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Hi Guys It is I your great editor, Lishan. You may have noticed that the previous Chapters have been slightly changed. Sorry for the previous mishap that was entirely my fault do enjoy the improved version.
Whirrrr—
The sound of the electric drill lingered in my ears all day.
It was the second day staying over at Dr. Jin's accommodation.
During that time, I spent my time either browsing hunter-related materials on Dr. Jin's PC or controlling the Black Aether within my body.
“Hoo…….”
Now that I've completed the awakening process, I understand just how toxic and powerful the poison rampaging inside my body truly is.
Only a tiny fraction of the potent energy generated each day was converted into Black Ether.
The only small relief is that I no longer felt the usual pain I did before my awakening.
What was even more strange was that ever since I stayed at Dr. Jin’s place, my condition has noticeably improved.
“Slurp.”
Even though I had to survive on canned food for all three meals.
It’s not that Dr. Jin was inhospitable.
It’s just that the only food available there was canned goods.
Unlike the grand equipment and cutting-edge devices hanging on the walls, Dr. Jin’s meals were far too meager.
The reason was none other than the trauma Dr. Jin carried.
“Since settling here, I haven’t stepped outside in five years.”
Maybe he felt guilty.
While I was scraping up the last bits of pineapple from the can, Dr. Jin spoke with a bitter smile.
“After a near-death experience with the Hunter Association, I ended up developing paranoid symptoms.”
“Full on Paranoia it seems…”
“It felt like everyone was out to kill me, like they couldn’t rest until I was dead. Even people who didn’t actually bear any ill will. I kept doubting, running away, over and over again. Living a normal life became impossible.”
“So…… you avoided meeting people to the extreme.”
“Yes. To avoid interacting with people as much as possible, I started looking for long-shelf-life foods, and that’s how I ended up stockpiling all these canned goods.”
Though it’s only been a short time, Dr. Jin struck me as someone with a warm heart.
For someone like that to isolate himself so extremely.
The years must have felt unbearably harsh.
“Don’t you feel lonely?”
“It does get lonely sometimes…... But when I’m developing devices, the days just fly by. And besides, I’ve got that pet next to you now.”
A pet?
What’s he talking about now?
I followed Dr. Jin’s gaze directed to my left shoulder.
-Kkuw!
“Gah!”
Shit, that scared the hell out of me.
I almost cursed out loud.
I mean, how could something sit there so quietly, even if it is that small?
-Kkung?
Even when I flinched, the little thing somehow managed to stay perched on my shoulder.
What kind of creature is this supposed to be, anyway?
A black body no bigger than a thumb, with legs the size of peanuts.
Tiny wings, and eyes of a brilliant, shimmering yellow.
If you shrunk down a dragon from a fantasy tale, it might look just like this.
One thing was certain: this creature didn’t exist in ‘this world’.
“Hahaha. A man who doesn’t even flinch at deadly poison, and yet this startles you?”
Seeing Dr. Jin clutching his stomach in laughter, my reaction must’ve been pretty amusing to him.
But honestly, it was understandable.
After absorbing Black Aether extracted from the toad’s core, my five senses became somewhat more sensitive than those of an ordinary person.
Unless you’re a hunter skilled at concealing your presence, I could usually sense someone nearby.
But not even once did I notice something perched right on my shoulder, that was something else entirely.
No wonder I was startled.
“Well. This little guy is quite elusive. I call it Brie.”
“Its name is as cute as its appearance.”
Maybe it took offense at being called cute.
The tiny dragon, Brie, tapped my shoulder with a tail no bigger than a fingernail.
“Hey, that doesn’t hurt, you little rascal.”
—Kkuwang!
“Brie is a creature Kiril brought back from a dungeon. It’s basically a poison-type monster.”
“What? Then Dr. Jin…...”
Even if Kiril and I didn’t know much about it, there’s no way Dr. Jin would be immune to poison.
But Dr. Jin waved his hand as if to say it was nothing.
“Unlike other monsters, Brie is a species that humans can keep as pets. It’s extremely loyal to its owner. And the poison it has? At worst, it just causes a bit of itching.”
