The SSS-Class Hunter’s Garden Log Chapter 26

“Didn’t I come because you don’t even show your nose at the Association! So, what happened with the Gangnam Station Gate investigation?”

 

“I was actually just about to go and report. You made a needless trip. How troublesome for you.” 

 

Kanghyun said as he closed the documents.

 

At those words, the Vice President’s face flushed red.

 

“How diligent of you. Fine, let’s hear what kind of grand report you’re about to make.” 

 

“There were no signs of life inside the Gate.” 

 

“Then why was a biological reaction detected at the Gangnam Station Gate?”

 

“I wonder. Could it have been an error? It’s not like the Association has made mistakes just once or twice, so I wonder if it isn’t the same this time too.”

 

As Kanghyun said, there were often cases where the Association mistook the location of a gate’s appearance or wrongly announced a gate’s rank, so the Vice President let out a groan.

 

At that, Kanghyun crookedly raised one corner of his mouth.

 

“I’ll say it again, but the Gangnam Station Gate is empty inside, just a gate with only its shell remaining. If you can’t believe it, would you like to go in yourself?”

 

The Vice President was momentarily speechless.

 

Even as he narrowed his eyes and stared intently to read Kang-hyun’s expression, he simply could not figure out what the man was thinking. 

 

Tsk.

 

The Vice President clicked his tongue with deep dissatisfaction. 

 

“If so, why are you trying to purchase that empty shell?”

 

“Lately, quite a few new Hunters have joined the guild. I’m thinking of using it for training, is there a problem?”

 

“Is that all?”

 

At the Vice President’s interrogation, Kanghyun leaned his upper body forward.

 

“What more do you wish there to be?” 

 

Right when a red aura was about to frost over Kanghyun’s right eye, who was feeling reluctant.

 

Gurgle.

 

A tremendous sound echoed inside the Guild Master’s office.

 

It was enough to crack Kanghyun’s consistently emotionless expression.

 

Kanghyun and the Vice President’s secretary moved their heads to find the source of the sound.

 

Amidst that, only the Vice President was standing stiff like a stone statue.

 

Ruuuumble. 

 

As a slightly louder sound than before occurred, the Vice President suddenly clutched his stomach with a face turned pale white.

 

Kanghyun observed the Vice President with interest. 

 

“Are you feeling uncomfortable anywhere?”

 

“What do you mean uncomfortable…!”

 

Cold sweat beaded on the forehead of the Vice President, whose eyes were wide open.

 

His stomach was twisting.

 

He didn’t realize it when he swallowed earlier, but his mouth, his throat, and even his stomach felt like they were burning.

 

That rice seed or whatever it was, it was definitely because of that.

 

Trying hard to ignore his boiling insides, the Vice President tried to assume a dignified posture again.

 

However, unable to hold back in the end, he jumped up.

 

“I forgot I have an urgent schedule today. We’ll continue this conversation next time.”

 

“Vice President? There are no particular schedules for this afternoon.” 

 

“Are you not going to come out quickly while you waste time talking nonsense?”

 

Sharply cutting off the secretary’s words, the Vice President bolted out of the Guild Master’s office with hasty strides. 

 

And as soon as the door closed behind his back, he grabbed the collar of a nearby guard and asked urgently.

 

“Where is the restroom?”

 

“Aren’t you the Vice President? The restroom is around that corner—” 

 

Before the guard could even point the direction, he disappeared across the hallway, almost running.

 

A moment later. The secretary, left alone in front of the restroom, scrunched his face at the sounds leaking from inside.

 

And carefully covered his nose.

 

“…Ahem.”

 

* * *

 

Meanwhile, returning to the hospital, Hana fiddled with her phone screen.

 

“Hana-ssi, I’ll head back inside first. It’s almost time for rounds.”

 

“Ah, yes! Thank you so much for today too, Director. I’ll definitely repay this favor fully someday!”

 

“What favor. It was nice for me to get some fresh air too thanks to you.”

 

The hospital director, with his unchanging warm smile, left.

 

Hana deliberated for a few more seconds, then pressed the phone number.

 

It was Kanghyun’s number exchanged in celebration of the contract.

 

Because getting her rice seed snatched by the Vice President she ran into earlier really bothered her.

 

Riiiing.

 

The ringing tone continued for a while before the call connected with a click—.

 

-I was actually thinking about contacting you myself. 

 

It was a rather forward greeting to hear on a first phone call. 

 

Though she knew he couldn’t see her, a flustered Hana assumed a defensive stance. 

 

What’s this? Did he change his mind in the meantime?

 

“…Why?”

 

-Because the Vice President is jumping up and down in a rage, saying he got a stomachache after eating an item given by one of my guild members. Yoon Hana-ssi, what did you give him?

