It was just a joke. He didn't have to be so damn serious about it. Cha Seohu wanted to say it wasn't necessary after seeing Kwon Taehyuk's solemn expression, but he held back. He'd just barely convinced him—he couldn't take it back now.
When he returned to the executive office, three people were chatting pleasantly. Mostly Song Jiwoon and Song Jiwon were exchanging words, with Ryu Sunghyun occasionally chiming in. Cha Sahyeon, who had claimed the seat next to Seohu earlier, was still sitting there quietly. As Cha Seohu walked in, Song Jiwon acknowledged him with a light greeting.
"Did the conversation go well?"
To the gentle question, Cha Seohu nodded half-heartedly. To others, Song Jiwon might appear to be the very image of a kind and refined adult. But to Seohu—who knew exactly what lay beneath—that shell of politeness was nothing more than a mask for a selfish inhuman being.
"Now that I think of it, Hunter Cha Seohu. Aren't you staying at a hotel right now?"
Remembering Kwon Seoyul and Hyun Dowoon from the last time, Song Jiwoon set down his teacup and asked.
"I thought you were staying with some acquaintances. Did you come with just your brother today?"
It was an innocent question on the surface, but every man in the room—except Seohu—immediately understood what it implied. Translated loosely: "Are those irritating guys still at the hotel? If they didn't follow Seohu here, maybe they're not that interested in his movements?"
Naturally, Cha Seohu, thoroughly fooled by Song Jiwoon's crafted innocence, didn't catch on and responded plainly.
"Yes. I left without saying anything. They're just noisy pests if I bring them along."
The answer was more than satisfactory.
"I see."
Song Jiwoon replied with a serene tone, hiding his satisfaction.
Still, it's kind of strange...
Even as Song Jiwoon seemed convinced, Cha Seohu paused, lost in thought. Truthfully, he'd also found Seoyul's silence a bit odd. Since Seohu wasn't a famous Hunter, his application to the Great Dungeon team hadn't made headlines. But the government website updated the list in real time—so anyone curious could've seen it easily.
If it were Dowoon, he would've come banging on my door the second he saw it. What's going on?
Kwon Seoyul's quietness was just as unsettling. Usually, Seohu would slip away using Sahyeon's shadow skill. But today, he'd brazenly exited through the hotel's main entrance. Seoyul, who would've come running at the sound of a door creaking, was nowhere to be found.
I'll have to swing by their room when I get back to the hotel.
He was physically comfortable, sure—but mentally? This was anything but restful. They were unpredictable lunatics. Leaving them alone was asking for trouble.
"Hm. Still a week left until the end of recruitment, and we already have a lot of applicants."
Song Jiwon, who had been checking the national website, placed his tablet PC down on the table. The current number of applicants: 132. Considering it hadn't even been a full day, it was progressing fast. More than expected, in fact—enough to make Song Jiwoon look intrigued.
"Does that number include foreigners?"
"Yes. Of course, some may cancel midway, and some guilds might apply as a group... So by the last day, we'll probably see about 500 applicants. Then the final list will be filtered."
Despite the threat to their lives in an S-rank Great Dungeon, Hunters were registering like fear didn't exist. That kind of combative nature might be befitting the title "Hunter," but to Seohu, it just seemed reckless.
There are even B-ranks and C-ranks here. Do they actually think they'll get selected?
If they actually did get picked, they wouldn't be able to back out. They'd be dragged into the Great Dungeon whether they liked it or not. Do they seriously think they'll survive?
Song Jiwon, apparently seeing the same thing as Seohu, spoke up.
"They'll probably cut anyone below B-rank. And even among B-ranks, only those with a strong track record will be chosen."
Still, none of that posed a problem for the four people in this room. The S-ranks were guaranteed spots. And as a registered B-rank Support, Cha Seohu was also essentially guaranteed. The government was scraping together every Support they could find. Even C-ranks would likely make the cut—unless they were newly Awakened or had no dungeon experience. In fact, even before regression, several B-rank Supports had joined the Great Dungeon.
That was why Seohu had considered it seriously back then. But his aversion to buffing strangers had been too strong, and both Ryu Sunghyun and Song Jiwoon had strongly opposed it—so he'd ended up not applying.
"Do you think a lot of other S-ranks will join?"
"Unless there's a very compelling reason not to, most will. They're the ones who stand to gain the most from a new dungeon."
The higher the rank, the more aggressive combatants tended to be. Right now, Kwon Taehyuk, Ryu Sunghyun, and Song Jiwoon were sipping tea like gentlemen—but once the skills flew and the blood splattered, no one could predict how they'd act. That was what it meant to be S-rank.
"You'd probably know which S-ranks are joining, Guildmaster Yesung. What do you think?"
"Hunter Yoon Jeha is overseas, so she might not make it, but Hunter Park Minhyuk will definitely be there."
"Park Minhyuk... He's the only S-rank affiliated with the Association, right?"
"He's state-assigned. I doubt he has the option to refuse."
As Kwon Taehyuk explained calmly, Cha Seohu recalled a familiar face he'd seen in various news reports and articles. All S-ranks were at least somewhat famous, but the two most polar opposites were Yoon Jeha and Park Minhyuk.
Park Minhyuk was the team leader of the Association's Dungeon Strategy Division—a public official directly under state control. Most S-ranks belonged to guilds; Park Minhyuk was the only S-rank civil servant.
