Chapter 10
“No, I’m not lying. Something suddenly came up. I’m in Shanghai right now!”
Of all days, today was my civil servant friend’s promotion party.
Unlike my Awakening Registration Department, the Awakened Crime Division allows faster promotions based on performance. We met during interview study sessions, but now the gap between us was widening.
— “Why would someone from the Measurement Department get sent overseas? Are you just jealous I got promoted first? I said I’d treat you to dinner!”
“Are you crazy? Do I look that petty? Just wait for the news to break! Anyway, I can’t make it tonight. Don’t wait for me—just have fun!”
— “Hey, Kim Yeoul! Just reschedule—”
“Assistant Manager, is something urgent?”
Of course it was Choi Jinwoo. Even through the phone, his loud voice hurt my ears. I hung up and glared at Lee Eunhyun, who had just blown up Shanghai’s measuring device.
We were waiting while the shocked Shanghai branch staff brought out a new machine.
“Why ask? You heard everything anyway.”
“As expected, you’re sharp.”
“Anyone would be.”
Not only is Jinwoo loud, but Awakened individuals have enhanced senses.
There’s no way he didn’t hear the call.
“For an underpaid civil servant, a free dinner is precious. Especially since tomorrow’s a holiday. I had plans to eat and drink properly.”
“Oh dear. As an apology, I’ll buy you dinner. Do you like beef?”
“Can I even accept that? I’m a public official.”
Beef? Is he trying to butter me up?
Or does he expect me to nibble on two slices under thirty dollars?
Honestly, even the dungeon gloves still bothered me. I could argue I earned them through contribution, but I don’t even want them that badly.
“Is there another form of compensation you’d prefer?”
“I’m just a citizen who needs your help. Becoming close personally wouldn’t be bad either.”
“If this is about the recording, I can delete it.”
At this point, proof that he tried to fake his rank wouldn’t matter.
Even if true, the country would bury it.
Better for me to erase it quietly.
But even I don’t think he’s clinging to me over a recording.
“The dungeon you got dragged into wasn’t major, but in one of my timelines, it caused heavy casualties. The break happened because the clear failed.”
That dungeon was not minor.
I felt that firsthand.
“I remember most large disasters, but some I forget. Dungeons appear in unexpected places. Even if you prepare, they suddenly change. When breaks chain together, the world falls into chaos.”
“What are you trying to say?”
“I’m not asking you to risk your life in dungeons. You just seem to have good eyes. I’d like you to confirm things for me.”
“My eyesight is 0.8 in both eyes. Slight astigmatism. Nothing special.”
“You can see mana, right?”
“….”
That wasn’t a guess.
He hit the mark exactly.
Maybe he’s met someone else like me before?
But I can’t admit it.
“Also, I’d appreciate someone listening to my complaints sometimes. After regressing seven times, I occasionally lose objectivity.”
“Are you admitting you’re crazy?”
“Not that far yet.”
Frankly, someone who seems almost sane is scarier than someone obviously insane.
I was starting to wonder if his regression story was real.
“Like I said, my eyes are normal. I’m not capable of helping. If you want to persuade me, show actual proof.”
“For example?”
“Next week’s lottery numbers?”
“…Sorry. I’m not interested in small change. How about I secretly give you a dungeon item instead?”
Small change?
Unbelievable.
This is why Hunters are called the new nobility.
Their sense of money is warped.
“Sigh…”
“I can give it to you discreetly.”
“Be quiet. I’m currently calculating the probability that reporting you for bribery would land you in prison.”
“They wouldn’t imprison me. I’m the only SS-rank Hunter.”
Unbelievable.
He just said that himself?
As if being high-rank means he’s above the law.
I stared at him speechless.
He suddenly raised a finger to his lips.
Soon, Shanghai branch staff entered with interpreters and guided us.
“Preparation is complete. The new measuring device is different. It was forged by a blacksmith using dungeon materials. It’s the same machine Hunter Xiaoyu used.”
Xiaoyu—the S-rank Hunter ranked first in Asia.
China has been bragging about him for years.
A dungeon-crafted machine must be insanely expensive.
I wish our center had one.
…But they took too long just to “set up” a machine.
And their looks toward Eunhyun had changed.
“For precision, we must attach sensors to the skin. Please roll up your wrists and ankles.”
I carefully observed the new process.
Despite being covered in unfamiliar devices, Eunhyun still looked annoyingly composed.
His lips moved silently.
“Should I break it?”
I immediately shook my head.
Don’t you dare.
If he’s truly S-rank, China might overlook one destroyed machine to recruit him.
But if he breaks this dungeon-forged one, it’ll become complicated.
And I just want this unexpected business trip to end.
“Director, please look at this.”
The machine began shaking again.
Smoke leaked out.
But unlike before, the Shanghai staff remained eerily calm as they examined the data.
“The result is confirmed. S-rank.”
The machine wasn’t shattered this time, but it clearly suffered damage.
And something on the screen had definitely been transmitted elsewhere.
Even the guards by the wall were quietly radioing.
“I’m obedient, Assistant Manager.”
“Don’t talk to me right now.”
He removed the devices himself and walked forward.
I stepped back.
Too late.
“Congratulations on Korea’s first S-rank Hunter. If you have time, we would like to extend proper hospitality.”
The doorway was already filled with people.
So that’s why they took so long.
“Korea is too small a country for an S-rank Hunter to thrive, Mr. Lee Eunhyun. Consider Shanghai’s offer.”
Cold sweat ran down my back.
They were ignoring me entirely.
If he defected to China here, what would happen to me as the witness?
“Can I speak to the Assistant Manager now?”
He ignored the Shanghai official and spoke to me instead.
What is he doing?
“I told you I listen well. So, what now? Should I break it?”
His words were perfectly translated.
The moment he finished speaking, mana surged from the surrounding Shanghai Hunters.
