Chapter 17 : You want me so much

[Would you like to proceed to the ‘next floor: Awakened Management Bureau’?]

“Proceed. Immediately.”

[Proceeding.]

After confirming that the crowd had dispersed, Mi-young Kang was able to comfortably board the elevator.

She checked her wristwatch.

“Do you have any other reports to make?”

“No.”

The bodyguards who had accompanied her to assist her.

Except for them, the elevator was completely silent.

Only the occasional sound of breathing could be heard.

It was approximately 4:30 PM.

It was too late.

Mi-young Kang, feeling impatient, tapped her foot on the floor, urging it to go faster.

But the elevator didn’t go any faster.

‘I wonder if he’s okay. It’s like leaving a freshly caught fish with a cat. I must be crazy.’

Originally, she was supposed to arrive at the association as soon as the sun rose.

She was going to get her license issued and renewed, and take on a few requests for official business.

But there were more people than expected.

The plan went awry from the start.

“It’s pretty, isn’t it?”

“What is?”

“The sunset.”

Lieutenant Min blew on her freezing hands.

Outside the elevator, the sunlight was slowly setting.

‘Did he eat? Should I ask him to eat with me if he hasn’t? Should I call it dinner? Or lunch? What do they call it these days… I might be making a fool of myself.’

She imagined Seong-han Lee.

A gentle-looking madman who said he didn’t want to, but somehow managed to solve everything when given a task.

A true soldier who faithfully carried out his duties.

From her perspective, Seong-han Lee was a natural-born soldier.

Mi-young Kang trusted her judgment.

He’s the type to retaliate several times over if he’s pushed around.

‘…There’s no way such a capable guy would be held up this long.’

They had moved to the upper floors at around 9 o’clock.

It had been hours, and there was no sign of them coming out.

Was he having a pointless argument with the president of the Hunter Association?

It was foolish.

There’s nothing good to come from making enemies.

‘Jin-young. With that twisted personality of hers, it’s a possibility.’

Mi-young Kang stroked her chin.

Seong-han Lee, as she had seen him so far?

He was thorough and took care of himself. Therefore, by the process of elimination, it must be Jin-young’s problem.

A public figure is always tied to their actions, but that girl always acted thoughtlessly. Like a mental patient who would die if she didn’t get attention.

Ring.

The thought was interrupted by a ringtone.

“Major. It’s a call.”

“Who is it?”

“It’s President Kang.”

“…Hang up.”

“It seems to be a family matter. Are you sure you want to hang up?”

“Even if he offered me billions, I wouldn’t want to deal with that person. I even blocked him.”

She felt even more tense today.

Her clenched fist trembled.

Lieutenant Min narrowed his eyes, looking at Mi-young Kang’s face.

“Are you okay? Your face is as pale as a ghost!”

“I was reminded of the past. My father used to frequent the association’s headquarters. As if he would die if he didn’t.”

From the side, Lieutenant Min let out a sound of surprise.

“Oh. Was your father a hunter?”

“It’s ambiguous to call him a hunter.”

“OHOH?”

Mi-young Kang continued in a rapid-fire manner.

“My father was active in the very early days. As it was back then, being a hunter was a matter of cutting down one’s own life. During a gate closure operation, he was exposed to unrefined mana. His internal organs and skin were rotting.”

“Is the subject too heavy? I’m sorry. I’m not good at beating around the bush.”

Lieutenant Min awkwardly scratched under her nose.

Hearing someone’s tragic family history was a burden for her too.

“…I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to bring it up.”

Lieutenant Min bowed her head.

The bodyguards had grim expressions.

“It’s fine.”

Mi-young Kang waved her hand dismissively.

The past is a starting point for self-reflection.

She didn’t want to know herself.

The stronger the self-awareness, the further one gets from the self that has lived so far.

With each floor that went up, the metallic sound of the elevator’s friction echoed inside.

“It was like this that day too.”

The news of her father’s death.

Her heart sank when she first heard it.

It happened on the way home after having the last conversation in the hospital room. She remembered it vividly because she received the call in the elevator.

It was a story from Mi-young Kang’s early childhood.

The Kangcheon Group, which dominated the Korean business world.

Her father was a nominal son-in-law. A gold digger, you could say.

His body was weak, and his education was lacking.

The most important thing?

Even if his face was half gone, the essence of his appearance couldn’t be hidden.

Her father lay on his bed, silent for a while. His breath was faint, his heartbeat weak, but he was alive.

“Don’t live a shameful life.”

A life sustained by connected machines.

What is the definition of ‘shameful’?

She had always pursued the right path. She believed it was the right thing to do.

She never thought her life was meaningless.

She cut down enemies with a sword.

She accumulated power and grew stronger.

She reached the top.

She had always lived to climb, but when she reached the peak, she started to think about what was right and wrong.

Then, she suddenly realized that her life was wrong.

Mi-young Kang cynically snatched Lieutenant Min’s cigarette.

“Smoking is not good for your health. I’ve been telling you since the old days, but you never listen.”

“Ah, this is a mana cigarette!”

“Whether it’s a mana cigarette or an e-cigarette. Don’t bother me.”

“Hmph.”

Mi-young Kang sighed.

Since she was born, her life had been like walking on thin ice.

The expectations of her family and the mental burden of becoming the head of the household.

So Mi-young Kang decided not to think.

