Ding dong.

A small, modest doorbell sound, somehow out of place with the prologue of destruction, echoed down the hallway.

Yes, I'm coming-

The visitor, standing with their hands clasped behind their back, waited as the woman's voice came from inside. After a moment, the door opened, and the homeowner stepped out. She was a woman in her 20s, her hair tied up into a neat round bun, and thick glasses resting on the bridge of her nose.

Ah, you came! What brings you here? Hahaha, you're actually coming all the way to my house.

Hello.

Anyway, come on in... Oh my, what have you brought this time? Why do you always bring something?

That's right. Today, I visited Gu Seohyeong's place. And as I had learned about Earth's etiquette earlier, I brought some food along...

.

.

.

Gu Seohyeong. Now that I think about it, it's been quite a while since I visited someone by that name on Earth. Back in the day, I would at least show my face whenever the enchantment effect of a cheap ring started to wear off. But ever since I replaced my defense with a sacred tree seedling, I've hardly visited at all.

Gu Seohyeong's enchanting skills are still unstable.

The Sacred Tree Seedling. Hydra. At this point, with a workshop of suitable standards, the beginner's enchantment wasn't really necessary. Her magic was certainly useful for short-term boosts, but it had a fatal flaw. If the battle dragged on, the enchantment could wear off during the fight.

So, I didn't look for Gu Seohyeong. She seemed busy with her work as well, and for a while, she didn't reach out to check on me.

Is this a belated housewarming gift? Wow, I just saw this bakery's pastries on SNS and was thinking I'd love to try them!

However, the reason my relationship with the other person became awkward wasn't just because of the lack of enchantment.

There's madeleine too! Wow, I really love madeleine. Back in middle school, I would go to the snack shop and buy them during every break...

To be honest, the most fatal effect was the recovery of memories. Last spring, I recalled most of the past of the body owner, and because of this 65% of information, I became very uncomfortable with Gu Seohyeong.

Half of it was the emotions that the former Kim Giryeo had carried. Feelings like inferiority, jealousy, discomfort, and a bit of warmth began to surface every time I saw Gu Seohyeong.

The other half in my chest was filled with the guilt and anxiety that I, as a soul, carried. Once again, whenever I meet Gu Seohyeong, I feel a sense of awkwardness deep within.

Hey, since you brought the bread, should I make some coffee so we can eat together?

No.

You're firm.

When an old friend visits, you're happy just seeing their face and smiling. But the thing inside this shell is an alien that has taken over a discarded corpse, so how could I simply enjoy this kindness without feeling uncomfortable?

Moreover, Gu Seohyeong is one of the few people who remembers Giryeo's past. If I make contact recklessly, it feels like she'd easily notice that something has changed.

I do have a minimum sense of conscience. Whenever I see Gu Seohyeong trying to be kind to someone who is already dead, it's still a bit uncomfortable. So, recently, I've been intentionally avoiding meetings with the enchanter, but today, given the circumstances, there's no way around it.

By the way, there's something I need to say...

Tak.

By the time the grape juice that Gu Seohyeong brought was placed neatly on the table, I didn't hesitate and immediately got to the point.

It's not confirmed yet, but it seems like the president of the Hunter Association will be changing soon.

By the way, it's been about 20 hours since I reported to Esther. If I wait for about one more day, various slanderous articles exposed by that curse sorcerer will start appearing.

The president of the association is changing?

To be exact, we're trying to change it. A certain hunter and I have something we need to settle with Go Byeongdo, but right now, because of his position as the president, it's hard to make any moves.

Ah.

The problem is, since this isn't exactly a natural change, there's definitely going to be some noise in the middle of it.

I took a sip of the juice in my cup and continued speaking.

In other words, there's a high chance that Seohyeong will be affected by this.

The purpose of today was to convey this warning to the other person.

It's not certain yet, but considering the president's personality, when he's cornered, I have a feeling he'll try to drag you into it.

That old man is going to target me?

