A Public Servant Hunter Who Exploits Skill Combinations – Chapter 13
Translated by: Hanzo
Chapter 13: The Tempter (3)
The next morning, I left the dormitory at the crack of dawn to head home.
"Oh my, isn’t that person her?"
"What’s she doing here?"
"Did someone from that guild enroll here this time?"
What’s this? Did a celebrity show up or something...?
The crowd murmuring at the entrance made it seem like something was going on, but I only glanced briefly before continuing on my way.
However, I soon felt the sting of gazes following me.
It was because the person who had captured everyone’s attention was walking directly toward me.
Yoo Chae-ah?
With her long, wavy brown hair, sunglasses, a red dress, and a white fur coat, she immediately stood out.
If it’s Yoo Chae-ah... could she be here for me?
Don’t tell me she figured out that I was the one who dumped the last troll on her?
If it gets out that I was sneaking out that day, it’ll cause problems...
I hoped it wasn’t the case, but... her eyes locked directly onto mine.
Great...
It was clear she was heading my way.
“Are you Jung Tae-sung?”
I stared at her without answering. Should I run if she’s figured it out?
“Can we talk for a moment?”
“Why should I?”
“Usually, people want to talk to me.”
Well, that made sense. Not only was she incredibly skilled, but she also possessed stunning looks, which consistently placed her at the top of hunter popularity rankings.
She was the kind of person who always appeared on lists of “Hunters You’d Want to Spend Christmas With.”
“I don’t think I fit into that ‘usually.’”
Yoo Chae-ah smirked, amused.
“There’s something I need to discuss with you privately.”
“Say it here.”
She glanced around, taking in the bustling surroundings.
“With so many people around?”
I could hear a few onlookers whispering.
“What’s this? Are they dating?”
“Is she here to scout Jung Tae-sung for the Impact Guild?”
“Wow, insane. First he scores 1,004, and now his life’s flipping overnight.”
“...”
At my impassive expression, she pouted and muttered.
“Your score’s 1,004, but you’re no angel, are you?”
An angel?
Thankfully, it didn’t seem like she was here because of the troll incident.
In that case... this could be interesting.
It looked like the guilds were starting to make their moves. I hadn’t expected Yoo Chae-ah to come in person, though.
“Did you bring a car?”
Yoo Chae-ah turned her head and gestured behind her.
She was pointing at a parked blue Porter truck.
“Your taste...?”
She waved her hands dismissively after glancing back at the vehicle.
“Oh my! What do you take me for? Next to that one.”
Behind the Porter, hidden from view, was a flashy, bright red, top-tier sports car that suited her perfectly.
“Shall we get in?”
Yoo Chae-ah smiled brightly at my words.
“Now we’re getting somewhere.”
The car’s powerful engine purred, teasing their eardrums.
“Shall I open the top?”
“Keep it closed.”
“...”
Seeing his uninterested expression and attitude, she decided to cut straight to the point.
“They say your mana score hit 1,004?”
“Yeah.”
At Tae-sung’s curt reply, Chae-ah raised an eyebrow.
“And why are you speaking informally?”
“You did first. Thought you wanted to be friends.”
She had come here to recruit Jung Tae-sung for her guild.
She knew arguing with him would only hurt her chances, but that didn’t mean she liked backing down.
“Well, aren’t you cheeky? Still, I’m four years older than you...”
“I know.”
“...”
In her mind, she silently repeated patience three times.
“Have you decided on a guild yet?”
“Turn left here.”
“Oh, okay.”
She quickly made the turn and probed again.
“You know I’m Yoo Sang-wan’s daughter from Impact Guild, right?”
It felt childish to mention her father’s name at 24 years old, but she had to promote herself somehow.
“Turn right up ahead.”
“...”
Biting her lower lip, she finally spoke calmly.
“We can provide the maximum support to help you achieve the greatest growth.”
“Greatest growth... sounds nice. But what if I don’t grow?”
“What?”
“What if the golden egg turns out to be hollow?”
“Then it’s our job to fill it.”
“Wouldn’t it be easier and faster to take a regular egg and turn it into a golden one?”
“Faster, maybe... but an egg is still just an egg.”
An egg is just an egg.
The same could be said for Jung Tae-sung.
He knew better than anyone that no matter how much you try to fill something, it might never be enough.
If he couldn’t achieve results within two years, his salary would drop, and he wouldn’t be treated as he was initially.
Having gone through those struggles already, he had no intention of walking that path again.
Not that he could explain all this to her.
“Sorry, but I’m not planning on signing with any guild.”
“Did you already sign with another one?”
“Not yet.”
“Then why? Is our guild not good enough?”
For her to track him down even before any official announcement, she must have been in quite a hurry.
Since he didn’t hold any grudges against her, Tae-sung decided to be honest to save her time.
“I’m planning to join the Association.”
“What? Why would you go there? There’s no money in it...”
“Who knows?”
Yoo Chae-ah pondered what his words could mean.
“Turn right here.”
“...”
“Stop. Thanks for the ride.”
“W-wait a second.”
As Tae-sung opened the door to get out, Yoo Chae-ah followed him out in a hurry.
“Wait!”
Returning with no results was not an option.
It already felt like her father, Yoo Sang-wan, was scolding her in her ears.
"If you can’t recruit him this time, your credit card and all your items are confiscated."
Yoo Chae-ah, who endured life’s struggles with the fun of spending money and flashy items, felt the weight of her father’s words.
The fact that she had tolerated Jung Tae-sung’s casual tone until now, despite not being a particularly mild-tempered person, was all because of Yoo Sang-wan.
Having come all this way, she couldn't just let him go.
As she watched Jung Tae-sung’s back entering the gates of a residential area, she easily leapt over the fence.
