Chapter Text
“What– Hunter Sung is an Omega?”
“Sung Jinwoo is an Omega?”
“The S-rank hunter who singlehandedly slaughtered all the ant monsters in the last Jeju raid? That Sung Jinwoo is an Omega?”
“Ha. Ha. Ha. Very funny.”
“Someone has been drinking too much.”
“Ugh, those are just speculations! He was an E rank before his second awakening and that’s why everybody thought he was an Omega! E-rank hunters are the weakest, we all know that!”
“But he wasn’t just any E rank, was he? They called him the weakest hunter of all mankind. Sounds like an Omega to me.”
“But now he’s one of the strongest, right? Maybe even THE strongest in the world? Are you telling me someone like that is an OMEGA?
“Nah, that’s just impossible. I mean physically and mentally impossible. Trust me, I have an Omega brother. I know what I’m talking about.”
“It’s just plain fact that the strongest hunters are Alphas. Sure, Beta A-rank hunters are not unheard-of, and there’s that one high-rank hunter in China, five stars or whatever they call it, supposed to be on par with an S rank. He’s also a Beta, or so they say, but I think that’s about it?”
“What did the Hunters Association say? They must have said something by now.”
“Ha ha nope. It’s all ‘no comment’ and ‘we’re not at liberty to say’ kind of bullshit. What do you expect from a state institution?”
“Also, get this. They’re still keeping Sung Jinwoo’s personal info under lock and key. All they’re releasing to the public are his rank and classification. And first gender, of course, but even an idiot can tell that he’s a guy. The other S ranks have their second gender listed in their bios—Alpha—but not him.”
“Huh, really?”
“Kinda makes you think, doesn’t it?”
“That doesn’t make any sense. What are they playing at?”
“Also, remember Sung Jinwoo’s late entry in the last raid? It cost Hunter Min his life. I’m just saying, an Alpha would never have turned their back on a comrade like that. An Alpha knows where their responsibility lies. They would have joined the raid from the start, no excuses.”
“You have a point there. That was a cowardly thing to do, not joining up.”
“Yeah, and I don’t give a shit what the Association said. An Alpha would have known better.”
“Hey, I have a theory. Maybe... he was in heat HAHAHAHAHA”
“Wait, what are you guys talking about?? So is he an Alpha or an Omega??”
“It sucks but we can only wait until they release an official statement or something. But if he is really an Omega, then something has to be done.”
“Only too right. We can’t afford to have an Omega running around with that much power. Who knows what he’s going to do inside a dungeon with no supervision.”
“Yep. Someone should bring him to heel, that’s all I’m saying.”
–
“Sometimes,” President Go speaks at the end of Woo Jinchul’s lengthy explanation, “I feel like we’re still living in the Joseon era.”
“Yes, sir,” is all Jinchul says in response. He doesn’t think he can say more without betraying the depth of his feeling on the subject.
President Go leans back in his chair with a sigh. “If that’s what the public is still saying about Hunter Sung even after everything he’s done for the country, then things are really worse than I thought.”
“To be fair, not all of them are expressing this kind of opinion,” Jinchul feels compelled to point out despite his inclination to agree. Things are, indeed, very much worse. Jinchul would know, having waded through the quagmire that is the internet, where the vicious court of public opinion has been made infinitely worse through the dubious virtue of free speech from the safety of hiding behind a screen.
Sung Jinwoo is a hero. Has fought like a hero. Should have been lauded as a hero. The fact that half of the country's population still choose to complain about him being an Omega instead is so absurd it’s driving Woo Jinchul crazy—and yet, here they are.
“I thought it was just a few disgruntled Alphas making a fuss,” President Go says, the beginning of a frown on his face. “How many complaints have we got so far?”
“About fifty, sixty calls per day, and that’s not even counting the emails, not to mention the comments flooding our social media,” Jinchul answers grimly. “About seventy, maybe eighty percent of them are from repeat numbers and accounts, but the rest are all different, so we cannot say for sure just how many of these ‘complaints’ are genuine. However, it’s fairly obvious that there’s some real effort to coordinate them.”
“So basically someone—or a group of someone’s—is taking the trouble to arrange this, should we say barrage of responses?”
“Exactly.”
“And they’re all complaining about Hunter Sung.”
“More or less. Different wordings, some less civil than others, but they all come down to the same thing. They want the Association to do something about Hunter Sung if he’s really an Omega.”
President Go stares at him. “Do something like… what, exactly?”
“They’re less clear on that,” Jinchul says drily. “Although they do keep raising the issue of Hunter Min Byunggu’s death. Some have even gone as far as demanding that Hunter Sung takes responsibility for the tragedy—all because he did not join the raid from the beginning. They also want to know what steps the Association are taking to, and I quote, keep him under control.”
