Heroine Hunts Heroines

Chapter 30

The Hunter Association building was so large that it could easily rival the Blue House. I was busy taking it all in, mouth slightly open, when a sharply dressed woman approached me.

"It's your first time seeing it like this, isn’t it, Eunha?"

"I’ve heard quite a bit about it from my... brother," I replied, awkwardly emphasizing "brother."

That word didn’t sit right with me, but I couldn’t help it. Jeong Nayoon, true to her role as one of Yoo Jinseok's heroines, was stunning. With her delicate features and black hair, she had a natural grace. I wouldn’t mind having her begging at my feet one day, so it wouldn’t hurt to start putting things in motion. If I were Chairman Choi Cheolsik, I'd keep her under my desk.

"Oh, really?"

"Yes, but why did you ask me to come?"

Honestly, it would’ve been easier if she’d come to me, but I didn’t mind making the trip if it meant improving her impression of me.

"I'm sure you can guess the reason, Eunha. I wouldn’t have called if it wasn’t important."

"Yes, I can imagine."

"The chairman of the association wants to see you personally. Ah, there he is."

In the distance, a middle-aged man was walking over, picking at his teeth with a toothpick. Back when I worked in an office, my department head looked just like this guy. He’d always have a lingering scent of kimchi stew and would pick at his teeth with a toothpick too.

"Ahem, Eunha. It’s been a while since you were little."

Ah, shiny bald head. I wondered if his ability was related to solar energy. Watching him wipe sweat off his head almost made me laugh.

"Did we meet before?"

"When you were very young. I heard you fought with Kim Jaesoo recently. Any injuries?"

"No, I’m fine. Although... Siwoo, the swordmaster, is a bit...”

Becoming more of a girl every day, I wanted to say. It seemed he was gradually losing his masculine muscle tone, almost becoming slender. Watching this change unfold was... quite enjoyable.

"Rest assured, Siwoo will be compensated fully. But we brought you here because the Association would like you to work with us as a hunter."

As if. Becoming a villain sounded far more appealing than a second coming of Kim Jaesoo. Not that I'd join the Association even if I wanted to.

"I’m not interested at the moment," I replied.

"Then, what is your plan?"

"After receiving offers from various guilds, I’ll likely join one of them."

This response should keep them off my back. After all, the top guild masters in the country were all Yoo Jinseok’s companions, and some were even his heroines. They were rivals, so the guilds didn’t get along well. The male guild leaders, meanwhile, tended to steer clear of the heroines, who, being tied up with Jinseok’s love life, were too annoying for them to bother with.

"A bit blunt, don’t you think?"

What of it? I straightened my back, crossing my arms with pride.

"I’m strong, beautiful, and worth the investment. I imagine other guilds are already considering contacting me."

It was a statement only a self-centered princess could make. Half an act, half my genuine feeling. I had a charm that even women couldn’t resist.

"What terms would be acceptable for you?"

"Well, as a student, my hunter activities would be limited anyway, right?"

Officially, I couldn’t work as a hunter until after graduating from the academy. Until then, independent activity was off-limits; any hunting would need a guardian.

"Exactly. We just want to borrow your name."

"So, in other words, you’re willing to pay a rental fee to use my name."

It seemed my name had recently gained value. After defeating S-rank mutant Kim Jaesoo, I was probably quite popular within the association’s circles. If I played this right, I could milk it for all it was worth.

"That’s right. We wouldn’t want to force your hand and will allow you to join another guild after graduation, if that’s your choice."

They were in a rush, so this was a chance to negotiate. With the power dynamics in my favor, I’d make sure to benefit.

"There is one condition."

"Name it."

"I don’t need much money. Just give me access past the barrier."

Beyond the barrier meant areas like Incheon and a few other isolated zones, including the scorched wastelands of Pyongyang in the north. These were places where monsters and villains roamed.

"Beyond the barrier... not places like Gyeonggi, Busan, Jeolla, or Jeju, but the barrier itself? Incheon, specifically?"

"Yes."

Baekho Guild’s guild master was manageable. To take on Seo Jiyeon, I’d need to activate my dragon powers, but Baek Cheongang was weak. Among Yoo Jinseok’s generation, he was the weakest. He held his own well against monsters, but being a pure martial artist who relied on mana techniques left him at a disadvantage against others of his generation. Choi Cheolsik nodded and led us to the underground training arena.

“Try not to hold back. This area has a barrier in place, so excessive force is restricted.”

I’d be limited, too, which was a bit disappointing.

"Choose your weapon. I’ll fight barehanded."

"Bring it."

Back when I was a regular office worker, I had attended a taekwondo class as a kid. I quit with the yellow belt, but I could still pull off a decent stance.

"Interesting. Your stance is solid. I thought you’d use a sword."

"Pretty girls are perfect at everything."

"Alright, but I hope you know that courage alone won’t get you far. Let’s see if you can handle my punch."

Matching Baek Cheongang’s level would be enough for now. They saw me as Yoo Jinseok’s sister, so if I intended to cross the barrier, I’d have to demonstrate overwhelming power. Since the barrier limited me, I’d simply show that none of his attacks could touch me.

Baek Cheongang channeled mana around his body. Clear mana radiated from his fists, forming a tiger's head. This was Baek Cheongang’s own invention, “Baekho Martial Arts.” It was his signature buff skill, and it boasted strength fitting an S-rank guild master. But I didn’t dodge. I didn’t block. If he attacked with brute strength, my dragon defenses would be more than enough. I’d been targeted countless times back when I killed millions. Attempts on my life were constant, even when I appeared as a nun. The resistance was always crushed.

With a loud *crack*, Baek Cheongang's attack was effortlessly blocked. It wasn’t because of my mana or magic—just the natural difference in power between a dragon and a martial artist. Still, he tilted his head, confused.

“An invincible body?”

I couldn’t help but smile as I grabbed his arm, catching him off guard.

“Not exactly invincible.”

“Wait, what are you—”

In a flash, white flames enveloped Baek Cheongang’s body, consuming his mana.

“Wait... my mana, it’s draining?”

“Honestly, you idiot. You’re really falling for a simple mana absorption at your age?”

Mana absorption—a trick weaker hunters use to drain stronger opponents, rendering them powerless. But usually, unless it’s mastered at an extreme level, mana absorption wouldn’t leave someone this helpless. From a distance, Jiyeon could barely hide her shock at Baek Cheongang’s reaction. Back in the day, his strength alone could rival Yoo Jinseok, yet here he was, brought down by basic mana absorption. Well, as I said, this wasn’t absorption—it was incineration.

“It’s a bit different,” I said.

“Obviously. My ability is no mere mana absorption.”

“Then, what is it?”

Baek Cheongang, slumping like he’d been drained by a succubus, was finally out cold. Jiyeon, equally intrigued, spoke up instead.

“I burn it. I burned the mana from Uncle Baek’s body.”

“So that means you could burn through the rampant mana beyond the barrier as well? Is that one of the properties of the White Flame?”

Choi Cheolsik seemed impressed, his shiny bald head catching the light.

“Yes. It’s a flame of purification and destruction.”

“Well, in that case, I think it’s safe.”

“Alright. I’ll issue you a pass. I’ll contact the gates at Incheon and Seoul, so don’t worry. Just make sure Jinseok doesn’t find out.”

Finally, I had permission.

“Understood.”

With even Seo Jiyeon from Yoo Jinseok’s generation backing me, Choi Cheolsik really had no choice. I could almost imagine Jinseok ranting later about who’d allowed his little sister into a danger zone.

“Hey, I’m not that old to be called ‘Uncle.’”

“Check the mirror. Have some shame?”

“You... cheeky brat! Fine, then. So how about joining my guild? A three-billion contract once you graduate...”

I gave him a good look—Baek Cheongang really had aged. He was in his twenties, yet somehow looked closer to forty. Maybe this is what happens when you train the wrong way. Worse, joining his guild would probably mean wearing some ridiculous outfit and training in martial arts.

“Even so, a martial arts guild... isn’t really my style.”

With a title like “Dragon,” I have a reputation to uphold. Joining a place like that? Never.

TL NOTE: Please don't skimp on the stars for the translation - it inspires me and gives me the strength to write more. Thank you~!

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