HDAAD Chapter 111

Taeju, who had parked the car in the deserted parking lot, turned to look at me.

“Hyung. Get out now.”

“Yeah.”

It had been decided that only Taeju would accompany me on my visit to the Hunter Association for the re-examination.

Seo Moon-noeul had wanted to come along, but as soon as she heard I planned to stick it to the president, she gave up.

‘What the hell is so scary about the government anyway?’

I get being intimidated when I was a detective like Kim Hae-ah since it was my livelihood, but as long as a guild pays its taxes properly, there’s no reason for the government to find fault, right? Especially now that dungeons have appeared to this extent.

Shrugging my shoulders, I stepped into the elevator.

“Hyung. You remember how the examination works?”

“Nope.”

How would I know about an examination that wasn’t even mentioned in the novel? But aren’t all exams pretty much the same? I just have to do as I’m told, don’t I? Is there something special I need to do?

“You’re not gonna explain it to me?”

“…No, I will.”

Well then. I just need to follow instructions, so what’s the big deal?

As I shrugged, Haegeum poked her head out from Taeju’s breast pocket.

“Am I allowed to come along?”

“Why wouldn’t you be?”

“I was worried it might cause problems.”

“It won’t.”

It’s not like there are only one or two hunters with pets, and the only unusual thing is that she came from an item. Unless she has the same purification ability as Salt, the president probably won’t think much of Haegeum.

“Hyung. If you notice anything strange, let me know right away.”

I frowned at the umpteenth cautionary remark.

The rank re-examination I’m undergoing today will be broadcast live on TV and the internet, not even as a recorded program.

No matter how brazen the government is, they wouldn’t dare lay a hand on me in a situation being publicly broadcasted, so why is he so worried?

‘Why the hell is this so-called protagonist such a worrywart?’

Even Detective Choo, nicknamed the “Worry Doll” of Homicide Division 1, wouldn’t fret to this extent.

“Don’t worry. And wipe that look off your face. People will think you’re about to raid a dungeon.”

I lightly punched Taeju in the stomach and turned to face the opening elevator doors.

As the elevator doors parted, I was greeted by the faces of the president and his secretaries.

‘Rotten luck running into this asshole.’

“Well, well. If it isn’t Hunter Seo Go-woon. How are you, sir?”

I quickly scanned the surroundings. Hunter Association staff, broadcasting station personnel, and even reporters flashing their cameras as if filming a video.

‘Tch. Quite a crowd you’ve gathered.’

Judging by the throng of both domestic and foreign press, it’s clear they intend to make a lasting impression on me through this opportunity.

Laughing inwardly, I grasped the president’s outstretched hand.

“Mr. President. Thank you for the warm welcome. I’m Seo Go-woon, pleased to make your acquaintance.”

“I’ve heard much about you, Hunter Seo. Rumor has it you’re a hunter who puts great effort into dungeon conquests to protect the citizens.”

As if. There might be rumors of me being a berserker, but there’s no way such a rumor would circulate.

It seemed I wasn’t the only one who thought so, as the faces of those who appeared to be from the Hunter Association grew slightly awkward.

“It’s because my brother really loves dungeons. I’m Seo Tae-ju, Seo Go-woon’s younger brother. Nice to meet you.”

“Ah. The pleasure is mine. I’m well aware of Hunter Seo Tae-ju as well. On behalf of the nation, I’m always grateful for Hunter Seo Tae-ju’s tireless efforts.”

Taeju curled the corner of his mouth upward.

That expression looks just like the one described in the novel before he started causing trouble.

“I had no idea someone of your stature would make such a sudden request.”

“What do you-“

“The dungeon I was supposed to enter today was the SS-rank dungeon in Jecheon, but…”

“Ahem.”

The president cleared his throat, cutting him off.

“Did you bring that purification bird with you today?”

“Yes. Its name is Salt.”

As instructed before we left, I pointed to Salt, who was sitting obediently on my head.

“Squeak.”

When Salt greeted them with a chirp, the flashes went off again. No matter how much they photograph her, she’ll be obscured by my hair anyway, so what’s the point?

