The Hunter’s Gonna Lay Low

Chapter 266

Gaeul clenched her fists, fuming.

"You don't need to defend him like that! I'm reporting this to the doctor. He needs a serious scolding to snap out of it."

"Wait, wait, Gaeul! Our relationship? What relationship do you think Sa-young and I have?"

"Huh? Why are you asking me that?"

"No, really, I’m serious. What exactly is our relationship?"

"Well…."

Gaeul blinked in confusion.

"Even though you’re not blood-related, you're like real family, right? You care about each other a lot. Hunter Sa-young listens to you—well, only to you, actually."

"……."

"You used to dote on him, calling him your little brother and everything."

Ah, right. The confusion and panic that had gripped Uijae vanished in an instant. He had overreacted because he was feeling guilty and defensive. He rubbed his face with both hands, attempting to cool down. At least in this world, it seemed that kissing—or anything beyond sibling affection—was not a thing between him and Sa-young. Or so it seemed.

Continuing this conversation might make her suspicious. Uijae deliberately changed the subject.

"So, how’s my health looking?"

"Should I call the doctor? He’ll give you a clearer explanation."

"I want to hear it from you, too."

Gaeul pouted slightly, mumbling under her breath.

"...You know everything already. In fact, you're the one who hides things."

Ah, that’s how I was? But I really don’t know anything now, Uijae thought. He replied in a melancholy tone, playing up his frail condition.

"I just want an objective assessment… to hear how others see me."

"……."

"…Is that too much to ask?"

His voice wavered slightly due to the lingering effects of coughing up blood earlier. Uijae coughed lightly and glanced around for water. Gaeul quickly unscrewed the cap of a fresh bottle and handed it to him. Did his acting get to her? Oddly, her eyes seemed a little misty.

Sniffling softly, Gaeul straightened her posture and took a deep breath.

"I'm not a medical expert, so I can't be sure. Most of what I know, I overheard. Please keep that in mind."

"Okay."

"J… after using strong powers, you become severely weakened. During that time, you're in a state similar to an ordinary civilian, but you're in terrible pain—really terrible pain."

"……."

"I don’t know why that happens, though. We’re still trying to figure it out…."

"Mm-hmm."

"Doctor Nam suspects that your abilities are so powerful that your body suffers a serious backlash after using them. He thinks it might be the penalty for having such overwhelming power."

That made sense. Uijae processed what Gaeul said, combining it with the knowledge he had gathered.

In this world, it seemed that the version of him—Cha Uijae—was enduring the toll of wielding immense strength and power. However, no power is infinite. Each time Uijae used his strength, it depleted some of his reserves, and until his energy could recover, he faced life-threatening conditions.

No wonder he was in pain. Uijae rested his chin on his hand, sighing. Then he glanced at Gaeul, who looked worried.

"What about the others?"

"Who do you mean?"

"Anyone. I haven’t been caught up on recent events. Tell me anything. People’s stories, or how the world’s been."

"Um…."

Gaeul seemed unsure where to start. Uijae gave her a wry smile and suddenly remembered a familiar face. Right, if that mackerel still existed in this world, I could rely on him for information. He probably knows everything worth knowing.

"How’s the fish market doing? You know, the place where they sell information."

"The fish market? Oh… you mean the one in Noryangjin?"

"Yeah."

Gaeul fidgeted awkwardly with her fingers, clearly uncomfortable.

"Well, that area has already undergone whitening…."

Uijae’s eyes widened. Whitening. The phenomenon that turns places into wastelands. Wait, then what about the mackerel and the people who worked at the fish market?

"So… what happened to the mackerel?"

"The mackerel…?"

Gaeul furrowed her brow, searching her memory. Then her eyes lit up as if she remembered.

"Oh! You mean those twin informants, right? I heard that one of them disappeared, but only one twin survived."

"Wait, which one survived? The older or the younger?"

"Uh… I’m sorry, I don’t know that much. I only overheard bits and pieces. Actually, the person who had the closest ties to them was the previous director, but… well, since the director passed away…."

"...What?"

Uijae’s eyes grew wide with shock. Gaeul seemed equally startled by his reaction.

"Wh-why? What’s wrong?"

"Wait, are you talking about Director Ham?"

"Yes… Ham Seok-jung."

"……."

The mackerel twins' home base—the fish market—was gone, and one twin was dead. Ham Seok-jung was dead too. This was far worse than Uijae had thought. He rubbed his lips, muttering to himself.

"Tell me more. Focus on the rankers. Everything you know."

