episode_0387

A tenacious bond.

A perpetual F-rank hunter.

A person with nothing to boast about except a “slightly” superior recovery ability compared to others.

As always, I thought I’d remain in a trivial, peaceful life.

‘When did life start getting so exhausting…? When I picked up the [Black Book]? Or was it from the very beginning?’

For three years, the blood donation center I frequented had been secretly siphoning others’ blood without permission.

When I stopped donating for a while because I wanted the freebies from the [Blood Donation Bus], strangers I’d never met before came to kidnap people.

Pretending to be conducting gas inspections in apartments,

openly ambushing at the [Cheorwon Rift Zone],

and though I don’t remember clearly, I think there was even a honey trap involved.

The [Blue Dragon Guild] sent Nari Kang’s older brother after me.

Of course, he was buried under the grudges of the monsters the moment he approached, left to rest in a sunlit grave…

Honestly, if I hadn’t met the [Black Book] and the monsters, I’d probably have been safely kidnapped by now, turned into a free blood supply at some [Facility].

‘Ugh… Then I’d really be…’

I don’t even want to imagine it.

I’ve had enough of that kind of experience back at the orphanage.

The ghost of the promotion exam.

The blood bag of Euncheongu.

The latte-loving noona.

Our café, Malang Cow.

My body, growing softer and heavier with each injury and recovery.

The grueling days tangled up with the potion brewing room.

So from now on, I just want to live peacefully with the people I care abou—

『What about me?』

……No, from now on, I want to live peacefully, splattered in blood, with the people I care about and the monsters.

『Ah. Grudges piling up.』

“What now?”

『Dunno. Annoying. I’m going to your place.』

“Wait, Eunhong Eunhong, why my place?”

Anyway.

My ill-fated ties with the potion brewing room run deep.

The fact that Eunha wants to meet the Head Brewer… Well, in a way, it’s only natural.

“Miss Eunha. Go to Meeting Room 3. They must’ve been waiting—they arrived right away.”

“Thank you, Mother. I’m always relying on you.”

“Hmm… ahem…”

‘Ah. She’s embarrassed.’

And today.

Eunha came to see the Head Brewer’s face.

Because he threatened to expose the recipe for [Galaxy Potion] if she didn’t meet him.

The potion brewing room has already dissolved, and the only news that reaches me is a threat—

At least he’s consistent. That’s good.

‘Head Brewer… I don’t plan on forgiving him, but what does he want from me?’

The fact that the key ingredient of [Galaxy Potion] is Eunha’s blood.

Even if Go Yeong-in doesn’t know, is there any reason the Head Brewer would stay silent all this time?

What does he want to demand?

“……We finally meet.”

“…….”

Amidst the flood of questions,

Eunha stepped into the meeting room and faced him.

“Rare Hunter Eunha. I have a proposal for you.”

Sitting behind the transparent reinforced glass,

a boy who looked no older than his early teens.

‘That kid’s the Head Brewer…? I heard he was an old man. He must’ve aged really well.’

Eunha, seated across from him, observed the Head Brewer.

His hunched back lowered his eye level even further, like an old man’s.

His thick hair and unblemished skin radiated vitality.

But one thing stood out.

Only the boy’s eyes, buried under years of weariness, were murky and dark.

A boy in appearance, but with eyes as dry and brittle as mold-ridden deadwood.

Realizing something, Eunha cautiously asked:

“……How much of the ‘undiluted’ have you been drinking?”

Potion in its purest, undiluted form—’undiluted.’

When Nari Kang dripped a few drops on her arm for an experiment, she regressed a few years in age.

The old mutt of [Heavenly Sword Guild], Jjongi, must be playing fetch with Kim Sarang by now,

and Guild Leader Kim Hayang, who regained her eyesight, has been getting compliments on her improved skin lately.

They say she and Kim Sarang look like sisters when standing side by side.

Undiluted potion.

Its recovery is too potent—so much so that even Eunha hesitates to use it on others.

“I’ll take the secret of [Galaxy Potion] to my grave.”

“…….”

“So please…… stop this ‘recovery.’”

