chapter 158

Episode 158

The grades of citizens who could live in the city were either Grade 1 or Grade 2, but the gap between them was enormous.

Separate from the fact that Grade 3 citizens who lived gathered together out in the provinces were treated like people from another world, Grade 2 citizens were constantly placed in a position where they were compared to Grade 1 citizens. They called themselves “beggars” or “country bumpkins” in self-mockery.

To afford the insane rent, they couldn’t live in the central districts, so they ended up pushed as far out toward the outskirts as possible—and the more that happened, the more Grade 2 citizens settled in positions closer and closer to the poor.

“...Ah, what the hell.”

The man got up and turned on his phone screen. It had gone past 1 a.m.

“Ah, seriously, my laundry, fuck...”

It’s probably all wrinkled already.

“Feels like the alarm went off—why the hell couldn’t I wake up.”

Grumbling, the man went to collect his laundry from the shared laundry room. He thought to himself that if a Grade 1 citizen saw him, they’d sneer, like, look at this guy worrying about cleanliness.

‘Still, just because we don’t have money doesn’t mean we don’t have pride. They already curse at us for being dirty—can’t actually become dirty for real.’

A tall, worn-out villa tangled up with the nightlife district. The walls were dogshit thin, so you practically lived with the noise, and every facility you could see was rusted and creaked. It was the kind of place Grade 1 citizens who lived only in the clean center would point at and call filthy.

Even so, you couldn’t show up to work looking like an actual beggar, so you had to put in at least this much effort. The old washing machine couldn’t spin properly, so the laundry soaked full of water was heavy as hell.

“Ugh.”

Every step made the stairs creak.

Carrying the laundry basket back home, the man headed straight for the veranda. The weather was still pretty chilly since it hadn’t fully warmed up yet, so thinking, ‘How many damn degrees is it for it to be like this,’ he pulled out his phone.

“...”

1:24 a.m.

“...Huh.”

As he looked at his phone, a couple entered the man’s sight. Beyond the veranda, his gaze dropped down below.

“What the hell, at this hour.”

His voice lowered on its own.

Maybe because it was a residential area built together with the nightlife district, sometimes, late at night, there were animal bastards who rushed deep into the alleys to get their “business” done.

But luckily, it didn’t seem like that kind of vibe. Looking at the two men and women who seemed surprisingly sane, the man thought.

‘The guy looks like a hunter. Isn’t that the Gita Orphanage over there? Looks like they’ve got business there, but... why, at an empty abandoned house with no monsters?’

And then, the man saw it.

“...”

A cat-shaped jewel that let out a chillingly beautiful cry.

“...Uh...”

And the young souls, coming out one by one from the abandoned building at that bell-like wail.

“Uh, uh.”

And the one who controlled it all.

“—...”

A priest.

‘...No, a tamer?’

Before he could even sort out his thoughts, the man realized his eyes had met those of the platinum-blond hunter.

His breath caught in his throat.

“...”

Only after quite some time passed—after everything vanished as though nothing had happened—did the man realize he was slumped down on the veranda.

“...Uh, wh-what is this.”

He couldn’t remember well what he’d seen. He was sure their eyes had met, but his memory of everything in between was hazy.

‘Fuck, they said hunters are scary... Our eyes just met and I almost pissed myself.’

It seemed he’d panicked for a moment because his gaze had met that of a hunter too strong. Since the man knew things like that happened sometimes, he accepted the situation without any suspicion, then picked up his phone with a hand damp with cold sweat.

The phone, of not-so-great quality, was heavy and dull, but even taking that into account, the man’s hand holding it was shaking excessively.

“...What, what, there are ghosts in the world.”

When he turned on his phone, he saw notifications silently filling the whole screen.

They were from the local community he’d joined, and the man instinctively realized this quiet commotion had come from what had just happened.

‘So I wasn’t the only one who saw it.’

It wasn’t a hallucination.

With trembling hands, he began typing a title to post on the community his neighborhood people came and went through.

I saw it clear as day with my own two eyes, y’hear (photo attached)

It was a freaking huge ball launched by “Mr. Seo Gio.”

* * *

A long-standing Korean tradition even from before the Great Catastrophe.

-??? What the hell did I just see??

An internet powerhouse.

