The Hunter’s Gonna Lay Low

Chapter 240

Between the towering bookshelves that reached the ceiling, librarians appeared and disappeared, their movements seamless. Amidst the scent of old books, the sharp tang of disinfectant lingered in the air. There was a faint trace of blood too. Perhaps patients were being housed here. The scene overlapped with fragments of the fallen world Uijae had once witnessed. Collapsed bookshelves, scattered books, and weary Hunters sitting atop the disarray—this library had once become the last refuge.

**Click**, a librarian placed a steaming cup of coffee and a neatly arranged plate of cookies on the table. Uijae bowed his head in thanks, though he couldn’t remove his mask to eat or drink anyway.

“Thank you.”

“It’s nothing. The Guild Master mentioned that you might have to wait a bit. Is that alright?”

“Yes, that’s fine. Could I read some books while I wait?”

“Of course. Is there any particular book you’re looking for? I could help you find it if you like…”

“No, I don’t have anything specific in mind. I’ll just browse.”

“Understood.”

The librarian bowed politely before disappearing between the bookshelves. Uijae, not touching the coffee, stood up. He wandered between the shelves, glancing at the books packed tightly from floor to ceiling. Had Nam Woojin read all the books here? Without looking at the title, Uijae grabbed a book at random and opened it. It was so old that the cover and pages felt rough and brittle, and inside were symbols written in an unrecognizable script. He had never seen this writing before.

“……”

Uijae narrowed his eyes as he flipped through the pages. He couldn’t make out a single word. **Flick, flick**, he turned the pages until something like an illustration caught his eye. It was a drawing, depicting intricate patterns with fine lines. Somehow, it felt familiar. He traced the pattern with his fingers, the complex lines and dots stirring a faint recognition. Uijae frowned.

*Why does this seem familiar?*

“The first guest to discover that book. Can you make sense of it?”

A clear voice interrupted. Uijae glanced down. A boy in a white coat was looking up at him, his hands politely clasped together. His bright green eyes were like glass beads, reflecting Uijae entirely. This was Nam Woojin’s marionette, the boy who served the master of the library.

“That book was found in a dungeon. No one has been able to decipher the writing. It could be a language from our world, distorted by the dungeon’s magic, or from another world entirely. For safety reasons, it is kept here in the Seowon Guild.”

“What about this illustration?”

“You already know, don’t you?”

“……”

“It’s the pattern from Hunter Hong Yesung’s *Eye of Insight*. We don’t know why the illustration of the Eye appears in that book, but it does.”

Ah. Uijae took another look at the drawing. He had been so used to seeing the *Eye of Insight* in motion that he hadn’t recognized the pattern when it was still. Uijae asked the boy,

“How did you know that?”

“I have memorized the contents and locations of all the books in the library, so I can fetch them immediately when the master needs them.”

The boy answered matter-of-factly. Uijae flipped through the book a bit more, but other than the *Eye of Insight* pattern, nothing else was familiar. He pointed at the book.

“Have you tried to decipher it?”

“My knowledge is based on the master’s. If Nam Woojin doesn’t know it, then neither do I.”

So, not all-powerful after all. Uijae put the book back in its place on the shelf. The boy watched his every move before bowing.

“The master asked me to hear your request, and if it’s something I can handle, to assist you. He is currently occupied with an urgent matter and cannot leave right away.”

“How urgent?”

“He’s working on some valuable research material he obtained. I doubt he’ll come out for quite some time.”

Uijae stared at the marionette’s face. The boy gazed back with clear, expectant eyes. Could he be trusted? Perhaps this was a good thing. Unlike his master, the boy wouldn’t ask too many questions. Uijae pulled out the crumpled note from his pocket and handed it over.

“I’ve got two reasons for being here. The first: I heard that people I know are working here at Seowon Guild. I’d like to meet them.”

“Are these the people on the note?”

“Yeah.”

The boy’s green eyes quickly scanned the note before he nodded.

“Yes, they are indeed affiliated with Seowon Guild. I can call them for you if you wish. What’s the second reason?”

“Where is Lee Sa-young?”

“……”

The boy looked at him with an unreadable expression. Uijae stood crookedly, arms folded.

“I was told Nam Woojin is his personal doctor. He must’ve been here recently, right?”

