Chapter 135: Why Do Hunters Have to Do This Too (2)

“Now heading up. Team Leader, is Hunter Jin Seong-ha here?”

“Yes. Probably filming in the training room. Ion Hunter is calm. Hong In-soo was ecstatic.”

“That guy… yeah. Yesterday he posted face-pack photos in the private chat. Been getting skin treatments for days—crew, take good care of him.”

“Hahaha, close friends? Hong In-soo Hunter mentioned Ion Hunter a lot. Can I see that private chat?”

Nothing weird, so Ion gladly showed and left.

Ion’s fame meant cameras followed instantly. He adjusted Sanse various angles and headed to training room.

“Hey, Ion’s here!”

“Ah, kid arrived.”

“The one who just arrived is the plant lov—plant enthusiast we mentioned. With Jin Seong-ha Hunter, indispensable ace of our team.”

Training room was noisy.

Horizon offered many benefits: game room, nap room, massage room, library. Yet all Special Team 1 crammed into training room.

Most shirtless or sleeveless, working out. Guild members and mercenaries alike—each with cameras attached…

Really… where did they gather these people…

Ion admired the increasingly trivial Special Team 1 members.

Highlight:

“Kekeke… this is my skill. Dark Shadow—I call it Shadow of Darkness…”

Hong In-soo wrapped in black shadows like Dracula’s cape.

He never used shadows as clothes before—definitely imitating Bran.

Thought Bran looked cool…

Posing variously, Hong In-soo spotted Ion and approached.

“Hey, Ion. You look total student like this. Didn’t fake your age? Why so young-looking.”

“We’re one year apart.”

“Our Ion’s head really small and round.”

“Hyung, how will you handle after filming ends?”

“…”

Hong In-soo removed hand.

“Where’s Jin Seong-ha Hunter? Need him.”

“Dunno. Missing for a while—crew put out APB.”

Ion searched training room—no sign. Crew looking too.

Munchkin hiding on purpose—who could find?

Ion released mana.

Secretly opened emergency exit—found Jin Seong-ha resting, watching Ppuru’s cuteness #7.

“Oh, Leader. You’re here.”

“Hunter Jin Seong-ha. Need to check Haidian-ssi’s mirror.”

“Hm? Now? Here? Suddenly?”

“Open area—someone might come. Move.”

Ion grabbed Jin Seong-ha’s wrist; he followed obediently. Only empty space: locker room—dragged him in, locked door.

Unaware cameras caught it.

Last night, Ion used one-use communication item, so checked Bran with Sage’s Mirror.

Bran side: not serious/heavy atmosphere.

Rather peaceful.

Bran getting nagged by familiar subordinates in book-filled place; Baba rolling around nearby.

“Rolling?”

“Yes. Totally round. Like kids gaining weight after countryside visit—plump and chubby. Squeeze and super squishy.”

Ion mimed squeezing round thing unconsciously. Ppuru tilted head, flew into his hand.

Ppuru?

Ion kneaded Ppuru—wide-eyed “called me?”—and continued.

“Anyway, Bran and Baba fine—no big issues. Need Haidian-ssi’s mirror.”

“Yeah… but why suddenly check Idea? You were quiet about it. Talked fine with Aide Dam.”

Because Apostle wasn’t watching Jin Seong-ha while he talked about it.

Couldn’t say that. Apostle might watch now.

“Just missed them.”

“Hm… you really have feelings for Aide Dam.”

“Stop nonsense—hurry.”

Jin Seong-ha chuckled briefly, pulled Sage’s Mirror from inventory.

Mirror rippled—third-person view of Haidian.

Haidian drinking…

Face flushed, clinking glasses with opponents: Sara and Sieg. Table full of bottles—smelled like alcohol even here.

“No Aide Dam.”

“Yeah.”

Probably defeated by alcohol-saurus trio, collapsed somewhere.

If casually drinking, no major issue—relief.

Then Sara paused, looked up—directly here, said something.

“‘Haidian, someone watching you?’”

Sara sensing gaze on another—Jin Seong-ha lip-reading: expected from <Hunter and Hero> second protagonist.

