He had orange hair that seemed like it was covered in the colour of a sunset. The single dot under his round, acorn-like eye was also pretty cute.
Fortunately, there were no signs of trauma on the boy, who at most looked like a middle school student.
Eunha glanced over the boy from head to toe and softly asked him.
âWhere are your parents?â
ââŚMy parents?â
Nod.
âTh-theyâre not here.â
Freeze. Eunha stiffened. This was an unexpected development.
Did that mean that he was an orphan? Donât tell me⌠He wasnât relieving himself here, right? Either way, she shouldnât probe for more details.
ââŚIs that so?â
Eunha straightened her knees with a slightly stiff face.
The boy was looking at her with large, rabbit-like eyes. He didnât look frightened, but he probably hadnât accepted this situation as reality yet. She didnât know the inside story, but she somehow felt sorry for him.
âHow did you get here?â
In a softer voice, Eunha asked the boy another question.
But that was what the boy, Trickster, wanted to ask.
This gate was the gate Corps had won the bid for. So, the boss monster belonged to Corps as well.
There was no way a hunter wouldnât know of the gate auction system. Moreover, if she was a hunter with this level of skill, she wouldnât be a rookie.
Trickster reached that conclusion and raised his head. Wait. Was she a gate stealer? Was there a strong hunter who would steal from Corps?
âIf so.â
His round eyes sharpened in an instant.
Trickster touched the bazooka on his shoulder and licked his lips slightly. First, he needed to confirm it.
âNoona, are you a hunter?â
tl/n: noona is a term used by younger men to address women older than them
Rumbleâ
At the same time as Minjooâs question, their surroundings began to slightly quake. Small sand-like debris fell onto their heads.
Just as a shadow covered the boyâs head, Eunha quickly reached out her hand.
âYes, Iâm a hunter.â
The concrete wall that was falling towards the boy was caught by Eunhaâs hand, making a loud noise.
âSo donât worry and follow me.â
Eunha beckoned to the boy, supporting the wall with one hand.
Trickster looked at her with bewildered eyes.
âDid you just save me?â
She was afraid that he was going to get hit by a falling concrete wall? Him, the fifth S-Class hunter of Korea? If his colleagues in Corps heard about this, they would have grabbed their stomachs and started laughing.
âCome on. If you stay there, youâll end up as a dried filefish fillet.â
tl/n: aka jwipo, itâs a pressed fish jerky sold as street food (you can search it up for a visual)
But the woman in front of him seemed unaware of that fact.
He may have saved people before, but heâs never been saved himself. No, it was actually difficult to say that they had saved him⌠Trickster approached Eunha with a strange face.
âOkay.â
Then, she suddenly started to stroke his hair.
What? Whatâs happening? Trickster looked up at Eunha with questioning round eyes.
[The monsters have been cleared!]
[The exit is activated.]
A blue message window popped up in front of both of them. Then, a purple marble, the âgate coreâ, rose from the corpse of the fallen boss monster.
âLetâs hurry. The gate will close soon.â
Eunha took the core and reached out to the boy who still looked puzzled. Her hand had a thin and elegant form, but it was covered with black ashes.
Trickster stared at the dirty hand that had been stretched out to him and raised his head, looking at her once more.
He couldnât find any hostility or suspicion in her black pupils.
ââŚYou donât know me?â
There was no way. Among hunters these days, there probably wasnât anyone who didnât know Trickster, the Master of Corps. He could have that sort of confidence because he was Koreaâs fifth S-Classâ
âYouâre not moving?â
Eunha slowly tilted her head. Her dark tied-up hair fell down her shoulder.
âDo you want a piggyback ride?â
ââŚâ
Trickster, no, Song Minjoo was convinced this time.
âThis woman really doesnât know me.â
Are you from an alternate timeline? Feeling an unknown sense of defeat, Minjoo opened his mouth suspiciously.
âNoona, Iâll let you know. Iâm Corpsâsââ
âWait a moment.â
Eunha cut off Minjooâs words and walked closer. Then, she stared intently at Minjooâs neck.
âThat.â
Eunha slowly raised her index finger and pointed to something. The golden dog tag flashed in her black pupils.
âI think thatâs mine.â
ââŚâ
ââŚâ
There was a brief silence.
Minjoo, who had become rabbit-eyed, opened his mouth slightly.
ââŚYes?â
âDid you pick it up?â
Minjoo hesitated to answer.
