"Yeah, well. It can’t be helped."
Since I’d already braced for it, I just shrugged.
When a raid team this big is formed, the damage dealers usually move to the front, while the supporters and healers are stationed in the rear.
A few damage dealers are always designated to guard the back line in case of a surprise attack, but those roles are preassigned before entering the dungeon.
Since Cha Sahyeon hadn’t received any specific instructions, he would be placed on the front lines alongside Ryu Sunghyun, Kwon Taehyuk, and Song Jiwoon.
It was fine—Cha Sahyeon had already attached a shadow to me. And unlike the other three, he didn’t need any buffs from me anyway.
"The Great Dungeon takes too long to clear. I couldn’t just leave him behind."
When I answered with a bitter smile, I caught a flicker of sympathy in Ryu Sunghyun and Song Jiwoon’s eyes.
Seriously, they’re so easy to fool. I’d just have to keep a close eye on them so they didn’t get scammed by someone else.
"Attention, all Hunters!"
Just then, a voice rang out from the base camp. It was clearer than a microphone and had a strange quality to it—definitely using some kind of amplification item.
"We will now begin physical checks and verify the participant list before entry into the Great Dungeon. We’ll start with the combat-type Awakeners, so all dealers, please gather here."
Looking toward the source of the voice, I saw a large man in a uniform that looked similar to a police officer’s. His face was familiar from TV.
‘Wasn’t that Hunter Park Minhyuk?’
The only S-rank affiliated with the Hunter Association.
Just as Kwon Taehyuk had guessed, it looked like he was participating in the Great Dungeon raid. Judging by the way he was taking the lead, he was probably the team leader this time around too.
I glanced at Park Minhyuk, with his clean-cut look and short bangs, then turned back to the other three.
"Go ahead. I’ll just look around nearby."
I gave a particularly pointed reminder to Cha Sahyeon, who stood there sulking.
"You’re going with your hyungs. And you know ❖ Nоvеlight ❖ (Exclusive on Nоvеlight) not to do anything that’ll draw attention, right?"
His eyebrows twitched in annoyance at the word "hyungs," but he nodded obediently, realizing it wasn’t the time to argue.
"I’ll be back."
"Don’t wander too far. Stay close."
"Yessir~."
Ironically, while I was the one warning Cha Sahyeon, the other three left me with worried looks and their own reminders.
Hearing all their concerned voices telling me not to go too far made me feel like some seven-year-old kid.
Once I sent the four of them off with Park Minhyuk, I finally felt like I could breathe.
I took a slow look around and then began to walk. Because I’d been standing next to a group of S-ranks just moments earlier, I could feel a lot of eyes glancing at me, which made me uncomfortable.
To avoid the curious stares, I walked toward a less crowded area. That’s when my phone started vibrating in my pocket.
After the incident at the hotel, Hyun Dowoon had been calling me practically every day, so I assumed it was him again. But surprisingly, the number on the screen was an unknown one I hadn’t saved.
‘It’s not like Hyun Dowoon to change numbers.’
That guy, for all his hacker skills, always contacted me from his actual number.
‘Could it be Kwon Seoyul? But if that bastard was going to call, he’d have done it already.’
My circle of acquaintances was so narrow that I couldn’t think of anyone else it could be. I stared down at the phone shaking in my hand, hesitated for a second, then answered.
"Hello?"
–You haven’t entered yet, huh?
A calm voice came through. I was a little surprised by the unexpected caller.
"...Eun Woojeong?"
–Are we on a first-name basis now?
As soon as I said it, he responded with a snide remark. I smirked and shot back.
"By that logic, we’re not even close enough to be calling each other."
–You’re not exactly cautious, are you? Just answering random unsaved numbers.
"Who cares? What do you want?"
There was a brief pause before Eun Woojeong continued, his voice laced with sarcasm.
–Is she going?
"What?"
–I asked... is Cover Hunter going into the dungeon?
I was already surprised that he’d called, but the fact that it was about Cover? That was unexpected. I frowned and tapped the back of the phone with my fingers.
