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**Changcheon Alliance Headquarters, Deepest Core.**

In the cold air of early morning, the subtle scent of orchids lingered.

Seo Lyu-wol sat in the pavilion, holding a steaming tea cup. Her snow-white fingers, savoring the aroma tickling her nose, slowly tilted the cup.

Behind her, a man silently appeared from beside a shadowed pillar and knelt. He was the Amyeongdaeju, the one who oversaw the Alliance Leader’s shadows.

Without lifting her gaze from the tea, Seo Lyu-wol asked softly,

“Amyeongdaeju, has the investigation into the doctor concluded?”

“Yes. Alliance Leader.”

Only then did Seo Lyu-wol set down the tea cup and turn to him. Her eyes held a deep interest.

“Speak.”

With his head bowed, Amyeongdaeju began reciting the memorized information.

“The doctor’s name is Sunwoo Yoo. He was a Hunter formerly affiliated with the Hae Tae Guild, but after retiring, he chose a new profession.”

“It has been confirmed that the job he holds, Hunter Mental Counselor, currently has only one person in the entire nation.”

Amyeongdaeju paused for a moment.

“The authority granted by that position was stronger than anticipated. At least, it seems that the guidelines and judgments regarding Outsiders and Hunters are considered an inviolable domain.”

“I see.”

Seo Lyu-wol nodded. So, the source of his confidence indeed stemmed from his abilities. She disdained groundless arrogance, but she didn’t dislike confidence proven by skill. Rather, it was a rather pleasing kind. Such… confidence.

“Therefore, the Association also seems to be significantly supporting Sunwoo Yoo, the sole doctor who passed that difficult exam. The Hae Tae Guild, where he was once a member, is also believed to be providing continued, albeit unofficial, support.”

“The Association, and Hae Tae…”

Seo Lyu-wol’s fingers gently brushed the surface of the tea cup. The Association was one of the strongest forces maintaining balance. However, Hae Tae was unexpected. Hae Tae was one of the top ten Guilds that maintained a considerably good relationship with the Changcheon Alliance. If this was the case, he was not an opponent that could be easily dealt with. Touching the doctor could strain their relationship with Hae Tae.

‘You continue to surprise me.’

But his report did not end there. After a moment of hesitant silence, Amyeongdaeju presented the most incomprehensible information.

“And one more thing…”

Seo Lyu-wol looked at him, urging him to continue.

“While our informant was investigating around him, they received a warning from an unknown force.”

At his words, Seo Lyu-wol’s smile faded for the first time.

“A warning.”

“Yes. They said, ‘If you approach any further, not a trace will remain’…”

Silence descended on the garden after the report. Only the sound of Seo Lyu-wol’s fingers tapping the pavilion’s railing echoed clearly. She closed her eyes and organized all the information she had heard.

First, his personal abilities were outstanding, and he possessed fortitude. Just by looking at his eyes, it was evident he would not break easily.

Second, he had the backing of the Association and Hae Tae. This alone was quite exhausting.

Third, an unknown powerful individual also protected him. Nothinag was easy.

“… Hmph.”

An uncontrollable laugh escaped Seo Lyu-wol’s lips. First small, then growing larger. It was a clear, elegant laughter that filled the garden. Amyeongdaeju was taken aback by this unprecedented display from his liege.

‘Helpless.’

The Changcheon Alliance Leader, Seo Lyu-wol, felt a sense of powerlessness. It was a hollow laugh born from helplessness. No matter what she did, she couldn’t reach her daughter now. No matter what she did, she couldn’t defeat that man at the moment. The fact that she couldn’t, while frustrating, also somehow… was strangely enjoyable.

***

The Association’s archive room was quiet again today. Especially so, being in the morning.

“I’ll be returning this. Thank you.”

“Ah, yes. Understood.”

I returned the materials I had borrowed yesterday and studied all night. Materials filled with very beneficial, wholesome, and hopeful content.

Waiting for the librarian at the desk to process the return, I carefully took something out from my pocket.

“By the way, Librarian…”

I presented the yellowed, worn stack of paper to her.

“Could I possibly know more about the author of this thesis?”

I poured out the curiosity that had been with me all along. Who was the one who researched and recorded all of this?

“Ah! Yes, just a moment…”

All theses have a serial number. Therefore, by entering it into the archive’s computer, it should be possible to check who the author is.

She skillfully entered the serial number, stamped in old ink on the corner of the document, into the terminal. However, the librarian’s brow furrowed in difficulty.

“Hmm… this is marked as private.”

“What?”

How could that be?

“It states that the donor strongly requested anonymity. In such cases, we cannot confirm the author either.”

Wait. At those words, a glimmer of hope flashed in my mind. Anonymous donation, unclear origin. Doesn’t that mean it’s a false thesis without basis? I momentarily harbored hope and asked,

“Then, perhaps a false thesis…”

“No.”

My hope was ruthlessly cut off by her firm reply.

“Even if it’s anonymous material, all records in our archive go through the Association’s multi-verification process.”

She pointed to the certification mark on the monitor, delivering the final blow.

“This record, too, is official material that has completed all fact verification.”

Ah.

“… Thank you.”

I left the Association’s archive room with a dazed mind. I had received confirmation after all. And yet, I didn’t know the author.

“Agh.”

