Returned With Horns

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I don't feel like going out. Suddenly, that thought crosses my mind. Although I had promised to go to Craft House every day, I rolled around thinking intensely that I didn't want to go out.

However, today is Monday, the end of my vacation. It was hell for office workers.

Finally getting up, I glanced at the mirror. There, the beautiful face I had seen countless times over the years was reflected.

Honestly, I still can't get used to it no matter how many times I see it. It was because when I lived as a man, I could never have seen such a beautiful woman in my lifetime. Of course, I never wished to become like this.

"Ugh..."

After stretching once, I put on my shoes and went outside. As usual, only Han Ayoung and Seol-ah were sitting at their desks, having arrived at work. Han Ayoung was busy processing documents and operating the computer, while Seol-ah was just sitting still with an unreadable expression, lost in thought.

Director Baek was, of course, not at work. In fact, it was quite rare to see Baek Cheol-un. It's not that he was a salary thief, but because he, who had no idea how to do paperwork, was mainly in charge of business trips. Even for business trips, it wasn't like he went into gates like me or Seol-ah, but it was more like going around looking for suitable requests for the returnee department at each Hunter Association branch.

It was a job that was possible because of Baek Cheol-un's friendly personality and wide network. You know, like those people in small and medium-sized companies who are clearly executives but don't seem to do any work, always seem to be out playing golf, but when needed, they bring in tremendous results based on the connections they've built. It wouldn't be wrong to say Baek Cheol-un gave off exactly that kind of vibe.

"Ah, you're out?"

"Hello."

Han Ayoung, who had been busy typing, noticed me and greeted me with her head peeking out. When I greeted her back, she smiled brightly, nodded once, and then buried her face in the monitor again.

She's going to get a turtle neck at this rate. Thinking that, I approached Seol-ah, and a quiet snoring sound was heard.

...This person, could she be sleeping? I thought she had her eyes closed because she was blind, but it turns out she was sleeping. While I was surprised by this unexpected revelation, Han Ayoung peeked her head out again.

"Come to think of it, you're back to work from today, right?"

"Me? Yeah, that's right."

"Then, would you like to do a very annoying and irritating but safe job that won't have a gate mutation like last time?"

"...Just hearing about it makes me not want to do it."

As I frowned, Han Ayoung clicked her tongue while peeking her head out.

"We can't help it. Either you or Seol-ah has to go. The association is a bit short-staffed right now."

"Why?"

"The Blue Dragon Guild has declared another challenge to 'The Tower'. The Pacific region is also bustling. Because of that, support applications are pouring into the Hunter Association. The staff is busy responding to that, so we're short on dispatch personnel right now."

"The Tower..."

It was said to be the largest among dungeon-type gates.

This gate, known to be named 'The Tower' because a tower-shaped structure greets hunters when they enter, was also famous for being the first gate. Along with its uniquely insane difficulty, some scholars believed that conquering The Tower would end the gate situation on Earth, given that it was the first gate to appear.

This tower, with its extreme difficulty that even China's EX-rank hunter, Wang Sunqian, failed at the 50th floor when attempting to conquer it, seemed far from being conquered, but Korea kept challenging it.

In fact, it wasn't a futile attempt as the Blue Dragon Guild, led by Baek Ganghyun (White Whale), had conquered up to the 53rd floor, the highest so far.

"Of course, when the Blue Dragon Guild makes a move, the Hunter Association staggers. I wonder why the Association President doesn't hire new employees."

"It's probably a security issue. There's no guarantee that just anyone we hire will be helpful."

"That's true, but still."

Seeing Han Ayoung readily agreeing, I waited a moment and then quietly opened my mouth. Ugh, I don't want to do it.

"...So, what do I have to do?"

"Oh, you'll go, Miss Seohyun?"

"Seol-ah is sleeping, so it's better if I go."

"Seol-ah is sleeping again?! Seriously. What on earth does she do at night?"

Han Ayoung clicked her tongue and approached me, holding a file from her desk. Then, with a slight frown as if something was bothering her, she opened her mouth.

"This dispatch is for 'Broadcast Inspection'."

"Broadcast Inspection?"

"Yes. You know about internet broadcasts, right?"

"...I know."

