So he really came all the way to the Association just to abduct me. And he even prepared something like this?
Fueled by burning rage, I clenched my teeth hard—but then Hyun Dowoon, who had been staring at me like I was pathetic, stood up from his seat.
“You’re not gonna be able to do anything in that state, so just get some sleep. No one’s coming until tomorrow anyway, so don’t waste your energy. I only got permission to stop by for a bit.”
“...?”
I gave him a look that asked, What the hell do you mean?
As he opened the door to leave, Hyun Dowoon gave one final answer.
“It’s an order. All the siblings are banned from entering here. And tomorrow, he’s going to summon you—just keep that in mind. I’m out.”
The door closed, and silence returned.
Left alone, I sat on the edge of the bed and slowly moved my numbed tongue.
But why the hell is it a tongue-paralyzing item of all things?
It’s not the first time that bastard’s done something I couldn’t understand, but this one rubbed me the wrong way. No, really wrong.
Now that I think about it... when I was attacked at the Association, Mook Jeongho covered my mouth first.
Was that really his usual method of subduing someone?
Maybe he held back from punching me because he was with him—but still, it was the first time they’d deliberately covered my mouth first.
He’s clearly trying to prevent me from speaking. But why? There’s no way that’s for no reason—
Suddenly, it hit me.
The shadow Cha Sahyeon left on me before he left.
That skill only activates when I personally call him “brat” or when I’m injured.
Back at the Association, I hadn’t been able to call him just because I couldn’t say that one word—“brat.”
No way...
They’re trying to stop me from calling Cha Sahyeon?
“...”
No, no.
That’s ridiculous!
Him and Cha Sahyeon? What kind of bullshit is that?
I’m the only one who knows what Cha Sahyeon’s skill is. At most, some of those cult bastards might’ve figured it out.
That guy barely leaves the district even once a year—there’s no way he could know about Cha Sahyeon’s skill.
“Ha...”
Even with my tongue frozen, I could still let out a laugh.
Don’t think weird thoughts.
He probably slapped that item on my tongue to punish me for leaving the district without permission.
Freezing my tongue so I couldn’t speak clearly—probably just because it looked more ridiculous than simply losing my voice.
He put it in however he wanted, so obviously he’ll remove it whenever he feels like it.
What a pain.
Originally, the plan was to meet up with Cha Sahyeon right after leaving the Association and then visit the Circle Guild.
But getting abducted at the worst possible time threw everything off. Who knows if things were even handled properly on the Association’s end.
“Ugh...”
I let out a deep sigh and lay back on the bed.
He said tomorrow, didn’t he.
Honestly, if I really wanted to call Cha Sahyeon, I could do it right now.
All I’d need to do is bite into my tongue or find something sharp to cut myself.
With my arms tied, it’d be annoying—but not impossible.
But if I did that, I’d lose my chance to figure out what the hell’s going on.
So I reluctantly decided to wait at least one day.
There’s so much I want to ask... but will he even talk to me properly?
As the questions and thoughts piled up, I closed my tired eyes.
C-281 District.
It was built during the height of chaos, when rifts and dungeon breaks were spreading across the globe.
People abandoned by the state, those who lost their families and homes, and victims of betrayal gathered here and formed a small organization.
As the organization grew in size, they naturally began to take on mercenary work.
In the beginning, many died due to trial and error—but over time, they accumulated experience, and the money started flowing.
With the money earned by risking their lives, they repaired the ruined buildings around them.
Thanks to dozens of reconstruction efforts, the abandoned city eventually regained a somewhat presentable appearance. And once word of it spread, more and more people in similar situations began to gather.
The city grew rapidly each year. And in the process, it clashed with the government multiple times.
C-281 had been built ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) by people who had been abandoned by the government. Naturally, they held no love for it.
A tall wall was erected around the outer perimeter, and security was tightened.
The government, eyeing the city’s veteran mercenaries and strong Hunters, tried everything it could to get involved—but by then, the district had grown too powerful.
