“No!”
A sharp, sorrowful cry echoed through the office. I looked down, exasperated, at Cha Sahyeon clinging tightly to me.
“I told you—it’s too dangerous.”
“It’s not! I’ll just stay right next to you the whole time!”
Yeah, like that’s going to work.
I let out a deep sigh. The child gripped my sleeve with her tiny hands and looked up at me with a desperate expression.
“Take me with you, please? I’ll really just stay beside you the whole time.”
“Hey, kiddo...”
As she started to seriously beg, I had no idea how to deal with this.
Ever since the day I didn’t return on time—because I’d passed out—Sahyeon hadn’t let me out of her sight.
Even when I went to check the mailbox on the first floor of the building, she trailed after me without fail. She even dropped her favorite game the moment I so much as stood up.
For the first couple of days, I felt bad. I figured she was just that [N O V E L I G H T] scared, so I tried my best to accommodate her.
But her obsession didn’t fade—it only grew. And now, she was clinging to me, trying to stop me from leaving for work.
‘I know she was traumatized, but still...’
Seeing this normally emotionless kid cry gave me a pretty good idea of how worried she must’ve been when I didn’t return.
But regardless of how sympathetic I felt, there was no way I could take her with me this time.
‘I’m going after someone tied to the lab that kidnapped her—how the hell could I take her there?’
No matter how twisted an adult I might be, some lines I wouldn’t cross. Leaving her here safely was the only option.
“I promise I won’t be late this time. Really.”
I might have to use my Hidden Skill at night if necessary, which would delay things—but at least I wouldn’t pass out this time. I still had two potions left.
I knelt down and looked her in the eyes as I spoke. Sahyeon’s expression crumpled.
“Why am I the only one who always has to wait here?”
“That’s because...”
“I’ll come with you! We can just go together! I even protected you last time!”
“That time you followed me without permission.”
“...”
“This time it’s really a no. Next time, okay?”
At my firm answer, tears welled up in her green eyes. I felt terrible, but this was non-negotiable.
And I couldn’t even explain why. Telling her I was going after the ones who hurt her would only make her more anxious.
I gently reached out and wiped the corners of her eyes.
“I know it sucks, but try to hang in there. Be good while I’m gone and I’ll take you somewhere nice later, okay?”
She pouted, clearly disappointed that I wasn’t giving in.
“Somewhere nice, like where...”
“Hmm... I don’t know. Let’s think about it together. We could go buy you another gift at the department store... or maybe even an amusement park.”
I said it just to calm her down, but actually, it wasn’t a bad idea. What kid didn’t like amusement parks? Sahyeon had probably never been to one.
‘Come to think of it, I only went once with Sunghyun hyung before the regression.’
I smiled at the memory and ruffled her soft hair.
“Hey, kid.”
I took my phone from my coat pocket and placed it in her hands. I’d already unlocked it so she could use it anytime.
“If anything happens, call me with this.”
I was nervous about leaving her alone in the office, too. I hadn’t gotten her a phone yet, so I was giving her mine for now.
“If a stranger comes by or you feel the presence of a strong Hunter... press this button and call the number saved as ‘Guildmaster Kwon.’ He’ll answer for me.”
“Okay.”
“If anyone approaches you—no matter what—you call, got it?”
I stressed it firmly. Sahyeon looked up at me with clear discontent and mumbled,
“If you’re that worried, you could just take me with you.”
“...Ahem. It’s too dangerous.”
Denied to the end, she drooped her shoulders in defeat. I gave her hair another pat, then opened the front door.
“I’ll be back.”
I rode in a vehicle sent by the Yesung Guild, recalling the plan we’d gone over in advance.
The fashion show at Gyeongbokgung was set to begin at 8 p.m., with entry starting at 5. The celebrities and VIPs invited were expected to arrive right at that time—likely including Kwak Seunggyu.
Kwon Taehyuk and I would be observing the venue from the rooftop of a nearby high-rise. Once the guests were inside and the show began, we’d sneak in.
According to Kwon, there wouldn’t be any high-ranked Awakeners among the attendees, so the risk of detection was low.
‘The documents said Kwak Seunggyu is just a regular civilian too.’
That matched what Hyun Dowoon had found. Though I wouldn’t believe it until I saw for myself.
I glanced out the window at the passing scenery and narrowed my eyes.
‘Kwon Seoyul’s probably tailing this car from a reasonable distance by now.’
He’d been told to “monitor” me, so he wouldn’t intervene or reveal himself. But I could bet everything said and done tonight would reach his ears.
