"The person who will become the new representative of Circle Guild."
That statement clearly meant that the current guildmaster, Song Jiwoon, intended to hand over his position to someone else and leave the guild.
“...What is this...”
Ryu Sunghyun, stunned by this unexpected retirement announcement from his superior, barely managed to speak, his expression stiff and cold.
“So suddenly...”
“It’s not sudden.”
Song Jiwoon replied, slowly curling his lips into a relaxed smile.
“Sunghyun. Think back to when we first met.”
“...”
“You had just awakened and were uncertain about your future. I asked you to join the guild. I told you I didn’t aim to grow a huge guild, but that I would do everything in my power to ensure the safety of every Hunter who joined. That’s how I convinced you.”
“...I remember.”
Cha Seohu narrowed his eyes as he listened to the conversation between the two.
Even though he knew the real Song Jiwoon well, this was his first time hearing that story. Though this was a memory shared between the fake Song Jiwoon and Ryu Sunghyun, it likely didn’t differ much from before the regression. After all, the imposter had been faithfully tracing the real Song Jiwoon’s steps.
“Thankfully, after you joined and took on the role of Vice Guildmaster, the burden on me became much lighter. The fact that our guild made it this far is largely thanks to you.”
“Guildmaster...”
“I’m not just saying that.”
With a complicated expression, Song Jiwoon let out a short sigh and continued.
“Even when others mocked or pitied us, you stayed. Because of that, our guild is now on the brink of transformation. You’re well aware of how many Hunters have applied to join recently.”
After their victory against Ronik Guild and the front gate of the Royal Palace incident where Ryu Sunghyun was publicly mentioned, Circle Guild's name had gained far more recognition.
Moreover, word had spread about how thoroughly Circle Guild protected its members. Once their alliance with the number one guild, Yesung, became known, Hunters naturally flocked toward them.
In hindsight, it was inevitable. In fact, Circle had several past chances to grow—but Ronik, bitter over losing Ryu Sunghyun, had always gotten in the way.
“This wasn’t something I achieved on my own.”
At his firm denial, Song Jiwoon chuckled softly.
“Of course. Many others helped us too. Especially Hunter Cover—he was an incredible support.”
He briefly turned his gaze toward Cha Seohu. The mischievous glint in his eyes made Seohu furrow his brows, though he quickly relaxed his expression before Ryu could notice.
“We have a responsibility to live up to the expectations of those who believed in and helped us, don’t we?”
“And how does that relate to you stepping down from your position, Guildmaster?”
“A strong guild needs a leader who’s just as strong.”
Song Jiwoon was an A-rank mental-type Supporter.
It was a rare skill, true—but outside of law enforcement agencies that dealt with criminals, it had limited use.
“You’re more than capable, Guildmaster...”
“Think realistically.”
Song Jiwoon cut him off, voice calm but firm.
“A new Healer recently applied to join, didn’t they? That’s great news. We’ve always desperately needed more Supporters. If we continue proving ourselves, more will come.”
“...”
“But right now, we don’t have the resources to properly protect Supporters. For now, you can watch over the new Healer personally. That’s manageable. But what happens when we have two Supporters? Three? Then what?”
“Well...”
“Supporters protect Dealers just as much as Dealers must protect Supporters. And since Supporters have the same physical endurance as ordinary people, the danger is even greater.”
Ryu couldn’t deny that and gave a slow nod. He was well aware that, apart from himself, Circle Guild lacked any truly experienced Dealers.
Skill and rank mattered, of course—but what truly defined a good Dealer was battle experience: quick judgment, teamwork, and the ability to carry their weight in a group. And those qualities weren’t built overnight.
Furthermore, Circle was still small. They had neither a personal training ground nor their own dungeon.
It wasn’t the right environment for a freshly awakened Dealer to gain experience. And for Supporters—who entrust their lives to those Dealers—that was a huge concern.
“Of course, many Dealers are also showing interest in joining us. But they’ll need time to adjust to working together. In the end, what Circle Guild needs right now is a strong Guildmaster to lead from the front.”
“I understand your point, Guildmaster. But just as much as we need strength, we need a seasoned leader. If leadership changes during a time when we’re onboarding new guild members, the confusion will be hard to manage.”
“You’re absolutely right.”
Song Jiwoon nodded in agreement, then offered a wide smile.
“But Sunghyun.”
“Yes?”
“Did I ever say I was leaving immediately?”
“...What?”
“Of course I’ll oversee the transition myself. As I mentioned earlier, the person who’ll be the new Guildmaster has spent years living in isolation as a mountain warden. I’ll need to stay close to him for a while.”
It was only then that Ryu Sunghyun grasped the full picture Song Jiwoon had drawn, and he let out a breath of relief.
“So you weren’t planning to leave right away.”
“Of course I’d like some rest. But I have no intention of walking away irresponsibly.”
Their conversation had dragged on so long that the tea in their cups had gone cold. Even so, Song Jiwoon raised his cup and drank leisurely.
“Sunghyun. I never told this to any of the other guild members, but I’ve often mentioned it to you over the years. That if someone worthy ever appeared, I would pass on my position without hesitation.”
“...Yes, you did.”
