Chapter 16 : New face of the Hunter Association

Seong-han Lee hated military life.

Reveille, which sounded twice, at 6:00 AM and 6:30 AM, was enough to make him mentally exhausted.

-Attention, this is the administration office. The current time is 06:30. All troops, please wake up. Due to heavy snowfall today, today’s roll call will be conducted indoors.

Seong-han Lee had returned to base. He wished the nostalgic reveille hadn’t returned.

“Phew. Are we skipping it today?”

He heard a sigh of relief from beside him.

Seong-han Lee covered his entire body with a blanket, like a corpse.

Through a small hole he made to breathe, he glared at the buzz-cut private first class on the next bed.

In his early 20s, the prime of his youth. There were many like him who had been dragged here from society. Judging by his shaved head, he was in the regular army.

Special forces like Seong-han Lee had different schedules than regular soldiers.

“Ugh, I’m tired.”

Seong-han Lee pulled the military-issued blanket over his face.

He even pulled out the spare blanket from under his bed. The other soldiers made snide remarks.

“Sergeant Choi. That awakened one.”

“Wake up! That lazy bastard.”

“Leave him alone. Thanks to him, we can sleep comfortably with our legs stretched out.”

“Huh? I’m sorry, what?”

“Imagine happily re-enlisting.”

“Ah.”

The walking time bomb, the strongest one that even the sergeant major couldn’t touch.

That was Seong-han Lee, who had been ‘re-enlisted after being discharged as an army sergeant (forced + high possibility of being stuck here)’.

Living in Cheorwon, his fingertips and toes were frozen, and killing all sorts of monsters in the snowstorm was something he couldn’t do with a sane mind.

“Sergeant Choi. Did you hear?”

“What.”

“They say we’re going out for work today.”

“No way?”

Seong-han Lee’s eyes shot open.

What, we’re going out for snow removal? It’s snowing 20cm right now. In this kind of snowfall, someone could easily die.

The fact that the speaker was still on meant it was highly likely.

Beep-

-This is the administration office. Due to the heavy snow accumulation today, the morning roll call will be skipped, and all company personnel will gather in the drill field wearing cold-weather gear for snow removal operations. This includes awakened soldiers.

‘f*ck.’

Seong-han Lee glared at the private first class who had let out a sigh.

It’s because of him! He took away my sweet, sweet sleep time.

Just hearing this made him feel uneasy. Come on, there’s no way they’ll actually do it, right?

He checked outside the window. It was snowing so heavily that he couldn’t see anything in front of him. It seemed certain that they would carry it out.

‘Should I kill him? Should I just kill him?’

There was no signal indicating the end of the broadcast.

Meaning it wasn’t over.

-Uh, the duty commander has issued a special order for today. After snow removal, today’s schedule will proceed as normal, so make sure not to leave any equipment behind.

‘This is insane.’

Everyone in the barracks said something.

The women’s barracks were separate, so it was just a bunch of guys gathered together, but they didn’t hold back.

Already, from the women’s barracks, thick curses and loud noises could be heard. Somewhere, the sound of glass breaking could be heard.

It must be cold.

“Ah, it’s snowing trash~!”

“Hey. Which troublemaker whistled when he hasn’t even been here long? Do you want to die?”

“I’m already bummed that I couldn’t spend Christmas properly in the army, and now I have to do this shit. Hey! Get the snow shovels and ski parkas ready.”

Even though they were complaining, everyone in the barracks was getting ready for work, tidying up their bedding.

It had been a week since Seong-han Lee returned to the barracks from the Capital Hospital.

He also got up sluggishly.

“Ah, should I apply for dispatch duty?”

He thought, ‘I should have just given in to Jin-young Kang,’ and regretted it.

After all, the National Intelligence Service pays well, doesn’t it?

If I did some paperwork and fieldwork, wouldn’t it be okay?

[There is a high possibility that ‘mental abnormality’ is involved in that judgment.]

[Activating ‘Mental Barrier’.]

‘Everyone becomes like this when they come to the military, man.’

[……I cannot understand.]

Beep.

Static from the speaker just before the broadcast.

-This is the administration office. Private First Class Seong-han Lee. Please proceed to the administration office immediately for the implementation of the Awakened Soldier Dispatch System.

“Woohoo!”

Seong-han Lee was happy to be an awakened one. Just for a moment.

“It’s been a while.”

[Stay calm. React calmly. As if nothing happened. Now, slowly smile.]

Until he met a certain someone from Namsan.

Seong-han Lee felt like his head was being pricked by needles.

‘Awakened Soldier Dispatch System.’

-It refers to the cooperation between military service awakened individuals and civilians or other organizations.

Sometimes they are deployed for vacation purposes.

Seong-han Lee couldn’t hide his smile as he headed to the administration office.

“Oh, good morning.”

“……”

“Why the surprised look? I’m the only one who would call for Mr. Seong-han.”

As soon as he arrived at the administration office, Jin-young Kang smiled, showing her crescent moon-shaped smile.

She was licking a bulging canned coffee.