President Go raises his eyebrows at that. “I guess it just shows how different watching something on the screen and experiencing it yourself can be.”
Woo Jinchul nods. “I believe you have hit on the point exactly, sir. These people either truly have no idea, or simply refuse to believe, the kind of horror those ant monsters really were. Yes, the live recording allowed us to see the progress of the raid in real time, but it was also very vague on the specifics. We ourselves are only aware of the details because Guild Master Choi and the others told us what happened.” He falls silent for a moment, and then adds, “They have no idea how terrifying someone who can accomplish everything Hunter Sung has done actually is.”
“Or maybe they do have a pretty good idea,” President Go muses, rubbing his chin, “and that’s why they’re now freaking out. I imagine these are the same Alphas who go about their life thinking that Omegas are their property. And now they have to face the fact that the person who has done the unbelievable, the one person who has managed to succeed where the other S-rank hunters failed—and they’re all Alphas, I might add—is an Omega.”
Jinchul tries not to scowl and knows that he is failing utterly. “That should not have been a factor.”
There is a twinkle of amusement in President Go’s eyes. “That’s only because you, Manager Woo, are a decent human being who refuses to be blinded by prejudice. Sadly, not everyone else is made of the same stuff.”
Woo Jinchul finds that he has nothing to say to that. Clearing his throat, he resumes his earlier topic. “To address the matter of the complaint calls, sir, they also pose a problem because they’re flooding the lines at the call centre. The same case for our social media accounts. Anyone who wants to make a genuine report about a gate now may find themselves unable to do so because every line happens to be engaged.”
The frown returns to President Go’s face. “That’s a problem indeed. So basically they’re forcing us to respond.”
“I think so too.” Jinchul pauses, choosing his words carefully. “Are we going to respond?”
“That’s not for us to say,” the president says in a clipped voice. “The Association will never release any personal information of any hunter without express consent from the individual in question. In the case of Hunter Sung, it’s even more important that we observe the same rule.”
“So that means...”
“That said, we cannot let this problem continue unchecked,” President Go adds with a sigh. “Let’s invite Hunter Sung over so we can discuss a few things. If we’re lucky, he hasn’t changed his mind about staying in South Korea.”
–
When Sung Jinwoo finally arrives later that afternoon, a horde of reporters are already waiting in front of the building of the Korean Hunter’s Association.
Woo Jinchul wants to know just who exactly has committed this breach of confidential information and is therefore entitled to a censure from their very strict and very exasperated manager. As soon as he sees the manner of Sung Jinwoo’s arrival, however, he quickly dismisses the effort as a lost cause.
For someone whose alleged wish is to keep a low profile, the S-rank hunter certainly has a penchant for doing things that do the exact opposite. Arriving on the back of one of his summons will guarantee to do just that, Jinchul reflects ruefully. The shadowy beast has a wingspan that covers the entire breadth of the open parking lot, but it stays quiet, docile, keeping its head lowered as its master makes his swift descent. Then, to the combined surprise and delight of everyone who is watching, it melts into Sung Jinwoo’s shadow, its entire bulk disappearing without a trace.
Flashes from countless cameras and barrages of questions follow Hunter Sung’s progress to the entrance of the building. Woo Jinchul, who is waiting at the top of the stairs, manages to catch the whispered comments as they spread through the crowd like wildfire. The prevalent topic, to his surprise, turns out to be neither the majestic wyvern that has so captured their admiration, nor Sung Jinwoo’s flawless command of it.
It’s something else entirely. Namely Sung Jinwoo’s current outfit.
Jinchul has to suppress the distaste that threatens to curl his lips. If Sung Jinwoo were an Alpha, or even a Beta, none of these reporters would ever bother to comment on the correctness of what he was wearing. It’s only because he happens to be an Omega that words like ‘wrong’ and ‘inappropriate’ are tossed around freely in the background.
“That’s just inappropriate.”
“It sets the wrong example too. He should’ve known better, famous as he is. He’s no longer some stupid unknown E rank, for god’s sake.”
All because, Woo Jinchul can only surmise, Hunter Sung has left his neck uncovered, bare for everyone to see.
He still remembers a time, not too long ago in fact, when Sung Jinwoo did exactly the opposite. The few times they happened to run across each other after their first meeting at the hospital, he always wore jackets with their high collars zipped up, keeping his neck—and therefore mating gland—covered. The way unbonded Omegas usually do in public.
It all changed after his reassessment. That one time when he decided to play porter to the Hunters Guild's second strike team, he was wearing a low-neck sweater—a small detail that Woo Jinchul could not help but notice the moment he arrived. Today, too, Hunter Sung is wearing a T-shirt and a long, hooded cardigan, neither of which is providing any sort of cover for his neck. But then again, Jinchul very much doubts that there is anyone in the country, Alpha or otherwise, who can pose a threat to Sung Jinwoo right now.
