Chapter 138: The Relentless Invitation

“Good morning, Hunter Seong Ji-woo. I’m Kim Seong-chan, a new employee from the Hunter Association’s Hunter Management Department.”

From the stiff shirt that looked freshly ironed that very morning, to the awkwardly styled hair and oversized leather bag—he was the textbook image of a rookie employee.

Even his rigid, overly disciplined manner of speaking made anyone listening tense. It was perfection in the most painfully new hire way possible.

Which was exactly why Seong Ji-woo couldn’t bring himself to kick him out.

If it had been a more seasoned staff member, he could’ve sent them away with far less guilt. But this man was practically wearing a sign that said “I’m new here.” His mouth simply wouldn’t open.

He’d entered the workforce only a little earlier himself, but he didn’t want to be the cause of a rookie’s harsh first experience—especially not when it came to something like this.

“…Does the Hunter Management Department usually handle the awards ceremony?”

Instead of getting to the point, Seong Ji-woo asked a question he wasn’t particularly curious about.

“Oh, no. The ceremony itself is handled by a separate department. It’s held once a year, but since it’s one of the Association’s major events, there’s a dedicated team for it. Around this time of year, they get swamped, so invitation delivery and attendance lists are handled by our department.”

Kim Seong-chan rattled off even unnecessary information as he sat upright on the chair Seong Ji-woo had offered him. His hands were neatly folded atop his knees.

Even during Gwangmyeong Guild interviews, Seong Ji-woo hadn’t seen anyone this nervous.

…No, wait. Lee Won-jae had been exactly like this.

The image of Won-jae began to overlap with Kim Seong-chan’s, and from that moment on, Seong Ji-woo found it even harder to dismiss him.

“I, um… I heard that Hunter Yoo Hee-ro is also staying at the hospital with you.”

Kim Seong-chan glanced conspicuously around the room before carefully broaching the subject. Seong Ji-woo gave a small “Ah,” and answered.

“He stepped out for a bit.”

He’d only just managed to coax Yoo Hee-ro into going to the general store. The man had been trying to stay glued to the hospital all day, and Seong Ji-woo had worried customers might start thinking the shop had gone out of business.

Yoo Hee-ro wasn’t exactly cut out for retail, so Seong Ji-woo hadn’t asked him for much—just to tidy up inventory so he could reopen as soon as he got back. Gamju-an had apparently been helping out now and then anyway, so there wasn’t much for him to do.

Originally, Seong Ji-woo had planned to enjoy a rare stretch of solitude in peace.

Instead, an unexpected rookie visitor had gifted him a headache.

He regretted sending Yoo Hee-ro away. Sure, Hee-ro tended to act like a brick wall toward everyone except him, which could be frustrating—but in moments like this, it was incredibly useful.

“Would you like some coffee?”

In the end, Seong Ji-woo climbed out of bed and pulled a bottle of cold brew from the fridge. It was a gift left behind by Chae Min-jeong.

“Ah, thank you.”

When their hands brushed briefly as he passed it over, Seong Ji-woo felt how drenched with sweat Kim Seong-chan’s hand was. His hands were shaking so badly that Seong Ji-woo worried he might spill it.

“Th-this is… not much, but… a get-well gift…”

“…Thank you.”

Kim Seong-chan offered up the fruit basket he’d set on the floor. Seong Ji-woo hesitated, considering refusing, but decided it’d be cruel to make him carry it back. He placed it on top of a drawer instead.

“….”

Kim Seong-chan stared blankly until Seong Ji-woo finished setting it down. When he still didn’t seem inclined to speak, Seong Ji-woo finally lost patience.

“So, what brings you here?”

“A-ah! Th-that is… unless you have a special reason not to, we were hoping you might consider attending this year’s awards ceremony… I came to make a small suggestion.”

“A small one? Not pressure?”

“Uh….”

At the sharp response, Kim Seong-chan’s face flushed with panic. His eyes darted around before his mouth drooped.

“If… if it came across that way, I’d like to apologize first—”

“I’m not blaming you, Mr. Kim. It’s the Association’s stance anyway, right? I don’t have any personal resentment.”

“Ah—yes, yes! I understand. Given the recent incident, things are… complicated. We’re well aware that many hunters may feel uncomfortable with the Association. That’s why we’re doing our best to restore trust between hunters and the Association, and we believe this awards ceremony will be the place to prove that effort.”

It was obvious he’d memorized someone else’s script. His breathing was all wrong, and by the end he was practically holding his breath while rushing through it. Seong Ji-woo found himself forgetting to breathe along with him.

“…I see.”

“Yes!”

“Understood.”

“…Then does that mean you’ll attend?”

Hope bloomed across Kim Seong-chan’s face. But Seong Ji-woo smiled gently and shook his head.

“No. It’s a transparent proposal. I don’t feel like playing along.”

“…Pardon? Did I say something wrong…?”

