The SSS-Class Hunter’s Garden Log Chapter 49

The moment he realized what he was doing, Han Taeho tried to spit the wrap out immediately.

 

But.

 

‘I’ve never had a wrap like this before.’

 

It was a taste far too incredible to reject. 

 

Beyond just the taste of the meat, the combination of the highly suspicious-looking lettuce, the crunchy cherry tomatoes inside, and even the roasted potatoes was perfect.

 

The harmony was so exquisite that saliva was practically streaming into his mouth even as he ate.

 

In the end, Han Taeho, succumbing to his appetite, began to chew the wrap as if yielding to force. 

 

Agh, fine, what are you gonna do about it then? 

 

It was the Vice Chairman who had neglected him first anyway.

 

There was no need to remain loyal to such a man all by himself.

 

Han Taeho, having set his mind, shouted resoundingly. 

 

“One more!”

 

* * *

 

“I’m truly sorry about the previous incident and what happened today. No matter how blinded I was by the rankings, I shouldn’t have done something that harms people.”

 

Han Taeho, who had been untied before anyone realized, was practically inhaling the meat. 

 

He had already admitted to the fact that he had distributed Berserk items and his past record of informing the Vice Chairman of Lee Haechan’s weaknesses.

 

“But this is the first time I’ve used a Berserk item myself. What happened with Hunter Lee Haechan was the Vice Chairman’s doing, not mine.”

 

“It’s hard to find your words sincere when they’re coming out of a mouth glistening with pork belly fat.”

 

At Kanghyun’s rebuke, Han Taeho’s bulging shoulders slumped despondently.

 

“And if you’re going to apologize, you should do it to the people you’ve harmed, not me.”

 

Following Kanghyun’s words, Han Taeho bowed his head toward Taegyeom and Hana.

 

“I’m truly sorry. If there’s any damage you’ve suffered, I’ll compensate for all of it.”

 

Taegyeom and Hana exchanged looks and then shrugged.

 

While Han Taeho’s actions weren’t easily forgiven, it was a bit awkward to ignore him given his dignified way of speaking and aged appearance.

 

In the end, Hana slid some more meat toward Han Taeho.

 

“I understand, so just eat for now.”

 

At those words, Han Taeho’s eyes became strangely moist.

 

“How much do you know about the artificial gate core?”

 

“Artificial gate core?”

 

Han Taeho stared blankly at Kanghyun.

 

“What is that?”

 

When a vertical furrow began to form between Kanghyun’s brows, he shook his head violently.

 

“I’m saying this because I truly don’t know! When the Vice Chairman had a job for me, he just gave unilateral instructions; he never told me any details!”

 

“Sigh, that Vice Chairman person is really mean.”

 

“…! Exactly! You understand!”

 

Han Taeho’s heart melted at Hana’s unintentional agreement.

 

She was the first person to recognize his hardships.

 

“Anyway, if you weren’t lying about compensating us, hand over information on the dirty deeds the Vice Chairman has committed so far.”

 

“……I understand. That petty man, the Vice Chairman—I was starting to lose my patience with him anyway.”

 

His heart was truly like a reed.

 

However, his calculations were quick.

 

Now that he had confirmed Yoon Taegyeom could single-handedly take down an S-rank monster, it was far better to side with the people who shared meat and recognized his hard work right in front of him than the Vice Chairman who was openly cutting back on rewards.

 

Han Taeho was a more emotional hunter than one might think.

 

‘I mean, he should have treated me well while he had me.’

 

* * *

 

And so.

 

After promising to share evidence that the Vice Chairman had maliciously distributed the Berserk items received from Han Taeho.

 

The four people came out of the Gate. 

 

In the process, since they didn’t know what kind of problems the once-modified gate might cause, the core of the boss monster, which had been maintaining its form, was dealt with by Kanghyun’s hand, and the gate was switched to a cleared status.

 

“Thanks to the Red Moon Guild Master, one gate where rookie hunters could have gained experience has vanished.”

 

“Ah, man. I said I was sorry…” 

 

The sound of the gate’s rift closing echoed heavily behind them, accompanied by Taegyeom’s voice openly scolding Han Taeho.

 

Hana raised both hands and stretched.

 

“Mmm—! Another productive day.”

 

She had earned a decent amount of EXP, tested her items, and even seen an S-rank awakening.

 

It was a very satisfying day.

 

“Then I’ll head back to the vegetable patch!” 

 

Hana waved her hand and quickened her pace.

 

She needed to go back and check her rewards immediately.

 

However, Kanghyun naturally joined Hana’s side.

 

And then Yoon Taegyeom and Han Taeho followed suit in order.

 

“…Why are you following me?”

 

Hana’s eyes grew round.

 

“Go your own ways!”

 

But because of the people who continued to follow her as if they hadn’t heard, Hana suddenly found herself heading to the garden with three tails attached.

 

However, just as they arrived at the hospital, Hana discovered an unfamiliar car blocking the entrance to the garden.

 

It was a black sedan with the Hunter Association emblem on it.

 

What is going on?