And…

The Head Brewer before her,

was dying from his own recovery ability.

…….

Someone who had tormented her for so long.

She thought facing him would make her blood boil with rage.

She imagined drawing [Silhouette] and looking up at the apartment’s [Silhouettes],

ready to hunt him down no matter where he hid and expand his surface area.

Even if she didn’t realize it, didn’t he threaten Ban Harin and Silver Bell too?

The resentment Eunha carried wasn’t light by any means.

“…….”

But when she actually faced the Head Brewer,

she felt nothing. Surprisingly so.

Maybe because it was all over now.

“I beg you. Please…”

Wrinkles multiplying day by day, his back bending, his eye level lowering.

There was a man who wanted to escape his approaching death.

“…….”

And before Eunha’s eyes,

hands shrinking day by day, growing younger, his eye level lowering.

In the end, still,

there was a man who wanted to escape his approaching death.

Nothing had changed.

How foolish.

“…….”

Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap.

The sound of a young boy tapping on the transparent glass.

The sound of someone spiraling into madness.

Eunha scratched the back of her head with an unchanging smile.

She roughly understood why the Head Brewer had called her here.

He kept quiet about [Galaxy Potion] to make a deal.

How desperate.

At first, he must’ve been delighted, drinking the ‘undiluted’ and regaining his youth—but at some point, he must’ve realized his mistake.

A man who would’ve self-destructed even if Eunha had done nothing.

‘Kinda… feels empty.’

The [Facility] had already crumbled.

The potion brewing room had dissolved.

Today was just cleanup.

If she’d met the Head Brewer just a little sooner… it might’ve been a more dramatic, satisfying story.

But the detention center’s air was just cold.

Like the approaching death was quiet.

Eunha, visiting the detention center, was quiet too.

Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap.

The tapping on the glass grew faster.

“……Even if you tell me to stop the ‘recovery,’ how am I supposed to stop it?”

“Isn’t it your skill? You should be able to control it.”

“No.”

She answered honestly.

If she could control her skill, she wouldn’t have been called the ghost of the promotion exam.

And if she could stop her own recovery,

back when the monsters tore her limbs off over and over…

Around the fourth time [The Red Woman] sawed into her,

she would’ve stopped her recovery and closed her eyes for good.

It’s unfair.

‘I lived because I wanted to live… No, actually, it’s good. Because I’m alive, I could help Yang So-ah this time. I even saved ‘Field Mouse.’

It’s good that I lived.

Eunha thought positively.

Her stomach churned.

“Don’t lie. Your appearance, unchanged for three years, has started changing. Proof that your [Self-Recovery] skill has evolved.”

“That’s not it.”

“You must’ve charmed people with those massive, milky-scented breasts. But it won’t work on me.”

“Ah, sure.”

“If you have any demands besides [Galaxy Potion], I’ll grant anything.”

“You were charmed. Totally charmed.”

Eunha comfortably rested her chest—larger than her head—on the meeting room table.

She fiddled with the loose front of her dobok, lost in thought.

What would she gain from helping the Head Brewer?

Would keeping him alive be beneficial?

“…….”

She made up her mind.

The puzzle pieces scattered in her mind.

She picked up the ones that didn’t fit her picture and set them aside.

“……Head Brewer.”

“Brewing Master.”

“Whatever.”

Only resentment remained.

“The Hunter Association is in chaos right now, so my promotion exam results aren’t out. What should I do?”

“The Association’s in chaos… Hah, of course it is.”

“…….”

“If I help with that, will you stop this ‘recovery’?”

“I’ll try.”

Perhaps because his blood had dried up from endlessly growing younger,

the boyified Head Brewer began explaining with a more cooperative attitude than expected.

He must’ve realized Eunha was his only lifeline.

“There’s only one reason the Association’s in chaos. Go Yeong-in is here.”

“Explain in detail.”

“The guy acting as the new department head right now. I taught him.”

Tap. Tap. Tap.

The ‘boy’ tapped the glass with his finger.

With a detached expression, he spilled the truth.

His tone carried years of experience.

Good thing she asked.