âThat dog tag is precious to me. I would like it back.â
Minjoo looked up at Eunha. It didnât look like she was lying, but it was hard for him to fully believe her, as it was only their first time meeting.
If this person was the owner of the dog tag, then it would be right to return it.
âOn the contrary, if youâre not the owner, then I donât have to give it back, right?â
Minjoo raised the corners of his mouth while clasping the military tag with his fist. He had an idea.
âThen, tell me the number.â
Minjoo said playfully, holding the military tag tightly so she couldnât see it. Military service numbers werenât as simple as blood types. If she wasnât the owner of this golden dog tag, sheâd never be able toâ
â98-S10102794.â
Eh?
âBlood type O. The issuance date is January 3, 1998.â
Eunha spoke up to that point and held out her hand.
âReturn it.â
ââŚâ
What. Really? No, how?
Minjoo blinked his eyes with a perplexed face.
Tak!
Eunha snatched the golden dog tag from Minjooâs neck as he stood blankly. The movement was so fast that it took his breath away.
âCome on, letâs go.â
Eunha put the dog tag around her neck and reached out to Minjoo.
The two moved towards the gate exit, holding hands. In the meantime, Minjoo racked his head.
âThis person⌠What the hell is she?â
After the boss was killed, the fire inside the gate gradually disappeared. As for the remaining flames, they were quickly extinguished with only a light gesture from Eunha. It was like they were matches put in front of a fan.
This degree of skill was at least B-Class. Maybe B+, or even A-Class. She had a unique nature-based ability, but above allâŚ
âThe owner of a golden dog tag.â
He tried to put all of those words into his head, but there was no clear answer.
âIs this person also a militaku?â
Peek.
Minjoo secretly glanced at Eunha, who was walking while holding his hand.
âWhat?â
Eunha asked without looking to her side.
âTell me if your legs hurt.â
ââŚIâm fine.â
She also didnât know his identity. Even now, he could have said, âI am Trickster of Corps!â, butâ
ââŚâ
Minjoo stared at their clasped hands and bit his lip firmly. Her ash-covered hands were dirty, but they were firmer and warmer than he had expected.
It was his first time holding hands with someone. It wasnât as bad as he thought it would be.
Meanwhile, Eunha raised the corners of her lips slightly as she walked while looking ahead.
She could feel the small hand holding her own tighten. Even if he pretended to be an adult, he still seemed to be a child in the end.
âHe must have been very scared.â
Eunha had seen many children like this. She had once used to see herself in them.
Eunha also put a little strength into her hand, as if to reciprocate the action of the one she held. Then, the boy raised his round eyes and looked at her.
Their eyes met. His hand was still in her grip.
ââŚâ
ââŚâ
She thought it would be good to bring up something. However, Eunha was far less talkative than she thought she was.
What should she talk about with the child⌠She didnât know if she would make the child cry by saying something too carelessly. It was a new experience for her.
After thinking for a while, Eunha slowly opened her mouth.
ââŚDo you like soldiers?â
It was the best choice of topic for Eunha. It was an inferred result from the fact that the child was holding a toy bazooka model, wore a military uniform-patterned hoodie, and looked at the golden dog tag preciously.
Then, a twinkling galaxy shone in Minjooâs eyes.
âYes!â
An unexpectedly great response came back.
âTheyâre awesome. I especially like the military uniforms. No other school uniform or uniform has such a sophisticated design.â
Minjoo talked excitedly.
âArenât the weapons so cool? In particular, I like the basic K-2 the most. Itâs such a simple and stylish weapon that always inspires me.â
His hand shook in her grip. Fortunately, the topic selected seemed appropriate. Eunha nodded her head with a slightly proud heart.
âThe K-2âs not bad. The accuracy is also good. But itâs too heavy.â
Eunha spoke up to that point and thought for a moment before adding briefly.
âIn terms of simplicity, I donât think it can match the K-1.â
tl/n: theyâre both rifles
Minjoo widened his eyes as if surprised by Eunhaâs answer.
âOh my gosh.â
A trembling voice could be heard between the hands that covered his mouth.
âDo you like the K-1?â
ââŚ? Mn.â
She thought that his eyes suddenly changed. Eunha nodded her head even though she thought it was odd.
Minjoo suppressed the feeling of wanting to jump in place.
In the modern times of 2030, there were no soldiers who used a K-1 or K-2.
No, in the first place, after gates, monsters, and awakenings occured, the value of human firearms dropped significantly compared to before.
