The Hunter’s Gonna Lay Low

Chapter 226

"It's fine," Uijae thought. With his face covered and the distance between them, no one would be able to recognize him. He placed his hand on the barred door and responded, "I was checking on the new guy's cell. The gas has already filled the room, and it might be dangerous if you get too close."

"Oh? Right. There was that guy... How is he?"

"He seems to have passed out, but he should wake up soon. No need to worry."

"Alright. Hurry up and finish your check and get back to your post. The big guy is coming soon."

"The big guy?" Uijae wondered. Just then, he felt a tickle on his calf. Minggijeok had reached out from the shadows and was writing something on Uijae's leg: "Be bold." It seemed Minggijeok wanted him to ask directly.

"Who’s coming?" Uijae asked abruptly.

"Who else?" the man scratched his head as he replied, "Did the gas make you forget? Didn't I tell you the old tiger is coming soon?"

"Old tiger?"

"Yeah, the *hyungnim* said to get everything ready like always. Now hurry up and get back to work."

"Oh, right. I remember. I'll take care of it."

"Keep your head straight, alright? Seems like none of you have any discipline these days..." The man's grumbling footsteps grew quieter as he walked away.

Once the man was out of earshot, Uijae turned to the shadows and asked, "Do you know who this old tiger is?"

"I do," Minggijeok emerged from the shadows, his expression unusually serious. "If it's the person I think it is, then we're in serious trouble."

"Who is it?"

Minggijeok hesitated for a moment before mouthing the name silently. Uijae's expression immediately hardened as he read the name on Minggijeok’s lips.

---

The phone rang, competing with the sound of hurried footsteps, shuffling papers, and various background noises. At the center of the Hunter Management Bureau's emergency response room, a giant screen displayed rapidly changing images of the aftermath of a recent attack: a bloodstained street, a broken traffic signal, and a car that looked like it had been violently bitten into.

At the center of it all stood Ham Seokjeong, her eyes fixed on the screen. She spoke coldly, "Have we confirmed the location of all the Hunters?"

"Yes! I received confirmation that Lee Sayoung returned to the Pado Guild after regaining consciousness. It seems they are preparing to take action."

"What about the Seowon Guild?"

"They’ve been working with nearby hospitals, sending non-Hunter casualties for treatment. As for the Hunter-related injuries, the Seowon Guild has been treating them. But things have been relatively quiet at both the hospital and the guild."

"The tent situation?"

"Yes, that’s right. Minor injuries are being treated in the tents, so the hospitals have been less busy."

"..."

Just then, the screen shifted to show one of the tents. People in white clothes were busy tending to wounds and disinfecting supplies. Ham Seokjeong scowled. The Hunter standing beside her glanced at her cautiously. She glared at the screen with sharp eyes and asked, "Do you believe in altruism without expecting something in return?"

"Ma’am?"

"I mean, do you really think those people, who conveniently appeared in this situation to help, are truly innocent?"

"They do seem suspicious..."

To the general public and the wounded, these people might seem like a great help, providing immediate assistance. However, Seokjeong clicked her tongue in annoyance.

"What about the Samra Guild?"

"The sub-guilds are moving, but the main force has yet to make any moves."

"And Song Joheon?"

"After returning to the guild building, he hasn’t left. He’s still inside."

"..."

Ham Seokjeong slammed both hands on the table. "Something's off."

"What do you mean?"

"Song Joheon loves being in the spotlight. He’s an ambitious man. Why would he let a chance like this slip away? He should be promoting himself all over the place."

Grinding her teeth, Seokjeong’s eyes flashed with suspicion. "That doesn’t add up."

"..."

"Double-check. Make sure he's really in the guild or find out where he’s gone."

"Yes, ma’am! Right away!"

"And the student? Has she arrived yet?"

"No, she hasn’t."

"Have you tried contacting her?"

"Yes, but there’s been no response."

