Chapter 53

Han Sang-ah arrived in Dover and faced the Descendants of Dangun who were tearing the harbor apart.

“So you are that bitch daughter of Geumyang Group?”

They were correct, but Han Sang-ah had something to say.

“A daughter already implies she is female. There is no need to tack on the word bitch.”

Just saying “Geumyang Group’s bitch” would work, and “Geumyang Group’s daughter” would work too. But “bitch daughter”? Who came up with that word?

Han Sang-ah drew her sword. There were five enemies before her, each one formidable. It was going to be a tough fight.

At least that was her judgment, and in truth, the Descendants of Dangun thought the same.

“…?”

But less than thirty seconds into the fight, she noticed something odd. Two of her opponents already lay with their heads separated from their bodies.

There was no way this fight was supposed to be that easy.

“W-What are you?”

The Descendants of Dangun were visibly shaken. They had thought this battle would be even, or that they even had the advantage.

Yet they were being beaten down by a single Hunter. Not by Lee Se-eun or Yoo Chan-seok, the dangerous ones they were wary of. It was Han Sang-ah, dismissed by many except for her title as daughter of Geumyang’s owner family.

“I am Han Sang-ah.”

That was not what they meant, but she gave the dry answer anyway, then darted forward like lightning seizing another opening. Another head flew into the air, cleanly severed.

It was a precise, flawless strike. Speed and power that the opponent couldn't resist, delivered without wasting even a shred of mana.

The training had paid off. She clearly felt it now. All those hours poured into practice had finally borne fruit, and the certainty filled her with a rising thrill.

She finished off the remaining foes and caught her breath.

“You think too much about useless things. When you fight, focus on the fight.”

Yoo Chan-seok’s voice came from behind her.

“Since when were you watching?”

“I just got here.”

His expression seemed conflicted.

“What, do you have something to point out?”

“No, you did well. I was just thinking of something else. By the way, is that a shield?”

In front of Dover’s harbor, a wavering translucent blue barrier was raised. Yoo Chan-seok stared at it for a moment, then sighed softly.

“It really is comb-patterned pottery.”

Han Sang-ah glanced at him. She couldn't understand why the words “comb-patterned pottery” came out of the blue.

* * *

Seeing the shield generator in action, I gave it the quick verdict of comb-patterned pottery. Honestly, it was rather crude.

It wasn’t that the shield was weak. It was more that its poor efficiency was being brute-forced by sheer volume.

To think they were not mass-producing generators of this level but had just reached clinical trial stage. It was enough to make me sigh.

Unfortunately, I never knew much about magic. In science terms, I was a racer, not a car maker.

I could instantly tell how well a car ran and how to drive it, but taking it apart and improving it was another field entirely.

“First,”

At least the shield generator had been successfully protected. The attack led by Kim Ji-hyun had failed the moment she died.

The Descendants of Dangun retreated, chased by the Hunters and soldiers defending Dover.

I didn't chase after them. The situation was already resolving itself after all.  

“Oh, you are here?”

Lee Se-eun sat on a chunk of broken concrete, pipe in hand, exhaling smoke. As if her puff were some trigger, a massive piece of exterior paneling precariously clinging to a nearby building crashed down.

Corpses from explosions were scattered around.

“You really seemed to have handled things brutally.”

To my words, she answered simply.

“If they had been any stronger, they would have been able to hold their form at least in their deaths.”

I agreed. But that was not the real issue… I tried to speak, but then fell silent. Damn, how do I explain this?

If I told them everything I had discovered, Lee Se-eun and Han Sang-ah would immediately ask the obvious question. “How do you know that?” Then I would have to recount the long journey before returning to Earth.

Not that explaining would be hard. It was just saying it.

‘Actually I went to another world, saved it, and came back to Earth as a reward. But Earth is a mess and I got fired from my job, so I became a Hunter.’

Yeah… Who would believe that? Even if they treated me well, they would recommend psychiatric help. Anyone who bought that story would be treated as a retard.  

Let’s see. Back in that other world, I had heard plenty of nonsense from priests in the name of prophecy. Maybe I should recycle some of that garbage here.

“While fighting Kim Ji-hyun, I was engulfed in the black smoke and heard a voice.”

Lee Se-eun showed interest.

“A voice? What kind of voice.”

I had just made it up, so I didn't really know. I quickly wove something together.

“Ruin is coming. Beyond the veil cast in shadow, know that we are there. He wears clothes stitched from brimstone, he holds a black golden cup filled with wormwood juice…”

I started babbling any words that came to mind. The point was to hint that something more sinister lurked behind the Descendants of Dangun.

It must have sounded convincing enough. After all, priests had always pulled donations with such babble.

“There is something within the Descendants of Dangun huh.”

“They are not just an extremist nationalist club.”

Thankfully, Han Sang-ah and Lee Se-eun followed the intention behind my story. Lee Se-eun, after some thought, spoke.

