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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 19
Chapter Title: Blue Dragon's Inquiry
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The next day.
Off the coast of Incheon, the Blue Dragon Guild's artificial island base.
As if the title of one of Korea's top three guilds wasn't just hot air, the Blue Dragon Guild was using an enormous artificial island in the waters off Incheon as their entire guild territory.
Roughly 1.7 times the size of Yeouido. This massive island, practically a Blue Dragon Guild city in its own right, featured not only buildings for all sorts of operations but also transport helicopters for expeditions and residential districts.
With three S-rank Hunters under their banner, the Blue Dragon Guild was as busy as ever today, its staff and Hunters heading out on expeditions in teams and parties.
"What? Seongjun's gone missing?"
Go Cheonsu, the guild master leading this colossal Blue Dragon Guild and an S-rank Hunter himself, shot up from his seat in shock at the sudden news of his son's disappearance.
The secretary who had come to deliver the message froze for a moment under his intimidating presence but pressed on calmly with her explanation.
"Yes. He didn't show up at the Academia or the guild office today, which was strange enough, and now he's not answering his phone."
"Not just off playing around like before, or on some other assignment?"
"He's the type who always lets us know if he's going out to have fun. Even on secret missions, he checks in with the guild regularly... He went out yesterday and still hasn't come back."
Go Cheonsu's face darkened at the secretary's worried tone as she wrapped up.
Sure, his son had a knack for getting into trouble, but he'd earned recognition for his fighting spirit and been chosen by the constellation Blue Dragon.
His talents were a bit lacking, which had been a worry, but he'd overcome enough of the trials bestowed by Blue Dragon to safely enter the Academia's Heaven Class.
Cheonsu had planned to train him personally to take over as a Hunter after graduation, but now he was missing!
"Have you tried contacting him? Phone tracking? And... any investigations?"
"We've already started looking into it. No response, of course, and the last phone signal pinged in the northern region where E-rank dungeons are clustered. Given Young Master's skills, the fact that he wasn't alone, and how the signal cut off while heading north, it looks like he was taken out by one of Slaughter King's demons."
"Demons, and up north? That's one hundred percent Slaughter King affiliates. Did those man-eaters get him... Sigh..."
Go Cheonsu let out a heavy sigh and bowed his head.
Most parents would cling to even a sliver of hope that their child was alive, but as the head of a major guild, he faced reality head-on.
No matter how much he wanted to deny it, his son was surely dead by now, sacrificed at a demon's hands to earn Slaughter King's blessing.
"No false hopes here. But make sure to investigate exactly what happened and who did it. We have to get revenge. You know our guild's motto, right?"
"Of course. The mission bestowed by Blue Dragon: struggle and victory. We'll uncover the truth and identify the enemy."
With cold eyes flickering in suppressed rage, he issued the order to his secretary, who bowed and left the office.
***
Academia, Baekya Guild office.
"Here you go~ dungeon report. Cleared an E-rank yesterday, no problem. Got an E-rank mana stone and some Starving Flesh Hound fangs as drops."
"Ooh, Starving Flesh Hound fangs! Those are rare! You're super lucky! But, mister, did anything happen with the Blue Dragon Guild yesterday by any chance?"
"Hm? What do you mean?"
"Go Seongjun, the guy you met yesterday? He's suddenly gone missing today."
Ah, so that guy's vanished too.
But acting like I knew anything wouldn't help, so I shrugged nonchalantly, playing dumb.
"No idea."
"Really?"
"What would I know? Anyway, off to another dungeon today. Sparring tomorrow, right?"
"Yes! Take care out there."
With no suspicions left behind, I left the office.
Guild procedures were all cleared. Now, time for a casual stroll around the Academia.
I wanted to scope out the Blue Dragon Guild's situation more closely before heading back to the dungeons.
'No news travels faster than gossip on foot... Ah, there it is.'
"Hey, you hear? Seongjun from Heaven Class is missing?"
"Missing? That monster with B-rank stats, son of the Blue Dragon Guild master? How does a guy like that go missing? Probably just out playing somewhere."
"Nope. The Blue Dragon Guild's in an uproar. If it was just goofing off, they wouldn't be making such a fuss..."
"Things are gonna blow up. And it's the guild of the constellation called the 'Struggle Star'..."
Yeah, at this rate, I'd definitely come under suspicion during their investigation.
I wasn't directly involved, but since they'd planned it out at the guild and come after me, they'd think I had something to do with it.
'Maybe skip the dungeon and kill time around here instead?'
Sticking to my routine was fine, but if I knew they were coming, better to meet them on my terms in a good spot.
Running into them on the way to a dungeon or outside the city might lead to strong-arm tactics, so safety first.
And there was one place that guaranteed safety and wouldn't look weird for me to be at.
'Where else? Hunter Association headquarters.'
The Hunter Association handled oversight and management of Awakeners and Hunters, making it the safest spot. Any Awakener could drop by for business without raising eyebrows, anytime.
