Chapter 134: Why Do Hunters Have to Do This Too (1)

The topic returned to the memoir.

“The most immediate is ‘Celestial Lost Child Returns Home,’ right?”

Three pairs of eyes turned to Ion.

“Why look at me? Why me? It’s not about me. I’m just mixed-blood like the Holy See—no lost child.”

“How can you be sure?”

“The lost child went missing 18 years ago—as a newborn.”

“…”

“I’m twenty. Wasn’t a newborn 18 years ago.”

“…Ah.”

“I’m twenty. Turning twenty-one soon.”

“I see.”

Ion glared; Jin Seong-ha and Sa-on exchanged glances. Ion disliked that exchange immensely.

“Well. Whether you’re the lost child or not, safe return home isn’t bad news. Next item.”

They discussed memoir keywords, occasionally glancing at Ion—hoping for hints like during Apostle reasoning. But Ion knew nothing beyond this.

As conversation wound down, Se-on timidly raised his hand.

He’d been quiet since Sa-on’s “shut up, Eye Se-on.”

Ion gave him attention.

“Se-on, speak if you have something.”

“W-why… until recently Yeo-on didn’t awaken… am I the only one curious? We all awakened simultaneously on Cataclysm day. Why… why only Yeo-on now, and with System Age help…”

“What’s to be curious? Just a dumb f*ck.”

Ion flinched. Sa-on, usually sensitive around Ion, was too busy mocking to notice.

“Fed with spoon still couldn’t eat—moron. Should’ve stayed dropped. Unqualified trash whines and finally gets telekinesis—now acting arrogant. If our On-on seriously fought, dropout’s skill would be crushed instantly. Right, On-on?”

Ion—now “spoon-fed moron unqualified trash dropout”—glared at Sa-on.

Huh? Sa-on tilted head.

“Why those eyes? Why mad? Because I badmouthed Dam Yeo-on? But he really is the dropout who couldn’t eat Breeder’s prepared meal…”

“Hey, Ason—when’s Guild Master On-il coming back?”

Jin Seong-ha cut Sa-on off, changing topic.

“…Dunno. Said before SS-rank dungeon.”

Sa-on frowned but answered obediently.

More deference to power? Or thinking it’s Jin Seong-ha, must have reason.

Ion grateful—and curious.

Guy who ignored even Il-on listens to Jin Seong-ha.

Ion grew curious what happened while he was in Idea.

Leaving villa, Sa-on said,

“On-on, let’s eat. Noona’s away too long—I eat alone every day. Boring and lonely.”

“Bullshit. I see news of D-NATE Ason partying day and night.”

“Hey, party and meal different.”

Sa-on grinned sleazily, arm over shoulder.

“Let’s have dinner. Hyung treats.”

Ion shifted Sanse, dodging arm. Before refusing, Jin Seong-ha interjected,

“Leader ate recently—probably not hungry. We ate near villa.”

Sa-on blinked rapidly, tilted head.

“Ate together?”

“Yes, just us two.”

“Just two…?”

“W-we went to cafeteria a f-few times too.”

At Se-on’s words, Sa-on narrowed eyes.

“Cafeteria, few times, together…?”

Sa-on parroted. Rare for the sleazy guy to glitch—Ion felt oddly satisfied without knowing why.

“Yeah. How does Hand Team Leader know?”

“J-Jin Seong-ha Hunter and Ion… famous in guild…”

“Next time Hand Team Leader join us.”

“Hiiik, n-no. Hate it. I’ll eat alone. Please…!”

Se-on nearly seized up and fled.

“Oops. Joke.”

“I-I’m going. See you later, Ion…”

Se-on hurried off.

“Eating together—good change. Positive sign. Old you would’ve raged ‘how dare share table with protagonist.’”

“Picking fight?”

“No. Really touched. Let’s eat later. Go safely.”

Sa-on waved lazily. Then—body collapsed.

<Shell> again.

Doubted if he ever used real body.

Jin Seong-ha unfazed—knew the skill.

Ion didn’t bring car—rode Jin Seong-ha’s.

“Back seat. I’ll drive you home safely.”

“Yes, please.”

Ion hugged Sanse and sat back.

Ppuru.

Ppuru flew to Jin Seong-ha’s shoulder.

“Thanks for behaving, Ppuru. Good, obedient Ppuru.”

Ppuru!

Despite soil on clothes, Jin Seong-ha doted heavily.

