At that moment, a conversation from a shopping mall suddenly came to mind.

– Don’t worry about this. I’ll run away too.

– Yes? What did you say?

– Then what did you think an F-class hunter would do in that situation?

Yeah.

He never believed that he’d run away anyway. The Kim Kiryeo he knew was not someone to abandon the city’s dangers while trying to escape alone. Furthermore, he was strong enough to protect himself even in a dungeon break situation.

– So don’t worry about anything else. Just make sure to take care of yourself, got it?

‘This side’ will run away too.

‘You’ should take care of yourself too.

He tried to reassure both himself and the person he was talking to, but ultimately, he ended up breaking his own promise. Instead of running away from the monster, he took the most active role in the hunt. For someone as sincere as him to intentionally lie, what was it that the hunter really wanted to say?

– Yoonseung-ah, it’s always helpful for uncertain people to step aside in advance.

Even though Ahn Yoonseung knew the answer, he pretended not to. Of course, compared to someone as skilled as Kim Kiryeo, he was just a novice. But still, he was A-Class, an awakened one in the top 3%. Surely, there was something he could do. If a terror incident occurred, he could at least be of some help to his Hyung.

Ahn Yoonseung quietly got into the elevator with that thought in mind. However, that resolution was his arrogance and immaturity. It was as if Kim Kiryeo had read his mind and completely blocked any attempt by the A-Class to join the fight.

‘While I was inside the gate… The Imoogi was captured?’

Yoonseung repeatedly turned the fully charged phone off and on. However, no matter how much he stared at the screen, nothing changed.

‘I haven’t received a call.’

Why hasn’t he received a single text message from someone who said he would contact him as soon as he found out the location of the Inevitable Malice?

From Yoonseung’s perspective, Kim Kiryeo appeared as a flawless, almost fictional superhuman. That’s why he never imagined ridiculous scenarios, such as the other person forgetting their promise because they were being chased by the Inevitable Malice. At least in Ahn Yoonseung’s opinion, Kim Kiryeo was someone who could easily text even if the Imoogi suddenly appeared before his eyes.

But the fact that someone with such qualifications didn’t inform him of Imoogi’s appearance.

‘Is it because I’m that incompetent…?’

Ahn Yoonseung’s expression hardened. He felt that he was intentionally excluded from the incident.

– Instead, why don’t you just run away when the boss appears? In my opinion, the grown Imoogi would be dangerous to you too.

And so, Yoonseung, in a daze, set about dealing with the aftermath of the scene. However, even while working, he couldn’t shake off the troubling thoughts.

How on earth do I look in the eyes of Hunter Kim Kiryeo?

How unqualified am I that I’m not even allowed to watch the fight?

He bought new equipment because he heard there was going to be a big accident. He didn’t slack off on his training.

I prepared diligently, too.

Although it’s not as much as before, I’ve gained some confidence now.

“So you’re saying that you felt betrayed because I didn’t call you?”

“No. It’s not betrayal.”

Ahn Yoonseung, who had been lost in thought, returned to reality and shook his head.

“I felt really pathetic…”

“What?”

“Even so, there was still a part of me that felt a bit arrogant just because I was an A-Class Hunter. But this incident has really opened my eyes.”

“….”

“Compared to someone like Kiryeo Hyung, my abilities are nothing but a hindrance. I really feel insignificant…”

Ahn Yoonseung muttered in a dejected voice.

“That’s why I’ve been thinking a lot lately. I’m not particularly upset.”

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“Yoonseung-ah.”

But at that moment, Kim Kiryeo, who had been quietly listening to the conversation, opened his mouth with a look of surprise.

“No, I don’t know how many times I’ve said this this week, but it’s all a misunderstanding.”

From the late explanation, it seems that the Dungeon Break that occurred on the 11th was completely unexpected for him as well. The hunter with the sambaegan eyes closed his eyelids firmly and offered a quiet apology.

I’m sorry.

I didn’t tell you the location of the Imoogi and I forgot because the situation was so urgent.

How could I possibly exclude you? What other things?

“Don’t be so self-deprecating. Hm? From my perspective, you’re an excellent hunter.”

