"You interested in a business trip?"

I knew immediately what she meant. An overseas dispatch. It was an unavoidable part of being a hunter and one of the most critical steps to becoming a certified rank-2 hunter.

'I do need to hit rank-2 eventually.'

Becoming a rank-2 hunter was notoriously difficult, like plucking a star from the sky. That was the tier of world-class monsters like Im Namjin, Marcello, and Menes. From rank-2 onward, a hunter's value became astronomical, and they were managed directly by the Global Hunter Alliance. Promotion was no longer granted by the country but only through the Alliance's rigorous screening process. It was the ultimate goal for every hunter. An overseas dispatch was a mountain I would have to climb eventually.

I organized my thoughts. "I understand about the dispatch. But what do you mean, it's about Yeon?"

"What do you think I mean? I want the two of you to go together," she answered.

"Excuse me?"

"As her older sister, I'm worried about sending her on a dispatch alone. I'd feel uneasy if she ended up with some shady guys hitting on her."

Who in their right mind would hit on her? They'd have to have a death wish.

"And it's not a bad deal for you, either, right? You have to go eventually. If you go with Yeon and work her to the bone, the mission will be over that much faster. It'll make things easier for you."

…Hmm, that actually sounded pretty persuasive.

"And of course, if Yeon goes with you, she'll be more motivated and stimulated. It's a perfect setup!"

Right, that must be her real intention.

"So, where's the dispatch location?" I asked.

Since it was her precious little sister, I figured it would be a cushy assignment on the Northern European front, not somewhere dangerous.

"Africa."

You have got to be kidding me.

"She's just so stubborn. Insisted that if she's going overseas, she wants to fight where humanity needs hunters the most."

"…I can imagine."

"So, what'll it be? I'm not forcing you. If you really don't want to, I'll have to find someone else to act as her bodyguard. If you 'really' don't want to, that is."

I was conflicted. She said she wasn't forcing me, but her tone was a clear reference to our previous contract: 'If she asks for a favor related to Hong Yeon, I should grant it if at all possible.' It was one of the conditions she'd set in exchange for Alchemia joining the Association's research foundation. She was using me to control her sister, and this dispatch was just another part of that plan.

'Alright, time to run the numbers.'

The Association President had made an unusual request. For a woman who could do anything in Korea, her only weakness was her younger sister. The role of Hong Yeon's handler was a position only I held in the entire world. The reward would surely be satisfactory. Judging by her past actions, she had never short-changed me; her support had always been unconventional and absolute. If I completed this mission with Yeon, the reward would be substantial.

On the other hand…

"I have two conditions," I said.

"Oh? So you're considering it? Spit it out." Yul answered through the phone.

"First, I don't care what you do for Yeon, but please make my dispatch unofficial."

"Hmm." She didn't hesitate. "Okay."

"And second, don't give me orders directly. Go through CEO Shin Nara of Garam."

"Huh? Why's that?"

"I have something I need to take care of. Please word the order as a dispatch for 'one of the affiliated certified rank-3 hunters.' That way, I'll be chosen."

I could hear her cackling over the speaker.

"I can hear the gears turning in that head of yours from all the way over here! You got a taste of the business world and now you're pretty sharp, huh?"

'Heh, you fell for one of my schemes yourself, Ms. President.'

"Fine, fine. I accept all your conditions. Can you be ready to leave right away? The situation over there isn't great."

"Yes. I'm ready anytime."

I heard her stretch with a groan.

"It'll definitely be interesting. You know what Africa is like, right?"

"They're in an all-out war with monsters."

"That's right. Hunting in a new environment will be a different kind of fun! And there aren't many places where hunters are treated as well as they are there. Go play the hero a little! And take good care of my Yeon!"

'I think I'll be the one needing protection, actually.'

"Don't worry."

"Ah! And just in case… if you two young people go off together and do something weird—"

"We won't!"

"This big sister welcomes it with open arms!"

What?

"You just have to take responsibility! Just take responsibility!"

"Stop saying weird things!"

She let out another loud laugh. "But even if you tried, she was raised like a flower in a greenhouse. You'd have to put in a lot of effort."

"…Haha."

As if relieved, she started venting, "Anyway, aside from the Yeon issue, thanks for going. The Alliance has been giving me so much grief lately for only receiving support and not sending anyone on dispatches."

"The Alliance said that? I'll go over there and give you a reason to hold your head high, Ms. President."

"Hahahaha!" A boisterous laugh erupted from the phone. "You're the reason I get up in the morning these days, seriously! I'll be looking forward to it, okay? Ah, but don't overdo it. Health and safety come first, you know?"

"Yep!"

"I'm hanging up."

"Good night." I ended the call and leaned back deep into my chair.

"Tower Master."

A cluster of light gathered in the air, and Ea appeared. "Are you really going?"

"Yeah, I think I'll give it a try," I replied, stretching my arms wide. "Don't worry so much. To others, it might be a grand overseas dispatch, but for me, it's just a commute, isn't it?"

"…Ah." Ea's worried expression turned slightly dazed. "That is true."

I had the Warp Gate on the fifth floor. I could travel between Africa and Korea whenever I wanted. Nothing would really change. It was just a commute. I'd work over there during the day, and when I was done, I could come back to Korea, eat some real food, hang out with everyone in the tower, and then head back to work. I was already looking forward to how easy it would be.

"How are the kids?"

"They are still drinking diligently."

After the long call, I went back down to the first floor with Ea. But…

"What is this?"

It was utter chaos. Food was overturned on the tables, and spilled drinks had pooled on the floor.

"Hahaha! Pwahaha!"