At first, he couldn’t tell who it was because she was wearing an Eskimo parka instead of her usual suit.

Seong-han Lee was also impressed by her extreme measures to keep out the cold.

“Attention.”

Seong-han Lee saluted Jin-young Kang with a rigid posture.

“Private First Class Seong-han Lee. Did you just wake up?”

“I almost died writing reports. Except for the fact that my herniated disc has suddenly gotten worse lately. It’s quite satisfying!”

Jin-young Kang pulled her leather gloves tightly with a strange expression.

She bent down.

And pretended to pat something.

“What happened a week ago?”

“The Capital Hospital? I heard the report went up, and they’re investigating.”

She loosened her tie and loosened her neck.

“First of all, I don’t remember anything. I heard a rumor that I went crazy and tried to do something terrible… “

“I don’t believe it either.”

“Right?”

Jin-young Kang cleared her throat. Her face was flushed.

“Mr. Seong-han, you don’t remember anything either, right? My sister must have been having another episode of paranoia, oh well.”

Jin-young Kang scratched the back of her head.

It wasn’t a lie that she didn’t remember.

If she had messed up the relationship and forcefully applied for a transfer, saying, “Hehehe, no one can stop me,” she would have been in trouble.

Jin-young Kang opened the administration office door and went out into the hallway.

“I called you here today because of official business. I’ll explain outside.”

The administration office, which was warm due to the heater, turned cold in an instant.

Haha, sorry. The administrative soldiers with bitten lips glared at Jin-young Kang.

She ignored them, grabbed Seong-han Lee’s arm, and dragged him out of the administration office.

They quietly closed the door, avoiding the glares, and were left alone.

Haa.

Jin-young Kang wrapped her hands around her head as if she had a headache.

“Let’s walk and talk. My sister will be here soon.”

“Isn’t there an inquiry? Because of the Capital Hospital gate.”

“It’s all a rigged WWE match. Those guys don’t know anything either. Hehehe. If they disciplined the top promotional model of the Armed Forces, there would be a huge backlash. It’s not for nothing that she’s called the idol of the battlefield.”

Seong-han Lee calmly nodded.

The gate at the Armed Forces Capital Hospital was closed, and no one died.

“Me and my sister don’t remember anything, so how can they blame us?”

Her black eyes, not the seductive pink, had returned.

But Seong-han Lee knew.

‘She remembers everything, damn it.’

Jin-young Kang’s lies were 90% of what she said, and the remaining 10% were slip-ups, according to his amateur psychology, which was always accurate.

And the hidden meaning behind that bright smile.

[Damn it. How can I remember everything? What did Jin-young Kang of the past do! What?!]

‘What a sly woman.’

While Seong-han Lee was reading Jin-young Kang’s thoughts.

He heard a familiar voice from the end of the barracks hallway.

“Ah, you’re awake. I was going to come right after hearing the broadcast. Were you up early?”

Mi-young Kang in casual clothes.

She was holding a mug with hot chocolate. She was only wearing a thin sweater and jeans, as if she wasn’t cold.

Her well-proportioned figure was clearly visible. Her model-like long legs made her look good in anything.

“No, I just arrived as well.”

“You don’t have to be so modest. Did you hear about today’s official business?”

“Yes, the company commander said that the license data needs to be updated.”

“That’s right. For this operation, I and…”

Mi-young Kang glared at Jin-young Kang.

Just by looking at her expression, you could tell she was thinking, “What kind of nonsense did this woman say?”

“Jin-young will accompany us.”

“Am I that important of a person?”

“You are.”

Seong-han Lee nodded, swallowing hard.

He didn’t want this kind of special treatment.

He looked at the Kang sisters, who were glaring at each other. The atmosphere itself was like thin ice.

[What, wasn’t she supposed to be unable to come because of the inquiry? She was so insistent. I need to scold her when we get back.]

Jin-young.

[Jin-young. Did you try to use tricks to steal away the top talent of the Republic of Korea Army? Should we have a war?]

Mi-young.

Now he could hear the voices of two people!

‘Oh, God.’

Seong-han Lee wished there was a mute function.

[You can allocate a portion of ‘Auto Combat’ to apply it.]

‘How much?’

[It will take 39 years and 117 days to produce it, allocating at a rate of 0.02kb per second.]

He decided to just give up.

The Korea Hunter Association.

The largest private hunter organization in the world, with world-class welfare, services, and a headquarters.

It was the largest building in Seoul.

The association was as bustling as a local traditional market.

Hunters looking for parties.

Workshops that manufacture equipment.

Even overseas buyers who came for all sorts of requests.

Seong-han Lee entered the association building with the Kang sisters.

After receiving a business trip pass from the duty officer.

“W-wait for the Major, won’t you?”

“It will take some time. Let’s go first.”

“But.”

“Ahem.”

But now, only Jin-young Kang was by Seong-han Lee’s side.

“I-it’s Mi-young Kang! I have to take a picture.”

Seong-han Lee thought it was a good idea to go in separately. Mi-young Kang was surrounded by crowds.

