Chapter 44 - Darkmtl
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Chapter 44

Hunter Association.

Practical Exam Control Room. Kang Jin-young sat comfortably in a chair, tilting her head back.

“This is delicious. What’s it called again?”

“M-Mocha Frappuccino, ma’am!”

Lee Ok-bun stood meekly, bowing her head shyly.

Kang Jin-young turned her gaze. Hmm, Mocha Frappuccino! The sweet chocolate flavor is top-notch. The piled-up whipped cream looks like a snowy mountain. She swirled the cup in her hand.

The paper cup stuck perfectly, satisfying her. One side had the logo of a large coffee shop stamped boldly.

Kang Jin-young, known for her picky taste, smiled in satisfaction.

“Where’d you get this?”

“Ah, from the café in front.”

“The green one?”

“Yes.”

Hmm, not bad. Kang Jin-young nodded. Big franchise products have their advantages.

The biggest factor is the consistency of taste.

No matter where or when, the flavor is always the same.

Lee Seong-han, whom she’s been observing, is like one of these big franchises.

A familiar taste she’s always enjoyed. He works hard, excels in social life. A flavor she always wants by her side.

Lee Ok-bun, seeing her boss’s relaxed smile, finally felt at ease. After all, her boss is someone who suspects allies more than enemies.

“This. It’s the recipe I mentioned, right?”

“O-Of course, ma’am!”

“Go ahead.”

“Thank you, ma’am!”

Lee Ok-bun, who had been fidgeting, cheered softly.

She never imagined that the top talent of the National Intelligence Service would fall for such a dark brew.

“Here, take it.”

Kang Jin-young handed over a pitch-black card without even a glance.

Lee Ok-bun flinched in surprise.

Uh, uh. This wasn’t part of my plan—Lee Ok-bun’s eyes widened. I was planning to watch male streamers with beer and soju at home!

“Sawa.”

It was definitely a Mocha Frappuccino. Filled with all sorts of requests, just like the men’s so-called “combos.”

Lee Ok-bun had memorized it all night.

“H-How many?”

“Eight large ones.”

“B-But if you don’t get proper sleep—”

“Who asked for your opinion?”

Ah. It’s an order.

“I-I’ll get it done right away!!!”

“Good. Handle the transportation costs yourself.”

*Clatter clatter.*

She quickly left the room with swift steps.

“Hmm. The aroma is nice. I should have this delivered every day.”

Kang Jin-young took another sip while staring at the large monitor. When will things explode? Or will they even explode?

The man has already proven his competence. He’s even built up his strength to the point where even most Awakened Ones can’t touch him.

If something goes wrong in this exam, it’s probably not a big deal.

‘I don’t like that. It means I can’t move.’

It’s more likely that someone else will trip him up.

She underestimated him.

His skills and strength.

Though he’s far behind her, he’s also showing talent in magic.

Kang Jin-young walked diligently, step by step.

“Ah, Supervisor.”

“Did Min-joong arrive?”

“Yes. Thanks to you, it ended well.”

“And my sister?”

“She’s still sitting there. Her legs keep shaking—she must be itching to move! Truly, an incredible person.”

The control room is the waiting area for supervisors.

A gathering of seasoned veterans for handling unexpected situations, you could say.

“Go ahead. You must be busy.”

“Thank you!”

She sent Min-joong off and nibbled on some snacks prepared by the association. She finished them in minutes, her speed unmatched.

“Hmph. You eat too much. Nutrients don’t make you taller. Or give you bigger breasts.”

Kang Jin-young muttered under her breath.

“Get lost. Don’t talk so vulgarly.”

“I came here to lighten my mood too. Even dogs don’t get disturbed while eating. Unlike someone, I’m quite ladylike.”

Kang Mi-young was browsing community posts on her phone, nine out of ten of which were hate comments.

“Call it a good appetite. I don’t have hate comments like someone else.”

“Must be a lack of popularity. Poor thing. Geniuses drive both fans and haters crazy.”

What nonsense. Kang Jin-young looked around. Cameras were everywhere.

The control room was practically taken over by broadcast journalists. It’s best to be careful with words. She softened her tone.

She whispered as quietly as possible. From the journalists’ perspective, it probably looked like she was questioning the current situation.

The reality was this:

“I don’t want to hear that from a patient on meds. And who in the world reads hate comments for mental training? Idiot.”

“What nonsense.”

Kang Jin-young walked to the center of the control room while bickering with Kang Mi-young.

“What, why are you following me? I’m going to observe.”

“You’re the one following me. I was already on my way to observe first.”

“I was going first, wasn’t I?”

Kang Mi-young scoffed.

The sisters’ fights were like this. Especially in the control room, where journalists were stationed in large numbers. Both sides represented their organizations, so formal conversations were expected.

Of course, not now.

Human Kang Mi-young.

Human Kang Jin-young.

Just their casual banter.

“Hmph, acting like a fool just because your legs are long.”

“What are you talking about?”

She downed the remaining coffee and tossed the cup—*clang*—into the trash can. A perfect shot.

“You used magic again.”

“A mage’s privilege.”

“That coffee. You never drank it before. Did something change?”

“If you’re curious, hand over more shirts.”

“Not worth it.”

Kang Jin-young clicked her tongue. Her sister is too dumb for her own good. It’s a win-win if she just hands them over.

The cynical bickering didn’t last long.

“Huff huff…”

“Oh, you’re back?”

“Y-Yes, I’m back.”

Lee Ok-bun had somehow rushed back. Including the time to make it, about 20 minutes. As expected, having a teleportation ability is great.

