Chapter 1041

〈 Chapter 1041 〉 1041. Divine Position

June 21st, Monday

Park Soho: Big bro. I got a girlfriend.

Park Soho: (picture)

Park Soho: Isn’t she pretty?

“This Moai statue lookalike chick is what now?”

I was momentarily speechless. From what I knew, Park Soho was super picky about women’s looks. The Moai-resembling woman standing next to him in the photo was nowhere near beautiful by any stretch of imagination.

‘If only her hair was shorter, I’d have mistaken her for a dude.’

Was her figure at least decent?

Nope. Both were wearing some kind of training suit-like outfit, and there was virtually no difference in their body shapes. Her chest was as flat as a cliff, her waist had zero curves—she looked like a log. Her exposed arms and hands were huge. She lacked any charm as a woman whatsoever.

Me: Is this really your girlfriend?

Park Soho: We agreed to start dating today. After lunch, she suddenly confessed to me. Hehe.

Me: Yo. That’s not real, right? What kind of Moai-looking broad are you hooking up with?

I sent Park Soho a message. The girl was too ugly to be believed. The orc he met at the club last time at least looked somewhat feminine. This Moai… no way.

Park Soho: …Big bro, even if it’s harsh, words matter.

Park Soho: It’s just that the picture didn’t turn out well. In person, she’s extremely pretty. She has a nice voice too. Most importantly, Chunhee is a kind-hearted woman.

Me: …Sorry, I didn’t know you liked her so much.

Me: But starting a relationship so suddenly seems weird. Did you sleep with her or something?

Park Soho: Actually, I’ll tell you this—it was last night. A few believers and I went drinking at Busan Ocean Seafood Store. I met Chunhee then… and we slept together.

Me: Oh, alright. I respect your choice, man.

“You little punk. How long since you got laid that you’re randomly screwing around?”

But why go after a chick like this? Did he develop a fetish for ugly women? Or does he think all women are good enough?

‘Is the reason he’s dating her because he feels responsible? If not, is she some legendary vagina worth three Michelin stars despite looking like that?’

Even if she spread her legs for free with no conditions, I wouldn’t feel any urge to take her up on it.

‘Free offer? Oh, wait. Is this that thing… missionary sex?’

Missionary Sex.

A trap. Using sex with a woman as bait to recruit people into the cult.

I learned about missionary sex when I was in my final year of high school. Hearing rumors that cults had plenty of hot girls, I hung around places where they were known to gather during summer break. But most of the women who approached me were middle-aged moms, which pissed me off.

Me: Seriously, are you actually dating her? You’re not faking it, right? Not trying to join some cult like Gwangwon Church or something?

Park Soho: C’mon. Why would I trick you over something like this? If you don’t believe me, I’ll send you proof. Hehe, we’re really dating.

Park Soho: (picture)

“Ugh.”

A photo of Park Soho kissing the Moai arrived.

So, Park Soho ultimately sent me this gross pic. I seriously considered leaking it online and letting the internet mob tear him apart.

Park Soho: And, Eugene big bro, Gwangwon Church is actually a great place.

Park Soho: People call Gwangwon Church a cult, but if you look closely, there’s nothing cultish about it.

Park Soho: Today alone, I did spiritual training with other believers.

Park Soho: How about you consider joining Gwangwon Church this time? Having faith feels great.

Me: Sorry, I’m kinda busy right now.

Park Soho: Busy with what?

Me: Helping out with association work—managing dungeon gates and tracking awakened criminals.


Body: …So busy, so busy! I’m barely finding time to contact you right now. Ah, I gotta go. I’ll contact you again later.

For some reason, it felt like talking to Park Suho any longer would be annoying.

“Can’t believe Park Suho has changed this much… Truly, sexual proselytizing is incredible.”

•••

Wednesday, June 23rd.

Once again today, I decided to help Baek Ji-eun. Originally, I was only planning to help her for a week by substituting for her injured subordinate, but since the subordinate’s recovery is taking longer than expected, I’ve decided to help her a bit more.

These days, Baek Ji-eun is hellbent on chasing down the A Rank awakened criminal, Thorn Mask. She’s using all of her abilities and connections to catch him.

