Episode 27 – Laughing Lions and Paper Crowns

Episode 27 – Laughing Lions and Paper Crowns

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The silence in the room felt heavier now, the kind of silence that only a powerful presence could bring. The man who had just landed seemed like something otherworldly, as though time and space bent to accommodate him. Kim Do-hyun (김도현) could feel the tension in the air around him like the thick weight of a storm cloud. His gaze moved toward the figure, and he felt his muscles tense, a primal awareness prickling at the base of his neck.

This man wasn't just any Hunter—he was the master of the Hae-seong Guild. The same guild that ruled the top of the hunter world, its influence reaching into every corner of the industry. His name was Shin Hae-seong (신해성), the name that every Hunter Association report mentioned with a hint of fear, admiration, or jealousy. It was hard to say which one was dominant. To most, the name signified something far more than just strength. It was power, unyielding and immeasurable.

Kim Do-hyun couldn't help but feel a rush of discomfort. This man—Shin Hae-seong—was different from any other Hunter he had met. His presence wasn't just felt; it was a force, like gravity that drew everything in, making every corner of the room feel smaller, more compressed. It wasn't fear that gripped Kim Do-hyun. It was more like an instinctive recognition—an understanding that this man was someone who operated on a scale beyond his own reach. The space between them felt charged, thick with the weight of this unspoken understanding.

Shin Hae-seong's eyes swept over the room, then landed directly on Jo Mo (Han Jin-woo), who had been speaking to Kim Do-hyun a moment before. There was no warmth in his gaze, only a calculating coldness, as if measuring everything around him with surgical precision.

"Aha, so this is the kid," Shin Hae-seong's voice rumbled, deep and steady, filling the room with its authority. His eyes narrowed slightly, examining Kim Do-hyun. His gaze moved from the young man's head down to his feet, as if evaluating every inch of him.

Kim Do-hyun stood still, as he had been taught to do in moments like these. His posture was straight, his hands clenched at his sides. He didn't look away. He didn't even flinch. But his mind was racing. He had heard about Shin Hae-seong's reputation—his brutal efficiency, his ironclad rule over the Hunter world. The stories all painted him as an untouchable figure. Yet, here he was, looking directly at Kim Do-hyun, evaluating him with the precision of someone who had seen and crushed hundreds like him.

Han Jin-woo, still calm as ever, nodded in acknowledgment of the question. "This is Kim Do-hyun," he said smoothly. "The new recruit. Recently awakened. He's with WN Agency."

Shin Hae-seong's lips curled into a smirk, the kind that didn't reach his eyes, the kind that spoke of condescension. His gaze swept back over Kim Do-hyun's body once again, but this time there was a hint of amusement in his expression, like he had seen a strange, new creature in the zoo.

"Tch tch," he clicked his tongue, his smirk deepening. "Rank F, huh?" His voice was almost mocking, but the tone was too controlled for it to be just casual derision. It was deliberate. The words came out slowly, with just the right amount of disdain, as if he were savoring the moment. "I see why you're still in the kiddie pool."

Kim Do-hyun didn't react. His face was neutral, eyes steady, not a single muscle flinched. He wasn't about to let this man provoke him. It wasn't that Kim Do-hyun lacked any emotion or the ability to feel embarrassed or insulted. But in moments like this, where the stakes were higher than simple pride, he understood the importance of silence. His control over his emotions was something he had been working on, and it had never been more tested than now.

Shin Hae-seong chuckled, a low, rumbling laugh that sounded as if it were coming from the depths of a cavern. He looked at Jo Mo again, shaking his head with a shake of his head that suggested both disbelief and a touch of mockery.

"You used to supervise C-rank and D-rank Hunters, didn't you?" he said, raising an eyebrow at Jo Mo, though the words were directed more at Kim Do-hyun. "And now look at you. Stuck with an F-rank nobody. How the mighty have fallen."

Jo Mo's face tightened for a split second. It wasn't much—only a slight change in his expression—but Kim Do-hyun noticed it immediately. There was irritation there, the faintest hint of tension in his normally composed features. Despite the relaxed attitude he always projected, Kim Do-hyun had learned quickly that Jo Mo had a certain level of pride, and that pride was clearly being prodded now.

