Hunters Keep Coming To My House - Chapter 102

Chapter 102

“This is everything.” 

So…

The government pushed for my resignation as a condition for allowing me to enter the Janwol, and Kang Yoon-soo made a deal by handing over the item the government coveted, right?

…Is what I heard true? Did I not hear it wrong?

While doubting my ears, I asked Mr. Kim Chok, thinking about the possibility that I might have misheard.

“…Really?”

“Why, can’t you believe it? Well, that Kang Yoon-soo must have trained himself well so that no one would dare think such thoughts. That’s his specialty.”

“…Really, Mr. Kim?”

“Huh, even when caught, are you still trying to save face?”

Mr. Kim Chok looked at Kang Yoon-soo, who was pretending not to know until the end, and sneered as if saying, ‘Even in this situation, you don’t reveal your true nature.’

In response to his provocation, Kang Yoon-soo only bit his lips and showed no reaction. Meanwhile, in the distance, I could hear the murmurs of the disappointed recruiter.

“Fight a little more, don’t fight so halfheartedly… Watching a fight is the most interesting.”

For no reason, I gave a meaningful look to Kang Yoon-soo and continued to stare at him.

‘Kang Yoon-soo made a deal with the government using me?’

I had anticipated that Kang Yoon-soo would resort to some measures, but… hearing that he made such a deal left me extremely bewildered and feeling betrayed.

‘Did I reveal too much of my feelings to Kang Yoon-soo all this time?’

If I had still maintained my guard, I might have just thought, ‘Ah, he had his reasons,’ and moved on.

Unable to suppress the deep sigh welling up inside, I exhaled deeply. At that moment, Kang Yoon-soo, who was carefully observing me, subtly twitched his body.

…Is there something else that’s bothering him?

I squinted my eyes at Kang Yoon-soo, then turned my head to look at Mr. Kim Chok. As I did, he smiled, as if ready to destroy the relationship between Kang Yoon-soo and me at any moment.

“…Hah.”

I immediately shifted my gaze back to Kang Yoon-soo. Asking him would likely lead to an unfavorable future, given the person he was.

Even if we joined forces now and tried to confront the situation, it seemed inadequate. What a troublemaker, trying to sow discord in a situation where we should be working together.

“Well, Mr. Kang Yoon-soo, why don’t you explain it?”

“…Well, the truth is… I wanted to help Ms. Yeon-oh, so I did that.”

“I’ll be the judge of that. First, tell me why you did it and what item you promised to the government.”

Clearly explain the parts Mr. Kim skipped over.

I was curious about what kind of item it was that made the greedy government let me go so easily. It couldn’t have been something insignificant.

Once again, I pressured Kang Yoon-soo with my gaze, and he tightly sealed his lips, as if determined not to let anything slip. However…

“…Where do you think you’re going by keeping your mouth shut?”

“…Alright.”

Right now, that wouldn’t work in front of me. Huh? I’m glaring at him with my eyes wide open; shouldn’t he open his mouth already?

Kang Yoon-soo sighed deeply and slowly opened his mouth.

“The government couldn’t afford to let Ms. Yeon-oh’s value be known even more. I used my influence to persistently hold on to Yeon-oh until I got the answers I wanted.”

“That may be true. So, what did you agree to give?”

“Ah, I decided to give them the Ego Sword. That’s the deal, Ms. Yeon-oh.”

…Oh.

That item must be something you can’t part with unless you agree to the deal. Although only the Black Ego Sword has been revealed so far, the government is aware that there are four other Ego Swords, thanks to the first owner of the Black Ego Sword who flaunted it around. However, knowing that having the Black Ego Sword induces madness, hunters have been searching for the remaining four Ego Swords.

They might think those swords are in good condition.

‘Although many gave up because there were no clear clues that if Kang Yoon-soo definitively hands over one, the government will be drooling over it.’

If the Ego Sword falls into the government’s hands, they would most likely give it to a higher-ranked hunter who obediently follows their orders, making them a dog of the government through a contract.

‘Yeah, the government would prefer a hunter who can demonstrate power rather than me, whose abilities are not revealed.’