“Aha……”
—Kkung!
It was definitely different in many ways from the monsters I’d known before.
In a world where humans and monsters could peacefully coexist (?), this little guy would no doubt be the top pick as a pet.
It’s said to be not only nearly undetectable, but it also won’t release its toxins unless it chooses to.
Truly a fascinating creature.
“Looks like this little guy’s taken a liking to you. It hasn’t left your side once in the past two days.”
“Wait, two whole days?”
Now that’s a shocker.
I swallowed my laughter and slowly stroked it with my fingers.
- Grrr…..
The guy seemed to be in a good mood and the sound it made was different than before.
Dr. Jin looked at me and Brie with a warm smile, then suddenly clapped his hands together.
“Oh! Come to think of it, your blotches have faded just a little.”
“Really? I didn’t really notice.”
“No, they’ve definitely improved compared to when I first saw them. Hm... by any chance…”
“Yes?”
“Have you noticed any changes since coming to my place? Like feeling more energetic, for example.”
“Hmm… I do feel a bit more refreshed, for sure. Especially when I woke up this morning, my condition was really great.”
“Hahaha. As expected. As expected.”
Whatever he found made him amused, Dr. Jin’s wide mouth stretched all the way to his ears.
Hey, Dr. Jin.
Let me in on the joke too, so I can laugh with you.
“It seems Brie has found a new owner. Well, I guess it was obvious, considering how inseparable you two have been.”
“Owner?”
Are you telling me to take this little one home?
I had to point out just how contradictory Dr. Jin’s words were.
“So, you're telling me to take a monster to Gaebang Neighborhood, where people were already massacred because a Gate opened?”
“Haha, don’t worry. This little guy can hide its appearance whenever it wants.”
–Kkung!
As if to answer, the little guy raised his voice.
But wait, where did it go?
The creature that had been on my shoulder had vanished without a trace.
“Where did it go?”
“He’s probably still on your shoulder.”
Yes.
Although it was faint, I could feel its weight.
I couldn't see its tiny figure, but Brie was definitely on my shoulder.
“Oh my god…….”
In short, it was a creature that could use the ‘Stealth’ skill.
A rare ability that only top-tier Espers among hunters could use, and even then, only through epic items.
But this tiny little thing could use it so effortlessly.
“You… what on earth are you going to become when you grow up?”
–Kkung!
With a spirited (though still barely audible) cry, it revealed itself once again.
“It’s probably thanks to Brie that your condition got better. Kiril was the same way back then.”
Back when Kiril had just gone through her awakening.
That is, when her body was still covered in blotches.
After meeting this Brie creature, the blotches reportedly disappeared rapidly.
“We came to a conclusion back then. This little one has the ability to absorb its master’s toxins.”
Absorption.
“Then... are you saying this little one is now devouring the leftover toxins I couldn’t turn into Black Aether?”
“There’s a high chance of that. In fact, your blotches have faded slightly, and you said you’ve been feeling better, haven't you?”
–Kkuwng!
As if demanding to be treated with proper appreciation, Brie let out another roar.
Oh ho.
If Dr. Jin’s words were true, there was no reason not to take this little guy in.
“You’re a bit skinny and look a little rough around the edges... but Haesun, you’ve got a sculpted face. Once those blotches are gone, you’ll probably break a lot of women's hearts.”
After saying that, Dr. Jin rose from his seat.
He said the device work would be finished by tonight.
He advised making good use of the remaining time to go through as much of the information on the PC as possible.
“Hmm…….”
Even without Dr. Jin’s suggestion, I had already managed to absorb a considerable amount of basic knowledge about Hunters over the past two days.
Including high-level information that only an insider would know.
My head, which had been clouded by fever most of the time, became completely clear after awakening.
I crammed as much information on the PC into my head as possible, and took notes when necessary.
It was information that suggested the direction I should take in my life from now on.
- Sister. How are you feeling? Is there any place that's aching?
- Yeah. I’m fine. I understand you're worried, but aren't you calling a bit too often? Haha.
