'What?!' Those who heard the seemingly ordinary conversation between mother and son were simultaneously struck with shock.
"D-Did he just call Cha Hae-In 'mother'?"
"Hunter Sung Suho… is Cha Hae-In's son?!"
A series of surprises. It felt like their brains were being melted by the overload of information. The fact that 'Cha Hae-In,' who was said to be living an ordinary life, suddenly appeared riding a black dragon was already a huge incident. But now, it was revealed that she was the mother of Hunter Sung Suho, who was the hottest topic in Korea until this morning.
'This is a scoop!'
'A scoop like this is a first-come, first-served battle!'
Flash! Flash! Flash! Flash! Flash! Flash—!
The reporters began frantically taking photos, keeping an eye on each other. To capture the image of Sung Suho and Cha Hae-In facing each other, with the giant black dragon curled up in the background, faster than anyone else.
Click Click Click Click—!
At the same time, their fingers spread this tremendous news to the public at an incredible speed.
– (Shocking Two-Shot) Hunter Sung Suho's birth secret revealed!
– (Exclusive) Cha Hae-In's son, Sung Suho!
The news spread incredibly fast. And the public, already focused on the black dragon, reacted with shock in real-time.
– What??
– Sung Suho is Cha Hae-In's son?!
– This is crazy. Truly crazy!
– (Meme) Sung Suho + Cha Hae-In two-shot, comparison image
– Wow. They really look alike.
– Seeing them side by side like this, he really takes after his mother!
– I can see Cha Hae-In in Sung Suho's features!
– No, really? How did we not notice this until now?
– Cha Hae-In was active 20 years ago?
– Wait, then how old is Cha Hae-In now?
– That face belongs to the mother of a son in his early 20s? Not an older sister?
– Did she even age?!
Cha Hae-in, who appeared after 20 years, looked so good that one would think she was in her 30s.
It was even more amazing when people saw her next to Sung Suho, who was in his early 20s and compared them to each other.
– They really do look alike.
– If it weren't for Sung Suho's slightly sharper jawline and eyes, he would be a carbon copy of his mother.
– Maybe his eyes resemble his father? I'm really curious about his father's face now.
– Looking at Sung Suho's eyes, his father must be really handsome.
– Well, there's no way Bright Hae-In would have married an ordinary man.
– Was it his looks?
– Yes! I knew something was up when she suddenly said she was marrying an ordinary public official!
The reaction was heated. No matter how much the river beyond the barbed wire fence bubbled like lava, the public's interest after hearing the news far surpassed that heat. Perhaps there was no other day as rewarding in the lives of reporters as today. Because the scoop wasn't over yet.
"Ms. Cha Hae-In. I apologize for interrupting…" Just then, a man suddenly intervened between Sung Suho and Cha Hae-In.
"I am Team Leader Han Jaehyuk of the Hunter Association."
As it happened, the Association staff were here to transport the supplies to be delivered to Association President Woo Jinchul. Team Leader Han Jaehyuk borrowed a magic power measuring device from the military unit here and politely handed it to Cha Hae-In.
"Looking at the records, it seems you haven't registered as a Hunter yet. If you have Awakened, could I request a magic power measurement?"
"Ah…"
'…!'
Everyone's ears perked up. Seeing the numerous reporters' eyes sparkling, Team Leader Han Jaehyuk carefully spoke again,
"Of course, if you find this situation uncomfortable, you can do it another day. If you want it to be private, we can arrange that. But it's difficult to allow you to take your son, Hunter Sung Suho, across this barbed wire fence on this black dragon…" Team Leader Han Jaehyuk had to choose his words carefully.
In fact, it was quite rude to publicly request a Hunter's personal information in a place with so many reporters. Especially since the person in question was Cha Hae-In, who was admired and supported by the entire nation. But the Association couldn't help it.
"To enter North Korea, you must go through a national vote, just like your son, Hunter Sung Suho. Moreover, it would be a violation of international law for someone who isn't even registered as a Hunter, to cross this barbed wire fence. Besides…" While speaking, Team Leader Han Jaehyuk's gaze glanced at the 'black dragon' yawning behind Cha Hae-In and closed his mouth.
The public's right to know was a matter for reporters, but Managing the Awakened was the role of the Association. Even though the sudden dragon raid ended as a brief event, nothing changed. From the Association's perspective, Cha Hae-In was still a suspicious person who arrived on the Korean Peninsula from across the sea riding this black dragon.
'There's no departure record. I don't know when athlete Cha Hae-In left Korea, where she's been and what she's been doing…'
…All of that was subject to investigation from the Association's perspective. But at the same time, because the person in question was Cha Hae-In, Team Leader Han Jaehyuk was extremely cautious with his words. Even though 20 years had passed since her retirement, countless citizens who remembered Cha Hae-In from that time still had a strong fondness for her. The so-called 'immunity from criticism' Especially in front of so many reporters, if he 'dared' to be even slightly rude to Cha Hae-In, he could be criticized by the entire nation. He was even afraid to imagine what kind of terror he would face from the public if he used the term 'villain.' But fortunately, she fully understood his position and nodded obediently.
