I stared at Park Heeseok, his face plastered with an awkward smile, with an expression that could only be [N O V E L I G H T] described as disbelief.
'Is this bastard insane?'
The tension in the raid team's atmosphere had been palpable from earlier.
Supporters not even trying to hide their discomfort, and Dealers acting aloof while pretending not to care.
Considering the recent kidnapping and the heads-up I got from Park Minhyuk, it wasn't exactly unexpected.
The real problem was...
"Well, we've met before, but this is the first proper greeting."
...The pointless attention from the Dealers that had suddenly started pouring onto me.
Ignoring Park Heeseok's nonsense, I scanned the area. As I did, I made eye contact with the very Dealers who'd been sneaking glances at me.
Being the subject of gossip or stares wasn't anything new.
Back before the regression, I'd heard it all just for hanging around Ryu Sunghyun. Though, it hadn't been this intense.
'If they find out my buff is higher grade, it's going to be a pain.'
Clicking my tongue internally, I glared at Park Heeseok, who was still shamelessly lingering by my side.
"What is it? You come here hoping I'll kick your ass again?"
"......Ahem!"
I replied indifferently, and he cleared his throat once more.
Park Heeseok. Guildmaster of Ronik.
Before the regression, he was a persistent thorn in Circle's side. After getting humiliated early on in this timeline, he's been laying low.
Not that we're complete strangers—we crossed paths in a B-rank dungeon not long after I regressed.
He'd made it pretty damn obvious that he didn't like how I was siding with Ryu Sunghyun.
'Must've been tempted by the buff rumors, huh? That would explain this.'
Whatever the reason, I had no interest in associating with him.
He must've remembered the B-rank dungeon encounter too, because he kept awkwardly clearing his throat before clasping his hands behind his back—a Dealer's signal that he had no intent to fight.
"I was rude that day. I admit it. But isn't it a bit wasteful to throw away the future over a few past misunderstandings?"
"I have zero interest in discussing my future with someone like you."
"What I mean is—maybe we could clear up any misunderstandings and get along from now on. As you must know, Hunter Cha Seohu, our Ronik Guild is quite capable..."
"Ha."
I couldn't help but laugh.
Park Heeseok wouldn't know this, but I'd heard that exact line before the regression too.
Hearing the same offer again, and at such a random moment, was just too ridiculous.
"Why... why are you laughing...?"
Seeing me laugh, Park Heeseok flushed a bright red and floundered. I ignored him and started walking away.
It was funny, sure, but I had no desire to keep talking. I'd rather walk over to Cha Sahyeon than waste another second here.
Leaving the dumbfounded Park Heeseok behind, I only made it a few steps before someone else blocked my way.
"Hello, Hunter Cha Seohu!"
What the hell now.
I frowned at the unfamiliar man who had suddenly appeared.
"Is your name Cha Seohu? You're Hunter Cha Seohu, right?"
"Nice to meet you. My name is Kim Junghwan. Have you heard of me?"
"Ahem, Hunter Cha Seohu, are you familiar with Bacardi Guild? We're a Supporter-friendly guild, and as its vice-guildmaster, I'd love to discuss the possibility of collaboration—"
"......"
As if they'd been waiting for a cue, the Dealers began swarming in one after another, each trying to introduce themselves.
It was the first time in either lifetime that I'd experienced anything like this. My body instinctively flinched. But they paid no attention to my reaction and kept chattering.
"Wait a second..."
"Could you at least take my business card? Contact me anytime if you're interested."
"What kind of idiot hands out business cards in the middle of a Great Dungeon?"
"This is hilarious."
"If you're going to do that, might as well just give him your phone number. Or follow each other on Stargram."
"What the hell? Is this a blind date?"
"By the way, what guild are you in, Hunter Cha Seohu?"
"Excuse me—can you step aside a bit—"
"Don't tell me you're unaffiliated? Want to join my guild?"
"Come on. No way a Supporter's running around solo. And B-rank buffer? That's not a bad rank at all."
"Even if he's already in one, he can just transfer."
