Chapter 98: The Fallacy of Generalization

#98

The last stubbornly tangled thread remained tightly bound, showing no sign of loosening. His other ki channels were now stable enough to dispel any lingering concern. Beom Yeonhu could use his skills to a significant extent without feeling any pain.

He could wield his power freely, and he’d shown remarkable progress in controlling his skills with precision. So why was he keeping quiet? It seemed only natural to give Kang Taesan and Byeon Yeongchan a hint.

As Han Dokyeom released his hand, Beom Yeonhu awkwardly scratched the back of his neck before standing up.

“I’ll go get some firewood, Hyung. It’ll be lunchtime soon, so let’s rest here for a bit before we go.”

“Oh, really? Is that so?”

Han Dokyeom answered, turning his head to look at Kang Taesan and Byeon Yeongchan. As he stared, Byeon Yeongchan could be seen cursing under his breath as he rose to his feet. Kang Taesan, however, remained unmoving, his gaze locked with Han Dokyeom’s.

As Beom Yeonhu and Byeon Yeongchan moved away from their spot, silence quickly settled over the area. Baek Jiun was also sitting quite far away, making it difficult to overhear any conversation.

As soon as Han Dokyeom realized this, the conversation abruptly began.

“You don’t seem cold today, Hunter-nim.”

“Yes, well. I suppose not.”

“I’m still a bit chilly, though.”

‘So what?’

Han Dokyeom stared at Kang Taesan, his expression unreadable. For the past few days, Kang Taesan had kept his word, proactively assisting Beom Yeonhu and Agon. He personally gathered firewood, stood guard at night, and meticulously prepared the fish Agon caught, fulfilling his duties completely.

It was as if he was putting on a show.

“You received Beom Yeonhu’s magic, didn’t you, Hunter-nim?”

Kang Taesan asked, his eyes narrowing slyly. Han Dokyeom had wondered why only Byeon Yeongchan was sent away today, but now he understood; Kang Taesan likely wanted to ask this.

It wasn’t an unreasonable question. Even Agon had initially suspected Beom Yeonhu was the source of the magic mixed in Han Dokyeom’s body. However, quickly recognizing the scent, Agon soon concluded that Taeseongyeon was the culprit, though he still furrowed his brow with a questioning look.

Taeseongyeon had visited this place without leaving any trace, so much so that even Agon hadn’t immediately noticed.

“I’ve been wondering if that’s why you don’t feel the cold anymore. Of course, it might not be the case, but… it seems like Beom Yeonhu is the only one here who could do something like that. Yet, I can’t pinpoint when it happened. I’m a light sleeper, so there’s no way I wouldn’t have noticed….”

Kang Taesan tilted his head, whispering with an air of bewilderment. His gaze drifted to the tightly wrapped scarf around Beom Yeonhu’s neck, or rather, the imprint beneath it.

“I didn’t realize you and Beom Yeonhu were so close. It’s not easy for two people to exchange magic. What was it called again… a strong sense of exhilaration? Well, I wouldn’t know, since I haven’t tried it.”

Han Dokyeom silently gazed at the white snow reflecting the scenic view. Kang Taesan still wore the same smile. He sat patiently, like a well-trained dog, his gentle demeanor unchanged as he met Han Dokyeom’s eyes.

“I’ve been wanting to tell you something for a while, and now that the opportunity has arisen… I have something I’d like to ask you, Hunter-nim.”

“Yes, go ahead. I’ll listen.”

“Our Beom Yeonhu has changed quite a lot, you know?”

Half of the smile on Kang Taesan’s lips vanished. Yet, the gentle look in his eyes remained, preserving his amiable impression. If Beom Yeonhu was a fierce dog like a Doberman, Kang Taesan was, well, like a Retriever. Purely judging by the aura he exuded.

“Beom Yeonhu, he originally couldn’t handle this kind of cold. Yet, for some reason, he’s doing better than me, which I find quite remarkable. Even if we dismiss the nonsense about sensory organs, I think this is thanks to you, Hunter-nim.”

“And?”

“From what I can tell, you seem to possess a skill, Hunter-nim. A skill that can heal or help someone grow. I was quite surprised when I heard Han Dokyeom was an E-rank, but now it makes a little more sense. It explains why the Sahyeon Guild brought you in.”

“So, you’re ditching the Uhwa Guild, who even gave you a business card and asked you to join, to flirt with a mere E-rank?”

“It’s a relief you already knew. I was worried you might not.”

He truly was a thick-skinned bastard. This aspect, too, differed from the Kang Taesan in the original story. He hadn’t been this subtly complex before; his depth was now immeasurable.

“So, what’s your point, Mr. Kang Taesan?”

