The Protagonists Are Murdered by Me
chapter-8

All aspiring hunters must go through a “debut” process to become a professional hunter.

It was also a venue for opportunities in many ways because although you could still resolve anomalies as a F-Rank by having professional hunters help you and obtain a professional license, it was an opportunity to gain ranks rapidly, or join a good guild if you did well in your debut.

The debuts were usually done in pairs or as many as four people at a time, and most of them went by quietly, but some aspiring hunters were different.

There were people who drew attention even before they became professional hunters.

Celeste for example was one of the most notable prospects.

At the age of 17 with D-Rank strength as well as being the eldest daughter of the SS-Rank hunter Salvatore Costantini, and even the fact that she was a great beauty played a part.

With those blue eyes that always seem to stare blankly at the world, and the gorgeous golden hair that was braided back.

Everyone of all ages and genders who saw her once were mesmerized.

In case of delivering a good prospect the helpers were also well received, so professional hunters who wanted to attach themselves to Celeste’s debut were constantly coming to Geumgang Gym.

It was also because Celeste Costantini officially announced in an interview with the Hunter Association, “I won’t return home. I’ll make my debut in Korea.”

Some came from Italy, and some were active-duty A-Rank hunters from famous guilds who came to see her, so director Kim had to deal with them.

In the end Celeste rejected all their requests.

With a gentle impression Celeste said, “I won’t go with a hunter who I have nothing to learn from.”

It was an indifferent remark.

Hunters who want to show that they are not timid must go through the process of “debut” to become professional hunters.

“Well, her father is a SS-Rank hunter, so she deserves it.”

“Then she should go with her dad. What’s she doing in Korea?”

“Apparently her father told her to find a senior hunter on her own. I heard it was meant to widen her view.”

There were many aspiring hunters at Geumgang Gymnasium, and thanks to Celeste, it became a good opportunity to network with professional hunters.

Furthermore, some aspiring hunters even caught the eyes of professional hunters who gave up on Celeste and were heading back.

“Huh. Celeste, even the media.”

Director Kim pointed to the TV and said to Celeste who was sitting idly in the corner of the office with her smartphone.

[Celeste likes Korea’s hunting culture more than Italy’s!]

[The eldest daughter of the Costantini family remarks to hunter Lee Jongsoo, “There’s nothing to learn.”]

[Why did she fall in love with Korea?]

…And so on.

Most were useless news.

As the eldest daughter of one of the 37 SS-Rank hunters in the world the media seems to be very excited about her debut.

At director Kim’s words she looked at the TV, but then turned her head back to her smartphone.

“Is that all?”

“You don’t seem to be interested in what’s going on in the media?”

“Ever since I was a kid the media have always been talking about me like that. It’s the same this time.”

Yeah.

She’s a child of a star.

She’s probably used to this.

Suddenly, director Kim felt very awkward seeing the daughter of such a huge figure sitting in the office of his humble gym.

‘It’s all thanks to Yoo Seodam.”’

In the first place, director Kim taught Salvatore body control with the help of Yoo Seodam.

In the past, Yoo Seodam made numerous hunting trips around the world, and made acquaintance with numerous hunters, Salvator being one of them.

At that time when Yoo Seodam met Salvator who was suffering from a stagnant in his progress, he introduced him to the director, a hunter from Korea, who was famous for his strong body control.

However, Celeste was not interested in Geumgang Gym, so she thought she would just take some time off and relax, but now even after three months she still didn’t think of going back.

No, she even said that she would make her debut in Korea.

‘And that little kid… She has been watching the video of Yoo Seodam.’

A few days ago a video was uploaded to UTV, a global video hosting site.

It was a video of a F-Rank hunter killing a rampaging B-Rank monster decisively, however it was nothing special if you consider the countless hunters who uploaded videos daily.

30 years after the Great War against monsters.

Hunting was a kind of heroic job that only superhumans with strong powers could do.

Ordinary hunters were considered as just normal humans.

But now, an ordinary person suddenly appeared and defeated a B-Rank monster without superpowers.

The video caused a huge sensation and has garnered more than 30 million views in just a few days.

In addition, what shocked viewers was how hunters could be seen wearing shiny suits while the main character in the video was dressed casually in a hoodie and sweatpants.

‘Aren’t you dressed so comfortably as if you were out for a walk?’

[Si130: He’s an ordinary person who hunts as a hobby. (Like: 11237 / Dislike: 973)]

[4Paune: Superhuman who lost control ㄷㄷ. (Like: 6,712 / Dislike: 736)]

[Millo: Wow at 5:32 did the rebound from the pistol block the punch? (Like: 7,691 / Dislike: 379)]

Normal people who are not hunters knew.

How weak the pistols used by hunters are against monsters with super strength.

It was just for show and it was rarely used in real life, but it was utilized like a shield by an ordinary hunter and not a superhuman.

The battle was almost like art.

To be honest, it was a perfect and elaborate battle style that made even her think it was beautiful.

Some comments even suggested that the hunt was all planned.

How could an ordinary hunter even lure a strong monster in advance to hunt?

Of course such comments were buried.

Even now the number of views continued to rise partially thanks to Celeste who was constantly watching it.

Has she ever seen a sword like this in her life?

Although Celeste invited countless swordsmen from the Costantini family and learned the Great Impact Sword, Seodam’s swordsmanship was more unusual and beautiful than any other swordsmanship she had seen.

Now, she could even recall what happened in the video at every minute and second.

Thud.

Celeste stood up after putting down her smartphone.

Now that she has seen enough of the video it was time to put it into action.

To imitate the sword of Seodam.

She sparred with him a lot over the past few weeks, but so far, Seodam has never used such a sword technique against her.

In other words, she thought that Seodam has been treating her lightly.

