༺ Knowing is Everything ༻

Hunter Specialized Company Rodria

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1

The next day, I found myself wearing a suit and tying a necktie that had been stored away for a very long time. I never thought the day would come when I'd wear this suit again.

As I looked at my reflection in the mirror, dressed in the unfamiliar suit, I couldn't help but feel awkward. My mind wandered to the job offer I received yesterday.

Rodria.

A newly established company specializing in hunter development.

Being a fledgling company, information was scarce, making it all the more intriguing.

I couldn't shake the feeling of suspicion.

I decided to accept the job offer after hearing the details over the phone using the number provided in the proposal.

"Do you think a monthly salary of 3 million won with bonuses according to the situation would be suitable?"

Of course, without hesitation, I agreed. With no experience to boast about, how could I turn down a monthly salary of 3 million won?

I inquired about how they knew me and sent the proposal. They mentioned that it was through a recommendation from a professor who had a favorable opinion of me in the past.

Despite thinking that the aftermath of that incident would linger, isn't it true that perpetrators often easily forget their victims? 

It looks like that bitch has now forgotten me and has stopped mentioning my name to nearby companies and shouting against my employment.

Of course, that doesn't change the fact that the world is still a mess.

Nevertheless, thanks to the resolution of my suspicions, I expressed my intention to join. At the moment, the problem of my apartment rent tomorrow was more pressing, and I wasn't particularly concerned about what kind of company it was.

'But there's also another reason.'

The incident with the returning hunter Orjia that occurred yesterday.

Due to the dimensional rift that took place in the heart of Hongdae, there was quite a commotion even on TV.

And thanks to that incident, I was able to recall a goal I had set for myself a long time ago.

A world where returning hunters could come back in peace.

It was a long-standing dream, a wish for such a world.

'An old dream that seems too vague.'

In reality, it was unlikely to be feasible, and it was quite an ambitious thought. Nevertheless, a dream was still a dream.

During my childhood, the face of my now-vanished older sister was sufficient to fuel the dream of wanting to create such a world.

'I don't really think it's possible to achieve it now.'

I walked outside my house, pondering the idea. 

Even though it was a bit silly to entertain the thought, I figured there was no harm in daydreaming.

Of course, as soon as I stepped out, my mind changed.

I underestimated Seoul's morning rush hour.

Amidst the crowded subway, I experienced a taste of hell.

'Do people go through this every day for work?'

I bit my tongue, contemplating the idea of enduring this commute daily.

Exiting outside, I loosened my tie, taking a moment to catch my breath.

Glancing at my phone, I was relieved to find some spare time, allowing me to cool off and leisurely head to my destination.

'During the break.'

I opened a chat app that was connected to the 《Lord of the Academy.》

Although I couldn't play the game, this app allowed me to chat with those who were online or using the app.

Checking for online users, I noticed a familiar username and decided to strike up a conversation.

I apologize for the oversight. Here's the corrected interaction:

Nice choice. I might consider grabbing some on my way back, depleting what's left in my bank account.

Seems like more of an extreme home gamer than me.

[DoReMiFaSoLo: Deathlight and Heart.]

Commonly known as DeathHeart.

I'm not sure where they got inspired, but they always chat like that. Now, it has become a familiar style of communication.

Most importantly, the only Challenger rank among our guild members and the one who reached the 1st rank. An exceptional player with experience in pushing our guild ranking.

By the way, I don't even know their gender.

Unlike with Ayu, I hadn't really asked him much about it.

Above all, being a chat user, I had never even heard the in-game setting voices.

[Deathlight and Heart: Why are you up at this hour?]

Why would your head fall off?

I exchanged a few more words with the unbelieving Deathlight and Heart about my new job before safely arriving at the Rodri Company.

RodriaCompany, despite being a newcomer, unexpectedly occupied an entire building.

Well, if they intended to make Hunter development their main business, they needed a considerable amount of space.

"Nowadays, even Hunters do YouTube."

It's natural for everyone to want to be popular, and that includes Hunter.

Thanks to this, there were quite a few hunters who were broadcasting online.

The hunter profession itself is good for attracting attention because it allows you to use special abilities, and the more it becomes known to the public, the better the income is, so it is a combination of both.

'Not necessarily only handsome and beautiful people become Hunters.'

If you're a Hunter, it's natural to keep your body in top shape, and the unique aura of a Hunter was appealing to others.

Thanks to this, among the Hunters who stood out in the Hunter training companies, many were mentioning YouTube or TV appearances to increase their visibility.

'I don't know which wealthy person started a Hunter company, though.'

As long as I can make money, that's all that matters.

The building itself is spacious, so at least I don't think I'll have to run away after taking my salary.

'There's an elevator.'

Glancing around from the slightly larger first-floor desk, I soon spotted the elevator.

I heard that my workplace is on the 3rd floor, in the Hunter Development Support Department.

I was told that my workplace is in the Hunter Development Support Department on the 3rd floor.

When I heard the job description, it didn't seem much different from what I learned in college.

Setting up a systematic training system for Hunters, devising strategies for dealing with dimensional beings, and providing material support were among the tasks.

