his head and looked out the window.

The raindrops hitting the window and flowing down bring about the familiar cold.

(『Third on the right. Go down the stairs and go left.』)

Now the words ring in my ears like an auditory hallucination.

It’s the culprit that makes him unable to sleep even though he already has a lot of work to do.

He shrugged his shoulders in shock and reached for the drawer.

Instead of sweet white chocolate, I take out the tranquilizer prescribed at the hospital.

He swallowed a pill and looked up at the ceiling with a haggard face.

… … .

Until just a few months ago,

Go Young-in did not believe in ghosts.

It is a world where ‘mana’ and ‘skill’ exist.

Since all strange phenomena could be explained by the ‘action of mana’, there was no longer any room left for human imagination.

Even if it is a ghost, it is either a monster in the form of a gas, or someone was just playing around with a ‘skill’…

It became a trivial story.

… … But not now.

Go Young-in realized that he was possessed by a ghost.

(『Third on the right. Go down the stairs and go left.』)

A woman with large cracks all over her body, like a statue made of ice.

His skin was as blue as that of someone who had been frozen, and he was wearing the black-gray suit that was the association’s uniform.

20 years ago… now the core that remains like a trace at the end of a long time.

He was tormented by ghosts and dying day by day, and the muscles he was proud of were pricked by the needle of stress and shrunk like balloons.

‘… … I was scared of the dark and ran away to a bright place, and in the end, even the path ahead of me became dark.’

I think back to what I muttered once.

My muscles were shriveled, and in the inside pocket of my newly tailored suit… I was smoothing out the ‘torn piece of paper’ that I had kept as precious as my life.

I get lost in sentiment while looking at the never-ending monsoon rain.

Beep, beep.

at that time,

An alarm rang on the cell phone placed on the desk.

Director Go Young-in woke up from his thoughts and ate some white chocolate.

The sender is Banharin.

[Rare Hunter Protection-Killing Department] Team Leader 1… This is a call from a monster who monitors the association’s ‘rare hunters’.

“… … Huh.”

Go Young-in frowned as he read a text message that was as cold as her expression.

I straighten my hardened eyes and organize my thoughts.

“The Soalyeong scouter of the [Blue Dragon Guild] attempted to recruit the ‘target’ to the guild, but the ‘target’ rejected the offer, and the Soalyeong scouter went missing on his way home.”

“Are there a lot of accidents in Euncheon-gu these days?”

Go Young-in nodded at the secretary’s words and put down his cell phone.

Aren’t the loan sharks called [Heukbungpa] found dead?

Won’t the employees of the ‘potion dispensary’ disguised as a blood donation center disappear?

Now, a scouter from a large guild known for abuse of power has gone missing…

There is no end to disturbing news.

The most scary thing is,

All of those incidents occurred only in Euncheon-gu.

‘Now that you think about it, I heard that a criminal in Euncheon-gu was taken to the emergency room recently due to a heart attack… Oddly enough, they only picked out those who deserved to die and went to the goal.’

What on earth is Euncheon-gu doing?

Is the site bad?

“… I have to go to Euncheon-gu.”

Go Young-in, who was gathering his thoughts while shaking his legs, muttered.

“The director himself?”

“The number of guilds approaching galaxy hunters is increasing. If we leave it like this, she will be taken away, and eventually Team Leader Ban Harin will go on a killing spree.”

A secretary who picks the right words while licking her lips at the head’s words.

He looks at Go Young-in’s haggard face with hesitation that he cannot hide.

“… … .”

“The missing juvenile scouter is not related to the association, so a [detective] from the Blue Dragon Guild will step forward… I will go meet the Galaxy Hunter after work.”

“… … They say ‘rare hunters’ are dangerous if they fall to other forces… but are they really going to kill them?”

“That’s why I’m going to check. Protect or kill.”

[Rare Hunter Protection-Kill Department].

department for that.

Go Young-in, remembering Team Leader Ban Harin’s cold face, took out a handful of chocolate from the drawer and stuffed it into his suit pocket.

Sugar is best when you are tired.

Thanks to this, I am updating my blood sugar levels again today.

Director Ko Young-in left the office with a weak gait.

… … .

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

… … .

“… … Who are you?”

“The head of the Hunter Association is Go Young-in.”