After Ham Seok-jung’s death, Jeong Bin had been recommended as the next director. However, he declined the position and remained a team leader, leaving the director’s position vacant. The A-rank hunter Song Joheon had died valiantly while leading his guild against a monster wave. South Korea wasn’t the only place; whitening had paralyzed countries all over the world, and Gyugyu had gone abroad and hadn’t been heard from since—no one knew if he was alive or dead. Bae Won-woo and Matthew continued to hold their positions, doing their best in their respective roles. Gaeul added softly,

"Many parts of Korea have also undergone whitening, and the Awakener Management Bureau headquarters were affected, so Seowon Guild became the new central base."

"Mm."

In short, the world was falling apart. Everyone, everywhere. Uijae stared up at the white ceiling. He had expected as much, given that he had seen glimpses of the world's decline through Gaeul's fragmented memories.

‘Things are really bad….’

Terraforming was already in an advanced stage. Most of the key players were either dead or missing, and in 162 hours, Uijae himself would die. What kind of chaos would ensue after that? Gaeul adjusted her hair and added,

"Oh, and Master Hong is living in seclusion in a remote mountain somewhere."

"The bureau isn’t protecting him?"

"No… apparently, he asked not to be found."

For someone who once loved the world of mortals, that seemed strange. This world’s Hong Yesung probably had contact with the first world’s ‘Hong Yesung.’ I’ll have to find him once my body recovers, Uijae thought, smiling.

"Thanks."

"Did that help?"

"Yeah. A lot."

"I’m glad to hear that." Gaeul beamed as she tidied the roses in the vase beside Uijae’s bed.

This world’s Gaeul was similar to the one Uijae knew. She had the ability to see past events and had witnessed Uijae’s last moments before his death in the first world. What would she do if I told her I was going to die in a week? Uijae pondered for a moment before speaking.

"Gaeul… No, Yoon Gaeul."

"Yes, J?"

"I…."

I’m going to die in a week. More precisely, in 162 hours. Just as he was about to say it—

His voice wouldn’t come out. It was as if something had clamped down on his throat. Uijae’s eyes widened. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t even make a sound. Gaeul looked puzzled as she asked,

"What’s wrong?"

"……."

Bright red text flashed across his vision.

**[Warning: First Strike! You must not interfere with the past. Do not reveal future events.]**

**[Note: Upon three warnings, you will be penalized.]**

Damn it!

Uijae clenched his fists. The warning floated around his vision, taunting him, before finally disappearing. Only then did the pressure in his throat ease. He rubbed his neck.

"J?"

"……."

I can’t tell her directly, but what if I give her a hint? Uijae’s eyes narrowed as he glanced at the roses in the vase. There were seven flowers in total. He reached out toward them.

"Who brought these flowers?"

"Sometimes it’s me or Doctor Nam, but usually, Hunter Sa-young changes them himself."

"……."

Sighing, Uijae took a deep breath. Then, with the most forlorn, sorrowful expression he could muster, he gently caressed the soft petals of the roses.

"When all these roses wither… will that be the end of my life too?"

Thankfully, this time, his voice wasn’t cut off. Maybe they allowed it because it was phrased as a question. Uijae glanced at Gaeul. She looked at him in shock, her face paling.

"W-what are you talking about?"

"It’s just a thought that crossed my mind."

"Don’t think like that! I’ll make sure to change them with fresh flowers before they wilt!"

Gaeul’s voice trem

bled as she nearly shouted. No, Gaeul, that’s not what I meant. Uijae chuckled as he gazed at the roses.

"How many roses are there?"

"Seven…."

"What comes to mind when you think of the number seven?"

"Um… a seven-colored rainbow?"

"That’s one thing. Anything else?"

"Hmm… a week?"

Yes! That’s it! Uijae nodded eagerly, grinning. Gaeul glanced between the roses and Uijae, her eyes widening in realization. Then, in a serious tone, she murmured,

"Oh, I see. You mean I should think of the roses as representing you."

Is that it? Well, close enough!

"And…."

Gaeul gave him a firm nod of determination.

"I’ll make sure to replace them with new roses every week! Even if you’re not in the hospital room!"

No, that’s not what I meant!

Uijae screamed internally, but no sound came out.

_____________________

TL NOTE:

Dear Readers,

We’re excited to let you know that we’ve successfully translated all the currently available chapters of *The Hunter's Gonna Lay Low*. It’s been an incredible journey and we deeply appreciate your continued support and enthusiasm for this story.

However, as we’ve now caught up with the author’s original work, the pace of our translations will slow down. From this point on, we will eagerly await each new chapter as it is released by the author. Rest assured, we will continue to bring you translations of the latest chapters as soon as they become available.

Thank you for your patience and understanding. Together, we’ll keep following Uijae’s journey through the ever-changing and thrilling world of *The Hunter's Gonna Lay Low*. Stay tuned for the next exciting chapter!

Best regards,  
[Santos]