- Ghost showed up in Gwanak-gu at dawn

- Anyone see a ghost in Daehak-dong??

- What’s with that kitty crying

- holy shit saw a ghost

Even if the world ended and came back, Koreans’ SNS and communities stayed alive.

- That place already had a lot of rumors

- Guys is it true about that G○ Orphanage?

↳ Just say Gita Orphanage, what was the point of blurring it

- Why is everyone talking about ghosts

- What’s all this chaos first thing in the morning

Maybe because the world had been turned upside down once, people had a strong sense that the residents of a region were basically one family. When an incident happened, it was considered a kind of manners for the residents of that area to share it.

Because of that, the Gwanak-gu community where “Hunter Seo Gio” had stopped by was in an uproar.

“Hey, they say a ghost showed up in Gwanak-gu.”

“Isn’t that insane?”

The rumor spread quickly through the area.

I saw it clear as day with my own two eyes, y’hear (photo attached)

I’m the one who saw that ghost, you Gwanak-gu country bumpkins

So many bastards kept asking me by mail that I’m organizing it here

Sighting time: “1:24 a.m.”

Why I remember it so precisely is because I was hanging laundry like a dog

Fuck, I set an alarm for 1 a.m. and I definitely woke up but I slept even more

When I just woke up and checked my phone it was 22 minutes

I went to the veranda to hang the laundry and it was so damn cold that I turned on my phone to check the temperature and it was 24 minutes

I’ve said this much, so I hope there aren’t any psychos doubting it’s fake

It’s a grim world so I don’t want to reveal my address, but it feels like the ones who know already know

Yeah, you fuckers, my place is Daehak-dong

Anyone who lives in Daehak-dong or has been through knows how houses are packed like crazy

And between those houses there’s that four-way intersection—those who know, know

Those who don’t, just imagine some hillside slum alleyway where Gwanak-gu beggars gather

There’s an orphanage there called “Gita Orphanage”

Seems like it’s under the government or the Association or something, but looks like it doesn’t get much support?

Why? If it got good support they wouldn’t have built an orphanage in a place like this

I love my neighborhood but fuck, gotta admit it’s shady

This isn’t a place kids should live, but there were a ton of kids, right? No money, right? Classic ugly-duckling situation, right?

But not long ago there was a fire accident and they all died

Fuck fuck, because of that, even our villa got some damage

At least when there were kids, our gloomy neighborhood atmosphere was a bit better

After that became a haunted house, it got like 360 times gloomier

So, bumpkins, here’s the main point

I said I went out to the veranda to hang laundry, right

At that hour there should obviously be zero people, but there were two people

And one woman and one man—so I got scared like, no way they’re doing some bullshit here, right

Because there are so many animal fucks who come into the alley and act up when they’re desperate, I was tense as hell

But it didn’t look like that kind of vibe

Since they were calling him “Hunter, Hunter,” one of them seemed like a hunter

And some cat??? Was it a cat? Something sparkly and pretty as hell

And I could hear a cat crying

Ah fuck, how do I even say this

There was something... something, that kind of horribly ticklish thing that makes your soul tremble...

The kind of cry that makes goosebumps explode all over your body? Like, holy shit, something’s about to happen—that kind of cry

Even the ghostly wail that stole our spines last summer wasn’t that scary

Yeah, fuck, I was terrified

The cat kept crying

And the kids were crying like crazy too

Kids? What kids, you ask?

This is the dignity of a “ghost,” you Gwanak-gu bumpkins

Listening, I was like, ah, something’s off? Something’s weird? and the “meow” sounds kept getting more varied

Instinctively, fragile as hell, I hid myself and peeked down below

And from that orphanage that’s basically a full-on abandoned building, I saw kids with normal-looking faces come out, scurrying scurrying scurrying

I saw it clear as day with my own two eyes, you bastards

Fuck, I realized, so this is what a ghost is

Even when Grade 1 bastards went on about souls and whatever, I was like what the hell are you even talking about

But wow, so those hunter bastards really do see something called souls—holy shit, the world really has that stuff

To the eye, they just looked... really... like kids who were alive and fine

But the moment I saw them, I just knew

Those kids are the ones who died in that fire accident

And that cat called them out

And the owner of that was that blond hunter

A million thoughts hit me

But I couldn’t even breathe

My whole body was shaking, and I knew for sure it wasn’t because I was cold

It was chilling enough to send shivers down my spine, but not in a damp, creepy, sticky way

