Chapter 53 ….
Crossroads (1)
Choi Yeon returned to the quiet café.
Seeing him, Lee Seong-jun, who had been sitting face-to-face with Red Pang’s new recruits, Moon Soo-bin and Kim Na-yeon, felt a huge sense of relief.
It wasn’t that he had been worried about Choi Yeon going alone to deal with the executives—he had been exhausted and simply being around the dazed new recruits had been killing him.
Moreover, having seen Choi Yeon manipulate mana firsthand, he had felt just how incredible a Hunter he was. There was no worry at all.
He firmly believed Choi Yeon would handle things quickly and return. Unlike the new recruits sitting across from him.
The two were surprised when Choi Yeon returned and sat down casually in the café. There must have been a fight… yet he looked neither hurt nor tired at all.
It was as if he had simply gone for a stroll.
“…You’re… unharmed?”
“And the executives…? I mean, what about them?”
“They’ve been handed over to the police.”
“Already…? It’s only been ten minutes since you left.”
Choi Yeon shrugged and sipped the Americano in front of him.
What’s the big deal?
Seeing his attitude, the two recruits’ jaws dropped. They were in awe: “He’s really strong!” In reality, it was less about Choi Yeon’s strength and more about how pathetic the executives were—but they didn’t bother correcting themselves.
It was better to think he was strong, and besides, it felt awkward to say the executives had simply been restrained by him.
Instead, Choi Yeon explained the situation.
“Our squad leader went with me… so, probably today? At the latest by tomorrow, the Red Pang guild will be disbanded.”
“Red Pang… disbanded…”
“Well, we’ll have to see the official results, but all the executives will likely be stripped of their Hunter licenses or suspended for several years.”
“Stripped of their licenses?”
“They did something that deserves it.”
“Ah…? Then, maybe…”
Kim Na-yeon trailed off mid-sentence, as if she had just realized something.
Choi Yeon could easily guess what she meant.
Would this have been easier to resolve if the situation had been reported to the headquarters?
—Probably.
Still, Choi Yeon remained silent.
From eight years of experience as a Hunter in the squad, he knew that sometimes staying quiet was better for the newcomers. Even if he explained, their shocked ears wouldn’t fully grasp it, and even if they did, it would only make them feel more embarrassed.
They were already embarrassed enough; there was no need to pile it on.
Of course, he did give some advice.
“Next time, trust our squad’s Hunters.”
He reminded them that the squad existed to help people like them, and they could always come if needed.
Moon Soo-bin and Kim Na-yeon nodded weakly. Their eyes dropped to the floor, and regret glimmered in their gaze.
Choi Yeon remained calm, while Lee Seong-jun fidgeted, pretending not to notice.
＊＊＊
“Thank you so much.”
“Thank you…!”
After expressing their gratitude, Moon Soo-bin and Kim Na-yeon left. Their voices were still trembling, but their steps were firm. They seemed happy to relay the good news to their fellow guild members, who had also suffered.
After sending them off with a smile, Choi Yeon parted ways with Lee Seong-jun. With the original purpose—refusing the scouting proposal—successfully completed, there was no reason to stay.
Lee Seong-jun had never imagined Choi Yeon would completely eliminate the guild, but he was satisfied nonetheless. Naturally, he added the cliché promise to repay this kindness.
Choi Yeon returned to the squad without expectation. The rewards Hunters usually received were things like juice, onion juice, or snacks.
Choi Hee-seok was there to greet Choi Yeon.
“You’re back, Yeon.”
“The squad leader isn’t here yet?”
“He said he’ll meet the Yuseong District Mayor first. If there’s time, he’ll also see the Hunter Association’s Daejeon branch head.”
“Is that necessary?”
“He just wants them to pay attention. Don’t want to regret ignoring it later.”
Choi Yeon understood the meaning.
Even seemingly trivial matters could snowball into big problems later. It was wise to prevent that in advance.
As Choi Yeon sat down, Choi Hee-seok asked,
“By the way, Yeon, you got info on Red Pang from Haedeurim Detective Agency, right?”
“…Yes. How did you know?”
“Where else would you get it? Min-seok’s too busy.”
“Hmm… will that be a problem?”
Choi Yeon asked, guessing Choi Hee-seok’s concern. He might have mentioned it only if it could cause trouble.
Surprisingly, Choi Hee-seok smiled.
“It’s fine. The squad leader and I use them occasionally too.”
“…Really?”
“Yes. Their intel is surprisingly good.”
“I had no idea.”
“You didn’t try to find out.”
…True.
If he had genuinely tried, it would have been easy to uncover in that cramped office. A little effort after a long day would have sufficed.
“Well done.”
“…Pardon?”
“Haedeurim doesn’t cross any lines. They try to stay aboveboard, so things don’t escalate.”
“What about the illegal monster smuggling?”
“That crossed the line. That’s why they turned themselves in.”
“Ah, I see.”
Indeed.
At that time, Haedeurim knew his patrol schedule disguised as his departure from work—not just because the tamer was dangerous…
“…Ah!”
“Hmm?”
“This isn’t the time. I need to go patrol before the squad leader arrives.”
“Haha…!”
Seeing him spring up, Choi Hee-seok laughed.
Somehow, he was so consistent…
Though he called it a patrol, it seemed he had no intention of returning anytime soon.
“Nothing else to assign me?”
“I’d assign it if I had to.”
“Of course.”
He rolled his eyes toward the door as he answered.
If Squad Leader Kim Jae-sang had seen, he would have scolded him for lying, but the squad was already out on field duty. No one could stop Choi Yeon.
Choi Hee-seok? Despite all their time together, he sided with Choi Yeon over the squad leader.
