SWNOVELXO Chapter 221: Misinterpretation
Korean Magic Tower. Esther’s Room.
– The Chinese player Zhu Han uses his signature skill, the Dragon Palm. An American hunter falls at this. It’s a technique that strikes with a speed almost impossible to perceive with the naked eye. If you watch the footage captured with a high-speed camera…
The television powered on, broadcasting a rebroadcast of something.
The master of the Magic Tower Guild half-listened to it while focusing on paperwork.
Click, click.
The mule-shaped shoes barely clung to her feet as they swayed.
And then, outside the room, the sound of someone else’s shoes echoed in a regular pattern.
Clip-clop. Clip-clop. Clip-clop.
How long had it been since she had followed that sound with her ears?
Soon, an out-of-place figure arrived at the tranquil top of the Magic Tower.
Unlike another S-Class hunter who donned an array of colorful clothing, this person, due to professional reasons, wore a black suit.
A neat posture.
And perhaps due to using excess tea leaves as an air freshener, there was a subtle scent of green tea emanating from this B-Class Awakened.
“Excuse me, Hunter Esther. I came to deliver a message regarding the Association President’s inauguration…”
Seonwoo-yeon opened the door and walked in.
As she did, Esther, as if she had never had a serious expression, welcomed her guest with a bright smile.
“Oh my! Welcome, Yeon!”
The magic power of an Awakened can waver even with positive emotional shifts, causing Seonwoo-yeon to fully feel the presence of a monster known as an S-Class.
.
.
.
“So, you mean the branch approval we received last time will stay intact, right?”
“Yes. The President said he would prepare the contract documents and finalize things right after the inauguration ceremony.”
“Got it. Thank you for your hard work.”
A little while later.
The woman in the suit quenched her dry throat with some cold coffee after an extensive discussion.
By the way, the reason Seonwoo-yeon was here today was to relay various matters concerning the association to the head of the large guild.
Conversely, Esther also had the duty to convey her opinions to the organization.
“New Association President, huh.”
In that meantime, the Korean Hunter Association had gotten a new president, which naturally causes quite a stir.
But Esther wasn’t particularly worried about the newcomer.
Having gathered beforehand, that new president was a middle-aged politician famously known for having an Awakened son…
His character could be politely described as easy-going.
Or poorly described as indecisive.
Instead of boldly implementing new policies, he focused on maintaining and preserving the established routes of his predecessor, so everything should remain quiet during the transition.
‘Well, to be honest, I didn’t really want to influence the administration with my abilities…’
Esther toyed with the tips of her neatly manicured nails while pondering.
‘This was that man’s request, so I have no choice.’
A satisfactory conclusion.
In the future, she hoped that the new president wouldn’t clash with the hunters and would merely fulfill his duties sincerely.
Esther crossed her legs to the other side and smiled.
With the weighty topic wrapped up, she thought about tossing some playful banter at the watchdog sent by the association.
“By the way, Yeon, you must really be working hard.”
“Pardon?”
“Most of the staff in the association are non-awakened. If there’s something to relay to an S-Class like me, they usually send you, right?”
“Ah.”
“I hear our Yeon is B-Class, right? Anyway, you are recognized as one of the top talents within the organization.”
“Talent is… well…”
“Speaking of which, it suddenly came to mind. There was a time the former president panicked during a meeting due to an Awakened and left midway. How does such a timid person plan to send errands under his cousin’s name? Hahaha. These days, it’s been revealed, so he’s even getting scolded by his relatives!”
Esther lifted her coffee cup while keeping the conversation flowing.
“Anyway, when a high-level dungeon break occurs, you usually come out leading the Awakened, right?”
“Yeah, that’s how it is…”
“Well, I’m grateful because it means I get to see our pretty Yeon often.”
“Excuse me?”
Seonwoo-yeon casually responded, like someone just going along with the conversation, but flinched at the Magic Tower Master’s joke.
“I’m just worried if it’s healthy to frequently be around hunters with such a large difference in awakening levels.”
Esther’s lips curled up gracefully, forming a smile.
“So please be sure to contact me in advance next time you come. By then, the imported magic suppression accessories should have arrived.”
