Chapter 36
It was such a Kim Ihan-like remark, perfectly showing the dynamic between the two.
【Won Boram: Hunter Hwang Taesan isn’t reacting. As expected, so taciturn, ahaha… Ah! Hunter Kim Ihan’s lips are moving again.】
As if on cue, the camera zoomed in even closer to Kim Ihan’s face.
Anyone watching the broadcast would, without exception, be staring only at his lips.
【Won Boram: “Was it that humiliating to be outdone by Captain Park Woojun? Well, what can you do, you two are childhood friends, after all.” …Could he be talking about the rumored ‘mysterious supporter’? If Park Woojun’s childhood friend is involved, this is huge breaking news!】
“Oh wow, that anchor is really good at lip-reading, right?”
“Yesh. Aww, I’m caughthhh (totally busted).”
Shihu mumbled as he chewed on the apple Han Saejin fed him, stuffing a grape into his mouth on top of it.
With both cheeks puffed out, chewing away, he looked exactly like a hamster hoarding seeds in its cheek pouches.
“One at a time. You’ll choke.”
“Yesh.”
“You sure answer well.”
“Yesh.”
Shihu kept replying obediently, but clearly, his mind was glued to the fruit platter rather than the conversation.
“Aren’t you going to eat, hyungnim?”
Han Saejin popped an apple slice into his own mouth and glanced over.
Kang Suho, sitting on the sofa in a rather uncomfortable posture, shook his head.
Han Saejin didn’t insist twice. If he wanted to eat, he would, so he just turned his gaze back to the TV.
【Won Boram: It’s starting!】
【Association President: Dear citizens, greetings. I am Yoon Byung-geun, President of the Hunter Association of Korea.】
The camera cut away from the anchor, focusing solely on the president.
【Association President: Today’s briefing is to clear up the questions many of you have regarding the Bukhansan lightning incident and to set the record straight on the rumors about a so-called ‘mysterious supporter.’】
Just then, as his calm voice continued—
Beep-beep-beep.
The door lock sounded.
Han Saejin turned with a puzzled look, and so did Shihu, who had been munching grapes.
“Kang Suho-ssi, are you home? We—… Oh! Geez.”
Coming inside after slipping off her shoes, Saebyeok startled at the sight of Han Saejin sitting on the living room floor.
“You didn’t go to work?”
“You saw me stay home this morning, so why the surprise?”
“I thought maybe you were just going in late.”
“The boss’s wife is about to give birth, so I’ve got a few days off.”
Han Saejin popped another grape into Shihu’s mouth and asked:
“Anyway, why are you here? Shouldn’t you be over there?”
He pointed at the TV screen. Saebyeok shook her head.
“I decided to step back. I’m avoiding media exposure for now.”
“Really? That’s a shame.”
“Why, you hoping to get some airtime with your connections?”
“No. Absolutely not.”
“Then what’s the shame about?”
“Missed my chance to grab some unflattering screenshots.”
“…Seriously.”
She almost smacked him, but let it slide.
【Association President: …and so, it has been concluded she will be recognized as S-rank.】
Uwaaaaaaah!!!
The moment the president confirmed Saebyeok’s rank, cheers erupted throughout the apartment complex.
People shouted “hurrah” three times, some even cursed in excitement.
“Do those idiots even realize? The S-rank they’re celebrating is just…”
Han Saejin narrowed his eyes, scanning Saebyeok up and down.
She clicked her tongue at him and finally gave him a knock on the head.
“Cut the nonsense and pack your bags.”
“Bags?”
“You’ll need to move. The president may try to minimize information leaks, but it’s only a matter of time. Staying here will be dangerous.”
Who would dare attack an S-rank? Still, her family could become targets.
Persistent reporters, obsessive fans—lots could happen.
“You’re moving to the Hunter District.”
“No way, really? Isn’t that insanely expensive?”
“Little brother, your noona is S-rank.”
“…Damn. That’s annoyingly impressive.”
“Hey, the kid’s listening. Watch your mouth.”
“…”
Han Saejin covered Shihu’s ears.
The boy, still nibbling on the last slice of apple, looked up in confusion.