“It’s not you. What the Association wants to recover isn’t the hunters’ trust—it’s the public’s. You want to put hunters on display, praise their achievements, and quietly ride along on their accomplishments. And this year, Yoo Hee-ro is the one who prepared the biggest feast.”

“……”

“If Yoo Hee-ro appears friendly toward the Association, public trust will recover instantly. Then you can neatly cut off the stigma left behind by the former chairman and pretend you’re a brand-new, purified Association.”

“……”

He’d said out loud all the things he’d deliberately avoided mentioning in front of Yoo Hee-ro. His refusal hadn’t been simple annoyance—it was layered with reasons.

“Do you have anything else to say?”

“…No.”

“Then feel free to stay as long as you like.”

Seong Ji-woo climbed back onto the bed and sent Yoo Hee-ro a message asking when he’d be back. Fatigue had set in surprisingly fast.

“…I’ll come again tomorrow.”

After a long silence, Kim Seong-chan stood, clutching the unopened coffee with both hands. He bowed deeply toward Seong Ji-woo—who wasn’t even looking at him—and left the room.

True to his word, he returned the next day.

And was promptly intercepted by Yoo Hee-ro.

“Who are you?”

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“…Pardon?”

“I asked who you are.”

Brimming with hostility toward a stranger, Yoo Hee-ro turned his head and called out to Seong Ji-woo.

“It’s nothing.”

Just like that, Kim Seong-chan became nothing. He swallowed dryly.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Kim Seong-chan, a new employee from the Hunter Association’s Hunter Management Department. You’re Hunter Yoo Hee-ro, correct?”

“And?”

Yoo Hee-ro’s gaze sharpened further, scanning him coldly from head to toe.

Kim Seong-chan wasn’t an ability user—he couldn’t sense energy—but the pressure radiating from Yoo Hee-ro made it hard to breathe.

Knowing just how overwhelming Yoo Hee-ro’s abilities were, simply standing in front of him sent his nerves through the roof.

“We have nothing to discuss with the Association. I believe there was an agreement not to bring this up again unless I consented.”

“Ah—yes! I’ve been informed of that as well! I’m here today because… because of Hunter Seong Ji-woo’s attendance at the ceremony—”

“He already said he’s not going.”

“Yes! B-but… still… we really hope he’ll come.”

“Why?”

“…Pardon?”

“Why does my hyung need to go?”

Kim Seong-chan wanted to cry. Honestly, he’d never imagined he’d be stuck doing this.

He’d been thrilled when he checked the ‘Absent’ box next to Seong Ji-woo’s name and submitted it, thinking his job was done.

Then word came down that Hunter Yoo Hee-ro was also refusing—and suddenly upper management summoned him and ordered him to do whatever it took to get Seong Ji-woo to attend.

I have to do this… I have to survive this.

With determination blazing in his eyes, Kim Seong-chan spoke.

“The Association truly hopes you’ll attend!”

“I didn’t ask what you wanted.”

The response was icy.

Then, like a savior, a voice came from inside the hospital room.

“Come in.”

Grimacing, Yoo Hee-ro stepped aside just enough to let him pass. Kim Seong-chan slipped through the gap and entered the room like he’d been waiting for that invitation his entire life.

“I didn’t think you’d actually come back.”

“I said yesterday that I would!”

“Exactly. I thought you wouldn’t, after getting shut down that hard.”

Kim Seong-chan looked flustered. Seong Ji-woo wasn’t a savior—he was the final boss.

“…Are you planning to keep coming until I say yes?”

I don’t want to either…

Kim Seong-chan bit his lip.

“…Yes. Probably.”

“Don’t you have work to do?”

He couldn’t bring himself to admit that all his other tasks had been suspended because of these two.

“This… this is my work.”

“Haaah…”

Seong Ji-woo pressed his fingers to his forehead in irritation. Kim Seong-chan stood stiffly with his hands folded, like a student summoned to the faculty office.

After a long silence, Seong Ji-woo gestured to Yoo Hee-ro. He stepped closer immediately.

“What is it?”

“I really don’t want to go to the ceremony. But I want him coming back over and over even less.”

“…Should I throw him out and make sure he can’t come back?”

“No, that’s not what I meant…”

After sighing repeatedly, Seong Ji-woo clicked his tongue.

“I don’t think it’s right to keep making an innocent person run back and forth. It’s better to face them directly. We’ll go. Tell them we’re attending.”

Yoo Hee-ro accepted the decision without protest. Kim Seong-chan’s face lit up with pure joy.

“…Thank you so much! I’ll be in touch again! Please get some rest!”

And then he bolted from the room faster than anyone else ever had, clearly desperate to escape.

“Cowards, sending a low-level employee instead.”

“That’s the Association for you.”

“I’ll make sure to give them a piece of my mind.”

So they’d never try this again.

Seong Ji-woo absently tugged at the hem of Yoo Hee-ro’s sleeve.

The fact that Yoo Hee-ro was still nothing more than a convenient card to be played left a deeply unpleasant taste in his mouth.