An employee with a visibly uncomfortable expression pulled out a document and handed it to Kwon Taehyuk.
“This is the identity guarantee form. Please fill out the marked sections.”
Kwon Taehyuk took the document and carefully read its contents.
It ➤ NоvеIight ➤ (Read more on our source) had a section to fill in his personal information, and below that, a declaration confirming the other party’s status as a safe Awakener — with a clause stating that the signee would take full responsibility for them.
Reading through to the very last line without missing a word, Kwon Taehyuk retrieved a case containing a fountain pen from his inventory.
Across from him, Park Heeseok stood with his arms crossed, glaring. As soon as Kwon Taehyuk checked all the boxes and signed the form, Heeseok let out an annoyed sigh.
“Uh... ahem.”
The employee, holding the returned document, glanced nervously at Taehyuk before hesitantly speaking up.
“Guildmaster Kwon... as you know, once you verify someone’s identity, if this Hunter causes any problems, you’ll be—”
“I know. I just read the form.”
“Ah, yes. Of course.”
At the curt reply, the employee wiped sweat from his forehead and nodded. His awkward, almost dazed reaction only made the atmosphere in the meeting room more strained.
Ryu Sunghyun gave a strained smile, Park Heeseok’s face was twisted in frustration, and the employee looked like he was barely holding it together. Amid all this, only Kwon Taehyuk remained calm after signing the document. The anxious employee cleared his throat and spoke again.
“...Let’s proceed with the rest of the coordination, then.”
Once the rank adjustment was approved, everything else moved quickly.
Just as Cover had requested in advance, they managed to schedule the competitive match for after 8 p.m. Ryu Sunghyun, satisfied with the outcome, left the meeting room with Kwon Taehyuk.
“...I honestly didn’t think you’d show up,” Ryu said, pressing the elevator button as they stood side by side.
“I didn’t expect someone like you to get directly involved in matters like this.”
That morning, Ryu Sunghyun had received a message from Kwon Taehyuk—not through a secretary from Yesung Guild, but a short text sent from Taehyuk’s personal phone.
I’ll be attending the newly scheduled competitive match coordination meeting. Please let me know the time.
Even without any further explanation, Ryu immediately understood why Taehyuk had decided to attend.
[I’ll be in touch tomorrow about that.]
So that’s what Cover meant when he said he’d “get back to me tomorrow.”
‘He had it all planned from the start.’
If someone like Kwon Taehyuk was stepping in to protect an identity, it meant Cover’s secret had to be something huge. Taehyuk wouldn’t care whether his guild won or lost a match otherwise.
Ryu couldn’t comprehend Cover’s motivations. What was he trying to protect so desperately?
Kwon Taehyuk responded, breaking Ryu’s thoughts.
“I don’t usually bother with this kind of hassle,” he said, taking out his phone from inside his suit jacket and holding it out to Ryu.
“I owe him.”
Displayed on the screen was a text message sent to Taehyuk.
Hello, Guildmaster Kwon~ How’ve you been? It’s me, Cover~
I was wondering if I could ask for a favor^^
You know how things have been a mess lately with the Ronik and Circle Guild match-ups?
And you know I’m all about justice, right? I even stopped the Wuidong Rift just because I couldn’t ignore it! Hehe
So, I really want to help Circle out here~ but there are some stupid regulations in the way.
I just need someone to verify my identity!
You can repay your debt and feel less guilty, and I can compete and help Circle out. Win-win, right?~
So, I’m counting on you! :)
Have a great day!
Compared to the brief message Taehyuk sent Ryu that morning, this one was obnoxiously long, full of emoticons, and downright cheerful—bordering on sarcastic with the constant “^^” and “hehe.”
Ryu glanced at the phone number: 010-505.
Definitely a fake number. Especially the “505”—a not-so-subtle nod to “SOS.” Cover had clearly taken precautions to make sure he couldn’t be traced.
“I thought you knew Cover personally.”
“I don’t.”
“Well, now that you’ve verified his identity, people will definitely get the wrong idea.”
Ding—the elevator finally arrived from another floor. As they stepped into the empty elevator, Taehyuk replied in his usual slow, measured voice.
“Then I suppose it’s your turn to return the favor.”
Ryu hesitated, then spoke up.
“Thanks for sending the Supporter too.”
“That...”
For the first time, Taehyuk’s expression shifted slightly. His eyes narrowed with a conflicted look before he added quietly,
“It was a request from Hunter Cha Seohu.”
“So you’re repaying a debt to Cha Seohu too?”
