The Otherworldly Magic Swordsman Who Disciplines the Hunter World Chapter 34

He was clearly going crazy. Because of Julian, who crossed lines so casually, his heart simply would not stay still.

It was the same just last night. He had intended to press Julian on whether he was the one who wrote that strange comment, but instead, he had been held captive in Julian’s arms all night long.

It felt as if the sound of rhythmic breathing was still echoing in his ears. Gong Siyoung glared and rubbed his ears vigorously.

It shouldn’t be like this. Did Julian think he would just give in like this, in this way, if someone—wh-wh-who—seduced him with their body? Not a chance. Gong Siyoung rubbed his ears hard once more.

No matter how Julian tried to coax him like a fox, he would not budge.

Engaging in skinship so casually, hugging him openly in bed, smiling while affectionately calling his name—no matter what tricks Julian used to seduce or bewitch him, it wouldn’t work on him.

Who did he think would fall for such lame enticements? Absolutely not him. Never!

Gong Siyoung’s legs trembled. While he was agonizing over how to escape Julian’s evil clutches, Gong Sijin smiled and pointed at him.

“What does Hunter Siyoung think?”

At the sudden question, Gong Siyoung’s lips twitched. What did he think? Since he had been letting the briefing go in one ear and out the other, there was no way he had an answer.

He was about to ask back, ‘What do I think?’ but Gong Sijin’s reaction was faster. The voice spitting out words like rapid-fire was filled with a hint of rage.

“Ah, right. Come to think of it, I didn’t mention that. Even though I’m already getting a headache over the Gate problem, do you know I had to call lawyers together in the middle of the night to clean up Hunter Siyoung’s scandal? When there isn’t even enough time to respond to the dungeon issues, I spent the whole night just cleaning up Hunter Siyoung’s scandal?”

His mouth was clearly smiling, but his eyes were not. Avoiding the fierce scolding of Gong Sijin, he slightly lowered his head.

When Gong Sijin was that fired up, it was best not to add any words. There were many things he felt were unfair, but he didn’t specifically argue. Because speaking would only ignite more anger.

“I understand everything else. Since everyone is itching to tear Hunter Siyoung apart, I understand that. But then you should have been even more careful, how could you… Hah, anyway, since we’ll likely know Mr. Yuri’s grade by today, once you return from the raid, Hunter Siyoung should take his hands off Mr. Yuri’s affairs. We’ll be moving his residence too, so keep that in mind. For the time being, let’s have Hunter Siyoung live in self-reflection.”

Declaring that he would not accept any dissenting opinions, Gong Sijin spoke coldly.

It was absurd. He was the one who stuck them together at his own whim, and now he was telling him to take his hands off. Dissatisfaction piled up at the way he was being attached and detached according to Gong Sijin’s convenience.

‘No, wait. Rather, it’s better for me.’

If Julian left, it was actually a “thank you.” Hadn’t he already resolved to get rid of that annoying, talkative, and bold human anyway?

In the first place, he had only stayed with him by force because Gong Sijin told him to. Since it was now officially no longer his business, he didn’t have to care about a single thing.

‘Who on earth… would find it regrettable to part ways with that human?’

In a situation where even groundless rumors like scandals were circulating, he should be welcoming it. Gong Siyoung pulled the corner of his mouth into a crooked smirk. Far from being regrettable, his heart felt nothing but refreshed.

Whatever Julian did with whomever, it was goodbye now. He didn’t have to see blood because of that human for no reason, he didn’t have to prepare meals for every single sitting, he didn’t have to answer chattering words, it wouldn’t be noisy, and they didn’t have to stick together—how great was that?

“I’m welcoming it too, I say.”

No matter who that human stuck to, what did it have to do with him? It didn’t matter. It didn’t matter at all. He didn’t even care.

Whether that was Myeong Haejin or whoever, not at all. Never. Absolutely. Positively! It didn’t matter at all! Not at all!

∞ ∞ ∞

“Siyoung became a hunter first. Since that was before the system was established like it is now, he suffered a lot.”

At the time of the first dungeon appearance, news of accidents followed day after day. Monsters poured out incessantly from the black gates that appeared suddenly.

Since there were no status windows or hunters back then, civilian damage was immense.

Julian easily anticipated the terror they felt. In the place where he lived, it was a terror one felt from the moment of birth.

Due to attacks from monsters that suddenly increased, a whole village would be turned into a shambles, and small and large fights would break out here and there every time.

Since it was like that for them, he didn’t fail to understand what kind of situation people who faced monsters overnight must have gone through.

“So the monsters appeared first, and then the system or whatever and the hunters appeared.”

“The people who awakened then are sometimes called first-generation awakened. Almost all of the first generation have passed away now.”

Gong Siyoung was the youngest even among that first generation. While the young age of fifteen was surprising enough, he was the first S-Class hunter to awaken in the country.

Therefore, attention could only be focused on his every move.