 

Hana mumbled her lips for a moment, then chose to be honest rather than making up excuses for no reason.

 

“I didn’t give it. It was stolen.”

 

-…So, what was it.

 

At the question returning a beat late, Hana took a breath and spoke.

 

“A rice seed. It has a fire resistance attribute, but it’s incredibly spicy.” 

 

-Rice seed?

 

The end of Kanghyun’s sentence rose minutely.

 

-The crops you’re currently cultivating, wasn’t what you told me earlier everything.

 

“Strictly speaking, I haven’t cultivated it yet. I picked it up from the gate I cleared a few days ago.”

 

-And do you have plans to cultivate it in the future?

 

“Yes.”

 

Tap. Tap.

 

A small, rhythmic tapping noise could be heard, followed by Kang-hyun’s voice. 

 

-Include those rice seeds as well in the next delivery.

 

“Is that all? Weren’t you put in a difficult spot?”

 

-Why would I be in a difficult spot? The problem lies with the person who picked up and ate just anything. 

 

Unlike a certain someone who extorted someone else’s rice seed, it was a very commonsensical statement.

 

Encouraged by Kanghyun’s reaction, Hana gathered her courage slightly. 

 

“Umm, but there is one small problem. I need Seo Kanghyun-ssi’s help to grow these rice seeds.”

 

-My help?

 

“Yes. Specifically, I need Seo Kanghyun-ssi’s fire attribute skill. It acts like fertilizer for this rice seed.”

 

She hadn’t originally planned on phrasing it this way, but what did it matter? 

 

Since the rice seeds had become the topic of conversation anyway, Hana rode this flow and brought up the main point straightforwardly.

 

“So about that, could you perhaps help me cultivate it?”

 

-…How are you so bold? 

 

Hah.

 

A chuckle burst out from over the receiver.

 

“This is a rare-grade item in its own right. Plus, it seems to have an effect on hair too! It will definitely sell well! I’ll pay you handsomely for your help.” 

 

-I need to see the item myself first, so send it along.

 

Oh.

 

At Kanghyun’s response, which wasn’t an immediate rejection contrary to her expectations, a short exclamation escaped Hana’s mouth. 

 

He might be a more compassionate person than she thought, Seo Kanghyun.

 

“Since it’s our first delivery, and I’m the one asking for a favor, it felt shameless to just blindly send the items over.” 

 

-At least you seem to know it’s shameless.

 

Hana’s mouth pouted. 

 

She would have to take back the part about him being compassionate. 

 

How could someone phrase things so beautifully? 

 

“Anyway, I’ll bring it over myself next week.” 

 

-Understood.

 

Having somehow finished the call, Hana swept her chest in relief.

 

To the point of being dumbfounded, the situation had flowed surprisingly smoothly, making her past worries pale in comparison. 

 

Staring blankly at the darkened phone screen, Hana shook her head vigorously.

 

“Now is not the time for this. Let’s first check the quantity of what’s been harvested so far.” 

 

Snapping out of it, Hana headed to the garden patch, but stopped walking shortly after.

 

On a wooden bench near the patch, the grandmother from Room 301 was playing janggi with someone. 

 

“Ah! You can’t do this! I was almost winning! It’s a foul! Do it again, again!”

 

“What foul could there be? Hoho.” 

 

Red hair tied half-up and a solid, muscular body caught her eye very much.

 

‘Who is that? I’m the only young person in this hospital?’

 

While tilting her head in wonder, the Grandma from Room 301, discovering Hana, waved her hand.

 

“You’re here now? Wanna play a game of Janggi?”

 

“What the, who are you calling? Grandma, you have to see this to the end with me!”

 

Perhaps quite heated up over losing, the red-haired man puffed and turned his head sharply.

 

In that instant, the man and Hana pointed their index fingers at each other simultaneously.

 

“Huh?”

 

“Huh!”

 

The one playing Janggi with the Grandma from Room 301 was none other than Choi Kwon.

 

Discovering Hana, Choi Kwon’s eyes flashed.

 

“I finally found you, F-rank!”

 

What is it, what kind of day is it today?

 

Hana took hesitant steps backward. 

 

Then she noticed something strange.

 

Hana’s gaze headed to Choi Kwon’s abundant hair.

 

“That’s strange. His hair was definitely short last time?”

 

The red hair that had grown quite long covered his nape.

 

It was glossy and even fine-textured, to the point it made her want to touch it at least once for no reason.

 

Perhaps noticing that gaze, Choi Kwon turned his head sharply as if he had been waiting.

 

Swish.

 

His red hair fluttered through the air. 

 

“How is it? Killing, right? There were circumstances last time, and this is my original hair.” 

 

Choi Kwon’s shoulders rose up boastfully.