For a beast like her to willingly endure restrictions for the weak.
Her tone was light, so she didn’t seem serious, but Esther’s words were undoubtedly a representation of goodwill.
These two Awakened had met several times on business matters and Esther had always been reassured of the association employee’s character.
“Got it? You must let me know in advance.”
“Sure.”
Furthermore, thinking back to the events in the 13th Month’s Maze, indeed.
Esther reminisced about events from long ago as if they were just yesterday. Meanwhile, Seonwoo-yeon began to glance at Esther, wondering if maybe the S-Class hunter was in a bad mood.
“Hmmm.”
But this awkward silence was just a fleeting moment.
“This isn’t the time for that. Just wait a moment. I’ll review the document you just handed me and get it right back to you.”
Then, Esther turned her gaze to the table to check the information brought by the association employee.
Rustle, rustle.
The sound of pages being turned resonated for a while.
Seonwoo-yeon sipped on the premium coffee provided by the Korean Magic Tower, trying to kill time.
However, no matter how nice the words used or how quietly she tried to keep her mouth shut.
Ultimately, the innate pressure from being near a top-ranking Awakened was making her uneasy.
Signals repeatedly tickled her brain that she needed to flee from this dangerous monster and hide in a safe zone immediately.
Then, would that hunter, when he stops concealing his magic, evoke such an unsettling feeling?
‘That person is already scary enough as it is.’
Just then, as a male face flashed in her mind.
Esther, while reviewing the documents, seemed to have recalled something and spoke up.
“By the way…”
“Oh, yes?”
“Since Yeon is here, I have something I’ve been curious about.”
Specifically, it was regarding the record of one hunter.
With that, Esther raised her head and chose her words carefully. The following were a few questions.
“Yeon, you once tackled the newly emerged EX-Class Gate called the Fairy Kingdom, right?”
“Yeah.”
“Well, it’s a bit impolite of a question, but… was there anything missing in the report about that gate?”
“Pardon?”
“Specifically, about the Kim Gi-ryeo Hunter.”
Seonwoo-yeon calmly listened to her words and responded.
“If it’s about the report, the personnel who went on the exploration are usually instructed to detail their experiences as thoroughly as possible right after exiting the dungeon.”
“I see.”
“Because of that, I think there shouldn’t be anything significant that’s missing… But suddenly asking about Kim Gi-ryeo?”
“It’s just personally, I’m curious about how he solved the new dungeon.”
Is that alright?
As Esther blinked her long eyelashes and asked with a plea, the association employee, although flustered, opened her mouth.
After all, there wouldn’t be any secrets to hide from their past exploration.
“The Kim Gi-ryeo Hunter didn’t face many different experiences from what we had…”
Entangled S-Class hunter.
The fairies’ enforced festival.
Hide-and-seek, and so on.
Seonwoo-yeon explained the incidents in the dungeon with Kim Gi-ryeo’s actions as the focus.
Esther responded with an unexpected expression.
“Hmmm, is that so.”
One eyebrow raised, she wore a displeased expression.
‘So there weren’t any incidents in the new EX-Class Gate…’
That guess could not have been any more off the mark.
The truth was, Esther had been having a new concern lately.
Due to an accident in a low-level dungeon, she had unintentionally learned a secret about a colleague in the industry.
Health issues.
Thinking back, the disclosed secret of that hunter was full of ambiguous aspects.
‘How did Kim Gi-ryeo end up with such a huge aftermath?’
Initially, she thought it was an injury sustained at an S-Class Gate in Japan, but upon reviewing the news from the Kagoshima raid completion, Kim Gi-ryeo had shown up outside merely minutes after the exit had formed.
So, the Black Dragon couldn’t have been the cause of his health issues.
If his injuries were severe enough to leave aftermath, he surely could not have gathered himself in such a short time.
Thus, Esther thought perhaps he might have been affected by the gimmicks of the new EX-Class Gate, but…
The association employee before her had just said it wasn’t that.
Then, when had Kim Gi-ryeo started feeling unwell? What kind of enemy had he come across?
‘The best would be to hear the explanation from him directly, but…’
What happened inside the flesh nest at Gampo Port?
