Ch. 53 - Chapter 53

“……!”

I had to make a choice.

Keep pretending until the end, or admit it willingly.

That moment of hesitation didn't last very long.

Click.

I placed the fox mask I was wearing on the table.

"I am Chun Haesun. It’s a pleasure to meet you."

It felt a bit silly to exchange such formal greetings after having already talked so much in the private room, but in any case, this marked the start of conversation as 'Chun Haesun.’

Do Isu seemed to understand the meaning behind it, as he smiled.

“How did you know? Did it seem like I wasn't on good terms with Yaksha?”

"Of course, I did get that impression... but I had more solid evidence."

“What is that?”

"Because there is no hunter in our country capable of single-handedly taking down a Giant Treasure. That’s something not even Gu Gyeon could do.”

"I'm also a Korean hunter."

"Haha. I should phrase it differently. Let me correct that to 'officially registered Korean hunters'.”

As he said, my official classification was 'Healer.'

And a healer alone cannot clear a Poison Dungeon.

Though I didn't know how much he was aware of, this meant he knew about my hidden abilities to some extent.

My eyes narrowed as I looked at Do Isu.

"While we've only recently produced meaningful results, we've been tracking the location of Poison Dungeons for quite some time. In the process of predicting its occurrence, monitoring the dungeon's status was essential.”

"......"

"We have known about the Cleanup Clan for a very long time. Though it's called a clan, it's practically run single-handedly by Yuk Cheolwan. When we proposed acquiring the blood of a Poison Monster, he expressed reluctance.”

I absentmindedly nodded.

The only reason Yuk Cheolwan frequented Poison Dungeons was for one thing, the Aurum Bloom.

He likely had neither the interest nor the capability to collect the blood of a Poison Monster.

"But recently, Cleanup Clan's achievements have skyrocketed. It's hard to believe these are the results of a clan that once focused solely on being 'cleaners.' That naturally prompted us to look into the main factor behind this change.”

"Investigated... Does that mean you tailed Clan Leader Yuk Cheolwan?"

"No. That’s not the case. We don’t use such methods.”

Considering the gentle demeanor that radiated from his appearance, it did seem plausible.

But the world is full of people who are two-faced.

"There aren’t many people who take on the role of ‘cleaners’ in this industry. The market is narrow, after all. So, we made a list of hunters who transferred from Cleanup Clan to other guilds in the past. Unlike clan records, guild rosters make it easier to verify affiliations.”

"Instead of tailing us…. You systematically eliminated likely hunters one by one…."

A soft exclamation escaped Do Isu's lips.

"Exactly. I had a hunch when you helped my son and daughter, but you truly have deep insight."

That was how Do Isu arrived at the following conclusion.

There were no hunters among the existing former colleagues who returned to the 'Cleanup Clan.'

Other than 'Chun Haesun,' whose identity was confirmed through the article, no new members have been verified for Cleanup Clan.

“To be perfectly honest, I wasn’t 100% certain. A healer with lethal capabilities, that’s something unprecedented until now.”

“Hmm.”

"But from the way you explained the dungeon and your attitude toward Mr. Yaksha, I was able to draw that conclusion.”

Is it possible to know such a thing from just a few exchanges of conversation?

Perhaps Do Isu possessed something beyond mere insight.

"As I mentioned earlier, we are investigating the 'rift.' The monsters must have had their own world before they appeared, so why of all times did the two worlds become connected in 'this era'?”

"Does the monster's blood hold the key to that?"

"We're just grasping at straws for now."

Even if he put it that way, he must have some level of confidence.

No reasonable person would attempt to trade with the head of the black market without a valid reason.

If discovered by the Hunter Association, there would undoubtedly be some consequences.

"Ah."

I see.

It was only then that I realized why Do Isu had requested a private meeting.

Do Isu and I were in quite similar situations.

Our external activities differed from our internal ones.

And ultimately, both of us would be in trouble if this information were to leak.

If I were to spill the secret, the other party wouldn't be at ease either.

Behind the trust Do Isu displayed, there was a safety net.

'This guy......'

I thought he was just a well-bred gentleman, but he certainly had composure under pressure.

Do Isu exited the private room with the same impeccable courtesy he had shown when we first met.

But the way he looked at me felt quite different.

***

"Did you enjoy your secret meeting?"

"Not really. He knew my true identity."

"It would have been strange if he didn't notice your clumsy acting."

Damn it.

These people, all putting on airs of being experienced.

Well, good for you for being old.

"In the end, you and Do Isu are in the same boat. One gained information, the other gained power.”

While waiting, Yaksha had been considering his own set of criteria.

For dungeons rated three stars (★★★) or lower, internal personnel from the black market would handle them; anything above that would require my assistance.

They would not touch any resources I would collect; they would merely assign one companion to collect resources alongside me.

It was a simple, yet effective, method.

"Good. Low-level dungeons don't have much worth taking anyway."

"So now all that's left is the settlement?"

"Right. And it won't do with just something small.”

I nearly died clearing the 8-star (★★★★★★★★) dungeon.

On top of that, I had to wear that ridiculous cloak in front of Do Isu.

Since he was as sharp as a blade when it came to deals, he must have prepared a fitting reward.

Yaksha let out a low 'heh-heh' and flicked his finger.

Snap.

Someone cautiously walked toward us.

Who was it?

It was too dark to see clearly, but as time passed, my sensitive nose picked up a familiar scent.

A woman with a fiery personality as vibrant as her hair.

A woman who didn't even know the abilities she possessed.

And one who longed for freedom more than anyone else.