However, it was a new skill that Seodam has yet to master, but Celeste, who didn’t know that, misunderstood him.

She asked to spar with him so she could learn the skill, but she can’t believe that she’s not even good enough for him to show it to her.

Has she ever experienced this in her life?

The answer is no.

This was the first wall in front of Celeste.

So she had a hunch.

That if she can break through this wall her achievements will be even greater.

Celeste swung her wooden sword, recalling the sword of Seodam in the video.

She imagined Seodam’s sword as if it was a painting.

Like a flower, or the falling waterfall, or the pouring rain.

---

#139.

It was the number tag that Yoo Seo-dam received.

[Ding! Hunter #129, please come to window 4.]

In Seoul there is a 130-story skyscraper built using aether and is Korea’s Hunter Association branch.

Hunters visit this place for various reasons, but the reason why Seodam came here today was for ‘Guild Registration.’

Hunters can’t be active by themselves.

He had to belong to a guild, but none of the guilds wanted to take him in who is basically a relic.

That’s why Seodam desperately tried to stay in Lost Day.

However, he could not give up the reward money, so he took advantage of Korea’s sloppy hunter laws.

It’s that there’s no hunting requirements even if you just roughly register as a one-person guild.

It’s similar to a kind of personal business registration.

He had no intention of creating a one-man guild for “solo hunting” because it was almost impossible as a F-Rank hunter.

However, he was recently contacted by the Capital Defense Headquarters and rushed here because they had a problem paying the reward due to him not belonging to any guild.

If a B-Rank is defeated, I’ll get about 5 million won in free money.

How could I miss that?

“So, you want me to be your senior hunter?”

Hmhm.

[Ding! Hunter #131, please come to window 9.]

Seodam looked into Celeste’s eyes who was next to him staring at him.

Her indifferent eyes are clearer today than ever before, and I was unable to tell what’s on her mind.

“You said you were debuting soon?”

Autumn was the most active time for new hunters to debut.

The graduation at Hunter Academy was also around this time of year, so they made their debut all at once.

Even so, if you’re an aspiring hunter like Celeste, many people would have asked her here and there, but Seodam couldn’t understand why she chose him.

I was lost in my thoughts when Celeste hesitated and asked.

“By the way…What are you waiting for?”

“What am I waiting for? I’m #139. I have to wait my turn.”

She didn’t seem to understand even though I told her.

Hasn’t she ever been to a bank?

When Seodam thought so, Celeste gave a rather wild answer.

“When I went with my father the staff took me to the VIP room.”

“…”

Well.

Since this would be his first time making a guild in his 15 years of hunting, Seodam felt a bit nervous making a one-man guild.

“I’m a nobody, so I have to wait my turn.”

Then she nodded as if she knew, and silently waited.

I can feel the eyes of passersby looking this way.

They were looking at Celeste who stood out wherever she went.

[Ding! Hunter #135, please come to window 7.]

[Ding! #136…]

[Ding! #137…]

[Ding! Hunter #139, please come to window 3.]

After waiting for a long time it was finally my turn, and as I was about to stand up with my number tag, someone blocked me in front.

The people around me started to buzz.

“Is that the guy from Lost Day?”

“Yes. S-Rank Jang Hyunsuk.”

“What brings him here?”

A handsome face and slightly taller than Seodam.

The emblem of Lost Day stuck on his shoulder.

The S-Rank superhuman Jang Hyunsuk stood in front of Seodam, smiled, and spoke.

“Long time no see, hunter Yoo Seodam.”

“Uh. I’m kind of busy right now.”

“Can I talk to you for a moment?”

Jang Hyunsuk stood firmly in the way, looking alternately between me and Celeste, then spoke.

“Hunter Yoo Seodam. You must be the senior hunter leading Miss Celeste Costantini’s debut.”

He wasn’t finished.

Even before Seodam could reply, Jang Hyun-suk continued.

“However, Miss Celeste needs a better environment. Honestly, don’t you know? Rather than having a F-Rrank Hunter as her senior it’ll be better to have an S-Rank like myself.”

“Hey.”

When Jang Hyunsuk made eye contact with Yoo Seodam, he took a half-step back without realizing it.

It was his instinct.

Jang Hyunsuk was flustered as if he had become a herbivore standing in front of a beast.

‘I’m scared of a F-Rank?’

Seodam glanced at the stiffened Jang Hyunsuk, then passed by him.

“We can take care of ourselves. Don’t keep bothering me.”

Then Celeste also stood up following Seodam, but Jang Hyunsuk, who just came to his senses, hurriedly blocked her.

Stiff Italian came out of an expensive translator that could translate foreign languages.

“It’s not your business anyway. I’ll ask her myself.”

Jang Hyunsuk opened his mouth with a confident look.

“Miss Celeste, with me…”

“No.”

He was shut down again.

He broke out in a cold sweat with a strange puzzled look on his face.

“…What? Don’t be like this, think again.”

“I have nothing to learn from you.”

Celeste cupped her index finger and thumb.

“Not even this much.”

Meanwhile, Seodam arrived at window 3 and sat down.

Then, Celeste, who followed him, sat next to him.

“Huh? Didn’t you talk to him?”

Hmhm.

When Celeste shook her head, Sedam gave an “oh really?” look.

Only

Jang Hyunsuk was still standing there staring at the back of his head.

‘I think he can twist my neck if I use my powers right now.’

The F-Rank will do that.

Somehow Jang Hyunsuk didn’t think he would win.

He was also a veteran who had fought on the battlefield for years, so he was instinctively able to see the level of his opponent, and the instinct is now warning him.

Don’t come at this opponent.

In the end, Jang Hyunsuk turned away after looking at their backs for a long time.

“…We’ll see when the time comes for her debut.”