As the meal concluded and Jung Chul-min finished paying, they were about to leave the restaurant when he paused.

"By the way, Suho..."

"Yes?"

"Are you sure about this? You've seen it before, but there are sometimes reporters waiting outside the KHA building. They’re always looking for a big story."

It was true.

Just like reporters linger around police stations, there were always journalists loitering outside the KHA headquarters, hoping to catch a scoop.

And today was no different.

A quick look outside showed a small group of reporters gathered, chatting amongst themselves.

Suho glanced at them and chuckled.

"Oh, if that's the case, it’s fine. I can handle it. If you’re concerned, we can meet on the first floor entrance."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, I’m fine. I’ll go on ahead and see you in the lobby."

With that, Suho started walking ahead.

Jung Chul-min was about to ask if he wanted company when something strange happened.

"...Huh?"

Suho had suddenly vanished.

What? He was just here a moment ago…

It was an odd situation.

In reality, Suho hadn’t disappeared. The effect of the "Colorless Solitude" skill, embedded in his Formless Sword technique, created a distortion that made him nearly invisible to the casual observer.

Seeing Jung’s puzzled expression, Suho nodded to himself in satisfaction as he walked into the KHA building, passing right in front of the reporters without being noticed.

***

The two reunited inside the building.

Jung Chul-min, still bewildered, asked Suho.

"Wait, Suho. There were reporters out front. How did you manage to slip past them?"

"It’s just a skill effect," Suho replied casually. "Shall we go?"

"A…ah, right. Let’s go."

Though curious about the skill, Jung held back his questions, respecting the etiquette between Hunters.

They soon arrived at the association president’s office, located on the top floor of the KHA building.

As they exited the elevator, Jung Chul-min explained.

"Just as expected, all you need to do is pose for a few photos in the president’s office and exchange a few words. Thank you again for this."

"It’s no trouble at all."

As Jung had mentioned, the office was fully set up for the photo session.

When President Jang Kyung-hwan and Vice President Park Gyu-man saw Suho enter, they greeted him with beaming smiles.

"Ah, welcome, Hunter Suho! It’s a pleasure. I’m Jang Kyung-hwan, president of the KHA."

Jang Kyung-hwan.

A friendly yet imposing figure.

He was a former five-term member of parliament with an impressive resume.

At the same time…

‘And also the guy who clung to his position until a massive reform swept him out.’

His reign didn’t end until two presidential terms later, after he’d thoroughly taken advantage of his position.

But this time would be different.

‘I’ll make sure you’re out long before this president’s term is up.’

Suho recalled memories involving Jang Kyung-hwan stored in his Memory Library.

Jang was the classic corrupt official, using the association’s budget for personal matters, and was notorious for his negligence in managing the association, leaving it stagnant and marred by scandal.

Under his leadership, the association became infamous instead of thriving.

One glaring issue was wages—Hunters working field jobs under the KHA were severely underpaid.

Beside him, Vice President Park Gyu-man, Jang’s loudmouth enabler, was a sycophant.

‘Honestly, Park’s even worse than Jang.’

To win Jang’s favor, Park constantly went overboard, enforcing unnecessary policies and causing undue strain on the staff, like when he insisted that Jung bring Suho in today.

But Suho hid his true feelings, smiling politely as he greeted them.

"Yes, I’m Ahn Suho. It’s an honor to meet you."

"Haha, the honor’s all mine. Would it be alright to take a photo? We’d like to feature you in our promotional materials. A hero like you would greatly enhance the association’s image."

"Oh, of course."

Usually, photos were taken informally during conversation, but they were asking directly right from the start.

Of course they would. That’s how they are.

Suho wasn’t surprised.

And so, the photo session began.

First, with just the president.

Then, with just the vice president.

Finally, a group shot.

They made sure to get every possible angle.

After the photographer left, the conversation finally began.

The vice president, sitting across from Suho, raised his teacup.

"By the way, I heard that Hunter Ahn Suho’s goal is to join the KHA…?"

Hearing this, the president’s eyes sparkled, and Jung Chul-min tensed up.

The president looked at Suho like a hawk eyeing prey, while Jung worried about what nonsense the old men would spout next.

However, Suho’s gaze was sharper than ever.

"Haha, yes. I mentioned in my Hunter exam interview that joining the KHA is my dream."

At those words, the president and vice president beamed.

"Oh, may I ask why?"