The use of a sword varies depending on the profession of the wielder.

“…We’ve arrived. I’m confiscating this until you return.”

“Aww, that’s too harsh!”

She was not used to this peaceful and static atmosphere.

‘If something were to happen to those two.’

The awkward silence. The strangeness flowing in the air did not easily disappear.

****

“This is making me nervous.”

“Me too.”

“Of course, you would be.”

The Awakened Management Bureau.

The highest authority that manages all awakened individuals in Korea, advises on national policy, and oversees them.

Even the heavyweights of the association couldn’t dare to touch the Awakened Management Bureau.

Being called to such a department?

There were few instances where outsiders were brought into a place where confidentiality was essential.

Seong-han Lee and Jin-young Kang simultaneously adopted a posture as soon as they arrived on the top floor.

‘Something bad is going to happen.’

Such an intuition appeared in both of them.

They drew a dagger or opened their mouths to chant magic.

Beyond the elevator doors, a shadow was cast.

It was an artificial shadow magic.

A technique mainly used for stealth or when security is needed.

“Can you sense anything?”

Jin-young Kang sharpened her senses. Seong-han Lee was also at a loss.

“No.”

“That’s a relief, but it’s also a hassle. You know the president of the association has a terrible personality, right?”

Of course, I know. He caused all sorts of trouble and was in and out of court like it was his own home.

“I didn’t know they would even prepare the official document forms in advance.”

“Is this how license issuance usually is…?”

Jin-young Kang calmly shook her head.

Her expression showed signs of discomfort.

“Of course not.”

It’s usually like getting a resident registration card or a driver’s license.

You just apply, submit the documents, and that’s it.

This was the first time she had seen such a case.

Did the information leak? A shadow fell over Jin-young Kang’s face.

“Since you work for the National Intelligence Service, you must have received some kind of notice, right?”

Seong-han Lee quietly listened to the voice of her heart.

“Haha. Of course. I’m in charge of a section of the 10th Bureau, after all. How could I not know?”

[I don’t know.]

Of course, you wouldn’t.

Seong-han Lee reached into the shadow.

As a reward for clearing the 1.5th floor, he had obtained a ‘Trait Growth Ticket’.

A scam item that could raise 1 level for free.

His beloved Ultra-Recon was the one to receive that glorious opportunity.

‘Recon.’

[There are no hostile targets detected.]

‘Sigh, it’s dirty. It looks like it’s going to be a mess. My discharge radar is emitting a red alert.’

Even 1% of possibility cannot be allowed.

But the other party was the Hunter License, which would shorten his discharge by two months!

It was a hidden piece that was too valuable to give up.

[Target found.]

[It’s a ‘human’.]

‘Human?’

Tap tap.

The sound of shoes from within the shadow. Jin-young Kang pushed Seong-han Lee with her arm.

To protect him.

“Who is it!”

Jin-young Kang snapped her fingers.

One way to deploy magic.

“Light!”

[‘Jin-young Kang’ casts the magic, ‘Light’.]

Light poured out from behind Jin-young Kang like a halo.

The shadow was pushed back by the light.

Only then could they see ahead, as the normal floor was revealed.

“The welcome is quite intense.”

A woman with white hair and red eyes was slowly approaching from the hallway.

Her employee ID read, ‘Hunter Association Management, Seo-min Hong.’

She bowed, dressed in a black suit.

“I am Seo-min Hong. I was instructed by the president to escort you. It’s not often that we have people going directly to him.”

Jin-young Kang, who had placed a trap magic on the elevator, reacted irritably.

“Why are the lights off? And why is there a shadow?”

“They’re out of order, so we’re temporarily inspecting them. Also, we need to maintain strict security.”

“What a messed up neighborhood.”

“Everyone knows that.”

There was no way down.

Seong-han Lee checked on Jin-young Kang.

“You can go down, Ms. Jin-young.”

“What?”

“I’m your dedicated person now. I can’t go. It’s a disciplinary action.”

She refused her earnest several times. She was completely stubborn.

Seong-han Lee was uncomfortable being with a potential s*x offender, but he had no other choice.

“Please follow me.”

He reluctantly followed the aide.

The hallway lights came back on.

It had a typical office atmosphere.

[I’ve seen that face somewhere before. Who is it?]

Jin-young Kang’s voice echoed softly.

As they walked a little further, they saw various facilities.

Conference Room 1.

The aide opened the door in advance.

“Oh, you’re here.”

As soon as they entered, a large figure came into view.

A middle-aged man was sitting sprawled in the president’s chair.

He had a large build and fierce eyes.

“Welcome. I was getting stiff from waiting. I’m Cheong Jin-ho. An old man who serves as the president of the association. I heard you recently solved some major incidents. Ah.”

Seong-han Lee nodded.

“Ah, yes.”

He didn’t want to unnecessarily get on his nerves.

The atmosphere was also strange.

He just wanted to leave quickly.

“I’m Seong-han Lee.”

“Take a seat. I didn’t call you here just to see your face. Let’s get straight to the point. Don’t you want to transfer to the Hunter Association?”

Damn it.

[What is that old man saying? Does he want to die?]

I want to get out of here quickly and eat some outside food.

Seong-han Lee closely observed Cheong Jin-ho.

Did people usually have strings attached to their bodies?

‘Of course not.’

Seong-han Lee fiddled with the dagger at his waist.

Should I just kill him?