“It’s the same now, but back then it was truly a mess. People were confused, and there was no system. So Hunter Siyoung was tormented immensely.”

Julian recalled the video he saw last night.

Like that man who threw insults without looking at the front or back, had people acted that way toward Gong Siyoung? It must have been quite a terrible thing for a fifteen-year-old to endure.

“Gossip and things like that?”

“There was that too. It must have been very difficult physically as well. He went through dungeons continuously with almost no time to rest. And if even one person died during a raid, they would unconditionally blame Hunter Siyoung… the reason the Master started the guild is actually because of that. Because he had to protect Hunter Siyoung.”

People did not understand monsters and gates, and they tried to bring about a theory of responsibility somehow. Gong Siyoung was a perfect prey for that.

Because he was young and an easy target, and because he was an S-Class hunter, everything became his fault. While the responsibility given to him was large, he actually gained nothing.

Unable to watch any longer, Gong Sijin created a guild for him and began to protect Gong Siyoung. In a way, the ideology of the Yeollak Guild originated from there.

Later, Gong Sijin also awakened and became a hunter, and through various events, the situation improved significantly.

Myeong Haejin also luckily awakened during that period and joined the Yeollak Guild. By the time he reunited with Gong Siyoung, their relationship had already become awkward.

Since it had been creaking since the time Gong Siyoung awakened, it was hard to say whose fault it was.

“I’ve been bullying him ever since then. And Hunter Siyoung has that kind of side to him. How should I put it, the type you want to tease.”

The car stopped in the parking lot. Stepping out of his seat, Myeong Haejin gestured to Julian. He moved his feet faithfully even while sharing the story.

“Because if you poke him, he reacts immediately. That was a bit fun, so poking at him has almost become a habit now.”

“True. He does react a bit intensely.”

The reactions that changed rapidly like a cat standing its fur on end were indeed fun. Hearing Myeong Haejin’s explanation, he understood the relationship between the two to some extent.

“Right? Even if he acts like he isn’t, his heart is actually very weak. He’s not good at refusing either.”

“Really?”

“Only his expression is prickly; he does everything you ask him to do. Try experimenting later.”

So it wasn’t just to Gong Sijin, it was like that for everyone. Leaving him nodding his head, Myeong Haejin stopped in front of a door. The sound of knocking rang out cheerfully.

A moment later, the door opened and someone appeared. The solid appearance, closely cropped hair, and high-handed expression were somewhat familiar.

‘Who was it?’

He was definitely someone I’d seen somewhere? In place of Julian, who was tilting his head, Myeong Haejin held out his hand. A good-natured smile was layered over an expression that looked slightly nervous.

“It’s been a while, Team Leader Choi Jae-guk.”

Choi Jae-guk shook his hand. The gaze scanning the two of them was quite sharp. After a light handshake, he gestured toward the inside with his chin.

“Come in.”

Through the gap of the open door, Myeong Haejin took the lead. Only after Julian chewed over the man’s name for a long time did he recall where he had seen him.

The sudden gate discovered with Gong Siyoung—he was the man they met there.

At that time, Gong Siyoung said he went around picking fights whenever he saw the Yeollak Guild. The uncomfortable attitude was still vivid.

“I thought something was strange that day as well. No matter how I looked at you, it was the first time… I thought there might be something, though I didn’t expect it would be this kind of issue.”

Choi Jae-guk rummaged through a pile of documents and then pulled out a piece of paper. Only after checking the contents did he look up. His eyes, staring intently, were full of curiosity.

Compared to last time, his attitude was certainly softer. Although it couldn’t be called purely favorable, it was a great development compared to the first meeting that was full of suspicion.

In the meantime, he didn’t know what kind of conversation had passed with Gong Sijin, but it seemed a fairly good agreement had been reached.

“I’ve heard the story. I’ve also been told that your situation is a bit… unique.”

Julian shrugged instead of answering. A gaze mixed appropriately with doubt and expectation was directed at him.

“I heard that when you visited last time, the examination didn’t proceed properly. So this time, instead of a basic examination, we’ll proceed with an advanced examination.”

“Advanced examination?”

“It’s a method we don’t usually use with hunters… but since they say you have a unique constitution.”

Even while saying so, Choi Jae-guk also looked quite uncomfortable. What on earth is it? Julian looked at Myeong Haejin. However, he also had a puzzled expression, as if he didn’t know anything.

“It’s not dangerous, right?”

“It won’t be dangerous. …Probably?”

“Probably?”

What is “probably”? Why is “probably” attached to the end of the sentence? Julian, feeling even more uncomfortable, stopped as if he were nailed down.

At the silent attitude that seemed to ask for an explanation, Choi Jae-guk scratched his head. The paper he was holding in his hand was crumpled with a rustle.

“Well… it’s a method I’ve never tried even once. Like measuring a monster’s grade? I’m going to try it. But well, it’s not like you’ll die, so it’ll be fine. …Probably?”