 

Just as Hana tilted her head.

 

“Hana-ssi!”

 

A secretive call reached her.

 

From behind the wall surrounding the side of the garden, the Hospital Director and the grandmother from room 301 were gesturing to her.

 

“Shh! Over here, over here!”

 

The four people who hid behind the wall crouched down almost simultaneously.

 

“My back…, I feel like my back is going to snap.”

 

Han Taeho muttered with a groan due to his large build.

 

His thick thighs were trembling.

 

“Shh!”

 

The Hospital Director, holding his breath, pointed his finger.

 

“Look over there.”

 

The garden.

 

In that place that had been peaceful until this morning, people in black suits were standing.

 

Personnel wearing armbands engraved with the Association emblem seemed to be checking something as they looked back and forth through the crops.

 

Taegyeom frowned deeply.

 

“Why is the Association here searching the garden?”

 

At that moment.

 

Han Taeho’s complexion changed noticeably.

 

His healthy-looking face turned pale in an instant, and he swallowed hard.

 

“…Ah.”

 

Everyone’s gaze shifted to Han Taeho at the same time.

 

“Well… um, I did make… a report….”

 

Beads of sweat formed on Han Taeho’s bronze skin.

 

“I’m afraid it’s because of me. Some time ago, I told the Vice Chairman that the hunter who cleared the Yangpyeong gate was in this area.”

 

After a moment of silence, Kanghyun let out a deep sigh and pressed his temples.

 

Hana’s eyes widened.

 

‘Then, could those people be here to catch me?’

 

Reacting to Kanghyun and Hana’s responses, Han Taeho’s mind raced.

 

The thought, ‘Could the hunter wearing the fertilizer bag possibly be—,’ finally crossed his mind.

 

In that moment, Han Taeho’s eyes met Kanghyun’s, who was staring fixedly at him.

 

Taeho instinctively swallowed at the sight of the mysterious light-gray irises that seemed to peer right through him.

 

Toward Taeho, Kanghyun lightly placed his index finger to his lips. As if telling him to be quiet.

 

Han Taeho clamped his mouth shut.

 

Kanghyun twitched an eyebrow as if Taeho’s reaction was satisfactory.

 

“In any case, it’s only right that the person who caused the mess resolves it.”

 

Kanghyun jerked his chin toward Han Taeho, pointing toward the garden.

 

“You want me to go? That’s impossible. How am I supposed to handle all those people? I’m not confident in close-quarters combat.”

 

“I don’t think that hammer is just for decoration.”

 

“It’s similar, though. This is a kind of self-defense item.” 

 

Hana looked at him in disbelief at Han Taeho’s nonsense-like nonsense.

 

“I’m not good at fighting.”

 

“Then what are all those muscles for?”

 

“These are for intimidating others. To avoid being looked down upon by combat-type hunters, you need a build of this size. Intimidation is important.”

 

Hana was lost for words.

 

So, to put it simply, was it something like this?

 

His body looks built for tanking, but he’s actually a mage character?

 

“You were talking about being the most senior earlier. If you don’t step up in a situation like this, what use is that experience?”

 

Han Taeho’s face turned red at Kanghyun’s words.

 

“I mean my career experience is like that. At any rate, aren’t you and I the same age? Then it’s right for the strongest person to step forward. Not by order of career experience.” 

 

“Hah. You’re dumping it on me?”

 

Hana’s eyes flew wide as she listened to the conversation that flowed so naturally.

 

What did Han Taeho just say?

 

‘He’s the same age as Seo Kanghyun-ssi?’

 

Taegyeom was equally horrified.

 

“…What? You’re lying! How could someone like you be the same age as our Kanghyun!”

 

Even the grandmother from room 301, who usually walked around laughing, flinched and added a word.

 

“Oh dear, and here I thought he was the same age as my eldest son.”

 

It was such confusing news that they briefly forgot about the existence of the Association employees rummaging through the garden.

 

Setting aside his appearance, it was also a mystery why he used such a way of speaking at that age.

 

Han Taeho, grimacing at the intense attention pouring in, settled the situation.

 

“How about this? I’ll go to the Vice Chairman and report that the information was wrong, so until then, just stay out of sight for a while. How does that sound?”

 

* * *

 

In the end, Han Taeho’s suggestion was adopted.

 

It was thanks to Taegyeom’s active agreement that clashing head-on with the Association people would only make matters worse.

 

‘That’s right, Kanghyun. Let’s just avoid them for now. If we mess with them, Hana-ssi could get in trouble too.’

 

When Taegyeom nodded firmly, Kanghyun didn’t say anything more.

 

And so, Hana came to stay in a new place for the time being.

 

But the problem was the fact that the place was Seo Kanghyun’s house.

 

The very top floor of the Haechi Guild.

 

As soon as the elevator doors opened, a night view of Seoul came into full view through the floor-to-ceiling glass windows.

 

The lights of the high-rise buildings were twinkling as if they were about to spill onto the floor.

 

“…Wow.”

 

Hana instinctively swallowed her admiration.