Chapter 38
“…….”
They say that when you’re too shocked, words just don’t come out.
That was exactly how Saebyeok felt right now.
“No… no, it’s not really that shocking.”
Shaking off her daze, Saebyeok quickly collected her thoughts.
“I can use armor, so what’s something I couldn’t use?”
She rationalized it logically.
Indeed, items that had passive effects often could be used by non-awakened people. Enhancements like skill power boosts were useless, but effects like antidotes were often usable.
So, potions could be used by non-awakened individuals too.
Even the Atlas Safe House could be considered a passive. Strictly speaking, the key had no skill.
“Do you want to try opening it?”
The key turned smoothly.
It felt natural when the golden door changed to blue.
It opened.
“C-can we go in?”
She stepped through the doorway.
“Ahhh! What’s this! What did you do, noona?”
Han Saejin shouted.
He had been giving Sihu some snacks while watching the news, but his eyes kept flicking toward Saebyeok and Kang Suho.
Then, suddenly, Kang Suho vanished as if he had evaporated.
“Can’t you see this?”
“W-what! Is this a stealth item?”
“The blue door here.”
“What door?”
From Han Saejin’s reaction, Saebyeok realized that those without the key couldn’t see the door.
‘Do you have to be appointed as an administrator to see it?’
Thinking that, she stepped inside.
As soon as she entered, Kang Suho grabbed her wrist.
“……?”
She wondered why, and then noticed that he was tense, hiding her behind him.
“I asked what you are.”
“That’s what I want to ask too.”
Until just a moment ago, Kang Suho had been overly polite toward her, but now his tone was sharp, almost like a blade.
For a brief moment, it reminded her of old times:
A low, ominous, chilling voice, as if ready to attack.
But now was not the time to get sentimental.
“Kang Suho, it’s fine. He’s someone I know, so no need to be on guard.”
Saebyeok loosened his grip on her wrist and spoke.
“He’s the Hunter from Hwang Taesan of the Black Dragon. You’ve seen his face, right?”
Since he was the head of one of Korea’s top four guilds and had a memorable face, she asked.
Kang Suho slightly nodded.
“Look at that ring. He’s one of the people I gave a key to.”
“……I see.”
Saebyeok noticed that Kang Suho’s small reply sounded a bit down, for some reason.
“I didn’t expect Hunter Hwang to be here. What’s the matter?”
Peeking from behind Kang Suho, Saebyeok asked.
“I’m here to put this in.”
Hwang Taesan scanned Kang Suho up and down, then tapped the wooden table lightly.
The high-quality table was carved from solid wood and had the Black Dragon mark on the corner.
“If we keep using this as an inventory, countless items will pass through, and it would be cumbersome to look for quest-related items each time. I intend to use this from now on.”
“That’s a good idea.”
This effectively created a dedicated communication channel for Hwang Taesan in this somewhat chaotic place.
“Is he the one you said would be your deputy?”
“Yes. Say hello, this is Kang Suho. Kang Suho, meet Hunter Hwang.”
Saebyeok introduced the two.
But somehow, the atmosphere wasn’t great.
“Pleased to meet you.”
“Yes.”
No handshake.
Hwang Taesan had always disliked handshakes, but it was also odd that Kang Suho didn’t offer his hand first.
‘Well, he’s not exactly warm by nature.’
She had saved him twice and broken down his guard, but originally, he was like a stray cat—hissing at anyone he met.
And considering how their first meeting went, the mood made sense.
‘But why does Hwang Taesan dislike handshakes?’
People said it might be related to his dragon.
Unable to resist her curiosity, Saebyeok peeked at his title.
Title: Dragon Warrior (S)
“When dragons disappeared from the world, many dragon knights became berserkers. You, who found the ancient dragons, became the next-generation Dragon Knight and Berserker. Show off the destructive power of a berserker and the majesty of a Dragon Knight.”
Unique Active Skills:
Dragon’s Word (S)
Dragon Soul Strike (A)
Reversal Prophecy (A)
Berserker Mode (B)
Black Cloud Catcher (B)
Dragon’s Breath (B)
Unique Passive Skills:
Yeoui Orb (S)
Ancient Pact (A)
Dragon’s Vessel (B)
Dragon’s Word, Dragon Soul Strike, Berserker Mode, Black Cloud Catcher, and Dragon’s Breath were all familiar. He always used these in battle.
The only unfamiliar one was Reversal Prophecy.