“...It was a promise.”
Just then, the elevator reached the first floor. Without another word, Kwon Taehyuk stepped out, leaving Ryu behind.
Branches swayed outside the window in the breeze. Through the gaps in the leaves, yellow sunlight filtered in and lit up my face as I lay with the back of my head resting against the armrest of the sofa.
I stared blankly at the trembling trees and murmured under my breath,
“If what I’m trying to protect has changed... does it still have meaning to protect it?”
I’d known for a long time that life doesn’t go the way I want. But this time, it hit harder than I expected.
For me, Song Jiwoon was the Circle Guild. I’d never even imagined the guild without him. The idea that some bastard—who knows where the hell he came from—was impersonating Jiwoon and running the guild in his place... It had never crossed my mind.
I didn’t think anything could be worse than facing Ryu Sunghyun, who looked at me like a stranger.
But life always finds a way to surprise you.
— The hell are you rambling about?
Hyun Dowoon’s gruff voice snapped me out of my thoughts. I sighed and shot back,
“I was just trying to say something deep for once. Can’t you take it seriously for once?”
— Get a grip and listen. I’m not saying it twice.
He clicked his tongue and gave me the update.
— The rank adjustment went through. And the thing you were worried about the most—Cover’s ID verification? Passed.
“That’s good news.”
— I still don’t get it. Why would Yesung’s Guildmaster go all the way there just because of that message? If it were me, I’d have cursed him out and ignored it.
“Cold.”
— That wasn’t a request. It was picking a fight. And because of Cover, the guy dropped from rank one to two.
“He’s not the kind of guy who obsesses over rankings.”
I sat up and raked my hand through my messy hair.
“He just can’t stand owing anyone.”
Stopping the second Wuidong Rift wasn’t something I did expecting this outcome, but I figured someone like Kwon Taehyuk would take it seriously.
Still, using him as my ID verification trump card... that was a bit of a waste. No point regretting it now, though.
“What time’s the match?”
— 8 p.m. Add in the host’s intro and participant roll call, and it’ll be about 9 before it really starts.
“Perfect.”
Looks like Ryu Sunghyun also did me a favor. Competitive matches usually last two to three hours. As long as I stay careful, there’s no reason my identity should get exposed.
— When are you going to tell me how you met that Cover guy?
“Don’t you know? ‘A man is made more beautiful by his secrets.’ It’s a famous quote from a classic anime.”
— No idea. You lunatic.
“Tsk. Try enjoying some culture.”
Dowoon let out a deep sigh after cursing me out in rapid-fire like a rap battle.
This was usually where he’d hang up. But oddly enough, he didn’t this time. I stayed quiet and waited. After a long pause, he finally spoke again.
— This is unrelated, but...
“Go ahead.”
— Are you ever planning to stop by here?
The unexpected question made me tilt my head, phone pressed to my ear.
“Not right now. I’m too damn busy.”
— Yeah, figured.
“Why’d you ask?”
— ...Forget it. I’m hanging up.
“Hey. Dowoon? Hello?”
I called out, but the line had already gone dead. I let out a short laugh and wondered why he’d ask something like that.
No way...
Suddenly, a face flashed through my mind.
“Ha...”
A dull headache throbbed in my temples. I leaned back against the sofa and exhaled slowly.
If my hunch was right... Hyun Dowoon had just given me the biggest hint he could manage.
I thought back to those cold black eyes that once looked down at me and smiled bitterly.
I thought you abandoned me.
Seriously... I can never figure you out.
I felt sorry for Dowoon, but I couldn’t go back. Not now. If I did, I’d probably be stuck there for at least a few days—and there was no way I could leave Cha Sahyeon alone here that long. Taking her with me would be even more ridiculous.
For now, I’d have to pretend I didn’t get it and hold out as long as I could. They’d send someone eventually. When that happens, maybe I can talk it out...
“This is driving me crazy.”
It felt like every time I solved one problem, three more popped up. I pressed a hand to my throbbing forehead. Just then, someone gently took my hand in theirs. I looked down and saw Cha Sahyeon, who had quietly approached me, eyes lowered with worry.
“...Are you okay?”
“...I’m always okay.”
No matter how chaotic things were, in this moment, the only one worrying about me was this small child in front of me. I pulled Cha Sahyeon into a hug and gently patted her back.
[Main Quest: Win the competitive match against the Ronik Guild alongside the Circle Guild. (Time Remaining: 9 days, 7 hours, 47 minutes)]

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