IH Ch 64

Chapter 64

 

“D-Don’t move!!”

 

Even as he aimed the gun, he was fully aware that it was a useless gesture. This was Hwang Jae-i, after all. A weapon like this would never work on someone like him. Still, the man was desperate.

 

“I-I’m a civilian! If an S-rank like you touches me, you won’t get away with it! Get lost! Right now, get out of my sight—!!”

 

Thud. A dull thump rang out as the man’s head snapped to the side, and a tooth flew out like a piece of popcorn. His head twisted so far his body leaned with it, and he collapsed to the ground. Having knocked him unconscious in a single blow, Hwang Jae-i muttered under his breath.

 

“You people were the ones who messed with me first.”

 

Whoever this “Chairman Jang” was, there was no way someone like him would use monsters just to drive villagers off their land. Releasing monsters like this into the open was as illegal as an S-rank harming civilians. The fact that they were doing it anyway meant they wanted to smear him with filth by any means necessary. If anyone were to commit something this malicious, it could only be them. Pungjin. Or if not him…

 

His eyes darkened. Then, at the sound of a rustle, Hwang Jae-i turned his head. Between the grass crouched a black lump. It had been sneaking around stealthily but froze the moment it sensed his gaze. Flattening itself to the ground in an attempt to hide, but it was pointless. Hwang Jae-i could see it clearly.

 

Compared to the monsters he had fought earlier, this one wasn’t nearly as threatening. But for all he knew, it could be far more violent and dangerous than it looked. Hwang Jae-i extended his hand toward it, and the lump flinched before opening a wide mouth and letting out a sound.

 

Kyaoooo!!

 

“…”

 

He had thought it was just a furry ball about the size of a baseball, but it opened a round, gaping mouth and let out that cry. It seemed like it was trying to scare him, but what a joke.

 

Like a young beast raising its fur and hissing. Not threatening at all—if anything, it just made him wonder what on earth it was. As Jae-i continued to stare it down, the thing gave another feeble kyaak and then hesitantly flattened itself against the ground.

 

It was far too late for it to pretend it wasn’t there. Just as Jae-i made up his mind to melt it down in one go, a loud bang echoed from above.

 

“…”

 

His expression immediately hardened at the sudden explosion. Raising his head, he caught sight of flames rising from the direction of the village.

 

Inside the room, people were gathered in close quarters. The village’s eldest elder, friends of the same age, and the guardians of their children. Fewer than ten people huddled together in the small space, making the room feel cramped. But this wasn’t the kind of situation where anyone would dare to complain.

 

Like the other children, Jaehyun was sitting closely beside his mother, eyes darting around the room. He looked toward the pile of food stacked neatly in one corner.

 

“…”

 

Those were the offerings the villagers had quietly brought for that person who had briefly been in this room. Simple but considerate snacks—fruits, dried goods, traditional sweets. But from the looks of it, hardly any had been touched. Maybe they hadn’t suited the Hunter’s taste.

 

Jaehyun, still clinging to his mother, brought a hand to the side of his face and whispered softly,

 

“It was Guildmaster Hwang Jae-i, right?”

 

“…”

 

“Do you think… maybe he came because of my drawing?”

 

He knew it wasn’t really the time for such questions, but he couldn’t help but wonder.

 

His mother didn’t answer right away. Jaehyun could tell she was trying to figure out how to respond without hurting his feelings. He lowered the hand on his face.

 

Right. Someone like that wouldn’t have come just because he asked. He probably just happened to be nearby and lent a hand. He might’ve even already left. Feeling his heart calm down, Jaehyun murmured quietly, “Bathroom.”

 

“You can’t hold it anymore?”

 

“I’ll be quick. There are adults outside, right?”

 

Some of Chairman Jang’s underlings were still locked up at the village hall, and a few of the adults were keeping watch. Jaehyun figured he could slip away quickly and braced himself against the wall to move.

 

“Do you want me to go with you?”

 

“No, it’s fine.”

 

He didn’t need his mother’s help just to go to the restroom behind the building. If it were just the two of them, maybe—but a few of his friends were sneaking glances at him, and Jaehyun was too embarrassed. Insisting he could go alone, he hurriedly got up.

