Chapter 38
“Hmmm~”
Sipping on a cup of instant coffee, his eyes in the lobby scanned for prey.
Who would be bored enough today to become the association president’s conversation partner?
They say that as you get older, mornings come earlier—and it seemed true. The president was sitting in the lobby an hour earlier than the average employee, basking in the morning sunlight.
“Another fine day,” he thought.
It was about time someone passed by.
As he savored the coffee aroma alone in the lobby, someone entered.
‘A face I haven’t seen at this hour.’
A young woman in her twenties, unfamiliar.
Judging by her appearance, she seemed like a recent hire at the association.
‘Why the long face so early in the morning?’
Her shoulders sagged as if she were about to collapse, far from the radiant energy typical of youth. At an age when she should be shining, her gloomy expression couldn’t go unnoticed.
He considered calling out to cheer her up—but it wasn’t necessary. She made eye contact from the moment she entered and walked toward him.
“President…? I’m Yeo Yeon-ah, a staff member in the Hunter Management Department.”
“Oh? Well, nice to meet you.”
It was unusual for a junior staff member to speak up immediately, and the president showed mild surprise. Yeon-ah quickly continued.
“I… have something to discuss regarding today’s work…”
As she explained, the president listened with a curious expression.
“So… you want me to personally correct a bad habit?”
“It’s not really a habit… I just hope you can show me how wide the world is.”
“Hmm…”
He paused for a moment, though anyone else might have interpreted his expression as hesitation. But he had already made up his mind halfway through her explanation.
“Perfect timing—just when I was getting bored.”
Unlike timid, reserved young hunters, he favored spirited rookies. However, those who flew too recklessly might one day burn themselves under the sun. Teaching such hunters was always welcome.
“Alright, I’ll prepare according to my schedule.”
Thus, Korea’s Hunter Association president, Koo Hyun-jong, accepted the request of a junior staff member.
The very next day, Yeon-ah went to the association, wondering who she would face.
‘Will it be the staff member I fought last time? I barely won, so if I show something different this time, maybe they’ll be satisfied.’
Who would be her opponent?
Arriving at the association, she found a far more surprising figure than she imagined.
“You must be Jeong Juhyuk, the Hunter!”
“…Hello.”
Someone she had seen many times during her student days, likely at important events like academy entrance ceremonies.
“You’re the Hunter Association president, right?”
“Why, you look like you’ve never seen me before.”
The president chuckled.
She had only expected an A-rank hunter, but never imagined the president himself would come down just for her.
“Is there a problem? I told them to bring anyone confidently, so I brought myself, despite my busy schedule.”
“….”
To come personally just to correct one hunter’s behavior—she was stunned.
‘Even if I’m somewhat known, it’s not that serious…’
Among hunters, Juhyuk had already become a topic of conversation. A late-blooming prodigy, his reputation had grown a bit from the news, yet even so, for the association president to personally intervene…?
Juhyuk glanced at the staff quietly observing beside him. The junior who had faced him before avoided eye contact, while the male staff member simply smiled faintly.
‘They really can’t stand me.’
To them, it must seem reckless: someone who barely defeated a B-rank hunter daring to enter an A-rank gate.
‘Still, isn’t this a bit much?’
He knew who the president was: the first irregular recognized in Korea, wielding power on par with S-rank hunters. While older now, B-rank magic users don’t succumb easily to age. Could he really beat this man?
‘You’re not thinking of backing out now, are you?’
A provocative smile. The president had come down to spar and had no intention of leaving.
“I’ll learn from you.”
“Ha, a good attitude.”
Juhyuk bowed slightly, ready to spar. He had no intention of fleeing. Whether A-rank hunter or association president, it was a wall he would have to overcome. If he failed to impress the president, he had no right to challenge A-rank hunters.
‘Even though it’s a sparring match, I intend to win.’
Acknowledgment aside, he wouldn’t lose.
“Then let’s go down.”
“Yes, understood.”
They slowly descended to the sparring area, gripping practice wooden swords and taking their positions.
“I’ll yield the first move. Let’s see your skill.”
“Understood.”
Was this overconfidence? He examined the president’s flawed stance—holding the sword with one hand, off-balance, seemingly unsure where to strike—but he wouldn’t back down.
‘Step by step.’
Juhyuk exhaled and focused, losing awareness of time, entirely absorbed in the sword.
“Hoh…”
No words were exchanged. Only their breathing filled the room.
Juhyuk launched his attack, aiming to topple the president.
Clang—!
Even though he chose the most probable strike, the president blocked easily.
Was it because they were both irregulars?
Juhyuk bit his lip at the reflexes, far beyond what a B-rank hunter could have.
The president, after defending the first exchange, smiled calmly.
“Impressive, more than I expected~”
Clang—!
Even while speaking, he deflected attacks with ease.
“You shouldn’t attack while I’m talking.”
“….”
“Don’t you hear me?”
Undisturbed by the president’s chatter, Juhyuk realized one thing after a few exchanges:
‘Can’t win in a short fight.’
Experience accumulated over decades. His defense was too skilled for a decisive strike.
The only option left was a battle of endurance.
‘Let’s wear him down slowly.’
Even S-rank irregulars have limits. Juhyuk had the stamina to extend the fight longer than the older man.
Adjusting his stance for a long duel, the president noticed.
“Hmmm~ planning a long match, eh? Wise decision.”
As if grading a student, evaluating his choices.
He continued:
“Your basics are impeccable for your age, and your attitude is excellent. Honestly, I think you could reach A-rank… but…”
He glanced at the staff. Perhaps it was tempting to halt the sparring and grant him A-rank qualification immediately.
“But ending the match too easily would be a shame.”
Facing a promising talent after a long time reignited his excitement.
“….”
The president, previously lazy in movement, now took proper stance, gripping his sword with both hands.
‘He noticed I’m going long.’
Juhyuk knew the advantage would shift if the duel extended. He predicted the president’s choice: a powerful initial strike.
The president moved like a dance, erratic steps, varying speed—difficult to anticipate.
Suddenly, within three steps, Juhyuk felt a jolt from the ground.
‘Now.’
Bang—!
Clang—!
Thwack—!
A rapid sequence of strikes, shifting rhythm, unpredictable patterns.
Juhyuk blocked everything yet remained tense.
‘I’ve seen offbeat attacks before, but this is on another level.’
He realized the president had no intention of stopping, flowing seamlessly without pause.
‘I must stop him.’
He couldn’t block indefinitely, nor find an opening.
‘…No choice.’
To secure victory, he needed a decisive maneuver. Without hesitation, he launched a precise counterstrike.
Bang—!
Clang—!
He aimed for a tiny gap, sacrificing flesh to seize the bones—taking the risk to control the attack’s path.
At that moment, the president, understanding the strategy, called it:
“That’s enough.”
He released the arm, ending the spar.
“If you insist, neither of us would walk away unscathed.”
The president assessed Juhyuk: excellent fundamentals, perfect execution, even in F-rank magic quantity, a monster.
“Well done. Even your final decision exceeds expectations.”
Had they continued, the outcome would have been uncertain. Thus, the sparring concluded swiftly.
Juhyuk, truly possessing F-rank magic, left the president genuinely impressed.
‘In all my years… what a sight.’
“Don’t worry, I’ll report well on your gate performance.”
“…Thank you.”
Looking realistically, Juhyuk’s strength rivaled the president’s, without even reawakening his potential. If he did, the future promised to be thrilling.
The president left the sparring hall, chuckling.
A bit of excitement had been added to his monotonous routine.