But this personâ
âThe conversation is flowing?!â
Minjooâs heart was pounding.
âBecause I prioritise mobility. Since the K-2 is a gas piston type, it is easier to maintain and is more durable than the K-1, but itâs too heavy.â
Eunha said calmly, recalling her experiences at the training camp.
Although human firearms generally didnât work against monsters, she had learned to handle weapons, including firearms, just in case.
âDue to the nature of a hunterâs life-and-death fighting style, there were many people who preferred the K-1, which was more mobile than the K-2.â
Although she had been formally trained, she had never actually used a gun in a gate.
Minjoo had succeeded in toning down his excitement a little and opened his mouth with a calmer expression. His voice was still trembling faintly.
âHeaviness is definitely a disadvantage, but⌠I think itâs a huge advantage to be able to shoot even when the buttstock is folded.â
âRight. There are definitely things to be improved, but considering that it was a weapon produced with Korean technology of the time, it canât be denied that it is a masterpiece.â
âSo you agree?!â
In the end, Minjoo couldnât stand it and jumped up.
This person! Regarding when he referred to the K-1 and K-2, which are shit guns! His shoulders were shaking with joy, as if he had finally met a true colleague.
The two of them started talking about guns and soldiers. Their hands, which were holding each other awkwardly at first, were swaying as if they were dancing.
When they finally came to their senses, they had arrived at the gate exit.
âAhâŚâ
Minjoo stopped walking.
It was a shame for the conversation to end like this.
It seems that he had clenched the hand that he was holding without knowing. Eunha turned her head towards Minjoo.
âWhat?â
âNo, itâs justâŚâ
What should he do? Use a trick to hide the exit? However, there was a risk of being trapped in the gate permanently if he did anything wrong. Still, it was so sad to part like thisâŚ
It was a moment when he was deep in his thoughts.
âOh, I found him!â
A manâs voice could be heard from somewhere. Eunha turned her head.
Six adults who wore identical clothes and cloaks were looking in their direction.
âMasâŚ!â
Swish.
Minjoo hid behind Eunha. Eunha and the others widened their eyes at his actions.
Looking at the boy hiding behind her, Eunha opened her mouth softly.
âAnyone you know?â
Shake shake. Minjoo shook his head vigorously. As if a little frightened, he shrunk his shoulders and squeezed Eunhaâs sleeve tightly. He looked like a delicate herbivore.
âWho are you?â
At the boyâs denial, Eunha looked at them and asked.
A dark green cloak and a crooked military beret. The clothes they wore were⌠They were very similar to the design of the military uniform that Eunha remembered.
Among them, the tallest man at the forefront of the group, Bae Joonhwan, the second-in-command of Corps, approached.
âWeâre Corpsâs⌠Hm?â
Something gleamed in his vision. A purple marble held by the woman in front of him. That was definitely the gate core. The moment he noticed it, Joonhwanâs eyes suddenly turned hostile.
ââŚAre you a stealer?â
âA stealer?â
Eunha tilted her head.
âWhatâs that?â
âSheâŚâ
Joonhwan blinked his eyes, as if dumbfounded. Was she really ignorant, or was she terribly shameless?
âWhat the hell is Master thinking?â
At this point, she was no different from being completely clueless.
That woman was holding the gate core as if she wanted it to be seen, but their master, Trickster, didnât stop her. No, he even hid behind the woman.
âWhy?â
Heâd always acted out of line with expectations, and he had done so this time as well.
Joonhwan gave the colleagues standing behind him a strange look. His colleagues all shook their heads. None of them completely understood their master, who was famous for being unpredictable.
Joonhwan turned his eyes to Eunha again, fixed his gaze on the gate core she was holding, and firmly opened his mouth.
âCorps has won the bid for this territory. Therefore, the monsters, resources, and gate core here are all ours. This is a very valid argument according to the Hunter Act.â
At his words, the colleagues standing behind him nodded their heads. Obviously, Joonhwan wasnât saying anything wrong. Joonhwan opened his mouth once more at a closer distance, with their noses almost touching each other.
âIf you are not planning to declare war on Corps, put that gate core down right nowââ
The moment he said it.
Flinch.
Joonhwan stiffened up like a stone statue.
ââŚâ
The boy hiding behind Eunha, their master, was glaring sharply in his direction.
âM-master?â
Joonhwan looked at Minjoo with bewildered eyes. Minjoo fiddled with the bazooka on his shoulder and smiled.