Ryu answered with a quiet, bitter nod.
Listening silently this whole time, Cha Seohu looked at Song Jiwoon with a strange mix of emotions.
‘This guy...’
He’d asked this fake multiple times where Song Jiwoon had gone. But all he got was “Wait, I’ll tell you when the time is right.”
He thought the imposter had just been dodging with excuses. But now...
‘So he wasn’t dodging after all.’
Through his conversation with Ryu, Seohu realized the imposter had fully prepared to hand over the guild to the real Song Jiwoon. That the “right time” he mentioned... was now.
The full truth would become clear only once he went to Mount Taebaek and met the real Song Jiwoon, but Seohu had to admit: the fake had handled things in a surprisingly mature way.
‘Smug bastard.’
Though cursing him inwardly, Seohu had no choice but to acknowledge it. The imposter had managed Circle Guild surprisingly well in Song Jiwoon’s stead.
While Seohu quietly swallowed the mess of thoughts in his chest, Song Jiwoon lowered his cup and continued speaking to Ryu.
“It won’t be easy, but I believe you can persuade the mountain warden to come. And whatever’s lacking, Hunter Cha Seohu will make up for.”
“...Ah.”
That’s right—there were three people in this room, not just two. Ryu suddenly felt awkward about how intimately the conversation had unfolded in front of Seohu, who, strictly speaking, was a guest with no official ties to Circle Guild.
He turned his head and saw Seohu sitting in silence, deep in thought.
His pale, elegant face had a strange touch of red around the eyes—evoking an odd, almost haunting feeling.
Ryu stared at him in a daze until Seohu noticed and looked back. Ryu quickly snapped out of it.
“Ahem. I mean, wouldn’t it be fine for me to go alone? There’s no reason for a Supporter like Hunter Cha Seohu to go through all that trouble.”
Ryu quickly turned forward again, awkwardly clearing his throat as he spoke. It wasn’t that he felt uncomfortable around Seohu.
‘Why did it have to be Mount Taebaek...’
Mount Taebaek—once beloved, now transformed by Rifts and dungeons into something unrecognizable.
It snowed all year round, and blizzards as sharp as blades consumed the entire mountain. Even most Hunters wouldn’t make it out alive. It had become a desolate, deadly snowfield.
They would have to climb it and search blindly for a mountain warden whose location was unknown. And even if they found him, persuading him would be another ordeal entirely.
Bringing a Supporter like Cha Seohu was too dangerous.
“Analysis suggests that the entire mountain is permeated with artificially generated cold. Hunter Cha Seohu won’t be able to withstand it.”
Ryu’s concern for Seohu was genuine. But when Seohu heard that, his shoulders dropped, and he looked sulky.
“I’ll be fine. I can go.”
“He says he’s fine.”
Whatever they talked about last night, Song Jiwoon backed Seohu up instantly. Ryu, flustered, sighed.
“This isn’t something that should be decided lightly. What if he gets seriously hurt?”
“Hunter Cha Seohu isn’t a child. He must’ve already considered that. And Sunghyun.”
Song Jiwoon’s sharp eyes curved gently as he offered a clear, confident statement.
“Hunter Cha Seohu will be a very capable partner. Possibly more than you could imagine.”
“...”
“You might even end up thanking me later. He’s only accompanying you because he owes me a favor.”
Taken aback by the confidence in his voice, Ryu found himself speechless. At that moment—
Knock knock.
“Um, Guildmaster. A guest from Yesung Guild is here.”
The tense voice of a Circle Guild member rang out from beyond the door.
Kwon Taehyuk had arrived earlier than expected. When Song Jiwoon said to let him in, the door opened, and Kwon Taehyuk strode in confidently.
“Guildmaster of Circle.”
“It’s been a while, Guildmaster of Yesung.”
Song Jiwoon stood and approached, extending his hand. Kwon Taehyuk, who had never once looked down on Song Jiwoon or Circle Guild even when they were much smaller, took his hand and bowed his head slightly.
His actions reflected both etiquette toward another guildmaster and respect toward someone older.
“Hunter Ryu Sunghyun. Thank you for keeping me informed.”
He didn’t forget to acknowledge Ryu before turning his gaze to the last person in the room—Cha Seohu.
Seohu, who had been idly watching the three greet one another, grinned when he locked eyes with Kwon.
“Good morning.”
“...Do you really feel like smiling right now?”
Instead of °• N o v e l i g h t •° a greeting, Kwon’s voice held a scolding tone—but his expression wasn’t truly angry.
Truthfully, Kwon had been in a bad mood the entire way to Circle Guild.
He couldn’t understand why Seohu had gone to the Circle Guildmaster. From any angle, Kwon thought he was more suited to help.
They’d already agreed he would stay in a private room within the Yesung Guild. Seohu could’ve just shown up without notice—no problem.
But everything about this situation irritated him.
He felt disappointed that Seohu didn’t trust or rely on him. And frustrated that every chance to help was being taken away.
That frustration had been growing and growing... until—
“Well, crying wouldn’t solve anything. Might as well smile.”
Seeing Seohu grinning boldly back at him, Kwon felt all that irritation melt away like snow in spring.

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