The SSS-Class Hunter’s Garden Log Chapter 60

* * *

 

‘The Korea Hunter Association Headquarters?’

 

Even after coming out of the Gate, the system window’s message wouldn’t leave Hana’s mind. 

 

Wondering if she had misread it, she checked it several more times.

 

However, the result was the same.

 

After some contemplation, Hana lightly tugged on the sleeve of Kanghyun, who was standing beside her as they returned to the guild together.

 

As if he had been waiting, Kanghyun’s gaze immediately turned toward her.

 

“Seo Kanghyun-ssi, could you lend me your ear for a moment?”

 

When Hana fluttered her hand, Kanghyun silently bent his waist. 

 

Even so, the difference in their height was quite significant, so Hana ultimately had to stand on her tiptoes.

 

Only then able to whisper into his ear, Hana explained the situation briefly and swiftly.

 

From the new ability Popcorn had awakened by swallowing the core, to the reaction detected from the direction of the Association headquarters.

 

Kanghyun showed no particular reaction, listening intently until Hana finished speaking before finally parting his lips.

 

“Are you certain?”

 

“Yes. I checked it several times, but it’s accurate. We should probably go investigate, right?”

 

A brief silence hung between them.

 

Like the overcast sky reflected in the glass curtain wall, Kanghyun’s gray irises sank into a calm stillness.

 

“It seems we should.”

 

* * *

 

So checking it out didn’t mean he was coming along, though. 

 

With one hand caught tight by Kanghyun, Hana stood in front of the Association Headquarters, muttering inwardly.

 

How on earth did I end up here?

 

Since Popcorn’s ability was necessary, it made sense to accompany him, but a corner of her heart felt strangely uncomfortable.

 

Or was the uncomfortable part her hand?

 

Hana gave a faint wiggle to her hand, which was trapped tightly inside Kanghyun’s palm.

 

Immediately, Kanghyun’s gaze followed.

 

“Why? Is something uncomfortable?”

 

“Um, could you perhaps let go of my hand?”

 

“No.”

 

“Why not?”

 

“Normally, only Guild Masters are permitted entry to the Association. The only exception is a single companion brought along by that Guild Master.”

 

No, look, I understand that. But why does that serve as a reason for us to hold hands?

 

Hana expressed her question to Kanghyun relentlessly with her eyes. 

 

Naturally, it had zero effect.

 

Kanghyun stepped toward the Association building, steadfastly holding onto Hana’s hand.

 

If it was just about being a companion, simply standing next to him should have been more than enough.

 

‘Sigh, whatever. It’s not like Seo Kanghyun-ssi being strange is anything new.’

 

Shaking her head softly, Hana looked around her surroundings. 

 

The Korea Hunter Association Headquarters remained as imposing as ever.

 

Its glass exterior gleamed, reflecting the low-hanging clouds.

 

A sleek, cold, and utterly impenetrable building.

 

Access control devices and security hunters were stationed around the entrance.

 

A thin layer of refined mana hung in the air, giving the impression that the atmosphere itself was pulled taut.

 

Having successfully passed through the entrance behind Kanghyun, Hana looked around.

 

Inside the Association, the footsteps of employees hurrying to and fro intertwined quietly with the chattering of radios.

 

It was an order that seemed neat yet chaotic. 

 

Hana held Popcorn a little closer against her chest.

 

A small collar was fastened around the creature’s neck.

 

It was an item Kanghyun had provided beforehand to mask a monster’s presence.

 

He had mentioned that its concealment effect was at a level where no ordinary hunter would ever be able to detect it.

 

Thanks to that, Popcorn looked outwardly like nothing more than a white puppy.

 

An extremely cute and harmless-looking one. 

 

Even so, she couldn’t let her guard down.

 

They were right in the heart of the Association headquarters.

 

If a suspicious aura were detected, it wouldn’t end with mild grumbling like it did with Choi Kwon.

 

“Is there any reaction?”

 

At that moment, Kanghyun inquired in a low voice.

 

Checking her system window, Hana furrowed her brows.

 

“No. It’s gone.”

 

There was nothing.

 

The residual energy of an artificial core had clearly been detected from this Association headquarters, yet the moment they stepped into the building, the notification vanished from the system window like a lie.

 

“It’s gone?”

 

“To be more exact, it seems the trace cut off. It can’t be tracked anymore.” 

 

It was as if someone had deliberately erased it.

 

Yet who on earth would do that?

 

While wondering about that fact, Hana was struck by a strange sense of déjà vu.

 

For some reason, the surrounding architectural layout felt strangely familiar.

 

‘Why is it not unfamiliar when it’s definitely my first time?’ 

 

The material of the flooring, the layout of the lobby, even the traffic lines of the elevators.

 

Without Kanghyun having to explain a thing, her body was reacting first.

 

As if it were a space she had known since a very long time ago.

 

It was bizarre.

 

Come to think of it, herself in that dream last time had clearly spoken of it.

