The Hunter’s Gonna Lay Low - Chap 226
No problem. His face was covered, and at this distance, they wouldn’t be able to identify who he was. Cha Eui-jae placed his palm on the iron bars. The gaps between the bars were securely sealed with something like glass.
“Gas was leaking into the room of the new prisoner that just came in. I was just checking to make sure. It’s dangerous if you come too close.”
“Huh? Oh, right… there was someone like that. Is he okay?”
“Yes. He seems to have lost consciousness, but he’ll wake up soon. No need to worry.”
“Good. Finish up quickly and get back to your post. They’re coming soon.”
Coming soon? Who? At that moment, Cha Eui-jae felt a tickling sensation on his calf. Seo Min-gi had poked a hand out of the shadow and was scribbling something on his leg.
[Be bold.]
He must be suggesting that Cha Eui-jae ask directly. So, Cha Eui-jae did.
“Who’s coming?”
“Huh? Who else?”
The man scratched his head and responded.
“Did you breathe in the gas? I told you earlier, the ‘Old Tiger’ is coming.”
‘Old Tiger?’
“He told us to have everything ready as usual. Now, get moving.”
“Ah, yes. I understand.”
“Get your head straight, will you? Honestly, no discipline around here…”
The man’s footsteps grew fainter as he continued his grumbling. Once the sound of footsteps faded completely, Cha Eui-jae turned toward the shadow and asked.
“…Do you know who this ‘Old Tiger’ is?”
“I do.”
Seo Min-gi poked his head out of the shadow, his expression unusually serious.
“If it’s who I’m thinking of, we’ve got a serious problem. A big one.”
“Who is it?”
“You know them too.”
Seo Min-gi, hesitating for once, mouthed the words silently. Cha Eui-jae read his lips, and his expression turned ice-cold.
***
The phone rang… footsteps rushed by, papers shuffled… a cacophony of sounds filled the air. At the center of the Awakened Management Bureau’s Crisis Response Room was a large screen, surrounded by rows of long desks.
The screen constantly shifted images: blood-stained, cracked roads, broken traffic lights, and the jagged, bitten-off edge of a car. Ham Seok-jeong stood in the center, staring intently at the screen. She spoke.
“Have we located all the hunters?”
“Yes! We received word that Hunter Lee Sa-young regained consciousness and returned to the Pado Guild. It seems they’re preparing a plan of action.”
“What about the Seowon Guild?”
“They’re collaborating with nearby hospitals to send regular injured citizens to them while treating those injured by monsters at the guild. But the hospitals and Seowon Guild both seem relatively quiet.”
“Because of the tents?”
“Yes. All the lightly injured are being treated at the tents.”
“…”
Just then, an image of the white tents appeared on the screen. People in white clothing hurriedly moved bandages and disinfectants. Ham Seok-jeong’s lips twisted. A nearby hunter glanced nervously at her. She glared at the screen with sharp eyes before asking,
“Do you believe in kindness without strings attached?”
“Excuse me?”
“Do those bastards who came out like they were waiting for this crisis seem trustworthy to you?”
“It does seem suspicious, but…”
To the injured and regular citizens, their help probably felt more significant. After all, they were providing direct assistance in plain sight. Ham Seok-jeong clicked her tongue in frustration.
“What about the Samra Guild?”
“Their subordinate guilds are moving, but the elite team hasn’t made any moves yet.”
“What about Song Jo-heon?”
“After returning to the guild building, he hasn’t come back out. It seems he’s still inside.”
“…”
Ham Seok-jeong slammed her hands on the table.
“Something’s off…”
“What do you mean?”
“A man like Song Jo-heon, who loves being in the spotlight and is full of ambition, would miss an opportunity like this? A perfect chance for self-promotion?”
Ham Seok-jeong gritted her teeth, her eyes flashing sharply.
“There’s no way.”
“…”
“Double-check. See if he’s really at the guild or if he’s gone somewhere.”
“Y-yes! Right away!”
“What about the student? Hasn’t she arrived yet?”
“No, not yet.”
“Did you try contacting her?”
“Yes, but she’s not answering.”
