Black Badger

Nana didn’t really understand why Tom and Hesh were freaking out.

Wasn’t it normal to sell a game console if you didn’t need it anymore?

She herself had bought one on a whim not long ago, barely played it, and ended up selling it.

But apparently, this was different.

Hesh grabbed Hildebert by the shoulder.

“Man, you’re in really bad shape.”

“You’re at least eating properly, right?”

Tom also stared at Hildebert with worry-filled eyes.

It was only after seeing Hildebert’s reaction that Nana realized they weren’t joking.

The handsome senior gave an awkward smile and answered,

“I’m eating, so don’t worry. I’ve just been busy lately and don’t have time to play games, so I figured I’d sell it while I’m at it.”

“But still, you selling a game console....”

“There’s really no need for that.”

Jack cut into the conversation.

“I told you there’s no need to sell it. Hilde, anyway, my accounts are all being handled by my accountant and lawyer.”

“Yeah, Hilde. If you’re short on cash, just tell us.”

“Let’s eat dinner first!”

Hildebert smiled as he tried to calm everyone down.

“The juniors are watching!”

This is going to drag on.

Nana Dol quickly resigned herself to that fact.

After thanking the seniors once more with proper politeness, she sat down at the six-person table, tense from head to toe.

Maybe because Jack Black and Hildebert were there, people who stopped by the café kept sneaking glances in their direction.

At least no one was coming over. That much was a relief. How did Jack live his life constantly receiving looks like this?

Of course, this particular classmate probably wouldn’t care what kind of looks people gave him.

“You sold your car too?”

“Recently. I either use the scooter I bought from Luke a while back, or hitch a ride in Jack’s car.”

“But even if you’re on leave, you still get part of your salary, don’t you?”

“That’s blocked too.... But really, you don’t need to worry. You don’t have to think about it.”

It’s kind of nice when they keep the conversation going among themselves.

Nana sat there blankly, listening to the seniors talk until the menu arrived. Thankfully, drinks and food like toast came out before their small talk ran dry.

Now, when things got awkward, she could just eat what was in front of her.

I hope they just talk to me a little.

After saying thank you, Nana looked down at the toast-and-sausage set the seniors had bought for her.

She had to be careful cutting the sausage with her knife so she wouldn’t slice the plate too.

She couldn’t afford to make a mistake like that in front of her seniors....

“Dol.”

Hildebert suddenly called her.

“If you don’t have anything special to do after dinner, I can take a look at your sword.”

Nana folded her knife shut.

“Aaah!”

“Ah—”

“Oh.”

Beside her, Luke and Tom let out sounds of shock.

I’m screwed.

This is so embarrassing....

As she froze in place, unable to move, Hesh smiled and kept repeating that it was okay, that it was fine. Jack spun the broken knife out of her hand with a grin and took it away.

And Hildebert, who was sitting across from her, panicked.

“I’m sorry.”

The white-haired senior looked at her, completely at a loss.

“Did I startle you? I’ve been in frequent contact with Leeho lately. People who use swords are rare, you know. I thought it might help, even a little, if I took a look....”

“I-I’m not actually that good with a sword.”

Nana hurriedly corrected his misunderstanding.

Inside, she was screaming.

Leeho Chang!

I clearly told you I didn’t want this!

“As you can see, I still break even a dining knife like this. I’m nowhere near good enough to show someone. I only learned a bit of kendo as a childhood hobby, so it just looks like I know what I’m doing....”

“Being bad at controlling your strength has nothing to do with swordsmanship.”

Luke said.

Please be quiet!

And how does it have nothing to do with it? Of course it has something to do with it!

She was shouting internally with all her might when Jack added his own comment.

“He’s right. You’d probably like it if you saw her. I was surprised when I saw Dol’s skills too.”

“Really?”

A look of genuine delight spread across Hildebert’s face.

Meanwhile, Nana completely failed at managing her expression. She desperately wanted to grab the collars of the two classmates sitting beside her.

Jack! How would you even know whether I’m good with a sword or not!

If the seniors hadn’t been sitting right in front of her, she really would have done it.

You’re not even the type to meddle like this! What’s gotten into you all of a sudden?!

What she thought was a moderate glare must have been filled with far too much sincerity.

The corner of Jack’s mouth curved up even more, and Hildebert let out a small laugh.

“It might feel burdensome to show it when you’re not prepared, but having someone watch can help you notice problems you weren’t aware of yourself.”

This is bad.

Nana realized that unlike Jack Black, Hildebert was the type who carefully observed others and genuinely took interest in them.

That realization made his presence feel even more burdensome.