The Head Brewer and the ‘new department head’—

From Eunha’s perspective, they were both scumbags, so she figured they’d know each other.

Turns out they really knew each other.

‘Just took a stab in the dark, but it went right in.’

Eunha thought optimistically.

The Head Brewer, who’d sell anyone out without hesitation to save himself.

It was comforting that he was consistently terrible.

“That idiot Go Yeong-in. Frankly, there’s no reason for him to be locked up here. They’re just stalling for time. Probably faked the warrant too.”

“…….”

“Right about now, the Association must be scrambling to cover things up. He had ties with the [Blue Dragon Guild], so he might side with them.”

Old men ramble.

Eunha massaged her twitching lips.

“It’s hard to follow. Just give me the key points.”

“[Rare Hunter Protection-Elimination Division] Team 4… That’s where the ‘new department head’ was assigned. The only manpower he can mobilize right now… They’re probably surveilling the detention center.”

“…….”

“Break through them and get Go Yeong-in out. He’s an idiot, but he’s capable. He’ll handle the rest.”

In short,

if she gets Go Yeong-in out of the detention center, she’ll get her promotion exam results.

Blinking at the unexpectedly solid answer, Eunha’s eyes sparkled.

‘My C-rank Hunter license…!’

The details were complicated, but the task was simple.

Just pluck Go Yeong-in out of the detention center like a prize from a claw machine and toss him onto the streets.

With Guild Leader Kim Hayang around, it shouldn’t be too hard.

“It won’t be easy. I heard Team 4 has an A-rank Hunter who was once a Rare Hunter.”

“Ah, right.”

“Even the [Heavenly Sword Guild] leader wouldn’t guarantee victory. But you’ve got a ‘monster’ in Team 1, the one managing you. Find a way to call them in.”

“Ah, okay.”

“That ‘monster’ feels nothing. A machine-like freak. Your famous honey trap won’t work.”

“I never bragged about it.”

She tuned out the senile old man’s nonsense.

Should she tell him that the ‘Rare Hunter-turned-A-rank Hunter’ he mentioned was currently attending her grandmother’s funeral,

and the ‘monster’ of Team 1 was helping with the funeral next to a damp Mongshil?

After a brief hesitation,

Eunha quietly closed her mouth and just smiled.

This is fun.

Still, his seasoned advice was helpful.

Should she save him?

‘……No cameras here, right?’

Sluurp.

She pulled something from her carrier and placed it on the desk.

With words of thanks, Eunha rose from her chair.

“Thanks for the info. I’ll be right back.”

“If I helped, then stop this ‘recovery.’ Otherwise, I’ll expose [Galaxy Potion]’s—”

“Yeah, hold on.”

Squeak—

Dragging her black carrier, she opened the meeting room door.

Thud!

Guild Leader Kim Hayang, who’d been leaning against the door to block entry,

slid and collapsed onto the floor in the same leaning position when Eunha opened it.

“…….”

“…….”

“…Hm. Done?”

“Mostly.”

Kim Hayang, lying on the floor, blinked her half-lidded eyes.

Her cross-shaped pupils looked up at Eunha.

“Can’t see your face.”

“I get that a lot.”

“What should I have done?”

“Don’t lean on doors.”

“I see.”

Ssskrt—!

Kim Hayang rubbed her right hand against the floor.

Friction converted into kinetic energy, launching her lying body upward.

[Friction Conversion] skill.

Looks incredibly useful.

Eunha gracefully stepped aside as Kim Hayang landed.

“Take the Cat Department Head out of the detention center. He’ll handle the rest.”

“I see… Understood. And you, Eunha?”

“I’ll catch up later.”

“Understood.”

No hesitation.

All that remained was wrapping things up with the Head Brewer.

After this, the Hunter Association wouldn’t be an obstacle anymore.

‘Sunset’s soon… Should hurry.’

Eunha stepped outside the detention center for some fresh air.

Clang—!

But when she turned the handle of the heavy iron gate,

only a rattling sound echoed—

the gate didn’t budge.

“Huh?”

Clang. Clang.

Eunha, lips quirking, jiggled the handle.

