『The SS-rank Hunter known to the world as a Support-type has been revealed to actually possess a powerful offensive skill, making him a Combat-type Hunter.』
Beep.
『Shocking news has shaken the Hunter world. The world’s first SS-rank Supporter has been found to have the ability to transform into a combat-type S-rank Dealer.』
Beep.
『With the unprecedented appearance of a dual-skill holder, the authorities have stated they are currently seeking appropriate measures...』
Beep.
Park Minhyuk pressed his forehead and switched off the TV.
The country was in chaos. An Irregular phenomenon had erupted in the heart of Seoul. The hotel street had been reduced to ruins. And last of all—the SS-rank Supporter who had displayed a shocking skill, then vanished together with an unidentified man.
The Hunter Association’s atmosphere was abysmal.
From above, pressure to locate and contain Cha Seohu was relentless. From below, the press hounded them about what measures were being taken.
Officially, the Association had announced that Cha Seohu was under their protection, and now reporters swarmed the Association, desperate to capture even a glimpse of his face.
“Sigh.”
After what felt like a war disguised as a meeting, Park Minhyuk was left alone in the conference room, pressing a throbbing temple.
Knock, knock.
A cautious knock came, and a staff member peeked inside.
“Um, Team Leader. The Association Vice President is asking for you.”
“I’ll go right away.”
He rose and went straight to the Vice President’s office.
“Ah, come in, Team Leader Park.”
Choi Gyeonghui greeted him, her expression as exhausted as his own.
Noticing the dark shadows under Park Minhyuk’s eyes, she offered a complicated smile and gestured for him to sit.
“I’d like to tell you good news if I could, but... the situation isn’t improving. It’s already been a week.”
Choi Gyeonghui let out a sigh.
“I don’t expect much, but protocol says I have to ask you at least once. So tell me, Team Leader. Any new information on Cha the Supporter?”
Since Choi Gyeonghui was dragged to meetings several times a day, the task of chasing down leads on Cha Seohu’s whereabouts had fallen to Park Minhyuk.
Truthfully, given his position, he should have been dealing with dungeon breaks and raid strategies. But because he was known to be acquainted with Cha Seohu, his responsibilities had shifted.
Being tied to Cha Seohu only ever brought headaches. Swallowing his fatigue, Park Minhyuk answered steadily.
“We’ve had multiple reports claiming sightings of Cha the Supporter, but all turned out to be false.”
“I thought as much.”
“Yesung Guild is still making inquiries. I expect they’ll turn something up soon.”
Even so, the atmosphere remained heavy.
Both of them knew it was unrealistic to expect fresh leads on someone who had been missing for a week.
“...I’ll put in a call again.”
“All right.”
Their conversation ended on a bitter note.
“Haa...”
Looking down at the report, Kwon Taehyuk let out a deep sigh.
This report too was a disappointment.
Even his secretary team, seasoned experts at gathering intel, and specialists with tracking skills, hadn’t managed to retrieve so much as a strand of Cha Seohu’s hair.
Kwon Taehyuk couldn’t help but feel disoriented by how things had turned.
He hadn’t expected to find him immediately, but he was confident they would within days.
That confidence had been arrogance. Now he held nothing but hollow reports in his hand.
Exhaling again, Kwon Taehyuk closed his eyes.
'...Where have you gone?'
There was much he wanted to say to Cha Seohu.
The hidden identity, the skills, the strength... none of that mattered.
If there had been reasons to hide, he could accept that. Even if there hadn’t been—if Seohu had simply chosen to keep it secret—he would still understand. Seohu had no obligation to reveal everything to him.
Kwon Taehyuk was simply worried.
A man who could heal others yet never took care of himself—how badly was he hurt? Where was he now, unable to treat those wounds? If only he could hear some news.
'At least if he’s somewhere safe, getting treatment...'
But he had no way to know. Frustration only built in his chest.
He had even checked the entrance to the C-281 district, but it was quiet, no movement in or out. That meant Seohu hadn’t gone there.
That thought led him naturally to recall an information group.
Spiderweb.
When Cha Seohu had been abducted from the Hunter Association into the C-281 district, it was Spiderweb who had suddenly passed on critical intel.
Why had Spiderweb intervened? Seohu himself hadn’t been asked.
That question had been answered during the recent Rift incident.
