The next day.

As usual, Su-ho reported to work.

The paperwork for Nexus and the Kim brothers had already been handled the day before. Today, he was set to receive the results of his comprehensive evaluation from the Awakening Department and proceed with his departmental transfer.

Feeling relaxed, Su-ho strolled toward the APA headquarters, only to encounter an unexpected visitor at the entrance.

“Hunter!”

It was Park Goong.

Caught off guard but pleasantly surprised, Su-ho greeted him warmly.

“Park Goong? Hello!”

“Ah, yes. Um…”

“Yes?”

“Well, this…”

Park Goong hesitated before handing Su-ho a black plastic bag. A savory aroma wafted from it—it was tuna kimbap.

Blushing slightly, Park Goong explained.

“My mom packed this for you. Uh… thank you, Hunter. For everything. The social media post, the journalist… all of it. Thanks to you.”

The article by Jo Jin-hwi had made Park Goong’s Snack Bar even more famous. Long lines now formed before the store opened, and they’d had to hastily hire more help.

Despite the busyness, Park Goong had come to the APA early in the morning purely to thank Su-ho in person.

To him, Su-ho was nothing less than a benefactor.

He continued.

“I wanted to call you, but I didn’t have your number, so I thought I’d just wait here. I figured if I stayed long enough, I’d see you.”

Su-ho chuckled.

“If I’d known, I would’ve given you my number. Thanks for the kimbap. Please tell your mom I said thank you as well.”

“Of course. Um… but, may I ask you something?”

“Go ahead.”

“Why… Why are you being so kind to me?”

At this, Su-ho smiled faintly.

“I haven’t done anything special.”

“Pardon?”

“I posted on social media because your mom’s food was genuinely delicious. It’s my personal account—I can post what I like, can’t I?”

“Well, yes, but… the journalist…”

“Did the journalist say I tipped them off?”

“No, but… I just thought it might’ve been you.”

“Then you don’t actually know who it was.”

“Ah…”

Awkwardly, Park Goong scratched the back of his head. It was true.

Su-ho chuckled again. “Anyway, I’ll enjoy the kimbap. It’s unfortunate you can’t continue archery, but I think this might open up better opportunities. You’re incredibly talented, after all. By the way, have you changed your class?”

“Oh, yes! I switched to Archer.”

“Good. Do you have any plans for Hunter work?”

“I’m still considering it. I only switched classes because the notification window wouldn’t stop popping up.”

“That happens. But here’s my take: soon, scouts from various guilds will be lining up to recruit you.”

“The journalist said something similar… Do you have any guilds you’d recommend?”

At this, Su-ho smiled knowingly. The timing was perfect.

“Well, of course, Nexus. I’m from Nexus, after all.”

“Oh… Then Nexus it is.”

“Isn’t that a bit hasty?”

“No, not at all. I’d been considering becoming a Hunter. After all, I awakened as a player, and with archery off the table, my options are limited. Becoming a Hunter seems like the best choice.”

“Then meet with Nexus. I’ll ask them to send someone to your mom’s snack bar.”

“Really?”

“Of course. You won’t be starting Hunter work immediately, and you’ll need training, so it’s best to go somewhere that can accommodate you.”

“Hah… I came to thank you, but now you’re helping me again.”

“It’s nothing. Honestly, I’m just glad you’ll still be able to shoot arrows. Oh, and here’s my personal number. Call me if you need anything.”

“Thank you, Hunter!”

After exchanging contact information, Park Goong bowed repeatedly in gratitude. Su-ho waved him off with a smile and entered the building, carrying the tuna kimbap, which smelled delicious.

“They packed quite a lot.”

The bundle looked like it contained at least ten rolls.

As Su-ho scanned his employee ID and stepped into the APA building, his phone buzzed.

The caller ID surprised him.

“Vice President?”

What could this be about?

Su-ho answered.

“Yes, Vice President?”

• "Where are you?"

“I just arrived at the office.”

• "Come see me in the Vice President’s office."

Click.

Park Gyu-min ended the call abruptly after giving his instructions.

Su-ho smirked and made his way to the Vice President’s office, already having an idea of why he’d been summoned.

The Vice President’s office, located on one of the top floors, was grand and imposing. Inside, Park Gyu-min was waiting alone.

“Come in, Hunter An. Please, have a seat.”

