NOVEL NEXT Chapter 40
The next day.
The weather was unusually hot and humid.
The midday temperature reached 38 degrees, making the term “early summer” seem meaningless, and the humidity was so high that just five minutes outside would leave you drenched in sweat.
For Hunters who had to roam around under the scorching sun?
They looked like soaked cats. On the flip side, it meant people were exposing more skin to escape the heat.
“I-I’m fine.”
“Mhm.”
As soon as they entered the Hunter Association building, eyes were drawn to them.
People inside glanced at them as if they were aliens, but when Lee Seong-han returned their gaze, they quickly looked away as if nothing had happened.
Lee Seong-han sighed, seemingly annoyed, and draped his coat over his shoulder.
“……Ha, I don’t get why everyone’s acting like this. Oh, it’s cool here though. Thanks. Wait, is that you again?”
Willis Carrier-type.
You really are a god!
*Thud.*
A spark flew from the ceiling, followed by the sound of something breaking. Embers sizzled under the tiles, then a loud noise erupted.
It was like an old, wheezing photocopier trying to print paper. The problem was, it broke down 99.9% of the time.
– Air conditioner malfunction. Air conditioner malfunction. Requesting maintenance personnel.
“Ah.”
Damn it.
Willis.
I take back my support for you.
Lee Seong-han wiped his forehead. Unusually, a lot of cold sweat was pouring down.
“Wow… he’s got a great body. Is he a model?”
“He’s kinda handsome, should I ask for his number?”
A group of high school girls was gathered in the lobby. Lee Seong-han could feel it. They were Awakened. The aura of a delinquent leader was strong.
Delinquents, huh. Today, they felt particularly fierce.
“I-Isn’t he an Awakened?”
“Even better.”
“Eek, run away!”
“Oppa!! Can I get your number?!”
Lee Seong-han quickly dodged the group of high school girls. Awakened. These days, even students are Awakening. Ugh, what a life.
High school girls who’ve completed military service? What kind of hybrid is this? To break through that group, forget a tank battalion.
Even the entire Hunter Management Bureau wouldn’t stand a chance.
***
‘It’s hot.’
Lee Seong-han pressed his forehead.
On the way here, robots on the sidewalk were spreading parasols to create shade and spraying water. Incheon streets even had ice pack sellers with ice abilities.
But the Hunter Association? No service. None at all. Nothing.
“Ugh, it’s hot. Did the air conditioner break?”
Lee Seong-han sighed.
It’s hot. So hot.
Hot enough to kill.
The air conditioner broke, huh? Summer really isn’t for people to be moving around.
Lee Seong-han sat in a recliner, fanning himself with a “I’m a proud soldier!” fan. The sweat might dry, but the heat was relentless.
The discomfort index was skyrocketing. It felt like some tactical force was involved. Not a satisfying result.
“Hoho, are you okay?”
From a distance, Cheong Jin-ho approached with his hands behind his back, accompanied by a few aides and a bunch of Hunter Association staff.
That guy. He’s definitely going to make some weird proposal again.
Just yesterday, he said, “Do you want power?” and got scolded by Kang Mi-young. He repeated it seven times.
“No. Does this look okay to you?”
Lee Seong-han replied sarcastically.
“By the way, aren’t you busy? You must be swamped these days.”
“The dispatched special positions are handling it. By the way, you seem pretty free.”
Free, huh.
It’s not like I’m just resting. I just finished dealing with a low-level gate.
“I was just urgently deployed as a reserve.”
“Huh, must be nice to be free. I wish we had special positions.”
Special positions. Meaning public servants.
Rumors were flying that this guy works public servants to the bone. What a patriotic person.
“They’re capable friends. Hahaha. By the way, have you thought more about my proposal?”
“You mean that job offer?”
“Yes.”
“It’s still military service, isn’t it? No thanks.”
That job.
Lee Seong-han felt a chill down his spine.
If I really took it, Hong Seo-min, Kang Mi-young, and Kang Jin-young would escape and cause chaos. A dirty trinity, you could say.
Ugh, better not think about it.
“By the way, when will the air conditioner be fixed?”
Cheong Jin-ho scratched his cheek. He seemed troubled too.
“It seems the lightning spirit in the underground training ground caused some trouble. Spirits are fierce and curious, but their nature is malicious, and they play pranks that can kill people.”
“A spirit?”
“This exam… oops, I’ve said too much. Anyway, it’s better to prepare. The Association’s workshop is always open to you.”
Cheong Jin-ho whispered something to his aides and then left.
Lee Seong-han was alone again.
He was supposed to meet the Kang sisters, but strangely, they weren’t answering their phones.
