✦✦✦━━━━━━✦✦✦
"Well, I also have my own Task to complete, let's see where I should begin."
[Objective: A lifeform from a Higher Plane of Existence has descended. It is currently sealed inside an egg, hidden within Earth.
The entity is neither Monster nor human. It is a singularity, a being whose evolution may determine the planet's future. ]
[Hint: Start where the highest peak once fell. The flame that burns backward leads the way forward."]
"The main thing this time is that I don't know where I should go. I just have this hint."
"How should I solve this riddle?"
Hao-Yun gets completely absorbed in solving the riddle. But doesn't find any good leads. It seemed the System intentionally didn't give him normal directions.
Suddenly, he receives a call.
"Hmm...? Why is Choi Sang-Min calling me?"
"Hello?"
"Hao-Yun!" Choi Sang-Min was clearly flustered for some reason.
"What happened? Why are you so panicking?"
"You! Don't you know what happened?"
"No?"
"Don't play mind games with me!"
"A new Hunter has emerged as Korea's strongest."
"Ahh! You're talking about Chae-Chae."
"Chae-Chae? Are you so close to her?"
"It's a long story. Besides, what do you want? Just say it clearly."
"We called Eun-Chae to recruit her, but she told us she has already joined your Guild."
"Hmm... That's true. But, what's your problem?"
"Anyways, come here to the Association, we must have a private conversation."
"Ehhh? You're really annoying."
(Call-cut)
"Haah! Do I have to take his permission before recruiting someone?"
"Oh, right! How about I have him solve that riddle in exchange for wasting my precious time."
"Hmm-Hmmm! Hao-Yun, you're so smart!"
At that time, Joo-na was looking at him. Confused, she asked, "Big Brother Hao-Yun, why are you giggling?"
"Ah... mmm... I'm just happy... because... yeah! I'm just happy because I found a good school for you!"
"Really?"
"Yeah! You'll go to a school from next week."
Joo-na was really happy to hear that, completely unaware that Hao-Yun had just remembered that he had decided earlier to enroll her in a good school.
"Joo-na... Now be a good girl, and take care of your home, okay! I'll return after a few hours!"
"Yes, don't worry, Big Brother, Joo-na will be a good girl!"
With that, Hao-Yun heads over to the Hunter's Association HQ. The large crowd was gone. There were still a lot of people, but much less compared to the first day.
Hao-Yun, wearing the same glasses and hoodie, approached the receptionist.
He asked, "Where is Choi-Sang-Min?"
The receptionist, the passing Hunters, and the other staff were all shocked.
They thought, Who is this person? How can he call the Association's Chairman's name so bluntly?
The receptionist wanted to say something, but then one of the Guards stopped her. He was among the crowd last time and remembered everything.
Same glasses, same hoodie, same build, it can't be a coincidence.
He whispered in the ears of the receptionist, "You are new, so you don't know him yet; he is a big shot of the Association. Even the Chairman shows him respect."
The receptionist was stunned by this sudden revelation. She was thankful to the Guard for stopping her from throwing her life away.
With her utmost respect, she said, "Sir, the Chairman is currently on the 7th floor, in the meeting room."
"7th floor, huh. Thanks for telling me." Hao-Yun was as casual as usual.
After he left, the receptionist took a sigh of relief.
"In this time and age, we can't recognize a big shot as fast as we could in the past, don't you think, Mr. Guard?"
"Hmm... that's true. After the System, these big shots are the biggest thing we should be careful about."
On the 7th floor, the elevator's doors opened, Hao-Yun came out of it, but then someone coming from the other side bumped into him.
Hao-Yun glanced at him; he had an average height, strong build, and sharp gaze. Many scars could be seen around his neck; they were scars that could only have been made by something sharp.
Quite contrary to his appearance, the man sincerely apologized to Hao-Yun.
Hao-Yun also told him it's okay and walked away.
"Is this the meeting room?" He thought, removed his glasses, hoodie, and mask, and opened the door.
Inside the room, there were 5 more people, along with Choi Sang-min, none of whom knew who Hao-Yun was.
