The Death of the No.1 Hunter.
The shocking news spread like wildfire, bringing about a wave of emotions.
The first reaction was grief.
Everyone who had been indebted to Hanseong mourned his death.
After all, he was a righteous hunter who had fought at the forefront to protect the people of South Korea and had remained untainted, even avoiding the recent scandal involving restricted filming zones in the tower.
That same dependable figure, brimming with unwavering justice, was suddenly reported dead overnight.
It was only natural for people to grieve.
The next wave was fear.
The country’s strongest shield had fallen.
A tsunami of terror washed over the people as they realized that if even the No.1 hunter couldn’t stop the threat, then there was no hope of handling that tower on their own.
It meant they would have to seek help from foreign hunters.
People trembled in fear.
And as always, opportunists thrived in chaos.
Seizing the moment, they turned that fear into anger, directing it toward Yubin, hurling insults at her.
***
Right Before Yubin’s Broadcast – Evacuation Zone.
The towering Gumiho Tower was visible even from outside the evacuation zone.
Its colossal form could be seen across the entire capital region.
In a dark alley, close enough that the tower loomed especially large, a hooded man and woman conversed.
“…The Gumiho Tower.”
The man, squatting as he tapped on his phone, took a drag from his cigarette.
The woman beside him giggled.
“Such a cute newcomer, huh?”
“…I’ve never seen anything like it in the place I was before.”
“That just makes it more fun, doesn’t it? She’s pretty, too. Kinda my type~.”
“…A woman liking another woman?”
“Oh my, saying things like that these days will get you in trouble, old man~. I might just eat you up.”
In places unseen, monsters lurked.
Most of them were opportunists.
They hid in the shadows, waiting for chaos, hoping for the fall of the strong.
And when the news of Hanseong’s death spread, those hidden figures began turning their eyes toward the surface.
Opportunists never miss an opportunity.
“…Let’s begin.”
“Got it~.”
The hooded woman grinned, swaying as she walked to the alley’s edge and peeked outside.
A procession passed by, holding banners that read:
[In Memory of Choi Hanseong, Hunter]
The mourners dressed neatly, their movements solemn.
Covering her mouth, the woman chuckled.
“Heh~ So many people~.”
“…Hmph. I don’t know what kind of fantasy our newbie has, but—”
[Activating Skill: Word Command.]
“If you’re trying to be friendly with humans, you’re doing it wrong~.”
[Skill: Word Command – Activated!]
The crowd suddenly froze.
The woman stepped forward, smiling sweetly.
“Hello, everyone~!”
“So, tell me…”
“Why do you think Hanseong died?”
“It’s all because of the gumiho, right?”
“She’s a monster. A MONSTER. Isn’t it hilarious? Pffft! Aren’t you all angry?”
“I’m furious. Won’t you be angry with me?”
By the time the people regained their senses, the woman was gone.
“Wh-what just happened…?”
“My chest feels tight all of a sudden… and I’m so irritated….”
“…Gumiho?”
“……It’s all because of the gumiho.”
Unexplainable rage took hold of them as they turned to face the Gumiho Tower.
Fear had transformed into anger.
***
“Master~ Master, wake up~”
A sweet, sing-song voice called out.
It was Geomgwi.
I didn’t want to wake up.
Honestly, I wanted to disappear.
I hadn’t done much to change people’s minds, and I had no idea what else I could do.
“…I just want to sleep, Geomgwi….”
“You need to wake up. We have a gues—uh, I mean, a guest here.”
“……The hunter?”
“I moved him to the sarangbang.”
“…We have a sarangbang in my house?”
I pulled the blanket over my head, wrapping my face with my tails.
‘Ugh, I don’t want to do anything….’
I couldn’t even remember the last time I had felt this lethargic.
Well, this was just who I was.
I had aspired to reach great heights.
Yes, I once dreamed of standing in the same place as Choi Hanseong, only to fall before I ever truly climbed.
That was the kind of person I was.
‘I admired him.’
I recalled Hanseong from yesterday.
The way he blankly went to bed after realizing his stab didn’t work.
I might’ve scared him a bit too much.
‘…That’s not exactly what I admired about him, though.’
‘Whatever.’
I buried myself deeper into the blanket.
“Master! You can’t keep burrowing in like that!”
“Nooo~!! I’m not coming out!!!”
“Ughhh! Masteeerrr!!”
I wrestled with Geomgwi for a while—until my stomach growled loudly.
GRRRRROOOWL!
Having skipped breakfast, I was too exhausted to keep fighting.
“…Oh.”
“Ugh!?”
The moment I let go, Geomgwi was sent flying, tumbling across the wooden floor.
“Ah! Sorry!”
