Chapter 13
[Toneri's POV]
Alright, 2 hours before the funeral of the hunters. It's still morning and I just got out of the hospital bed.
I really have nothing to do right now. I'm just strolling around the hospital, walking without any direction just to waste time. Occasionally waving at nurses and doctors along the way
It's not that I mind doing nothing but the fact that NOTHING interesting happening is bugging me. Am I expecting some kind of explosion? No. Maybe I really am just bored or the author is dragging on the word count so he can reach his quota
(A/N: *sweats*)
And as for my decision of saving the hunters... I'm already regretting it. Sure, lives were saved but they fucking kill steal'd me! A part of me did it for my own benefit but a small part of me also did it to change the plot... Should I stop interfering with the world's plot or continue to fuck it up? Well, not like there's any major change... After all, Jin-Woo still got Beru so there's that.
Anyways, I started checking my phone to see any updates, and oh boy do I have a lot of notifications. Not like it's anything new to me, ever since I became an S-Rank, my notifications are bombarded with endless notifications from either fans or the hunters association.
So, why did I open my phone? It's easy. I'm waiting for that special call that I want. Who it is? Well—
*Ring* ×2
Oh my, oh my
Quite the perfect timing, aren't you?
I held up my phone as I checked the caller. It says 'Unknown Number', but who am I kidding? The only ones who know my contacts number are the Chairman, Baek Yoon-Ho, Choi Jong-In, Cha Hae-ain, and Liu Zhigang, and yes, I don't know how this guy got my number but he somehow managed to get into my contact lists. I don't answer his calls tho
Anyways.
I tapped the screen and held the phone next to my ear
"Hello?"
Although I already knew who called me, I still want to act natural. Moreover, I'm interested in what they will do to pull me in~
Then, a firm voice answered me
[Ah yes, this is Hunter Toneri, correct?]
Oh? He's even speaking Korean huh? Well, better act along then.
"Yes, it's me. Who are you and how did you get my contact number?"
That impatience in my tone is all an act to get in the mood~
[Forgive me. It's nice to meet you, Hunter Toneri. My name is Adam White but you could just call me Adam. I am a senior official from the federal bureau of hunters. As for your question, I asked Chairman Go Gun-Hee for your contact info. Please forgive me if trespassed your privacy but I needed to talk to you.]
Eh? Chairman gave them my number? So much for privacy...
"Alright, Mr. Adam, what do you want from me?"
I'm going straight to the point. I don't need this useless chat to go on any longer. I still have many things to do once I get home.
After hearing what I said, chuckled a bit and spoke
[It seems like Hunter Toneri is quite impatient, but I understand. I'll get straight to the point. I want to share information with you, Hunter Toneri.]
Hahahaha! All according to Keikaku!
"Information? What type of information are you talking about?"
[There's probably no other information like this anywhere in this world, no one else can have it or give it away. Except for us, of course.]
His tone sounded a bit proud there... Can't blame him, I mean, Selner is quite the big shot in their circle.
"..."
"Why would you want to share information like this with me?"
I swear I heard him take a deep breath over the phone before speaking...
[We benefit from sharing knowledge with special individuals such as yourself. Truth to be told, when the deputy director saw your performance during the Jeju Island Raid, he can't help but get a deep impression of you.]
[I must say, this is quite unprecedented. The deputy director shall explain the rest in detail. So. Would you like to come over and have a chat with the director? Or should I drive you here?]
Kuk... Hahaha... I can't believe this is really happening... Why? Because I know for a fact that they'll try to pull me in haha... But I'll give them the good 'ol Daga Kotowaru. South Korea has the main character, why would I leave it? Moreover, maybe I can even benefit by being in the same country as Jin-Woo.
"... I'd love to hear more about this. Can this meeting perhaps be delayed until the hunter's funeral is finished?"
He hesitated for a moment before answering me
[Yes, yes of course! I'll come over after the funeral is finished.]
