Korean Hunters Association HQ.
Inside Chairman Go Gun-Hee's Office...
Tension was thick in the air, even before Minho's arrival. Chairman Go sat quietly behind his desk, hands steepled, while Jinchul explained to Ah-Ra the case at hand.
"What do you mean he murdered a bunch of A-ranks yesterday? How?" Ah-Ra asked Jinchul.
"It's nothing concrete, but we got evidence that seemingly backed up the accusations." Jinchul replied calmly. "He suddenly left after his evaluation without the public noticing and moments after, there was a suspected dungeon appearance. The Hunters Guild sent a raid team of A-rank hunters and they were all torn beyond recognition."
Ah-Ra felt her stomach sink. "But—" She was about to speak when Jinchul continued.
"And this is the only thing that was found on the scene." He pointed at the phone on Chairman Go's table. "Shortly after, a dragon hybrid appeared and started asking for the phone, before it suddenly disappeared after strangely calling National Level Hunter, Liu Zhigang, a 'Ruler's Vessel' or so." He explained the rest of the story with an analytical calm.
"So, wait… what are you saying? Hunter Minho is a dragon hybrid's master?" Ah-Ra asked, getting even more puzzled.
"We have an evidence that he was at the crime scene, but there is no solid proof that says he was the 'Liege' the dragon was talking about or not, nor do we have proof on whether he did kill the hunters or not. But…" Jinchul trailed, letting a silent beat pass before continuing. "his status as the Breaker was one filled with murdering of people sent to him. So it wouldn't be a surprise if he did kill them."
"No no, it's not clicking at all. Yesterday when I saw him, his clothes were ragged, like he went into a serious battle with some monsters or something." Ah-Ra blurted, getting a little defensive for Minho, subconsciously.
"Hm?" Chairman Go finally looked up at them. "What do you mean, Ah-Ra?"
"Well yesterday I was buying something when he coincidentally came in. His hair was messy, his face, his clothes ragged. He told it was a dungeon raid but I had my doubts. Do you think there is someone presently in Korea who can put that man in such a state, Chairman?"
Go Gun-Hee and Jinchul exchanged a look. "There might be." Chairman Go said. "But that person was with us during the time this was happening."
"Hunter Liu? Or… our eleventh S-rank? Does that mean Korea's eleventh S-rank is also at National Level?" Ah-Ra questioned, clearly not knowing the power Jinwoo had displayed yesterday.
"Could be." Jinchul replied. "But he was with us while this happened, so it's definitely not him."
"I mean, think about it. Back in the dungeon with that… Dragon. He didn't look bothered. He didn't even get a scar. So, how does he get into that state?" Ah-Ra continued.
"Hmm," Chairman Go looked down. "You do have a point. But—" before he could continue, the office phone rang and he picked up. "Hello?… Oh, he's here?… Yes, let him come up." He then cut the call and dropped the phone. "Well he's here. He can now answer for himself.
"I'll go bring him in." Jinchul said, leaving the room.
Outside the office...
The elevator moved with a low hum. Minho stood inside, wondering what answer he was going to give to their questions.
The elevator came to a halt and the doors slid open. Minho spotted Jinchul coming his way as he walked out.
"Greetings, Hunter Minho," Jinchul greeted with a slight nod.
Minho didn't reply, just nodded back. He was a bit surprised by Jinchul's actions. The respect was unexpected. Do they still believe in him? Well… he didn't care actually.
They both entered the office and Minho bowed his head to greet Go Gun-Hee. He spotted Ah-Ra standing behind Chairman Go, but she didn't even spare him a glance, making him raise an eyebrow.
Jinchul walked over to stand behind the chairman as well. "Welcome, Hunter Minho. Sit." Chairman Go said, gesturing towards the chair in front of him.
Minho sat down without a word, taking off his sunglasses.
There was a shor, tense silence that followed.
"Hunter Minho, I believe you know the complications that we're here to talk about today?" Chairman Go finally spoke up.
Minho didn't say a word. Message clear: get straight to the point.
"We found this at a gruesome scene yesterday. Seven A-ranks were dismantled. Completely torn apart." Chairman Go added, pushing Minho's phone forward.
Minho's eyes went to the phone, then returned to Go Gun-Hee. Still without a word.
Jinchul picked up the continuation. "The S-ranks claimed a dragon-like hybrid appeared. It demanded this phone. It also referred to someone as its 'Liege'."
Another beat left for Minho to fill the silence. He didn't.
"Hunter Minho," Chairman Go took over. "Where were you yesterday after your evaluation?"
"Walking." Minho replied, flatly.
"Your clothes were described as 'ragged'," Jinchul pressed on. "As if you were in a serious battle. Care to explain?"
Minho's eyes went to Ah-Ra who kept her gaze down, before returning to Jinchul, then Chairman Go. "I came across some 'pests' that I had to deal with."
The vagueness was a bit infuriating. "Hm?'Pests'?" Go Gun-Hee's brows furrowed. "What do you mean?"
"Nevermind. It's not something I expect you understand either way." Minho said, giving no room for more questioning on that.
But the questions they had were stacked. "Are you 'Liege', Hunter Minho?" Jinchul asked, his gaze analytical.
Minho stood up, putting his hand on the table. He leaned forward. Ah-Ra and Jinchul became alert though they didn't move, since his intentions were not known.
Minho looked at Chairman Go. "Okay, let me answer your arsenal of questions. You want to know if I'm the Breaker? Yes I am. You want to know if I commanded the dragon? Yes I did. You want to know if I killed the hunters?" His eyes glowed a faint crimson. "They got in the way. I tried asking them to leave, but arrogance is the first sin of high ranking hunters in this corrupt system. Besides, I acted on self defense as they tried to kill me as well."
Ah-Ra's hands flew to her mouth. Jinchul's eyes widened, mirroring Go Gun-Hee's reaction. Minho sat back down. Crossing a leg over the other. He put his elbow on the chair's arm and rested his cheek on his fist. His expression was one of mild annoyance before falling blank once more.
"Now that I've given you your answers. It's time I ask my own questions." He said, his eyes glowing a deeper crimson, voice dropping low. The air in the room grew cold. "What do you know about the guy who got evaluated the same time as I did yesterday?"
The authority in his voice sent shivers down their spines. The tables had completely been flipped. Right now, it felt like he was the one interrogating the three top figures of the Hunters Association. What ever was in front of him was bound to his authority.
Where else does the Herald of Annihilation have to go to show he was a menace?