 

Limping, he grabbed the crutch leaning against the wall. As soon as he stepped outside, Jaehyun let out the breath he had been holding and looked down at his right leg. Below his pants, a prosthetic that wasn’t originally his was visible. He’d put on a sock, but it still looked awkward—because it wasn’t truly a part of him.

 

When Jaehyun was six, a Gate had suddenly appeared near their home. He and his mother had survived, but his father hadn’t. During the incident, Jaehyun’s right leg had been completely crushed below the knee. The trauma was so great that his memories were fuzzy, but he still remembered the pain. Even so, he hadn’t cried loudly. Because what remained burned into his memory was the sight of his mother sobbing, clutching him tightly while screaming his father’s name.

 

“…”

 

Sniffling, Jaehyun looked up. Outside the gate stood a bearded man with a shotgun slung over one shoulder. It didn’t seem like anyone else was around.

 

Come to think of it, he had heard loud noises earlier, and strange beastly sounds too. Something must be happening. But even if he asked, no one would tell him. He was still just a child, after all.

 

Feeling disheartened, Jaehyun sat on the porch and looked for his sneakers among the pile of shoes. With his crutch in hand, he quickly made his way around to the back of the building. He really did need to use the restroom—but more than that, he wanted to see if Guildmaster Hwang Jae-i was still here.

 

If Guildmaster Hwang Jae-i was around, he could easily deal with scum like Chairman Jang’s lackeys. Maybe he could even drive out all the people trying to take over the village. They said Hunters didn’t get involved in issues like this—but still, you never knew. Maybe if he just asked, even once…

 

Everyone said Guildmaster Hwang Jae-i was scary, but Jaehyun thought differently. He’d come to the café once. He’d been curt and didn’t talk much, but he hadn’t seemed like a bad person. Maybe he just didn’t like talking. Even the bearded man standing at the gate now was often misunderstood for being quiet—but he was actually a good person.

 

Someone who was truly selfish and awful wouldn’t take on the role of Guildmaster. He could’ve refused to enter Gates if he wanted to. In the U.S., there was an S-rank Hunter who traveled around filming content instead of entering Gates. That guy even said outright, “Just because I’m S-rank doesn’t mean I have to fight in Gates, right? I just want to live comfortably and have fun,” and caused a huge scandal.

 

“At least he’s not like that…”

 

At the very least, Jaehyun thought, he fulfills the duties he’s supposed to. He pouted slightly.

 

After a determined walk, Jaehyun finally saw the restroom standing alone behind the building. This place was great, but having the toilet outside was scary. Jaehyun wrinkled his nose. As he took a step forward with a grunt, a man appeared in front of him.

 

“…”

 

He had to crane his neck to look up at the man, who was massive—easily two meters tall, dressed in a black suit, and bald. The moonlight gleamed off his smooth head, and he wore sunglasses. The moment Jaehyun saw his face, he was so startled that he dropped his crutch. As it clattered to the side, the man murmured “Oops,” and smiled.

 

“You okay, kiddo?”

 

“…”

 

His voice sounded gentle, but Jaehyun felt chills all over his body. He didn’t know why, but he was absolutely terrified. As he let out a faint sound and began to step back, a large hand grabbed his head. The hand that came down from above clamped gently but firmly around his head—it was big and strong.

 

“Not answering when an adult speaks to you. What a naughty child you are.”

 

“…Wh-What?”

 

Jaehyun couldn’t even understand what the man was saying. Frozen in place, he could only feel the pressure in the hand gripping his head. As the pain made him whimper, the towering figure asked,

 

“Are there a lot of people inside?”

 

There were. The adults who could fight had gone out, but everyone else was gathered in the youth leader’s home.

 

“Can you tell me roughly how many? That’ll help me calculate how much explosive I need.”

 

“…What?”

 

Blinking blankly, Jaehyun looked up. As if he didn’t understand what he had just heard, his vacant eyes met with the giant’s amused smile.

 

“I don’t like wasting time. I just want to get the job done and collect my pay.”

 

Then, that smile curled up even further into something monstrous.

 

“Uh…!”

 

Jaehyun tried to scream for his mother. To tell her to run, to yell that there was a dangerous man out here—but the hand gripping his head now covered his face, and his body was lifted into the air.

 

“……!!”

 

Dangling by his head, Jaehyun flailed desperately. But the man holding him looked relaxed. As he tightened his grip around the small head that easily fit in one palm, he sneered.