"Alright. See you until then."
After that, I hung up on the call.
"Hahahahaha!"
I couldn't help but laugh like a madman in the middle of the corridor in the hospital. I got strange gazes from the patients and nurses so I ran away from them.
Going back to my room, I was supposed to stay here for 4 more hours but I just left a note saying I went out.
Since I was transported to this hospital by the hunters, I wasn't able to bring my car so I had no choice but to use the Tenseigan Chakra Mode to fly above the city to reach my house and get my car. Was it a waste of my ability? Absolutely. Why did I not just use this ability to fly to the funeral ceremony? I need a proper outfit, duh.
After reaching my house, I quickly took off the patient robes I had and wore a proper black formal outfit for the funeral. After cleaning myself and the house, I took my car and rode off.
If my guess is correct, the funeral is about to start in an hour.
*Ring* ×3
While driving, my phone rang.
I checked it and found out it was Cha Hae-in.
'Hm? What does she want?'
I tapped the screen and held the phone on my shoulders while keeping my hands on the steering wheel
"What is it?"
[...]
Eh? Why is she not answering? Did she accidentally call me?
[... I got informed by one of the nurses of the hospital that you snuck away...]
Oh.
"Uhh... That's umm... I'm healed! Yes, I'm already healed! I don't feel any abnormalities in any part of my body!"
[...]
What do you want from me, woman? I wasn't even THAT injured. Do you want me to stay in that place to heal something that doesn't exist?
[... For now, I'll believe that excuse of yours. So, where are you?]
"Hmm... Going to the funeral ceremony for the hunters that died during the raid, why?"
[Oh? I was just about to leave too. Would you mind picking me up?]
Hm? Why? Can't she just like... Go by herself? Oh well, since I do have technically nothing to do, might as well help her
"Alright. Can you tell me where you are?"
[Sure! I'm at...]
[Do you got it?]
After hearing her address, I input on the GPS app on my phone and the estimated traveling time is shown.
"Yeah, I think I'll be there in 15 minutes"
[Okay. See you.]
"Alright"
*Beep*
After the talk, I changed my route to the address given by Hae-In. It wasn't really that far from where I am right now so I should be arriving fast.
After occasionally stopping and asking where the address was, I finally got to the location she gave. Surprisingly, instead of a house, it was a dojo
I asked my cat nearby and went inside the dojo and found only 8 people. One of them was Hae-In who was also wearing a dark formal outfit. She was talking to an older person who I assume owns the place as he was also surrounded by other people who I believe practice here.
When she saw me, she finished her conversation with the old guy and waved at me. Of course, I also waved back with a smile
"You practice Komdo?" (Toneri)
(A/N: Komdo or Geomdo = Kendo but in Korea)
"Yes, it helps me practice and is quite fun" (Hae-In)
Who finds practicing fun? Probably guys like Goku, or in this case, Hae-In.
"By the way, can't you just have gone without calling for me? Not that I don't mind, but still." (Toneri)
"Eh? There's no problem with that, right? Hehe" (Hae-In)
Please don't giggle. I might have a heart attack. Girls giggling attacks men's feelings almost 90% of the time.
I whispered under my breath "... You could've just asked for your future boyfriend tho..." (Toneri)
"Huh?" (Hae-In)
"Nothing." (Toneri)
Changing the topic, I immediately asked her:
"Well anyways, let's go?" (Toneri)
"Alright!" (Hae-In)
After that, we both left the dojo and entered my car. For people going to a funeral, we sure are quite relaxed
During the drive, we would occasionally exchange conversations either about being a hunter or mundane things like what we do during our free time. I just flat-out said I eat crab corn soup and research more about my abilities, it's not entirely true but not entirely a lie either. As for her, as she started earlier, she practices Komdo, goes out with her friends, or participates in her guild's activities.
I have to admit, she uses her free time on things far more useful than I do.
Now that I've thought about it, I still haven't joined a guild... Maybe in the future...