“Ah, my point. Hmm… I’m currently waiting for a call from the Sahyeon Guild, but for some reason, I haven’t heard anything. I, too, am eager to become part of the family, like Beom Yeonhu, and grow under Hunter Han Dokyeom. And Hunter-nim.”

Kang Taesan’s eyes curved in a playful smile, dimples appearing. It was a smile both innocent and cunning.

“Objectively speaking, wouldn’t I be better than Beom Yeonhu? I’m telling you this in case you forgot, but I am an A-rank Hunter, despite appearances.”

C-rank and A-rank.

Anyone who wasn’t a fool would know which was better when placed side by side. Kang Taesan was trying to emphasize that very point.

It was a delusion born from the misconception that if even the broken Beom Yeonhu could grow this much, an A-rank like himself couldn’t possibly fail to achieve similar results.

Indeed, Kang Taesan was currently caught in a delusion stemming from arrogance and recklessness. could mend what was twisted, but it wasn’t meant to make someone grow.

Agon’s growth was possible because he utilized a medium called ‘magic stones,’ and Beom Yeonhu’s growth was possible because his inherent power was already at that level. Han Dokyeom merely unlocked it, guided it, and helped him absorb it.

For the initially perfect Kang Taesan, none of that applied.

“I think you’re mistaken about something, Mr. Kang Taesan.”

“Mistaken, you say… Yes, well, I didn’t expect you to react any differently. It’s fine.”

‘Fine, my foot.’

“Anyone listening would think the Sahyeon Guild keeps me in luxury, wouldn’t they? If I had such a skill, would the Sahyeon Guild have sent me here? They’d be rushing to find the Guild Master by now.”

“So, you brought a well-behaved guard dog for protection, didn’t you, Hunter-nim? But I think you chose poorly. I could perform that role just as well.”

Kang Taesan’s competitive eyes glanced over Han Dokyeom’s shoulder. The wind blew, scattering snowflakes. Han Dokyeom felt a faint presence behind him.

‘Indeed. Why did I want to bring Beom Yeonhu the moment I saw him? He’s only C-rank, after all. He’s still a lesser hunter than Kang Taesan.’

If Kang Taesan had spoken with the intention of eliciting such a response, Han Dokyeom wanted to tell him this:

“People call that the fallacy of generalization.”

They take results derived from a specific group, assert that they apply to everyone, and conclude it as an immutable truth. As if it must be so. As if it were flawless statistics.

“I don’t understand why Mr. Kang Taesan gets to judge that value. Who says someone has no potential?”

“Because the indicator of rank isn’t for nothing.”

“Oh, really? So that’s why Mr. Kang Taesan is acting like this, trying to get attention from a mere E-rank. Because my E-rank ability is so amazing.”

“Hunter Han Dokyeom.”

“Why? What you’re saying sounds exactly like that. If Mr. Kang Taesan’s words are true, instead of doing this here, you should be seeking out the great S-ranks and clinging to their coattails. They are the true indicators of rank.”

Kang Taesan’s eyebrows subtly furrowed. As his smile vanished, a cold expression appeared on his face. His tightly sealed lips seemed to swallow many words.

Only then did Han Dokyeom smile and speak.

“And Mr. Kang Taesan. I prefer puppies over tigers.”

“…I’d like to believe I’m not a tiger, Hunter-nim.”

“That’s for you to decide alone. Let’s not bother people with unnecessary misunderstandings. Since I’m the one living with him, it’s enough if he’s good to me. I don’t know why you keep trying to tell me what to do.”

It might be a world where rank is everything. However, those were individuals whose physical abilities and expressible limits were determined from the start. Yet, even lower-ranked hunters could hone their abilities and raise their ranks.

Certainly, the world Han Dokyeom had set was like that. A world where rank ascension was possible.

However, those who achieved it were almost nonexistent, and those who showed outstanding results enough to stand out had not yet emerged in the world. Mostly, it was just cases of low-ranked hunters rising about one stage.

But they would appear someday. No, they had to.

‘Because ‘Han Dokyeom’ was like that, too.’

[The demon ‘???’ of ‘Lemegeton’ observes you.]

[The demon ‘???’ of ‘Lemegeton’ attempts to converse with you.]

‘Yes, just stay like that.’

Han Dokyeom grinned. Then, he turned his back to Kang Taesan and lay down. As he closed his eyes, the presence that had been still behind him finally approached. Without a word, he started a fire and took off his outer garment, covering Han Dokyeom with it.

Han Dokyeom couldn’t guess the expression on his face, having been forced to overhear this conversation.

Suddenly, he wished he could erase the path he had walked for the first time. He wished he could have given him a life chosen by the words, something like that.