Chapter 136: Unknown Trauma (1)

The next day, Ion stepped out of the car, cradling Sanse in his arms.

“Commander, you’ve… arrived.”

Jin Seong-ha, who had been preparing his greeting since he first spotted Ion’s car, paused mid-sentence. Ion looked up at him, quietly waiting for whatever would come next. Jin Seong-ha broke into a charming smile.

“You really put effort into the styling today. It’s very pretty and cute.”

He was referring to Sanse, which was now decked out with ladybug accessories, transparent dew drops, and colorful miniature mushroom props. Ion had personally visited a shop selling terrarium decor to engage in some “San-ggu” (Sanse-decorating). He had never really had a reason to spend the money he earned before… but lately, he was discovering the joy of shopping.

“Sanse is naturally beautiful, so anything I put on it looks good.”

“I see. We should get a couple-item for Sanse and Purre sometime. Our Purre is wearing new clothes today, too.”

Purrung!

Purre was wearing a knitted outfit that was clearly handmade. Perhaps because of a Christmas theme, a small Rudolph corsage was pinned to its chest. Since Ion had received a compliment for Sanse, he readily returned the favor for Purre.

“It’s cute. The size is a perfect fit. Where did you get something like this?”

“A fan gave it to me as a gift. They are very grateful people.”

“A fan?”

“Yeah, my fan club. Haven’t you heard of ‘Sarand-Hani’? They said it’s a combination of ‘I love you’ (Sarang-hae) and the last syllable of my name.”

“What kind of hunter has a fan club? You’re not a celebrity.”

“You probably have a fan club too. Tell your guild to manage it.”

As Jin Seong-ha spoke, he suddenly raised his hand. Ion’s eyes followed the large hand as it rose. It landed gently on Ion’s head.

“Your hair is sticking up.”

Rubs.

Jin Seong-ha lightly tousled the crown and the back of Ion’s head before walking ahead. It was an unexpected touch.

‘What was that? Did he just… pet my head?’

Ion froze for a moment, loading up a barrage of curses in his mind before hurrying after him.

“Oh my! Welcome, Horizon Hunters!”

Because the Director of the Central 119 Rescue Headquarters was already there at the parking lot to greet them, Ion missed his chance to swear. The Director was a middle-aged man older than both of them, and he was exceptionally polite and formal.

“The Awakened team at headquarters is outside my direct control. I’ve spoken to them, but there may be team members who harbor some resentment. It’s only for a few days, so please bear with it.”

“You mean they harbor resentment toward us?”

“Yes, Hunter Jin Seong-ha. Unfortunately, there is a widespread perception that lifesaving is a career path for Awakened whose stats are too low to raid dungeons… even though that isn’t the reality.”

The Director added that it was a sad reality, as these were actually Awakened who had given up high salaries to become rescuers and save people.

“I understand. Occupations that involve frequent contact with people are often undervalued. Commander Ion, did you hear that? Even if they pick a fight, let’s just tolerate it.”

“Don’t you start picking fights with me.”

“When did I ever pick a fight with you, Commander?”

“You touched my head.”

“How is fixing your messy hair picking a fight? That’s a very stingy standard.”

Jin Seong-ha moved on. Ion couldn’t say more because the Director was watching them with a strangely satisfied expression, so he just followed behind. A few moments later.

“Whoa~ the celebrities have finally arrived.”

“Hey, Team Leader Ma. I told you not to pick fights.”

“How is this picking a fight? Is calling a celebrity a celebrity an insult? Director, are you disparaging the celebrity profession?”

“It’s not disparagement… Team Leader Ma. These people aren’t celebrities; they are Hunters.”

“Hunters, my foot. There’s even a coffee truck out there asking us to take good care of ‘our Hunter.’ What is that if not a celebrity? And that one over there has his face completely wrapped up. A person needing rescue would sure feel relieved seeing that face. It’s obvious you don’t give a damn about lifesaving. You’re just here because the higher-ups forced you.”

One of the rescue team members immediately showed hostility the moment they met. He was likely the “resentful team member” the Director had mentioned.

C-Rank Awakened. Name: Ma Seo-jin. Age: 50s.

Recalling the profile the Director had given, Ion poked his head out from behind Jin Seong-ha’s broad back, which was currently blocking his view.

“Stop it. They’re here to help us… I’m sorry, Hunters.”

“It’s fine, haha.”

“Director, why are you bowing and scraping? We’re the ones doing the legwork on-site… dammit.”

Graying hair. A thick, heavy build. Hands like iron lids and thick forearms.

Ma Seo-jin was a middle-aged man with a considerably large and sturdy physique.

“Sigh, I can’t leave this alone. Team Leader Ma, a word with me.”

“Ah, what? Say it here.”

“I said follow me!”

The Director led Ma Seo-jin away, seemingly intending to give him a sharp warning. Once the Director left, the other team members, who had been testing the waters, swarmed forward.

“Hunter Jin Seong-ha! Wow, you look even better in person. Can we take a photo together? Ah, don’t mind our Team Leader. He’s always disliked Hunters.”

“I was excited when I heard it was the Horizon Guild, but I didn’t expect the two most famous people to show up. It’s an honor. Hahaha.”

“The honor is ours, getting to meet a rescue team with such a stellar reputation. We look forward to working with you for the next four days.”

While Jin Seong-ha exchanged warm greetings with the rescue team, Ion remained silent. Feeling a tingling sensation in his fingers, he readjusted his grip on Sanse.

“Commander, you should say hello…”

Jin Seong-ha approached with a smile, but his expression stiffened strangely when he saw Ion clutching Sanse with both arms.

“Ion, what’s wrong?”

“What do you mean?”

“……”

Jin Seong-ha stood in front of Ion, his large frame blocking him from the others’ view. After shielding him from their sight, he raised his hand.

