IRTPTA 23🌸

Episode 23

The villain group called Hydra.
No one knew their purpose, size, or structure.

In her past life, Saebyeok had investigated them through the Association.
But she soon realized the investigation had many limits.

The Association lacked manpower and funding.
Worse, as an official organization working in the open, it faced endless legal and diplomatic restrictions.

Every search required tedious warrant applications.
When a clue led abroad, they had to wait for foreign Hunter Associations to approve cooperation, wasting valuable time.

Even then, political and legal issues prevented a truly free investigation.

In the end, Past-Life Saebyeok could only track down one more Hydra head before the case was closed.

“Please find the rest of the heads and recover all their records.
If you can also uncover Pandora’s identity in the process, even better.”

Unlike the Association, which worked in the light, the Black Dragon Guild moved in the shadows.
They could dig deeper and faster.

“All I know is that the cult leader we caught yesterday was Hydra’s ninth and last head.”

Now that Saebyeok had returned from the future, she had to consider more than just the <Destruction>.
Hydra was another major threat that could plunge the world into chaos.

But she didn’t have time to handle every problem herself.
Even focusing on a single <Scenario> barely left her enough hours to breathe.

So she decided to entrust the task to the Black Dragon Guild and Hwang Taesan.

“This is only my guess, but I think the one who gave the cult leader his orders is in China.”

Saebyeok pointed at the pile of weapons taken from the Scavenger Guild.

“The deal was simple:
The cult leader provided weapons and potions,
and the Scavenger Guild captured sacrifices.
Most of these weapons are Chinese-made.”

In her past life, she had wasted weeks tracing the cult leader’s past, requesting China’s help, and waiting for endless approvals.

This time, she could skip all that.
It meant more time for real investigation.

Negotiations with Hwang Taesan

“You’re giving this job to my guild because I’m half-Chinese, aren’t you?”

Hwang Taesan frowned, closing his notebook.

Saebyeok shook her head quickly.

“No, that’s just a coincidence!”

She even raised both hands and waved them, trying to show she meant no offense.

“The Dangun Guild won’t touch work that doesn’t pay.
The Donghae Guild doesn’t care about anything outside Yeongnam.
As for Glory Guild… well, you already know why.”

She explained why Black Dragon was the only choice.

“The Association would get stuck in procedures and red tape.
In the meantime, Hydra could disappear.
That’s why I attacked their hideout myself last night—
to prevent more victims.”

Her reasoning was sound, and Taesan nodded slightly.

“In the end, it’s lucky you’re a Hunter in the Black Dragon Guild.
You speak Chinese, right?”

“…I do.”

“And honestly, Black Dragon has the best success rate in the industry.”

“…That’s true.”

Despite its nickname as a detective agency, Black Dragon was more like a mercenary guild—
handling large, complex jobs whenever the cause was right.

Payment and Agreement

“I’ll hand over these weapons as investigation material and payment.”

Saebyeok knew Taesan was already interested.
Even if he looked calm, she could feel it.

“They’re low-grade, but if you dismantle them, the materials will be useful.
You could use them for rookie training too.”

Altogether, the weapons were worth about one billion won.
More than enough for an investigation fee.

Saebyeok pulled out a crumpled receipt from her pocket—the one from the iced americano she bought earlier.
She wrote her number on the back and handed it to Taesan.

“Please send me weekly updates.
And call if you need anything else.”

The Blacksmith’s Work

She turned to the old blacksmith, who was analyzing the adamantium key.

“How long will it take?”

“With one kilogram of adamantium, I can make one copy at best.”

“That’s enough. Just make it quickly.”

“Come back tomorrow.”

“That fast? Make sure quality doesn’t drop.”

The old man scoffed.

“Kid, do you know who you’re talking to?
I’m Korea’s first and only A-rank blacksmith.”

Fire flared from his mouth, heating the adamantium as his hammer struck with sharp, ringing blows.

Saebyeok smiled faintly.

“Then I’ll see you tomorrow before going to the Association to register.”

An Unexpected Gift

At that moment, Hwang Taesan spoke.

“I’ll bring it to you myself.”

He didn’t want to give the media—or Hunter Kim Ihan—any chance to annoy him for missing the moment when Korea’s new S-rank Hunter was registered.

Then his eyes moved to the pile of weapons.

“I’ll appraise these and pay the proper price tomorrow.”

“It’s payment for the job.”

“You already repaid us by stopping the Seoul Station Break.
Thank you for minimizing the damage.”

He handed her the steel pipe she had used earlier.

Boeun’s Club

The moment Saebyeok took the pipe, a message appeared.

[Item: Boeun’s Club (D)]

Once a worthless piece of scrap metal, it saved hundreds thanks to one Hunter’s courage.
With the help of another Hunter who wished to show gratitude, it was reborn with passion and wit.

Passive – Discreet Disguise:
Worried about being ignored because of its shabby look, the weapon changes form to suit its user and follow them everywhere.

Skill – Bold Chivalry:
Born from saving those in crisis, it cannot stand injustice.
It stirs the surrounding mana to draw the enemy’s attention.

“Wait—this thing got upgraded?
Did you ask the blacksmith to do this? He must have scolded you!”

“…He did.”

Both of them looked at the old man.
But he was too focused on his work to care, hammering away at the adamantium.

Saebyeok laughed harder, which made Taesan’s lips curve slightly without him realizing.

“I didn’t hunt for rewards, but… thanks.”

The club vibrated and changed form—
a bat, a belt, a backpack, a bracelet—until it finally became a silver hairpin and nestled into her hair beside her pencil.

“Guess I’ll never be without a weapon again.”

The Call

Just then, her phone rang.
Her brother’s name flashed on the screen.

“Sorry, I have to go. See you tomorrow.”

She answered.

“Hello—”

• “Hey! Are you crazy?!”

“Why are you yelling—”

• “You can cause trouble, but bringing home a kid?! What were you thinking?!”