‘Baek Ji-eun personally dislikes Thorn Mask, and also because all of Korea’s attention is focused on him right now.’

There are a few well-known awakened criminals in Korea, but it’s been a while since one has drawn this much attention. It’s rare for awakened criminals in Korea to massacre civilians, and Thorn Mask not only tortures and kills them but deliberately leaves young girls alive.

‘The Association is getting criticized for not catching Thorn Mask. People are starting to fear Awakened Ones.’

This isn’t good for me either.

If discrimination against Awakened Ones increases, the Hunter’s standing will decrease too. That’s why the Hunter Association is going crazy trying to improve its image.

‘But we can’t just focus on chasing Thorn Mask. Baek Ji-eun has other duties as well.’

She’s too high-ranking to be fixated on just one task.

“Yoo-jin! He’s heading your way!”

Through the earpiece in my ear, I heard Baek Ji-eun’s voice. I straightened up from leaning against the utility pole.

About 50 meters away, the guy appeared. The middle-aged man was running wildly, covered in sweat and with an injury on his arm. This is Ko Pil-su, a B Rank awakened criminal. Apparently, he had the guts to steal goods from the Hunter Association and sell them.

“Capture him alive first! Capture him alive!”

Baek Ji-eun repeated herself. This wasn’t the first time I’ve worked with her to deal with awakened criminals. Most of them are A to B Rank criminals. Since I’m not handling them alone, there haven’t been any dangerous moments. Whenever I get a chance to attack, I don’t hesitate to end the life of an awakened criminal.

The moment someone becomes an awakened criminal, it becomes self-defense. And killing them is easier than capturing them alive.

‘But this time, I’ll listen to Baek Ji-eun.’

Crackle!

Red lightning writhed around my blade, Huaryeon Bidoh.

“Get out of the way!!”

I swung the sword at Ko Pil-su, who screamed furiously. A shockwave wrapped in lightning shot toward him. At B Rank, he wouldn’t die from just this.

‘But if he does, that’s how it goes.’

Ko Pil-su hastily activated his ability. A translucent barrier enveloped his body. The strike hit the barrier, and its direction changed, flying back toward me.

Reflector Barrier.

That’s Ko Pil-su’s ability.

The returning strike disappeared mid-air, but red lightning came straight for me.

‘Time to use this after such a long break. Raihan!’

Lightning deflection!

No need to jump anymore. I simply swung my sword and deflected the thunderbolt.

“You insane bastard!!”

Ko Pil-su’s reflector barrier reappeared. This time, it reflected the thunderbolt upward into the sky instead of toward me.

‘Let’s see how many times it can reflect.’

I raised my left hand. Crackling lightning sparked around it. The air seemed to rise upward. Then, instantly, lightning struck Ko Pil-su. Literally, a bolt from the blue.

BOOM! RUMBLE! BOOM!

Ko Pil-su reflects the lightning. But lightning isn’t singular. I kept striking him with bolts until his barrier shattered.

BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM!

Reflector Barriers aren’t invincible. They have limits. If they didn’t, he’d be S Rank, not B Rank.

His barrier reflected a total of six bolts before breaking. On the seventh strike, Ko Pil-su collapsed, his body charred.

‘Is he dead?’

I approached and nudged his head with the tip of my shoe.

“Guh… guh…”

He reacts. He’s not dead.

I crossed my arms and waited. Baek Ji-eun and the association staff arrived.

“Sung Yoo-jin! You didn’t kill him, did you?!”

“I didn’t kill him.”

Baek Ji-eun used her ability to bind him. Strings of light emerged from her hands and tightly wrapped around him. That’s her ability.

Ko Pil-su hasn’t committed crimes severe enough to warrant execution, so he’ll rot in a special Awakened One prison for decades. Originally, stealing isn’t that grave…


Though it wasn’t a Dao-related matter, the theft of the Association’s property and crimes committed by an Awakened resulted in aggravated punishment.

The Association officers disappeared with Go Pil-su in tow. Baek Ji-eun flashed me a carefree smile as she patted my shoulder.

“You did good. I was worried about your condition lately, but you seem fine. This older sister will give you a reward. Let’s go by car.”