Ham Seokjeong checked her phone. Yoon Gaeul was supposed to arrive at the bureau by now, but she hadn’t shown up. Had something happened to her, or had she been caught up in the situation? Normally, they would have sent a vehicle or assigned Hunters to escort her, but with the chaos, there hadn’t been an opportunity.

"Send out a search team. Check the shelters as well. And J—any more sightings after the last report?"

"No, ma'am. The last sighting was with Kang Jisu. After that, no one has seen him."

"Forget it," Seokjeong said, her eyes still focused on the Hunters running across the screen.

"That one can’t sit still. I’m sure he’s handling things in his own way."

"Yes..."

"Director!" A staff member hurriedly handed her a phone receiver. Seokjeong looked at it with a puzzled expression and mouthed, "Who is it?" The Hunter hesitated awkwardly.

"Well... they said you'd know once you picked it up."

Someone from higher up? The staff member's nervous face seemed to suggest it. "I've been waiting for this," Seokjeong muttered under her breath as she composed herself and answered the call.

"This is Director Ham Seokjeong of the Hunter Management Bureau," she said, her voice steady.

A jovial voice greeted her, much to her surprise.

"Hello there, Director! You must be sooo busy right now, huh?"

"..."

A crooked grin spread across Seokjeong’s face. "What’s a kid from *Sapa* doing calling me?"

---

The sound of hard-soled shoes echoed down the hallway. A long scarf fluttered behind a tall figure as a gray-haired man strode forward, his face etched with deep lines of age and determination. Though time had taken its toll, he still exuded the fierce presence of a tiger. His wrinkled hand gripped his cane tightly, veins bulging from the tension. His footsteps halted in front of a tightly locked metal door, and he banged on it with his fist, denting the steel.

"Open this door! I’ve come to see the seer!"

"..."

"I need answers about this mess! Open it right now!"

Slowly, the door creaked open, revealing a woman dressed in white. She bowed deeply.

"You’ve arrived. I apologize, but the seer is currently meeting with another guest."

"Does that matter? Do you realize how much trouble this has caused? You need to explain yourself immediately! Do you think you can just do as you please without consulting me? Have you lost your minds?"

The woman remained calm despite his outburst. "Please calm yourself, sir. I understand your anger, but the *hyungnim* will explain everything."

"Oh, really? Let’s see what kind of excuses he comes up with. Lead the way!" The man fumed, striking his cane against the floor with a loud thud.

"As I said, the seer is with a guest. In the meantime, perhaps you would like to receive your usual treatment?"

"..."

"We’ve already prepared everything."

The woman gestured with her eyes toward another hallway. Gritting his teeth, the man reluctantly turned and headed down the familiar corridor. As he walked, he cursed under his breath. The sterile, white walls were as unwelcoming as ever. There was nothing about this place he liked.

He threw open a door, revealing a stark white room with a single bed. "So much for being prepared," he muttered, feeling his rage bubble up again. A young man wearing a white coat and a mask entered the room.

"Ah, sir. You’ve arrived."

The young man adjusted his thick glasses, his face mostly obscured by his hair. He gave a quick bow.

"I’ll prepare everything. Please lie down here."

"I don’t recognize you. Where’s the usual doctor?"

"Ah, well... things are quite busy right now, so I’ve been assigned to take care of you this time."

"Tsk, there’s no one around here who can do their job properly."

Grumbling under his breath, Song Joheon took off his scarf and coat. Despite his irritation, he knew he needed the treatment. The situation was too volatile to miss it. He unbuttoned his shirt, tossing it to the floor.

Even though he was middle-aged, his body was still impressively muscular. But more noticeable than his muscles were the countless scars crisscrossing his skin, remnants of battles fought long ago. He glanced at his arms, clicking his tongue in frustration.

"Everything is so damn unsatisfactory," he muttered as he lay down on the bed, glaring at the young man still standing by the door.

"What are you waiting for? Get moving already!"

"Y-Yes, of course." The young man bowed awkwardly and left the room.

Lying there, Song Joheon closed his eyes. When did things start going so wrong? He couldn’t pinpoint it.