I Possess Too Many Characteristics

Chapter 57

Yerin shed her playful smile and became serious in an instant.

Gulp━

Jeonghyeon also swallowed nervously.

“Have you ever heard of Kwak Chaejun?”

“Kwak…… who?”

“He’s a former employee of the Association. He was in the Response Team of Investigation Division 1.”

“……? You didn’t really think I’d know, did you?”

“Of course I did.”

Seriously?

Anger welled up for a moment, but Jeonghyeon decided to hold it in.

She wouldn’t have called him all the way here just to say something like that.

As expected, Yerin continued.

“The problem is that Kwak Chaejun has turned into a Villain.”

“A Villain?”

‘Common sense dictates that you should have started with that.’

If she had mentioned the Villain from the beginning, he wouldn’t have felt so deflated.

Because of the unnecessary pause, the word”Villain”didn’t sound so serious anymore.

“If he’s a Villain…… did he kill a Hunter?”

“That’s right. That’s why I’m chasing him. The problem is━”

While explaining about Chaejun, Yerin frowned.

An emotion Jeonghyeon had never seen from her before, besides her smile or her usual expressionless face.

“Since Kwak Chaejun is from the Investigation Department, he’s familiar with the Association’s investigation techniques. He’s not easily caught.”

“Ah.”

Only then did Jeonghyeon understand why Yerin had suddenly called him to the Association and brought up this story.

“Are you planning a sting operation?”

“As expected, you catch on quickly. Yes.”

Yerin confirmed.

The Association operates three Investigation Divisions.

Division 1 handles crimes committed by Hunters against civilians,

Division 2 handles crimes committed by civilians against Hunters,

and Division 3 handles crimes committed by Hunters against Hunters.

In the early days of its establishment, the Association received a lot of support from the police and prosecution, and there was active education on investigation techniques. However, since Hunters, who could not be explained or controlled by existing concepts, were involved, there were inevitably many cases that could not be solved with conventional investigation methods.

As a result, the Association has now established itself to a certain extent, conducting independent investigations and cooperating closely with associations in other countries rather than the police or prosecution.

However, it is true that its history is not very long.

If someone familiar with the investigation techniques used internally decides to commit a crime, it would not be easy to apprehend them.

‘Besides, it’s not easy to arrest a Hunter.’

In the end, in such cases, the only option was to understand the Villain’s motives well and conduct a sting operation accordingly.

But the next thing Yerin brought up was a bit unexpected.

“You know about the star rating system that was recently updated on Hunternet, right Hunter-nim?”

“Yes.”

“Do you also know that it has actually led to an increase in Villain crimes?”

Jeonghyeon shook his head.

“Originally, most party matching was done through Hunternet, but after the star rating system was introduced, it became difficult for Hunters with low ratings to do so. So, places like this have emerged.”

Yerin showed Jeonghyeon her phone screen.

A homepage with an interface similar to Hunternet appeared.

━ Dark Hunternet

“It’s a site that presents itself as the dark side of Hunternet. In reality, it’s a place where Hunters who can’t participate in regular parties operate, exchanging cryptocurrency.”

Jeonghyeon nodded.

Sites like this have existed for a long time, and it wasn’t a very well-kept secret.

He hadn’t thought that the star rating system would have such a side effect, but it seemed that the Association’s Investigation Department was quite concerned about it.

“This is why the Association told them not to create the star rating system, those money-grubbing bastards.”

“E, excuse me?”

“It’s nothing.”

Did I hear that right?

It was a situation that warranted cursing.

But it was quite awkward that the one cursing was Yerin.

It felt like he had seen a different side of Yerin that he hadn’t seen before.

Anyway, the background explanation was over.

It was time to start the main story.

Yerin pulled her chair closer to Jeonghyeon and lowered her voice.

A little too close for Jeonghyeon’s comfort.

“So, Hunter-nim, first go home and create a Dark Hunternet ID. These guys don’t even collect personal information.”

