Ch. 224 - Something Feels Off

-- Hank, report the situation.

"There are three Asians in the café. One of them is unfamiliar, another is Kang Mu-hyuk, and the third is standing behind him, probably his guard, No Songrin."

-- What do you mean 'probably'? Is it No Songrin or not? Be precise.

"All Asians look the same to me. I assumed it was No Songrin because he seems to have a bad temper and looks temperamental.

-- According to the report on South Korea, No Songrin is an A-rank hunter. Lay low and observe from a safe distance.

"I'm already in a blind spot on the rooftop of a building across the street."

-- Can you see Mr. Jang?

"He's not in sight yet."

-- Be careful. We're talking about an A+ rank hunter here.

"Even so, they're just a bunch of country bumpkins from the country that's practically on the outskirts of the Hunter community. Honestly, how can someone appoint him as a bodyguard--- an A+ rank, no less for a regular civilian, not even a head of state? Even if he is a Guild Leader, it sounds ridiculous. If it were me, my pride wouldn't allow it."

Hank's businesslike tone shifted to one of disbelief because an A+ rank hunter was exceptionally rare. Even more so in the United States, where such a rank could bring immense wealth and fame. If the individual also possessed a top 1% trait, it was the icing on the cake.

The Hunter file Hank had received on Mr Jang Deuk-goo didn't specify his traits, but his record of hunting villains made one thing clear: this man was not to be underestimated. 

Moreover, the notes highlighted that he had trained Ju Se-ah, Korea's only S-rank hunter--- a fact that demanded even greater caution.

-- First, get a photo of the unidentified Asian. They could be someone from another guild.

"Understood. I'll send the image as soon as I have it. Over and out."

Hank ended the call and turned to his partner.

"Rick, grab your camera and get a picture of that guy's face."

"... ... ."

"Rick, are you listening? Take the---"

"No matter how much I clean, they keep crawling back."

With the deep, unfamiliar bass voice, Rick collapsed to the ground.

"!!"

Hank spun around, grabbing the sword he'd propped against the wall.  He pointed it toward the source of the noise, but couldn't see anyone.

"Seriously, hunters in Korea and America aren't all different, are they?"

A low voice came from behind him. Hank leapt forward, rolling across the floor, and quickly distanced himself from the voice. He held his weapon ready, scanning the area where the sound had originated.

"You... you..."

The man was leaning casually against the rooftop railing, his back to the wall, gazing down at the café Hank had been monitoring moments ago. He didn't spare Hank a glance. Yet Hank froze, unable to move. Instinct told him that running or attacking would be futile. No, the moment he recognized the man's face, he gave up on resisting.

'Jang Deuk-goo... How did he get this close without me noticing? And Rick didn't even have time to react.'

Jang Deuk-goo turned slowly, nudging Rick's limp body with his foot.

"I just made him faint."

Jang Deuk-goo slid the sword back into its scabbard and turned Rick's jacket inside out. He tapped the inner pocket, deftly pulling out a wallet and flicking it open.

With a smirk, he remarked, "This time, it's an OC member, huh? Quite talented. I got him off our trail in Las Vegas, but here he is, caught up with us again. I guess you can't beat them when LA is their turf, huh?"

The initials "OC" were embossed on the leather inside the wallet. The mark was so conspicuous it almost seemed like a deliberate decoy. Still, based on the behaviour of the two hunters he had been observing, Jang Deuk-goo felt they were more like freelancers than guild members.

Jang Deuk-goo had already suspected as much, but the wallet as evidence put any doubts to rest. Not that it mattered. Whether they were from OC or not, they weren't going to get any useful information today.

'That idiot. I told him not to carry anything that could reveal his identity. And he brings a wallet with a 10th-anniversary commemorative logo? Seriously?'

Hank swallowed nervously, silently cursing Rick for his carelessness.

"What are you going to do with me?"

"What can I do? I'm not going to pick a fight with OC. But I can't let you interfere with our leader's work. So, you'll just have to nap for a while."

"I'm sorry, but I'm a salaried worker. Sleeping during work is--"

Before Hank could finish, Jang Deuk-goo closed the gap between them in an instant. 

A sharp blow to Hank's wrist made him drop his weapon. Before the pain in his wrist even registered, Jang Deuk-goo's scabbard struck his spleen, knocking the wind out of him. Moments later, a precise hit to the back of his neck left him unconscious.

Jang Deuk-goo sighed and shook his head.

"I step out to a café just once, and there are seven of them? What are they doing? Filming a  spy movie?"

Including Hank and Rick, Jang Deuk-goo had dealt with a total of seven watchers. Of the remaining five, two were from Gunpowder, one from Las Vegas, and the other two were hunters from the East Coast.

Unlike the Gunpowder hunters, who wore their guild armour openly, the other 3 were more discreet--- like Rick's wallet. Still, none of them were even remotely on Jang Deuk-goo's rank. He had only used a fraction of the techniques he used against villains, yet they were quick to spill everything. If not for the wallet, Jang Deuk-goo would have extracted information from Hank and Rick in the same way.

"What is it? Did you catch more of them again?"

No Songrin's voice buzzed in his head through their message skill. Rubbing his earlobe as if in irritation by the shrill voice, Jang Deuk-goo replied, "I don't sense any more movement. These seem to be the last ones."