He thought about fanning himself, but the Hunter Association was dripping with sweat. Weird. It wasn’t like this before.
The women’s stares and all that.
Then suddenly, it felt cool. Like coolant was flowing through his veins.
[‘Regeneration’ is squeezing out mana.]
Ah, that’s it.
This is life.
Lee Seong-han decided to take a short nap.
After working all night, when would he get such a sweet break again?
“……Zzzz.”
Lee Seong-han slumped over.
***
The Kang sisters bickered as they looked at each other.
They arrived at the Hunter Association lobby a bit later than Lee Seong-han. The sisters had their own reasons.
“Unnie, you’re really beyond help. How can you overwork someone like that and still laugh? What kind of iron will do you have?”
“It’s training. Testing if they can handle such excessive work. On the other hand, you’re not normal either, trying to slack off and only fill your own desires.”
“Huh. Bullsh—”
Kang Jin-young’s voice trailed off.
“What’s wrong?”
“Don’t follow me.”
She looked around and headed toward the lounge.
The lounge was a facility inside the Association building, providing various free services for Hunters. Through the glass walls, she could see Lee Seong-han napping in a recliner.
“Is he sleeping? There’s still time, so I’d rather not disturb him.”
“I know.”
Their tense faces softened a bit. Both sisters.
“By the way, he’s kinda cute.”
“Not cute. Handsome.”
Kang Jin-young reacted as if it was ridiculous.
“Isn’t it the same?”
“Unnie, you’re the problem for not understanding these details.”
Kang Jin-young tapped the glass lightly and muttered, “It’s fine.”
She pulled out a camera from her bag. A state-of-the-art filming device, large enough to capture most subjects.
It was the kind of equipment a professional would use. And Kang Jin-young was a master in this field.
“What are you doing?”
“Taking photos. I need to upload them to the report. Should I leave a few? Heh.”
“Report?”
“A report related to male Hunters.”
*Click!*
*Click!*
*Click!*
Kang Jin-young leaned forward, snapping photos of Lee Seong-han.
She adjusted angles, twisted her body, and changed poses. It was like she was putting on a performance.
Is she… trying to seduce him?!—A half-smile formed on Kang Jin-young’s lips. There’s no record of napping in the audio logs.
‘Sh-should I take a few more?’
*Click!*
She took a few more photos.
She was already a pro at this. She could easily create dozens of such scenes.
Kang Jin-young, finished shooting like a third-rate paparazzi, tried to put the camera back in her handbag but was suddenly stopped.
It was Kang Mi-young.
“Let’s make a deal.”
Huh, a deal? Do you even know how much this is worth? It’s priceless.
“If you give me the car and the gun, I’ll think about it.”
“There’s no car or gun.”
Kang Mi-young said confidently.
“First, what are you offering?”
“A barter? Fine. I’ll offer too… a sweat-stained shirt. I got it from the workshop last time.”
Did it really go that far?
“How did you get it?”
“Hmm.”
Kang Mi-young avoided eye contact.
Did she already use some trick to grill Lee Seong-han?
No, she probably didn’t even talk to him.
With her personality, she’d already have a plan. There’s really no one trustworthy.
“I’ll pass.”
“Tch.”
Besides, it’s January.
It’s still cold, so how much sweat could there be?
‘Calm down.’
Kang Jin-young regained her composure. Her sister is selfish. 100%. She’s sure of it.
…But she’s the only one who can understand her.
“By the way, Seong-han. Will he get through this time?”
“You worry too much. He’s talent for the special forces. Watch your words.”
“He’s already marked by the 10 Nations. Don’t mess with him.”
“Bull.”
Especially Lee Seong-han.
Looking at his track record, it’s easy to misunderstand.
‘Male Awakened are strong?!’
No.
At least not now.
The traces of a superhuman shown in the fight with Mirginos.
It’s not unexpected. Superhumans are born with exceptional basic qualities.
But this guy is still just a fragment.
Physical ability?
Even I can’t beat him.
That’s why he needs to be handled more carefully.
Because he might break at any moment.
Then she suddenly glanced at her sister.
The lifeless look was gone, replaced by vitality.
It was like he had brought her back to life. A resurrection of the dead.
“The document screening. Did you do it, unnie?”
Kang Jin-young’s eyes turned sharp, sensing something odd.
The screening, which seemed tough, succeeded on the first try, leaving her stunned.
“Yeah.”
Is that even allowed? Kang Jin-young’s words rose to her throat but then sank. She’s just as guilty.
“That’s total corruption.”
“As long as the result is good, it’s fine.”
“Huh.”
The sisters engaged in a battle of nerves.
But it didn’t last long.
The practical exam was coming up.