Chapter 417 – Handle With Care. It Can Break.
We fished out the unconscious hunters of the Reaper Guild from Cheonggyecheon.
Of course, they were just opportunists with little value to keep alive.
This novel is a very wholesome and bright story, fitting the label of all ages.
That’s why we primarily aim for a non-lethal approach.
[……You? Their clothes are all torn and their limbs are about to fall off, huh?]
‘That’s the Initial Release.’
[Ah, the True White Blade was unleashed and revealed its original form.]
Anyway.
In any case, the hunters from the Reaper Guild were no longer needed by us.
We decided to send them back to their original nest.
“Dirt?”
“Not there, Hyeji. F*ck…”
First, we carelessly stuffed the unconscious ones into the trunk.
We headed towards the cargo delivery center not far from there.
In a very kind gesture, to send them all back to the Reaper Guild.
“What brings you here?”
“I’m trying to send a parcel to the Reaper Guild.”
“Ah, the Reaper Guild. Understood.”
We quickly stated our business to the receptionist, who received us with a nonchalant attitude.
“By the way, what’s in the package?”
“These guys.”
With that statement, Hyeji and I dumped the hunters from the Reaper Guild onto the floor.
They were already tied up and unconscious, rolling on the ground without any reaction.
In this state, there would be no burden in sending them as a parcel.
However, contrary to our expectations that everything would go smoothly.
The receptionist’s expression began to darken.
“……This is impossible.”
As Hyeji and I tilted our heads in confusion, the receptionist shook his head and answered our puzzled looks.
“We don’t deliver living things.”
Indeed, the receptionist’s answer was very valid and beyond reproach.
Generally, it’s not common to send living creatures like dogs or cats as parcels.
Perhaps realizing this, Hyeji immediately made a suggestion to me.
“Shinwoo, what should we do? Should we skin them? Or should we freeze them?”
“……Not that… Wait a minute. Let me try talking again.”
I urgently stopped Hyeji.
We typically don’t commit murder.
“How about this? They’re half-dead; can’t we treat them as goods?”
“If they’re corpses, it’s even more unacceptable. Anyway, a no is a no.”
Despite my desperate pleas, the receptionist firmly waved his hands in refusal.
He was adamantly rejecting our request, but the moment he heard my next words.
“But these guys are hunters, you know?”
“Oh, then it’s fine. You’ve tied them up well enough to keep them from going wild.”
“Of course. Please accept this as is.”
He nodded, showing his agreement.
[Receive it as a cash-on-delivery.]
‘Oh, I almost forgot.’
Then, following Piece’s suggestion, I quickly arranged it as cash-on-delivery.
“Just a moment, I’ll do it as cash-on-delivery.”
“Yes, understood.”
With that, we could finally put an end to our bad relationship with them.
However, our tasks were not yet finished.
We quickly moved to the Hunter Association.
To receive the rewards we hadn’t collected yet.
Not long after, upon arriving at the association,
The receptionist, recognizing us, signaled us to come forward.
Probably to deal with us first.
“Oh, please come this way!”
“Hey! It’s my turn! Who the hell is this, making a fuss!!!”
In response, an angry hunter whose turn was skipped shot a furious look at the receptionist.
“Hyeji has arrived.”
“Oh, f*ck.”
Hearing the receptionist’s words, he immediately huddled into a corner.
As if he would never give Hyeji a glance, he buried his head against the wall.
Truly an exemplary disaster response posture.
Thanks to that, Hyeji and I reached the receptionist without any further inconvenience.
We immediately began to state our purpose.
“What brings you here again?”
“We haven’t received our rewards yet.”
“Is it possible to receive it right now?”
We spoke while barely calming our excited hearts, but…
“Ah… that seems a bit difficult.”
“Why is that?”
The response we received burst our hopes filled with anticipation.
“The study visit wasn’t conducted properly.”
“……That’s true…”
Our mission, to take the association president’s son on a dungeon tour.
But the association president’s son lost consciousness before the tour even began.
Thanks to the Reaper Guild hunters targeting my Defensive Coat.
So upon reflection, our mission could indeed be deemed a failure.
[Shouldn’t these sorts of things be taken into consideration?]
‘Well, from a results standpoint, it is a failure.’
However, it seemed that Hyeji could not accept this result.
“Give me my reward. Unless you really want to die.”
“I-I’m sorry!”
Of course, I could understand Hyeji’s feelings.
Without the reward, Hyeji’s date plan would go up in smoke.
