Chapter 43

Chapter 43

As evening turned to night, the gathering finally came to an end.

President Jang Kyunghwan, Vice President Park Kyumin, and Guild Master Bae Dong-hyuk, all non-awakened, called their subordinates to drive them home.

Only Suho and Pi Seongyeol, both hard to intoxicate due to their stats, remained at the table.

As the elders’ cars disappeared in the distance, Pi Seongyeol, who had been watching them leave, pulled out a cigarette.

He offered one to Suho as well.

“Do you smoke?”

“No, I don’t. I’m a non-smoker.”

“Then I’ll just have one myself. Haha, after drinking, the urge to smoke gets intense….”

Pi Seongyeol lit his cigarette, taking a deep drag and exhaling the smoke.

Then, with a grin, he handed his business card to Suho.

“Last time was too hectic, so I didn’t get to give you my card. This is my direct line, so feel free to call anytime. I may not answer others, but I’ll always answer Hunter Ahn.”

“Haha, thank you.”

“Where are you staying?”

“Oh, I’m at a hotel these days. My old place became too crowded with people showing up….”

“That’s rough… it’s an issue here. Our country’s people swarm like obsessive fans the moment someone gets a bit famous.”

“Haha, well, isn’t it all out of admiration?”

“Admiration, huh….”

For an instant, his previously calm aura grew cloudy.

Suho knew the reason.

As an awakened individual and head of the Korean Hunter Association’s Special Division, Pi Seongyeol viewed the public as nothing more than sheep.

In other words, he possessed a superiority complex—a sense of elitism.

‘It’s not just Pi Seongyeol. Most of those in high positions, like the president or vice president of the association, have an elitist mindset.’

At Suho’s words, Pi Seongyeol gave a slight smirk and took another deep drag of his cigarette.

Then his clouded aura began to turn white again as he continued.

“I’m sure you’re aware, but the upcoming Grade 5 public recruitment test at the end of the year… it’s basically designed for Hunter Ahn.”

A blunt question.

Suho answered it without hesitation.

“Yes, I’m aware.”

Pi Seongyeol’s eyes widened in brief surprise before he smirked.

“I thought you’d be more modest, but I see you have a different side to you?”

“Haha, not at all.”

“Well, since you’ll be joining the association anyway, why don’t we start with a senior-junior relationship now?”

A casual shift to informal speech.

Yet Suho showed no sign of offense and answered promptly.

“Sounds good, senior.”

Thus, Suho chose not to feign modesty.

After all, Pi Seongyeol preferred foxes to bears.

Satisfied with Suho’s quick response, Pi Seongyeol asked with even greater interest.

“Haha, I like how straightforward you are, junior. But I’ve got a question.”

“Yes, senior?”

“How about joining the Special Division directly instead of Gate Management? With your skills, I could arrange for you to skip around and go straight in.”

There was a glint of greed in Pi Seongyeol’s eyes.

Suho nearly laughed.

Right.

The reason you stayed behind till the end.

It had to be for this.

Pi Seongyeol was surprisingly skilled at navigating social situations.

He’d arrive earlier than his superiors and leave later.

But it wasn’t about courtesy; he understood such actions benefited him.

The same went for tonight’s gathering.

Frankly, Suho’s unique traits could be investigated by sending someone or asking Director Bae.

Yet he showed up personally, wanting to ensure Suho would be his ally.

In this country, there was no better way to build rapport than sharing drinks, and nothing more reliable than handling matters oneself.

Interpreting Pi Seongyeol’s question as a signal, Suho began using the Ring of Emotions he’d been holding onto.

He chose the emotion: White.

As the Ring of Emotions activated, a pure white aura that only Suho could see began to surround him.

There was no way an awakened person like Pi Seongyeol could detect it.

After all, it didn’t directly lower status effects or stats.

With the White aura applied, Suho replied.

“I’d be happy to.”

“Really?”

“Of course. Everyone knows the Special Division is the core of the association. If you’re willing to recommend me, I’d be honored.”

Pi Seongyeol’s eyes widened further at Suho’s response, his aura now the brightest shade of white Suho had seen.

“Haha, junior, you’re different from others. I see ambition in your eyes. And I like people with ambition. A person without dreams is just an empty shell. But… aren’t you close with Team Leader Jung?”

A subtle tone.

Suho responded.

“I can be close with Team Leader Jung, close with you, senior, and build a connection with the president as well. But out of all of them, I think it’s most important to be close to you, senior.”

To that, Pi Seongyeol replied with a smile.

“Why do you think that?”

“There’s a saying that you should be closest to your mentor or direct superior. The president is too high-ranking, and Team Leader Jung may just be passing by, but you, senior, are the person I should be closest to.”

Pi Seongyeol nodded in satisfaction.

“You know your stuff, junior. But you seem pretty young. How are you so good at socializing? Is this your second life?”