The man who had remained at Seohu’s side as if it were the most natural thing—face hidden behind a mask, crimson robe fluttering.
Whatever the connection, the one known as Spiderweb’s leader was protecting and aiding Cha Seohu.
'Could that man know? Where Cha Seohu is now?'
With intelligence greater than Yesung’s, it was plausible. Though even if he did, he would never share it.
“Sigh...”
The more he thought, the heavier the sighs, the tighter his chest.
Kwon Taehyuk pressed his furrowed brow.
Bzzz.
His phone buzzed on the desk. The screen showed Ryu Sunghyun.
Though they had exchanged numbers, they weren’t on terms to chat casually. The same surely went for Ryu Sunghyun.
Which meant this call had a purpose.
'Could it be—did he learn Seohu’s whereabouts?'
Without hesitation, Kwon Taehyuk picked up.
“Yes, this ➤ NоvеIight ➤ (Read more on our source) is Kwon Taehyuk.”
—This is Ryu Sunghyun.
The voice that was endlessly gentle toward Cha Seohu now rang cold.
After a brief greeting came words that jolted Kwon Taehyuk to his feet.
—I have a lead on where Hunter Cha Seohu might be.
Clatter.
The locked window creaked open, letting in warm morning sunlight.
A man standing before it stretched out pale, slender arms in a long yawn, leaning against the frame to gaze outside.
Swaying green trees. Birds flitting and chirping between their branches.
“Ha, this is nice.”
Though snow still clung to distant peaks, the surroundings here had fully reclaimed their old look.
He watched the scene with contentment when a dry voice spoke behind him.
“That’s what you have to say, after lying sick for a whole week?”
“Ugh.”
The man’s shoulders stiffened.
Turning slowly, he revealed a white neck still marked with faint bruises not yet healed.
“Hey, why start nagging the moment I open my eyes?”
The man—Cha Seohu—answered glibly, making King Seohwa sigh.
“Enough nonsense. Come down. Your younger brother has returned.”
Following her downstairs, Seohu indeed found Cha Sahyeon waiting.
Unaffected by cold, Sahyeon wore only light clothes as he strode straight up to his brother.
“You’re awake? How are you today?”
“Much better.”
For a week Seohu had been bedridden, groaning within the darkness Sahyeon had laid out for him.
Even with an S-rank body, relying on nothing but natural recovery without treatment had been worrying.
Seeing Seohu smiling again, his complexion restored, relief mixed with a twinge of resentment.
“I told you I’d bring a Supporter.”
“You mean kidnap one...”
Thank goodness Sahyeon had asked before acting. Otherwise some poor Supporter might have been dragged up a snowy mountain against their will.
Clicking her tongue at the brothers, King Seohwa turned toward the kitchen.
“Enough. Let’s eat.”
“Ah, I’ll do it.”
They had already imposed by suddenly showing up; Seohu couldn’t let King Seohwa cook for them as well.
When he insisted, she allowed him the kitchen.
Opening the refrigerator, he found it surprisingly well stocked. The side dishes were unmistakably the work of Song Jiwoon.
'So he kept visiting, even after joining the guild.'
For Jiwoon, Seohwa was like family—a master, nothing less. It was natural.
The guilt of failing to keep his promise to visit often turned into renewed determination. Having regained his energy after a week, purpose fueled him even more.
“Mm.”
Like a man making a grand resolution, Seohu began pulling out eggs, tofu, fish, and more.
From behind, Sahyeon watched with concern.
Some noise, much time, a big problem that swelled and then subsided.
When King Seohwa returned after a short walk, she found the table laden with dishes. Jiwoon’s side dishes were there too, but several new ones had been freshly made.
She remarked in mild surprise.
“You’re quite skilled. Like my disciple.”
“This much is basic.”
“....”
Beside his boasting brother, Sahyeon silently stared out the window, expression unreadable.
“Sit.”
Smiling at the full table, Seohwa commanded.
Unaware of anything amiss, she sat opposite the brothers.
Next to Seohu’s bright smile, Sahyeon picked up his chopsticks, expressionless but faintly unsettled.
“Please enjoy.”
“All right.”
She answered calmly, reaching first for Seohu’s fried tofu.
And a little later—
Cha Seohu was banned from entering the kitchen.

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