Chapter 17: Character Interpretation

“This is a baby ‘Incon’ I brought from a dungeon. One month old, it eats bugs and grass. After observation with a monster tamer, it’s deemed non-threatening to humans, so I’ll bring it to future activities. No questions about it.”

Near the end of the Spec-1 Team formation press conference, Jin Seongha took Purr out of its carrier. In front of countless reporters and cameras, he announced he’d bring the monster along for future missions.

His bold demeanor stunned the reporters momentarily, but soon flashes blazed, and questions poured in despite his refusal to take them.

Thus, the Spec-1 Team formation and illusion dungeon issue were overshadowed.

For a while, debates over the ethics of keeping a pet monster would engulf Korea and the world.

Even Hunters who admired Jin Seongha were shocked: “Raising a monster? Is he crazy? He loves animals, but this is nuts!” The general public’s backlash was fiercer.

But there was no need to worry. Once Jin Seongha cleared the impending SS-rank dungeon overflow, his critics would be socially obliterated.

Purr would become the world’s cutest creature, with its own fan club.

Ion’s mind, however, was consumed not with pet monsters but with Jin Seongha’s character breakdown.

Jin Seongha hates people. He’s pretending to be righteous for some sinister plot.

Right after the press conference, Ion called Daon to a secluded spot behind the guild headquarters.

“What’s up? This urgent… I haven’t finished investigating the Hahoe mask. All I know is it’s a woman.”

“That’s not the issue. Jin Seongha’s breaking character.”

“Breaking character?”

Ion recounted his conversation with Jin Seongha word for word.

“…First, I didn’t tip him off about Moshi. I’ve barely talked to him. We need to look into this too,” Daon said.

“Another guild might’ve leaked future info to recruit him. Most foresight skill users are foreign, so check overseas.”

“Will do.”

“And look into mental manipulation skills—brainwashing, suggestion, memory distortion.”

“…You don’t need to worry about ‘character breakdown.’”

“What?”

“Jin Seongha isn’t breaking character. That’s his real personality.”

“…”

Ion’s eyes widened. Teacher’s warnings echoed in his mind.

“Ion, trust no one. Even Daon, your closest friend, will betray you someday. Not ‘likely’—she will. Only you can fulfill my wish. Trust only yourself.”

Ion stepped back, guarded. Daon’s expression turned bitter at his sudden hostility.

“I know what you’re thinking… Just hear me out.”

“Speak.”

“Jin Seongha hating people is Teacher’s interpretation. People interpret characters differently. Some see Shimcheong as an independent youth, others as a dutiful daughter.”

“…”

“I think Jin Seongha is righteous and kind. He loves animals most but cares for humans too. Think about when you broke into his house.”

What about that fight?

Seeing Ion’s confusion, Daon added, “Why did he use a practice wooden sword?”

“…”

“You attacked with skills, but he used a wooden sword. Because you looked too young.”

“…”

“He could’ve exposed you as S-rank in front of everyone but didn’t. He respected your secrecy. Instead of grabbing your collar, he offered a handshake and a proposal. That’s who he is.”

Ion wanted to argue but couldn’t find grounds. Evidence for Jin Seongha hating people? Nothing came to mind.

“You’re seeing him through Teacher’s lens. She flattened him into an animal-obsessed misanthrope and brainwashed us with it. But he’s not like that…”

“Don’t call Teacher’s teachings brainwashing.”

“Ion…”

Daon’s long, tied-back hair swayed. A purple aura surrounded her.

Her skill, <Sage’s Eye>, activated.

Vines sprouted around Ion instantly.

“I’m not attacking. Trust me this once.”

Daon spoke softly, gesturing. In her hand was a mirror shaped like a large eye, with geometric designs on its frame. It was dark, like closed eyelids.

“Take this. It fits in your inventory.”

“What is it?”

“A ‘Sage’s Mirror’ made with <Sage’s Eye>. Think of it as a portable clairvoyance device. I set it to show Jin Seongha. Take it… and see him with your own eyes, not Teacher’s.”