But Kim Do-hyun couldn't care less about the animosity between these two. This wasn't his fight. He just stood there, his back straight, focusing on breathing steadily. He had seen enough of these power plays in his short time among Hunters to know that nothing good ever came from getting involved in petty games. Shin Hae-seong, however, didn't seem to care that Kim Do-hyun had no interest in his words.

Shin Hae-seong's laughter grew louder. It wasn't a friendly laugh. It wasn't the kind of laugh that signaled camaraderie. No, this was a laugh of superiority, one that made Kim Do-hyun feel even smaller than his rank might have already made him feel.

It was a clown show, that's what Shin Hae-seong called it, his voice echoing through the room as he laughed at Jo Mo, clearly finding amusement in his discomfort. "Look at him," he gestured with an exaggerated flourish toward Kim Do-hyun. "The newest recruit. And you, stuck managing him. An F-rank. How far you've fallen, Jo Mo. Do you really think he's going to make any impact?" The words hung in the air, sharp as knives.

Kim Do-hyun didn't budge. He felt the weight of the ridicule, but he didn't let it faze him. Instead, he let his body relax, hands unclenching slowly, his posture never faltering. There was no reason to react. No reason to engage in their petty squabble. They were all adults here, and it was beneath him to lower himself to this childish display.

Shin Hae-seong's laughter echoed through the room like thunder. The man truly seemed to enjoy this. Enjoy seeing Jo Mo squirm. But the truth was, Kim Do-hyun didn't care. The only thing that mattered to him was the moment—standing here, breathing, alive, and aware. The rest was just noise.

Finally, after a few seconds of relentless laughter, Shin Hae-seong's gaze turned to Kim Do-hyun once more, his sharp eyes narrowing as if he were examining a specimen under a microscope. His smile faded, replaced by a predatory glint.

He was still sizing Kim Do-hyun up, seeing if there was a reaction to his words.

Kim Do-hyun looked him straight in the eye, maintaining his unshaken demeanor. The silence between them stretched for a few more moments before Shin Hae-seong spoke again. This time, his voice was smooth, devoid of the mocking laughter that had filled the room just moments before.

"What's the matter, kid?" he asked. His voice was smooth and elegant, a sharp contrast to the earlier mockery. "You got something to say?"

Kim Do-hyun stood perfectly still. He was aware of the scrutiny, aware that everything about him was being measured, calculated. But the answer came easily.

"Ah," Kim Do-hyun said, his voice calm and respectful, with just the right hint of grace, "It's an honor to meet the master of the country's top guild." He bowed his head slightly, just enough to show respect. "I've heard much about you."

Shin Hae-seong raised an eyebrow, but his expression softened ever so slightly. There was a brief moment, almost imperceptible, where his eyes seemed to evaluate Kim Do-hyun again, as though he were seeing something new.

"You've got good eyes, kid," Shin Hae-seong said finally, nodding slightly. "At least you've got some sense."

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Author's Note:

Wouldn't life be so much easier if you had your own clone? Imagine one version of you handling school deadlines, another powering through that annoying nine-to-five, a third keeping your room clean for once, and maybe a fourth just curled up with snacks, reading Webnovel chapters all day long while you nap like royalty. Sounds like a dream, right?

Sadly, we're not Kim Do-hyun… not yet, anyway. But if you're still reading this, then guess what—you're already part of something just as special. Every second you spend here, every time you hit that vote button, leave a comment, drop a gift, or send in a Golden Ticket, you're helping shape this world alongside me. You're not just a reader. You're one of the hidden forces behind every scene, every battle, every breath this story takes.

And don't forget, even unlocking Privilege to read ahead makes a huge difference. It may seem small, but in this world we're building together, every single action stacks up. This is Webnovel, after all—no tap is too tiny, no gesture too small to matter.

So thank you. Let's keep the story going. Let's build something unforgettable.

LittleLYTA

Clone #42 signing off for snack duty.