RG 127

Five men had gathered there at the tallest and largest building in Zone C-281; the top floor of that building was a place only those with permission could enter.

One of them, Hyeon Dowun, sighed heavily to himself.

‘Why me, of all people…’

The spacious room was almost completely dark, save for a single lamp glowing on the side table. Standing off to the side with a tense expression, he lifted his gaze. Beyond the floor-to-ceiling window that filled one wall, the night sky and city lights stretched out in full view. In front of that glass stood a dark figure who slowly turned his head.

“Hyeon Dowun.” A low, chilly voice cut through the air. Cloaked in shadow so deep that his face was obscured, the dark figure spoke. “What’s the situation?”

“He returned to the commercial building after being discharged. We still haven’t been able to contact him. As for why…” Hyeon Dowun trailed off, glancing to the side. Sitting on a couch, restlessly bouncing one leg, was Kwon Seoyul.

“What?! What now?!” Catching Hyeon Dowun’s glance, Kwon Seoyul bared his teeth like an angry cat. “This is so unfair. Did I say anything that bad? It’s Big Bro Seohu’s fault for hiding his skill and doing whatever he wanted. He kicked me out, cut off contact… ugh, it pisses me off,” he muttered bitterly, clearly full of hurt. 

Watching him, Hyeon Dowun furrowed his brow in disbelief.

‘Yeah right, like you just left it at words.’

Well aware of how aggressive Kwon Seoyul could get with Cha Seohu, Hyeon Dowun clicked his tongue.

As soon as Kwon Seoyul returned to the district, he was summoned here and reported what had happened between him and Cha Seohu to their father and brothers.

Even without his report, they all already suspected that the Hunter who used the massive area-heal skill in Gwanghwamun was Cha Seohu. What caught them off guard was Cha Seohu’s reaction.

‘He said there are people out there who understand him more than we do…?’

Hyeon Dowun quietly reflected on those words. Could it have been those people who concealed his appearance when he used his healing skill?

‘Yesung’s Guildmaster, Circle’s Vicemaster, and…’

The third, presumed to be a Hunter from the Spider’s Web. If his guess was right, then that person must be the Spider’s Web’s leader.

It could’ve been one of them, or all three. But either way, how had Cha Seohu grown so close to them, when he hadn’t even been outside the district for more than a few months?

“Father! Please let me go again. This time, I’ll properly convince big bro—”

The man they called Father cut him off, “Enough. Muk Jeongho. Kang Hae-il. One of you will go.”

A new command was issued. After a brief silence, the man seated on the couch across from Kwon Seoyul stirred with a soft clink.

“Hmm.”

The way he set down his teacup was graceful and fluid. His golden hair, long enough to brush the back of his neck, swayed gently with his movement. Mischief danced in the blue eyes revealed beneath long lashes.

“What do you think?” Kang Hae-il addressed Muk Jeongho. His gaze shifted in that direction.

In response to the question of who should go, the man veiled in the shadows—just like their father—nodded silently. He was volunteering. 

Kang Hae-il shrugged, as if he’d expected that answer.

At that moment, their father’s voice rang out once more, “Keep an eye on him.”

He naturally thought the order meant to drag him back by the hair, but it turned out the command was just to keep watch. Kang Hae-il looked puzzled. “You think simple surveillance will be enough?”

“Don’t touch him. Just watch.”

Kang Hae-il rubbed his chin, clearly thrown off by an order so unlike any they’d received before. Then he looked over at Muk Jeongho. “If it’s just surveillance, I’d be the better choice.”

Muk Jeongho was over two meters tall, with an imposing build.

Of course, being an S-class Hunter, he could suppress his presence and shadow someone without being noticed. But the problem was that the target was Cha Seohu. The two knew each other far too well, and Seohu was incredibly perceptive. Muk Jeongho would get found out in less than a day.

‘Well, to be honest, even I’m not that confident.’

Kang Hae-il smirked. That was probably why Kwon Seoyul had clung directly to Cha Seohu instead of hiding. Since it was just surveillance, that approach had seemed safer. Still, Muk Jeongho wasn’t suited for this type of job. In a place full of civilians, someone like him drew too much attention. Not to mention his overly aggressive personality.

In the end, Kang Hae-il was the right man for the job.

Now that roles were decided, the district’s leader spoke again. “Everyone except Kang Hae-il is to remain in their designated positions.”

“Yes.”

“Understood.”

All the brothers bowed deeply toward him.

***

‘This is driving me crazy.’

Nervously biting his lips, Hyeon Dowun glanced back just before stepping out of the room. Kang Hae-il was still in the same spot, idly floating the tea in his cup and spinning it in the air. Despite his glamorous appearance, Kang Hae-il acted like a complete lunatic. Muk Jeongho not stepping forward had been a relief, but compared to Kwon Seoyul, Kang Hae-il was no pushover either.

The moment he left the room, Hyeon Dowun called Cha Seohu—still no answer.

‘I don’t feel good about this.’

Cha Seohu had never caused this kind of trouble before. And now he’d even revealed a hidden skill? Even if he masked his face, using a skill in public was bound to get him caught by the brothers. So why do it?

And that strange kid he suddenly brought back with him… Yeah, now that he thought about it, Cha Seohu started acting differently from that point on.

‘This won’t do.’

It was eating away at him. He had to talk to Cha Seohu in person to get peace of mind. There were too many questions, too many things that didn’t make sense. He was told not to leave his assigned area… but if he made it quick, he might not get caught. Even if he did, he’d never broken an order before—maybe they’d let it slide.