“What? Are you going to touch my head again?”

“No, just… let me check something.”

Jin Seong-ha pulled back one side of Ion’s mask from his ear.

“……”

“……?”

A faint crease appeared between Jin Seong-ha’s brows after confirming Ion’s face. Ion was puzzled.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“…Your expression isn’t good.”

“What… did you expect me to be grinning like an idiot behind the mask?”

“No, that’s not what I meant. It’s just that you look exactly like a squirrel that’s run into a hawk…”

Jin Seong-ha sighed mid-sentence.

“Were you that upset by what the Team Leader said earlier? Let’s just endure it for a few days.”

“I’m not upset. He was right anyway.”

Tack. Ion brushed Jin Seong-ha’s hand away and put his mask back on properly.

“He was right?”

“Yes. You might be different, but I don’t care about lifesaving. I’m only here because I was told to be.”

“You, not caring about saving people? I thought we had reached a point where we knew everything about each other, but you’re still not being honest.”

“Can you please stop looking at me like that? I’m not that kind of person.”

“How exactly am I looking at you?”

Like he was looking at a righteous yet dishonest young hero who raided rural dungeons for cheap. How long did he plan to push that incorrect interpretation?

As Ion let out a sigh, Jin Seong-ha gave a low laugh. However, his eyes remained tense. Ion thought Jin Seong-ha was being strange, but in truth, it was Jin Seong-ha who found Ion’s behavior odd.

‘He doesn’t seem to realize it himself.’

Ion was trembling slightly, and his hands were cold. He was hugging Sanse as if it were a literal lifeline, his vigilance cranked to the maximum. He looked like someone who had come face-to-face with something terrifying—it was truly bizarre.

Purrung?

It was odd enough that even Purre tilted its head in confusion.

‘He should be used to being criticized…’

If he asked why Ion was scared, he knew the response would be a defensive “Me? I’m scared? What nonsense are you talking about?” so he didn’t ask. The problem was that Ion’s strange behavior continued after that.

Work proceeded smoothly without any major incidents, aside from snow removal and rescuing three or four pedestrians who had slipped on icy roads. Team Leader Ma, who had been picking on the two, was also an Awakened with a super-strength skill and proved to be a highly capable rescuer. Despite his blunt personality, it was clear he tried his best to be kind to those needing help. His expression distorted slightly when civilians recognized Jin Seong-ha and asked for autographs or photos, but he didn’t show any more personal feelings in front of them.

“Hey, you two Hunters! Hurry up and turn the heating items!”

“What are those Hunters doing, being so sluggish!”

“You Hunters over there, you’re in the way, so just stay in the corner!”

Team Leader Ma was prickly only toward Jin Seong-ha and Ion. In fact, for Jin Seong-ha, who had survived countless brushes with death, this level of prickliness was almost cute. He wasn’t trying to rip their throats out or control their minds… this was something he could easily laugh off.

‘The problem is Ion.’

Every time Team Leader Ma raised his voice, Ion would flinch. It was manageable when he shouted from a distance, but if he even stepped closer, Ion would bite his lip nervously. If he were wearing a mask, his expression wouldn’t be visible, but since they were indoors, Ion hadn’t covered his face, making his reactions clear. Of course, it was a subtle change that only someone watching closely would notice.

“Hunter Ion looks so cute, but he’s incredibly stoic. My daughter is about the same age as him, and she practically doubles over laughing just seeing a leaf roll by.”

“Your daughter is a high schooler. Hunter Ion is an adult. Compare things that are comparable.”

“Ah, is that so? Will my daughter become that indifferent in two years? That’s a bit sad.”

The rescue team didn’t realize that Ion was having an abnormal reaction to Team Leader Ma.

‘The one who noticed is me, and…’

“Hey, Hunters!”

Team Leader Ma called out to Jin Seong-ha and Ion, who had just returned from a meal. Holding some documents, he approached them rapidly. Since he was such a large man, the hallway practically thundered.

Purrung…

Purre, who was very shy around strangers, ducked inside Jin Seong-ha’s coat.

“……”

Ion also tensed up, looking up at Team Leader Ma.

“Fill this out and submit it by today. It’s mandatory for Hunters.”

As Team Leader Ma held out the documents, Ion flinched and subtly hid Sansevieria behind Jin Seong-ha.

“Yes, we’ll fill it out and give it to you right away.”

Jin Seong-ha took the documents. Team Leader Ma glared at Ion with his bulging eyes.

“No, but, dammit, why do you keep—”

Flinch.

“I mean, what did I even do…!”

Gnaw, gnaw. (Ion biting his lip).

“I said, why—!”

Team Leader Ma raised his hand. Startled, Ion thrust Sanse into Jin Seong-ha’s arms and pushed Jin Seong-ha behind him.

“……Sigh, this is driving me crazy.”

Team Leader Ma tousled his own hair with his large, lid-like hand and let out a deep sigh. That was it. He, too, had noticed Ion’s strange reaction. The bizarre phenomenon of an S-rank Hunter being afraid of a C-rank Awakened was happening.

Team Leader Ma simply scratched his head and walked away. Ion’s shoulders, which had been stiff with tension, relaxed visibly.

Purrung……

Once Team Leader Ma was gone, Purre crawled back out. Jin Seong-ha stroked Purre to comfort it. Then, he contemplated whether he should stroke Commander Ion to comfort him as well. Jin Seong-ha raised his hand. Ion furrowed his brows and stared at the hand. His gaze asked what he was doing.

“Hmm.”

As expected, he wasn’t afraid of me. A gaze of trust.

‘This is a bit of a problem.’

Jin Seong-ha lightly patted Ion’s head. Ion was so annoyed by the touch that he didn’t see the smile on Jin Seong-ha’s lips.

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