After getting on the elevator and pressing the button for the 3rd floor, I heard hurried footsteps in the distance. Since it was clear that the owner of the footsteps was trying to catch the elevator, I quickly pressed the open button. There stood a woman in a business suit with silver-colored hair.

"Thank you."

Her silver hair flowing down made her seem almost like a goddess as she briefly thanked me.

'She's not an ordinary person, maybe a Hunter? Among Hunters, there are those whose hair changes as they awaken their abilities.'

Or perhaps she's a returnee.

Returnees aren't very common, but this is a Hunter training company. 

In a building of this size, it wouldn't be unusual to have a few returnees among the employees.

I found myself captivated by her presence, but after recalling a recent memory, I quickly averted my gaze. Staring at her for too long might lead to a lawsuit this time.

As I looked away, strangely enough, she began to gaze intently in my direction.

Feeling a bit awkward about her scrutinizing gaze, I glanced at her and said. 

"I like that man over there."

"Oh, I see."

Why isn't she getting flustered? Is she saying I look like someone who likes men? My ultimate move isn't working.

I was making an awkward expression, expecting a reaction similar to Ayu's, but she smiled slightly.

"Don't worry. Our company doesn't pay attention to that kind of thing. By the way, I looked at you because you're someone I haven't seen before."

Does she have some sort of mind-reading? 

If she's a Hunter or a returnee, it might really be possible, so I quickly adjusted my thoughts.

"I started working here today. My name is Kang Ha-chan."

"Yes, nice to meet you, Mr. Hachan. I'm Baek Seol-hyang."

As she answered with a smile, the elevator dinged, and we arrived on the 3rd floor. I left her with a casual "Well then," and as I was about to leave, she waved lightly, saying goodbye.

'It's a company that hasn't been around for long. Is she able to remember everyone's face?'

Given that it's a building with around 10 floors, there must be quite a number of people working in various departments.

More importantly, as I looked around the elevator, it reached the top floor with a 'ding.' Normally, isn't the top floor of a company the president's office or something?

"Well, probably not."

Believing that it wouldn't be what I expected, I started my first day at work.

2

Rodri Company, 10th floor.

Baek Seol-hyang, who had recently met Ha-chan, got off on the floor restricted to special guests.

She walked out slowly, her long legs extending beneath her skirt, and soon rested her head against the door.

'Oh my god. I met him, and we talked.'

Losing her previous relaxed expression, her ears turned bright red, and she didn't know what to do.

The fact that she had met the person she had been looking forward to made her heart pound so wildly that she couldn't bear it.

It had been a few years since she had seen his face in person.

I don't know.

But it seemed like he didn't remember her.

It's an unavoidable fate, considering how much he has changed.

"What should I do? Did I say something strange? I did introduce myself at least. I didn't even stutter."

I don't know.

But it seemed like he didn't remember her.

It's an unavoidable fate, considering how much he has changed.

"What should I do? Did I say something strange? I did introduce myself at least. I didn't even stutter."

She had transformed into such an innocent girl that anyone who knew her would be astonished. Pressing her face with her hands, unable to control her pounding heart, the door suddenly opened.

There, a very tall woman in a suit was bowing her head.

The moment she saw the woman, Baek Seol-hyang's face immediately returned to its original state.

The earlier blush on her cheeks had long disappeared, and she, who always exuded an abundance of composure, was present.

"Eunhyun, did you handle the task I asked you to?"

"Well, who would you like to ask me?"

As the memory of meeting Ha-chan on the way up resurfaced, her ears turned red again, but she skillfully hid her emotions. She came inside and sat on the sofa, as if it were her own home.

At a glance, the room looked incredibly luxurious, completely unsuitable for a fledgling company.

"In the near future, take good care of him. Of course, without showing it. Got it?"

"Yes, I'll make sure not to stand out."

"Still, you have to handle things firmly in the near future. Don't call me on the weekends unless it's absolutely necessary. I can't do without that person."

The woman addressed as Eunhyun bowed her head again and agreed.

The words of the woman in front of her were more like commands that must be followed without fail.

"So, what's the recent news?"

"There's been one returnee, and in the process, it was confirmed that during the suppression, Returnee Chun Hong-ryeon and Mr. Kang Ha-chan intervened."

" Chun Hong-ryeon,  Chun Hong-ryeon."

She began to gently tap her own cheek with her index finger.

A rank S returnee.

A returnee who, in an instant, turned Hongdae into a field through dimensional movement.

However, she closed the dimensional gate with her own power and tidied up the erosion realm in a moment.

Just from this, her power was more than enough to classify her as one of the few S-ranks in the world.

'Why she, who showed no intention of activity since then, moved again.'

InBaek Seol-hyang's eyes, Kang Ha-chan, whom she had seen today, came to mind.

She stretched her red lips with her fingers, revealing a chilly smile in her eyes.

" Chun Hong-ryeon, it's been a while. We should meet again."

"Shall I make an appointment?"

“Yes, please.”

"All right. President."

World Returnee Association President

Iron-Blooded Empress

S-rank returnee Baek Seol-hyang

Her nickname, as someone who enjoys the 《Lord of the Academy》, was "KnowingHing."

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