'I can say I came to repair my sword and buy gear. No issues there.'
My iron sword was holding up fine, but it was due for maintenance anyway.
No matter how skilled you were, constant use meant upkeep was necessary.
While handling that, I could leisurely wait at the Association for the Blue Dragon Guild's capable investigators to find me.
'Though the student center works too... I can just make excuses if needed.'
With that, I left the Academia straight for the Association.
It wasn't far, since the Association had built the Academia.
Just a ten-minute walk from the entrance.
'Here it is? Yeah, looks right. That high-tech forge over there must be the place for repairs...'
Mana stone furnaces, super-alloy anvils.
Drones whirring around cleaning up metal shavings and dust. I marveled at the cutting-edge forge.
But some things never changed— the craftsman inside was your classic tanned, bearded uncle type.
"Hm? Customer?"
"Came to get my sword repaired."
I handed it over to the clerk for check-in, then pulled out my phone to check dungeon maps and plan ahead.
Current level: 19.
I could grind E-rank dungeons to 30, but D-ranks would give more EXP, so I was torn.
'My stats could smash D-ranks already, but the issue is staying under the radar while clearing them...'
Aside from tougher monsters, D-rank dungeons weren't much harder than E-ranks, so clearing wasn't a worry. The problem was reporting and entering them.
The Association knew me as a solo newbie Hunter. Jumping straight to D-ranks would look suspicious.
'They say your mindset changes coming out of the bathroom versus going in... Guess even I can't avoid it. Must be nice having companions?'
Unlike solo runs, with Akaron and Seom-myeol, the mental burden was lighter, clears were easier, and confidence had grown.
Sure, EXP split three ways was a downside, but this setup had the firepower for higher dungeons now. A quick higher-rank run would catch us up.
'Hmm... Tough call. Sneaking higher dungeons means illegal clears only... Not ready to risk that yet...'
Blindly raising my Hunter rank would bring headaches.
The world was full of leeches waiting to suck dry any hot new talent. Quiet and low-key was best.
"Repair's done."
"Ah, thanks."
With my sword fixed and errands cleared, I pondered what next.
To kill time until the Blue Dragon investigators arrived, I decided to browse Association facilities casually.
Updating on new Hunter financials and insurance, global constellation power dynamics, that sort of thing.
'Blue Dragon's guy incompetent? Thought they'd show by morning, but maybe big corp bureaucracy slows hiring?'
"Excuse me, are you Yoo Seongwon?"
Speak of the devil—a unfamiliar voice called from behind.
Turning, I saw people in uniforms with the blue dragon emblem.
Obviously Blue Dragon Guild, I pulled off my prepped act: wide-eyed shock and flustered tone.
"Ah, no way! Blue Dragon Guild? Guardians of Korea, chosen by the Struggle Star Blue Dragon himself—w-why are you talking to a lowlife Hunter like me? Oh, huge fan—photo and autograph possible?"
A bit awkward, but to play the fool, this level of acting was necessary.
In this world, smarts got you suspicion.
"...Ahem! Not sure about photos or autographs, but we have some questions. Got time?"
"Of course! For Blue Dragon Guild? Happy to help!"
Fools get underestimated, which disarms suspicion perfectly.
People want to conserve energy and resources, and less so on idiots. Natural law.
My eager approach flustered them—the lead guy looked awkward, handed me a business card, and introduced himself.
"I'm Nam Gukjin, from Blue Dragon Guild's 11th Team, in charge of scouting and search. Ranger class."
"Ah, yes."
"Anything on the name Go Seongjun?"
"The Heaven Class student at Academia? I know he's the Blue Dragon Guild heir, and that he's into Shin Ayoung, our guild's B-rank Awakener."
Info any nine-year Academia staffer could have.
Nam Gukjin pondered carefully before speaking.
"Then, your relationship with Shin Ayoung?"
"She hired me as exclusive staff with great pay. Young, but impressive. I'm working hard to repay the favor. Planned E-rank dungeon training today too."
"Hmm... That's it?"
He probed to shake me, but I didn't flinch.
Truth was, I had zero weird feelings for the girl.
The 14-year age gap was insurmountable, and outside Academia talk, we had nothing in common. Impossible.
'She's just misreading it because of my skills.'
"Got it. We'll be going then."
"Ah! Photo and autograph at least~"
"Haha, sure. And we'll send Blue Dragon Guild special merch. S- and A-rank stars' goods beat stuff from a 11th Team leader like me."
"Make it S-rank Blue Dragon Sword Princess Chae Jiyeong's, please. Haha!"
Naming their idol sealed the fool act perfectly—no more questions. Nam Gukjin took my studio address and left.
They'd hoped for suspicion or info, but with nothing there and my alibi ironclad, they had zilch.
Flashing a subtle victory smile, I figured it was safe now and headed for an E-rank dungeon.