Chapter 26

Seoul S Hospital. PM 7:59

The private room, hidden by blinds, was quite spacious.

"That child."

"I'm sorry, Master. I've been trying to reach him, but..."

The man in a black suit lowered his gaze, as if ashamed.

"...Is that so."

Kihun, the man in a white hospital gown, was once known as the best hunter in Korea, an S-class hunter and the old master of the wolves.

He slowly gestured, and the man standing beside him hurriedly pulled back the blinds.

As befitting a room on the top floor of the hospital, the sparkling night view of Seoul spread out like a carpet beyond the window, resembling a star-studded night sea.

"Siwoo is raising a hunter these days."

"Yes."

As Kihun began to speak, the man standing beside him, as if waiting for it, handed over a pre-printed photo.

She was an ordinary woman, except for the black dress and black umbrella.

"...A concept hunter?"

"It seems so."

"Why would that child bother raising a concept hunter? I heard she's an F-class, which makes it even more puzzling."

"..."

The man, at a loss for words, was suddenly joined by another man. Lee Haejun, an officer of the Wolf Guild.

"It doesn't seem to be an ordinary F-class. We are still investigating, so please wait a little longer."

"Wait a little longer?"

Kihun's eyes changed. At the same time, he pulled out the IV from his arm and threw it to the floor.

Thud!

"Did you just ask me to wait a little longer?"

He got out of bed. Those standing around him tried to support him, but he pushed them away and managed to stand on his own.

Though old and frail, he was once the second, or perhaps the first, S-class hunter in South Korea, known as the strongest.

His imposing presence, not hidden by the simple white hospital gown, and the sharp determination in his deeply set eyes remained as fierce as ever.

"You all know I don't have much time left, right?"

"Yes, Master."

"I can't afford to waste a single second."

His blue eyes glanced at the photo on the floor. Black hair, black eyes. A woman in an unusual dress, giving an uncomfortable feeling.

Yera.

She needed to be watched.

***

Eunha, who woke up early in the morning, changed into her clothes and finished getting ready to go out.

'This outfit hasn't been worn in quite a while.'

Recently, without any significant hunter activities, she had hardly worn the 'Black Flame Princess Set.'

As she packed them into a paper bag, Eunha marveled at the elaborate designs once again.

As Siwoo had said, the cable TV station Onhunt had cast the Black Flame Princess in a summer special, "2031, Hotter than Summer Star Hunters." Today was the recording day. To record, she had to become the 'Black Flame Princess.'

Ding-dong—

Just as the doorbell rang, she opened the front door.

"Good morning."

Jehwi, dressed in a suit, came in. It was quite unfamiliar to see him dressed up, as he usually didn't wear such formal attire.

But it wasn't just Jehwi who looked unfamiliar.

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Ah, I'm sorry. It's just that I've never seen you without your dress before. Ha ha."

Jehwi scratched the back of his neck and laughed.

"Indeed, this way I'll be less noticeable."

"That would be good."

Anyway, she would have to change into a black dress when she arrived at the recording location, but for the trip there and back, a white T-shirt and jeans were more comfortable.

The two headed to the underground parking lot and got into the car.

The morning commute in Seoul was busy. On the way to the TV station, Jehwi told amusing stories whenever the traffic lights stopped or the car came to a halt, to keep Eunha from getting bored.

Well, they weren't really amusing stories. But as she nodded and responded obligingly, they eventually arrived at the Onhunt TV station.

"Ah, Hunter. This way."

As Eunha was about to head straight to the entrance of the TV station, Jehwi waved from the opposite side.

He led her to an indoor studio located at the back of the TV station.

"Before the recording starts, there's supposed to be a small fan signing event for the audience."

"Fan signing event?"

Eunha moved her lips indifferently.

"I don't have any fans."

This wasn't out of modesty or self-deprecation.

No matter how much of an old-timer she was, Eunha was not unaware of internet comment reactions. With words like 'concept freak' and 'extreme dislike' plastered everywhere, how could she have fans?

"Why not?"

Jehwi, who had been walking a few steps ahead, turned back slightly.

"Here they are."

Eunha looked at Jehwi, who was smiling a bit shyly, with a somewhat dry gaze.

"...Why are you making that face?"

"Because you made a bad joke."

"It's not a joke, it's real."

Jehwi approached Eunha hesitantly.

"Can I get a signature in advance?"

"Are you serious?"

"Of course."

Jehwi really did produce a piece of paper and a pen from somewhere.

Ding!

Shinsoo, 'The Cat Wandering in Darkness,' shouts, "I'm the first fan of my sister, not that guy, me, me!"

He starts rummaging around, looking for paper and a pen.