“No, it’s fine, eat more. Here, have a banana too.”
Han Saejin laughed, steering his attention back to the fruit.
It made her chuckle—just yesterday he’d blown up about bringing some random kid home, and now he was doting on him like a precious nephew.
“Anyone would think he was your cousin or something.”
“He’s a total glutton. Do you know how much this tiny body can hold? If he were a car, his fuel economy would be the worst.”
“Eh? Me?”
“No, ignore him and eat. Here’s orange juice.”
It clearly bothered him that the kid was smaller and thinner than average for his age—he kept feeding him nonstop, then teasing him for eating too much. Very Han Saejin.
“Shihu, do you like that hyung?”
To an outsider, you’d think Shihu’s real brother was Han Saejin, not Kang Suho.
The boy, gulping down his orange juice, nodded to Saebyeok’s question.
“But if you cling only to Saejin, your real hyung will feel left out, won’t he?”
“Oh.”
Looking guilty, Shihu peeked toward Suho, who sat alone on the sofa.
“Eat plenty,” Suho said casually, pretending not to care, though Shihu still looked uneasy.
Han Saejin quickly turned his head back to the fruit platter.
“Why make the kid self-conscious? Don’t scold him like that.”
He patted Shihu comfortingly.
“Hey glutton, want something else? Just say it, and this hyung will get it for you.”
Saebyeok couldn’t help but laugh.
She knew her brother liked cute things, but this level of doting surprised even her.
“Once he’s full, pack up. Park Woojun already went ahead to set things up, so don’t keep him waiting.”
“…Wait, you meant right now? You’re unbelievable. Fine, fine.”
Though grumbling, Han Saejin nodded.
“And Kang Suho-ssi, I’d like a word with you.”
She gestured toward the dining table. Suho followed without complaint, taking a seat opposite her.
He spoke first.
“Are you all right?”
“Pardon?”
“I heard you dueled the Association President.”
He nodded toward the TV.
The president had explained to the public that the measuring device broke, forcing him to test Saebyeok’s strength directly in front of all the S-ranks.
【Association President: Discussions with the World Hunter Union will take place next week…】
In Korea, proving oneself against the “Sword Emperor” was enough.
But abroad, it wouldn’t fly—they would insist on more evidence before recognizing her S-rank.
“I was told the president is the strongest among Korea’s current S-ranks. You weren’t injured?”
Though his face remained impassive, Suho’s concern was evident. Saebyeok smiled softly.
“You’ve got it wrong. The strongest among the S-ranks has changed. That’s why they acknowledged me, don’t you think?”
Suho’s eyes widened before he slowly nodded.
“As long as you’re unharmed, that’s all that matters.”
To him, her surpassing the Sword Emperor mattered less than her being safe.
“So, what you wanted to say to me is…?”
“Oh, right.”
She pulled a document from her inventory.
“These are papers for forming a guild. They’re for submission to the Association—look them over and sign.”
Then, she took out another file.
“And this is our personal contract. I left your title and rank blank—you can sign now, or wait until after you awaken and renegotiate.”
“…Here’s a pen. For the record, the Association requires—uh? W-wait, Kang Suho-ssi! You can’t just sign without reading!”
The moment she handed him the pen, he signed without hesitation.
“There’s even a second page—!”
“It doesn’t matter.”
“At least let’s discuss the guild name—”
“<Guild of Dawn>, led by <The Spear of Dawn>. There’s nothing to discuss.”
“Still—”
She faltered, baffled, as Suho calmly returned the untouched file.
“You said you’d never betray me, didn’t you?”
“…I did. And I won’t.”
“That’s all I need to know.”
Saebyeok was dumbfounded.
Is this really the Kang Suho I know?
How could he trust so easily?
Does having family change someone this much?
Well… maybe it did. She remembered her past life.
Back when her brother and comrades lived, she encouraged everyone to fight against <Destruction>.
But the moment she lost them, her world turned gray.
Yeah, past-life Kang Suho was like this too.
Once he decided to trust, he gave everything.
If she had told him the earth was flat, he would have said, “Maybe so.”
Realizing this, her heart wavered. Despite time and life itself, this Kang Suho was indeed the same man.