“…I-It’s okay… I-I’ll go make food….”
Wobbling, Geomgwi staggered toward the kitchen, where the hearth was.
“…Maybe I should’ve just gotten up peacefully.”
I felt a little guilty.
“Haah…”
As soon as Geomgwi left and the room fell silent, the loneliness hit harder.
“Staying inside is just making me feel worse.”
Maybe a bit of fresh air would help.
Creeeaaak!
“…Loud.”
The door groaned as it swung open, revealing a breathtaking view beyond the courtyard.
“Hooah~”
Sitting on the wooden porch, I flicked my tails back and forth.
The cool breeze swayed them gently.
“Sigh.”
Still, staring out at the open landscape made me feel just a little better.
“Yeah, someday people will understand.”
Slap slap!!
To steel my resolve, I smacked both of my cheeks.
“…Ouch.”
It hurt more than I expected, but at least it woke me up.
“Who am I?”
“I’m the No.1 Rekka—I can do this.”
I was confident in stirring public opinion and spreading news.
“…This time, the topic just happens to be me.”
Taking a deep breath, my heart felt a little lighter.
“Alright, let’s keep pushing forward today.”
“Master~”
“Oh, Geomgwi~”
“You—you’ve regained your energy?”
Geomgwi’s eyes widened in surprise.
“Yeah, I can’t stay like this forever.”
“That’s right, that’s right! No matter what humans say, you’re still the most amazing person, Master!”
“…Ehehe, thanks.”
I scratched my head awkwardly, smiling.
And then.
“…Hunter Choi Hanseong? What exactly are you doing back there?”
I called out to Hanseong, who had been hiding behind a pillar, watching us.
Was the No.1 Hunter actually a fool?
Did he really think I wouldn’t notice just because he was behind a pillar?
***
‘H-how…?!’
Hanseong was utterly bewildered.
He had used Skill: Assassination to completely erase his presence.
But the gumiho had simply glanced in his direction and gestured for him to come out.
“…How did you know?”
He found himself speaking formally without realizing it.
But it didn’t feel unnatural.
After all, this was someone whom Geomgwi served as a master, who had even treated him as a guest despite their earlier fight.
Speaking casually would have felt even stranger.
Yet, to his question, the gumiho only tilted her head.
“…You were just squatting there.”
“What?”
Hanseong was dumbfounded.
‘…But Assassination’s stealth effect should have made me completely invisible?’
The S-rank Skill: Assassination came with stealth—an absolute effect that no one should be able to see through.
Yet, the gumiho had disregarded it entirely.
Cold sweat trickled down Hanseong’s back as he stepped forward.
***
“Relax. You really don’t need to be this tense.”
He had been sitting stiffly at my dining table for quite a while now.
‘What, does he want me to choke on my food or something?’
I was genuinely curious.
Maybe the No.1 Hunter was just different.
But from the moment I started eating until I finished, Hanseong remained frozen in place.
“?”
“…! Hahaha… You, uh… eat very well.”
“Ah, yes… It’s delicious.”
Every time I looked at him, he flinched and spouted awkward lines like that.
So I kept responding with a smile, saying the food was tasty.
It seemed to ease his nerves a little, so I maintained a gentle smile throughout the meal.
After finishing, I decided to have a proper conversation with him.
“Thanks.”
“No problem, Master.”
Geomgwi quickly grabbed the empty dishes and scurried away.
Only then did I get a good look at Hanseong.
His clothes—surprisingly intact.
“…Your clothes are in better shape than I expected.”
“Oh, they were repaired.”
“Hmm~”
So Geomgwi had fixed them.
My Geomgwi, so capable.
“Oh really? Our Geomgwi did that?”
“Yes, though he was a bit… cold about it.”
For some reason, Hanseong’s face looked like he’d been through a lot.
“…Something happen?”
“He kept calling me guest in a condescending way and glared at me every time I moved.”
“Well, that sounds about right.”
Yeah, that’s just how my Geomgwi is.
I didn’t think much of it as I sipped the plum tea Geomgwi had brought.
“Have you eaten?”
“…Yes, well, sort of.”
Hanseong let out another awkward laugh and nodded.
He seemed like he had something to say.
“…Is there something you want to ask?”
At my question, Hanseong hesitated before finally speaking.
“Um… When can I leave?”
“…Ah, that?”
Smiling, I raised three fingers.
Hanseong’s eyes brightened with anticipation.
“…Three hours?”
What?
Three hours?
Was his head full of flowers?
Still smiling, I shook my head.
“Three days.”
“You’re useful, Hunter Hanseong.”
I didn’t think I said anything strange, but Hanseong’s face turned pale.
What’s with him?