“I thought we could just beat them as they appeared. But this feels less like a few hornets flying into the house and more like a hidden nest inside the walls.”

“Is there any action we can take?”

At my words, Lee Se-eun nodded.

“The transfer market will open soon.”

Ah, I had forgotten. I nodded. The Hunters’ transfer market was about to begin. But why bring it up now?

Lee Se-eun looked at me and continued.

“The transfer market is not just Hunters moving between companies. Representatives and celebrities from Hunter companies gather under the Association, and countless talks are exchanged.”

“That means matters about the Descendants of Dangun can be discussed as well.”

And if a Hunter of Lee Se-eun’s stature raised her voice, others would not easily ignore it.

For now, I’ll just see how things play out. But the transfer market huh.

It made me think of fellows from Taebaek. But at this point, Yoon Sung-hyun couldn't forcibly sign me to Taebaek. It became a point where typing my name online pulled up endless articles.

I was a public figure now. Among new Hunters, none had risen to fame as fast as I had these past months.

“Still, I bet he will pick a fight.”

Yoon Sung-hyun’s half-threatening suggestion still stuck in my head. And from what I saw, it was not just his personality, but something deep in Taebaek’s foundation.

Such people didn't gently release a fish wriggling out of their grasp. They thought their reputation would suffer.

“Of course Hunters are not obliged to attend the transfer market. But in Yoon Sung-hyun’s case…”

Lee Se-eun cleaned her pipe as she spoke.

“He will probably come to England to see your face.”

“Oh, what am I going to do with all this popularity?”

Han Sang-ah, listening, cut in.

“Hunter Yoon Sung-hyun is already married. And to a woman.”

I put on a look of despair after hearing her.

“No way, I fell in love with him at first sight!”

Han Sang-ah glanced at Lee Se-eun. Lee Se-eun gave a small nod, and Han Sang-ah sighed, realizing she had been teased again.

“It is fine. You have never hurt anyone with it.”

Lee Se-eun tried to comfort Han Sang-ah, but her shoulders slumped further. Lee Se-eun’s comfort didn't seem to help.

“At least you are not the type to get swindled.”

Han Sang-ah was not naïve. If someone came begging her to cosign, she would not sign, she would explain bankruptcy procedures. If someone tried to recruit her into a pyramid scheme, she would dissect the flaws and send them away.

Me? I would just tell them to piss off.

“Yoon Sung-hyun will not come alone. And nothing good will come from Jannabi clashing with Taebaek.”

In other words, I had to handle this matter myself. I replied to Lee Se-eun’s warning.

“That is fine. It is my problem anyway.”

Han Sang-ah added.

“If it comes to it, I could press with Geumyang Group.”

I snorted at her words.

“What, Geumyang does not need Hunters’ cooperation?”

There were three Hunter companies even the mighty Korean government couldn't ignore. Jannabi, Taebaek, and Mugunghwa.

Geumyang might be a giant corporation, but even they would not want to provoke Taebaek. Not even if Han Sang-ah was part of the family.

“I will handle it, so don’t worry about me. Focus on other things.”

If Han Sang-ah or Lee Se-eun meddled in my issue with Taebaek, they would gain nothing. Asking them to help me without giving anything back would make me a thug.

* * *

In a room draped with red curtains, thick incense filled the air. A man in a crimson shirt and black pants set down the violin he had just been playing.

“Yoon Sung-hyun. You promised me.”

“…I am sorry.”

As he gently placed the violin in its case, the man flicked his finger toward Yoon Sung-hyun, who was bowing.

With a choking sound, Yoon Sung-hyun’s massive body rose into the air.

“I am not asking for apologies you know.”

His tone was gentle, but what was happening was not.

“I… am sorry. But he became more famous than expected.”

With a sickening thud, one of Yoon Sung-hyun’s thighs caved in as if impaled by a stake. His eyes went wide, struggling to hold back a scream.

“I never asked for excuses.”

If he said he could do it, he had to produce results. But Yoon Sung-hyun had failed.

“Sung-hyun, my friend. If you can’t even handle something like this, what will people think of Taebaek? And of me too, the owner of Taebaek.”

When the man released him, Yoon Sung-hyun collapsed to the floor.

“Enough with the excuses. Bring me results. If he does not want to join Taebaek, then force him to.”

That was the end. The man flicked his hand, and Yoon Sung-hyun’s body was hurled toward the door. The door opened by itself, and he tumbled outside.

The heavy thud was followed by the door shutting.

“Are you… alright?”

The Hunter guarding the door asked, but Yoon Sung-hyun rose and spoke sharply.  

“Get lost.”

With that, he forced his injured leg to move and left. The owner of Taebaek was furious. If this matter was not resolved, it would not end with just anger.

“Damned bastard.”

During this transfer season, Yoo Chan-seok in England had to be brought under Taebaek no matter the cost.

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