Kim Kiryeo took his time explaining his position , and Yoonseung soon realized that his previous assumptions had been incorrect. The fact that he hadn’t participated in the subjugation of the Inevitable Malice was merely a result of coincidence.

“Is it true?”

“Of course, it’s true. If I had been in my right mind, I would have called you first.”

His expression brightened up.

‘You didn’t abandon me because I was annoying?’

Ahn Yoonseung cheered up at Kiryeo’s explanation. Of course, there are lingering questions about why someone who claimed they would flee ended up taking down an S-Class monster, but what does it matter now?

“Phew, you really know how to scare people. I thought there was some big problem or something.”

Tap, tap.

Kim Kiryeo patted Yoonseung’s shoulder. Of course, Yoonseung’s reaction was positive. When someone he admired treated him so kindly, it naturally eased any lingering tension.

“Then, please rest comfortably!”

“…Your guest room is bigger than my house.”

“Haha! Hyung-nim, you’re really good at making jokes.”

After this conversation, Yoonseung left the room.

Tung.

If that’s the case, the misunderstanding should be resolved, and he shouldn’t have to worry about any nonsense…

‘Whew.’

A strange conclusion was suddenly drawn in Yoonseung’s mind.

‘Luckily, it was just a worry this time, but if things continue like this, something similar could happen at any time.’

Who was that Awakened person sitting in the guest room? He was an unknown power player who was estimated to be the 4th S-class in Korea. In other words, he was someone who was as different from himself as heaven and earth from birth.

‘Don’t slack off and work hard!’

Yoonseung made a new resolution at that moment. To be of help to that Awakener, he needed to build up at least enough skill to avoid being a hindrance. He vowed to continue his training without delay.

‘Should I go work out after dinner?’

What a sincere misjudgment.

The reality is that the only truth is the tremendous gap between that man and himself. Meanwhile, while Kim Kiryeo breathes without a thought, on the other hand, the hard-working monster is being perfected once again today…

***

The next day.

“Hyung-nim! Dinner is ready!”

Yoonseung ordered breakfast to the point of breaking the table legs in order to serve the guests. However, even though he called out loudly, there was no response from the hallway…

“Hyung?”

Yoonseung, wondering what was going on, quietly moved to another spot. But what was flowing from the guest room that he finally arrived at?

– Hahaha.

What’s with the laughter?

‘What is it?’

The door to this room was already half open, but Yoonseung knocked again.

Knock.

Then, a voice similar to the one from earlier leaked out from inside.

– Come in.

It seemed that what he just heard was Kim Kiryeo’s laughter.

“Excuse me…”

“Is the meal here already?”

“Yes. It’s already on the table.”

“Sorry, I’ll just finish this call and leave right away.”

The awakener greeted him with a look that was hardly different from yesterday. A white shirt with a black vest—a truly conventional formal outfit. The only difference was that he was holding a cellphone in one hand

“Hello?”

Yoonseung, out of curiosity, eavesdropped on the other person’s phone call for a moment.

“No, there’s nothing wrong, I just heard breakfast came. Yes, yes. I guess I should hang up the phone.”

However, it was difficult to fully understand the conversation by only listening to one side. He could only vaguely guess what was going on.

“Anyway, thank you for the information. I’ll take care of it from now on.”

Judging from the sound coming from the speaker, the person on the other end of the line seemed to be a woman.

“Yes. Goodbye. Oh, and take good care of yourself.”

‘Take care of yourself?’

“Just drinking one recovery potion doesn’t mean it heals you completely. After all, Esther is already so skinny, so…”

Ahn Yoonseung, who was leaning against the door frame, was very surprised to hear the name between the sentences.

‘If it’s Esther, then that Esther?’

Come to think of it, Kim Kiryeo had been texting with the guild master of the Magic Tower before, right? It was surprising even though it was something he already knew. It was because S-Class Hunters are people who originally are beyond reach for even a single conversation.

‘The Hunter who exchanged greetings with Esther and overpowered Kang Changho is in our house right now…?’

Heuk.

Yoonseung covered his mouth, once again recalling how extraordinary the awakener in front of him was. At that moment, the other person spoke to him.

“What are you thinking?”