The gate stayed shut.

Whooosh—

A cold breeze brushed the nape of her neck.

‘Ah… Another monster.’

A door that won’t open.

Chilling air.

The terror of facing an unknown something.

Like trauma, it made her hands tremble.

No peaceful days, huh.

“Sigh…”

“What’s wrong?”

“Hold on… Let me check the guide first…”

Eunha exhaled deeply.

Then, gripping her trembling hands to steady them,

she let go of the handle to fetch the [Black Book] she’d left in the meeting room—

Creeeak—

Kim Hayang, who’d approached from the side, opened the iron gate.

“Huh?”

“Huh?”

Eunha turned to her.

Kim Hayang stared back with cross-shaped pupils.

……Clang. Creeeak—

Clang. Creeeak—

Kim Hayang closed and reopened the gate a few times while staring at Eunha.

It opened fine.

Clang—

This time, Eunha pulled the wide-open gate with all her might.

Rattle rattle—

The thick iron gate didn’t move.

Lack of strength.

Her arms were as soft as ever.

“Ah…”

It wasn’t a monster—she just didn’t have the strength to open the gate.

Flushing with inexplicable shame, Eunha’s face burned as Kim Hayang silently patted her back.

‘……Head Brewer…!’

Grudges piled up.

…….

…….

‘Naive girl. No wonder she keeps getting used.’

The meeting room after Eunha left.

The ‘boy’ tapping the glass tap tap smirked crookedly.

A body endlessly growing younger.

The sensation of his blood drying up every time he looked in the mirror.

Every day was hell.

If he could just stop this ‘recovery,’

selling out one traitorous junior was a small price to pay.

‘The potion brewing room’s gone, the [Facility]’s gone… But it doesn’t matter. If I get my hands on the “undiluted”… No more mistakes.’

The boyified Head Brewer recalled the ‘undiluted’ he’d faced today.

She was undeniably stunning.

Breasts larger than her head, swaying with every breath. A face unforgettable at a glance.

And a skill like [Self-Recovery], unheard of until now…

But pathetically weak,

too slow to even run away.

No matter what happened to her, she’d just keep smiling.

The perfect target to vent his resentment.

Everyone would want to get their hands on her, to mold her as they pleased.

The ‘undiluted’ he met today had a power that stirred people’s darkest desires.

Go Yeong-in, the [Heavenly Sword Guild],

even he—they were all using the ‘undiluted.’

In the end, that woman was destined to be used by others.

‘After the “Hanbit Orphanage” burned down… I was the one who discovered the “undiluted.” She belongs to me.’

The Head Brewer looked at his hands.

A young boy’s body.

But if this ‘recovery’ stopped now, it might even be for the best.

With this body and the ‘undiluted,’

he could start over from scratch.

‘It’s not over… Not yet… My story…’

Just a little longer.

That naive ‘undiluted’ would return to him and stop this endless ‘recovery.’

Because she’d already received something in return.

If he exposed that her blood was in [Galaxy Potion], her normal life would be over.

And he could keep using the same blackmail over and over.

No reason not to.

‘Mutually beneficial. Once I have the “undiluted,” I won’t need to expose her. Who’d do that for free?’

Blackmail is about dragging someone into the swamp.

Once one blackmail ends, it’s not freedom—just another demand.

The ‘boy,’ who’d lost everything, had nothing left to lose.

‘Just gotta get out of here…’

And so,

as the Head Brewer leaned back in his chair, plotting his next move,

he saw it.

“…….”

The meeting room’s transparent glass.

The desk opposite where Eunha had been sitting.

A pitch-black book lay there.

‘What… is that?’

A book with no title.

Its jet-black cover was leather, the pages inside as dark as ink.

An all-black [Black Book].

Earlier, after confirming the meeting room cameras were off,

Eunha had left it behind.

“…….”

It couldn’t be ordinary.

The ‘boy’ stared at the [Black Book] beyond the glass.

As if entranced.

“…….”

『…….』

Snatch—

Then, from beyond the glass,

a pale white hand reached out from under the desk,

grabbed the [Black Book], and vanished.