“Patrol thoroughly.”
“Yes!”
“Contact me immediately if anything happens.”
“Of course!”
After a brief exchange, the small Choi hurried out of the office.
Perhaps it was fortunate.
Had Kim Jae-sang seen this, he would have pondered why patrols were a one-way affair—and questioned the loyalty between him and the larger Choi.
“Eh? Isn’t it even five yet? Leaving already?”
As Choi Yeon crossed the Malmangsan intersection, the mart owner spoke, checking his watch.
“Patrol. A full loop of my assigned area.”
“Hehe… right, right.”
“Please don’t say anything that others might misunderstand, sir.”
“Sure, sure. Don’t worry. Consider this a little service.”
The mart owner handed him a bag with two or three persimmons. Inside, the fruits gleamed like sunlight. Smooth, unblemished skin hinted at freshness, dusted lightly with natural bloom.
Biting into one would release sweet juice in the mouth.
“Won’t your wife scold you for giving me these?”
“No, just a few persimmons. Wait… or maybe just return two?”
“Thanks! I’ll enjoy them!”
Choi Yeon thanked him and moved on quickly. Four persimmons would stave off hunger while patrolling.
Ahead, at Mok-dong intersection, he met the sewing shop owner. His legs trembled—not from fear, but withdrawal symptoms. It seemed he had been caught smoking by his wife despite trying to hide it.
Poor guy.
“Take care.”
Though directed at him, the words were really for his wife.
He gave only a quiet nod. Even if Choi Yeon had offered a persimmon, he was already chewing nicotine gum and would get what he wanted.
Choi Yeon continued along Dongsuh-daero, with no more part-time mascot work to distract him, quickly reaching Hyeonam Bridge north of Seonhwa-dong.
As he walked along the Daejeon Stream under Hyeonam Bridge, ready to enjoy a persimmon…
“…?”
—A man caught his eye. Sitting alone on the embankment, he blew into a bottle trumpet.
The clinking of the bottle echoed faintly, as if mingling with the flow of the stream.
“Puhah…!”
The man gasped for air, either from blowing the trumpet or perhaps simply emerging from the depths of a metaphorical river.
“…Long time no see, squinty-eyed junior.”
Wiping the alcohol dripping from his sparse beard, Song Jong-in spoke casually.
Choi Yeon twisted his lips in irritation. He didn’t want to reply, but the reality left him no choice.
Why was the Branch Chief of Amhyanghoe here? And as if he’d been waiting for him.
“Doesn’t your junior find me welcome?”
“Why are you here?”
“For leisure. Drinking by the river is my only pleasure.”
“Leisure…”
“Today, it just happens to be Hyeonam Bridge.”
“You know this Hyeonam Bridge is basically Seonhwa-dong’s backyard, right?”
Song Jong-in only chuckled without answering. Choi Yeon sighed.
Song Jong-in extended the bottle in his right hand. The liquid sloshed inside.
“Since we met, want to chat a bit, squinty-eyed junior?”
“I’d like to, but people might misunderstand.”
“Misunderstand?”
“It wouldn’t look good for a squad Hunter to chat cozily with the Amhyanghoe Branch Chief, right?”
“Hehe, look at it how you like. Probably still looks like a drunk.”
Fair point.
To an ordinary resident, the scene would appear as a young man worried about a drunkard.
“Or I could do a knife dance here. That’d be fun too.”
“…Do you like persimmons?”
“Ha, perfect. I wanted a snack anyway.”
Choi Yeon tore off a persimmon, tossing pieces toward him.
Crunch!
The orange fruit broke crisply under his teeth. Sweetness and crisp texture mingled, like sunlight filling the mouth.
“Oh, this is delicious.”
“…Indeed.”
“Hmm…”
Sharing such a treat with a drunk. He had hoped it would console his regret, but eating only made it worse.
At least it was somewhat fortunate.
“Do you know I plan to eliminate Amhyanghoe, squinty-eyed junior?”
Startled, he no longer felt regret. Crunch, he bit into another persimmon without showing it.
Eliminate Amhyanghoe? Why?
“To gain you.”
“…Excuse me?”
“You doubt me?”
How could he not?
Choi Yeon was so bewildered that he forgot to move.
“Apparently, my junior doesn’t know me. That’s why I became Branch Chief of Amhyanghoe.”
“…You haven’t been a member long?”
“No. Only a few months. Trained a bit, wandered the world, even caught a few criminals.”
Choi Yeon recalled what Kim Jae-sang had said: Where’s the previous branch chief? Was there a power shift?
Naturally, a skilled person like Song Jong-in wouldn’t remain a low-ranking member. He must have been promoted immediately after joining.
Also, being the Daejeon Branch Chief was significant. Since he operated in Chungcheong, Daejeon was central.
Not just Amhyanghoe—every organization had a similar setup. Even the Red Blood Society had a base in Daejeon.
…Or maybe he came not to chat, but to show off?
“So, I’m at a crossroads. I don’t know which to choose.”
“…….”
“If it were you, what would you pick?”
“Between Amhyanghoe and Pakator?”
“Huh.”
“Well, obviously…”
Choi Yeon didn’t understand his dilemma.
If he was willing to eliminate Amhyanghoe just to get someone, why hesitate?
Had he grown attached? Impossible. A few months isn’t long enough to form such bonds.
Although time isn’t the only factor, these were people from the underworld. Could they truly trust each other in such a short span?
Hardly. Choi Yeon recalled failed Red Blood Society executives discarded as failures. Amhyanghoe wouldn’t be much different. Song Jong-in must need them for a specific purpose.
What was his goal, anyway?
A drunk who trained diligently and caught criminals while wandering?
Then…
“Is this… revenge?”