The boy finally spoke.

“Lee Sa-young visited Seowon Guild yesterday, accompanied by Hunter *Ajujakkeumjinggingjeokminggijeok*.”

“…Really?”

“Yes. He hadn’t slept properly for nearly a week, so he came to get a prescription for sleeping pills. After taking the medication, he slept for about 20 minutes. When he woke up, he handed over a tablet containing valuable data to the master…”

“Handed over?”

“He threatened the master, warning him to keep quiet about his visit. The master agreed because of the importance of the information on the tablet.”

*Then why are you telling me this?* Even without seeing his face, Uijae’s body language must have conveyed his confusion. A faint smile appeared on the marionette’s otherwise expressionless face. He bowed politely.

“The master was threatened, but I was not. In fact, the master specifically instructed me to use my judgment and inform curious guests as needed.”

“……”

“Lee Sa-young said he was going to Incheon. He took enough medication for two weeks, saying he would be away for a while. I don’t know anything beyond that.”

“Incheon…”

What’s in Incheon? There’s the international airport and the West Sea Rift. Is he planning to leave the country to avoid me? Or is he heading to the rift again? Maybe a dungeon? And what’s this about not sleeping for a week? Was he having nightmares? Could it be because of Ga-yeong? A tangle of thoughts twisted through Uijae’s mind. Annoyed, he rubbed the back of his neck and asked,

“That’s all you know?”

“Yes, that’s everything. Should I call the people you wanted to meet?”

“……”

Uijae studied the boy’s face. The faint smile was gone, and his clear eyes revealed nothing. Uijae nodded silently. The boy responded.

“A librarian will escort you to the parlor. Please follow them.”

With that, the boy quickly disappeared between the bookshelves. Moments later, the same librarian who had brought him coffee and cookies earlier appeared and bowed. Uijae followed him. The librarian led him to a small, cozy parlor with two chairs facing each other and a low table in the center. A vase of fresh flowers sat on the table. The librarian brought in fresh coffee and snacks, but Uijae didn’t touch them. He sat down on one of the chairs, crossing his legs.

As he closed his eyes, he remembered Mackerel’s voice, still fluttering like the note he had left behind.

*“Honestly, it wasn’t hard to find~ He didn’t even try to hide it. It was written right there in big letters. I get it, though—it’s all part of his career history.”*

*“The Seowon Guild has several teams, and it looks like he joined the medical team, which reports directly to the Guild Master.”*

It wasn’t long before the door to the parlor opened. An older man entered, looking far older than Uijae remembered. The man hesitated for a moment before his eyes widened in shock upon seeing Uijae.

“J… J?”

“It’s been a while. Almost… ten years, right?”

Uijae slowly read the embroidered name on the man’s white coat.

“Jang… Min-jun.”

“…It’s been a while. I’d heard you were back, but…”

Min-jun looked half delighted, half nervous. Uijae motioned to the sofa across from him. Min-jun sat down, fidgeting and rubbing his palms against his knees. Uijae leaned back against the sofa’s backrest and spoke.

“You know someone named Ga-yeong, right?”

“……”

“I’d like to know more about her.”

Min-jun’s expression hardened. J leaned back, resting an arm on the back of the sofa, and continued.

“You must know about Prometheus, too, since you work at Seowon Guild. I already know she’s affiliated with them.”

“……”

“I won’t ask about her falsified history. What I want to hear about is your personal experience. You worked with her, didn’t you? Tell me what you saw.”

Min-jun’s lips trembled, and he remained silent. Uijae sighed, leaning forward slightly as he stared at Min-jun.

This little lie would likely be forgiven by Jungbin… *probably*.

“I’m here as a representative of the Awakener Bureau. That means this is official business. So, talk.”

“…Why… why do you want to know?”

“Why do I want to know?”

Uijae responded indifferently.

“To understand the root of evil.”

“……”

“So, hurry up and talk.”

Min-jun nervously clasped his hands together, fingers twitching and unfolding repeatedly. Finally, in a cracked voice, he muttered,

“I think… her younger sibling died…”

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TL NOTE: Please don't skimp on the stars and likes of the translation - it inspires me and gives me the strength to write more. Thank you~!