“Let’s not do this here. Please guide me to the examination room where I’ll be re-tested.”

“Of course. Bureau Chief.”

“Yes, sir.”

The man I had seen at the cabin gestured toward the hallway, saying, “This way, please.” Following the president, I whispered to Taeju.

“Tone it down. I won’t let it slide if you mess with my plan, even you.”

“What did I do?”

As I glared at him, Taeju furrowed his brow.

“I have to call them out on their bullshit.”

“I said tone it down.”

“Hunter Seo Go-woon. Please come this way.”

Inside the examination room we arrived at while talking, a man wearing a white gown was standing.

He’s not even a doctor, so why is he wearing a white gown when the examination is done with the god-given measuring device?

“Hello, Hunter Seo Go-woon. We meet again. I’m Jeon Hye-jun from the examination center.”

“Hello.”

“I heard that a re-examination was necessary for you.”

“I don’t particularly need one, but a certain someone said it was required.”

Shrugging, I glanced toward the president. It’s so satisfying to see the president’s smiling face stiffen. Should I prod him further here? No. If I make the first move, it’ll only be to my detriment.

“Let’s begin.”

I walked over to what appeared to be the measuring device, a glass cylinder in the center of the examination room.

Geometric patterns were engraved at the base of the device, said to be bestowed by the gods.

‘Do I just stand in this thing?’

Jeon Hye-jun, who had followed behind me, touched a part of the cylinder, and the outer portion that looked like glass disappeared.

‘Oh. How fascinating.’

“If you step inside and stand still, the measurement will begin.”

What? So I really just have to stand there? But Taeju made it sound like there was something I had to do.

“Please go in.”

Putting aside my curiosity, I was about to enter the cylinder as Jeon Hye-jun instructed but paused.

I took Salt down from atop my head and entrusted her to Taeju. The flashes kept going off incessantly, and everyone’s attention was focused on Salt. Especially the gazes of the president and government officials, which were filled with nothing but greed. Their eyes were brimming with the desire to possess her by any means necessary.

‘Thank goodness Salt was born from the egg of purification. If she were an item, they’d probably try to seize her somehow.’

“Chirp chirp. Squeak.”

At Salt’s urging to finish up quickly and return, I gently stroked her head before stepping into the cylinder where the glass had vanished. As both my feet touched the inside, the geometric patterns on the outer edge began to emit light.

Mesmerized by the beautiful glow, I stared blankly at it. When the light reached the star-shaped figure in the center, a hologram appeared before my eyes.

[Seo Go-woon]

Job: Alchemist (Hidden)

Rank: D

I gazed at my information displayed in front of me, then turned my head to check the president’s expression.

‘As I thought. The re-examination was just a pretext.’

With an unsurprised look on his face, I beamed and asked Jeon Hye-jun.

“Can I step out now?”

“Yes.”

I exited the cylinder and approached Taeju. As I reached out to take Salt, Taeju placed her on my head first.

“Chirp chirp. Squeak. Squeak.”

Stroking Salt, who was chirping about being tired and wanting to go home, I was about to lift her atop my head when the president approached.

“This is my first time seeing the purification bird up close.”

“Squeak squeak.”

In contrast to Salt’s fierce question of ‘What’s with this old geezer?’, her head-tilting gesture was that of a cute little bird, eliciting squeals from all around.

“Shall I greet her? Hello, Salt.”

Salt took flight as if to avoid being touched, but the president’s hand snatched her out of the air with surprising speed.

“Chirp chirp! Squeak squeak!”

Salt’s beak pecked at the president’s hand as she shrieked, ‘Don’t put your filthy hand on me, you disgusting bastard!’

“Ack!”

What the, how much could it hurt to be pecked by Salt… What the hell. Why is he bleeding from Salt’s peck?!

“Mr. President!”

As blood flowed steadily, the president clutched his hand, and government officials frantically surrounded him. Meanwhile, Salt, who had flown up like a captive bird, circled above the president’s head and took a dump.

‘So…geum, I didn’t know you could even poop.’

