11

When one’s family member was a CEO or millionaire, people usually acted in two different ways. There are those who live quiet lives to avoid public critique, and there are those who use their family’s power falsely.

Sometimes, using their family’s power and wealth, they acted bossy and arrogant toward other people. In fact, some even oppressed others to show off their power. That was why the public kept an eye on the rich and powerful families who used their power falsely in order to prevent such untoward occurrences.

Usually, Ho Lee didn’t have to worry about things like that. He never sparked any controversies and donated a lot to the public.

That is why it was very important to know who Hwan actually is. Jong-Geun knew that what he had felt from Hwan was unusual. He did not feel his usual instinct telling him that the man is also a hunter. Hwan Lee was a mysterious and suspicious man, and Jong-Geun was wary of him. Even now, he still believes that he is not telling the truth because he was sure that that guy, Hwan Lee, was hiding something from them.

That was why he sent Gi-Hoon to keep an eye on him. But…

“I beg your pardon?”

[…I’m sorry to say this, sir, but please allow us to retreat.]

Hong Jong-Geun was barely able to keep his words back, but he was not able to hide his anger. Nevertheless, he managed to recover his composure quickly. Gi-Hoon was talented and had an excellent staff. He was even an S-rated hunter. He must have a reason behind choosing to withdraw from his mission.

“And the reason is…?”

[…I’m not the right person for it.]

Not the right person for it? Jong-Geun misunderstood his statement. His understanding was far different from Jeong Gi-Hoon’s intention.

Hong Jong-Geun chuckled before he continued.

“Not the right person for it, huh? I get that. You are an S-rated hunter, one of the strongest in this country. And we’re using such powers just to observe one man? I know that it doesn’t seem right, but you also know that I am going to be leaving my position to you.”

[………]

“Striker Team Three will be appointed to me. With them, I will create an affiliated guild for Cheon-Myeong, and then you will be my successor. Master will become the best, and being his chief secretary is a really important job that requires a lot of simultaneous tasks. I know that this doesn’t seem right, but that’s what this job is.”

At this, Gi-Hoon squeezed his eyes tightly shut. He could understand Jong-Geun’s misunderstanding; he did sound like he was making a complaint about using someone powerful like him for trivial tasks like this. However, that was not his intention at all. The moment he had faced Lee Hwan, he had felt nothing but fear. And that fear felt firm and heavy.

[Sir, can you eliminate an A-rated hunter without leaving any trace?]

That was quite a sudden question to ask.

“What do you mean?”

[Literally what I just said. In just thirty to forty seconds. That A-rated hunter was a jackass, but he is ranked as an A-rated; that’s how strong he was. But in that short duration of time, can you do that?]

“……….”

[There was no evidence of skills used. Nothing, even a change in aura or mood. It took him forty seconds to kill an A-level hunter and eliminate his dead body. Sir, can you do that?]

Jong-Geun’s face grew serious. He knew that Gi-Hoon was not joking. They had known each other for a long time now. He was not the kind of person that would spout such lies.

“So that man did all that?”

[…Honestly, I don’t know.]

Hong Jong-Geun paused for a moment before his face was filled with anger again. To be honest, Gi-Hoon’s words were seeming more and more like a joke.

“Are you kidding me?”

[I’m serious, sir. I know that he did it. There is just no clear evidence. But I assure you, sir, something happened. Trust me, sir—no—brother.”

“………….”

[Hwan Lee is not someone we can deal with. It’s no use.]

“Do you mean that?”

He definitely did. Gi-Hoon had never been more sure of anything in his life. He had fought with Hwan and was beaten up like a toy. He didn’t have the capability to continue this task any longer.

[We’ve known each other for a long time now, brother. I swear to the time we’ve spent together.]

“………..”

However, this was not a decision to be made over a phone call, and Jong-Geun was not the person who would make that decision.

That was when Lee Ho joined their call, appearing through the screen in a hologram.

“Do as you wish.”

Lee Ho’s words were equivalent to the entire guild’s intention.

Jeong Gi-Hoon pondered on the man he faced. He was obviously dangerous but can easily read his intentions. He was very different from his brother. Ho was righteous, kind, and generous. As Gi-Hoon observed Ho, he could see how different they were from each other.

“Why? Do you have anything else to report?”

[…No, sir.]

“Take care.”

And that was the end of their call. Gi-Hoon was relieved to hear that he didn’t have to do the task anymore.

***

~Wake up and answer your phone~

The phone was ringing. Ee-Na opened her eyes groggily.

~This is your phone ringing. Get your phone quickly~

She reached out her hands, feeling for her device. Where did I put my phone? She searched for a while, but then eventually found it.

It was hard to call it a phone now because everyone just used their smartwatches as a phone. However, Ee-Na just preferred to still stick to her smartphone. As she pressed the button to receive the call, a voice came out of the device’s speakers.

[Is this Ee-Na Lee?]

“Mmm… Yes, it’s me. Who are you?”

Unlike Ee-Na, who still sounded half asleep, the speaker’s voice was loud and clear. Though the man’s voice was full of sympathy towards her, Ee-Na, in her half-asleep state, did not manage to spot that.

[I’m Gi-Seok from the marketing team of the office department of hunters. I wanted to ask if you are aware that you’ve been invited as a daily instructor for a high school.)

She immediately woke up at his words.

“Me? How come?”

[Aren’t you Ee-Na Yoo, the hunter from team two?]

“…That is me… I suppose…”

The staff on the other end of the call sighed.

[…The announcement was posted three days ago. This was supposed to be Joo-Heon Lee’s job, but he told me that you were replacing him. So an announcement was sent… but I guess he failed to inform you.)

Of course, she never saw the announcement. She had no idea of this, no clue about what exactly was going on.

Ee-Na squeezed her eyes shut. It was no wonder why. She sighed.

It was Lee Joo-Heon. That jackass had put her name down without her approval and never informed her. She knew what he was trying to say. Oh, how she hated that guy.

“That son of a bitch…”

[I beg your pardon?]

“Oh, nothing. By the way, what time should I go?”

[…I actually called you to check if you knew. Everyone knows that he is a jackass anyway.]

“………”

[It will be from 10 am to 2 pm. 12 pm to 1 pm will be your lunchtime. I’ll send you the files to help you out.]

Gi-Seok surely was a nice guy.

“Thanks for your help.”

[You’re welcome.]

She put down her phone, sighing and looking around, but she immediately froze. Where am I?

She has never seen this blanket and bed before in her life. More importantly, her room was not as big as this place. This bedroom alone was the size of her entire house.

“Are you awake?”

She heard a familiar voice. She turned to see Hwan Lee standing in the room with her, and she immediately knew where she was.

“Fuck!”

***

“Nothing happened last night, right?”

She obviously doesn’t trust me.

“Nothing happened. You’re still wearing your clothes.”

“………”

“What’s with that glare? Do you think I’m the kind of guy who puts women’s clothes back on after doing what he wants?”

She did not trust me entirely, but honestly, I deserved some of her suspicions.

“Did you drug my beer?”

That was a proper response. B-ranked hunters didn’t usually get drunk. Especially yesterday, when the amount of beer she drank was certainly not enough for her to pass out.

It was me who stunned her.

I had to deal with those observers, so I just did what I had to do. However, I realized that I forgot to ask for her address, so I just left her in my house.

But did she really think I had drugged her? Seriously?