"Why are you calling me to ask that? Someone like you could find that out easily."
–Well, Cover Hunter’s not exactly easy to track...
He let out a short sigh and spoke slowly.
–And I’m not in a position to be investigating things right now. So? Is she there?
"No."
–Hmph...
"If you don’t believe me, why don’t you come see for yourself? It’s not that hard to forge credentials, is it?"
Granted, even if he did fake an ID, it wouldn’t be enough on its own since Eun Woojeong was an S-rank. But he was the type to hide his energy and pretend to be a civilian—sneaking in wouldn’t be too hard for him.
–I’d love to, believe me. But the timing sucks.
Letting out another series of exaggerated sighs, he finally muttered gloomily:
–I’m in Paju right now.
"What? Paju?"
What the hell was he doing in Paju? I blinked, confused, and he chuckled softly.
–Did you forget my other job?
"Leader of an illegal organization."
–No, ugh. Not that one. The normal one.
"...Wait, seriously?"
Only then did I remember that Eun Woojeong was actually a fairly popular actor. Shit. I’d completely forgotten. He hadn’t been on TV much lately either.
‘Though calling acting a “normal job” is a stretch...’
–I’m down here for a shoot. So I haven’t even gotten a glimpse of that new Great Dungeon in Incheon.
"Huh."
–I’m only saying this ‘cause I’m sure Cover already told you everything about me.
I asked bluntly:
"You’ve been active all this time?"
–Of course. You think acting’s an easy job? I’ve actually been working pretty hard.
Maybe he was relieved by my answer, or maybe he was disappointed—I couldn’t tell. But he continued:
–So Cover Hunter really isn’t going into the dungeon. That’s odd. I thought he’d chase after you like his life depended on it.
"Can you stop with that fucked up assumption already?"
–I’m not thrilled about it either, trust me. The way Cover Hunter is obsessed with you is kinda gross.
He muttered something incomprehensible, sounding unusually deflated as he brought the call to a close.
–Well, I guess if she were going in, it would’ve made my situation here in Paju feel even shittier. So I’m glad that’s not the case. Thanks for the info.
"Sure, whatever."
–Save this number. It’s my personal one. Now we don’t have to waste time slipping cards under doors. Kinda hard to do that with you living inside the Yesung Guild, anyway.
That’s when it hit me.
Maybe the reason Eun Woojeong had been so quiet since the dungeon break incident... was because I moved into the Yesung Guild’s building.
Kwon Taehyuk had amped up security to a ridiculous degree. No matter how good Spiderweb was, they wouldn’t be able to breach it easily.
Even if they could still spy on me somehow, it wouldn’t be like before—slipping access cards under the front door wasn’t an option anymore. I went there to escape the C-281 siblings, but I guess I got rid of a bothersome spider along the way too.
"I’ll save it, but don’t expect Cover to contact you."
–Wouldn’t dream of it.
With one last snarky remark, Eun Woojeong hung up without even saying goodbye.
‘Fucking rude bastard.’
I stared at the darkened phone screen, then noticed a chill brushing against my skin.
I’d wandered far from the open area. Here, unkempt trees tangled together and blocked out the light. I must’ve walked too far while talking on the phone.
Clicking my tongue, I turned back toward where the supporters were gathering—but then a strong hand suddenly yanked my arm from behind.
"Ugh...!"
My vision twisted, and my upper body staggered. Pain shot through my wrist and shoulder as I was pulled back hard.
I sucked in a breath and instinctively tried to pull away—
"Don’t move."
A low whisper brushed past my ear, tickling with a flash of long golden hair.
My body froze, like something had broken inside me. I’d come face-to-face with someone who shouldn’t be here.
As I stood there, cold and stiff, he wrapped his arms around my waist from behind, slowly and deliberately, as if praising me for staying still.
"Look at that face. Surprised, are you?"
Kang Haeil chuckled as he looked at my expression and poked my cheek with a fingertip. A wave of disgust and nausea rolled through me.
I smacked his hand away roughly, my eyes twitching.
"...What the hell are you doing here?"

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