"Yes, I understand. I'll take the magic power measurement right away. It's fine if the results are public."
This kind of attention was also a first in a very long time. For Cha Hae-In's personality, being this exposed to public attention was burdensome no matter how old she got. But discomfort aside, it was something she was used to. From her teens to her 20s, she lived a life receiving this kind of public attention throughout her career as an athlete. Fortunately, after retirement, she was able to return to an ordinary life that suited her personality, but the process wasn't easy.
'…His help was crucial.' Thanks to her husband using shadow soldiers to completely block the paparazzi, she was able to live a truly quiet daily life.
'Well... Actually, it wasn't that quiet. Raising a child was so hard.' A faint smile appeared on Cha Hae-In's lips as she reminisced about the past days. It was hard, but looking back, it was also a fond memory, wasn't it? But now Suho has grown up well. And since the world had returned to this dangerous state, She couldn't just cling to her desire for an ordinary life forever.
'Yes. 20 years is enough to enjoy it.' An ordinary life.
'It's time to use my power to protect the ordinary lives of others. Like before.' Suddenly, Cha Hae-In's calm eyes changed and she placed her hand on the magic power measuring device that Team Leader Han Jaehyuk handed her without hesitation.
Flash—!
A dazzling light emanated from the instrument. And…
"…S-rank." There were no surprises. Team Leader Han Jaehyuk swallowed dryly and announced the measurement results in front of everyone.
"Congratulations on awakening as an S-rank, Hunter Cha Hae-In."
Flash! Flash! Flash! Flash! Flash! Flash—!
As soon as he finished speaking, the reporters began frantically flashing their cameras at Cha Hae-In, as if in a trance. Just like when she became a gold medalist 20 years ago.
– (Exclusive) A new S-rank Awakened in Korea…
– (Urgent) Former national athlete Cha Hae-In confirmed as S-rank…
"Ah, but…"
Cha Hae-In didn't stop there. The fact that she set a new world record by diligently running to try and beat her boyfriend? That was truly embarrassing, and that was why she could be even more humble. But that was that. Now that she had returned as S-rank Hunter Cha Hae-In, not the gold medalist Cha Hae-In from a peaceful world, She knew her role and what she had to do very well. Therefore, looking directly at all the reporters and their cameras, she continued speaking with a slightly embarrassed but brazen expression,
"I know it's a violation of international law, but I'll just give my son a ride to North Korea."
'…What?' For a moment, all the Hunters and reporters, including Team Leader Han Jaehyuk, couldn't understand what they had just heard.
"Kaisel. Let's go."
[KIAAAAAAAAAAA!]
'…?' And they blankly watched as the giant black dragon spread its wings before them, and Cha Hae-In, who skillfully climbed onto its back, reached out her hand to Suho. But suddenly…
"…W-wait!"
"Mis Cha Hae-In! No, Hunter Cha Hae-In!"
"It's a violation of international law…!"
"You have to go through a national vote…!"
Belatedly realizing the situation, people rushed towards Cha Hae-In, who had boarded Kaisel, to stop her. But she just smiled at them and replied,
"Don't worry. I'll just drop him off and come back soon. I'll pay any penalty or fine after that. I have to protect the country in my son's place."
"No, wait! Wait!"
"You can't act so recklessly…!"
"…Oh my, Suho? Why aren't you getting on?" Despite Cha Hae-In's call, Suho himself remained on the ground instead of boarding Kaisel. People were greatly relieved by that sensible behavior.
'Y-yes! That's right!' They couldn't help but admire how well her son had grown. He was abiding by the Hunter law with common sense. But of course, they were mistaken.
"Ah, Mother. Just a moment." Suho was running in the opposite direction, not towards her but to Baek Miho.
"…Huh? Uh?" Baek Yoonho, who had been guarding his daughter, faltered as Suho approached.
"Wh-what? Why are you suddenly coming this way?"
"Hunter Sung Suho?" Baek Miho was also flustered and at a loss for words as Suho approached.
"Oh my, you must be Yoonho's daughter." Cha Hae-In's eyes sparkled as she saw the father and daughter from atop Kaisel.
But Suho's objective wasn't Baek Miho or Baek Yoonho. It was the thing behind them. The supplies that she had escorted here early in the morning. There was a cargo truck with supplies provided by the government to Association President Woo Jinchul in North Korea. The original plan was to load the entire truck onto a military helicopter and cross this boiling river. And then, Suho would personally drive that truck to where Association President Woo Jinchul was… that was what the government and the Association asked Suho to do. But…
"Beru."
[Yes, my liege.]
Suho's plan was a little different. His shadow was already covering the entire cargo truck.
"Put it all in the shadow dungeon."
Whoosh—!
'…!'
At that moment, Suho's shadow swallowed the entire cargo truck. He turned around without hesitation and climbed onto Kaisel's back.
"Let's go, Mother."
At that moment another scoop was added.