SWNOVELXO Chapter 39
**Episode 39: Negation**
Harin is… working in the same gate handling team as me?
No, more importantly, there’s no way a mere association employee like me could solve this unsolved case.
Even an S-rank hunter wouldn’t be able to unravel the secrets of the gate.
‘I have to say what I need to say.’
【…If you stay silent, it’ll be half the battle won, right?】
I immediately countered the association president’s words.
“But what I can do is—”
“I know.”
The association president cut me off and responded.
“What? Then why…”
“It’s just for appearances. It shows that the association is always making an effort, at least to the general public and not just to the hunters.”
The president turned the chair around, facing away from us, and gazed down at the buildings beyond the glass wall.
‘Really… I can’t even imagine a thought like that coming from the association president?’
【The association must be rotten from the top… After all, if the water from the top is clear, the water below will be clear too.】
“But, president. How?”
Harin seemed to want a clearer answer.
“Well… if you’re asking for specifics… how about you two just try to close the gate a little more?”
The president suggested a method that seemed like an afterthought.
“Ah, okay…”
“And if it gets tough, just give up.”
I almost laughed at how casually he wanted to solve a troublesome issue.
“Um… by the way, watching the snow fall in the president’s office during winter is quite a pleasant sight, don’t you think?”
At those words, Harin flinched.
“The staff of the association is quite a precious resource. They only move if you pay them, especially on a cold winter day.”
She clenched her fist tightly.
– Bang!
Harin struck the president’s desk with all her might, like someone who got mad while playing a game.
“…What are you doing?”
The president turned his chair back to look at us again.
“I don’t mind being dispatched against my will. It’s my ‘job’.”
Harin continued, tapping the desk energetically.
“I always disliked this.”
“What do you mean?”
The president immediately replied.
“What on earth is the association meant to do?!”
Though I couldn’t quite grasp the situation, Harin seemed to have a lot of resentment built up against the association.
【Oh, that’s fiery!】
The atmosphere in the president’s office quickly turned cold due to Harin’s actions.
“If hunters clear and close gates, then the association should be there to use the strength of those hunters correctly.”
“Sure, as long as you throw money or shiny things, it shouldn’t be a problem, right? What is the issue here?”
The president maintained his calm.
In contrast, Harin grew more and more agitated.
“Getting paid to move is what a ‘guild’ does! Is the association run privately?”
“Well, it’s not public either.”
“Ugh!”
Harin was rendered speechless by the president’s composed response.
‘So it’s neither public nor private.’
【Then what exactly is it?】
Listening to their conversation, it seemed their interests were not aligned, leading to this argument.
“Hmm… Anyway, Harin, are there any real alternatives to this? Just doing what I say is for the people. You should discard that unnecessary sense of justice.”
【What can you even do? Is that it…?】
“Enough! I can’t accept this immoral corruption!”
– Creak, bang!
“Unnecessarily being negative.”
With the president in front of her, Harin was perhaps the only one who could act that way in this building.
Left alone in the president’s office, I began to inch my way toward the door to follow Harin.
“Hey there, what’s your name?”
“Yes, yes! I’m Han Shiwoo.”
【Why are you so tense?】
How can I not be tense?
I had barely been a year into my job at a large corporation like Samx Electronics when I was suddenly called to the CEO’s office, and in front of me, what had just happened happened again. If the CEO asks for my name, wouldn’t anyone react like this?
That’s my defense for being nervous.
‘Honestly, I’m not a special spy or agent infiltrating this association or anything.’
【Huh? Isn’t that you?】
“Right, Shiwoo. You seem to have quite a close relationship with that girl. You’re both wearing matching couple coats.”
“Yeah, something like that.”
It seems we’re not that close yet, but with Harin, perhaps it’s not far from that.
“Harin and I regularly argue like this. That spoiled brat should be grateful for being fed and housed by the association when she has nowhere else to go.”
“Ah… haha…”
“What do you think of my opinion? No need for unnecessary flattery.”
“I, I think… Harin… feels more appealing to me.”
“Ugh, tsk. Young folks nowadays…”
– gulp.
I grew cautious of being at a disadvantage with the association president.
【Ah! No, Shiwoo! Why didn’t you take her down a peg?】
‘What could I do? I came up with a quick response. What else could I say here? Turning the conversation entirely is much better.’
【Ha… that’s your level of quick thinking.】
“… Yeah, but it’s okay if you don’t tell me, sir.”
“Huh? Alright…”
“Yes, the pain of that day is less than the fact that I couldn’t have a conversation with you…”
She gave a nostalgic smile.
Harin took my left hand with her right.
Interlocking our fingers.
“Though you’re not pulling away, I guess that kiss from that day wasn’t unwelcome… I’m glad there’s still a chance. Shall we head to your house like this?”
Looking up at me, she smiled.
This time, not with a nostalgic expression, but with a pure 99.99% joyful expression.
“Uh, yeah.”
“But, what’s that ring on your left ring finger?”
Her grip on my hand tightened.
And while her smile remained, her eyes were no longer smiling.
Her face had paled to the point that it looked like no blood would come out even if pricked with a needle.
“That? Ah… it’s for fashion… No, actually, it’s just that I put it on once and it won’t come off.”
The ring on my left ring finger is definitely the ‘Ring of Covenant.’
I can’t figure out the purpose of this ‘Ring of Covenant’ at all.
‘What the hell is it for?’
【Isn’t it just a simple wedding ring? Just give me one so I can make a claim! I might lose her if I don’t!】
‘Sorry, but I can’t marry a ghost.’
【… Bad guy. If you die, I’ll definitely chew you out like a dog, just so you know.】
I need to live a long life.
“Who’s the person you shared that ring with?”
A slight silence fell.
“Huh? No one. I just tried it on by myself.”
Her face filled with joy at my words, finally turning into a 100% genuine smile.
The corners of her mouth formed a beautiful arc, making a distinct impression.
“Well, then I should take the vacant spot. Let’s head to your house.”
Harin’s face was red.
It looked like she would bleed profusely if pricked with a needle right now.
She seems really excited.