That way, they can elevate the fallen government’s status. But the fact that the government is targeting me again…

‘Do they just want to avoid losing me and ruining the guild while wanting the Ego Sword?’

Wow, have I seen such greedy individuals before?

Despite the harsh words boiling up at the back of my throat, I endured it. There were government officials present, so I couldn’t help it.

As my expression turned grim, Kang Yoon-soo gazed at the floor with a serene look. It seemed he knew that conducting such transactions with people was not a good thing.

“…Well, both sides understand each other’s position. But the government seems to lack conscience. If you make a deal, you should stop there. Why do you think about being more greedy at that point? Am I some kind of fool? Well, does it look like I’m scared and ready to return to the government just because of this?”

“…Ms. Yeon-oh, calm down…”

“Do I look like I’m not calm? And Kang Yoon-soo, why on earth did you say you’d hand over a non-existent Ego Sword? Are you planning to snatch it even if it already has an owner? No, just no!”

“Your temper is something else…”

“Can you shut up, Mr. Recruiter?”

Hng. The recruiter grumbled as he sat on the warehouse floor. Ignoring that neatly, I turned my head, alternating my gaze between Mr. Kim Chok and Kang Yoon-soo.

“I can’t stay like this. This is not just Mr. Kim Chok’s problem, it’s my problem, so don’t stop me.”

“…Huh?”

“I will seek revenge… well, Mr. Kim Chok, you can enjoy the neatly swept-up government.”

“What?”

Mr. Kim Chok furrowed his brow, showing a facial expression that asked if I knew what I was talking about. It was a threatening aura, even for an adult, but having encountered a lich, it didn’t seem that intimidating to me.

So…

“Get ready to catch the government. It’s already deep into the night. Arvani needs to be taken home and put to sleep quickly, so let’s just plan the top-level and part ways.”

“…It sounds like Ms. Yeon-oh has some kind of plan to some extent.”

“Well, to some extent. There’s a way to pull out the government officials.”

“How about those greedy bastards?”

Seeing Kang Yoon-soo’s serious expression, I laughed as if it was nothing.

“Right now, the best bait is right in front of Mr. Kang Yoon-soo.”

Let’s make fishing ridiculously effective.

* * *

The sun rose quickly, and as darkness fell again, the evening streets dimmed. 

The weakest government official, Lee Gun-chang, entered a warehouse. He felt an inexplicable chill and suffocation, but he didn’t pay much attention to it. Because…

“Hehe, if I get that in my hands, I can get rid of those bastards who are unbearable to look at.”

Especially that guy. Just because he has a hunter son, he grabs all the power and throws his weight around!

Tsk. Lee Gun-chang complained, tongue in cheek. He regretted not having more children, thinking he should have had more.

“…No, let’s take care of the source first. It seems like the trend these days. If I get it today, I can tell my wife when I get back.”

As Lee Gun-chang patted his belly with a greedy dream, walking deeper into the warehouse. 

“Haha, long time no see. You still look good, as always.”

In the darkness, Kang Yoon-soo slowly revealed himself. In his arms was a long object piled with white cloth.

Seeing it, greed surged in Lee Gun-chang’s eyes. He casually adjusted his voice and formally spoke.

“…Ahem! Stop the unnecessary talk and hand over the item!”

“The deal isn’t fully done yet, sir.”

“Huh? Didn’t you say you would do it quickly? And you, won’t this be very difficult for you? Doing this now, wanting it to be known to others?”

“Aren’t you the one in a difficult situation, Mr. Lee? After all, this was originally meant to go into Mr. Kim Chok’s father’s hands, right?”

“…Didn’t I say I would convey that!”

Lee Gun-chang shouted and lashed out at Kang Yoon-soo. He couldn’t believe that someone of his age was trying to compete with him, and since Kang Yoon-soo suggested a deal with the government, he had become more wary.

Thanks to that, Kang Yoon-soo closed his mouth and sighed. Thinking he had the upper hand, Lee Gun-chang quickly started raising his voice.

“Now, quickly hand it over!”

“……”

“What are you doing now!”

“…And what about you, what are you doing here?”

“……?”

Hearing the voice that shouldn’t have been heard, Lee Gun-chang fell into contemplation.