Ion alternated skeptical glances between the mirror and Daon.

Vines reached out, pulling the mirror closer. With arms crossed, Ion used the vines to inspect it. The black, eye-shaped surface didn’t look much like a mirror.

“Make it smaller. More portable.”

“It’s small already. I usually use one as big as that ginkgo tree.”

“You said I should see it.”

“…Fine. I’ll make it your size.”

The mirror shrank to a compact, palm-sized shape.

“You’ve been spying on him with this?”

“You won’t believe me, but this is my first time using it on him. It works once per person, four views total. I was saving it.”

“You’re giving me such a rare chance?”

“For my idol’s honor, I’ll sacrifice personal desires. That’s what a fan does.”

“…”

“Use it four times. See for yourself if he’s the misanthrope Teacher described or a kind soul.”

Daon spoke warmly, unbothered by losing her chance to spy on Jin Seongha. If it changed Ion’s view, that was enough.

Ion held the mirror, lost in thought.

[South Coast/D-rank, Uninhabited Island/Mercenaries Wanted

D-rank gate. 23 days since formation, no response from Association.

Mercenaries, please help. Two elderly people live on this ignored island.]

On a bus to the South Coast, Ion applied to a mercenary app listing. He was instantly selected.

Considering estimated clear times and distances, he applied for all 20+ day unraided gates along the coast, including some unranked by the Association.

He didn’t raid these for the “lifeline” reason Jin Seongha assumed.

If someone found materials for entering the Demon Realm, word would spread. Ion left competitive dungeons to others, focusing on ignored ones.

Jin Seongha, righteous? Nonsense. He’s a “human-hating human.” Teacher can’t be wrong.

The bus rattled. Ion rubbed his tired eyes and finally lifted the mirror. Privacy curtains allowed it.

Hope it’s not loud.

The black glass rippled, revealing a man.

Jin Seongha’s skills, mostly attack-focused except for five-element resistance, couldn’t block <Sage’s Eye>.

Daon said it wouldn’t work in dungeons, but luckily, he was home, sitting on a chewed-up leather sofa, staring at a laptop.

Dogs were at his feet and on his lap, cats on either side. Purr, playing atop a giant white dog, rubbed against it.

In the novel, Purr got along with Jin Seongha’s animals. Good to see that unchanged.

Whether Jin Seongha was a misanthrope or humanitarian, Ion would find out over time.

For days, the Association, Hunter Agency, and Horizon officials clashed. At the center were Purr and Jin Seongha.

“It’s a man-eating monster! Not a familiar Earth animal! If a monster killed my family, who’d welcome it as a pet?”

“Purr’s not threatening, as Jin Seongha said. It hasn’t harmed anyone. We don’t ban dogs because some bite. Times have changed. We must coexist with monsters.”

“Maybe someday, but not now. It’s only been a year since the cataclysm.”

“Next year, you’ll say it’s only two years, then three!”

“Guildmaster Ji Pyeongseop, ask anyone on the street. They’ve lost loved ones to monsters. Ask them about keeping a ‘cute’ monster. See what they say.”

Ji Pyeongseop nearly fainted when Jin Seongha first announced keeping a monster. Now, charmed by Purr, he defended it passionately.

Sadly, he was alone. Others showed fear, contempt, and disgust.

Purr initially bristled, trying to protect Jin Seongha from attacks. But sensing hostility, it shrank, from two fists to one, eventually staying in its carrier.

Jin Seongha, stressed from constant summonings, was visited by Choi Jungho for comfort.

“Ugh, why raise it and suffer when you could’ve dumped it?”

“Watch your words. Purr can hear.”

“It’s playing with Snowball, not listening… Wait, it doesn’t understand us anyway.”

“Purr’s smart. It memorized the Thousand-Character Classic in a week, the Three Confucian Classics in ten days, and multiplication tables in fifteen.”

“…Say something that makes sense, man.”