Chapter 9 : Intermission- A Class Hunter Agathe.

Hunter Association Headquarters, Seoul.

The safest and most expensive place in the Republic of Korea.
Dozens of veteran A-rank Hunters were always on standby, alongside all sorts of security equipment and weaponry.

Although the Association President himself was on Jeju Island, it wasn’t much of an issue since he was an S-rank Hunter.
Besides, if things reached a point where the President himself needed to fight, there would be no safe place left in Korea anyway.

As the place where A-rank Hunters could be seen most frequently in Korea, even those who were objects of awe elsewhere received relatively normal treatment here.

Therefore, quite a few A-rank Hunters actually visited the Association frequently.
Being an A-rank Hunter didn’t make one especially less stressed by others’ gazes.

Thus, the attention Agathe received at the Association was quite peculiar.

-Glance.

Every step she took drew the eyes of those around her.
Some were even staring openly.

This was partly due to Agathe’s accomplishments, but her status as a peerless beauty undoubtedly played a role.

Her flowing silver hair shimmered, reflecting light.

Her melancholy, gem-like blue eyes resembled those of a tragic heroine.
Considering her origins, this was actually true.

Her body’s curves were hidden because she wore loose-fitting clothes, disliking the attention, but her flawless, clear skin and unique aura were enough to draw admiration from people.
Enough to make her uncomfortable.

Agathe, visiting the Association’s Post-Processing Management Department, frowned slightly at the stares directed at her.

‘This is a little unpleasant.’

The only person allowed to tease me is Caspar, lying in his coffin.
Extending the range slightly, perhaps Enhen.

I fixed my gaze steadily on one man who was staring openly at my face.
It was a silent pressure telling him to stop.

It wasn’t something a mere B-rank Hunter like him could withstand.

“S-Sorry. I’m a fan. You’re Agathe-nim, right?”
*(TL Note: ‘-nim’ is a high-level honorific in Korean, often used for respected figures or deities.)*

Contrary to expectations, the apology was swift and polite.
Taking out paper to ask for an autograph was an added bonus.

“…Why?”

Speechless, I mumbled.
I could handle malice, but I wasn’t used to this kind of goodwill yet.

“Huh? Why, you ask?”

Leaving the bewildered man, I managed to utter some words.

“Um. I mean… I haven’t even been a Hunter for a month. You know me?”

I received an A-rank Hunter license, but it felt a bit like nepotism, so I shouldn’t be that well-known.

Besides, it’s only been about a month since I started operating on Earth.
A fan?

“Yes! Of course! You’re a Returnee, and the most famous A-rank Hunter these days.”

I didn’t specifically reveal I was a Returnee, how did he know?
No, actually, would it be stranger if he didn’t know?

A Korean openly using a foreign name, a person with no past history suddenly becoming an A-rank Hunter – it seems natural to assume I’m a Returnee.

“…Besides me. There’s the Association President too.”

“So I’m a fan of him too. It’s just that he’s incredibly hard to meet. Ah, but I still like you more, Agathe-nim. The only A-rank Hunter who uses a gun as their main weapon and actively saves citizens, isn’t that cool?”

My stomach churned.
I wasn’t someone worthy of such respect.

“…”

As I bit my lip slightly and remained silent, the man seemed to notice my displeasure, stepped back slightly, and apologized.

“Ah. I’m sorry if I made you uncomfortable.”

After roughly signing for the man who bowed his head apologetically and retreated, I spoke to the Post-Processing Management Department staff member.

She was one of the few Association staff members I knew.
The reason was simple: she was the staff member in charge of post-processing whenever I subjugated a Gate.

“Lee Yeonah. You received the subjugation record, right?”

“Yes. If you require any specific confidentiality, please let me know. If the attention bothers you, I will take measures.”

Only then did I notice the gazes of people looking at me with great anticipation.

Perhaps, I had become quite famous too.

“…Let’s move somewhere else first.”

This is too burdensome, I can’t stay here.

***

A short while later.

I had a brief consultation with Lee Yeonah while drinking a sweet chocolate latte.

The best thing about returning home was definitely this kind of thing.
Being able to eat food that tasted like food.

Thinking of my sister suffering in hell, I thought I’d never be able to touch it, but forcing myself to forget somehow worked out.

“…I don’t know. Is becoming famous bad?”

I meant it sincerely.

I lived for too long in a world with few people.
Back then, even meeting another living person was difficult.

It wasn’t a world developed with internet or social media, so it wasn’t that inconvenient even before the world fell apart.