Kiril had already cured my sister's poison.
Dr. Jin spoke with confidence, but I still couldn't relax.
I called my sister every morning and evening, and I could tell she was recovering just from hearing her voice.
- I think I'll be able to return home tomorrow. We'll be able to have dinner together for once.
- That’s right. Since Haesun is coming back, should we eat something delicious?
Kimchi stir-fry made with pork hind legs.
It’s a special dish (?) that my sister and I love the most.
A meal made from the cheapest part because we were poor.
It was my favorite dish from the beginning, but at this moment, I wanted to eat it even more.
Just how many meals in a row have I been eating canned food?
How did Dr. Jin survive for five whole years?
- Just wait and see. I’ll eat at least three bowls.
- Haha. I’d be happy if you just ate one proper bowl.
My sister said she’d buy more meat than usual and then hung up.
“…….”
She’s such a thoughtful person.
Right after barely escaping a near-death experience at the Gate, her younger brother was staying out overnight, something he usually wouldn’t do.
She must have had tons of questions and suspicions, but my sister didn’t ask me a single thing.
The only thing we asked each other was about each other’s well-being.
I gave a vague excuse, telling my sister that I was staying at the house of a Hunter I met during the Gate incident.
「Hmm... Really?」
She didn’t seem to fully believe me, but she didn’t pry either.
She was choosing to believe whatever I said.
Because it was coming from her one and only younger brother. Who wouldn’t lie to her under normal circumstances and she knew if he had it was for a good reason.
Dr. Jin’s PC was filled with Hunter Association data that ordinary people would never have access to.
Time was limited, so I couldn’t go through everything.
But
At least now, I knew what I had to do.
‘From this point on, I……’
* * *
“Are you leaving?”
“Yes. It’s the first time I’ve left home for a long period of time like this.”
I’d like to talk more with Dr. Jin, but my priority was to reassure my sister.
And to be honest, at this point, just hearing the sound of a can being opened made me want to gag and vomit.
While I was getting ready to head home, I noticed Dr. Jin looked quite disappointed.
Maybe it was because the first guest he had in five years was leaving.
Well, come to think of it, Brie was coming with me too.
“I’ll come visit often, Dr. Jin. I’ll bring lots of delicious food.”
“Haha. The thought alone is enough. But we won’t be seeing each other for a while.”
“What?”
“Now that an outsider has set foot in this zone, I need to relocate. Once I’ve settled on a new place, I’ll contact you through the device.”
“Ah…. You can rest assured about me. I’m a tight-lipped person.”
“Haha, that’s not the problem. Several informants from the Hunter Association have already gone missing around here. It’s only a matter of time before I’m discovered.”
“Then please wait just a little longer. I’ll come to help you……”
“There’s nothing you can help me with. I just need to pack up the devices here into boxes and move them to another location. There are more than ten places like this all over the country.”
A trap that could possibly kill a person.
There are more than ten locations with those installed?
Dr. Jin’s paranoia seemed much worse than I had thought.
“The devices I gave you are unquestionably top-tier. They can hold their own against the technology of any guild in the world, not just in South Korea.”
Dr. Jin spoke proudly for once, and I nodded in response.
I didn’t even need to hear it to know.
The three devices he gave me.
No matter how much I searched, I couldn’t find anything similar.
All of these things were made entirely for the Poisoners.
“What are you going to do from now on?”
“First, I’ll build up my strength until the next quarter’s Hunter Qualification Test.”
“A hunter… As you know, the Hunter Association probably doesn’t think highly of Poisoners.”
“I’m going to take the Hunter Qualification Test as a different type.”
“Hmm... alright. Since you have a body enhanced with Black Aether, you should be able to handle a low-tier Knight at least...”
“No.”
At first, I was going to do just that.
But this strange creature, Brie by my side, changed the plan.
“I’m going to take the test as a different type.”
“So, not a Knight either?”
“Yes.”
The most important presence within a Hunter group that works as a team.
But the weakest among them.
Therefore, the one least likely to be suspected.
“I’m going to become a healer.”