DEB 40

The feeling of stepping into the Bureau, a place he thought he’d never visit in his life, was simply unpleasant. There were no people near the entrance, but as Huiyun entered the building, the Bureau staff glanced at him furtively. They were making it obvious that they were curious about the person coming in with Juan.

It’s not like he’s a zoo monkey or anything.

He was somewhat used to people’s stares.

Since childhood, Huiyun had grown up hearing that he looked good, so their gazes weren’t unfamiliar to him, but it still felt uncomfortable Especially in contrast to the previous looks of admiration he had received, the stares within the Bureau were mostly filled with anxiety, suspicion, and jealousy, which made him feel even more burdened.

“Hm….”

Seeing Huiyun’s face darken, Juan wrapped an arm around his shoulders and looked around. At that, the Bureau staff, who flinched, muttered among themselves and quickly left, as if they had made a mistake. The lobby, which had been occupied by a dozen staff members, emptied in an instant.

Juan smiled proudly as if satisfied. 

“Is it a bit better now?”

“Yeah, well.”

Huiyun appreciated Juan’s quick perception and response to his discomfort, but he couldn’t help but wonder what kind of reputation Juan must have for the Bureau staff to flee as if they’d seen a terrorist.

He was curious but didn’t ask. 

Juan could make such a ruckus during sparring that loud noises would come from the training room. He was an unruly character who couldn’t be stopped once he got rough, so it would be more surprising if the Bureau staff welcomed him warmly.

“Let’s go up quickly. I don’t like others seeing you.”

“Why?”

“They covet you. You can’t trust the Bureau guys. If they see someone useful, they try to snatch them away.”

Juan’s warning, while hugging Huiyun’s neck and whining, showed a certain veteran’s experience, suggesting he had been through it himself.

He had experienced it firsthand.

Huiyun speculated that perhaps Ash, who wasn’t naturally inclined to lead others voluntarily, might have founded and led the guild to escape the Bureau, as he stepped into the elevator with Juan.

“…It’s transparent.”

“All the Bureau elevators are like this. They say it needs to be transparent so they can spot criminals easily.”

Riding in an elevator that was transparent like glass, allowing him to see everything below, was a rare experience. Admitting his amazement honestly, Huiyun looked around with curiosity from inside the elevator. 

Not having a fear of heights, seeing everything below didn’t scare him.

“Seeing it like this, the Bureau is quite large.”

“Quite large is an understatement. This is the third wing, and there are two more buildings. We’ll move to the main building through the corridor on the top floor. The Director’s office is there.”

As Juan briefly explained the schedule, he followed Huiyun’s gaze, matching the direction his eyes were moving. Huiyun couldn’t help but smile at Juan, who explained things every time he showed interest, like a tour guide.

Juan, watching this, widened his eyes. 

“Hong Juan?”

As Huiyun called out to him, suddenly, Juan pulled him into a hug.

“Hong Juan!”

When Huiyun’s voice reflexively grew louder, he heard breathing next to his ear. Juan, who had taken a deep breath, slowly exhaled as his shoulders rose and fell.

“It’s the first time I’ve seen you smile. Your smile is just like Yasha’s.”

“…”

“Keep smiling. That’s how I can find traces of you.”

Apparently satisfied with the previous smile, Juan whispered excitedly and then released the bewildered Huiyun, tidying his hair.

Ding!

Just then, the elevator reached the top floor and stopped. Turning his gaze quickly away from Juan, Huiyun looked at the open door and was startled.

“…You’re here too.”

“It’s advantageous to go together when it’s the first time. We should attend such occasions together.”

Nameless and Jiwook, who had been waiting at the top floor for Juan and Huiyun, gestured for them to hurry out. 

Huiyun, stepping out of the transparent elevator and into the corridor, unconsciously observed Jiwook closely.

He seems okay today.

Jiwook’s expression, seen in the daylight, looked as cold and indifferent as usual. Not feeling any sign of danger, Huiyun quietly sighed in relief. 

Juan, who had been focusing all his attention on him, rested his chin on Huiyun’s shoulder.

“Why are you staring at Vina like that? