163. Danger

After a brief moment of contemplation, a new sentence flowed from Brooklyn's direction.

"Why..."

Tuk, tuk.

Her injured arm seemed to have already recovered. A warm light lingered on the edge of her shoulder for a moment before the bruises disappeared.

"Why is there another S-rank Hunter here...?"

Brooklyn gave a surprised look upon seeing Kang Changho, who had arrived at the hotel. However, the shock didn't last long.

"I see."

She had previously analyzed the S-rank gate raid that occurred in Kagoshima. During the Dragon Raid, that man in his 30s had given such an interview in front of Japanese reporters.

[Kang, why did you participate in the S-class raid? "Protecting talent."]

[Kang Changho said, "I am a bystander. Don't expect any other help."]

He hadn't headed to the eastern archipelago to kill the dragon. As Kang Changho had revealed himself, he had participated in the raid to protect Kim Giryeo's safety. However, why would protection be necessary between two S-rank individuals?

"Interesting."

She chose her words while straightening her disheveled hair.

"I thought your relationship only applied inside the gate."

However, what came back wasn't an explanation for the question. Kang Changho glanced at her nonchalantly and then spoke.

"Isn't it a diplomatic issue to behave like this in someone else's country?"

The S-rank from the U.S. was taken aback by this response. He never expected someone who had kicked a foreigner without warning to speak like that. Of course, this was merely Brooklyn's opinion, and there was a reason behind the K-orean awakened's first strike.

"You're not thinking I didn't notice just because the distance was too far, are you? If you knew what my eyes are capable of, you wouldn't be saying such things."

"..."

"You were just about to attack Hunter Kim Giryeo, Brooklyn."

Pointing at his eyes, Kang Changho interrogated her. His [Dragon's Eye] could perceive the flow of magic even when preparing for an attack.

However, that visual information was only visible to its owner, Kang Changho. In reality, what had happened was that a South Korean hunter had assaulted a famous American figure.

"Hmm, I don't really understand what you're saying... But isn't the only thing that's clear right now this?"

Brooklyn focused on the green hue in the opponent's pupils and spoke.

"I've just been caught up in your rough behavior, and this won't be viewed positively in the international community."

In footage like CCTV, Brooklyn appeared to be the victim. However, the opponent's reaction was also indifferent. Kang Changho soon continued the conversation without even blinking.

"That's right."

However, just as this sentence was spoken, the veins on his arm twitched, moving like a pressurized pipe filled with liquid...

"Then why is it that someone as smart as you doesn't realize that I don't care about your evaluation?"

The situation that followed was not recognized by the F-class's body vision. For Giryeo, it simply felt like a sudden, empty sound, like something bursting out of nowhere. By the time the cracking sound dissipated and disappeared, the garden, which the hotel had carefully maintained, was left in ruins, turned upside down.

A thick cloud of dust shot up into the air. Broken paving blocks bounced off at irregular angles. In an instant, the scene before his eyes transformed into a battlefield. The S-rank Hunter from Korea had attacked Brooklyn once again.

"Ugh!"

Giryeo frowned and closed his eyes as the approaching aftershock hit. By the time he straightened his body, both S-rank Hunters had already disappeared from his sight.

The woman from the United States, who had awakened as a physical enhancement-type hunter, was no match for the monstrous strength and was pushed back a staggering hundred meters. Kang Changho, however, chased after such an opponent.

Though she allowed the opponent to strike first twice, there wouldn't be a next time. Brooklyn activated a recovery skill on the spot where she was hit and swiftly stabilized her posture with a breakfall.

The boiling magical energy, the rapier now in her grasp. Under normal circumstances, she would have already unleashed a harsh counterattack by now.

"Wait a minute."

Tuk.

What is happening here? After putting enough distance between themselves and the hotel garden, Kang Changho abruptly lifted both hands and glanced back toward the direction where someone was still standing.

"I don't intend to fight. I just opened up some distance to talk."

"..."

"That's why you should lower your weapon. It would be better for you too, don't you think?"

You're saying... you want to talk? Indeed, as he said, Brooklyn didn't want the situation to escalate. Though she had thought about testing Kim Giryeo's strength through force, she had also imagined the possibility of damaging relations with Korea... But if possible, it's only natural to want to avoid unnecessary trouble.

"...To be honest, this is the most unconventional start to a conversation I've ever experienced in my life."

Brooklyn Morgan calmed her nerves and agreed to the conversation with the other person.

"Morgan, I know why you wanted to attack that guy."

"Hmm."

"I understand. You must have had some doubts. Your curiosity is quite well-known."

When the man with the exotic appearance said that, Brooklyn couldn't bring herself to deny it and simply shrugged her shoulders.

Is the fourth S-Class of Korea real? This was all that Brooklyn was curious about.

"But it's difficult if you come all the way to Korea and do this."

Kang Changho checked Brooklyn's reaction and tilted his head.

"Is it really okay for a foreigner to meddle in someone else's territory like this? So... how about you just take the information I give you and be content? I could provide the information you're looking for."

"Yes?"

The blonde woman reacts strangely to this. While her smile remained flawless, as if masked, the delicate eyelashes in her eyes subtly fluttered.

"You mean giving information?"

As the American S-rank tilted her head, Kang Changho continued to support his suggestion with further explanation, as if reassuring her not to worry.

