The Hunter of the Other World Who Is Being Misunderstood – Chapter 83

Ch 83: First Move（2）

“But why did the talk about private sanctions suddenly come up?”

Unlike Seon Uyeon, who had a serious expression, Giryeo maintained a demeanor that was not much different from his usual self.

“Ah, haven’t I explained it yet? Don’t worry. What I’m planning to do isn’t that… violent.”

He said, fiddling with the jasmine tea on the table.

“Then, let me explain first. Personally, I divide the followers there into three categories.”

“Three categories?”

“1. Simple worship, 2. Indirect brainwashing, 3. Direct brainwashing. These three.”

The F-rank hunter folded his fingers one by one as he added further explanation.

“Number 1 is, as the name suggests, just a regular person who is deeply absorbed in the doctrines of a pseudo-religion.”

“Yes.”

“The latter cases are examples of forcibly using brainwashed people as needed.”

Munch munch.

Kim Giryeo ate tangsuyuk whenever he had the chance.

Thanks to that, Seon Uyeon was also able to relax a bit and ask questions.

“What exactly is the difference between number 2 and number 3?”

However, the sentences that followed were unexpected and contained tremendous information.

“The difference in brainwashing methods.”

“Ah, I see.”

“Number 2 relies on items like the 『Eyes of Temptation』, while number 3 is when an awakened one directly uses their power.”

“Yes.”

“The brainwashed number 3 uses items to create number 2, and these number 2s are loyal to the cult and bring in number 1s. Well, it’s probably a pyramid structure like that…”

Clink.

He tucked the gold necklace that had slipped out of his shirt back inside and continued to speak.

“I felt it when I scanned the people from that organization last time. These number 3s, they were definitely all brainwashed by the same person.”

“Yes?”

“In short, there is only one brainwashing supervisor at the Nacha Temple.”

Kim Giryeo made the shocking statement without changing his facial expression.

“And I can figure out who that supervisor is.”

If that statement were true, arresting the person at the center of all the brainwashing would cause the leadership to come to their senses one after another, and the organization would suffer a major blow.

“How is that even possible?”

However, it is known that it is impossible to track the user of mental-type skills.

No, not only the user, but with the current technology, it is difficult to even properly determine whether someone has been brainwashed.

But how could Kim Giryeo…

“It’s a trade secret.”

Unfortunately, he couldn’t get an explanation for that.

It seemed that the other party was reluctant to reveal his abilities.

Soon, only the small sounds of tableware clinking filled the room.

“Excuse me.”

Of course, as someone in a position to ask for something, he couldn’t just stay quiet.

“Seon Uyeon-ssi.”

“Yes.”

A moment later.

Kim Giryeo, having finished his meal, asked in a small voice.

“Anyway, as I said, I just want to help arrest the central figure.”

“….”

“To do that, I need to meet a brainwashed follower of the Nacha Temple, and I also need someone who can connect me with the police.”

In other words, Kim Giryeo was currently earnestly seeking Seon Uyeon’s help.

“Is it not possible?”

Originally, the awakened one named Seon Uyeon was not a very suitable person to ask for personal favors.

Innocence and integrity.

She was a person who lived by her own convictions.

‘I have to reject this kind of solicitation.’

Clearly, that was the conclusion she came to in her mind, but for some reason, Seon Uyeon couldn’t easily speak.

‘But, if this could really dismantle those troublemakers…?’

No matter how much one aims for integrity, how many people in this world can truly be completely fair and just?

This was Seon Uyeon’s weakness.

She was firm in cases where she would take unfair wealth, such as bribes.

That duality of hers, where she would surprisingly waver easily if persuaded with public benefit.

‘Is it real…?’

From Seon Uyeon’s perspective, who had a strong sense of justice, Giryeo’s words were too tempting.

‘Well, there’s no reason for this person to lie.’

Besides, the plan to target the person in charge of brainwashing, not the cult leader, was a rather intelligent judgment.

Simple proselytizing activities cannot be punished, but using brainwashing skills on people is definitely a major illegal act.

‘At least, it won’t end vaguely.’

This time, they can catch them. The central axis of the terrorists.

So, after a long deliberation, Seon Uyeon came up with this answer.

“Okay.”

With a slight compromise.

“If I cooperate with the investigation related to the Nacha Temple, I will try to recommend you to participate as an appraiser.”

“Ah, I see.”

“For now, please wait until then.”

That alone was enough.

After all, he wasn’t trying to gain any great benefit, he just wanted to make things difficult for the Nacha Temple if he had the chance.

‘Got it!’

Giryeo asked with eyes full of anticipation.

“Roughly how long do I have to wait? I want to adjust my schedule.”

Then, Seon Uyeon stopped eating and rolled her eyes.

“Well, I’m not in a position to choose my work, so I can’t give you a definite answer, but…”

What followed was a reply with a light tone.

“Maybe about 3 months at most?”

◈◈◈

『…So, when is it convenient for you? I’ll wait until your schedule clears up. Hehe』

『Around 3 months from now.』

Tap, tap, tap.

I skillfully moved my thumb and sent a reply to Esther’s message.

“There’s only 3% battery left.”

Moreover, when he had to turn off his phone due to unavoidable circumstances, he even kindly informed the other party.

『Anyway, it’s difficult to reply right now, so please contact me again later.』

Truly perfect courtesy and formality.

If he continues like this, there will definitely be no chance of offending a person in power.

“Okay, first, I’ll charge my phone…”

After a successful communication with an Earthling.

I turned my gaze back to the desk in my one-room apartment. Today, I was in the middle of an important task.

“Hoo.”

On the desk where I turned my head, dozens of magic circle designs drawn in pencil were spread out.