Ah, of course, there were many inconveniences due to my appearance.
Lots of clueless guys hitting on me.

But isn’t that unavoidable even if I don’t work as a Hunter?

“On average, fame brings many benefits. However… considering the skill I’ve witnessed from you, Ms. Agathe, I believe you’re past the stage of being affected by such trivial matters.”

“Meaning?”

“You can just do as you please. Similar to the Association President.”

Hmm.

Popularity, popularity…

I briefly imagined myself receiving people’s praise and admiration.
Surprisingly, I felt nothing at all.

If Caspar or Enhen received such treatment, I would have been truly happy, but I myself didn’t want to receive such treatment.

It felt embarrassing, shameful even.

Should I say it feels like being praised just for drinking water?
It wasn’t even that difficult.
I felt that a blockhead like me, unable to do more important and difficult things, didn’t deserve such praise.

“So. It’s okay to go on Gate subjugations without letting people know, right?”

Lee Yeonah readily affirmed.

“Yes. We can announce it was subjugated under the name of the Special Task Force. People with high security clearance will know, but those people won’t bother you unnecessarily, Hunter Agathe-nim.”

Even after hearing that, I continued to ponder a bit longer.
Because Enhen liked being in the public eye.

When I bring Enhen back, and we live together on Earth, Enhen will surely become incredibly famous.
Shouldn’t I experience it beforehand then?

At that moment, a sudden curiosity arose.
What would happen if I searched my name on the internet?

-Tap tap tap.

Taking out my phone and searching briefly, the results came up quickly.

‘News… doesn’t show up.’

It was probably censored.
In that case, I need to look towards more obscure places.

For example…… a site I frequented long ago when playing Soulslike games.

Though the memory was buried by time, once I started retrieving it, I could learn how to use the community amidst familiar sensations.

Despite the world-shattering events, the community’s appearance was similar.
I searched for my name across the entire site.

‘Ah, found it.’

—

[Ellin : Wow sh*t this new A-rank Hunter is really something]

(Image of a character saying “I shall soon depart”)
(Photo of Agathe aiming her gun at a Gate)

This is a Hunter…? Why is someone in a profession rolling around inside Gates got such good skin?

Her hips and white stockings are insane too. Seriously seeing such a pretty person as an A-rank Hunter is really something…

In my eyes this person will reach S-rank soon. To think the day would come in my lifetime to see a silver-haired blue-eyed slender beautiful girl S-rank Hunter…

Anyway looks like something’s written on the gun, what is it?

+) The characters on the gun seem to read Agathe. Her name is pretty too

*
ㅇㅇ(218.120) : No where did someone like this suddenly pop up from?
ㄴㅇㅇ(39.7) : Seems like a Returnee? If you look closely at the gun her name Agathe is written.

ㄴEllin : A name that makes you want to make lots of babies (Aga)…
*(TL Note: ‘Aga’ means baby in Korean. This is a crude pun.)*

ㄴㅇㅇ(39.7) : Crazy bastard. You’re gonna get sued soon.
HarumanGidaryeomyeon : This bastard’s profile pic f*cking sucks. Change it already.

ㄴEllin : (Emoticon)That’s impossible
ㅇㅇ(106.102) : S-rank? How can a gun-shooting b*tch become S-rank? Clearly she slept her way up with the Association guys to barely get A-rank.

ㄴEllin : (Emoticon of angry frowning face)What did you say punk?

—

-Tap.

I stopped reading there and closed my phone.

My face flushed hotly.
Seeing such blatant sexual harassment made my hands and feet curl slightly.

“Ah. Ugh…”

Surely.
I thought I was used to such vulgar posts from seeing them often back then, but being the target felt different.

“…Hunter-nim? Are you alright?”

“Uh, yeah. I’m fine. From now on, please handle Gate subjugations anonymously. And delete all the photos posted online too.”

Should have done this earlier.
Looks like having a clear mind really does help with situational judgment.

Mentally thanking Saradoryeong, I made a few more requests for privacy protection.

Anti-stalking options provided to A-rank Hunters as part of welfare, requests for residential security, etc.
I had plenty of money, so it didn’t matter.

“Ah. But is it okay for me to ask you to do things like this…?”

Was I perhaps power-tripping right now?
But it seemed that wasn’t the case.

“Normally no, but our department handles Returnees. It’s alright.”

Is it… alright?
Well, if it’s good, it’s good.

Anyway, I made up my mind.

After I bring Enhen back, I will absolutely make sure her face never gets exposed to the public.

The mere thought of those strange people seeing Enhen and having all sorts of dirty fantasies was horrifying.