He takes one step forward as the other man approaches, ignoring the increasingly loud clamour from the reporters. “Welcome, Hunter Sung,” he greets, extending a polite hand.
Sung Jinwoo accepts the gesture with a smile. It’s a faint little thing, and yet it has the power to wreak absolutely terrible havoc on Woo Jinchul’s heartbeat. He blames it on his Alpha physiology and its unfortunate lack of ability to remain objective in the presence of a very attractive Omega. Clearing his throat to cover the moment of awkwardness, he leads the way in with a murmur, “Please come this way.”
The president’s office is located on the top floor of the building. President Go rises from behind his desk at their entrance, a smile easing the tight lines on his face. As always, his pleasure in seeing Sung Jinwoo is only too palpable.
“Thank you for accepting our invitation,” he speaks warmly, shaking Sung Jinwoo’s hand and offering him a seat on the more comfortable sofas. “I only wish this is for a more pleasant business.”
“Yes,” is all Hunter Sung says in return. To anyone less familiar with the S-rank hunter, it may smack of arrogance. Woo Jinchul, who first met him as a timid E-rank, recognises it as the same awkwardness that still lingers all over Sung Jinwoo’s person, no matter his spectacular rise in the Korean hunter hierarchy.
“I’ll get to the point at once,” President Go continues after they have sat down while Jinchul remains on his feet. “The Association have received quite a few comments and, let’s just say, suggestions, on a subject that concerns you, Hunter Sung.”
“You mean the subject of my second gender,” Sung Jinwoo replies, a hint of irony in his voice.
President Go sighs. “So you’ve heard about it. Well, of course you have. They’re hardly keeping themselves silent.”
Jinwoo says nothing for a moment or two. Then he asks, polite and measured, “How do you propose to deal with these… suggestions?”
“Well, as far as the Association is concerned, there are two possible courses of action. Either we prepare a response, or we ignore them entirely.”
“Ignore them?” A frown comes to Hunter Sung’s face. “You can do that?”
“Why not?” President Go suddenly grins, the expression making him look ten years younger. “Manager Woo here, for example, is starting to become a real expert in saying ‘no comment’.”
Jinchul straightens his spine. “We are not required to release any information that is not pertinent to a hunter’s ability to deal with magic gates and fight magic beasts,” he says firmly.
“Except, according to these people, my ability to deal with those things is clearly in question,” Sung Jinwoo points out, matter-of-fact.
“That’s just prejudice,” Jinchul answers in a clipped voice. “Anyone who has seen you fight, Hunter Sung, can have no doubt in your skills.”
“Maybe not in my fighting skills. From what I understand, their concerns are more about my mental stability.”
Jinchul purses his lips and offers no response. Sung Jinwoo continues, completely toneless, “I’ve seen their list of what you call 'suggestions'. The first item in that list is that I, as an Omega, must have an Alpha. Because Omegas are prone to emotional outbursts and cannot be trusted with too much power, something along that line. Is that what you are suggesting as well?”
“I am suggesting that if you want to shut these people up, then you will have the support of the Association—and me,” President Go declares in a steely voice.
Sung Jinwoo goes still. The frozen look on his face is heart-breaking. It’s only then that Jinchul realises, Sung Jinwoo must have come here today in full expectation that he will be brought to heel.
(As any Omega would, he reflects with a sinking heart, when summoned by two very powerful Alphas.)
“Not quite what you expected?” President Go says drily. “Did you really think I asked you to come here to force-bond you with an Alpha, someone like Manager Woo here, so we could retain some control over you?”
Sung Jinwoo blinks. “I… wasn’t sure what I expected,” he finally admits.
“Then let me say this clearly: I have no intention of doing anything of the kind. In fact, I have no intention to force you to do anything at all.”
Hunter Sung nods, embarrassment bringing a rare flush to his face. “I’m sorry. I meant no offence.”
President Go heaves a sigh. “I’m not really offended. In fact, I can’t blame you for thinking that way, what’s with all the talks going around. But the reason why I asked you here, Hunter Sung, is really just to find out what you want to do.”
“What I want to do… about those suggestions?”
The president shrugs. “About anything, really. You told me the other day that you wanted to form your own guild. I take it that hasn’t changed?”
The response is swift and sure. “No.”
“Good. What else do you want? Or not want, for that matter.”
Sung Jinwoo says nothing for the longest time, frowning at his tightly clasped hands. When he finally looks up, every expression has been wiped from his face, leaving a smooth, blank mask. “I don’t want to be bonded to anyone,” he says in a calm, clear voice. “Alpha or Beta or Omega. And I don’t see that changing anytime in the near future.”
