F-Class Destiny Hunter

Chapter 100

Seo Gangrim froze at those words. There were definitely many strange things about his teacher's death. She had no reason to commit suicide, and the writing left behind as her suicide note was ambiguous in many aspects.

But what if that wasn't actually a suicide note? What if Baek Young killed Seohwa Kyung?

If Baek Young was involved in Seo Gangrim's misfortune, it wouldn't be strange to think she killed Teacher. After all, Seo Hwakyung had protected Seo Gangrim for a long time...

Though he couldn't bring myself to say it out loud, he could tell Kang Dohyeon was thinking the same.

"I only passed by her in passing thinking she gave off a strange aura..."

His voice was trembling.

"I'll find this woman no matter what. And if she's the one who killed Mother..."

Kang Dohyeon's pupils quietly burned with vengeance. As he looked at the photo of Baek Young, he opened his mouth.

"But this woman in the photo looks quite young... If she's been chasing you since you were little, was she a child back then too?"

"No. She looked the same back then too."

Oddly, Baek Young retained the same appearance across all time periods: early to mid 20s in age. Perhaps there was some issue with the timeline due to her being a regressor.

"It's possible she maintained her youthful looks with a God's help."

Kang Dohyeon said as he put the photo in his jacket pocket. His eyes held the fires of revenge and fury.

"Is that all I need to do?"

"There's one more favor I need to ask. Look into an organization called Seong-eung Church."

"Seong-eung Church? What kind of place is that?"

"It's a new religious group. Yu Harang is there."

Of Flying Tiger Sect's executives, Yu Harang was the last one Seo Gangrim met.

About 1 year from now, a victim of Seong-eung Church asks Shin Sooah to investigate. Through that process, Shin Sooah meets Yu Harang.

If Seo Gangrim just wait, in 1 year he'll naturally encounter Seong-eung Church and Yu Harang but... He can't leave Yu Harang there for a whole year.

"That may be even more urgent than Baek Young. Please hurry."

"If they're a religious group, Destiny Protection Bureau's database should have something on them. Anyway..."

Kang Dohyeon narrowed his eyes and glared at me.

"I investigate the director, and the Seong-eung Church? You planning to leave it all to me?"

"No. There's another suspicious party I want to look into myself."

"Who?"

"The Clown Gang."

After the Day of Awakening, those who exploited their Abilities for evil soon emerged. These criminals were called Awakened Criminals. Arresting Awakened Criminals was also Destiny Protection Bureau's role, and most criminals were swept away easily. Though most criminal organizations were suppressed, some Awakened Criminal groups remained active even after several years passed. That group's name was the Clown Gang. Like Destiny Protection Bureau, they also wore masks so their faces weren't revealed. Their leader was also known to be a powerful Ability user.

"Before long, the Clown Gang will make an appearance. They should already exist now, so I want to track them down."

They were easier for me to approach than Destiny Protection Bureau. Originally, Seo Gangrim planned to investigate all three places alone, but thanks to Kang Dohyeon he had some leeway now. Of course, leeway didn't mean Seo Gangrim could rest. Even if he found Baek Young, he'd need strength rivaling God-class to kill her.

"Then let me ask you a favor. Thanks."

With their business done, Seo Gangrim stood up from my seat. He put on his shoes and was about to leave the ancestral shrine when Kang Dohyeon spoke from behind.

"Hey."

Seo Gangrim glanced back to see Kang Dohyeon glaring at him.

"You came home after so long and you're just leaving? Dinner's ready. Eat before you go."

"No, I'm good. I—"

"Just set down one more spoon."

Ignoring Seo Gangrim, Kang Dohyeon dragged him into the house.

Though it would be better to train inside the Demon Realm one more time during mealtime, Seo Gangrim couldn't give up this time sharing a meal with his brother. After so long, Seo Gangrim returned home and sat at the table.

Soon Kang Dohyeon set the table with dinner. Not just portions for the two, but an extra bowl of rice and a set of utensils were placed at the empty seat too. Seohwa Kyung, Teacher's spot.

"Eat."

At Kang Dohyeon's word, Seo Gangrim nodded and picked up his spoon.