"Bisu?"

Why was Bisu showing up at this exact moment?

She had nothing in her hands to suggest she'd come to deliver something.

Seeing the look on Bisu's face, she too seemed clueless about what was going on.

"What, aren't you satisfied with the reward?”

"!!!"

Yaksha flickered his tongue, making an unmistakably lewd gesture.

He was saying that Bisu right in front was the 'reward.'

Instantly, a wave of disgust surged up.

What the hell does this bastard take people for?

"You bastard. Are people objects? How dare you talk about 'reward' like that."

"Objects? I'm merely transferring a subordinate relationship based on debt to you. The disposal is entirely up to you.”

"I don't engage in that kind of human trafficking crap. Alright. Since I've received the reward, I suppose I can do as I please, right?"

Unknowingly, my voice grew intense as I got worked up.

With that same tone, I spoke as if making a declaration to Bisu.

"Bisu! From today onward, you are free. Whatever your debt was, I'll consider it fully repaid. You no longer need to be under obligation to anyone.”

After pouring out those words, silence fell.

Me, Yaksha, and Bisu just stood there staring at each other.

Wait.

Then that means…?

"......"

After a brief moment, Bisu broke the silence and asked Yaksha.

Her voice trembling and filled with emotion.

"Ah... Father... Is that... true??"

Yaksha scratched his ear and answered indifferently.

"Yeah. You don't need to call me Father anymore."

Bisu's body stiffened as if struck by lightning.

Soon, large tears streamed down her cheeks.

She, who had dreamed of freedom for years, had finally broken free of her shackles.

Whoosh.

Suddenly, Bisu ran towards me and hugged me.

And then she started sobbing loudly.

"Finally... finally... Ugh!!"

"Hey, this..."

I guess I should stay silent for now.

Looking at her trembling shoulders reminded me of that night.

The night she muttered in her sleep, missing the father who had abandoned her.

Just like back then, Bisu's shoulders looked endlessly vulnerable and small.

The sound of her sobs was so heartbreaking that it made my nose sting.

Congratulations, Bisu.

You've finally gained your freedom.

At this point, I felt a bit embarrassed for losing my temper earlier.

If I had casually brushed off Yaksha’s joke, it might have painted a more beautiful (?) picture.

"You're sharp as a blade when it comes to deals, but you're not exactly honest in moments like this."

"I guess so."

Yaksha didn't bother to deny my words.

He treated Bisu like an object, passing her on to me, but in the end, Yaksha gave her the wings of freedom.

Because he knew full well that I wouldn't keep her bound like he did.

If he wanted to set her free so badly, he should have just done it himself.

In any case, it was the first time I felt humanity in him.

“I have something for you.”

“Me?”

“No. Not you.”

At that, Bisu flinched and turned her head.

With anxious eyes, she walked over to Yaksha.

"Close your eyes."

Yaksha said that and then began rummaging through something inside his coat.

After going through the trouble of setting her free, he wouldn't intend to harm her now, would he?

Though I was a little worried, I decided to silently watch.

After a while, I had to reconsider some of my thoughts about Yaksha.

What he did to Bisu after was by no means a harm.

In fact, it was more like a blessing.

Sparkle.

'Is that????'

An identical piece of that remained at my home as well.

The shape of the petal shimmering brilliantly in vibrant colors, like Pranium.

It was a petal of the Aurum Bloom.

Swoosh.

Yaksha pressed the petal of the Aurum Bloom to Bisu's lips.

Bisu flinched her head but didn't open her eyes.

Shrrrrr...

Watching the Aurum Bloom slowly melt away, Yaksha asked me.

"Do you know the healing principle of the Aurum Bloom?"

"No, I don't."

"Time."

Time?

I thought he was going to explain the chemical principle.

Though, if he had known that, he wouldn’t have yawned or acted bored when Do Isu was explaining.

“The reason the Aurum Bloom is called the rarest herb is simple. It rewinds time back to the state before the damage occurred.”

The 'damage' Yaksha mentioned was being healed.

The wound near her mouth, which felt so grotesque because it clashed so starkly with her beautiful face, was slowly healing.

So it could heal not only ongoing illnesses but also past scars.

The claim that it was worth billions of dollars was certainly not an exaggeration.

"What's the point of harming her yourself and now fixing it?"

When I asked with a snort, Yaksha smiled like a mischievous little bastard.

"I thought it would make her too embarrassed to go out, so she wouldn't run away often."

"If you worried more, you might have just cut her feet off."

Being around him for so long, it seemed I was picking up his habits.

I was even cracking jokes now, something I didn't normally do.

"Oh wow...!!”

I think I gave up counting around the thirtieth time.

She checked and checked again.

I didn't know how many times she looked in the mirror.

But even she couldn't fully grasp her dramatic change either.

Now she no longer needed to feel anxious about when she might be summoned by Yaksha, nor did she have to unconsciously cover her mouth when she laughed.

With her uniquely seductive beauty, and the distraction of her ugliness gone, she rivaled even the incredible Maria.

While she constantly checked her changed appearance and face, I asked Yaksha.

"But are you sure this counts as settling properly?”

"I've already given you everything you needed. What are you talking about?"

"In the end, I didn't gain anything. Only Bisu benefited."

"What's wrong with that?"

Good grief.

Yaksha looked at me with a curious expression instead.

"Weren't you two already that close? You must have even slept together."

"?????"

What on earth was this crazy bastard talking about?

“No?”

"No way!"

My and Bisu’s voices could only vehemently exclaim in unison.

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