"......"
These fuckers.
I was getting fed up with being ignored, but surrounded on all sides, I couldn't exactly ask anyone for help.
"Don't be shy now. Why don't you give me a buff, just once?"
"......!"
A Dealer suddenly grabbed my wrist. A jolt ran down my spine, my chest going ice cold.
"Ah, look at this guy—can't help himself, huh?"
"Come on, we're all curious, right? Hunter Cha Seohu, just once. That's all."
I instinctively tried to yank my arm free, but all it did was hurt my shoulder. The Dealer holding me smiled smugly, completely unfazed.
Glaring at the bastard who wouldn't let go, I growled between clenched teeth.
"Let go, you fucking piece of shit."
I was done being polite.
Blocking my way was bad enough—but putting hands on me? Fuck that.
"Ooh. Got more bite than I expected, huh?"
"Hey, cut it out."
The guy holding me just grinned at my insult. Even when someone next to him tried to stop him, he didn't listen—just kept tugging on my arm.
I started thinking.
'If I use the shadow Sahyeon gave me—can I clean this up afterward?'
After I returned from the kidnapping, the first thing Cha Sahyeon did was assign me a new shadow.
Anytime I said "kid," the shadow would jump out.
Normally, I'd never consider using it—I wouldn't be able to handle the aftermath. But now... I was seriously thinking about it.
I wanted to cut off this bastard's arm.
"Stop."
Suddenly, the hand gripping my wrist was forcefully yanked away, and a familiar voice rang out. A loud scream followed.
"Argh, ah! M-my arm!"
"What the hell do you think you're doing? A bunch of Dealers ganging up on a single Supporter?"
Park Minhyuk's face twisted into a menacing scowl as he clamped down on the Dealer's arm.
"Aaagh!"
Crack!
A sharp snap echoed as the Dealer thrashed in pain—his bone clearly broken.
"...Come with me."
Only after breaking the man's arm did Park Minhyuk let go. He placed a hand on my shoulder and led me away.
Feeling the stares from behind, he silently escorted me elsewhere with a deep sigh.
"You'd be safer with the S-rankers up front, even if it's more dangerous overall."
It looked like he intended to move me out of the middle group with the Supporters and into the front ranks.
Honestly, I preferred that. There was no guarantee something like this wouldn't happen again.
"Hunter Cha Seohu?"
Kwon Taehyuk, who'd been waiting up front, looked surprised as I returned with Park Minhyuk. Ryu Sunghyun and Song Jiwoon were standing with him.
None of them seemed to know what had just happened behind the lines.
I glanced at Park Minhyuk beside me. He looked uncomfortable, but didn't open his mouth.
'Well, he's not the type to explain everything plainly anyway.'
Unfortunately, I am the type who explains everything plainly.
"Guildmaster..."
I called out to Kwon Taehyuk—the highest authority here—and subtly covered my mouth with my hand.
Then I drew out just the right emotion to make my eyes glisten and softened my voice.
Immediately, Kwon Taehyuk's expression turned icy cold.
"What happened?"
"Hunter Cha Seohu!"
I staggered dramatically, gasping for breath. Alarmed, Ryu Sunghyun and Song Jiwoon rushed over to support me.
"Well... I was waiting with the other Supporters, and then these unfamiliar people suddenly came up and..."
"Unfamiliar people?"
"You mean the Dealers?"
"Team Leader Park Minhyuk. What happened."
Kwon Taehyuk's voice sharpened. Under his glare, a flustered Park Minhyuk finally stammered out a response.
"S-some Dealers surrounded Hunter Cha Seohu and started asking him things..."
While Park Minhyuk tried his best to explain, I lowered my head and put on a pitiful expression. The corner of my mouth, hidden behind my hand, curled upward.
This was perfect. I couldn't afford to snitch to Cha Sahyeon—it was too risky.
But Kwon Taehyuk, Ryu Sunghyun, and Song Jiwoon? They'd definitely deliver some satisfying retaliation.
And I smiled to myself, thoroughly pleased.

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