*Snatch.*

Kang Jin-young grabbed the cup holder. Eight cups. Perfect. She brushed her sweaty hair back. It was meant as encouragement.

“Good job.”

“C-Can I return—”

“Can you? Stand by.”

“Huff…”

She gestured with her chin, signaling her to go. Civil servants should be pushed hard like this. Absolutely not for personal reasons.

“Delicious.”

As expected, the best.

The sweet flavor is exceptional. We even have similar tastes for cheap stuff—aren’t we a match made in heaven?

The recipe I got from stalking and collecting information on Lee Seong-han recently turned out to be so helpful!

Kang Jin-young felt a surge of anger.

‘You didn’t teach me this good stuff. How dare you.’

That’s a crime punishable by heaven. What kind of punishment should I give when he returns? My head’s spinning.

The National Intelligence Service is 100% out of the question.

I’ve built up some goodwill, so maybe… 98%?

From an optimistic perspective, that’s how it is. I didn’t care about his agreement. His choice is what matters.

“Why are you glaring? You didn’t even like coffee before.”

“I like it now. Been busy lately.”

After the practical exam, a light snack set might be appropriate.

It’s a shame I missed his birthday in January.

He’s crazy about sweets.

And I missed the chance to score points for free!

Ah, I just hate everything.

Not being able to see his face is one thing.

“By the way, about Seong-han.”

“Hmm?”

“Is he really going to retire?”

“Huh?”

Kang Jin-young shrugged.

She was always afraid. What kind of misdeeds would he commit if he escaped her surveillance? He’d definitely be exposed to crime.

Kang Mi-young, who had been picking at her snacks, responded calmly.

“Of course, it’s a lie.”

“A lie?”

“Bluffing.”

Not the kind of thing to say here.

Just as Kang Jin-young pretended to be shocked, Kang Mi-young continued as if understanding.

“Remember his reaction during the battle with Mirginos?”

“He was practically drooling.”

At the time, Lee Seong-han was obsessed with something. Results? Or something else? Probably results. He caught an insane number of monsters.

He was clearly pulling all sorts of tricks to get promoted. What else could he do in such a situation?

“Right, I felt the same stimulation.”

Kang Jin-young nodded.

“…I knew it. My thoughts weren’t wrong. Seong-han is definitely laying the groundwork to join the National Intelligence Service. He’s trying to seduce me!”

She licked her lips and stole a sip of coffee. She’d already finished two cups.

“What a sly guy. I need to discipline him in bed.”

“?”

Kang Mi-young paused for a moment.

Her head seemed to have frozen stiff, so she cracked her neck loudly.

She actually understood based on her own judgment.

Isn’t it a dangerous world for men?

Male sexual assault crimes are happening.

Female sexual harassment is becoming normalized.

With enough money, you can even break someone’s spirit with adult tools.

It’s too dangerous!

She wanted to immediately go and provide a kind orientation session and 560 hours of Awakened lectures. After that, her plans were similar to Kang Jin-young’s.

After all, blood ties can’t be hidden. If the child can’t stand on their own, they need a mother to protect them.

“That’s disgusting. That’s a crime.”

Kang Jin-young was startled by Kang Mi-young’s relaxed smile.

“You and I are the same.”

“What are you talking about! Seong-han is definitely trying to seduce me!”

The conversation was cut off by an unexpected situation.

“E-Excuse me, Hunter! There’s a problem!”

Kang Mi-young cracked her neck and awkwardly responded.

“A problem?”

“Yes, a problem!”

Minor issues are common during practical exams. That’s why there are supervisors. Kang Mi-young told her to send another supervisor.

It’s like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut. A regular supervisor should be enough to handle it.

But the association employee’s words caught her attention.

“S-Someone hacked the request system!”

“System hack?”

“…How dare they.”

Kang Jin-young neatly buttoned her shirt and stood next to the employee.

“P-Please take a look at this.”

The sisters’ gazes focused.

The tablet the employee handed over showed an unidentified new figure moving. A person. A civilian? Or an Awakened One?

An association official added an explanation.

“It’s someone from the Gangcheon Group. They hacked part of the system and entered the exam site.”

The Kang sisters would’ve normally exploded in anger and rushed over.

A civilian.

A Non-Awakened entering unarmed?

They’d rather tell them to bite their tongue and die.

“This is something we can’t interfere with.”

“H-Huh?”

Gangcheon Group.

The Kang sisters are still trapped under their parents’ shadow.

To them, Gangcheon is an inviolable domain. Moreover, if it’s a Gangcheon official who came this far…

The sisters’ faces twisted simultaneously.

Gangcheon is a kingdom.

While supporting liberal democracy, its underbelly is the opposite. In reality, the chairman controls everything in the group.

The sisters’ expressions darkened as they sent the employee away.

“Sister.”

“That blue-haired brat is meddling again.”

“Seong-han keeps getting tangled with our family. Only bad guys keep showing up.”

“What was her name again?”

“Cha Ji-seon. Baek Min-ho got hit by a stun gun, right?”

“Hmph. Her naming skills are improving.”

Kang Mi-young examined the tablet.

Alias: Cha Ji-seon.

Real name: Kang Seo-jin.

The youngest daughter of the Gangcheon family.


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The Strongest Ones Won’t Let Me Go to War

The Strongest Ones Won’t Let Me Go to War

최강자들이 내 전역을 안 시켜줌
Status: Ongoing
I want to quit the military, but crazy b*tches keep coming at me.

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