BRH 24

It wasn’t that he couldn’t go, but the problem was he couldn’t guarantee he’d be able to leave the Hunter Management Bureau today. Dragging someone by the arm from the crack of dawn must mean there was a good reason.

“Then, for now, Tae-yi-ssi, why don’t you stay and see me finish up today?”

Ha Do-heon suggested neatly. If his identity was exposed like this, no more drives or anything… he’d have to escape on his own and shut himself in the Boss Castle, what else could he do?

“I’ll be right here, so Do-heon-ssi, feel free to cooperate with the investigation.”

Moon Tae-yi, after smoothing down his coat, whispered as if coaxing him, then turned around. He walked back to where he had been and leaned against the wall, while Hui-seong quickly turned on his laptop and sat properly at his desk.

Moon Tae-yi was tall enough that it was understandable, but even compared to Ha Do-heon, Hui-seong was unusually small for a hunter. He couldn’t recall his old profile, but just by looking… he’d guess around 175cm.

However, he was a hunter with the nickname ‘Little Giant’.

It went without saying that his inner self was strong, and he was a defensive hunter and a genius at strategy.

“I’m sorry, Hunter Ha Do-heon. This incident is my fault for not paying close enough attention. I will correct it so that this never happens again. And… before we begin the statement, please be aware that all conversations here are being recorded. This is a necessary procedure to ensure a favorable position for Hunter Ha Do-heon as well.”

“Yes.”

Hui-seong was a fair and upright public official to the bone. Within the Hunter Management Bureau, he was a steadfast person who valued laws and regulations more than anyone else, and he had suffered a lot because of it.

‘Hmm, he used to nag a lot.’

Sitting with his legs together, being told his back was hunched was commonplace, and he’d say his gait was like a common thug, his attire was improper, and so on. Whenever he had the chance, he was a member who would nag Ha Do-heon until his ears bled.

“I would like to inform you in advance that Ha Do-heon has been summoned for investigation. Also, please understand that prior to the investigation, we are by no means presuming Ha Do-heon is a suspect.”

“Yes.”

“First, some explanation is needed.”

Hui-seong took out a document from the file and handed it to Ha Do-heon. He jutted his chin forward slightly and looked down at the tiny print.

“The Hunter Management Bureau has been investigating the rank of Gates and dungeons for a long time. As time goes on, the rank of dungeons has noticeably increased, but the rank of human Awakeners is relatively decreasing.”

Korea had produced three S-rank hunters in the past 10 years. So there was something wrong with Hui-seong’s words. But if you took only a part of it, it wasn’t entirely wrong.

However, the gap had widened. For example, 50 years ago, humans who had just begun to Awaken were mostly B and C-rank. A-rank was rare at that time, but there was no significant skewing.

But today, most hunters are concentrated in D and E-rank. The higher you go, the number narrows like a pyramid. Of course, wouldn’t that be the case in any profession, but the hunter industry was a bit steeper.

Currently, only 45% of Awakeners are active as hunters. E-ranks have slightly better physical strength than ordinary people, so they are not issued a Hunter License and lead relatively ordinary social lives.

“The government and the Hunter Management Bureau are excavating hunters to prevent future disasters and dangers. But in the past few months, there have been hunters who have shown remarkable results. We believe that these are hunters who have Re-Awakened.”

In the documents Hui-seong handed over, there were four other subjects besides Ha Do-heon who were being considered.

“Our Hunter Management Bureau needs strong hunters for the future of Korea. So we are looking for Re-Awakened hunters and conducting rank re-measurements. Ha Do-heon-ssi is one of those subjects.”

“Is it possible for someone not to know they’ve Re-Awakened?”

“That’s what we’re investigating. If the rank increase isn’t high, they may just think their condition has improved. So, we are requesting Hunter Ha Do-heon to undergo a rank re-measurement.”

Hui-seong took something out of his suit pocket and held it out. It was a device that looked similar to a cell phone, with a needle and a fingerprint reader at the end.

It was a simple rank measuring device. The measured rank was up to B-rank. If it was above B-rank, the device would sound a warning, otherwise, it would extract the normal rank.

“Would you like to try it? It’s not mandatory. But if you refuse now, the Hunter Management Bureau will summon Hunter Ha Do-heon again. Until you comply.”

“They’ll keep calling… well, I guess I have to do it.”

When Ha Do-heon readily held out his hand, Hui-seong, with a nervous look, grabbed the rank measuring device and turned it on. After putting on white cotton gloves, he grabbed Do-heon’s hand and brought it to the device.