Well, because you're my old classmate.

...

Isn't there a chance he'll take you hostage to threaten me? Go Byeongdo is the type of person who would do something like that.

The connection with the S-rank Hunter. Usually, such relationships work out to one's advantage in life, but in Gu Seohyeong's case, it became a disadvantage instead. President Go Byeongdo holds a deep grudge against me, so if he can find a way to keep me in check, he will stop at nothing to do so.

Anyway, Go Byeongdo. Why is that unawakened person suddenly causing a ruckus...?

Gu Seohyeong could end up being an innocent victim in this process. No matter the rarity of her abilities as an enchanter, she is, after all, just a worker under the Hunter Association. In this situation, I can't guarantee that Go Byeongdo, who controls the organization, won't resort to behind-the-scenes manipulation.

That's why I'm saying this.

After considering various possibilities, I came up with a small countermeasure.

Gu Seohyeong, if I suddenly start ignoring you from tomorrow, don't be too surprised.

What?

From now on, even if I see you outside, I'll pretend I don't know you and act cold.

Uhm.

And depending on the situation, I might even say something harsh on purpose. For example... I could tell reporters something like, 'What does it matter to me whether Gu Seohyeong lives or dies?'

The enchanter looked quite surprised at my statement, but there was no other choice. I've seen people like Go Byeongdo before—if a hostage is taken and you show that you care about them, it only backfires in the worst way.

Indifference is the better option.

Fortunately, it didn't take long for Gu Seohyeong to understand this approach.

I see. Yeah, now that I think about it, that does seem the better option.

Of course, if this method doesn't work, then I'll have to ask Esther for help separately. Or, if necessary, I'll use other connections to get the enchanter out one way or another...

Anyway, sorry for causing you trouble.

I put my hand on my mouth and briefly apologized. Honestly, in this case, I'm also being unfairly targeted, so I don't really feel the need to lower myself too much. But still, Gu Seohyeong is the only acquaintance Kim Giryeo had.

As someone merely renting this body, I can't just treat the homeowner's old classmate poorly.

Like a well-mannered alien, I maintained at least a minimal level of courtesy. As I was lost in my thoughts, I suddenly heard the woman's voice from across the table.

Hey, but isn't the method you just mentioned a little too passive?

Passive?

Well... if there's an issue with the president, there are actually some things I can do too.

I just haven't mentioned it to you. Honestly, I've had quite a few problems with the president myself.

Gu Seohyeong quickly put on a serious expression and made a suggestion. She didn't want to just sit back and do nothing—she wanted to help with our plan in any way she could.

Giryeo-ya, take a look around the house you're sitting in right now. Who do you think bought this place?

You?

No, that's not it. If you hadn't caught me back then on the rooftop... and if you hadn't helped me so much in middle school, I wouldn't have made it this far.

...

Thanks to you, I was able to pay off all that debt and live a place like this. It's all because of you. Got it?

Seohyeong said this and then turned her gaze somewhere. There, a bright living room with sunlight streaming in, typical of a south-facing house, was spread out. After being betrayed by her parents and losing her shop to a terrorist attack, she had lived trapped in a damp, moldy, and insect-infested semi-basement.

So, of course, I have to help you. Anyone with a conscience would.

The enchanter made a declaration at that moment. She would do her best to help her benefactor from her own position. Besides, if someone like Giryeo was fighting against someone, there was a 100% chance that the other party was in the wrong. She chattered on, saying there was no need to hesitate over something so obvious.

Kim Giryeo, I still think I haven't even repaid half of the kindness I received from you.

Is that so?

So don't apologize, and from now on, come often to get your enhancements again. Lately, it's been hard to see your face, but that's all because you were worried about my income, right?

Anyway, it was obvious. Gu Seohyeong said this and began munching on the bread the guest had brought.

No, it's just that your enchantments weren't that great, so I didn't come...

In just 5 seconds, the gaze of a D-rank hunter turned cold, but it didn't really matter. If she could pull off that kind of look even outside, this enchanter would never have to worry about being chosen as a hostage.