Skill: Reversal Prophecy (A)
“Dragons are said to see things humans cannot. Was what I just saw an imaginary hallucination? An unstoppable future? Or perhaps a remnant of a lost past?”
‘Is this it…?’
As expected, the vague explanation made it hard to know the details.
But Saebyeok thought this “seeing the future” ability might activate through contact with others.
“There are many legends of dragons seeing the future.”
It might be a little too powerful for humans to handle. Especially since, as the description says, it’s hard to tell if what he sees is the future or a hallucination, and knowing the future doesn’t allow you to stop it…
‘Definitely a skill that could drive someone crazy.’
Now she understood why Hwang Taesan had anecdotes about letting go of people he saved, like fans or falling children.
“Hunter Hwang.”
Having confirmed everything, Saebyeok closed his title window and spoke.
“About what we talked about earlier in the master’s office…”
Hwang Taesan didn’t answer immediately but glanced at Kang Suho, as if asking if she shouldn’t speak in front of him.
Saebyeok continued.
“Ah, don’t worry, Kang Suho. You already know everything.”
“……Is that so.”
A lie—he didn’t know everything.
But since she intended to tell him anyway, Saebyeok continued casually.
“Actually, half of what was said in that room was false.”
“What do you mean?”
“It’s true that a gate will appear off the coast of Busan. But it won’t be on Children’s Day.”
“Then……”
“Something else big will happen around Children’s Day. And as a result of that event, the gate will open.”
“You don’t know what that event is?”
“That’s a bit difficult to explain.”
She couldn’t start talking about the monsters without explaining the scenario. Eventually, the Pacific monsters would make the news, so there was no rush.
“In any case, please don’t stop the quest.”
“I planned to continue anyway.”
“I mean, you can go to China if needed.”
“Does that mean I don’t need to be involved in that ‘big event’?”
“The event around Children’s Day can be handled even if Hunter Hwang is absent.”
“……Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
She was 200% certain.
Because there was Ipado.
The sea monsters battle. Naturally, someone needs to protect the ocean.
But they had Ipado, who roamed the sea like his own backyard and played with the waves like toys.
Without Ipado, they might have needed Hwang Taesan, but now it was fine.
‘Ah, I feel so proud.’
She felt a surge of joy for saving Lee Cheonghae.
“……Alright. Just as you said, all clues point to Guangzhou, China, so I was planning to check it out anyway.”
“Have a safe trip.”
“Will do.”
“Bring me a souvenir. By the way, I prefer food over trinkets.”
“……Got it.”
Hwang Taesan hesitated briefly, looking slightly flustered, but soon answered with a gentle expression.
Of course, the moment Kang Suho pulled Saebyeok’s wrist to press her closer, Hwang Taesan’s expression stiffened immediately.
Time flowed like water, and people remained curious about the newly appeared S-rank.
China and Japan objected, while the U.S. and Europe were intrigued.
The Secretary-General of the World Hunter Association suggested re-measuring the S-rank at the headquarters’ device, drawing even more attention.
Meanwhile, the Korean Hunter Association, responsible for coordinating the schedule, was busy with other matters.
The chairman frequently traveled to Busan, his expression growing more serious each day.
Association staff repeatedly dispatched with Donghae Guild members into the deep sea.
Kim Ihan drew attention by narrating Saebyeok’s and the chairman’s battles, steadily growing his HunterTube subscriber count.
Hwang Taesan only occasionally updated after going to Guangzhou, with nothing particularly notable happening.
Meanwhile, Saebyeok completed her move safely.
She moved to the Hunter District, a 15-minute walk from the Association.
South of Changdeokgung, the old neighborhood of Ikseon-dong and nearby Jongno-dong, once famous for traditional hanoks, had been redeveloped into a residential complex for hunters.
Not all hunters were required to live there, but initially, many lived nearby the Association’s building beside Jongno Fire Station.
Over time, gyms, massage shops, and arenas for awakeners emerged, naturally attracting more hunters.
Years later, the area became the current “Hunter District.”
Now, property prices were so high that non-hunters couldn’t even buy there.
The house Saebyeok bought had three rooms and cost over 10 billion KRW.
She had spent all the money earned from the gold mine dungeon and took a hunter loan to move in.
But she had no regrets.
It was the safest place for Han Saejin and Sihu, and above all…
“Let’s send them here. It’s the closest to their home.”
There were kindergartens and schools for hunters’ families.
Pointing on the map to the nearest elementary school from their home, Saebyeok told Kang Suho.
