[Enforcement of Justice
Show the taste of justice to the villain who wants to harm you.
Reward: 5 Coins]
[Overwhelming Strength
Win a fight against a Hunter with a difference of two or more grades.
Reward: 5 Coins]
While being carried away by the stretcher, Jeonghyun absentmindedly examined the record that showed he had gained 10 coins for achieving a hidden achievement.
He was aware that achievements existed. Although the criteria varied individually, repeating the same action didn’t guarantee breaking an achievement. However, if it happened by chance, the rewards were sweet.
Most rewards were generous enough to almost equate to a level-up in proficiency points. For Jeonghyun, it seemed like these rewards were being replaced with coins.
“Well, if the proficiency level of an EX rank didn’t rise with something like this, it wouldn’t make sense.”
The Attribute Shop could be likened to a company that catches fish rather than being a fish itself. The value of leveling up proficiency was not the same as the other common attributes.
Initially, 10 coins felt like a hefty sum, but as his head cooled down, the reward felt like a natural consequence.
“I thought I would never come back for real.”
Upon exiting, Jiyoon said while shielding her eyes from the bright sunlight.
Jeonghyun felt the same way. The fine dust and smoky air of the real world seemed so welcoming.
However, the surroundings of the gate, which had stood desolate before, were now bustling with quite a few people.
In addition to the response team that entered the gate, there was an additional blockade team that had been dispatched.
Reporters who had come upon hearing the news that the villainous duo newbie hunter ‘The Mask’ had been captured.
“Villains entered the gate with two beginner hunters. Have you grasped the current situation?”
“What about the association’s safety plan for beginner hunters… Oh, they’re out!”
A woman in a suit was standing in front of the reporters.
She wasn’t visible properly as she was standing against the gate, but judging by the attention she was receiving from the reporters, she was undoubtedly the person in charge.
Of course, things had changed completely after Jeonghyun and Jiyoon came out.
“Step back! You can’t cross the tape!”
There was a momentary collision between the reporters trying to cross the blockade line and the association blockade team trying to stop them.
Although the reporters were aggressive, it was like hitting a rock when faced with the team of hunters.
Observing this, Seokwoong shook his head as if he had a headache.
“I knew it would be like this… Who keeps leaking information? Jeonghyun, I’ll report to the chief and come back. We’ll move you to a vehicle and take care of you there.”
Approaching the woman whom Jeonghyun had been watching closely. Jeonghyun recalled the words of Seokwoong earlier.
She indeed seemed to be the ‘Director’ Seokwoong was talking about.
Jiyoon and Jeonghyun moved to the ambulance parked inside the blockade.
For safety reasons, medical staff didn’t seem to have entered the gate.
Inside the ambulance was a doctor wearing a blue gown, indicating C-rank Healing Attribute, who was relatively old.
‘Among C-rank hunters, healers are definitely the rarest.’
C-rank Healing attribute were so rare that there were probably only a few of them in general hospitals.
Naturally, if things were normal, the treatment cost would have been exorbitant.
Jeonghyun realized how deeply involved he was in this situation.
“Uh… I’m not really injured, but start with this person.”
Jiyoon, who had entered first, sat down and made room for the entrance of the medical staff.
The doctor nodded and assessed Jeonghyun’s condition.
“Oh my, is this a hole from a goblin spear in your arm? It’s also broken, and your side ribs don’t look good either.”
Not only did he appear older than his appearance, but he also assessed Jeonghyun’s condition just by looking at him.
Then, naturally, he used his Healing Attribute.
As the light emanated from the doctor’s hands and touched Jeonghyun’s wound, he couldn’t help but let out an exclamation.
“Wow…”
‘If it’s a C-rank Healing Attribute, it must include healing the severed parts, right? Amazing, really.’
Of course, there were limitations, such as the treatment being useless after a certain period or having to endure permanent nerve damage. However, generally, it was considered almost magical.
Jeonghyun felt how he had endured the pain he thought he had gotten used to.
“Ah… Thank you, doctor.”
“…?”
The doctor, who was explaining the precautions, had his hand grabbed by Jeonghyun without warning.
The title of “Saint” seems fitting for someone like him.
About a week of recovery was more than tolerable.