Or, just as the rumors suggested, was he really a beast who had secretly gone and raided dungeons in the remote areas?
‘Thinking alone leads to all sorts of speculation.’
It’s troubling.
Esther had already asked this subject to him before.
For some reason, the fourth S-Class mentioned nothing about his injuries and changed the subject.
Because of that, Esther had no idea about the cause of Kim Gi-ryeo’s coughing up blood.
In essence, there’s nothing as scary and frustrating as not knowing in this world.
‘Why won’t you tell me anything at all?’
But ultimately, as long as the person involved remains silent, there weren’t any choices for a third party.
Esther sank into deep thought for a while before returning to the current conversation.
“Anyway, I understand.”
Scribble.
The Magic Tower Guild Master signed the document the association requested and handed it over to Seonwoo-yeon.
“Then please tell the new president I look forward to working with him…”
Just then.
Knock, knock, knock. Suddenly, a loud knocking interrupted the calm conversation in the representative’s office.
Hearing that, Esther quickly lifted her head to assess the identity of the visitor.
“Who could it be at this hour?”
“Guild Master, it’s me. I just wanted to let you know that the imported potions you mentioned earlier have arrived.”
“Oh my!”
“If you’re not too busy, may I deliver them to you now?”
“Of course! Come in right away!”
A certain hunter appeared to be trying to hide his injury.
But if it was just light health concerns and not prying into the secrets, wasn’t it something a fellow industry worker could do?
“Oh, please be careful on your way back, Seonwoo-yeon!”
She stood up, very excited at the news of the potions’ arrival.
The way she was fixing her outfit in front of the mirror felt very much like preparing to leave.
*
[Text Messages]
[Gi-ryeo |･ω･)]
[Yes]
[Quick response! Not a big deal, but did you have any plans to raid a dungeon today?]
[None.]
[I see? Then what are you doing right now?]
[Resting at home.]
A few minutes later.
“Let’s see, based on the address, I should be in the right place…”
The young curse mage with long curly hair looked around while clutching a paper box.
This was a building located in Mapo District, where Korea’s fourth S-Class Hunter resided.
Esther knew the address of Kim Gi-ryeo accurately as she had sent him a package before.
‘Room 304.’
The young curse mage arrived at the desired room and once again tidied her hair at the door.
By the way, the potion she was carrying was a European-imported [1st Grade Holy Water].
An excellent remedy for removing curse status effects, and even if it had nothing to do with Kim Gi-ryeo’s condition, it was still a decent item for a gift.
Holy Water generally accompanied slow recovery of health and magic power.
For an Awakened, this could serve as a short-term fatigue booster like taurine.
Ding-dong, ding-dong.
“Excuse me, are you inside?”
Now, she had personally delivered the potion since it was too expensive to send through a courier…
Is this not going to be an inconvenience at all?
Esther prepared to shout “Surprise!” on the tip of her tongue while thinking.
She’d checked the other’s schedule earlier, but still, for some reason, anxiety surged.
With her knowledge as an appraiser, she knew well enough that the hunter was likely busy studying even on holidays.
Would they mind if they found out she showed up just to see their face?
Crash, bang!
Just then, while she was lost in thought.
Suddenly, commotion erupted from behind the door labeled 304.
And about a minute later, the gray door in front of her flew open.
Kim Gi-ryeo appeared.
“Hunter Esther?”
But oh no. It seemed her worry had turned into reality.
The homeowner who swung the door wide open contrasted greatly with his usual perfectly kept appearance.
His damp blonde hair was calm and flat.
And there was a faint smell of tap water.
From this alone, Esther could tell that he had just been in the bathroom.
Now it was time to apologize for interrupting his wash, but the moment she caught sight of his home wear, something else slipped out of her mouth.
“Damn it, that gift from before still—”
“Hey!”
She accidentally shouted without meaning to, her eyes widening with shock and she hastily rearranged her expression.
“…Hello, Gi-ryeo. Did you manage to eat? The weather is quite nice today, isn’t it?”
“You don’t have to pretend like everything is normal when it clearly isn’t.”
Unfortunately, it was a step too late for a correction.