"It’s nothing extraordinary… but as I mentioned in the interview, I’m a Gate orphan. I’ve always believed that ending the Gate threat as soon as possible is crucial to ensure humanity’s safety."

It was a common story.

Suho had told this to both Jung and Jo Jin-hwi before.

While it might sound cliché, his story was exactly the kind of tale that high-ranking officials loved—a tale of resilience, triumph over adversity, and a desire to serve humanity.

And it wasn’t a strategy crafted to please them.

It was the truth.

Suho was indeed a Gate orphan, and his desire to join the KHA to help eliminate Gates was sincere.

When Suho finished speaking, the president’s expression softened with sympathy.

"I see… That’s quite a story. Growing up strong and upright like this… I’m sure your parents, wherever they are, would be very proud."

"Haha, I hope so."

"With that in mind… which department would you like to work in if you joined the KHA?"

Suho immediately replied.

"As I told Team Leader Jung, I’d like to work in the Gate Department, where I could actively engage in Gate clearing."

"Haha, choosing the toughest department… You’re truly selfless."

"But someone with Hunter Ahn Suho’s skills belongs in the Gate Department. Haven’t other guilds tried to recruit you? Surely you’ve had offers."

"Ah, yes, other guilds have reached out."

At the mention of other guilds, Jung’s face turned pale with worry.

It was a real possibility.

Seeing Jung’s reaction, Suho chuckled.

"Hexagon, Nexus, and others have all contacted me. They even offered compensation beyond my expectations. But nothing really resonated with me."

"Hmm, so material things like money don’t mean much to Hunter Ahn Suho?"

"Right. As long as I have enough to avoid hunger, that’s all I need… But if they’d offered Gates instead, I might have considered."

"Gates?"

"Yes, my ultimate goal is to eradicate Gates. I want to grow stronger as quickly as possible. Joining the KHA is appealing because of the priority access it grants to various Gates."

"Oh…"

"Wow, you truly think differently, Hunter Ahn Suho."

Both the president and vice president looked at Suho in admiration.

Feeling inspired, the president turned to Jung Chul-min.

"Team Leader Jung, do we have any way to help such a noble person? Can we support him in some way?"

"The association?"

"Yes. Since he’s so keen on Gates, maybe we could assign him a few of the ones we manage. From what I know, we have several Gates in our possession."

"Ah, that’s true. But they’re all Sealed Gates or challenging Hard Gates…"

Jung trailed off, clearly flustered.

After all, the only Gates managed by the KHA were public Gates like the Tower of Trials or difficult Sealed Gates.

But at those words, Suho’s eyes lit up.

"Sealed or Hard Gates would actually be perfect. Aren’t those Gates humanity’s greatest enemies? If given the chance, I’d love to take on a Sealed Gate and help manage that burden."

"Pardon?"

Startled by Suho’s bold statement, Jung became visibly anxious.

"Haha! As expected of Hunter Ahn Suho! Sure, why not? Go ahead and take it on."

President Jang Kyung-hwan readily agreed with enthusiasm.

"P-President!"

"What’s the problem, Team Leader Jung?"

"I-I… um…"

Jung was flustered.

How had things escalated so quickly?

And even Suho…

"Thank you, Mr. President. I appreciate it."

"Haha, it’s only right. A noble Hunter has volunteered to tackle a Sealed Gate, and it’s our duty to support him. Isn’t that what the association is here for?"

"With an opportunity, I’ll give it my best."

Suho responded eagerly, almost as if he had been waiting for this.

‘Ah… Damn it…’

Jung was not only stunned—he was downright angry.

While Suho might be inexperienced, it was unacceptable for the president and vice president to be so reckless.

Did they even understand what they were doing?

Sealed Gates were no joke. They had claimed countless lives and were under strict government control for safety reasons, requiring rigorous qualifications even for large guilds to access.

Yet here they were, approving access for Suho without a second thought.

‘This is why I can’t stand

 officials who’ve never faced Gates…!’

If they’d ever entered a Gate, they wouldn’t make decisions so lightly.

What frustrated Jung even more was the thought of sending such a promising talent into what was known as a "Hunter’s grave."

He didn’t want to lose Suho.

There was a chance Suho could grow into a truly great Hunter.

Jung wanted to guide Suho carefully, helping him develop into a hero who could contribute to humanity’s peace.

But in this atmosphere, he couldn’t suddenly object and risk ruining everything.

Only Jung, who knew the inside story, felt completely helpless and exasperated.

Seeing Jung’s flushed face, Suho smiled inwardly.