Unlike the quiet archive room, the Association’s central lobby was bustling with crowds. Even though it was morning, there was barely room to stand. In that crowd, I spotted a familiar face. It was an employee whom I often saw when I was obtaining my counselor’s license. I was watching him giving instructions busily when the employee spotted me first and approached.

“Oh, Sunwoo Yoo! No, Counselor! What brings you here?”

I greeted him lightly with a smile. Then, with a nod, I gestured to the people filling the lobby.

“Is today something special? It’s unusually crowded.”

“Ah, you didn’t know. Today is the Hunter Mental Counselor qualification exam.”

“Oh, is that so?”

I couldn’t help but feel a sense of joy. Colleagues. Or perhaps subordinates who would lighten my burden. Either way, it was good news. With pure anticipation, I asked with a smile,

“How many do you think will pass?”

“Hmm… let me see…”

In response to my question, the team leader gave a wry smile instead of an answer. He tapped the tablet PC in his hand.

“Last month, zero.”

“The month before that, zero too.”

He shrugged and drew his conclusion.

“So, I suspect it will be zero again this time.”

“What?”

To my repeated question, the team leader shook his head.

“Counselor, you may not know, but it’s not that we’re deliberately not hiring. We’ve been continuously recruiting.”

He continued in a weary voice.

“Up until now, the only person who has passed the minimum qualification criteria set by the Association… is you, Counselor.”

It suddenly came to mind. The employee’s words that the subordinates would appear after I was gone. It wasn’t a lie. With a sliver of hope, I cautiously asked,

“Then… how about lowering the qualification standards a bit?”

“That’s difficult. We’ve already lowered them significantly. Even after you first passed, we’ve eased the criteria countless times.”

The team leader’s reply was laced with a sigh.

“We can’t go any lower than this.”

He looked grimly at the applicants filling the lobby.

“It’s not that we’re just looking for simple counselors…”

I had no choice but to nod at his words. It wasn’t that I didn’t understand at all. The employee bowed his head to me.

“So, please continue to take good care of us in the future. Please let us know if there is anything uncomfortable at any time. The Association will provide full support for Counselor Sunwoo Yoo’s convenience.”

I sheepishly smiled and shook my head.

“Not at all.”

Yes. Enough lamenting my fate. I should do my part. I headed back towards the facility where Seol Yu-wol was isolated. Towards my patient, who would be waiting for me.

***

Luna was heading to Teacher’s counseling center, cradling a small potted lavender plant precious in her embrace.

“Teacher went to the Association today, right?”

I know. That’s why I’m going secretly.

“♪~~♬”

A hum, unknowingly, escaped Luna’s lips. Even her steps were light. This morning, Ellyce, who pretended to oversleep on her day off, had been caught trying to sneak out the front door.

‘Ellyce, where are you going?’

At Luna’s call, Ellyce stopped, startled. In her hand was the bunch of keys Teacher had given yesterday.

‘Ah, well… I’m trying to return this…’

‘I’ll take it.’

Before Ellyce could retort, Luna snatched the keys from her sibling’s hand. She recalled her sibling’s expression of unfairness for a moment, but it didn’t matter. She readjusted the small potted lavender in her embrace. A small token of appreciation for the sweet cake Teacher had given her. And… with the hope that when she smelled this calming scent, she would think of Luna…

‘Ah…!’

Luna thought up to that point, then startled and shook her head.

‘No…’

It wasn’t necessarily for that reason. She just hoped Teacher would stay in a more comfortable space. Arriving at the counseling center door, she took a deep breath. With trembling hands, she inserted the key into the lock and turned it. A clear click echoed in the silent hallway. The door opened immediately. According to Ellyce, Teacher would hide the spare key under the doormat.

However, there was still something to be done inside. Without hesitation, Luna stepped inside.

“Hmm…”

She immediately felt Teacher’s scent. The tension left Luna’s shoulders without her realizing it. Her mind felt at ease. Her steps naturally led her to the room where he spent the most time: the counseling room.

In the center of the counseling room was a large obsidian table, exuding an overwhelming presence. Luna approached it with the intention of placing the potted plant on it.

“…”

But the moment she neared the table, a very faint but unpleasant scent brushed against her nose. No. Something was wrong here. She could smell a disturbing scent, different from Teacher’s gentle fragrance. Instinctively, Luna frowned and stepped back. Instead, she moved towards Teacher’s small desk by the window. And there, she carefully placed the lavender pot she had brought.

“Hmm hmm…”

She wanted it to look as pretty as possible in Teacher’s eyes. So, she slowly sat down on the chair, trying to view it from his perspective.

“Ah…!”

And the moment she sat down, she held her breath.

Luna was flustered. It was on a completely different level from mere ambient scent. His scent, deeply and intensely concentrated, remained on this chair where he spent the most time. Luna’s head spun. Holding her skirt tightly with both hands, she bit her lip. The sensation of her whole body heating up. Her legs trembled. With a hazy mind, she began to sink deeper and deeper into a world where only she and Teacher existed.

But, it was at that very moment.

“Who are you?”

With a sharp voice, the counseling room door opened. Luna’s senses immediately snapped back. The one who opened the door was S-class Hunter Jin Se-ah.

“Aaaah!”

She practically leaped out of the chair with a shriek. Her face turned a blazing red. And then their gazes met in mid-air.

“What are you doing here?”

To Jin Se-ah’s question.

Luna froze on the spot.

 

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