“Thank you, Vice President.”

Su-ho sat down, but it seemed there was no time for refreshments. The moment he was seated, Park Gyu-min launched into his questioning.

“I hear you’ve been doing remarkable work in the Awakening Department.”

“It’s nothing. I was simply doing my job.”

“No, no. From what I’ve seen, you’ve gone above and beyond. Especially with the Non-Awakened Division and the recent evaluations… you’ve handled some truly challenging tasks. It’s impressive. But I called you because I’m curious.”

“Curious?”

“Yes. In both the Awakening and Non-Awakened Divisions, you’ve achieved results that are… extraordinary. Particularly with the Non-Awakened evaluation—you handled tasks that weren’t even part of the criteria.”

“That’s correct.”

“What’s your secret?”

At this, Su-ho smiled inwardly.

So, it’s you—the man behind Lee Wan-ik.

The specificity of Park Gyu-min’s question, especially regarding the Non-Awakened Division, suggested he was connected to the recent draft-dodging scandal.

Why else would he be so interested in the source of my information?

The Vice President, notorious for delegating his responsibilities, wouldn’t suddenly be curious about Su-ho’s methods without a vested interest.

Su-ho decided to dangle some bait.

“I simply followed up on some tips and conducted field investigations.”

“Field investigations?”

“Yes.”

“But the tips didn’t seem directly connected to the draft-dodging cases you handled.”

Oh. You’ve already reviewed the tips?

Su-ho’s suspicions were confirmed. Park Gyu-min was deeply tied to this mess.

Feigning modesty, Su-ho nodded. “Of course, I didn’t rely solely on the tips. I also gathered additional intel through my network.”

“Your network?”

“Yes, I have connections from my time as a Hunter. They provided some assistance when they heard I was undergoing evaluation.”

“Connections? Who exactly?”

“Just people in the information trade. They have ties everywhere and offered help as a service.”

“Ties? Where?”

“Well, you know… here and there…”

“Here and there, where exactly?!”

As Su-ho continued to dodge the question, Park Gyu-min’s patience snapped.

He was clearly agitated, which only confirmed his guilt.

Feigning reluctance, Su-ho finally “admitted,” “I’m sorry. It’s a government agency. I’m not at liberty to say.”

“A government agency? Does our association have ties to them?”

“I wouldn’t know…”

“Hunter An, we’re on the same side, aren’t we?”

Oh, we are? Since when? Su-ho thought, but he maintained his facade, acting conflicted.

As Park Gyu-min’s frustration grew, Su-ho decided to throw him a bone. “I’ve heard rumors that our association has some connections, but I don’t know any details.”

“Hmm…”

Satisfied for the moment, Park Gyu-min leaned back, stroking his chin in thought. After a pause, he leaned in and whispered conspiratorially.

“Hunter An.”

“Yes?”

“Could you arrange for me to meet these ‘information’ people?”

“That might be difficult. They value their anonymity.”

“What if I approach them as a client?”

“Well…”

“Come on, don’t be like this.”

“…I’ll ask.”

“Good. Let me know by today.”

“Understood.”

“Oh, and one more thing—I called you here to praise you. You’ve been doing excellent work. I’m keeping an eye on you.”

“Thank you.”

“Alright, you can go now.”

Praise, my ass. Su-ho left the Vice President’s office with a faint smile.

The conversation had gone even better than he’d hoped.

Heading toward the Non-Awakened Division, Su-ho noticed that the investigation into the draft-dodging scandal was still underway. Familiar faces from the day before were still lingering, including Hong Won-seok, who looked utterly drained.

It was no surprise. The archery finals had already started, but he was stuck at the association, powerless to do anything.

His brother, Hong Dong-seok, still hadn’t apologized.

They brought this on themselves, Su-ho thought.

His actions weren’t motivated by personal vendetta but by adherence to the law. Justice was being served, plain and simple.

As Su-ho waited in a nearby meeting room, Um Jun-sung, who had just arrived, greeted him.

“Ah, Su-ho, you’re early!”

“Yes. By the way, is my evaluation finished?”

“Ah… haha… about that…”

Um Jun-sung hesitated, nervously scratching his head.

“Well, the Awakening Department is a bit backlogged right now. It might take a few days. Could you wait just a bit longer?”

What the hell is this now? Su-ho’s brow furrowed.