I could sense the alluring scent from her breath.

As for what reward she intended to give—well, it was obvious. I’d been receiving it whenever I had time over the past week; there was no way I wouldn’t know.

“My condition? I’m always at my best.”

After confirming that there was no one around, I slipped my hand into Baek Ji-eun’s blouse. Lowering her bra slightly, I cupped her breast. Her stiff nipple jabbed against my fingers.

“What nonsense. You’re practically deadweight. But since you did well today, this older sister will provide some service.”

Baek Ji-eun inserted her hand into my pants. Her cool hand, contrary to the temperature, massaged my balls. It felt great.

The moment we got inside the car, we stripped naked and explored each other’s bodies. I thrust my dick into her cunt while sucking on her erect nipples.

After a storm of ecstasy passed, I slumped into the seat, feeling lethargic.

“So, what’s really going on? Tell this older sister.”

“Do you know someone named Han Harin?”

“Yeah. She’s Han Ayoung’s younger sister… right? Isn’t she the girl who’s close to you? Is she your lover?”

“Something like that. Harin went to Japan with Suwol Guild members to raid an Erosion Dungeon… but there’s been no news. Could you look into it?”

“A dungeon raid taking longer isn’t unusual. Has it been days since you’ve heard from them?”

“She left for Hokkaido, Japan, at dawn on the 12th… so, about 11 days ago?”

“That’s almost two weeks. Considering Suwol Guild’s strength, this is definitely strange… Normally, rumors would have spread. Are they hiding something? Okay, I’ll check it out once.”

“Thanks, Ji-eun.”

“I owe you for helping me, so I’ll help you too.”

Our eyes met. Her face, damp with sweat, looked sexy. Unable to resist, I climbed on top of her.

“Aaaaaaaaaang!”

The car swayed back and forth.

•••

That evening, I clocked out for the first time in a week right on schedule. Now I understood why Baek Ji-eun’s subordinate recovered so slowly. Dealing with her work addiction accumulated immense fatigue. Unlike me, who fully recovers, her subordinate doesn’t get complete recovery.

‘Ji-eun doesn’t have full recovery either… is her blood made of iron?’

I sat on the sofa to rest.

Normally, I’d have barged into Han Harin’s place to hang out, but Harin wasn’t here now.

I ate dinner using the bento Yuria had prepared for me.

Wuuuuuuuuuung.

My smartphone rang. The caller was Baek Ji-eun.

“Yo, Ji-eun. Did you find any traces of that damn Thorn Mask guy?”

“That damn Thorn Mask bastard! …No, that’s not why I called. I investigated what you mentioned earlier about Han Harin and Suwol Guild.”

“……”

I felt tension building in my body. I didn’t expect Ji-eun to have already investigated.

Quietly, I waited for her to speak.

“It seems their raid failed. When I confronted Suwol Guild, they finally admitted it.”

“…Failed? Why didn’t they announce it? Why didn’t the Association know?”

“Because it happened in Japan. Suwol Guild still claims the failure hasn’t been confirmed, but from what I see, it’s confirmed. They’re trying to handle it themselves.”

“That makes no sense. There’s no way Suwol Guild couldn’t conquer an A Rank Erosion Dungeon.”

Suwol Guild was no ordinary group. Ranked second among Korea’s top ten guilds, it was a massive organization. Even Han Ayoung, an S Rank Hunter, belonged to it. However, Han Ayoung is currently tackling an S Rank Dungeon in Australia, making contact impossible.

“Apparently, a Dual Dungeon phenomenon occurred. They got caught up in it during the raid.”

Dual Dungeon.

A newly coined term referring to the appearance of a new dungeon within an erosion-type dungeon.

“In short, Han Harin is missing?”

“That’s correct. More accurately, all 65 Suwol Guild members, including Han Harin, are missing. Suwol Guild has announced they’ll handle the situation. They’re sending a second raid team. It seems they’ve already coordinated with the Japanese Association.”

“……”

Anxiety began to creep in.

Missing.

Though it sounds hopeful, in the Hunter world, it often means death. Less than 1% of missing Hunters ever return.