In contrast, Yoon Jeha wasn't affiliated with anyone. If Park Minhyuk was the model soldier, she was the complete opposite. Yoon Jeha preferred to act alone, constantly traveling abroad. She only accepted cooperative missions when she felt like it. Usually hired as a mercenary, she still couldn't be looked down on. So many had picked fights with her and gotten knocked out cold that her reputation was untouchable.
Hmm...
Seohu shook his head, recalling her red hair from a news clip.
Park Minhyuk would be way easier to deal with than Yoon Jeha. He'd rather have a straightforward civil servant than someone unpredictable. Besides, Park Minhyuk would probably get along with Kwon Taehyuk too.
From there, the group discussed dungeon difficulty and various Hunters. Seohu remained quiet, absorbing the information—then stood up at the right moment.
"Well, I think everything's been covered. I'll be heading out."
He figured Song Jiwon had asked him here today to share news indirectly—especially about Song Jiwoon joining the raid and the information on Park Minhyuk and Yoon Jeha. Both of them were highly likely to join the Great Dungeon team—maybe even both.
I'll need to prepare separately. This was a dungeon he was entering with Sahyeon. If any unknown S-rank turned out to be an unexpected variable, he needed to have background info. He could just ask Dowoon for it—he'd get it fast.
"See you next time."
Gripping his brother's hand, Cha Seohu tossed out a cool farewell, prompting Kwon Taehyuk, Ryu Sunghyun, and Song Jiwoon to leap to their feet in unison.
"Hunter Cha Seohu, I'll escort you."
"I'll go too."
"Me as well."
"..."
Cha Seohu stared at the three men—each lighting up, each volunteering—as if they were absurd. Sahyeon's look of thinly veiled contempt {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} was a bonus.
That's when it happened. Amidst the chaos, Song Jiwon calmly sipped his tea and quietly spoke.
"Jiwoon, don't you have tasks left to finish? Sunghyun, I thought you had a meeting later?"
"..."
"..."
Ryu Sunghyun and Song Jiwoon flinched. Judging by their reactions, they really did have unfinished business.
Song Jiwon cleaned up the situation with a single line and smiled brightly.
"Then Guildmaster Yesung, you'll escort Seohu back to the hotel. Seohu, let's meet again soon. Guildmaster, thank you for today."
"Yes. Thank you for having me."
Kwon Taehyuk returned the bow and walked out of the office with Seohu, proud and composed. His usual expression hadn't changed, but somehow... he looked cheerful.
Seriously, I don't get this guy. Clicking his tongue inwardly, Cha Seohu stepped outside and immediately glanced around.
Quiet. He'd braced himself, thinking Kang Haeil might be tailing him—or Seoyul or Dowoon might've followed. But the area in front of the building was eerily peaceful.
When Seohu looked up at the midday sky, Kwon Taehyuk asked curiously:
"Something wrong?"
"No. Just admiring the weather."
If something was going to happen, it should've happened already. The day had been too peaceful—it felt wrong.
He'd better get back to the hotel soon. Suppressing his mounting unease, Cha Seohu climbed into Kwon Taehyuk's car.
The hotel wasn't far, so they arrived quickly. But instead of stopping at just dropping him off, Kwon Taehyuk also got out of the car and followed after them.
"Hunter Cha Seohu. Have you decided how long you'll be staying at the hotel?"
"Not really."
As he entered the hotel lobby with his brother, Cha Seohu answered in a relaxed tone.
"I need to sell the old office before I can get a new one. So I'll probably stay at the hotel until then. Honestly, I've gotten used to it. It's pretty comfortable."
"...I see."
Kwon Taehyuk looked slightly shaken.
He has nowhere to go until the office is sold? So he can't even get a new place without that money... Is it a financial issue, then?
His wealthy mind began to spin furiously. Part of him desperately wanted to just buy the office for Seohu himself. But that could hurt Seohu's pride.
So, reluctantly, Kwon Taehyuk brought up the offer he'd made before.
"Hunter Cha Seohu. In that case, why not come to my guild now? Oh—I don't mean that as a recruitment proposal. I just meant... I could lend you a room..."
The earnest persuasion trailed off unnaturally.
A killing intent stabbed into his back. Kwon Taehyuk immediately sensed an S-rank presence and whipped around.
He reached into the air—instantly, a sword appeared in his grip. He swung it just in time to block the incoming attack.
SPLASH!
Cold water droplets burst into the air, soaking the blade.
Water?
It didn't carry any real harm—just regular water. It was like being hit with a squirt gun. Completely at odds with the sharp murderous aura.
Confused, Kwon Taehyuk turned to look behind him—toward Cha Seohu.
"...!"
Cha Seohu's face had gone completely pale. His eyes were fixed on something, cold and alert, radiating unmistakable wariness.
What the hell was he looking at?
Following Seohu's line of sight, Kwon Taehyuk finally spotted a man he didn't recognize.
A tall man was sitting relaxed on one of the sofas in the hotel lobby. Dressed in a black coat fastened to the collar, his height was impressive—even while seated.
"Did you enjoy your date?"
A soft, teasing voice filled with amusement rang out.
The man was absurdly flamboyant. His honey-gold hair sparkled under the chandelier, and the brilliant blue earrings hanging from his ears matched his eyes exactly.
"Cha Seohu."
That name was spoken lightly, playfully—like a joke—and Cha Seohu instinctively took a step back. The man's smile deepened in response.
At that smile, Seohu's face twisted, and he muttered the man's name under his breath.
"...Kang Haeil."

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