There was no helping that. If I wanted to gain something, I had to accept some losses too. And right now, catching someone tied to the lab took priority.
The car came to a halt. When I stepped out, a secretary was already waiting and greeted me politely. I’d seen this guy a few times now. Maybe I should ask for his name next time.
He led me into a staff elevator that took us up to the roof. It was a tall building, so the ride took a while. At the top, I had to climb one more flight of stairs.
When I finally stepped onto the rooftop, I saw Kwon Taehyuk looking down through a metal fence. He turned around as I entered, his hair tousled by the wind.
“You’re here.”
“Thanks for making it easy to get here.”
As I approached with a casual greeting, I realized there was someone else.
I turned—and spotted brown hair fluttering in the wind. My heart skipped a beat. I froze.
The person who met my shocked gaze gave a sheepish smile.
“Uh... It’s been a while, Hunter Cha Seohu.”
“Ah... Yeah.”
It hadn’t even been a full month since I’d last seen Ryu Sunghyun in this form. But I had no better response, so I just nodded.
‘Seriously?’
I hadn’t expected Ryu Sunghyun to be here.
I clicked my tongue inwardly and shot Kwon a look. He caught my annoyed glare and explained,
“There wasn’t time to tell you. Hunter Ryu confirmed he’d join two days ago. You, on the other hand, only gave your answer today.”
“You could’ve at least sent a text.”
“If you were going anyway, one extra person shouldn’t be a problem. And you’re not strangers.”
Sure, but still. It felt like being blindsided.
‘Now that means that man will learn about Ryu Sunghyun too... And that I don’t like.’
Leaving Ryu, who looked like he had something to say, standing awkwardly, I turned to Kwon.
“Guildmaster Kwon. While we’re at it—can I ask a favor?”
“Go ahead.”
“I left my sister alone in the office, and I gave her my phone because I was worried. If you get a call from my number, could you let me know?”
He’d promised to assist however he could, so I doubted he’d refuse. As expected, Kwon nodded without hesitation.
“Of course.”
“Thanks.”
Still annoyed, I responded curtly. But Kwon just studied me calmly, then took his phone from his inner pocket and handed it over.
“Here. Take this.”
“Eh? You don’t have to—”
“It’s my personal phone, it’s fine. If she calls, answer it right away. Just return it when this is over.”
“Uh... sure...”
I stared awkwardly at the phone in my hand. Now I looked like the petty one.
It felt like a lot, but I couldn’t say no—not with Sahyeon on my mind. I hesitated for a moment, then accepted it.
“...Thanks.”
Even I could tell my voice had softened.
I tucked the phone carefully into my coat pocket. If I put it in my inventory, I wouldn’t hear it ring. I needed it on me.
“Take this too.”
Kwon pulled another item from his inventory. It was a telescope.
Right, an S-rank like Kwon or Ryu could probably see the venue fine from here. I definitely needed the help.
Thanks to the telescope, I got a clear view of the Gwanghwamun area. Past 5 p.m., black sedans and vans began to arrive.
Through the scope, I could see celebrities being escorted in, camera flashes popping nonstop.
“Is Kwak Seunggyu among them?”
“According to reports, only celebrities and models are using the main entrance. Everyone else is entering through different gates. If we don’t see him, that means he’s using another one.”
“So we’ll only see him once we enter ourselves.”
“Exactly.”
I expected that much. I kept watching the flow of arrivals without complaint.
Time passed, and the sky turned dark. The number of arriving guests dwindled.
“It’s time to move.”
There was no need to say it aloud. We left the rooftop without hesitation.
“Let’s use the National Folk Museum entrance, just as planned.”
The street was already shrouded in nightfall.
The event venue stretched from Gwanghwamun through Heungnyemun, over Yeongjegyo Bridge, and into Geunjeongmun and the Gyeongbokgung Palace grounds.
We’d sneak in via the National Folk Museum entrance and head toward the main event from there.
“The gates will be closed by now, so we’ll need to climb the wall... but since the entrance faces a main road, we have to avoid being seen by civilians.”
Just as I spoke, a soft voice behind me chimed in.
“Oh? Why? Would something bad happen if a civilian saw us?”
“We have to sneak in, obviously—wait, huh?”
I stopped mid-sentence. That voice didn’t belong to Kwon or Ryu.
I turned around, and between Kwon—rubbing his forehead in frustration—and Ryu—looking helpless—stood a third man.
“Well, what a pleasant surprise, running into you here.”
“...Eun Woojeong.”
He smiled as if answering to his name. His hair, now jet black, fluttered gently in the breeze.

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