President Go nods. “Then so be it.”
This time, Sung Jinwoo wears his surprise more lightly except for the tell-tale blink, which Woo Jinchul doesn’t fail to notice. He begins to see that to be the first—and so far the only one—S-rank Omega hunter requires much more than just the strength to defeat S-rank magic beasts. Because it also means dealing with even worse kinds of monsters, starting from prejudice and scorn to downright hostility, even hatred.
A feeling of pity mixed with bitterness spreads inside Jinchul. It’s no wonder that Sung Jinwoo holds himself so tightly all the time, every reaction, every manifestation of emotion locked within. For him, it’s the only way to survive. No single chink in his armour. No vulnerability to exploit.
“You really don’t mind?” Sung Jinwoo asks slowly, the uncertainty, the rare hesitation in his voice almost childlike.
President Go laughs. “It’s your decision, Hunter Sung. No one has the right to mind. Well, your mother may have a thing or two to say about that, but that’s just how parents are.”
“And you don’t share these people’s concerns at all?” Hunter Sung persists. “That I’ll lose control inside a dungeon and hurt everyone who happens to be with me? After all, I’m an unbonded Omega with no Alpha to control him. Everyone knows that Omegas are very liable to hysterics. Definitely not known for our ability to control our emotions.”
“No, I don’t,” President Go replies wryly. “And let’s not insult either of us by throwing those ridiculous accusations around. We both know better.”
There is a beat of silence. When Sung Jinwoo opens his mouth again, a different light has come to his eyes. Now they are cold and smooth as ice, every sign of softness, every thread of weakness gone.
“Even if I say that I have the power to destroy a nation?”
Woo Jinchul’s heart thuds inside his chest. He has met plenty of S-rank hunters in the course of his career. Even now, he is working on a day-to-day basis with the most powerful in the country. He knows exactly how swiftly they can turn the tide in their favour.
Not one of them, however, has ever made him feel like this. Like drawing breath is too difficult an effort. Like death is an intimate whisper, too close and mind-numbingly sweet.
“Truthfully?” Go Gunhee’s voice jerks him back to the present. There is a curious smile on the age-lined face. “I have absolutely no doubt that you do possess that kind of power. But if you’re asking me, well, better you than a lot of other people out there.”
Jinwoo says nothing in return, his face remaining inscrutable. President Go picks up his line of argument. “But I will say this. In the unlikely event of your ever becoming a threat to our country—or to humanity in general—I, Go Gunhee, will do my best to stop you. Most likely I will lose, but you will have to kill me to remove me from your path.”
“I hope it won’t come to that,” Sung Jinwoo says in a low, soft voice. “I really like you, President Go.”
A grin spreads across President Go’s face, bright and happy and boyish. “I really like you too, Hunter Sung.”
That is when Sung Jinwoo finally, finally smiles. In one fluid motion, he rises to his feet and offers his hand. “I will speak to those reporters downstairs. Just as well, since I’m already here.”
“You really don’t have to,” President Go objects as he follows him to his feet. “You have ways to leave the building unseen, don’t you? We can handle them just fine.”
Hunter Sung shakes his head. “Still. I’d like to speak with them if it’s alright. Their questions are about me, so I should be the one who answers them.”
The president looks at him searchingly. “Are you sure?”
“Yes.” Sung Jinwoo pauses, mouth set in a grim line. “I think it’s important that I do this.”
Slowly, President Go nods. “I see. Well, if that’s what you really want. In fact, do you want me to come with you? To show them that you do have the Association’s support and all.”
“No,” is the quick, almost hasty, response. “I mean, not just yet. I’m grateful for your support, but this time, I have to face them alone. I hope you understand.”
“I suppose I know what you mean,” President Go says with a sigh. “In that case, feel free to terrify them as much as you want. Just don’t make anyone bleed, is all I ask.”
Sung Jinwoo pauses on his way to the door. On the floor, shadows stir and flicker. There is a flash of red, then a spark of electric blue, followed by a menacing growl rising out of the darkness, echoing in the silence.
Sung Jinwoo’s smile, when it appears on his face, is a beautiful and deadly little thing. “I will try my best.”
“I absolutely pity anyone who tries to stand in the way of that young man,” President Go says as soon as Hunter Sung has disappeared behind the door.
“Plenty of people will learn soon enough,” Woo Jinchul replies with no little degree of satisfaction. “And if you don’t mind me saying, sir, it’s about time.”
“Yes, it is,” President Go agrees, smiling. “Well, what do you think, Manager Woo? Should we release our statement of support this evening, or tomorrow morning?”
“This evening, definitely,” is Jinchul's ready answer.
“Agreed.” The president claps his hands together in delight. “So now let’s get to work.”
End Chapter 1