"Jeez. They're so damn clingy. What do they even hope to gain from us?"

"They probably think Korea is some backward country for hunters. Right now, they're sending small fries. But if they keep it up, we might see some stronger ones soon. Stay sharp and focus on your escort mission."

"Don't worry about us. Right now, I'm right behind him anyway---"

"What? Why'd you stop talking?"

No Songrin's message skill was abruptly cut off. Jang Deuk-goo waited briefly for her to respond, then tried to reconnect.

At that moment---

BOOM!!

An explosion sounded from across the street. Jang Deuk-goo quickly leaned over the railing to check. The café where Kang Mu-hyuk was located had been hit.

"Damn it... not a single day of peace for us, is there?"

Jang Deuk-goo vaulted over the rooftop railing.

***

Kang Mu-hyuk handed Thomas a small leather pouch.

"Open it, and take a look."

Thomas swallowed hard and carefully unfastened the pouch. Inside, he found ten ampoules containing a purple liquid.

"This is a crystal ampoule. It's made from a durable material, but still, handle it with care whenever dealing with it."

"Wait... you're giving this to me?"

"It's not a cure. It's only a temporary solution. You'll need proper treatment in Korea. I can't give you an exact timeline since there's no clinical data. But while the drug is active, you'll be able to use your abilities without suffering from mana poisoning symptoms."

Thomas was stunned. Even if it wasn't a full cure, Kang Muhyuk's actions were unconventional.

This was the first hope Thomas had in a long time. He was a man with a clear sense of what hope was worth. Hunters lived on hope, after all.

The profession wasn't just in the spotlight for obvious reasons like wealth or fame; it was fundamentally a profession that sold hope. A ray of hope protecting humanity from the disaster that monsters were.

Thomas had always thought of Hunters as a job that sold hope, so he knew what he had to give in return for hope. A slave of Ironwill, not that of the Ithaca Guild.

If he'd asked me to become a slave, he'd have accepted without hesitation.

Yet he's just giving this to me?'

Kang Mu-hyuk continued his explanation to Thomas, who was barely able to control his complicated emotions.

"Remember, this is just a hypothesis. I can't guarantee you'll recover your restricted abilities by suppressing the symptoms. But at least this will prevent mana poisoning from holding you back from ranking up. Even if your abilities don't improve right away, you'll be able to hunt and train, raising your rank over time."

"Can I try this once...?"

"Now? But you haven't even had a seizure yet."

"I'm still in a very dangerous state. I was badly injured during the last hunt. A doctor I know has been trying to suppress the symptoms with various treatments, but I don't know when it will flare up."

"Your complexion doesn't look good. Have you had a seizure recently?"

"Yes, and that's why I'm asking if I can use it right away."

"Of course. I gave it to you for that reason. Go ahead and try it--- I'm curious to see how effective it will be."

Kang Mu-hyuk was secretly delighted when Thomas decided to use the ampoule immediately.

'The efficacy is guaranteed. The version I use is weaker than this one, I don't know how it will work on a hunter, but once he feels the effects, he'll have no choice but to agree to my terms.'

He hadn't given Thomas the suppressor out of total noble kindness; it was all part of his plan. Since he essentially monopolized the treatment for Mana Syndrome, it was better to appear generous at first.

"How do I use this? Do I drink it?"

"The ampoule is an injection, but it's a laser type--- no needle involved. Just press it against your arm and push the button on the back."

Kang Mu-hyuk demonstrated with the ampoule, explaining briefly.

Thomas mimicked him, placing the ampoule on his arm. As he pressed the button, a warm sensation spread across his skin. The purple liquid drained swiftly into his body, leaving his forearm tingling.

Warmth rushed from his arm, up his shoulder, and into his heart. Pulsing with his heartbeat, it spread rapidly through his entire body. Thomas felt his eyes burning. Moments later, dizziness and a throbbing headache overtook him.

"You might experience some side effects---headaches, nausea, maybe even temporary darkness in your vision sometimes. Don't panic. Close your eyes and take deep breaths; it'll pass soon."

Kang Mu-hyuk said as he placed his hand on his forehead and looked down at the floor. Following Kang Mu-hyuk's instructions, Thomas shut his eyes and breathed deeply. With each breath, a strange sensation coursed through his body---a mix of cold, heat, and refreshing.

In an instant, Thomas realized what it was: mana.

"!!"

When he opened his eyes, the whole world was mana. It was overflowing with mana.

"This... this is...!"

Words failed him. Suddenly, he coughed violently, and something wet and thick came out of his mouth. Alarmed, he covered his lips with his hand and saw dark red clots of blood.

"Is this normal? The blood---cough!"

As more blood erupted from his mouth, Kang Mu-hyuk quickly moved to support him.

"Hunter Thomas! Are you all right? Hold on, I have medicine for side effects---"

Kang Mu-hyuk stepped back abruptly, unable to finish. A wave of intense heat radiated from Thomas's forehead.

"Something feels... strange. Guild Leader Kang Mu-hyuk..."

Thomas raised his head. Kang Mu-hyuk froze, his breath hitching. Thomas, sensing his reaction, asked, "Wh-what's wrong?"

"Hunter Thomas...your eyes..."

Golden eyes stared back at Kang Mu-hyuk. The realization hit them both.

"Huh?"

A sudden gust of wind erupted around them.

Bang!

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