Back then, the country didn’t even have a single S-rank Hunter. Their relationship with the guilds was poor, so they couldn’t rely on support either.
And so, C-281 became its own independent nation—more systematic, more complete.
If you look at it coldly, it’s really just a massive den of criminals.
Cha Seohu thought absently as he gazed out through the full-length window.
The tallest building in the center of the district.
No other building was higher than this one.
The top floors—65 through 70—belonged to the district leader. The 64th floor was where Cha Seohu’s room was. The rooftop had a helipad.
That’s why it was impossible to escape without Cha Sahyeon.
If a physically weak Supporter like him tried to jump from here, it would be instant death.
Sure, there are items I could use...
But the hallways were probably crawling with guards. Some of them were S-ranks. The district was huge, so escaping on foot was out of the question.
Even if his hands were untied, the odds of escape were practically zero—so Cha Seohu quietly stared out the window instead.
Ugh, I’m so bored.
With his hands bound, there was nothing he could do.
Time passed as he rolled around on the bed with nothing better to do. Just before lunchtime, there was a knock at the door.
“Excuse us.”
Knowing his arms were tied, the attendants opened the door themselves after knocking and bowed respectfully.
They were all people he’d seen since childhood. Cha Seohu smiled weakly and shrugged his shoulders, asking if they were here to untie him.
One of them shook his head.
“No, sir.”
As trusted subordinates of the district leader, their expressions never changed as they moved in perfect coordination.
“Ugh...”
They pulled the slacker off the bed and began to work.
A servant with a liquid manipulation skill—similar to Kang Haeil—produced water and started washing Cha Seohu.
Next, another attendant cut off his pajamas with a pair of scissors and dressed him in new clothes.
With the sleeves cut to accommodate his bound arms, another servant brought out a sewing kit, used their skill, and repaired the garment instantly.
The final servant slipped on a pair of polished dress shoes and adjusted his hairstyle.
It all took about thirty minutes.
God, I hate this...
If his tongue wasn’t messed up, he would’ve at least been swearing under his breath.
At the very least, I want to bathe and dress myself.
Cha Seohu was once again reminded why he wanted to escape the district so badly.
Once they were finished grooming him, the attendants bowed again.
“You may proceed to the 70th floor.”
Of course Cha Seohu knew that the 70th floor was basically the district leader’s private home. He visibly cringed and let out a muffled groan.
But with no way to escape, he reluctantly shuffled out of the room.
When the elevator opened on the 70th floor, a wide hallway dimly lit by ambient lighting appeared.
“Please go in.”
Just like the attendants before, a long-time guard of the district leader opened the front door without hesitation. He didn’t even blink at the sight of Cha Seohu walking in with his arms bound behind his back.
God, no one reacts to anything here...
Well, it was a place filled with lunatics, after all.
Cha Seohu sighed and thought about the people outside the district.
If Kwon Taehyuk saw him like this, he’d probably have a heart attack and rip the tongue item apart like paper.
Ryu Sunghyun and Song Jiwoon would be deeply worried too.
Especially Song Jiwoon—he’d probably tear up, saying no one should ever have to live in a place filled with this kind of abuse and violence...
Just thinking of the Circle Guild members eased his stress a little.
While Cha Seohu let his mind wander, one of the 70th-floor servants led him into the dining room.
Bathed in midday sunlight, the long table stretched to the far end, where a large man sat in the head seat, framed by shafts of sunlight.
“Young master has arrived.”
With that announcement, the servant silently stepped back.
Cha Seohu stood at the entrance of the dining room and didn’t move, just stared at the man.
He was sipping tea and reading a tablet PC. A soft fragrance drifted through the air.
“Come here.”
When Cha Seohu didn’t approach, the man was the first to speak.
With a look that screamed he wanted to bolt, Cha Seohu reluctantly began to move his legs.
He trudged over and collapsed into the chair to the man’s left. The man glanced at him.
“Not there.”
“...?”
With an air of complete normalcy, the man patted his thigh.
“Here.”
“...”
Cha Seohu froze in horror at the demand to sit on his lap instead of the chair.

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