Translator: Vine
Translated At: Nyx Scans
Chapter: 108
#108. This Time, As Comrades
2022.11.16.
"Actually... I heard something."
His blue eyes silently turned towards Eunha.
"Sunbae, you're participating in this South Coast Gate operation too."
"..."
The moment she heard those words, a face suddenly popped into Eunha's mind.
'Manager Park.'
Jehwi must have relayed it to Siwoo.
He knew that Eunha had visited Immortal twice recently.
Siwoo would have been able to deduce many things from that fact alone.
"It turned out that way."
Eunha answered blandly.
At that, a message window frighteningly appeared in her vision.
[The divine beast 'Cat Wandering in Darkness' clicks its tongue, finding it utterly outrageous that the manager, whom it didn't see that way, ran off to tattle, and rubs its smarting back of the head.]
[Sister, you see? There's not a single flaw in the saying that there's no one to trust in this world, it emphasizes, stressing that it is your only ally.]
Eunha, looking at the yellow message window trembling as if to convey the cat's anger, thought.
'Well. There was no need to hide it in the first place, anyway.'
Even if Jehwi reported to Siwoo, was there any need to resent him?
It wasn't as if she didn't know Jehwi was Siwoo's man.
However.
"Did you come to stop me?"
Eunha asked, glancing at Siwoo.
"Huh? Stop you?"
At that, Siwoo looked rather bewildered.
Judging by his reaction, it didn't seem like he had come to stop her.
"When you brought up terminating the contract, I vaguely thought. Perhaps you too were against me continuing my hunter activities."
Siwoo, who had proposed a contract with a sum of money large enough to make one's eyes spin.
Such a person had suddenly declared the termination of the contract.
Of course, Eunha had been the one to bring it up first, but Siwoo, who had initially deferred his answer, saying he would think about it, had, at some point, conversely proposed to terminate the contract.
Eunha thought there must be some reason for that.
Because...
'Come to think of it, it seems like a big loss for this side too. Supporting hospitalization expenses beyond this is difficult. Even if it doesn't look like it, this hospital, the medical fees and hospitalization fees are expensive.'
However, if that were the reason, he wouldn't have transferred the ownership of the officetel Eunha was living in to 'Lee Yura', nor would he have handed her an account with a large sum of money.
Siwoo, listening to Eunha's story, furrowed his brow faintly.
'...You too?'
What does that mean?
Siwoo parted his lips with a slightly stiff face.
"Did someone say that?"
"Whatever the truth may be, in the modern era, I'm branded as an F-Class concept hunter."
Several months had already passed since Eunha leaped through time and arrived in the modern era of 2031.
She knew now.
How low-ranked hunters were treated in modern society, and how concept hunters were treated.
So, she thought it couldn't be helped even if Siwoo suddenly changed his mind.
The problem wasn't Siwoo, but rather this absurd modern hunter world.
However.
"Was there someone trying to stop Sunbae's activities because she's an F-Class concept hunter?"
Siwoo's eyes narrowed sharply.
Conversely, Eunha's eyes held more doubt.
'...Is he angry?'
His naturally slightly upturned eyes, coupled with his cold gaze, made his blue pupils particularly chilly.
Since he was wearing a mask and only his eyes were visible, it was even more so.
"I don't know who that bastard is, but I've never thought that. Today, I just came to confirm."
"Confirm?"
"Whether Sunbae's participation in the operation was her own choice. Or if..."
A faint blue vein bulged on Siwoo's hand, which was resting on his lap.
"She was forced by someone."
—For instance, Immortal or Rose.
If it was Eunha's own decision, Siwoo couldn't interfere.
Because he knew he had no such right.
But if it wasn't.
Siwoo, recalling the faces of the Monkey King and Doctor Plant, bit his lower lip from behind his mask.
With what determination did I terminate the contract with Sunbae.
Meanwhile, Eunha, staring intently at Siwoo, smiled faintly.
Just as Siwoo had learned about Eunha, Eunha too had learned something about Siwoo.
Typically, Shin Siwoo wasn't skilled at controlling his expressions.
'As expected.'
She was now strongly convinced that the reason Siwoo terminated his contract with Eunha was neither because of money nor Eunha's rank.