Taking the elevator down to the basement, Hyeon Dowun headed straight for his workshop. He couldn’t lug his whole computer out, so he needed to bring his laptop—and a few items, too.

Walking briskly into the workshop, Hyeon Dowun first pulled out an inventory item to pack everything into. To avoid drawing attention from other residents, he had to use something as small as possible.

From among his options, he chose a leather bracelet and began loading it with the items he’d mentally prepared in advance. Suddenly—

Bang! With an ear-splitting crash, the metal door to his workshop flew open. 

Startled, Hyeon Dowun whipped around—and standing there was Kwon Seoyul.

“I’m coming too!”

“Wh-what?”

Ignoring Hyeon Dowun, who stood there slack-jawed in disbelief, Kwon Seoyul marched confidently into the room, tilting his chin up as he declared boldly, “I’m coming too. You’re sneaking out to meet Big Bro Seohu, right?”

“What—no, why are you even here…”

“Isn’t it obvious? When it comes to Big Bro Seohu, you always lose your head. Anyway, just take me with you.”

Kwon Seoyul’s crimson eyes glinted strangely. Sensing the obsession behind that gaze, Hyeon Dowun broke into a cold sweat but tried to play dumb. “…Meet Cha Seohu? What the hell are you talking about? Father explicitly ordered us not to leave.”

“Bullshit. Quit messing around and get your stuff—let’s go.”

As expected, reasoning wasn’t going to work. Seeing Kwon Seoyul openly mocking him, Hyeon Dowun’s face twisted in frustration. “You’re one to talk. After the mess you caused, shouldn’t you be keeping your mouth shut and staying put? If I bring you along, Seohu will definitely want to meet us.”

The sarcasm hit its mark. Kwon Seoyul sneered, his expression turning icy. “Don’t push me, I’m already on edge~ Besides, if you want to get out safely, you’ll need my help anyway.”

“Ha…”

Unfortunately, Kwon Seoyul was right. Hyeon Dowun almost never left his workshop. If he suddenly showed up wandering around the district, it would look suspicious.

But if he was with Kwon Seoyul, people would probably assume they were out on an assignment from their father. Plus, Seoyul would need Hyeon Dowun to manipulate the system in order to avoid the CCTV cameras installed on every street.

Realizing there was no way around it, Hyeon Dowun reluctantly gave in. “Shit. Do whatever you want.”

“Yup~”

With a look that said “Well, obviously”, Kwon Seoyul motioned impatiently for him to hurry up. It was annoying how he started rushing things the second they’d decided to go together, but there was no turning back now.

Feeling a headache coming on, Hyeon Dowun finished packing. Since it had come to this, he’d just check that Cha Seohu was alive and well and then come straight back. And if Seoyul started clinging to Seohu, he’d toss him over and make his escape.

With a plan to dump this clingy, irritating brother onto his friend, Hyeon Dowun finished packing and stood up.

“Let’s go.”

***

I sat on the edge of the bed, staring blankly into the empty space where Cha Sahyeon had stood just moments ago, after saying something I couldn’t begin to understand. I opened and closed the hand he’d briefly held before vanishing. My rusted-over brain creaked and groaned as I forced myself to think.

‘He said the energy was too strong—even regular people could sense it.’

And honestly, it made sense. I’d checked his stats myself. Cha Sahyeon’s rank was L-class.

If the order went S-class, SS-class, and then L-class, that meant he was two steps above S. Sure, the official cap for ranks was supposed to be S, and even within that rank, there were big differences—but L-class? That wasn’t supposed to exist.

Regular people already flinched when they sensed the aura of an S-class. So what about him? Just being near him must feel like a threat.

‘The aura that leaks from Awakened ones is the problem… but how the hell does he plan to fix that?’

He said he’d be back soon. And knowing him, he’s not the kind of guy to bluff for no reason, not in a situation like this. I let out a bitter laugh at that thought.

‘This is ridiculous. How much do I even know about that guy, really?’

The truth was, I didn’t know Cha Sahyeon all that well at all. 

He likes candy the most out of all snacks. No matter where I go, he insists on following me. Even when he’s clearly sulking, just a pat on the head or a hug is enough to make him soften right up… little things like that.

Listing it all out like this makes it sound completely useless. I mean, what good is it that he likes candy and clings to me like a dog with separation anxiety? Besides, the progression of the seed has advanced so much compared to before. Cha Sahyeon must have changed just as much. His body, for one, is no longer that of a child…

“Did I do well?”

“…”

The memory of those eyes, looking up at me in search of praise, weighed heavily on my heart.

I was in better shape than I’d expected—clean, with every wound carefully treated. It wasn’t perfect, but I could clearly feel how much attention and care had gone into it. And that made me even more anxious. If only he were still that emotionless monster from before my regression, the kind that killed without a second thought… I wouldn’t be this confused.

“Haa…” I raked my fingers through my hair with a rough sigh. Too much had happened in a single day. I didn’t even know where to begin, and in the middle of it all, Cha Sahyeon had vanished without a word.

He said he’d be back, so I’d wait—but until then, I had no idea what I was supposed to do.

Creak. Creak.

Just as I was struggling to make sense of my tangled thoughts, a black bird brushed up against me. It was the shadow Cha Sahyeon had left behind.

The bird, rubbing its round head against my arm, had eyes that looked just like its master’s. And somehow, seeing that… I couldn’t bring myself to push it away.