“First, we will verify your identity through a fingerprint scan. After that, we will check the rank by injecting electricity into your blood. It may sting a little.”

Unlike his nonchalant appearance, a hurricane accompanied by thunder and lightning was brewing inside Ha Do-heon.

What if my rank comes out high? That wouldn’t do?

Ha Do-heon subtly put strength into his toes and lifted his butt 0.1mm to time his escape if necessary.

If a red light comes on, he’ll bolt before the warning sounds!

Even after becoming the Yakum Dungeon Boss, he believed without a doubt that his rank was B. Because he could only exert that much strength if he didn’t use his powers. But what if the rank was measured including Ha Do-heon’s Weird Cells?

Ha Do-heon couldn’t guarantee what would come out then. S-rank? Or higher?

“Fingerprint scan confirmed, it’s you.”

Immediately after, a needle like a lightning rod pierced the tip of Ha Do-heon’s finger.

The beads of blood that came out were sucked into the machine. Now that he looked at it, it seemed similar to a blood sugar meter. When the current flowing from the needle circulated through his body, Do-heon flinched without realizing it.

About 10 seconds passed, Hui-seong retrieved the machine and waited for the results. The loading continued on the screen, and after a while, the rank value appeared.

Ha Do-heon, who was putting strength into his toes, sensed something was wrong. Hui-seong, who was holding the machine, and Moon Tae-yi, who was leaning against the wall, also seemed to feel it, as they both turned their heads at the same time.

It was also when the guidance voice flowing from the machine was playing like BGM.

[Test results confirmed, B-rank.]

And then, crack-!

“Uh…”

A crack appeared on the wall, and the space above their heads became empty. Bright sunlight suddenly poured into the space where ivory-colored lights were softly shining. Even the blue sky was visible.

All three of them were busy staring blankly at the ceiling. Ha Do-heon even opened his mouth stupidly.

Why…? To me? Such…? A strange and bizarre thing…?

A building with a height of 45 floors, and they were in a space on the 16th floor. Something physically impossible happened before their eyes.

“…….”

“…….”

“…….”

The building, including the ceiling, had been torn in half! And what was visible in that blue, cloudless sky.

“Goodbye, everyone! No, wait! Oh, I misspoke!”

Seamless black tights. Blue pigtails. A fluttering short skirt mixed with yellow and red. A piece of cloth with a plunging neckline.

“Ahem! Hello, everyone! Did you look for me?”

It was some crazy perverted intruder holding a buzzing megaphone.

Ha Do-heon was so dumbfounded that he made the dumbest expression he had ever made in his life. He could hear the sound of his peaceful life fading away. He tried to cover his mouth with his hand, but it was no use.

That’s… me.

The magical girl pervert intruder who had turned the world upside down a few days ago. A man with Ha Do-heon’s transformed appearance, enshrined in the article, was standing in the air with his legs spread like a servant.

***

Wee-ooh, wee-ooh-!

Red lights flashed throughout the Hunter Management Bureau headquarters center. People who were sitting at their desks in the company and doing their work jumped down to the emergency exit, but sat down with a thud when they saw the neatly torn stairs.

“Ugh!”

“Ah!”

“Cough!”

The people who were coming down behind them also stopped like dominoes. People blinked their eyes and looked at each other at the unbelievable sight.

“Are we… in heaven?”

“A dream…?”

“…I, it’s a dream! It’s a dream!”

“Then I can fly, right? Huh? Should I jump off?”

“Stop that crazy bastard!”

A building with a height of 45 floors was torn in the middle as if cut with a knife and floating in the air. Citizens of modern society addicted to social media were already in a trance, holding their cell phones and filming videos nearby.

In the middle of it, the crazy pigtail pervert intruder floating in the air proudly put his hands on his waist and puffed up his chest like a chicken.

“Ahem! Hello, everyone! Did you look for me?”

The voice coming through the megaphone was a fairly thick male voice. However, the tone of voice, which did not match the voice at all, left a strong sense of alienation. The tone of voice that slightly scratched people’s nerves to the point where it seemed intentional was reminiscent of a naughty 5 year old.

“Then you should catch me~? Why are you arresting and interrogating innocent people while leaving me alone?”

Hunters who had already received emergency dispatch orders were swarming around the Hunter Management Bureau. Among them were hunters with guns and arrows, who took positions in the opposite building and aimed at the intruder.

“Oh, oh, I’m going to be upset if you do this! I’m going to be very upset! Yes, I’ve appeared in person! I’m Taylor Sun, the apostle of justice!”