What are all these magic circles?

Well, they are obviously means to use when messing with the Nacha Temple.

“Hmm.”

However, thanks to the enormous handicap of having an F-rank body, he faced unexpected difficulties repeatedly.

Most of the spell formulas could not be used due to lack of mana.

‘What should I do? I already confidently told Seon Uyeon that I could find the brainwashing supervisor.’

The only good thing is that since Kang Changho’s red gate raid ban is in effect, there is nothing else to do.

“Well, whatever. Anyway, Seon Uyeon also said to wait patiently for a few months.”

Okay. Let’s have peace of mind.

I got up from my seat. I had been concentrating for about 10 hours without even eating.

It’s about time to replenish nutrients and take a rest…

━♪♭~ ♬~

Ah, a phone call.

“Hello?”

I thought I’d just take this call and rest, so I immediately answered the call.

Then, a familiar voice came from the receiver. The caller was none other than that B-rank hunter.

━Are you available to talk now?

Starting with that commonplace greeting, I listened to Seon Uyeon’s voice for a while.

“Yes, yes, yes.”

Looking at the interjections I use when talking on the phone, I thought I’ve already become an Earthling.

“Yes.”

Anyway.

“Ah, I’m also approved? Yes. I understand.”

After a few minutes of conversation, I listened to all of Seon Uyeon’s explanations and then switched my phone back to sleep mode.

And as I plugged it into the charger, I said one word.

“Hah, this is messed up!”

Our Association employee was lucky enough to participate in the investigation related to the Nacha Temple in just one day.

In other words, I have to finish modifying the spell formulas by three days later when the investigation will officially begin.

◈◈◈

Do you know about a substance called （Blueshell）?

It is a fruit often found in dungeons where plant-type monsters live.

It is said to have the effect of temporarily enhancing the abilities of awakened ones.

But that item was currently banned from distribution.

Not only does it cause serious damage to the body as a side effect.

It also showed high addictiveness due to the unique sense of euphoria that occurs when abilities are enhanced.

『（Breaking News） It has been decided that the collection of Blueshell will be completely banned starting this March…….』

In the end, Blueshell was classified as a narcotic.

But the problem is that this Blueshell is still being secretly distributed by a certain organized crime group.

“What was the name of that group again?”

━Gayangpa. Gayangpa.

What Seon Uyeon was currently chasing was a part of this Gayangpa force.

“Hmm, going to arrest gangsters…”

But at this point, an obvious question arises.

This incident, at first glance, cannot be linked to the pseudo-religions.

“So, what does this have to do with me?”

I held my phone again and asked. Then, the B-rank hunter explained in her unique, neat voice.

━The Blueshell distributor has a big point of contact with the Nacha Temple.

Point of contact?

━Do you remember the hiker we saw in the Eunpyeong-gu missing person case before?

Ah, I see.

Even just hearing this much, I roughly get the gist of it.

Come to think of it, that hiker. His mana definitely increased as soon as he chewed on something he had in his mouth.

“Was Blueshell used back then too?”

━Yes. There is evidence that a large amount of Blueshell flowed into the terrorist side. Even though the only ones who handle those goods on a large scale are the Gayangpa.

The Nacha Temple is some kind of VIP customer, then.

‘They must have been in frequent contact with each other.’

The police are probably only planning to ask about the terrorists’ appearances during this interrogation.

But my thoughts were a bit different.

“Maybe those Gayangpa people themselves are under a brainwashing skill.”

I stretched my stiff neck and continued the call.

“If they are an awakened one with great abilities enough to maintain such a large religion, they wouldn’t bother saving their skills.”

Tap, tap.

A small discord mixed into the vocal sounds made by Kim Giryeo’s corpse.

“If it were me, I would have definitely put some suggestion on the distributors as well.”

━Is that so?

“How much easier would it be if you just adjusted them to feel favorable towards you?”

Clearly, there’s more than a penny or two moving in that transaction.

“Make sure to catch that distributor. There’s something I need to confirm separately.”

Since I said it with conviction, Seon Uyeon reacted as if she understood.

━Okay, I understand.

Anyway, this person is also having a hard time.

Because she’s a full-time employee of the Hunter Association, she’s often mobilized for national projects here and there.

‘Poor thing.’

I was worried that the other party might be overworked, so I expressed a few words of concern.

━Hahaha.

But suddenly, the Earthling on the other end of the line laughed lightly. Why?

━I appreciate you thinking about me, but I don’t actually have much to do. I’m an outsider, you know.

I quietly listened to her words.

At first glance, it seems like the right attitude for a conversation, but inside, a sinister calculation was going on.

━The real police officers went to the dangerous sites. What I have to do is just supervise the warehouse search.

“Warehouse?”

━Originally, I wouldn’t even have to come out for this, but it turns out that there’s a barrier in the Blueshell storage warehouse.

“…!”

━Once I break that, my work for today is practically over.

A warehouse full of Blueshell.

‘Hmm.’

Even though that substance explosively enhances awakened abilities, it was being avoided due to the backlash that causes fatal damage to the body.

But that’s only from the Earthlings’ point of view.

If it was me, with my excellent ability to repair my body, wouldn’t I be able to endure the side effects to some extent?

‘I’m curious how it works on the human body.’

Besides, even if I don’t use it directly.

Blueshell was enough to arouse the interest of a madohak scholar.

Perhaps there is a key to solving my misfortune in that unknown fruit.

‘Oho.’

I need a sample.

But since Korea is sensitive to things like Blueshell, there’s no way they’d leak it carelessly.

“Hunter Seon Uyeon-nim.”

I casually asked into the microphone of my phone.

“….Do you happen to need one more assistant for the warehouse search?”