Ham Seok-jeong checked her phone. Yoon Ga-eul, who had said she would come to the Awakened Management Bureau, had yet to arrive. Could something have happened to her? Had she gotten caught up in something? Normally, they would’ve sent a vehicle or a guard hunter to escort her, but given the situation, that wasn’t possible.
“Just in case, send a search team. Check the shelters too. What about J? Any sightings since earlier?”
“No! The last sighting was with Hunter Kang Ji-soo. Nothing further since then. Shall we investigate J more thoroughly?”
“No need.”
Ham Seok-jeong’s eyes followed the busy hunters running across the screen.
“That guy can’t sit still. He’ll handle himself.”
“Understood…”
“Director!”
Someone suddenly handed her the receiver. Ham Seok-jeong took it with a puzzled expression and mouthed, “Who is it?” The hunter looked awkward and replied,
“Uh… they said you’ll know once you answer.”
A call from “upstairs”? The hunter’s nervous demeanor suggested as much. So, they were finally calling. Ham Seok-jeong cleared her throat and answered.
“Yes, this is Ham Seok-jeong, Director of the Awakened Management Bureau.”
Instead of the voice she had braced herself for, a cheerful voice greeted her.
—Hello, Director. Ahh~ must be super busy, huh?”
“…”
Ham Seok-jeong’s lips curved into a crooked smile.
“Well, well, what’s this? The little kids from Sapa have something to say?”
***
Hurried footsteps echoed through the hallway. A long scarf and coat flapped behind him. His graying hair and deep wrinkles revealed the passing of time, but his face still carried the fierce air of a tiger. His expression twisted with anger, and the veins on the back of his hand, gripping a cane, bulged. His steps came to a halt in front of a heavily locked iron door. Song Jo-heon slammed his fist against the door. The metal dented under the force.
“Open the door! I’ve come to see the seer!”
“…”
“You’ll need to explain this situation… Open the door now!”
Clang. The iron door slowly opened. A woman dressed in white appeared, bowing deeply.
“You’ve arrived. I apologize, but the seer is currently meeting with another visitor.”
“Does that visitor matter right now? Do you have any idea how much trouble you’ve caused with this stunt of yours?”
Song Jo-heon’s eyes burned with fury. He struck his cane against the floor with a loud bang.
“You will explain everything to me. Acting without my knowledge— what were you thinking? Does trust mean nothing to you? Have you all lost your minds?”
“Please calm yourself. I understand your anger, but hyung-nim will explain everything.”
“Oh, will he? Let’s see what excuses he comes up with. Lead me to him right now!”
“As I mentioned, there is another visitor. In the meantime, how about receiving the treatment you usually get?”
“…”
“It’s all prepared.”
The woman motioned with her eyes. Song Jo-heon snorted angrily but managed to suppress his fury. With his face flushed red, he turned sharply toward the hallway on the right. Familiar territory.
This white corridor always unsettled him. Nothing about this place sat right with him… He barged through a closed door. Inside, a white bed stood alone in the center of the room. So, this is what they meant by “prepared”? The anger he had barely contained was beginning to rise again when a young man in a white coat and mask entered.
“Ah, you’ve arrived.”
The young man wore horn-rimmed glasses, his face mostly obscured by his dark, drooping bangs. He bowed slightly.
“I’ll prepare everything now. Please lie down here.”
“You’re a new face. Where’s the usual doctor?”
“Ah, with the current situation… yes, things are very hectic. I’m standing in for him.”
“None of you can do anything right…”
Grinding his teeth, Song Jo-heon removed his scarf and coat. As much as he disliked it, he had to get the “treatment.” Given the current situation, who knew when he’d be able to receive it again. He unbuttoned his shirt. Click, click, click… He flung the white shirt to the floor.
Despite his age, his muscular physique was still evident. But before one could admire his physique, something else stood out.
“…”
Song Jo-heon’s body was covered in countless small scars and stitches. He glanced at his arm and clicked his tongue. That didn’t sit right with him either.
‘Nothing ever does.’
Swallowing his frustration, he lay on the bed. He opened one eye to glare at the young man, who was still standing frozen in place.
“What are you waiting for? Go prepare things right now!”
“Ah, yes…”
The young man hunched over and quickly left the room. Song Jo-heon closed his eyes. At what point did everything start going wrong? He had no idea.