In other words, all the work we did would turn out to be of no use.
“I’ll make this place into one where you can never forget.”
“Disaster warning! Activate the emergency disaster alarm!!!”
Hyeji’s smile took on a more sinister shade.
As the receptionist frantically pressed the emergency button and began to shout in a panic.
Fortunately, the situation didn’t escalate dramatically.
“Hyeji, please wait.”
“Ch-cher, Association President!!!”
Thanks to the sudden appearance of the association president.
“The reward won’t be ‘formally’ given. However…”
“However?”
Hyeji glared fiercely at the president, waving her hand.
But the president maintained a careful calmness as he continued.
“I can personally give you a small reward.”
As soon as he said this, the association president suddenly handed over a bag.
When Hyeji and I opened it to check, it was filled with heavy cash.
A far greater amount than the reward originally promised.
“That’s decent, Shinwoo.”
“……This is a hell of a lot…?”
No matter how personal the reward was, it was too much.
To be honest, at this point, it felt slightly burdensome beyond just good feelings.
I began to suspect that the association president was trying to pull something.
“President, is it okay to give this much?”
“I’m paying you a portion of the compensation I’ll collect from the Reaper Guild.”
“Ah, I see.”
It was clear that the association president had a different aim.
The culprits behind the ruined study visit were the Reaper Guild hunters, and
they had injured the association president’s son while carrying out the Reaper Guild’s orders.
Thus, the Reaper Guild couldn’t escape responsibility.
“If it goes well, we can disband them.”
“Sounds good.”
Although nothing went as we expected,
Ultimately, everything was resolved in a somewhat better direction.
Then suddenly, one thought crossed my mind.
“By the way, have you handled all the important matters?”
“Oh, I have to go do that now.”
“It doesn’t seem related to the association, huh?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
The fact that the association president had important matters to tend to.
Moreover, that he would delegate the disposal of the Reaper Guild hunters to us,
Indicated the gravity of the situation.
“I’m heading to the room salon now.”
“……”
That didn’t sound all that important.
But with his rather serious expression,
It seemed he considered it quite significant.
Thanks to that, I genuinely had nothing to say.
“It’s still afternoon; isn’t that a bit excessive, Shinwoo?”
“……I hadn’t planned to remark on going to a room salon, Hyeji.”
“Ah.”
Even though his son was right next to him.
Perhaps due to that, the president’s son made a displeased face as he looked at his dad.
Clearly, a hint of disdain flickered in his eyes.
“Dad! Isn’t it embarrassing to go to a room salon with me here?!!!”
Certainly, not something you’d casually bring up in front of your child.
No matter how much they were a middle schooler who probably knew everything.
But the moment the association president spoke up.
“Aren’t you going to see your mom?”
“Ah, right. Have a good trip.”
The president’s son bowed respectfully and greeted him.
[Prostitution Pure Love!]
‘……What the hell happened to you?’
[Anyway, as long as you’re happy, it’s pure love.]
In any case, with that, everything was deemed resolved.
We bid them farewell and slowly left the association.
So Hyeji could finally go on the date she had anticipated.
“Shinwoo, let’s go on a date then.”
“Sure. Where shall we go?”
Honestly, I had many places in mind.
It’d be nice to go to the movies and enjoy a cozy film together.
And since we had a good amount of cash, we could also go shopping for some clothes for Hyeji.
However, Hyeji’s response was only one.
“No, we’re heading straight to the hotel.”
“……How about the zoo? I’ve never been since I was a kid, so I want to go this time.”
I carefully suggested an alternative to her words.
While it wouldn’t be a complete solution,
It would at least buy us some time.
Of course, this had no effect on Hyeji whatsoever.
“The little animals are just like hunters, right?”
“……Aren’t they all just dog bastards?”
In the end, I could only end up trapped in Hyeji’s grasp, dragged along.
“I’m going to the hotel anyway. Follow me, you punk.”
“F*ck.”
And shortly after, a certain rumor began to circulate in the hotel where Hyeji and I stayed for a long time.
In one of the suites on the top floor, someone’s sad moans could occasionally be heard.
And at any hour, the lights never seemed to go out, which was a rather eerie tale.
Some referred to it as the hotel lighthouse ghost story.
“Th-that… Initial Release…”
“Our Shinwoo is impressive. He has finally mastered the Initial Release.”
[Congratulations! Now you’re a captain-level being.]
‘That’s not the kind of Initial Release, you f*ck…’
Of course, I had no way of knowing that fact.
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