“Dad, Mom, I’m home!”
It had only been a week since he left home, but it felt like ages.
Thanks to Yoo Chae-ah, he had arrived quickly and comfortably.
“Oh, my son. So, how’s life at the academy?”
“I’m doing well.”
“You’ve lost so much weight! Come here and let me give you a hug.”
To his mother’s eyes, he always seemed like a child to be cared for.
In truth, he had been working out daily and even gained a bit of muscle, yet she still fussed over him.
“Are you hungry? What do you want to eat? Just say the word, and I’ll order it for you.”
His mom didn’t like cooking much, so she didn’t offer to make anything herself. She was more inclined to suggest ordering in—or going out to eat.
Ding-dong, ding-dong.
“Huh? We’re not expecting anyone.”
When he opened the door, there stood Yoo Chae-ah.
“...What are you doing here?”
She didn’t answer him. Instead, she greeted his parents with a bright smile.
“Hello!”
“Oh my, hello there! Tae-sung, is this your girlfriend?”
Quickly, he denied it.
“No, Mom.”
But his dad chimed in.
“Tae-sung, it’s only been a week at the academy, and already... You’re not focusing on your studies?”
“Dad, it’s nothing like that!”
Completely ignoring his protests, Yoo Chae-ah smiled warmly. His mom, pleased with her demeanor, spoke kindly.
“Come on in! Don’t just stand there.”
And so, she entered the house and comfortably took a seat as though it was her own home.
“Wait a second, you look familiar... Wait, no! Are you Yoo Chae-ah, the hunter?”
It was his father who recognized her.
“Oh my, sir, I’m honored that you recognize me!”
“I saw you in a magazine last year. Second place for the hunter people most want to date at Christmas! Hahaha!”
Apparently delighted, his dad laughed heartily. Yoo Chae-ah, however, corrected him.
“Oh sir, you’re mistaken. I was first place. Haha!”
“Ah, is that so? Well, your beauty is truly stunning in person. Hahaha.”
“Thank you, sir. And please, don’t speak so formally—it makes me uncomfortable.”
Meanwhile, his mother brought out a plate of fruit.
“How are you so beautiful?”
“Oh, ma’am, you’re too kind. But your skin is amazing! What products do you use?”
“Hahaha.”
Laughter filled the room—except for Jung Tae-sung.
Now that he thought about it... He’d never brought a woman home before. Was this really something to be so happy about?
“Let’s talk for a moment...”
He grabbed Yoo Chae-ah by the wrist and led her to his room.
“What are you doing here?”
“Oh, who knows.”
“...And why are you suddenly speaking so politely?”
“I realized I made a mistake.”
“A mistake?”
In a serious tone, she replied.
“Your parents spoke politely to me, a stranger they’ve just met. Yet I was rude enough to speak casually to you... I was out of line. Please accept my formal apology.”
With her acting this way, it was hard for him to be rough on her.
“Fine. Just leave the house now.”
“I came just to build a friendly relationship.”
“Why would I want to be friends with you?”
“You said you’re becoming a public servant hunter, right?”
“And?”
“Well, I’m the next leader of Impact Guild.”
She glanced around his room, picking up a framed photo on his desk. It was a small family photo.
“Considering your potential... you’ll definitely rise to a high position. So I thought it wouldn’t hurt to make a good impression now.”
Her reasoning surprised him.
At this point in time, most viewed public servant hunters as weaklings who feared monsters.
Even Yoo Chae-ah, as he knew her, was the ultimate hunter. She was skilled in slaying monsters and thoroughly enjoyed her work.
Was she being sincere about his potential?
But even so, going out of her way to curry favor with someone planning to become a public servant hunter?
Placing the frame back down, she turned toward him and extended her hand.
“Let me introduce myself formally. I am Yoo Chae-ah of the Impact Guild.”
A bright smile stretched across her lips as she spoke.
“Shall we... be friends?”
Now, he finally understood.
The reason her guild eventually rose to the top.
At first, he had been cold toward her, not just because of her casual tone but also because he didn’t see any benefit in associating with her.
The Impact Guild was destined to lose relevance within three years. In fact, they would nearly vanish from the hunter world’s radar.
The reason was simple: Yoo Sang-wan’s death.
Knowing this, he had crossed her off his list of useful connections. Associating with her seemed like a hassle.
Though her guild did eventually regain its status, that was far into the future—a timeline he wasn’t willing to wait for.
But what if he prevented Yoo Sang-wan’s death?
Then... could this be a memory worth keeping in his life?
After pondering for a moment, he made a decision.
“I have one condition.”
“Name it.”
Looking at her, he said playfully.
“Nothing beyond friendship.”
“...Pfft! You’re full of yourself, aren’t you?”
As she burst out laughing, she added, “But then again, I was full of myself first.”
He imitated the line she had said earlier at the academy entrance.
“Most people want to talk to me~?”
“Hey! You shouldn’t tease your elders like that!”
She jokingly raised her fist at him.
“Surely, an A-rank hunter wouldn’t strike a mere freshman?”
“Ah, right. Hehe.”
Friends, huh...
“But what about failing to scout me? Won’t that be an issue?”
She scratched her head nonchalantly.
“Dad will scold me, sure. But I’ve already got my eyes on someone else.”
“Someone else?”
Leaning in as if it were a secret, she whispered, “Do you know the Flame Swordsman? I plan to recruit them. That’ll keep my dad off my back.”
Oh no.
“What’s wrong?”
“Oh, nothing... just choked on my spit.”
What a mess. He decided it would be best to avoid using his Flame Slash skill in public for a while.
If she found out he was the so-called Flame Swordsman, things would definitely get complicated.
....
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