Anyways, the drive took no less than 20 minutes before we arrived. It was quite fast, honestly.
Parking my car, me and Hae-In exited and went for the venue.
There were many people who were also wearing a black format outfit. Some families were sobbing when they saw the picture of their family members. Of course, not all were sad. Some were waiting here for Jin-Woo to appear and criticize him for not attending the raid. And, of course, I too couldn't avoid the public eye as I was immediately swarmed with reporters. I declined or ignored their questions and went directly to where the other S-Rank hunter was sitting.
When I went there, Yoon-Ho, Jong-In, Ma Dongwook, and Tae-Gyu were there. Some Japanese hunters were here but the rest were still getting healed.
And if I extend my sensing technique over to that small corner there for a moment, I could sense a certain hunter that didn't attend.
Anyways, me and Hae-In went of a sit and waited for the Chairman to give his speech of forgiveness to the hunters that fell.
Finally, after some waiting, Chairman Go finally appeared
"Thank you all for gathering here... First of all, I sincerely apologize for your lost ones and..."
Welp, I'm not gonna listen to all of that and just temporarily doze off. Am I being rude to the dead? Perhaps. Do I care? A little.
After the LONG speech that lasted for about 10 minutes, Chairman Go finally stepped down.
We all stood up and gave one flower to a hunter as a show of respect and honor. After giving me a flower, I went back to my seat and waited for the moment I was waiting for.
And then—...
A moment of silence.
Walking on the center with a flower in his hand, Jin-Woo walked to the center and gave his white flower
"That's..."
"Hunter Sung Jin-Woo?!"
Oh? People are starting to really. Well, I better enjoy the show(?). I opened my phone and checked the live broadcast of this place and read the comments. I also checked the posts on social media
---
Rio_Fox @RioFox69
So that's the hunter that didn't attend, huh? How dare this bastard appear here even after not helping?
---
Tom_MF_Smith @TomMFSmith420
I feel bad for the families that lost a member because of this guy's absence. If he was there, wouldn't the number of hunters that died be lower?
---
Sumire♡ @TJBtch
I honestly can't believe this guy...
---
Greg_Was_Here @GregTheVigilant
I honestly think that he has some screw loose in his head. All the other hunters attend and where was he? Probably somewhere enjoying his life
---
Vitamin_Zucc @IGotZucced
I've done the job, I un-virgin the olive oil, but at what cost? My humanity?
---
Yumeko❦ @SumireBtch
Replying to @IGotZucced
Shut the fuck up
---
Oh boy, criticism is in the air. Well, it's unavoidable, after all, it is his own fault for not going. I mean, I understand that he thought that there will be no dangers during the raid, but you get the point.
Anyways, after Jin-Woo placed the flower in the center, he turned around with sadness in his eyes and bowed in front of all the people. He lifted his head and apologized to all of them.
"I apologize for my acts. I know that the casualties may be lower if all the hunters attended the raid, but because of my absence, it had caused some of these hunters' lives. I don't expect you all to fully accept my apology, but I still hope that you will forgive me." (Jin-Woo)
'Why are you even apologizing? It's not even your fault that they died. So if I say they died from falling off a cliff during the raid, will it be your fault? Sheesh'
I couldn't help but thought to myself as I roll my eyes
After his apology, he was quickly surrounded by reporters, and instead of ignoring them, he answered their questions.
And as for me? I still have an appointment with Mr. White so when Jin-Woo finished his apologetic speech, I left and went to the place Adam sent me to go to.
----------
Well yes, hello, it's me! Your Venerable Venyon! And unfortunately, I'm still alive!
Regarding the romance part... I checked Jin-Ah's age in the wiki and... She's 16 or 17 years old... The mc is 22... And uh...
I can already hear FBI-chan's sirens in the background...
I think Cha Hae-In will replace her spot as the love interest... Or maybe someone else? Comment here to let me know. Or I could just do no romance. Again, you pick.