"I've been curious about that guy's identity lately too. Anyway, sharing the information with a neighbor like this is easy."

"..."

Just say the word, and I'll do the investigation for you. So, you folks can leave now. That awakener isn't something the US needs to worry about."

Kang Changho casually continued the conversation with his hands in his pockets. However, when the other person could not give a definitive answer and remained silent, he tilted the corners of his mouth and added a few more words.

"There's no answer. Ah, perhaps the translator is malfunctioning and you're not hearing me correctly?"

He pointed to the area near the ear where Piny's translator was worn. Soon after, a fluent foreign language flowed from him.

"Get out of Korea. C**ker."

As Kang Changho spoke, Brooklyn understood the meaning of his words and raised her eyebrows.

That Korean was just as rude as she had heard. But rough words didn't mean conversation was impossible. The offer to share information about Kim Giryeo was certainly a tempting one. And even if the proposal was a lie, with a hunter from another country acting so hostile, she couldn't afford to be reckless anymore.

"I understand. If you say that..."

Brooklyn took a step back. She still wanted to verify Kim Giryeo's level firsthand, but there was no need to reveal that the Kim Giryeo, Kang Changho was someone who could transfer to the overseas market at any time if the right conditions were met. His usual behavior didn't exactly suggest a strong sense of patriotism, either.

But why on earth? Why didn't Kang Changho fall for America's tricks either?

"Why don't you leave this small country?"

In fact, Kang Changho's situation was even more extreme than that of any blonde-haired foreigner. He had accumulated penalties for ignoring government orders, to the point where he was now banned from using even the official Hunter market. At this point, anyone would have considered moving to another market, yet he clung to Korea in a strangely obsessive way.

"Do you have any treasures hidden here?"

But the man just laughed strangely at Brooklyn's question. He hardly opened his mouth.

"That's..."

Kang Chang-ho expressed his sense of territory like this.

"Because I like bibimbap."

"Yes?"

"Bulgogi is also good. Korea has pretty good food. You said that at the airport, too."

Just like the woman had said in front of the reporters, it was as if his true intentions were something no one should ever attempt to uncover.

***

How long has it been since then? After a few words of conversation, one of the S-class hunters who had disappeared beyond the hotel's bushes returned to the garden. His hair, tinted in shades of celadon blue due to the pigmentation caused his awakening, became awakened, shimmered under the light. The figure who emerged was none other than Kang Changho.

"Are you okay?"

Giryeo had been deeply worried when a tremendous surge of magic erupted from the direction they had disappeared. However, the S-rank Hunter who returned was surprisingly unharmed. In fact, he even showed a smile that had relieved his annoyance from earlier.

"Don't worry. I finished talking. I warned her that if she pulls any more tricks like this here, I won't just stand by."

"Oh."

"It'll be quiet for a while."

Dmnk.

Kang Changho turned his green eyes, like those of an alligator, to the side as he explained.

"By the way,"

A question from the S-rank hunter echoed through the spacious garden.

"Do you know why that foreigner acted like that?"

"Yes?"

"According to Morgan... she said she wanted to attack to test whether Korea's fourth is truly an S-rank or not, just to verify the skill."

Giryeo didn't answer.

"It's ridiculous, but I get it. I can understand why Morgan is like that, and also the insubordination from a few days ago. In a way, it's all because you've been hiding your awakening level."

This time, there was no answer.

"Now that I think about it, even I haven't seen your true awakening level."

However, despite his calm appearance, Giryeo was currently sweating like a waterfall down his back.

"Kim Giryeo."

While someone was pondering, Kang Changho suggested an idea to the hunter in front of him.

"How about stopping hiding your magic for once? You keep suppressing it blindly, and that's why these pests keep bothering you."

Of course, from Giryeo's perspective, it was an absurd suggestion. After all, he was a bottom-tier Awakener with no magic to hide in the first place.

"This day will come eventually."

Still, it wasn't like there was absolutely no way out. If he drank the potion made with the magic stone he used during the 3rd awakening test, he could temporarily fake having high magic. However, it was almost like chewing raw stones, so it wasn't good for his body at all.

"An American is suspicious of me."

Still, there was no choice but to clear the suspicion. After much thought, Giryeo made a decision. He would try to use the method he had used to deceive the awakening tester once again. However, the homemade potions that had been effective back then had expired and were disposed of last month, so for now, he would have to make do with a quick excuse.

"Hmm, responding to every little trick seems like a waste of time..."

A truly dry voice. On the surface, it seemed like the tone of someone who was skillfully brushing off even a threat from someone like Brooklyn, but in reality, it was the result of an alien manipulating his entire body's muscles with every ounce of effort. Honestly, just recalling the moment when Brooklyn had drawn her rapier made his legs shake.

"But as you said, there have been a lot of bothersome things lately, so if something like this happens again, I'll reveal my magic next time."

The blonde-haired trickster throws an empty promise by time for making the potion. Then, Kang Changho quietly nods in response.

"Yeah."

However, contrary to Giryeo's interpretation, this was not a particularly positive gesture.

"Next time, for sure."

This genuine S-rank didn't fall for the quick thinking of the swindler. In fact, he was someone who harbored an even stronger doubt, one that surpassed Brooklyn's.

***

The incident happened on the way home that afternoon.