Chapter 401 – The Ashes
A flame is like a small flower ignited by fire.
It is both destructive and beautiful.
Dangerous yet holding its own unique charm.
Instead of burning fiercely for a long time, it extinguishes quickly.
And that nature was still valid now.
Before I knew it, the flames that had once blossomed on the ground had completely vanished.
Only a bit of soot and small ashes remained where the flames had been, as if to testify that a flame had once bloomed here.
– Click.
“Alright, now you must live earnestly in the hunter world, okay?”
As I released the ability-user cuffs from the juvenile offender hunters, they quickly began to leave.
They looked as if they had just risen from exhaustion, it seemed so unbelievable.
Seeing this, Hyeji expressed a slight worry.
“Shinwoo, is it alright to just let them go like that?”
“It’s okay.”
To be honest, I didn’t really care much.
Even if they regained their freedom, they wouldn’t be able to commit the same evil acts as before.
They had already transformed into decent juvenile offender hunters.
The hunters weren’t in a situation where they could casually exert dominance either, so they couldn’t act out any further.
In the end, if they wanted to live, they had no choice but to quietly work as hunters from now on.
At that moment, Ayeon raised a question.
“By the way, what about the vehicle?”
“Oh, right.”
“It got scratched a bit, so I think the repair costs will be hefty.”
[……A bit…?]
‘Well, at least the chassis isn’t completely wrecked.’
True, there was indeed some issue.
At that time, we had used an expensive sedan to lure those juvenile offenders.
Now that car barely maintained its shape.
However, this part was surprisingly easily resolved.
“Everyone, we’ll cover all the repair costs.”
“Uh? Are you really okay with that?”
Thanks to the police promising to cover all the repair costs.
“Yes, of course.”
“Why, though…?”
I had originally planned to charge the juvenile offender hunters for the costs.
So it was a relief for us that the police would pay without the hassle.
However, I couldn’t really guess their reasoning.
The repair costs for an expensive sedan would obviously seem substantial.
Even if we had some connection with them, it felt like a bit too much kindness.
Especially since dealing with repair costs through taxes would obviously be sensitive.
“The repair costs can just be handled with the budget.”
“It’s nice to see that the taxes we paid are actually put to good use.”
“Moreover, we’re also planning to expand the department’s funding a bit while we’re at it.”
“You made a good decision.”
There was a surprisingly solid reason behind it.
They seemed to be making a slight manipulation to justify the significant expenses needed to handle a criminal.
With that, they planned to increase the size of the funding that comes to the department.
In the end, it was a long-term investment that looks to the distant future.
[Isn’t this just like issuing a fake receipt? You cheeky cops!]
‘They’re our dog bastards, so it’s all good anyway.’
Moreover, they even sent us another gift along with that.
“Oh, and you can just keep those cuffs.”
“Are you really okay with that?”
Right there were the ability-user cuffs.
Honestly, I was thinking about how I could avoid returning them since I didn’t want to give them back.
But having them readily offer it was a great thing for us.
“It’s more trouble than it’s worth to deal with stolen stuff.”
However, just receiving it outright felt a bit off to me.
So I decided to show a hint of goodwill to the police.
To lessen my burden a little.
“Just tuck it in your pockets.”
“If you give me this much, how’s the Shinwoo hunter going to make a living!”
And just like that, a successful second-hand deal went down.
“Don’t get me wrong. It’s just that I already prepaid the taxes.”
“How nice to have such good communication with you, Shinwoo hunter.”
In any case, we now had new means in the form of ability-user cuffs.
For someone like me, who goes all-in in close range, it’s easy to get exposed to the opponent’s abilities.
Especially when I think of the opponents I had fought before; being close didn’t mean everything was solved.
But with this item, I could twist the unfavorable situation a bit.
Although the persistent issue of being vulnerable to the opponent’s ranged control remained.
At the very least, it would significantly boost my chances of winning when I got close.
Of course, it was sure to be of no use when fighting monsters.
[What’s there to worry about? There are way more incidents involving people than monsters anyway.]
‘…….Honestly, this doesn’t feel like a hunter story anymore. They just took the backdrop.’
Still, it wouldn’t hurt to have it since I would end up fighting those hunter bastards fiercely later on.
Meanwhile, Caressy gazed at the cuffs with sparkling eyes.
Like a cat expressing interest in some object.
“Is this to stop ability use?”
