Chapter 48

The return of Trickster and the Black Flame Princess was not particularly surprising. After all, no one in the main group had ever worried that Trickster wouldn't come back.

"Although it's a good thing that you returned safely, in the end."

Lee Jun gazed at Eunha and Minju, who were holding hands, with a dry look.

"Trickster, don't you have something to say to me?"

He spoke in a slightly stiff tone. Trickster, Minju, tilted her head.

"No, I don't have anything to say."

Her arrogant reply. It seemed she had completely forgotten about the incident with the snake's head, or perhaps she was pretending to have forgotten.

Lee Jun slowly and carefully scanned Minju from head to toe.

Apart from a few missing fingernails and blood clots on her fingertips, there didn't seem to be any significant injuries.

The silver-gray eyes that had been scanning the boy finally fixed on the hands of the two people holding each other. Soon, Lee Jun smiled.

"This matter will be reported in detail to the Association."

"What matter?"

"Damaging the 'tools' that were distributed for a smooth search."

"Oh, that."

Minju, who had turned away lightly, tried to grab Eunha's hand, saying, "Sis, let's go."

"And—."

Lee Jun turned his gaze slightly to look at Eunha.

"Leaving the main group without permission for individual action."

"..."

Eunha stared straight at him without blinking.

According to the Hunter Law, all hunters participating in a gate must obey the orders of the overall commander, i.e., the leader.

If they did not follow the orders, the Association would impose penalties on the hunter. It was a point deduction system, similar to a driver's license.

If the points exceeded a certain limit, the hunter had to suspend their activities for a specified period, and if the points reached the maximum, the hunter's license would be revoked.

"What? Hey, mister."

Minju narrowed her eyes sharply.

In fact, a license suspension for an S-class hunter was not even a threat.

There were fewer than ten S-class hunters in Korea, and S-class hunters were called national treasures. In other words, it was impossible for Minju, an S-class hunter, to have her license revoked for such a trivial matter.

However, the story was different for the Black Flame Princess, who was an F-class hunter.

Minju let go of Eunha's hand and walked up to Lee Jun.

"What are you saying, you crazy mister..."

Thud.

Eunha lightly extended her arm to stop Minju.

"Sis?"

"Stay still."

"But—"

"..."

Minju didn't say anything more. Neither did Lee Jun nor Eunha.

The air around the three of them suddenly turned cold.

In the frozen silence, the sound of hurried footsteps approached.

"B, B Hunter!"

It was an Association officer who was keeping track of the personnel.

"Hunter Möbius has not returned yet."

"Is that so?"

Lee Jun turned his head slightly. His calm demeanor contrasted sharply with the pale officer.

"Can you confirm Hunter Möbius's whereabouts?"

A hunter cautiously approached. He had been in the same group as Möbius during the first search... Ah, they were from the same guild.

In response to his request, Lee Jun shrugged.

"Well, that might be difficult."

"Huh? Why... why..."

"Because my snake isn't attached to him."

Lee Jun smiled awkwardly.

Indeed, just before the search, Möbius had taken back the snake that was attached to him.

The officer, recalling this fact, paled and moved his lips.

"Then, what should we do?"

Should they send out another search team? The anxious officer watched as Lee Jun let out a small laugh.

"What can we do?"

The silver-gray eyes that had been staring at the officer suddenly closed.

"We have to declare him missing."

The air turned cold as if doused with ice water.

No one present missed his words, but no one responded. There was no need to, and they couldn't.

A few days later,

Hwarang Guild M Hunter, missing during gate search... Investigating the circumstances based on the Hunter Association's statement.