It was obvious, though, that Hao-Yun didn't prioritize making relations with other Hunters since he was busy helping Eun-Chae.
"Hey, Sang-min... don't tell me you've called for other people for help to attack me."
"You... and your wild Imagination, just stop hallucinating and take your seat, the meeting is about to begin."
"Sure... but, who are these guys?"
"You'll know in a very short time."
At that time, one more person entered the meeting room. He was the same man who bumped into Hao-Yun. The man noticed Hao-Yun sitting there and gave a polite nod to him.
The meeting room's doors were closed. Five A-Rank Hunters were assigned as door Guards.
Choi Sang-min spoke, "Hmm... now that all people have gathered here, we can begin the meeting."
Suddenly, one of them stood up, "Wait! What do you mean, all people have gathered? We are still missing two of the strongest Hunters."
Another one stood, "Yeah, where's Park Evelyn and Eun-Chae?"
Choi Sang-min glared at both, scaring them enough to return to their positions.
Then, he said in Sarcasm, "There's already someone who came to represent them."
Everyone was confused. Who is here to represent Korea's two strongest people in their own league?
For the time being, they decided to remain calm and listen to their Chairman.
"Hmm... Looks like you can't calm down, huh?"
"Alright! Then let's begin with the Introductions!"
"I am Choi Sang-min, the Chairman of the newly established Hunter's Association."
Sitting next to Choi, a girl stood. She was wearing a high-necked red blouse tucked into fitted black trousers, a designer belt, and boots. Her sleek, long, black hair tied back, piercing, cat-like eyes, and subtle makeup looked perfect on her.
"Hello, I am Kang Hwa-Ryun, an S-Rank Hunter. I excel in fire magic," She said, in a voice that hinted she didn't want to socialize.
The person sitting next to her stood. He looked sloppy and was wearing a hoodie under a bomber jacket, paired with black jeans and street sneakers. His disheveled brown hair and half-asleep eyes told that he didn't sleep last night.
" Yaawwn... I'm Baek Woo-Jin, an S-Rank Assassin-type Hunt..." He sat without even giving a proper introduction.
A person sitting right opposite Baek Woo-Jin stood and began giving his introduction.
"Nice to meet you, Ladies and Gentlemen. I'm Seo Joon-Tae, an S-Rank Healer. I hope we can form some good relations through this meeting.
Seo Joon-Tae had a bright personality; anyone meeting him for the first time could say he was a Modern CEO of some company. His perfectly fit three-piece suit, his sleek shoes, and his perfectly set hair matched his charming smile.
However, it seemed Hao-Yun didn't like him for some reason.
Then stood the person who bumped into Hao-Yun.
"Im Dae-Shik, S-Rank Hunter. My job is a bit unique and provides me with superior defence and physical power."
At last, Jang Hyuk-Soo stood and gave a flashy introduction.
"Hello, my dear fellow Hunter, I'm Jang Hyuk-Soo, an S-Rank Hunter who is good with blades and air magic, and the owner of the famous Guild Iron Fang. Currently, my guild already has over 100 members. If any of you are also interested in Joining, I could consider making you Vice President."
Choi Sang-Min glared at him. This isn't the time for advertising your Guild.
Hyuk-Soo got scared and said, " Oh! Chairman! You are so cold!"
At that moment, all eyes moved to Hao-Yun. He was the only one who didn't introduce himself.
Realizing that he had to do something soon, Hao-Yun stood and casually said.
"Hi, I'm Hao-Yun, a fellow Hunter."
His one-line introduction left the rest in confusion. None of them had heard his name. They have already checked the Global leaderboards many times, but he wasn't there.
A sudden question came to their mind. If Hao-Yun isn't in the Global leaderboards, then that means he isn't an S-rank Hunter. So, what he was doing here, and why he could talk so casually with Choi.
Choi Sang-min looked at their face; he knew what they were thinking.
"I know what you all are thinking, but let me warn you before you do something foolish and get killed by this person; he is way stronger than I am."
✦✦✦━━━━━━✦✦✦