Still, she couldn’t bring herself to refuse a senior’s offer outright. Direct seniors were always the scariest. It was a truth about life she’d learned while working part-time at a franchise burger place right after becoming an adult....

At this point, there was no helping it.

I’ll just be embarrassed for a moment and get it over with!

She squeezed her eyes shut, about to say that she was lacking but would appreciate the guidance—

But Hildebert spoke first.

“Or does it make you uncomfortable?”

Ugh!

Did he notice?

“Now that I think about it, it could be a physiological aversion. I’m sorry. I didn’t consider that.”

“...Pardon?”

“You grew up facing Creatures as enemies, so I understand if you feel an aversion toward me.”

“No!”

Flustered beyond measure, she raised her voice without thinking.

The three seniors sitting across from her widened their eyes at the same time. Only the classmates sitting beside her didn’t look surprised, letting out quiet laughs instead.

“That’s absolutely not the reason. Not something that ridiculous.”

No matter how her classmates reacted, Nana was too busy explaining herself.

“Really. I’ve never thought that way even once. Please believe me!”

“Calm down.”

Hildebert replied smoothly.

For some reason, he sounded like someone who had dealt with people suddenly spiraling out of control many times before.

She was probably overthinking it. Either way, thanks to his response, Nana calmed down a little and sank back into her chair, which she had half risen from.

Then she cautiously watched Hildebert’s expression.

The senior gave a bitter smile.

“I’m glad that’s not the case. Still, I’m sorry for bringing it up so suddenly.”

It seemed he’d noticed that she was feeling pressured.

“Show me your swordsmanship next time, when there’s a chance.”

This is bad.

I think he’s still misunderstanding.

Nana cursed herself for having so obviously looked uncomfortable earlier.

It felt like she’d given her senior a completely absurd misunderstanding.

Thinking about it, his reaction was only natural. Ever since his identity had been exposed, how many people must have shown disgust toward him? And since she was his junior, he probably thought she couldn’t be honest about it.

That’s really not it....

Maybe she looked like she was about to cry, because Hildebert reassured her again that it was fine.

Hearing the apology in his voice, Nana suddenly felt an overwhelming sense of guilt.

She was shy by nature and bad at human relationships, and had spent her whole life observing people. Because of that, she could tell that Hildebert only half believed her words, and that regardless of the truth, he was grateful that she had denied it so fiercely.

But it really wasn’t that.

Unable to endure it anymore, Nana blurted out the truth.

“It’s just that you’re too handsome, Senior....”

Hildebert blinked.

“That’s why I feel uncomfortable....”

Luke covered his mouth with his fist and started laughing silently.

Jack smiled serenely as he cut the whole potato on his plate. Nana felt irritated every time her classmates reacted like this.

That was why she vented her complaints whenever the three of them trained together. They’d grown close enough for that now.

But with the seniors right in front of her, she had no choice but to manage her expression.

An “oh” of admiration from Tom, and Hesh bursting into laughter.

Hildebert, surprisingly, wasn’t all that shocked.

“Ah.... I see.”

He did look a bit flustered, though.

“Thank you.”

“Wow, I’m jealous.”

A voice she didn’t recognize cut in.

“So this is how handsome people live.”

She hadn’t even heard any footsteps.

Nana jolted in surprise.

Then she was even more startled when she realized that not one, but three seniors were standing beside their table.

She was naturally sensitive to others’ presence, able to pick up on people approaching unless she was deeply focused on something. She’d even been told it was unsettling back in her school days.

And yet, she hadn’t noticed them at all.

The moment she took in who the seniors beside them were, her mild surprise turned into shock.

The one who had joined the conversation with a smile was Leonard.

Standing beside him with a cold air were Sylvia and Yun.

The Black Badgers’ infamous deserter capture unit.

And one of them was a first-generation Badger, lofty as the sky itself.

“Guh....”

“Ah, Senior.”

Hildebert naturally greeted Leonard, who was smiling broadly.

“You arrived early. Didn’t you say it would take a while?”

“Things wrapped up quickly because Yun tagged along.”

Leonard answered lightly.

There was no malice to be found in his tone, but for some reason, just hearing his voice sent a chill down Nana Dol’s spine.

“Made it a bit less fun, though.”

All members of the deserter capture unit had something about them that subtly made people uncomfortable.

It didn’t seem to be just her impression. Before she knew it, the café had fallen into an uneasy silence. Everyone knew that three people who preferred solo operations gathering together was never a good sign.

Like reptiles.

She even saw a few people hurriedly leave the café.

“So you came early, but you’re busy buying food for the juniors?”

“Yes. We’ll head out shortly.”