“Um…… this is Manager Cha’s office, do you really need to talk like that……”

“There’s such a thing as atmosphere.”

“Yes, well……”

What could he do if she said so?

He just had to accept it.

Anyway, Yerin explained the plan she had devised around Jeonghyeon.

By the time she was done, Jeonghyeon couldn’t help but nod.

“Excellent.”

“Of course. Who do you think I am?”

Jeonghyeon and Yerin exchanged meaningful glances.

Jeonghyeon swallowed hard and asked in a trembling voice.

“Um…… but is the success reward really 3,000?”

Actually, apart from the capture process, he didn’t really care about the other plans.

Most of them were things the Investigation Department would handle anyway.

But a success reward of 30 million won.

That was a very realistic and sweet amount for Jeonghyeon.

Yerin smiled slightly and nodded.

“Of course. 30 million is a cheap price to catch a Villain like this.”

As expected of the Hunter Association, which has been ranked number one in national institution trust for 10 consecutive years.

It was the most satisfying conversation he had ever had with Yerin, without any lingering discomfort.

They both stood up and shook hands without a word.

It was unprofessional to drag out a deal that was so mutually beneficial.

“Then I’ll see you later.”

“Sounds good. ……Ah!”

“Did you forget something?”

Just before leaving the office, Jeonghyeon suddenly thought.

Wasn’t there something he had forgotten?

Moreover, Yerin, who would usually follow him to the main gate of the Association, talking about confidentiality and persons of interest, seemed to be in a good mood and ready to part ways cleanly this time.

‘This definitely means I’m forgetting something crucial.’

The anxiety that he might be played by Yerin again crept up on him.

And after a moment of contemplation, a cold sweat ran down Jeonghyeon’s back as he realized what he had forgotten.

Yerin’s pleasant smile was actually the temptation of the Grim Reaper.

How could she not mention such a basic thing!

“What’s that Kwak Chaejun’s, rank and level?”

And the shock he felt when he saw Yerin’s expression change at that moment.

She was still smiling, but the content of that smile had completely changed.

“His last measurement was C-rank Level 3, so we estimate he’s Level 4 now.”

“?”

‘Did I hear that wrong? Ah, I must have heard it wrong.’

Jeonghyeon must have a lot of earwax, he thought, carefully cleaning both ears with his pinky finger before asking again.

“Could you say that again?”

“Estimated C-rank Level 4.”

And Yerin answered clearly once more.

He hadn’t misheard.

“What do you think my rank is?”

“I don’t know because you’re unregistered.”

Devil.

This woman is a real devil!

He almost walked into a death trap because of Yerin again.

And how could she not even change her expression after revealing such a fact?

Even as Jeonghyeon’s expression changed like a kaleidoscope, Yerin explained in a calm voice.

“He’s a C-rank Level 4 Swordsmanship trait, but that bastard, he’s been carried so much in the Association. You could call him a boosted level.”

“There’s a limit to that! I won’t do it! I can’t do it!”

Of course, there were cases like Dan Jongu, who was C-rank Level 3 but had a similar level to a low-level D-rank, but that was because he was so pathetic.

If he was from the Association’s Response Team, his skills themselves were guaranteed.

Besides, Level 4?

That was almost the limit for a C-rank, wasn’t it?

It meant she wasn’t in her right mind to entrust such a task to an unregistered Hunter.

He would be far superior to Assistant Manager Seo Jin-wook, no matter how bad he was.

Of course, Jeonghyeon knew that his skills were far beyond those of an ordinary unregistered Hunter, but this woman didn’t know anything and was just doing it because she felt like it!

“Hmm……”

Yerin stared at Jeonghyeon for a moment and said shortly.

“40,000.”

“……?”

40,000?

Was she trying to buy him with money?

“You know that’s ridiculous, right? He’s C-rank Level 4. You’re a Hunter too, Manager-nim━”

“50,000.”

“A great Hunter should be willing to sacrifice their life for the safety of the nation and its citizens.”

50,000.