“Ugh. That damn bird!”

The furious Bureau Chief flailed his hands, trying to catch Salt, but she nimbly dodged, having already mastered evasion through her squabbles with Taeju. She then precisely pecked at the few remaining strands of hair on the Bureau Chief’s head, plucking them out.

Laughing inwardly, I pretended to intervene and called out to Salt.

“Salt. No. Come here.”

However, Salt, who had already learned to ignore my commands, paid no heed and lunged at the Bureau Chief.

And with a few sharp pecks from Salt’s beak, the Bureau Chief’s few remaining hairs fluttered to the ground.

“Argh!”

“Oh…”

“Squeak squeak.”

From somewhere, sighs of pity could be heard, while laughter directed at Salt rang out, finding the scene entertaining. Where the hell did she learn such mischief? A balding man’s hair is so precious. But why didn’t the Bureau Chief use hair growth products? If he doesn’t have money, shouldn’t he at least use his authority to obtain some hair?

“You fucking bird! I’ll kill you!”

“Bureau Chief!”

“Eeek!”

“It’s poop!”

The Bureau Chief was cursing and raging, vowing to catch and kill Salt, while the president tried to stop him. And above them, Salt serenely flew, dropping feces on the heads of government officials.

‘What the hell kind of shitshow is this?’

“Chirp chirp. Squeak. Squeak.”

Laughing and shouting, ‘Eat my shit, you pieces of shit!’, Salt dodged the hands of the guards and swiftly plucked out the Bureau Chief’s last remaining hair before flying to my chest.

“Chirp chirp. Squeak.”

“You, you crazy bird.”

I cupped Salt in my hands. I had told her to do as she pleased if things went south, but I didn’t expect it to be to this extent. Still, she did well. Causing this level of chaos should make them think I can’t control Salt.

“Although the purification bird is my pet, just like other birds, she doesn’t understand human speech.”

“I’ll kill-!”

“Bureau Chief!”

As the president shouted, the Bureau Chief glared at Salt with a flushed face. If not for the president’s voice, it seemed he would have charged and slaughtered Salt on the spot.

Watching his trembling hands, the president, whose hair was disheveled from wiping away the feces, approached me.

“Did I startle her and cause this?”

“Yes. She’s shy around strangers.”

In truth, I had instigated her to raise hell when the opportunity arose.

“I see. My apologies.”

“Squeak squeak.”

Salt retorted, ‘What a joke,’ to the president’s forced smile, but since others could only hear her chirping, it didn’t matter.

I stroked Salt a few times as if to soothe her, then placed her on my head. Apparently, she had been holding it in her beak while chirping earlier, as a single strand of hair fluttered down before my eyes.

“Well, I’m glad the re-examination concluded without incident.”

The president spoke kindly as if the earlier commotion had never happened, his mouth stretched in a wide grin. It seemed he was about to lead me into a trap in earnest.

“I caused you trouble, Hunter Seo, with my misguided thoughts. When I heard you had ascended the tower, I wondered if your rank might have increased. A rank advancement is a blessing from the gods, after all.”

“Not at all. It’s a great honor for me to have the once-in-a-lifetime examination conducted again.”

The president chuckled and nodded as if he had expected me to respond this way. And just as he was about to speak again, I interjected first.

“How could I not understand the president’s desire to look after the hunters?”

“Haha. I’m delighted to hear you say that. If I, as the president, don’t take care of the hunters, who will? So, Go-“

“Indeed. That’s why you didn’t refuse when I tried to have the purification bird affiliated with the Hunter Association, isn’t that right?”

The president’s face, which had been wearing a benevolent smile, stiffened, and flashes went off from all directions. I beamed brightly and gazed at the reporters and cameras.

“The president cares for the hunters to this extent. As a D-rank hunter, I couldn’t join the Hunter Association myself, so I tried to at least have the purification bird affiliated with them. But the president refused. He said that if the purification bird belonged to the government, there would be restrictions. He told me to continue as I am now, so that all hunters suffering from contamination can receive purification. Isn’t that right, Mr. President?”