Although I wasn't unfamiliar with it as I often watched internet broadcasts on YouTube these days, I had no idea why this topic was suddenly coming up. As I nodded, Han Ayoung let out a sigh of relief.

"That's a relief. With Seol-ah, I would have had to explain what internet broadcasting is from the beginning."

"Is she that unfamiliar?"

"Yes. Seol-ah is almost completely unfamiliar with internet culture."

"So, why is internet broadcasting coming up here?"

"That's because the landscape of internet broadcasting has changed a lot recently. Hunters doing internet broadcasts, this is becoming a trend lately."

Only then did I understand why Han Ayoung had brought up internet broadcasting. I blankly opened my mouth at the story of something happening that was completely incomprehensible within my common sense.

"Hunters doing internet broadcasts...? Don't tell me, they're broadcasting from inside gates? Electronic devices break easily, don't they?"

"It costs a bit, but in foreign countries, especially in the United States, they're openly selling broadcasting equipment for hunters. Recently, it's even developed to the point where live broadcasting is possible."

"So, what does this internet broadcasting have to do with the Hunter Association?"

To be honest, I can understand. Although Oh Sung Group has only recently developed the technology, the United States is a country with technology several steps ahead of Korea.

But what does these hunters' internet broadcasting have to do with the Hunter Association? If they're broadcasting, just let them broadcast, why does the Hunter Association need to inspect it?

Han Ayoung smiled brightly and answered my question full of such doubts.

"Of course, at first, the Hunter Association didn't pay much attention. But soon, several social issues occurred... They changed the regulations so that broadcasting equipment couldn't be brought in without accompanying a Hunter Association employee. Moreover, they have to submit dense paperwork like this."

"Meaning the work has increased."

"Well, yes. But someone applied for broadcasting at such a busy time. And there are no disqualifying factors in the paperwork."

"...Hmm."

I took the file and checked the name written on it. The name was Han Gwangsu. The personal information of a hunter with the rather tacky channel name 'Gwangsu TV' was written.

Among the items that caught my eye, I quietly read down that section.

"Average viewer count 15,000. Isn't that a lot?"

"That's right. He's also the biggest broadcaster in Korea. He also has the unusual spec of being an A-rank hunter."

"An A-rank not joining a guild and playing alone. Hunters don't earn more just by broadcasting, right?"

"That's true. Basically, these broadcasters can't enter gates above A-rank, and can only enter world-type gates."

Ah, so that's why gate mutations don't occur. World-type gates had already opened entrances, so there was no chance of gate mutations, making them the safest gates for such unexpected situations.

"Well, I understand. The place is Yongin, Gyeonggi-do by 2 PM. It's not that far. Should I stop by Craft House, have lunch, and then leave?"

"That seems fine. Ah, please wake up Seol-ah on your way. No matter what, sleeping during work hours is a bit..."

"Yeah."

Taking the file, I strode over and hit Seol-ah on the head. With a 'thwack' sound, I saw Seol-ah's body shudder. With tears welling up in her eyes, Seol-ah looked at me.

"Ow, that hurts..."

"Who told you to pretend to sleep?"

"You were pretending to sleep?!"

"I didn't want to work..."

Seeing Seol-ah pouting and making excuses, I let out a small sigh. Sometimes she seems older, but seeing her act like this, she looks exactly her age.

Anyway. Resisting the urge to pinch her lips, I slowly sat down next to Seol-ah. Then she asked me.

"By the way, you said you went to Craft House, right?"

"Yeah."

"Is the scabbard preparation going well?"

"Well. That old man said there's a method worth trying once. I'm not sure though."

Can Earth's craftsmen solve a curse that couldn't be undone by Elucia's magic and the church's holy relics?

Honestly, I didn't have much faith. In the first place, I had suggested making a scabbard just because I didn't want to argue, not because I really thought they could make one.

"Well, we'll know when we go. Why, do you want to come along?"

"No..."

Seeing Seol-ah shaking her head with an uncomfortable face, I nodded. Actually, I had made the invitation knowing she would refuse.

"Then I'm going."

"Have a safe trip! Don't get hurt!"

"You're worrying about the least necessary part."

I waved my hand at Han Ayoung's greeting and left the office with light steps.