Even the Iron-Blooded Empress couldn’t stop that crowd.

-I’m sorry. This is also part of an S-rank hunter’s duties. If Jin-young tries to do anything to you, run away at full speed.

The walkie-talkie he was carrying gave instructions to proceed with the license issuance.

But even that didn’t last long.

Having been around her without formality lately, Seong-han Lee seemed to have become insensitive to Mi-young Kang’s popularity.

Jin-young Kang was amazed by the crowd.

“My sister has always been the center of attention since she was young. Face, beauty, love, everything. I didn’t like it. She always talked as if she was showing off. It was disgusting.”

But she didn’t lose her smile.

“Aren’t you cold?”

[Well… if I play this right, I can create a romantic mood and solidify my position. Hehe. It’s helpful in times like this.]

Jin-young Kang linked arms with Seong-han Lee as if it were natural.

“This should keep you warm, I think.”

“There’s no way.”

Clench-

It seemed like a determined will to never let go.

Jin-young Kang walked slowly, matching his pace, and smiled flirtatiously. It was a seductive smile.

[He’s so dull, it’s cute~ I’m glad he doesn’t remember, really. Ah, he’s like a huge teddy bear.]

Seong-han Lee looked at Jin-young Kang’s attitude and hardened his expression as if it were nothing.

‘I’m not dull. I’m rather sharp.’

Seong-han Lee chewed his lower lip and looked around.

He shouldn’t let anyone else recognize him.

Since he re-enlisted after awakening, his coordinates were posted on the internet.

Anonymous accounts sent him all sorts of nasty DMs.

Threats of violence.

Gore.

Sexual harassment.

Ugh, Seong-han Lee frowned as soon as he remembered the scene, feeling disgusted.

“Jin-young?”

“Yes.”

“Can you let go of me a little?”

“I won’t.”

“Tsk.”

He tried to pull away with all his might, but she held on tightly as if it were important.

Had her stats grown in the meantime?

[She’s weak, still. I should feed her some elixirs or something.]

Seong-han Lee vividly remembered Jin-young Kang’s actions.

She tried to force him into the National Intelligence Service.

And how she tried to pounce on him and have her way with him.

It wasn’t intentional because of the perception alteration, but.

Seong-han Lee was also troubled.

“Um, I’m a little hot. I don’t like being hot.”

“Endure it. Isn’t it nice to be warm on a cold day like this? If you want, I can cast [Fireball] for you?”

“I’m sorry.”

“There’s no need to be sorry. I’m cold too. We should help each other, right?”

Jin-young Kang smiled brightly.

Seong-han Lee, feeling uncomfortable, looked away. As soon as the gaze that was fixed on him was removed, she changed her expression as if taking off a mask.

“Should have come when it was quieter.”

[Where are those low-class bitches trying to aim for my man?]

She looked around with a cold face.

As if protecting her newly caught prey.

Other hunters were observing Seong-han Lee with curious faces, but they couldn’t approach him due to Jin-young Kang’s aura.

“Wow, look at that guy. Isn’t he handsome?”

“He’s the one who wrote about re-enlisting a while ago.”

“The woman must have saved a country in her past life. Hehehe.”

Jin-young Kang snorted after hearing the comments.

[She’s saving it even now, you know? What are you talking about to the top elite agent in Korea?]

Her expression changed drastically.

If that state continued, he had never seen a good outcome, based on his amateur psychology.

To improve her mood, Seong-han Lee flattered her.

“I think you’re pretty too, Jin-young.”

“Ahaha. Don’t say things just to please me. How can someone like me beat my sister?”

“You have a beautiful heart.”

It was a lie.

[He’s openly seducing me? I’ll play along for now.]

Jin-young Kang’s face lit up.

“Even if it’s just lip service, thank you.”

Gulp.

A soft swallowing sound. Jin-young Kang looked at Seong-han Lee with half-closed eyes.

“Well, since you don’t seem to have any bad intentions, I’ll let it go just this once. Let’s go. I’ll make sure no one approaches you with ulterior motives.”

Seong-han Lee finally arrived at the reception desk safely (probably).

He placed several documents on the counter.

“Hello. Did you come to obtain your license?”

A bright-faced female employee.

She smiled brightly after taking a quick look at Seong-han Lee.

“Yes, that’s right! You said these and these needed additional documents, so I brought them.”

“Just a moment. Please submit your identification documents in the front. I’ll find them for you quickly!”

“Alright.”

After waiting at the reception desk for a few minutes.

****

“Um… Mr. Seong-han Lee?”

The staff member returned. She looked very nervous.

“Is my license ready now? To shorten my discharge period by two months, I need to submit the certificate quickly.”

“I’m sorry. There was an error during the issuance process.”

The staff member, who had been lively until just a moment ago, now looked like she was about to die.

She bowed her head at a 90-degree angle.

“The president of the association would like to deliver it to you in person.”

The president of the association.

He was calling for Seong-han Lee.

‘Ah, me.’

Why am I being called so much, really.