Clang—!

Goosebumps erupted across the ‘boy’s’ body as he shot up.

“What was—”

The air turned icy.

His breath came out in white puffs.

A windowless meeting room. The space beyond the glass.

“…….”

Only one exit.

『…….』

Creeeak—

The door on the opposite side of the meeting room opened.

Clang.

Then closed.

No one had entered.

“…….”

The Head Brewer lowered his gaze.

From his side of the room, the desk blocked his view of the floor.

‘…….’

If someone had crawled out beneath it,

he wouldn’t have noticed.

“…….”

That thing that took the [Black Book] from under the desk.

Where…

was it now?

“Damn it…!”

Thud thud thud!

Instinct took over.

The Head Brewer lunged for the door and locked it.

Clang clang clang clang clang!

The handle rattled violently.

The ‘boy,’ screaming without realizing it, dragged a chair to barricade the door.

“What the… What is this?!”

Clangclangclangclang!!

Backing away, he pressed himself against the opposite wall.

He couldn’t understand.

What was suddenly—

Clang! Clang! Clang!

A windowless meeting room.

The glass showing the opposite side.

Screee—

Trembling, he crawled under the desk.

So whatever was out there couldn’t see him through the glass.

His potion-making skills were useless now.

Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap.

And then,

the sound of tapping on the glass.

Gritting his teeth under the desk,

he wondered if he’d lost his mind.

Was this a hallucination?

He’d done anything to survive,

but had he finally gone mad?

His body endlessly growing younger, his mind deteriorating day by day.

Crouched under the desk, the Head Brewer squeezed his eyes shut,

waiting for this ‘hallucination’ to end.

Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!

The sound of the locked door being pounded.

His eyes stayed closed.

Clang……. Knock knock knock.

The rattling stopped,

replaced by knocking.

『One… two… three…』

And then,

counting.

A voice he’d heard before.

But so horrifying it froze his blood.

The Head Brewer, hiding under the desk, kept his eyes shut.

『Fifteen… sixteen…』

The voice continued.

The sound continued.

Sound.

Sound.

Sound.

He covered his ears.

It didn’t stop.

『One hundred seventy-nine…… one hundred eighty.』

Then,

the counting stopped,

and—

Creeeak—

The door he’d definitely locked,

swung open in the opposite direction,

as something stepped inside.

Thud. Thud.

“…….”

Eyes shut. Ears covered.

The Head Brewer prayed.

For this nightmare to end.

He’d finally seen hope.

If he could coax the ‘undiluted’ into stopping his ‘recovery,’ his story could continue.

It wasn’t over yet.

‘That’s right… Just gotta get out of here…!’

He’d found a path.

All he had to do was walk forward.

Swoosh—

Gathering his courage,

the Head Brewer slowly,

began to open his tightly shut eyes—

“…….”

And saw,

a cascade of hair spilling before him.

Black hair streaked sporadically with sunset hues.

Hair so long it touched the floor.

He looked up.

『…….』

The something that had bent over the desk,

was silently staring down at him from above.

Resentment.

Condensed malice.

“AAAAAAAH!!!”

『I thought about it, but I can’t forgive you. Messing with Ban Harin and Silver Bell?』

He screamed.

Click.

The meeting room lights went out.

Pitch-black darkness.

Deeeeeng—

A bell tolled from somewhere.

A bell carrying the weight of time.

Crinkle…

The sound of aged paper crumbling.

Wrinkles formed one by one on his endlessly rejuvenating body,

the effects of the ‘undiluted’ stored within him fading.

Deeeeeng—

Hair spilling to the floor.

Streaked with sunset hues, it resembled the fading twilight.

『Someone once said. Desire clouds a person’s vision.』

『I realized it someday. Resentment narrows a person’s sight.』

『Even if the path is visible, what drives you forward is resentment.』

Deeeeeng—

And soon, the twilight ended.

Night arrived.

The conclusion approached.

『I’ll let you live.』

“AAAH! AHH!!”

『What happens after that, I don’t know.』

And then,

the darkness, as always,

was nothing at all.

『Confess.』

One story ends.