More like that thrill you feel when you see something huge and beautiful

Like being completely overwhelmed

Like being bewitched—that kind of feeling

I couldn’t take pictures of the kids coming out

They disappeared fast

But I don’t think it’s that they vanished as an existence

I think I was allowed to see dead souls for a moment

And that permission ended quickly, so it stopped

Maybe that cat did something, but I’m just a Grade 2 bumpkin, I don’t know that shit

And the woman next to the hunter raising that cat looked like a bumpkin like me, because she was so shocked she slumped down

But fuck, I was slumped down too lololololol...

When I came to, I was sitting flat on the veranda floor, like splat, and my hands and feet were shaking

Fuck, I feel like maybe my eyes met the hunter’s eyes or something

Anyway, it was terrifying

I understand the woman’s feelings a hundred times over

I saw it from super far away and I’m like this—if you were right there, how scary would it be

That cat looked like a monster—was that hunter a tamer?

It was far, so I don’t know what he looked like exactly

But I took a photo, so look

His face isn’t in it, so don’t go on about portrait rights and that bullshit

Yeah, fake-obsessives, good luck

That community post had a single photo attached. Maybe because his hands and feet were shaking, or maybe because the phone camera’s performance was low, but it was an extremely blurry photo.

Even so, it was enough to confirm the blond hunter the poster mentioned, and the woman slumped down. Seeing the photo that looked like it had been taken from a high place, the community erupted once again.

Comments (149)

- How is this not fake??

- Then he must’ve been a hunter with a skill related to souls

↳ But why would a high-class skill hunter... come... to Gwanak-gu...?

↳ Agreed, at that level he’s definitely not some clueless hunter

- The cat is cute as fuck

↳ Look at the size, is that cute? We’re one bite to it

- Did the anti-cat go nuts

- The woman going splat is so funny lololol

↳ For real, Splat Girl...

↳ Ah, Splat Girl, I’m crying T_T T_T T_T

↳ Splat Girl is insane lol

- Isn’t that an anti-cat?????

↳ Sorry, what’s an anti-cat? Is that that cat’s name?

↳↳ The comment above: It’s a cat-type monster that lives in a dungeon called something like the Jewel Vein

↳? Was an anti-cat a mob you could tame??

↳ Nope, anti-cats are only kitten-sized—armchair experts stop crawling out

↳ You don’t even know and you’re running your mouths

↳ Acting like you know everything, seriously

- If it’s a soul skill, is he a priest? Kinda Sun Church vibes...

- No, why is a hunter this precious in a dumpy neighborhood like this...???

- Blond priest is insane, huff huff

↳ Pervert blocked

↳ Even if he’s a hunter, is it right to go “huff huff” like that openly?;; Honestly my faith in humanity drops

↳ Even if he’s a public figure, keep some lines

↳↳ Who the hell cares

↳ The insanely-handsome vibe is crazy—you can’t see his face but you can feel he’s handsome

↳ Hey, why is he as tall as a streetlight, are you crazy

- If he’s a priest, isn’t it illegal to walk around with a monster??

- Doesn’t look like a priest. The monster’s so calm, so he’s a tamer yep yep

↳ Right, if it wasn’t tamed, Gwanak-gu would already be burning

- What’s an anti-cat?

- Anyone know the priest’s name, please T_T... Please T_T...

- Won’t Splat Girl verify herself too lololololol

- For 25 years of face-stan life, I declare that hunter is a handsome guy. Hand over the personal info peacefully

- Fuck, why aren’t reporters doing their job

↳ Could be an unofficial hunter, no? He’s a new face out of nowhere

↳ Those trash journos always shut up when you need them

↳ Any blond tamers? There aren’t even that many domestic tamers, and I’ve never seen a blond

↳ Isn’t that silver hair???

- Seriously though, if he’s really a new tamer, isn’t this national-pride level legendary

- Why is a tamer doing ghosts...?? Seriously why...??

- I wish some hunter would come out and explain

- lololololol so is it fake or not

↳ Would it be?

↳ Because of kids like you, our poster got mad...

