TSOT#1 Chapter 1.2

“Did you see the news? Hunter Min Chae-rin, who returned in a coma from the 999th floor tower, woke up after three years!”

 

“Of course, I heard. It was a huge deal yesterday. I heard even the Association was turned upside down.”

 

On her way to the Special Awakened Association, Joo-ah stopped in her tracks, overhearing the conversation nearby.

 

“Since no one’s ever come back from that place properly, no wonder. Hunter Han Se-hyun lost vision in one eye, and Hunter Kwon Eun-young still hasn’t regained consciousness.”

 

Joo-ah resumed walking, not having the time to linger here.

 

She was originally supposed to join the Awakened Training Center today, but something was strange about the team she’d been assigned to yesterday. She needed to head to the Special Awakened Association to address her concerns.

 

“What brings you here?”

 

“I’m a member of the Special Awakened Association. I think there’s been an error with my team assignment.”

 

“May I have your name?”

 

Without hesitation, she stated her name.

 

“Seo Joo-ah.”

 

The receptionist, tapping away on a laptop, nodded and responded.

 

“The team assignment is managed by the operations team. You can inquire on the third floor, and I’ll notify them in advance.”

 

Seeing the receptionist pick up the phone, Joo-ah prepared to leave.

 

“Wait a moment, Hunter Seo Joo-ah!”

 

She stopped, half-turned, when the receptionist called her urgently, gesturing for her to wait as they continued the call.

 

“Hunter Seo Joo-ah, do you have some time right now?”

 

Joo-ah narrowed her eyes at the unexpected question.

 

“What do you mean by time?”

 

“We were instructed to guide you to the Association Director’s office when you arrived.”

 

Joo-ah exclaimed in surprise.

 

“To the Director’s office?!”

 

The receptionist shrugged as if they didn’t know the details.

 

Although reluctant, Joo-ah couldn’t exactly refuse the Director’s summons.

 

“Go on now! The Director’s office is on the 12th floor!”

 

She heard the receptionist’s voice as she walked away.

 

Joo-ah stepped in front of the elevator, looking weary. After a short wait, the doors opened, and she pressed the button for the 12th floor.

 

As the elevator ascended slowly, she muttered.

 

“… I thought things would feel calmer not seeing him for a while.”

 

When the doors opened, the Director’s office lay before her.

 

Joo-ah stared at the nameplate on the door, looking drained.

 

With a heavy hand, she knocked on the door. After a pause, a young man’s voice came from inside.

 

“Come in.”

 

Reluctantly, she opened the door to the Director’s office, clearly not eager to be there.

 

“Could you sit over there and wait for a bit?”

 

The Director, hurriedly sorting paperwork, gestured to the sofa.

 

Joo-ah walked over and sat down, her movements showing familiarity.

 

The Director glanced at her briefly before returning to his paperwork, showing no intention of starting a conversation even after some time had passed.

 

As Joo-ah was about to ask how long she’d have to wait, he finally spoke.

 

“No need for tea, I assume?”

 

He smiled as he finished his paperwork and sat across from her.

 

“It’s not really to my taste.”

 

Isn’t tea usually served for the guest’s comfort?

 

Joo-ah suppressed her thoughts, merely nodding.

 

“You came to the Association regarding an issue with your team assignment?”

 

She responded in a calm voice.

 

“Yes, I believe there’s been an error in my team assignment.”

 

The Director’s gaze swiftly met hers as he’d been looking at the paperwork.

 

“I was the last to review the team assignments.”

 

He tossed the documents onto the table carelessly and crossed his legs with an air of confidence.

 

“I despise imperfection. If there had been an issue, it wouldn’t have been approved.”

 

Joo-ah furrowed her brow slightly and spoke up.

 

“But…!”

 

“Assemblyman Seo Jae-hyung.”

 

The Director grinned mischievously, mentioning a name Joo-ah was all too familiar with.

 

With a hardened expression, she asked.

 

“… Are you saying my father intervened in my team assignment?”

 

“How else would an E-ranked Hunter like Seo Joo-ah be placed with the top-ranked Hunters?”

 

His tone was flat.