 

That she had been bored to death by the rookie hunter training.

 

Could it be that she had visited this place before losing her memories?

 

“You know, Seo Kanghyun-ssi. Could it be—”

 

However, this time too, the moment she opened her mouth, Hana’s words were cut short.

 

Popcorn, nestled in her arms, suddenly craned his head forward and began sniffing the air.

 

“Kyang!”

 

Letting out a small bark, the little creature pricked up his ears.

 

Along with that, the previously silent system window began chiming once more.

 

At any rate, since Popcorn was bound to her, it seemed Popcorn’s ability was automatically connected to the system window and displaying. 

 

【SYSTEM】

 

<‘Sweet Corn Sprout’ has detected artificial gate core energy at close range.>

 

Close range?

 

Hana’s head snapped upward.

 

And quite exquisitely, along the glass hallway in the exact direction her gaze landed, a man was walking toward them.

 

Bright blue irises contrasted sharply with his black hair.

 

Furthermore, a solid blue suit—an exact match to those vivid eyes—commanded attention at a single glance.

 

While bewildered by his extraordinary attire, Hana realized the man was steadily drawing closer to their location.

 

Pretending not to be flustered, Hana hugged Popcorn deep into her arms, covering his face with her arm. 

 

The closer the man approached, the more a refined fragrance of perfume enveloped the area.

 

Finally coming to a halt a few paces away, the man offered a gentle smile.

 

“Yoon Hana-ssi? It’s nice to meet you.” 

 

Seeing him up close, his deep blue irises were even clearer. 

 

Shining transparently in the light, his eyes did not scan Hana up and down, but instead curved politely into half-moons.

 

“Ah, forgive my manners.”

 

The man lightly touched his forehead as if apologetic.

 

“My introduction is late.”

 

His smooth, steady pronunciation possessed an uncanny power to disarm one’s guard, even upon a first encounter.

 

“I am Damian Park, who has been newly appointed as Vice Association President this time.” 

 

Damian approached one step closer, wearing a pleasant smile. Then he extended his hand as if offering a handshake. 

 

Hana, however, furrowed her brow and took a step backward instead.

 

“Hello. How do you know my name, though?” 

 

“Mm. Might I explain that after we exchange greetings first? My hand is feeling rather awkward, you see.”

 

Damian lightly shook his outstretched hand.

 

His fingers were long, and his palm appeared neatly kept.

 

The angle at which he offered the handshake was so excessively natural it felt almost calculated.

 

It was an ambiguous situation to refuse. 

 

Though Kanghyun was right beside her, this was a public space, and the other party introduced himself as the Association’s Vice Association President. 

 

After a moment’s hesitation, Hana pulled her hand free from Kanghyun’s grasp and offered it to Damian.

 

The moment her hand made contact with Damian’s.

 

A numbing sensation, akin to electricity seeping through her skin, briefly washed over her.

 

Simultaneously, the system window that had always appeared in pale blue was dyed in a vibrant crimson.

 

【SYSTEM】

 

<Warning. An unidentified entity is attempting to read the user’s information.>

 

Hana’s heart felt as if it sank with a thud. 

 

Read?

 

Read what?

 

Out of instinctive revulsion, Hana attempted to yank her hand back.

 

Damian, however, was a fraction faster in applying pressure to his grip.

 

He hadn’t gripped it tightly. 

 

It was merely enough to softly convey the message that he had no intention of letting go, yet the sheer intimidation behind it was palpable enough.

 

In spite of that, Damian maintained that warm, genial smile on his lips.

 

“Is something the matter?”

 

It was a sweet voice, yet perhaps because she was aware of his dark intention to pry into her status window without permission.

 

Damian’s voice felt repulsive.

 

The warning messages on the system window flashed repeatedly.

 

【SYSTEM】

 

<To protect the user, the system initiates arbitrary intervention.>

 

The tips of Hana’s fingers turned cold.

 

At that exact moment.

 

An indistinct, blurry system window, invisible to Hana’s own sight, overlapped atop the existing interface.

 

【SYSTEM】

 

<The function of the Blessing of ■■ (Downgraded ver. ‘Go Away, Thief! (D-rank)’) temporarily restores 80% of its original capability.>

 

It was instantaneous.

 

Damian’s bright blue irises flickered ever so slightly.

 

Just like the moment someone verified something, only to be met with a result entirely different from their expectations.

 

Yet that wavering subsided in the blink of an eye.

 

“Hmm.”

 

Only then did the strength in Damian’s grip loosen.

 

Not missing the opening, Hana swiftly snatched her hand back.

 

Across her palm, the unpleasant prickling sensation that had seeped beneath her skin lingered foully.

 

Damian adjusted his hand as if nothing had occurred.

 

After touching his cufflink once, he offered another splendid smile.

 

Hana, however, was still dwelling on the message that had blared across her system window moments ago.

 

<An unidentified entity is attempting to read the user’s information.>

 

This man.

 

Was he trying to look at my status window just now?