How nice would it have been if Teacher was here? If it wasn't for Baek Young, would she also be in this seat?

Seo Gangrim didn't know whether to be happy or enraged at learning one more fact he was unaware of in his past life. However, one thing was certain. Somehow he had to find Baek Young and have his revenge.

Part 11 - Revelation

Darkness loomed beyond the hallway. Seo Gangrim stood in the long hallway, staring into the swaying darkness far away. Though there was a considerable distance between the darkness and him, he could see inside clearly.

A man stood within the darkness. A man who crossed the boundaru, bearing the karma of killing his clansman. The scrawny man, thin as a bag of bones, stood in the darkness staring at Seo Gangrim. The grinning man's face came into view. The man then held his hand out toward Seo Gangrim. As if beckoning him to come over.

No, not just the man. The entire darkness looming behind him was calling to him as well, as if tempting him to cross over the boundary. Despite knowing that place was beyond the boundary, strangely, Seo Gangrim wanted to go there. That darkness looked so comfortable. If he could leave this world and enter the netherworld.

Just then, something damp touched Seo Gangrim's face.

"Woowoong! Woong!"

Along with the sensation on his face, he quickly opened his eyes. He blankly stared up at the ceiling for a moment.

...A bizarre dream.

Who'd have thought he'd dream about the Demon Realm he visited yesterday. Due to the unusually vivid memories, Seo Gangrim was a bit shaken.

Maybe seeing that man who crossed the boundary left a strong impression? No, it couldn't be something so simple. What he saw in the dream was probably real. Real darkness, a real boundary.

Though it was still somewhat far away, he wanted to rush over there. If he had crossed the boundary at the man's call...

"Woong, woong woong!"

Just then, the damp sensation touched his face again. It was Linnie eagerly licking hia face. Seemingly not tired from yesterday's events, she was bouncing around him making a ruckus.

"I'm up, I'm awake."

He grabbed Linny by the back of her head as she burrowed into his side and slid out of bed.

Anyway, thanks to Linnie he woke from his sleep. As a spirit beast, she may have known Seo Gangrim was having a strange dream and woke him.

"...Thank you."

"Woong!"

Linnie's eyes brightened as if she understood his intention.

While petting Linnie's head, Seo Gangrim recalled what happened yesterday. Meeting the man who crossed the boundary left an impression, but reuniting with Kang Dohyeon was the more important event.

Fortunately, his connection with Kang Dohyeon continued like his past life. Seo Gangrim secretly hoped that with their bond continuing, his Destiny-rank would increase like when Jang Taeheon's and his destiny intertwined, but nothing had changed. It might be because that he was now at Spirit-class that it wouldn't increase so easily.

It was regretful, but he wasn't too disappointed. More than increasing his Destiny-class, joining hands with the intelligence source Kang Dohyeon was a greater reward. Kang Dohyeon would provide him with useful information.

Seo Gangrim then stood up from his seat and checked the time. Shin Sooah should also be awake by now.

"I should go get Yorn too."

He had to go get Yorn who he left with Shin Sooah yesterday. Intending to wash up roughly, he headed into the shower room and as expected of a hotel, the facilities were great. Worth the expensive price indeed.

With nowhere to go Seo Gangrim chose an Awakened-only hotel, seemed it was the right decision.

When he told Kang Dohyeon he was staying at a hotel, he didn't seem to like it.

[You're staying at a hotel now? What about your house?]

[I don't have a house. I was staying at an apartment but I probably got evicted now.]

[...Then come stay at my house.]

[Thanks but I'm good.]

Seo Gangrim was of the opinion that it was also nice to live at Seo Hwakyung's house since it was the house he'd lived at for a long time. But the reason he rejected Kang Dohyeon's offer was because of Shin Sooah.

Shin Sooah was also staying with him at this hotel currently. She likewise had no home to return to. They had to work together so it was best if we lived closeby. Besides, the other members were also staying here for now.

"Woong, woowoong!"

When Seo Gangrim finished his shower and came out, Linnie was bouncing around. She seemed hungry.

As he went to prepare her food, a notification window popped up before his eyes.