Some were passed out drunk; others were shouting at the top of their lungs.

"Where's Sol? Is someone looking after her?"

"She fell asleep before you went upstairs. I took her to her room."

"That's a relief."

I clapped my hands to get everyone's attention. "Alright, everyone, that's enough—"

"Master!"

A drunk Na Daeyong pointed a finger at me. I had a very bad feeling.

"…What is it?"

"Everyone, atten-tion!"

At his command, Kim Sarang and Seo Shimhee appeared from nowhere and snapped to attention on either side of him.

"Bow!"

"Your grace is boundless!" they all cried, performing a deep, formal bow in my direction.

"What are you doing?"

"Master's, hic, grace is as vast as the sea! Hng! How can we ever repay—!"

"Waaaaah!" Kim Sarang, tears streaming down her face, crawled over and latched onto my right leg. "Thank you! Thank you!"

"S-Sarang…!"

"Huh? This isn't Mr. Kim, it's a tree. It's got so many leaves." She started rubbing my leg, then pressed her cheek against it. My face flushed with embarrassment as I tried to pry her off, but a hand grabbed my waist from behind and pulled me to the floor.

"Caught you, Mr. Kim."

"Doyeon!"

The usually calm and collected Cha Doyeon was licking her lips and smiling seductively. "Mr. Kiiim? No, Yusiiiin. My heaaart huuurts so, so much."

"I'm sorry! If you have a complaint, please use your words! Aack!"

"Doyeon! Don't take my tree!" Sarang scrambled over and hugged my leg again. "It's my tree! A tree? Oh, it's Arbor Day! We have to plant a tree! With a trowel, like this, hyah hyah!" She stood up and started pretending to bury my shoe in the dirt. "If you plant a tree, it'll nom nom on the carbon dioxide—No! Carbon dioxide? The enemy of the ozone layer! Unforgivable! You too, hairdryer!" She started patting my chest weakly.

I couldn't follow her train of thought at all. I had to get out of there.

"What is all this debauchery?" Jin Bora, her face flushed, ran over and tore Doyeon and Sarang off me with monstrous strength. The two of them tumbled to the floor and promptly passed out.

"Bora, thank—"

"Yusin is mine, you bitchesss!" she declared, throwing herself into my arms as I tried to stand. Pinned, I fell back to the floor.

"Hehe, Yusiiin," she giggled, beginning to throw a tantrum even more aggressive than usual.

"Bora! How many bottles did you all drink?"

"Huh? I dunnooo! We each had two bottles of soju, a bottle of wine, and a bottle of whiskeyyy! Hehe!"

This was a complete disaster. I looked over at Daeyong. "Daeyong! Help the women to their rooms—"

I stopped and let out a hollow laugh. Daeyong was frozen in the deep bow he'd made to me, snoring loudly. The other male member, Jo Yonghee, was visible only as a pair of legs sticking out from behind the sofa. Both of them were out cold.

"Yusiiin! You're so meaaan!" Bora whined, shoving her face right up to mine. Ugh, too close. "Why are you looking at that guuuy? Are you gay? Pay attention to meeee!"

She was so close I could feel her breath. She smelled of fruit cocktails. I was going to lose my mind. I was already holding back with everything I had.

"Bora. Sorry."

"Kyaa!"

I pushed her away, then wrapped one arm around her shoulders and the other under her knees, lifting her into my arms. "Hey! Seojin! Where are you? Don't tell me you're passed out too!"

"Yusiiin…"

I looked down. Her cheeks flushed from the alcohol, Bora shyly put her thumb to her lips like a child. "Are you kidnappin' me?"

Patience. Tolerance. Endurance. Self-control. 'Hold it. I have to hold it in.' I couldn't cause a disaster on this wonderful first day with our new family.

"Yusiiin…"

Finally, Bora couldn't fight off the drunkenness any longer and fell asleep. But as her head tilted back, the line of her neck was accentuated, creating an even more dizzying situation. I desperately avoided looking down as I laid her on the sofa.

"Masteeeer!"

Just then, a trembling Na Daeyong began to push himself up from the floor.

"I'll help, too—!"

'Thud.'

"…Daeyong, I think you'd be more helpful just lying there."

"Oh, dear."

Jeong Seojin appeared, presumably having just returned from the restroom.

"How pathetic, all of you." Surveying the utter mess, he pushed up his glasses. "No matter how joyous the occasion, one must refrain from drinking beyond one's limit."

"Ha! Just as I thought. You're still standing!"

"Of course. I am not the least bit intoxicated."

"Tower Master," Ea materialized in midair, holding cleaning supplies. "Please carry the fallen to their bedrooms. In the meantime, I will tidy up the area—"

'Clink.'

Jeong Seojin's glasses fell to the floor.

"Ha… haha…"

"Hey, Seojin? Your eyes are completely glazed over…"

"Eaaa!" Seojin threw his arms wide and charged at Ea.

<Light Devastar>

I instantly activated Devastar, shot into the air, and lightly smacked the back of Seojin's head. His body sailed through the air and slammed into a wall, sending tools and equipment crashing to the floor.

"Heheheh." Seojin went limp with a bizarre sound.

"Ugh, seriously. Is there not a single normal person here?"

"Thank you, Tower Master. But was that not a bit excessive?"

"Relax, I went easy on him. Besides, a guy with Iron Man won't die from something like that."

I lifted the groaning, collapsed body of Cha Doyeon into my arms. 'How long is this going to take to clean up?'

Still, if not now, when would we ever drink like this again? I dutifully carried everyone to their rooms.

'A business trip with Hong Yeong, huh…'

All the while, my mind was filled with concerns about what was to come.

* * *

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