If it had been, he wouldn't have shown such a face.
"Why are you smiling?"
Siwoo, who had been growling, asked somewhat bluntly.
Eunha, without ceasing her smile, replied.
"Just because."
And lifting her gaze, she stared at the streetlight swaying in the wind and calmly parted her lips.
"If that's what you wanted to confirm, don't worry. It wasn't anyone's coercion or threat. This is my choice."
"...Didn't Sunbae want to live an ordinary life after the contract ended?"
"I did."
Eunha, after a moment of silence, still kept her gaze fixed on the streetlight.
"But it doesn't necessarily have to be now. I know now what I need to prioritize."
That nameless tree was half-revealing its bare branches in the approaching winter.
But Eunha knew.
Next spring, another new bud would sprout on those withered branches.
It wasn't the end.
Just as the director had said.
Siwoo, silently gazing at her profile, replied curtly.
"...I see."
Srrk.
The tension in his clenched fist loosened.
If that was the case, Siwoo had nothing more to say.
Because no one would have such authority.
However, the biggest reason he had decided to support the Association was precisely Eunha.
Because he wanted Sunbae to live the life she desired.
Because he thought she was someone who deserved it.
But now that there was no need for that, he had to think about what to do.
Whether to cancel the support, or...
"...Many famous hunters will gather."
Glance.
His blue eyes silently turned towards Eunha.
Siwoo spoke again in a cautious tone.
"More than anything else, Sunbae, you'll first have to prove your strength to them. Otherwise, they won't try to acknowledge you."
Including the Association, the numerous hunters gathered there would only see her as an F-Class concept hunter.
However.
"...Just as you've always done, this time too, Sunbae, you'll show them through your actions, won't you?"
A small laugh was heard.
For some reason, Siwoo felt his breath catch for a moment.
It was like a breeze.
A breeze that tickled his cheek, blowing through a window he hadn't even known was open.
Eunha, without looking this way, said unwaveringly.
"Of course, I intend to."
Swaaaaah—
Her black hair fluttered in the wind that blew again.
"..."
Siwoo closed his mouth.
The red sunset had already faded, and the moonlight, which had been hidden by clouds, revealed itself instead.
Under the faint moonlight, Siwoo, as if drawn, followed Eunha's gaze.
Soon, the distant streetlight tree came into his blue eyes as well.
That delicate tree couldn't withstand even a small breeze and shed its leaves onto the ground.
Like his younger self, shabby and helpless.
Siwoo, who had lowered his gaze to the fallen leaves piled on the ground, looked at the tree again.
And realizes.
That branches don't break in such a breeze.
Like her beside me, upright and serene.
At that moment, Siwoo suddenly realized again.
Though he himself hadn't noticed, he had been following her.
He wants to know what lies at the end of the path she walks.
If possible, he wants to walk it with her.
He felt that if he walked her stride, he might someday reach the same destination.
Those unwavering black eyes gave Siwoo a vague conviction that wherever that destination might be, there would ultimately be no regrets.
'...A strange person.'
Perhaps that was why.
The reason he couldn't take his eyes off her.
"—Sunbae."
Calling her lowly, her pitch-black eyes turned this way.
Siwoo rummaged through his pocket and handed something to Eunha.
"Please take it. I'm finally returning it."
A small device in Siwoo's palm.
It was a terminal.
The one Eunha had previously entrusted to Siwoo, saying it seemed to be broken.
"After checking it multiple times, there was no problem with the terminal."
"Then why..."
Eunha, staring at the terminal she received, parted her lips.
If it wasn't broken, then why wasn't the acquired experience being displayed?
"I only found out that the terminal was fine, but I couldn't find any reason why this phenomenon was occurring. Since it's an unprecedented case."
Having said that, Siwoo adjusted his clothes and slowly rose from the bench.
"Anyway, it doesn't seem like I'll find an answer even if I tinker with it anymore. A situation might arise during this operation where a terminal is needed, so I'll return it first."
Pulling his hood up, he sharply turned his head and looked at Eunha.
"Next time, we'll meet at the South Coast Gate."
"...?"
Eunha, who had been looking at the terminal, lifted her head and looked at Siwoo.