“When did you learn Idea language?”

“Studying lately. Aide Dam left textbook.”

Said casually. Idea language not learnable from one book.

Sara greeted: “Earth people? Hello~”

“Stop translating.”

Jin Seong-ha waved despite not visible through mirror.

Two protagonists’ first meeting—quite anticlimactic.

Seeing bright smiles—nothing serious, relief.

“So, reassured now?”

“Yes. Wasted one mirror use each.”

“But relieved. Better than anxious.”

Jin Seong-ha flicked Sanse leaf.

“Dressed up pretty for cameras today.”

Ion’s lips curved up.

“Ppuru’s tail ribbon cute too.”

Good mood—Ion gladly praised Ppuru.

Exchanging pet plant/monster compliments—harmonious—left locker room.

Cameras right outside—Ion startled. Not one or two.

Hope no sound leaked…

Far away, Hong In-soo glared betrayal. Even more suspicious. Crew behind cameras asked,

“You two… locked in locker room—what were you doing…”

“Just work talk.”

“Why Jin Seong-ha Hunter smiling so… handsomely.”

“Ah, Leader Ion rarely praises Ppuru—called it cute.”

Ppuru.

“Ppuru really cute today?”

“Y-Yes, cute. You two originally close?”

“Trying to get close. Ppuru, cuteness #6.”

Ppurut!

Jin Seong-ha started Ppuru show—crew tied up long.

Ion slipped away; Hong In-soo stuck beside.

“Hey, really just work talk in there?”

Cameras following—couldn’t shoo.

“Yes.”

“What about me? To me? To sidekick? Why no work talk to sidekick?”

That betrayal feeling.

Cameras attached—couldn’t dismiss.

Sigh.

Ion adjusted Sanse for best angle, sighed.

Filming continued—chaos.

SWISH!

“What—chain?”

“Ah, my skill. Thirsty. Haha.”

Someone used skill for water.

FWOOSH!

“Suddenly flames from body?”

“Ah, my skill. Towel far. Ahaha.”

Someone evaporated sweat with skill.

VMMM!

“Suddenly floating!”

“Ah, my skill. Too lazy to walk. Hehe.”

Someone used levitation.

Everyone is showing off to cameras.

“Everyone… don’t overdo for filming—act normal.”

Lee Jin-ah couldn’t watch, but

“What do you mean, Team Leader. We always train. Ah… want to get stronger fast to save more lives…”

“Hunter and training inseparable. Horizon facilities perfect. Long live Aide Dam.”

Just that.

Ion overheard crew packing after filming.

“Thought A-rank+ dungeon team would be grim/scary—didn’t expect so trivia—human.”

“Right. Just ordinary people around us. Similar age—feel like friends.”

“Hong In-soo and Ion Leader younger than my daughter. Ugh. Those kids entering dangerous dungeons…”

Any way to Seoul works. Feeling closeness from triviality.

Crew left; Lee Jin-ah gathered team.

For next day’s rescue operation.

New hunter law passed quickly while Ion in Idea: mandatory rescue cooperation with teams biannually.

Hunters: monster/giant killers. Cruel job requiring quick kills.

Broadly, part of saving lives. But nearly 2 years only killing—some forgot.

Defined self as “monster killers” not “people savers.”

Law to remind: “Your purpose isn’t killing monsters but saving people. You have a people-saving job.”

No jail for noncompliance.

Horizon/D-NATE felt need, complied willingly; Unimbara announced no separate rescue time—citing training shortage.

Ion knew real reason.

Group wanting awakener-only paradise—obvious.

Still accepted emergency requests.

Wendy Lowell’s awakening ampoule incomplete.

Once complete—watch people burn, drown, trapped without helping.

Special Team 1’s turn approached; paired, scattered nationwide.

“Last pair: Jin Seong-ha, Ion. Area: Seoul.”

“Oh, we’re Seoul. Close—lucky.”

Ion forehead-palmed.

Not exaggeration—faced Jin Seong-ha daily since Earth return.

Next week Idea connection dungeon.

Even more together after—grim.

“Why do hunters have to do this…”

Sigh escaped.