It was too much for Jeonghyeon to refuse.

◈◈◈◈◈◈◈◈◈◈◈◈◈◈◈◈◈◈

“Sigh…… Is this really going to work?”

Jeonghyeon returned after completing a satisfactory deal.

Now all that was left for him was an endless wait.

As soon as he returned home, Jeonghyeon joined Dark Hunternet and immediately posted an article.

━ 『Level 4』 Pompo Slime. Looking for someone to carry me （Prepayment, Bonus0）.

Damn it, I have a lot of money, you know? But these damn Hunternet bastards keep lowering my rating so I can’t join parties.

I won’t say it twice. Looking for someone who can carry me in Pompo Slime. 10 million prepayment, and if I like you, I’ll give you an extra 10 million bonus.

Honestly, you know Pompo is for fun, not for making money, right? Only contact me if you can really carry me. Otherwise, you’ll be blocked, bye.

From the level of language used, it was different from Hunternet, as it was a place where people with shitty lives gathered.

Cursing was basic, along with all sorts of hateful expressions and slang.

For example, when recruiting a bus driver, there was ‘prepayment’, the money paid upfront, and ‘bonus’, the additional reward if the ride was satisfactory.

In fact, Hunternet, with its strict real-name system, was abnormally clean, but it wasn’t that different from other internet communities.

Anyway, if he wrote a post like this, Kwak Chaejun would be lured in.

Kwak Chaejun had become a Villain solely for money, so a total of 20 million won would be enough.

Moreover, Pompo Slime, although a Level 4 Gate, was rated as having a danger level similar to a mid-to-high Level 3 Gate.

It was the perfect condition for Kwak Chaejun, a C-rank Level 4.

But the problem was that there was no contact from a nickname confirmed to be Kwak Chaejun’s.

Because the conditions were so good, he actually received a few contacts.

━ Hyung-nim. Are you still looking for members? I’m a D-rank Level 4, so I can carry you. Just leave it to me.

━ I don’t like your face. Blocked, bye.

━ I’m B-rank Level 4. Just leave it to me.

━ Blocked for being rude, bye.

But they were just honest （?） bus drivers.

“To be wandering around here after reaching B-rank Level 4, they must have nothing better to do.”

Jeonghyeon clicked his tongue.

Among the contacts, there were some sent by truly high-ranked individuals.

According to Yerin, most of them weren’t Villains, but had ended up here because they were desperate for money, but the fact that they were B-rank Level 4 and still desperate for money was a problem in itself.

They could easily get a yearly salary of over 1 billion won just by joining any guild.

Most of them were either lacking in ability for a B-rank, or had lost all their money through gambling or private loans and their credit rating had plummeted.

Of course, even these users weren’t entirely free of illegal activities.

But if he had to catch them all, he wouldn’t have a body left even if he spent the whole year on business trips.

Naturally, it wasn’t something Jeonghyeon needed to worry about.

“My 50 million won…… When will you contact me?”

━ R r r

At that moment, his phone alarm rang again.

Jeonghyeon, assuming it was another upstanding citizen of the underworld, checked his phone.

“He’s here!”

But this time, it was real.

━ 『IAmTheAssociation』 : Hyung-nim, are there any spots left? I’m a C-rank Level 4 Close-Range Dealer, former Association Response Team. Credit guaranteed.

“Credit guaranteed my ass……”

Jeonghyeon was dumbfounded to hear that Kwak Chaejun had committed 20 murders within Gates.

Anyway, the 50 million won bait had finally been taken.

Jeonghyeon hummed and sent a reply.

“I…… kind of like you…… When are you free……? Okay. Sent!”

Jeonghyeon had already erased any burden or fear of facing a C-rank Level 4.

“Thought Acceleration, that was truly a cheat.”

During the test he had taken while visiting the Association, Jeonghyeon had realized the power of his newfound ability.

C-rank Level 4?

“Defeat, Trouble.”

He wasn’t confident.

He wasn’t confident that he would lose.