“A-Alright, understood. I’ll take a good look and prepare a few suitable options. You can just pick one from them.”
“Okaaay.”
Cha Seohu responded halfheartedly.
‘Why does he look so thrilled, though?’
It was the first time he’d seen someone so excited about picking out someone else's suit.
He looked at Kwon Taehyuk with a baffled expression. Just then, Song Jiwoon chimed in with an eager smile.
“Then we’ll be seeing each other at the gala.”
“Looks like it.”
I should make sure to take a bunch of pictures of Ryu Sunghyun and Song Jiwoon in suits.
Just as Cha Seohu was looking forward to that, someone who had been quiet until now turned to him—Eun Woojeong.
“What about Cover?”
“What?”
“Is Cover going too?”
The sudden question made Cha Seohu raise an eyebrow.
“Are you seriously asking because you don’t know?”
“I’m seriously asking.”
“...Do you really think someone who walks around in a mask all the time would show up to something like that?”
“Hm.”
Cha Seohu shot Eun Woojeong a withering look. The guy was always bringing up Cover.
Then Song Jiwoon cautiously joined in.
“Cover... that’s the Hunter who shows up wherever there’s a dungeon break or rift and helps out, right? The one even the Association doesn’t know the identity of?”
“Yeah, more or less.”
“Are you... acquainted with that Hunter?”
There was no point denying it—everyone here except Song Jiwoon already knew there was a connection.
“...Yeah.”
When Cha Seohu gave a delayed answer, Song Jiwoon’s face turned subtly odd.
It was the kind of look that said, Don’t you know a few too many S-ranks?
It felt a little unfair since Cover was just himself, but... given the other S-ranks around, he didn’t exactly have the moral high ground.
Watching the two in turn with a strange smile, Eun Woojeong leaned on one hand and narrowed his eyes.
“Hunter Cha Seohu sure has a lot of men around him~”
“......”
The voice was chipper, but there was something faintly accusatory in the tone.
If it had been Song Jiwoon, maybe he’d have brushed it off, but Cha Seohu never let things slide when it came to Eun Woojeong. He curled his lips into a smirk.
“I’m not a girl. What’s the problem with a guy having a bunch of guy friends?”
“It’s not a problem for me~ But I do wonder what Hunter Cover would think about it. Do you think he’s okay with it?”
“......”
Is this bastard insane?
It wasn’t the first time Eun Woojeong blurted out delusional stuff in public, but that had only been when he was acting as the masked “Leader of Spiderweb.”
‘He pretended not to know a thing back when he was playing the actor, and now he’s pulling this crap?’
Even the silver /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ hair resembled that of the “Spiderweb Leader.”
Cha Seohu was internally freaking out as he quickly glanced around to read the room.
First, he checked Kwon Taehyuk, who had met both sides. His face clearly showed disapproval.
‘Not sure if he’s figured something out or just doesn’t like the vibe...’
Why did he have to be the one walking on eggshells when someone else was stirring the pot?
It was irritating, but if he wasn’t careful, the main characters might end up with a rift between them.
As soon as Eun Woojeong stopped speaking, leaving his suggestive comment hanging, an awkward silence settled over the office again.
Despite only sitting and chatting, Cha Seohu felt completely drained. He made a firm resolution never to let this exact group gather again.
Maybe it was the overwhelming egos of these S-ranks. One-on-one, they were fine—but throw them all in one room, and it became a hassle.
‘Forget this. I need to get back to the guild.’
Thoroughly fed up, Cha Seohu sighed and stood up.
“Come to think of it, I had something urgent today that slipped my mind. I’ll be going now.”
Originally, he had wanted to catch up with Ryu Sunghyun and Song Jiwoon, feel out the guild atmosphere, and strengthen their bonds.
Unfortunately, there was no way to have a calm conversation in this mess.
“You’re leaving already? You could stay a bit... ah...”
Song Jiwoon stood up with regret-filled eyes, but when he caught sight of Eun Woojeong, he closed his mouth.
It was obvious who was responsible, since Cha Seohu had used the excuse of being busy right after that petty exchange with Eun Woojeong.
Whether or not Ryu Sunghyun and Song Jiwoon glared at him, Eun Woojeong only smiled gently.
“That’s right. It’s way safer to stay at Yesung Guild than wandering around~ The outside’s dangerous! Hunter Cha Seohu is a precious SS-rank Supporter, after all.”
What a lunatic.
Cursing inwardly, Cha Seohu headed for the door while the S-ranks trailed behind.
As they walked, Kwon Taehyuk leaned in and quietly asked in a confused tone,
“...Are you two actually close?”