[New message received.]

'A message?'

Checking who sent it, it was from Destiny Protection Bureau. The sender was Team Leader Seomun.

Seo Gangrim-ssi, thanks for all your hard work with the raid yesterday. Thanks to you we were able to rescue the survivors. Hoping to maintain a good relationship, I'm sending you a gift.

An item was attached to the message as well. After checking the contents, Seo Gangrim let out a small, hollow laugh. Team Leader Seomun, she sent him something expensive.

[Acquired item 'Fragment of Vision'!]

The spirit pearls he obtained yesterday from the raid was a considerable amount, but it was nothing compared to the reward he just got.

'Trying to win me over with an item?'

Seo Gangrim had no intention of joining Destiny Protection Bureau, but he had no reason to refuse a gift. When he accepted it, a slip of paper immediately fell onto his hand.

[Use 'Fragment of Vision' to acquire an Ability?]

The 'Fragment of Vision' that let an individual obtain an additional Ability. It was a rare item; Seo Gangrim got lucky.

Seo Gangrim then immediately used the item.

-Kwoong...!

In an instant he felt the world freeze. Like when my twelve zodiac abilities awakened, the world's flow stopped, and Linnie also froze stiff like a statue.

Then countless plaques appeared before Seo Gangrim's eyes again like ghosts, fluttering about.

[Select the Ability you want.]

All sorts of pictures were painted on the plaques. There was the plaque with the mouse he saw before, and ones with swords or divine beasts. He looked over the plaques and focused on one picture. A plaque with a tiny mouse painted on it. The mouse was hiding at people's feet, eating something. Seo Gangrim grasped that plaque.

[Acquired Ability 'Thieving Mouse'!]

Along with the notification sound, the world began moving again.

Feeling faint delight, Seo Gangrim examined the Ability he obtained. The picture on the plaque was quite shabby, but it was an outstanding Ability.

[Ability] Thieving Mouse

[Rank] Human First-class

[Description] If you consume a target's body part, you can take on their appearance. The transformation duration changes depending on the consumed body part.

Among the folktales passed down, many would know the stories of mice that steal fingernails. The story of a mouse that stole and took a person's fingernails to steal their appearance. It's a similar Ability.

If Seo Gangrim eats the target's body part, he can borrow their appearance. Unfortunately it would not replicate Abilities, but since the physical traits could be used, it's pretty useful. The downside is, the stronger the target, the harder it is to obtain their body parts. He doesn't have to eat specifically fingernails, other parts work too. Usually, the more vital the part of the body, the longer the transformation lasts. In order of effectiveness it's blood, flesh, bone with fingernails also classified as bone.

'It'd be great if I could steal blood from strong Awakened...'

For instance, just borrowing the bodies of Team Leader Gong Joo or Lady Seomun briefly would be tremendously helpful. The issue was how to obtain it.

As Seo Gangrim was lost in thought, Linnie who had finished eating pulled at his clothes.

"Woong, woong woong!"

"Okay. Let's go."

Seo Gangrim closed the meal box and immediately headed to Shin Sooah's room. When he rang the bell, not Shin Sooah's but Yoon Bom's voice came from inside.

"Ah, just a moment! Please wait a moment!"

After waiting a bit, the door opened.

Seeing me, Yoon Bom beamed and said, "Master! Please come in!"

"Kiang, kiang!"

At the same time, Yorn's cry could be heard. Yorn came running and bit my leg.

"Keok, kyang!"

"Sorry, I'm sorry."

He seemed quite offended from being neglected yesterday.

Seeing that, Yoon Bom giggled and said, "Sorry for the wait. I was just in the middle of something..."

"What were you doing?"

"Trimming Sooah-unnie's nails!"

...Nails? Come to think of it, Yoon Bom was holding nail clippers in her hand. When Seo Gangrim peeked inside, Shin Sooah was sitting at the table.

She spoke a bit awkwardly, "I can't trim my nails myself so..."

Now that she only had one arm, she needed help from someone else. It seemed she just finished since Shin Sooah gathered the clippings and headed toward the trash can.

He hastily shouted, "Wait a sec!"

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