“Heuk!”

Kim Kiryeo had already finished his call and was standing in the hallway. Yoonseung quickly continued the conversation.

“Oh, I, I was just wondering what you were talking about…”

But guess what?

Kim Kiryeo surprisingly revealed the contents of the call without hesitation.

“It’s about the association.”

Is it related to the Hunter Association?

“No, Esther-ssi keeps saying she wants to help me, so I asked if she could check something for me. It turns out she did some interesting work with the association.”

“The association?”

“So I’m going to show up at the association today.”

Ahn Yoonseung said reflexively.

“Since my parents left the car behind, shall I give you a ride?”

However, Kim Kiryeo politely declined the offer. There was a reason he needed to go alone for this matter.

“Well, I think it’s better for you not to come.”

The hunter in the suit soon spoke in a calm tone. freewebnoveℓ.com

“Because I’m going to cause trouble.”

***

Meanwhile, on the 5th floor of the Korean Hunter Association headquarters.

“Reporter Yang wrote really well.”

The president of the Hunter Association was lounging comfortably on the sofa, flipping through a newspaper. The newspaper he was reading was from a pro-government media outlet, and the front page was filled with satisfactory articles.

[Hunters’ arrogant attitude, is this okay?]

[Kim Kiryeo Remains Silent on ‘Rank Concealment Allegations’]

What’s the use of hiding it? The one who leaked Kim Kiryeo’s address was none other than the president of the association himself.

And there were two main reasons he gathered the reporters to publish the article about the Hunter. First, to escalate the incident. No matter how thorough the opponent’s rank concealment is, if the world doesn’t recognize him as an F-Class, the manipulation of his awakening is essentially meaningless.

‘It’s useless to hide in the shadows.’

The association president planned this incident half because he wanted to make the arrogant Hunter uncomfortable, and half because he wanted to make him stop disguising his rank. Moreover, attracting attention to Kim Kiryeo brings additional benefits. It allows him to highlight the potential dangers of Hunters.

‘No comment on all the questions? As expected, you’re being very blunt.’

The more the high-ranking Awakened acts selfishly, the more the people feel uneasy. If public opinion continues like this, the need for strong sanctions will soon arise here and there. Because of this, the association’s authority gradually increases.

“Are you sure you’re okay with it?”

However, other staff observing this were worried about the president’s hardline approach, as their expressions were dark.

“He didn’t even flinch when reporters barged in, so I guess he won’t admit that he’s an S-class even if there’s a little pressure.”

“That’s right.”

“As expected, I think it would be better to try to persuade him a little more gently now…”

Tak.

The association president roughly put down the newspaper.

“Oho, is this person really saying that?”

“Ah.”

“Those kinds of people never know when to stop once you start giving in. If you bow down first, they’ll just see you as easy prey.”

“That’s true, but…”

“But what do you mean ‘but’? Haven’t you seen what happened with someone like Kang Changho and still don’t understand?”

Even if he doesn’t get a confession, it doesn’t matter.

The media talks about the number of Awakeners being a measure of national power, but isn’t that only true when Hunters are cooperative?

“These S-Class guys aren’t ones that can be controlled by sweet-talking them anyway. So, those with potential problems should be dealt with early on.”

“Yes?”

“Or they can just take them to a foreign country.”

“Uh, um.”

“Awakened ones, you see, even though they wear the same skin as us, they are ultimately very formidable inside. If you pamper those who do as they please and treat them like masters, it can actually be harmful to the country…”

But then.

Knock, knock. Suddenly, a knock was heard from beyond the door.

“Come in!”

Immediately after, a mid-level manager of the Hunter Association appeared. He was sweating profusely even though it was the middle of winter, and then a piece of news came from an employee’s mouth.

“Ah! Hunter Kim Kiryeo just contacted me. He asked if he could have a brief meeting with the Association President.”

Then that’s right. Even if he’s an Awakener, what can he do when the other person is a young kid who’s just turned twenty?

‘It seems this guy has come to his senses after being beaten by the media. Is he finally correcting his rank?’

The Association President raised the corners of his mouth and said, “I’ll listen to any conversation. Just bring him here immediately.”