If Jeonghyun had gone to the hospital himself, he would have had to stay hospitalized for a month.
The doctor, who briefly looked puzzled while gazing at his and Jeonghyun’s hands, smiled warmly.
“I should be the one to thank you. You caught the villain, so I should be more thankful. I heard the grade difference was significant. My son is also a hunter, and his job is no walk in the park. Thank you.”
‘Ah, it’s dazzling…’
Although it was actually the fluorescent light inside the ambulance, it felt as if a halo was shining behind the doctor’s head, making Jeonghyun’s vision distant.
***
“What? Say that again.”
Inside the Association’s command vehicle.
Seokwoong couldn’t bring himself to look directly at Yerin, the head of Investigation Division 3, who was giving him a disbelief look.
“Uh… I mean, when we entered, Han Jeonghyun and Nam Jiyoon had already killed those two.”
“Does that make sense now?”
“I don’t think it makes sense either.”
“Sigh.”
Yerin sighed lightly while tapping the desk with her fist.
Newbie were experts at dealing with hunters, especially inexperienced rookies.
Among them, the duo Heesoo and Jucheol, with their signature face-changing technique and skillful disguises, were exceptional. They are only at Level 2 because they only faced those weaker than themselves, not because of their short career.
And those two killed them? Moreover, Nam Jiyoon was said to have a healing ability.
“Is Jeonghyun really an unregistered person?”
“Yes.”
At Seokwoong’s brief reply, Yerin, who seemed to be pondering something, asked casually,
“Don’t you smell something odd?”
“Yes?”
“I mean, unregistered people. In a situation like this, if there’s a variable, what else could it be?”
Seokwoong’s expression became awkward at Yerin’s serious tone.
He had thought about it when he was thinking about Jeonghyun.
In fact, he was the one who killed them all.
Jeonghyun’s mental strength, which glowed with an intense look even when he was down, had been seen by him. Nevertheless, with the accumulated statistical experience gained while working at the Association, he felt that Yerin’s words were somewhat exaggerated.
“But most unregistered people are F-rank, right? Saying that there are high-rank unregistered people now is like a city legend.”
Of course, there were precedents. However, that was just a story from the past when the system wasn’t properly established. Even if it was A-rank awakening, revealing it was much more beneficial than hiding it.
“Moreover, even if he was high-rank unregistered people, why would he come to a goblin gate like this?”
It was a logical argument. However, Yerin wasn’t convinced.
“So, you’re saying an F-rank hunter and an E-rank healer killed two D-grades just like that? Moreover, the healer’s direct involvement in combat was just a wooden splinter.”
“Ah, even if you say so, I really don’t know. We might find out more when we hear the situation from Han Jeonghyun and Nam Jiyoon.”
As if releasing accumulated stress and distraction as if shaking off something, Seokwoong vigorously shook his head.
Watching Seokwoong, who seemed to be struggling, Yerin spoke teasingly.
“Tsk, tsk, tsk, what a lacking kid. You should have said you won with psychological tactics like in Japanese manga.”
“What are you talking about? We still don’t know the details.”
Then Yerin chuckled.
Seeing her laugh, Seokwoong unconsciously shivered.
A-rank Attribute, honestly, she was at a level where she could enter any famous guild abroad without joining the Association.
Moreover, her abilities beyond her rank were outstanding. Having worked closely with her for quite a while, Seokwoong could roughly guess what would happen next just by looking at her expression.
“Uh… Director, whatever you’re thinking, please think twice.”
“Seokwoong.”
“Yes?”
“Do you find it bothersome to write a report?”
There was a faint, eerie light laugh.
However, Seokwoong’s response was sincere.
“…Yes, it’s bothersome.”
“I’ve decided. I’ll write it for you this time.”
“Really?”
“Do you want me to take that bacj? Then I’ll go check on Han Jeonghyun’s condition!”
With that, Seokwoong rushed out without waiting for a response.
Yerin, who watched Seokwoong leave, was lost in her own thoughts.
It was a situation that was hard to understand logically. Although it was fortunate that there were no casualties, it was still her duty to investigate the whole story. And her curiosity was piqued.
Yerin’s eyes gleamed.
‘What exactly are you hiding, Han Jeonghyun?’