***

[Exclusive] The Korean Hunter Association Headquarters has confirmed that 'the grade hijacking of the Magic Stone' has occurred.

[Results of police investigation into the grade manipulation incident reveal shocking behind-the-scenes mastermind... Was the goal to create 'slush funds'?]

[Insider's disclosure. Testimony reveals that the item box of President Go contains numerous items prohibited for public possession... 'Unjust special treatment' Citizens are calling for a thorough investigation.]

Bam!

Exactly 24 hours after Esther's visit, the man, who had previously exuded a gentle impression, suddenly slammed his hand down on the desk in the study. Although he was past fifty, his face was filled with confusion, as if he had never expected such a situation.

What in the world is going on here?!

Well, it was only a day after Esther's visit that articles targeting him began flooding in.

The possession of dungeon items that were prohibited for the general public. The fact that he had been colluding with the association's appraisers to deceive unaware hunters and accumulate slush funds through the difference in gate buy products, and so on.

Go Byeongdo had thought that the 5-rank guild leader would only come at him with brute force or threats, but what he was facing was far more than just a simple confrontation. It was as if years of careful preparation had gone into this, with a vast collection of evidence, all aimed at bringing down a political rival.

How could this happen?! Go Byeongdo, having seen his dirty secrets exposed to the reporters, grabbed the back of his neck in frustration.

When the hell did they start investigating me like this?! It's been nearly two years since I fired that secretary, so what grudge could they possibly have?!

To some, it might seem rather sinister, but due to her innate awakening attribute, Esther had developed a habit of carefully collecting the weaknesses of those who crossed her.

And the persistence with which she carried out this act was truly terrifying.

[YTV 9 PM News LIVE ●: Appraiser manipulation scandal spreads like wildfire...]

Before he could even react, his name was already all over the three major broadcast networks.

But for now, it was still manageable. In the past, during the inevitable Malice incident, he hadn't paid much attention to the case and ended up leaving a loophole. However, when it came to slush fund matters, he had always been thorough with evidence management, so if it came to it, he could always cut ties and deny everything, just like with the Ally incident, and survive by insisting he had no involvement.

Whoa!

Moreover, on this side, there was also a trump card he had been saving for a counterattack.

Do you think a person will just take this lying down? You b*stard. You have no idea who's under my control right now...

The association president muttered curses under his breath about Giryeo as he lifted a document. It was an exclusive contract he had with some enchanter.

Since he held the enchanter's leash in his hands, Go Byeongdo was planning to threaten Kim Giryeo, intending to punish the enchanter by withholding proper work if necessary.

Or, I could threaten to expose the enchanter's face to the whole world!

And if Kim Giryeo were to kneel, Esther, who was backed by him, would naturally stop her actions as well.

[Everyone, this is news that just came in.]

That was the moment.

The voice of the news anchor suddenly took on a sense of urgency, with a hint of excitement. It was clear that in the breaking news, YTV had caught an even bigger scoop, and the atmosphere around the station had shifted with the breaking news.

[The previously hidden Korean Enchanter has presented another piece of evidence regarding the association president's embezzled funds.

Shockingly, it has been revealed that Chairman Go Byeongdo had been accepting illegal requests from overseas figures regarding Enchant contracts, while blatantly ignoring urgent requests from disaster-stricken areas that needed reinforcement.

When workers expressed dissatisfaction, the chairman reportedly shouted abusive remarks to the Enchanter's bodyguards, saying, 'Make sure that b*stard doesn't rise up.'

We will now play the obtained recording.]

No, what is this!

Clank.

Soon, the sound of something breaking through the air echoed. This was the result of Go Byeongdo staggering and knocking into a nearby display cabinet. One of his cherished trophies from a university alumni golf tournament had just been shattered.

Author's Thoughts: Hi, from now on, I will update this novel 3 chapters/week. Thank you for all your support so far:)