“But didn’t you say all your financial transactions were blocked? How did you buy food, then?”

“That’s why my classmates treated the juniors and me.... I apologize for omitting the details in my answer.”

“It’s fine. I do that sometimes when reporting upstairs too. There’s no need to go into detail about how you caught a deserter Badger, right?”

“I’ll be leaving first.”

Sylvia, who had been standing with her arms crossed and staring off into the distance, cut into the unusual exchange between Hildebert and Leonard.

She looked down at those seated at the table with cold eyes.

“I don’t have anything in particular to say.”

“Yes. Thank you for your hard work, Senior.”

“So this must be the one from the rumors.”

Sylvia’s emotionless gaze shifted to Jack.

“You smell the same as him.”

Huh?

Nana was dumbfounded.

Smell?

Jack Black always had a faint trace of his signature fresh cologne.

But Hildebert didn’t smell like cologne at all.

What on earth was she talking about?

Nana wasn’t the only one confused. Tom, Hesh, and even Luke furrowed their brows, clearly puzzled.

Strangely enough, though, Hildebert and the two deserter-capture seniors seemed to understand Sylvia’s words.

Jack, the person in question, also wore a peculiar smile.

Not the refreshing grin he always wore, but something colder.

What kind of strange conversation is this...?

“Wrap it up.”

Her small confusion was abruptly cut off by a cold voice.

“Is this really the time to be having a friendly little meet-and-greet with brats?”

“Yun. Don’t make the kids uncomfortable.”

Hildebert complained.

“This isn’t a meet-and-greet. You know that.” 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

Nana nearly screamed when she heard the way Hildebert spoke to the most senior of seniors.

To most Badgers, a first-generation senior was someone so lofty you couldn’t even raise your head properly. Especially for rookies like them, there was almost no chance to speak with first-generation Badgers in daily life, and working missions together with them was virtually nonexistent for nearly ten years. Having them check your training was something you’d boast about for the rest of your life.

Ami, Jack’s mentor, was a bit of an exception.

But aside from her, that’s how first-generation seniors were, or so the sixtieth-generation seniors had explained....

Maybe it was because he was his mentor?

Among the first generation, Yun was considered the hardest to approach—no, someone you were explicitly advised not to approach—and yet he merely snorted at Hildebert’s shocking attitude.

“The situation’s changed.”

The man spoke in a low voice.

“Has it? Did something happen? From your expression, it doesn’t look like a failure....”

“Choi Jeseok is dead.”

Hildebert’s hand, which had been reaching for his iced Americano, stopped dead.

“Thirty minutes ago.”

Choi Jeseok—the founder of Aitek.

The adoptive father of Choi Yun and Choi Ami.

As far as Nana knew, he’d been bedridden for quite some time, so it was certainly surprising news. Still, she didn’t understand how that meant the situation had changed, or what it had to do with Hildebert.

But it clearly was related.

Hildebert immediately asked for everyone’s understanding and stood up.

He handed the bag containing the game console to Jack, asking him to sell it, then turned to his juniors and apologized to each of them in turn.

“I’m really sorry I couldn’t even buy you a proper meal.”

He looked genuinely apologetic.

“But I’ve heard that both of you are highly capable. If you keep going like this, you’ll become excellent Badgers.”

He didn’t include Jack—probably because they were friends.

“Take care of yourselves. I have something to deal with, so I’ll be going first. Tom, Hesh. Thanks for the meal. Sorry to get up in the middle when it’s been a while since we met.”

“I don’t know what’s going on, but just handle it properly! And contact us if you’re short on money.”

“Watch yourself too. Some weird group might target you again, like last time.”

Hesh and Tom spoke in turn.

Nana heard Luke politely say his goodbyes in a daze. She registered Jack saying he’d leave later with the same vacant expression.

Only then did she realize that she, too, needed to say something.

She hurriedly straightened her posture.

“Senior!”

When she called out, Hildebert whipped his head around.

“Could you take a look at my sword someday?”

For some reason, she felt like she ❀ Nоvеlігht ❀ (Don’t copy, read here) had to say this to a senior who sounded as if today might be their last meeting.

She didn’t want him to keep misunderstanding her.

Perhaps her intention got through, because Hildebert smiled faintly.

The man, wearing what looked like a bitter smile, looked down at her and spoke gently.

“Of course. If the opportunity comes.”

The yellow-eyed senior turned his body and walked toward those waiting for him.

“Don’t lose the sharp sensitivity you have now, Dol. It’ll definitely be a great help to you.”

Nana’s eyes widened, but she had no chance to ask what he meant.

Without looking back, Hildebert left the café.