Baba would’ve been even better behaved.

Car started smoothly. Jin Seong-ha offered music—Ion declined, asked lingering question.

“When did you get close with Sa-on?”

“Look close?”

“You changed topic—he let it go. With his personality, he’d mock for an hour—swallowed anger.”

“Well. Got closer badmouthing someone each meeting. Common enemy bonds people.”

Ion frowned.

View on Teacher changed somewhat… still disliked “common enemy.”

“Stop badmouthing Teacher. You know now—he was just commanded Breeder…”

“Why assume Teacher? Could be cursing you.”

Ion, cheek buried in Sanse leaves, lifted head. Then bluntly,

“He doesn’t curse me.”

“…Deep sibling love.”

Sibling love my ass. Ion knew why Sa-on didn’t curse him—not love.

Sa-on pities me.

Incomprehensible to Ion, but orphans pitied him. Se-on least; others flustered—sorry and pitiful seeing Ion.

Grew up same—why only him pitied? Still didn’t understand.

No, not same circumstances.

Without even “supposed magic,” enduring harsh training—others far more pitiful.

Unfortunate… pitiful guys.

.

.

.

Arrived home soon.

Preparing to get out—Jin Seong-ha’s phone buzzed. He checked, smiled.

“Tomorrow will be fun.”

“Tomorrow?”

Ding.

Ion’s phone too.

[Team Leader Lee Jin-ah] Cameras all day tomorrow. Just informed. Mask if you want—prepare before site.

Ah, tomorrow that day.

Why do hunters have to do this…

Sigh escaped.

[Hong In-soo] Yo must enter main gate, greet cameras well [Hong In-soo] People looking for you tons lol [Hong In-soo] Wearing clothes I gave? Check outfit—no wrinkles!

Public exposure video—outfit mattered.

Ion meticulously wiped each long Sansevieria leaf.

“No dust. When did you tidy so well? So pretty.”

“…”

“Long time no accessory. Too pretty, our Sanse.”

Ion carefully placed two miniature ladybugs on leaves.

Bright green leaves with cute red ladybugs—adorable, pretty, lovable.

“Cameras will only shoot Sanse. Why so pretty. Should’ve been moderately pretty.”

“…”

Ion rarely took photos—but couldn’t resist Sanse’s look. Click, click, click. Over ten angles.

Then got out.

“Ah, right.”

Click.

Returned, put on hat, mask, horn-rimmed glasses. Mask too much—chose normal disguise.

Still think this is wrong.

While Ion in Idea, Horizon’s public support department sought ways to boost public intimacy/trust.

One: increase hunter exposure.

Even uninterested people feel closer seeing someone constantly in media.

At least only outside dungeons.

Inside too graphic/cruel—strictly banned filming.

So film hunters’ off-days. Broadcast hunters’ holidays.

Horizon raiders including byproduct teams ~300.

Five main attack teams for A-rank+: Special Team 1, Astro, Pegasus, Firepath, Hatch.

After Pegasus and Firepath, Special Team 1’s turn.

Ion heard from Da-on before exiting Idea–Earth connection dungeon.

Awakeners aren’t idols… why need public intimacy?

“Ion, last-last month two Astro died, last month three collection team. Many mourned… but I want public to mourn awakeners’ deaths deeper. Feel big shock/loss, remember long.”

Da-on smiled bitterly.

“We couldn’t mourn before. Couldn’t grieve much, had to forget fast. Didn’t grieve much, forgot easily. I think… partly that human’s fault, but because we weren’t close. If public closer to hunters, they’ll mourn deaths more realistically—like losing someone close.”

Then Ion felt madness from Da-on, but her push made Special Team 1 film for days.

“Ah, here they come. Introducing Leader Ion. You all know him.”

At main gate, Team Leader Lee Jin-ah waited with cameras.

External crew non-awakeners—excited. Cameras rolling—Ion kept mask down.

Explained filming training, bonding, emergency rescues off-duty, personal interviews—Ion smiled and greeted.

“Yes, full cooperation. Pleasure.”

Then proudly readjusted Sanse. Cameras shot Sanse.

“Ah… this plant—the companion Sansevieria. Team members talked a lot.”

“What’d they say? Super pretty, obedient, listens well, smart?”

“Uh… many good things. Haha.”

“Pet it. Loves people. No poison, smooth.”

“Ah… yes.”

Crew awkwardly petted Sanse. Ion generously let everyone pet once.