 

Only now did Joo-ah notice the subtle disrespect in the way he addressed her as “Ms. Seo Joo-ah” instead of using the usual “Hunter” title, a slight that implied he didn’t regard her as a real Hunter due to her low rank.

 

Biting her lip, she spoke again.

 

“This is too dangerous. How am I, an E-rank, supposed to train with a high-level team? When I join the Training Center, there will be real combat involved…”

 

Becoming a Special Awakened involves first attending the Academy for basic knowledge, followed by the Training Center, where they can be sent into actual combat, even hunting monsters in the Tower.

 

Being matched with a high-ranking team meant her training course would be intense, and her first missions would likely be in the Tower’s upper levels.

 

The Director rubbed his temples, visibly tired.

 

“This is why I dislike people with connections.”

 

His gaze was even colder as it scanned her.

 

“Do I look easy to you, Ms. Seo Joo-ah?”

 

“I’ve already informed the Assemblyman that putting you in a high-ranking team would endanger you.”

 

She had no response to this.

 

He’d already bent to her father’s will in assigning her, and now, here was the Assemblyman’s daughter questioning him again. He was clearly irritated.

 

“I wanted to see the face of someone this brazen, but it was a mistake.”

 

He rose, signaling he had no intention to continue the conversation.

 

“Leave now. Sharing a room with a low-ranked Hunter is giving me a headache.”

 

Turning his back to her, he headed toward his desk.

 

Watching him walk away, Joo-ah finally spoke slowly.

 

“I don’t understand.”

 

The Director halted. He turned back, his face showing disbelief.

 

“… What did you just say?”

 

His bored expression turned into a raised eyebrow, showing her words had indeed provoked him.

 

An E-ranked Hunter, daring to speak back to someone of his stature—no wonder he was surprised.

 

However, she knew him well.

 

He wasn’t one to be easily swayed by empty words. He firmly stuck to his beliefs, never letting his principles be compromised.

 

Raising an eyebrow, she replied.

 

“It’s hard to believe someone like you would listen to my father’s request so readily.”

 

“… Are you saying I had another reason to follow Assemblyman Seo’s request?”

 

He scoffed.

 

“Do I seem like the kind of man who would waste time on someone like you, a mere E-rank?”

 

“That’s not something I’d know.”

 

She shrugged casually.

 

She was sure he had a reason for placing her in a high-ranking team. She just hadn’t figured out what it was.

 

“I don’t know what you’re so confident about,” he said. Still, his curiosity seemed piqued as he returned to the sofa.

 

“You seem perceptive, so let’s talk more openly.”

 

“Talk openly?”

 

Joo-ah asked, slightly furrowing her brow.

 

“A strange rumor has been circulating in the Special Awakened Association recently.”

 

With a sly smile, he continued.

 

“There’s word of something called a ‘Contractor,’ yet to be fully identified in our country.”

 

Hearing “Contractor” caused Joo-ah’s eyes to widen.

 

A Contractor.

 

Someone chosen by a higher power known as a Constellation, granting abilities far beyond human limits.

 

Constellations are extraordinary beings with supernatural power.

 

Receiving their favor allows a Hunter, regardless of rank, to soar to the upper echelons.

 

Many names exist for these beings: gods, the lords of the stars, or even “the Almighty.”

 

The Director, observing Joo-ah’s expression, continued.

 

“They say that one of the recent graduates of the Academy has contracted with a Constellation.”

 

Joo-ah’s brow furrowed. It was the first time she’d heard such a rumor.

 

With a relaxed expression, he held up two fingers.

 

“All I know is two things. The individual graduated from the Special Awakened Academy this year and possesses the Light attribute.”

 

Now Joo-ah understood why he’d called her to his office.

 

“There are only three Hunters who graduated from the Academy this year with the Light attribute.”

 

He opened her system profile.

 

Name: Seo Joo-ah  

Rank: E  

Ranking: unranked  

Attribute: Light  

Special Skill: Angel’s Blessing  

Special Traits: Primarily uses healing skills, but the low rank limits effectiveness.

 

“Most Light-attribute Hunters who have contracted with Constellations abroad share one common trait—they’re women.”

 

Joo-ah chuckled in disbelief.

 

“Am I really one of the only Light-attribute female Hunter who graduated this year?”