“Exactly. Once caught, no exceptions.”
Then Caressy suddenly slipped one cuff onto her finger and spun it around.
“But I’m strong enough even with something like this on.”
“That much is true.”
“Be a little more complimentary! Why do you seem so unenthusiastic?”
It’s true that Caressy, being a beastman, had superior physical conditions intrinsically.
Of course, having a stronger physique through powers is possible.
But even if a situation arises where one can’t use their powers,
Compared to others, she would likely suffer less damage.
However, perhaps my lukewarm reaction didn’t sit well with her.
Soon, Caressy dropped a more provocative comment.
“But the rest of us, if we can’t use our powers, would only be like some weak, broke pig, you know?”
She seemed to think she was making a slightly outrageous self-appeal.
But I had no choice but to urgently call out her name.
It’s only natural.
“Caressy.”
“Are you finally feeling like complimenting me?”
Before I knew it, the other heroines had heard Caressy’s words and were charging towards us fiercely.
“Run away.”
“Ah, f*cking hell.”
Even though we were quite far from them, they somehow immediately picked up on my curse.
Only then did Caressy notice the situation and attempt to escape quickly, but her effort was futile within seconds.
What awaited Caressy was the heroines’ thorough vengeance.
“Save me!!!”
[Still, that isn’t technically wrong.]
‘….That’s true.’
And seeing how everyone was just throwing punches without abilities seemed to prove that it’s more than enough.
“Ah, that hurts! You crazy girls! This really f*cking hurts!!!”
Anyway, now both the juvenile offender hunters and the police had left.
And by now, Kim Baekhong and the other stars gathered at a distance were sharing love.
Just as I exhaled a sigh of relief, thinking one problem was solved.
“Excuse me.”
“What?”
Lee Da-hye approached me and suddenly held out her right hand.
“Take this.”
“What is it?”
Then Lee Da-hye opened her small palm wide.
On it sat a single blank round, looking out of place.
Much smaller than her hand.
“It’s a blank round, and it’s awkward to dispose of.”
“……At least give me one that functions, f*ck.”
To be honest, I was a bit annoyed since it felt like I was being given their trash.
“Ah… I’m sorry…”
“It’s fine. Anyway, thanks.”
Regardless of what it was, I carefully accepted the round from Lee Da-hye.
After all, I didn’t take this request just for the money.
It was simply a practical aim to leave a record for the guild.
And since everything ended successfully anyway.
[I’m worried it’ll explode later.]
‘Still, it’s just a small round. How much harm could it do?’
As a commemorative gesture for finishing this request, having a small memento like this wouldn’t be bad.
“Carry it around as a talisman!”
“Yeah. And before I get old, I’ll commit some crimes with the juvenile benefits.”
“It’s still legal, right? Anyway, take care!”
With that said, Lee Da-hye trotted away.
Just in time, the heroines finished punishing Caressy.
To make the most of the remaining holiday, we decided to return to our cozy home.
“Shall we head out?”
“Wait, Shinwoo! I’m still not done throwing punches.”
“Just a minute, husband! If you hit that cat now, we’ll run out of money!”
“My lord, come quickly! It’s fever time!”
“You crazy bastards! That’s money for treats!!!”
It was a little more than I expected.
*
It’s been a while since I had a dream again.
A dark and slightly surreal space.
I stood still in place.
And the grotesque existence wriggled just like before.
The scene wasn’t much different than last time.
“Just a bit more…!”
The horrific words that I wouldn’t have heard well before.
The only difference is that they were now clear.
Moreover, there was a bigger problem.
I still couldn’t move even a little from my spot.
That grotesque being was continuing to close the distance.
Very slowly, but surely.
At that moment, the grotesque being suddenly halted its movements.
Could it be that the limited time to move was up?
Or perhaps it was lacking something needed to move?
Or could it be both?
Then suddenly, that existence slowly lifted what looked like a hand.
From there, it pulled out something long and pointed directly at me.
“See you again.”
With that, my consciousness began to fade, and the dream started to break apart as the world slowly began to vanish.
Yet as it did, a blade of emotion in my heart showed its presence clearly.
Sharper and more precise than ever, making me feel like it could slice through existence merely with recognition.
But I didn’t settle for that; I vowed to sharpen that emotional blade even further.
Even if I can’t do anything right now, there will come a chance one day.
To hit that bastard right in the face, even if it’s just once.
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