“We’re not close, but we do know each other.”
Cha Seohu replied vaguely, and just before leaving the office, he gave Song Jiwon a quick glance. It was a signal that he’d stop by later that night.
Whether Song Jiwon understood or not, he smiled faintly in response. For a brief moment, his eyes glinted gold.
That night, after visiting Circle Guild, just as he’d arranged earlier, a shadow rippled at Cha Seohu’s feet at exactly 10 p.m.
The shadow rose up past his head and began to form.
As the shimmering haze cleared, Cha Sahyeon emerged from within and flung himself into Cha Seohu’s arms.
“Hyung.”
“Well, well. Anyone would think we hadn’t seen each other in a week.”
Once they were back at Yesung Guild, the brothers were met with shocking news: a newly prepared “room for Cha Sahyeon.”
[Now that it’s confirmed the two of you aren’t blood-related, we can’t allow you to share a room.]
Kwon Taehyuk said this with a stern expression, looking at the flustered Seohu and Sahyeon.
[Cha Sahyeon... Hunter, was it? I’ll show you to your new room. It’s already been cleaned and should be ready. It’s on the same floor as Hunter Cha Seohu’s, so it won’t be inconvenient.]
[Who said you could—]
[Cha Sahyeon!]
Thinking quickly, Cha Seohu grabbed Sahyeon, who was baring his teeth.
[You shouldn’t act like this when we’re technically freeloading. Besides, they did this to make things easier for you, right, Guildmaster?]
[Y-Yes. That’s right.]
Though he’d looked angry, Kwon Taehyuk had actually been tense, worried that Cha Seohu might object. With Seohu’s words, his rigid expression softened slightly.
[Even if it’s a separate room, it’s still the same floor. You can see each other whenever. And you’ll still eat meals with me in my room like before.]
[...But.]
Cha Sahyeon mumbled with a dejected face, like a kitten with its tail stepped on, clearly upset that Seohu didn’t take his side.
[If our rooms are different... I can’t sleep with you anymore.]
You had your own bed before, too, you know?
Cha Seohu held back from saying that and just smiled.
[We can still sleep together sometimes. Besides, aren’t you too old to still be sleeping with your hyung? Guys who cling to others too much aren’t attractive!]
Kwon Taehyuk turned pale at the mention of “sleeping together,” while Cha Seohu did his best to comfort Sahyeon.
He felt bad for him, but honestly, Seohu was relieved to have an excuse for this unexpected “separate rooms” arrangement.
He’d gotten used to sharing a bed since bringing Sahyeon home, so it wasn’t a problem—normally.
The problem was the physical contact.
What happened the other day while applying ointment... That incident had been a wake-up call for Seohu.
If we keep staying this close, something’s bound to happen.
He had been struggling to find a good reason to create distance, and then Kwon Taehyuk handed him the perfect solution—separate rooms—with just the right amount of authoritative pressure.
[The Guildmaster already set it up, so just try staying in the new room for a few days. It’s polite. You’ll listen to your hyung, right?]
[...Mm-hm...]
With as gentle a voice as possible, Seohu coaxed him. After some hesitation, Cha Sahyeon finally nodded, though his shoulders slumped in defeat.
[Guildmaster, thank you so much.]
Kid! How can you do something so thoughtful!
If Sahyeon hadn’t been there, Seohu would’ve patted Kwon’s head in gratitude.
With eyes sparkling with genuine joy, Cha Seohu thanked him. Kwon Taehyuk’s cheeks turned faintly red.
[Not at all. Please don’t hesitate to ask if you need anything.]
And so, Cha Seohu and Cha Sahyeon began sleeping in separate rooms.
“It’s only been three hours since dinner.”
“There’s nothing to do without you. That room is boring.”
“Quit whining.”
Cha Seohu patted Sahyeon’s back as the boy nuzzled into his shoulder, then pulled down his hat.
“Let’s head out. We need to send the shadow bird first, right?”
“Yeah. The Circle Guild’s not far, so it’ll be quick...”
Cha Sahyeon’s voice trailed off.
His head jerked up, and he stared silently toward the window.
“Cha Sahyeon?”
“Hyung, get back.”
Just as he moved Seohu behind him, a pitch-black shadow bloomed beneath the window like a dark puddle.
Like how Sahyeon had appeared, the shadow surged upward from the floor, quickly taking shape. Watching from behind his brother, Cha Seohu narrowed his eyes as he met the newcomer’s gaze.
“You...”
Curly, jet-black hair. Murky green eyes. A face that looked like a high schooler.
Still unable to meet their eyes, the figure hesitated as he emerged from the shadow—until finally, J raised his head.

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