Eunha is on her way home from work.

She quietly looked up at the middle-aged man who carefully blocked her path.

He’s a head or two taller than her.

However, unlike the strong skeleton, the skinny muscles look shabby like a shriveled balloon.

Deep dark circles have settled under the eyes that have lost their weapons, and his unsteady steps are dangerous, as if he will fall if touched.

A face that automatically brings to mind the word ‘incompetent person’.

Eunha took a step back and was wary of the man in front of her.

“Is it okay to take a moment?”

“No.”

The man’s face becomes even more gaunt due to Eunha’s knife-like rejection.

What is it all of a sudden?

She’s already very nervous because she met scouts from the [Blue Dragon Guild] a few days ago.

The man, who unconsciously raised the corner of his mouth at Eunha’s harsh threat, calmed his expression in surprise.

“Ah…! I’m sorry. It would be rude to talk like this at first meeting… Greetings again. My name is Ko Young-in, and I work as the head of the Hunter Association’s Seoul headquarters. Are you Eunha, a D-class hunter?”

“… … that’s right. Director, why did you come to visit me?”

Eunha bows her head without letting her guard down in response to a polite greeting that may seem surprising.

She slowly stepped back without even trying to hide her uncomfortable look.

A high-ranking member of the Hunter Association.

It’s not a very good image.

He draws blood from others at will, disguises himself as an employee of [Blue Dragon Energy] and tries to kidnap him, uses a strange beauty system, follows him to [Crackmaster] and tries to kidnap him…

According to the kidnapper, they are planning to put him in a place called [Facility].

Listing things like this gives me a headache.

There is no way the higher-ups of the organization that committed such an act would look kindly.

Eunha widened the distance by taking the same steps she took to get away from the religious solicitor.

‘… … Clearly, your appearance has changed a lot. [Self-recovery] Is there something wrong with the skill?’

Director Ko Young-in’s gaze is directed towards Eunha.

This is a woman who has neither grown nor aged over the past three years.

However, it achieved remarkable growth in just a few months.

Two moles located under the left eye. Hair with a sunset glow.

Her beautiful face, so admirable, easily attracts the attention of people around her, and her large, gracefully swaying breasts draw all the attention to her face like a black hole.

Go Young-in, who fixed his gaze on Eun-ha’s face with great effort, makes a complex expression.

‘The change in the Galaxy Hunter… started in May.’

Changes that started around May.

What on earth happened?

You won’t know unless you ask directly.

“… … Cat Manager.”

“This is Go Young-in.”

“I asked what brought you here… To be honest, I don’t even want to talk to the cat manager. I’m tired and want to go home.”

A firm word of refusal.

Go Young-in, who observed her attitude, had a hunch.

You know everything.

What is the [Galaxy Potion] and who are the criminals who tried to kidnap him?

I don’t know how he got away safely, but considering all the attacks he’s been through, it’s strange that he didn’t even notice.

Then the story is fast.

After checking out the people passing by on their way home from work and the cars on the road, Go Young-in lowers his voice and gets to the point.

“Before I bring up the story, I have done something that cannot be forgiven by the Galaxy Hunter. I’m really sorry. It’s largely my fault as the head of the department.”

“… … Um, yes.”

“If it’s okay, could we talk in a quiet place? If today is difficult, you can tell me a suitable date.”

Rattling.

An old car parked next to it.

A secretary came up from the trunk, holding an armful of bags that looked like money bags, and stood behind Go Young-in.

After all, adults talk about money, right?

Eunha frowned as she looked at the haggard man in front of her… the sharp eyes hidden in deep dark circles.

What is the purpose?

I felt like I just wanted to ignore it and go home, but the head of the Hunter Association came to visit me in person.

There must be something we can gain from today’s meeting.

‘Okay, well… I can at least listen to the story.’

Eunha thought positively.

What on earth happened that they stole blood donated by others for three years?

First, listen to the story and then decide what to do next.

“… Cat Manager.”

“This is Go Young-in.”

“Let’s talk right now. Can I decide the location?”

After making a decision, Eunha was in trouble as she adjusted the handle of her suitcase.

Where can I find peace?

… … .

… … .

『Hey, heojeop. Be careful of that guy.』

『Something half-baked.』

… … .