“Haha, not at all. If I could, I’d join the association as a special recruit or experienced hire rather than waiting till the end of the year.”

“A special recruit, huh….”

In that instant, a spark lit up in Pi Seongyeol’s eyes.

Yes.

A special recruitment was an option.

But why didn’t he know that?

That was exactly the expression on his face.

Of course, it wasn’t that Pi Seongyeol didn’t know about special recruitment.

Rather, not bringing it up stemmed from his years of experience.

No matter how much one likes a dish, eating it too quickly can lead to indigestion.

The Grade 5 public recruitment at the end of the year was practically settled for Suho anyway.

So there was no need for him to push for special recruitment; it would come on its own with a bit of waiting.

However, the situation was different now.

Though Pi Seongyeol already had a favorable impression of Suho, thanks to the Ring of Emotions, his feelings toward Suho had escalated beyond mere liking.

‘The Ascetic once said that the end result is deep affection.’

In other words, the White effect made Pi Seongyeol’s feelings toward Suho progress to a level that could almost be described as love.

Of course, this sentiment wouldn’t last forever.

The effects of the Ring of Emotions weren’t permanent.

But it was more than enough to create a favorable situation, even if only briefly.

With a broad smile, Pi Seongyeol spoke.

“I didn’t realize your interest and passion for our Korean Hunter Association ran this deep, junior.”

“My goal has never wavered, not in the past nor now. So I checked if there were any special recruitments this year, but it seems there aren’t, which is a bit disappointing.”

“It’s true, special recruitment doesn’t happen often. But, you know, that’s something I could potentially handle if I pull a few strings.”

Perfect.

Suho finally heard exactly what he had been waiting for from Pi Seongyeol’s own mouth.

With a hopeful expression, Suho asked as if he’d never considered it before.

“Really? That’s impressive, senior.”

“Hehe, well, it’s nothing major. Special recruitment at the Korean Hunter Association depends on the will of the upper management, so if I frame it as a shortage of personnel in the Special Division, it might be possible. But, you know….”

Pi Seongyeol narrowed his eyes.

“To push for an unscheduled special recruitment, we’d need a more solid reason. Something to prove that Junior Ahn is an essential asset for our Special Division.”

Suho was genuinely impressed inside.

As expected of Pi Seongyeol.

Even with the White emotion flooding him, he was still calculating the cost-benefit.

‘Despite his strong attraction toward me, he’s still looking for a way to gain from this.’

However, Suho kept a straight face and asked curiously.

“What kind of proof do you mean?”

“Well, the Special Division has a wide range of tasks. We do tackle gates, but we focus more on people than the gates themselves. For example, apprehending criminal awakened beings.”

“Ah, yes, I’m aware. The Special Division has investigative authority over awakened individuals.”

“Exactly. Among them, there are notorious fugitives… these days, they’re called villains, right? I know you’re highly skilled, but investigating villains and handling gates are slightly different matters. So, instead of a gate, how about catching a well-known villain to prove your abilities?”

“Understood. Do you have a specific target in mind?”

“Well, no. I don’t have a specific target in mind, so just bring in one of the wanted individuals. If you manage to catch one of them, I’ll use that as grounds to push for special recruitment. You know, right? If the special recruitment goes through, you could be hired in a month or two.”

“Yes, I understand. I’ll go over the wanted list on the Korean Hunter Association website and pick a target.”

“As expected of Junior Ahn. You show no sign of fear or hesitation. Even our people get anxious at the mention of fugitives, so I’m counting on you, Junior.”

“Yes, I’ll make sure to capture one and prove my worth.”

“Great. Then let’s have a meal together sometime. I know a good place.”

“Thank you. I’ll look forward to it.”

With those words, Pi Seongyeol finally got into a taxi and left.

As his taxi completely disappeared from view, Suho allowed himself a faint, sardonic smile and nodded.

Suho murmured.

“Junior Ahn, huh….”

A laughable title.

Suho vividly remembered how Pi Seongyeol had addressed him in his previous life.

“Hey, swordsman.”

“Go fetch the swordsman.”

“You know, the kid with the sword. What was his name again?”

“The butcher-like guy. Go get the swordsman.”

Swordsman.

That was the term Pi Seongyeol had used before he acknowledged Suho.

‘Only after I defeated the Sword Emperor did he start calling me by my name.’

In that sense, calling him “junior” and acting so friendly right from the start was almost amusing.

And though it was largely due to the Ring of Emotions, he had even gone so far as to promise to expedite Suho’s entry into the association, going out of his way to be helpful.

‘I know just the villain to use as a stepping stone.’

One suitable target had come to mind at the perfect time.

With that, Suho hailed a taxi and headed somewhere other than the Kaiser Cheongdam.

This “fugitive” happened to be a rather easy catch, despite his wanted status.