A small light of question flickered in Eunha's eyes.
Are you coming too?
It seemed as if she were asking that.
The Siwoo Eunha knew was someone who extremely disliked hunter activities, so it was a natural reaction.
Wasn't that why he had spent a fortune to set up a scarecrow in his place under the name of a contract?
Eunha, who was about to ask the reason for his sudden change of heart, closed her mouth upon seeing the large hand abruptly extended before her.
"Now, we'll be comrades, not business partners."
Siwoo, extending his hand to Eunha, smiled, his eyes curving.
Eunha silently looked up at Siwoo's curved blue eyes, then lowered her gaze again to stare at his hand.
"...Comrades?"
"Yes. Comrades."
A cool autumn breeze blew.
Red fallen leaves, like rose petals, crossed between them.
For a moment, time seemed to stop.
Ding.
[The divine beast 'Cat Wandering in Darkness' pokes its head in, "Comrades? Cooomraaaades?!"]
Eunha quickly blinked at the yellow message window that flashed brightly.
"..."
And a small smile appeared on her lips.
Eunha slowly reached out and clasped Siwoo's hand.
Rose Guild, Gangwon-do Branch.
Numerous hunters, having heard Doctor Plant's special announcement, had gathered there.
The underground auditorium was packed with what looked to be well over a hundred people.
All of them were individuals who had applied for the South Coast Gate operation.
A middle-aged man, hesitantly walking through the chaotic atmosphere, found an empty seat and sat down.
"Hey. Isn't that person Clown Ahjussi?"
At someone's whisper, the gazes of several people stuck to the middle-aged man, Clown Ahjussi.
"It is. Wow, it's the first time I've seen him in such ordinary clothes. I almost didn't recognize him."
"That's a relief. I was secretly scared because it was a secret operation, but it seems like it's no big deal. Seeing as they're even accepting concept hunter applications."
"Ahjussi, can't you show us a fireworks show just once?"
Though the perception of concept hunters had improved compared to before, the reality was that they were still treated as dropouts among veteran hunters.
However.
"Sorry, but I'm closed today."
Clown Ahjussi shrugged with a relaxed smile.
He couldn't lose his spirit in a place like this.
15 years of experience as a concept hunter.
He was someone who had been hardened by all sorts of absurdities.
Jiiing—
A vibration came from his front pants pocket.
[Princess Minji♥] [8:50 AM] Daddyyy!!
[Princess Minji♥] [8:50 AM] Did you arrive safely? Mom was upset that you left without eating breakfast ㅠㅠ
"...Kid."
A smile naturally formed on his lips upon seeing the message on the screen.
Instead of replying, Clown Ahjussi lifted his finger and tapped his daughter's messenger profile picture.
In the picture, his daughter, wearing a white padded jacket, was smiling brightly as if she owned the world.
Even though it was still autumn, did she really want to take out her newly bought padded jacket and take a selfie?
He slowly caressed his daughter's face displayed on the screen.
His precious child, whom he thought would remain a child forever, would be a university student next year.
On one hand, he was moved, and on another...
"..."
Clown Ahjussi's gaze, looking at his daughter on the screen, grew heavy.
The amount of money one had to bear as a parent of a high school senior preparing for college entrance exams was beyond imagination.
Could anything be too precious for his only daughter?
Though he felt like selling his organs to support her, reality wasn't so lenient.
'Ah... I'm so sorry. It seems it'll be a bit difficult to appear this time.'
'I'm sorry. Next time...'
'Our program is only looking for cast members under 50. It's unfortunate that I can't give you a positive answer.'
'Um, someone I know is opening a big restaurant this time and is looking for an opening event helper. How about that? You can do tricks, right? Like breathing fire from your mouth.'
Though top 0.1% star-level concept hunters earned as much as, or even more than, a decent B+ Class hunter, it wasn't as easy as it sounded for a middle-aged man in clown makeup to find a good source of income.
Then one day.
'Hey, did you hear the news? Doctor Plant is looking for fire and dark attribute hunters right now. Coincidentally, you have fire attribute skills, don't you? Why don't you try applying, just in case?'
An opportunity he couldn't miss had come his way.
