Chapter 129 - Chapter 129 (1/2)

Jin-Woo didn't particularly mind the gazes of other people, unless he was talking about some special circumstances. As long as no one bothered him, it didn't matter to him if he got famous, either.

That's why he didn't really care when the mourners discovered his presence and started whispering among themselves.

However....

'At the very least, you all should know that now isn't the time nor the place.'

Jin-Woo furrowed his brows unhappily.

Wasn't this the place to remember and honour the valiant sacrifice of Hunter Min Byung-Gu?

Jin-Woo didn't want this solemn occasion to fall into some noisy chaos because of him, so he briefly unleashed a portion of his magic energy – no, not even that, but an amount so tiny that it didn't even qualify to be called a portion.

'…..!!'

The desired effect took place right away. The air suddenly became incomparably heavier and oppressive silence descended to the place. Even the breathing of the mourners became incredibly cautious.

"...."

"...."

All those people noisily yapping to each other promptly shut their mouths up at once.

'Alright.'

Jin-Woo succeeded in creating an acceptable atmosphere with nothing but a quiet display of power before he started walking forward again. He didn't get to walk for long, though, as a middle-aged lady, who was too young to be called a granny but too old to be called an auntie, stood before him.

She was none other than Hunter Min Byung-Gu's mother.

People began gasping softly as they looked on at the mother and Jin-Woo standing in an apparent face-off like that.

'Uh, uh?'

'Wait, she isn't going to scold him and chase him away, right?'

Fortunately, the outcome people were worried about didn't come to pass. The why of it was simple enough.

"You've arrived. Thank you for coming."

"Thank you for inviting me, ma'am."

It was actually Hunter Min-Byung-Gu's mother who pleaded with him to come by here today.

"There was something I'd like to speak to you in person and that's why I had to make that call. I hope I wasn't troubling you."

"No, not at all, ma'am."

"Hunter-nim, I heard you got rid of all the monsters in that place so that my son could come home."

Min Byung-Gu's mother stopped there and gazed up at Jin-Woo, perhaps wanting to confirm the story she was told straight from the man himself.

'…...'

Jin-Woo had various personal reasons for hunting down the ants of Jeju Island. However, it was also true that a part of him didn't want to see Hunter Min Byung-Gu rot away forgotten somewhere in the darkness of that ant tunnel. So, Jin-Woo quietly nodded his head.

"Yes, ma'am."

"You helped my son so he won't sleep in that dark, damp place. I...."

Min Byung-Gu's mother finally began shedding the tears she'd been holding and continued on.

"I was to able to meet my son for the last time with your help. Thank you very much, Seong Jin-Woo Hunter-nim."

There were no words that could console a parent grieving for her lost child. Jin-Woo could only remain silent with an agonised look on his face. In the meantime, the relatives of Min Byung-Gu's mother came over and carefully escorted her away deeper into the funeral venue.

Even then, even as she was getting further away from him, she never stopped bowing to him to express her gratitude.

'…...'

For a moment there, the face of Min Byung-Gu's mother overlapped with that of his own mom's from ten years ago in Jin-Woo's eyes, back when she heard the news of his father going missing inside the Gate.

A thick lump formed in his throat.

'But....'

Just like how his father sacrificed his life to save a countless number of his colleagues, Hunter Min Byung-Gu's sacrifice wasn't in vain.

Without his dedicated effort to heal his comrades, it'd have been really difficult for the Korean Hunters to walk out of the ant tunnel alive. Not only that, he used his powers to save the life of one more Hunter even in death.

Min Byung-Gu's shadow actually felt relieved after it confirmed the colour of life gradually seep back into Hunter Cha Hae-In's complexion. From that alone, Jin-Woo could sense how much the Healer cared for his comrades.

Coincidentally, Jin-Woo spotted Cha Hae-In in the distance as he quietly approached the black-and-white portrait of the deceased to lay down the flowers. But when their gazes met, she suddenly flinched and fell into a panicked state.

'Did they come together?'

The members of the Korean team around her sent him a silent greeting with a slight nod of their heads, but Cha Hae-In looked as if she had no clue which expression she was supposed to make right now.

'Huh, so that woman can make a face like that, too?'

He couldn't recall any other times when she didn't carry that expressionless face of hers. Indeed, one should get to know somebody for a longer time before passing judgement, that's for sure.

Jin-Woo shifted his gaze away and stood before the portrait.

Hunter Min Byung-Gu within the black photo frame was smiling brightly without a care in the world. Jin-Woo placed the flower in front of the portrait and closed his eyes for a brief moment.

'I hope you find yourself in a better place.'

Finishing up with the prayer for the departed, he turned around to see a familiar figure approach him from the distance.

"Seong Jin-Woo Hunter-nim."

The low, bassy voice naturally belonged to the Association President, Goh Gun-Hui.

"Sir."

"I was actually planning to give you a call later, but it's good that we have run into each other here."

"You wanted to see me?"

It was pretty obvious why the Association would look for a Hunter. Thinking that he might find himself with an opportunity to raise his level, Jin-Woo gazed at Goh Gun-Hui with anticipation, but regretfully, the Association President gently laughed and shook his head.

"It's not what you're thinking about, Hunter-nim."

"....Oh. I see."

How deflating, that.

Jin-Woo could only ruefully smack his lips.

"In any case, I'd like to speak to you for a moment or two. Will that be fine with you?"

Jin-Woo was planning to stop by the Association after leaving here to resolve his Guild Master licence problem anyway, so he said yes immediately.

"I have business in the Association, so why don't we go and speak there?"

"You have business in the Association....? May I inquire what that is?"

"Oh, actually, I need a Guild Master licence, you see."

"Pardon?"

A question mark floated up above Goh Gun-Hui's head.

"Why do you need the Guild Master licence when you already possess a rank S licence?"

"Wait, does that mean a rank S can establish a Guild without a licence?"

"Of course."

Goh Gun-Hui formed a good-natured smile and continued on.

"If you wish to form your own Guild, all you have to do is to give the Association a call. We'll take care of the rest."

"....."

The rank 'S' was a realm he never expected to step into half a year ago. So, it wasn't surprising to see Jin-Woo greatly underestimate all the cool benefits this rank came with.

He was inwardly flustered after learning of something he didn't know until now, but...