LTTH C29

Chapter 29

“This time, truly, your name may be spoken, Hansol-nim. Those who ought to know already do.”

“…It cannot be helped.”

He had never believed he could hold this forever, nor that he could flee eternally. Honestly, he had expected his name to be mentioned at least once in the coming media storm. After all, his information was hardly so extraordinary.

Perhaps the reason his three syllables had been spared until now was the strength of the hunters and these two before him.

“Moreover, the Korean Hunter Association’s movements are troubling. It would be wise to exercise caution, for who knows what schemes they plot.”

“I’ve heard rumors of their meddling here and there… Have you learned anything further?”

Hansol’s face stiffened with concern as he asked carefully, catching the apprehension in the Tower Lord’s voice.

Hours earlier.

He had already received that same news alongside a congratulatory call from Mr. Jung. The association’s reckless acts were being reported.

• Hansol, first, congratulations. Truly, it’s well deserved. 
• Apart from that… you must be careful for the time being. The association is in a frenzy. Truly. 

They said that all hunters who had even the slightest contact with Hansol were being tracked—starting with Mr. Jung’s party. Their attitude inquiring after Hansol’s whereabouts was harsh but unsurprising; associations had behaved this way before.

“…They are testing every healer who enters the association, even using expensive Philosopher’s Stones.”

“…Hah.”

‘Madmen.’

The harshest word escaped him. Madness profound.

What was the Philosopher’s Stone?

Simply put, it was a gem that marked the minimum information of humans awakened as hunters. It roughly displayed their professions and levels but cost tens of millions per use. The stone required pure mana, roughly one top-grade mana potion’s worth per activation.

And yet, the association threw these sums to the winds. It was plain they were desperate to find him. Still, Hansol could only laugh bitterly.

‘The association, ever thrifty with funds.’

Year by year, the quality of gear given to new hunters declined, and device upgrades slowed ever further. Listing the association’s neglect would take countless sleepless nights. Yet here they were.

Damned fools. Every aspect irked him—the belief that money could buy capture, the arrogance assuming hunters would rely unconditionally on the association.

Perhaps it was a blessing in disguise. Unlike before, Hansol no longer needed to visit the association regularly. He had long since mastered the Purification skill, and the poison of the gates no longer troubled him. Rewards were automatically deposited via device-linked accounts. Rarely, then, was there cause to visit the association now.

‘Wait a moment.’

What of his contract with them?

Pausing amidst deductions severing ties one by one, a sudden thought crossed his mind. If in about two weeks he visited the association but refused to accompany them on dimensional travel to Britain, would he be liable for penalties?

Hansol paled at once. Hunter contracts carried clauses demanding tenfold penalties for any breach. Though some might think the fee small, Hansol had received a sum of 150 million for his dimensional dispatch. Tenfold meant…

‘One and a half billion…! No!!’

His heart surged as if life itself were threatened. Come what may, he must go. To Britain, if not the association!

“J-James…! Is there a dimensional teleportation magic circle in America?”

“…Suddenly? There is, though…”

Faced with such urgency, James recoiled slightly, trailing off. Would it be considered heartless to ask to use the magic circle to cleanse America’s Dark Zone? Yet this was an emergency.

Within Hansol’s heart, angel and demon wrestled. Activating the magic circle required astronomical mana crystals. Could his value truly be equated with that treasure? He did not know; confidence eluded him.

“There is a dimensional teleportation magic circle in the Mage Tower, but you would need exact coordinates to use it safely. May I ask your purpose?”

“…I must go to Britain.”

Explaining the mission in detail, from why he accepted it onward, would take too long. He shortened his words.

“Britain?!”

“Why would Darling go there?!”

The casual words returned like a bomb. Had the mention of “Britain” triggered some switch? Both seized Hansol’s arms, shaking him back and forth fiercely. Both were larger than Hansol; his vision swayed wildly within their grip.

“W-wait…”

“Did the association threaten you? Saying they’d kill you if you did not comply?!”

“No matter the threat, Darling—do you have nine lives? Are you some fox with nine tails?!”

“James… that’s not tails but a type of fish….”

“Does that matter now?!”

Summoning his strength, Hansol barely pushed back the two who overwhelmed him with worry, keeping his distance.

He knew what Britain was like, and the hunters’ poor opinion of it too. He thought so once himself. But what had he actually seen?

Gate breaks were frequent, life frequently threatened—but those who remained were fierce. At least, that was his view.

“Britain was not as shabby as expected. Not perfect, but a place where people lived.”

“Really, you went there? Could it be the association’s doing?”

Nay, the association was no culprit. No one there sought death for others. The blame lay solely with the gates rising relentlessly, and monsters disproportionately powerful in that land.

‘Yes, the association can be villainous—but not Britain.’

“The association likely was unaware. The mission was ostensibly dimensional dispatch after all.”

“Hansol-nim, why do you think coordinates are important in dimensional travel?”

The Tower Lord’s voice turned serious suddenly as Hansol pondered, silent. He had never thought on this; he had never known a mage or laid eyes upon a magic circle until now.

“Two things are essential for a dimensional magic circle.”

“One: pure mana crystals sufficient to fully activate it.”

“Two: a precise coordinate setting for the destination.”

“Do you suspect the association deliberately withheld this?”

He harbored suspicions but doubted intent. No matter the association’s ruthlessness, would they truly condemn a person to death?

Moreover, unlike now, he had been but a level one then. Journeys to Britain, shrouded in rumor, were foreseen with grim certainty.

Yet still…

“If the coordinates were not input by the association, the magic circle would not have functioned.”

A voice sharp enough to sever doubt rang in his ear. The truth Hansol barely wished to face struck with finality.

The association truly sought to kill this level one healer.

‘Why? Why?’

Though he had often cursed and doubted the association alone, he had never harmed them.

Malice without cause.

Sending Hansol to Britain seemed but one interpretation of such cruelty.

“Hansol-nim, I do not know what contract binds you to the association, but not to Britain.”

“Right, Darling. You may use the magic circle any number of times. But not to Britain.”

“Our Mage Tower’s magic circle is slightly safer. All others worldwide pass through our tower’s control.”

“Hey, mage. Our mages are competent too, you know?”

Watching their childish quarrel anew, Hansol collected his thoughts.

Even without the association’s contract, he must go to Britain. One, to confirm the whereabouts of what might be the original quest. And two, if Britain is truly as it seems…

“Britain… I must go. Though difficult to explain, it is imperative.”

“….”

Fists clenched tight, his voice broke the silence sturdily between the two. Had his resolve been conveyed? He was unsure.

Yet seconds later, the two exchanged glances before turning to Hansol. Their eyes shone with resolute light.

“Then use our Mage Tower’s magic circle.”

“Then I shall go with you.”

Almost simultaneously, unspoken in competition, they met eyes once more.

It did not seem a rivalry; for all appearances, it might rather be a loss for them both.