↳ Fake-chanting pests OUT

Around the time the incident spread not just in Gwanak-gu but across the entire Seoul community.

“By now, it should be okay.”

“Uh... uh...”

“Would you upload it?”

“Is it really okay to upload it?”

“It’s a matter the Collector has permitted.”

“Wow.”

That day, the woman who had been directly involved in the ghost commotion uploaded a photo to the community.

I’m Splat Girl from the Gwanak-gu ghost commotion. To explain...

It was a two-shot taken with Hunter Seo Gio.

Unlike the previous confirmer, the photo taken with permission was very clear. The woman’s face was covered with a sticker, but Hunter Seo Gio’s face was shown as-is. The post’s content was brief.

A beauty that could topple a nation

That was all.

Comments (1,623)

- “Beauty that could topple a nation” is insane

- Why handsome? Why handsome? Why handsome? Why handsome? Why handsome? Why handsome? Why handsome? Why handsome? Why handsome? Why handsome? Why handsome? Why handsome? Why handsome? Why handsome? Why handsome? Why handsome? Why handsome?

↳ Calm down

- Fuck, the Republic of Korea’s future is bright as hell

↳ For real, forcibly brightened...

- The main text is insanely short, but no other words are needed anymore

- I’m outraged that I lived 28 years not knowing this face existed

- That’s an admit, no argument

- He looks like some pretty-boy gigolo

↳ For real lol, a face that’ll get sucked dry

↳ (This comment has been deleted for violating content review restrictions.)

- Wow, he’s seriously handsome.

- “Beauty that could topple a nation,” lol...

- So this is the face that would ruin a country

↳ At this level, even if it ruins it, I admit it

↳ Ah, is it with those lips that you’ll roll it up and eat it?

↳↳ Please get a grip, face-lovers...

- Hunters are people too, everyone, don’t cross lines

- The comment section is getting filthy as hell

- Admin, please clean up the comments!!!

- How can someone be so handsomely kind

↳ The post is literally one word, how do you know if he’s kind or not

↳↳ His face is kind

The comment section exploded.

“...”

“People’s reactions are really good...”

“It seems so.”

And Yoo Seong-woon thought,

‘When it comes to derailing the point, nothing beats visual violence.’

As a proud curator, Yoo Seong-woon fully acknowledged the beauty “Gio’s Portrait” possessed as well.

Seeing that the atmosphere seemed to be rolling along not too badly, Yoo Seong-woon wore his characteristic unbothered smile.

“Thank you for cooperating.”

“Ah, no. If it helped, I’m glad.”

“As I told you earlier, all of Ms. Choi Ra-on’s personal information will be protected.”

“Still, there were people who found it out...”

“We’ll take measures so that you won’t face any trouble to your personal safety due to this cooperation.”

“Th-thank you, I’d appreciate that.”

“You’ve just filled out the contract. Do you have any other questions?”

“Um.”

Choi Ra-on, the person involved in the incident who had come to be called “Splat Girl,” asked with a solemn face.

“Can I make a fan cafe.”

“...I think that much is the citizens’ freedom.”

“Ah, um, if Hunter Seo Gio might dislike it, then I won’t do it.”

“We’ll ask about that matter separately and contact you.”

“If you get permission, can it become an official fan cafe?”

“That part too... we’ll ask.”

“Thank you...!”

“No, not at all.”

Yoo Seong-woon thought to himself.

‘Should we quickly lock down his external activities a bit?’

When attention is focused like this, he’d need to ride the momentum.

‘...But I don’t know what level of intensity would be an appropriate position for Gio.’

That said, he had zero intention of putting Gio on TV. It seemed Gio didn’t want excessive attention, and he also seemed to have an aversion to working like a celebrity, so if possible, Yoo Seong-woon intended to keep him in an underground lane.

‘Though at this point, it’ll be hard to keep him as an unofficial hunter.’

But, well, that was what he wanted anyway.

“...”

For a first activity, a dungeon raid should be a safe choice.

‘...Feels like there was a decent scheduled raid dungeon that some other church or guild had been holding onto...’

Anyway, that part wasn’t Yoo Seong-woon’s job anymore.

‘I should go hand it over right now.’

Thinking about dumping the work onto Juhyeon, Yoo Seong-woon felt warmly satisfied.

(To be continued in the next episode)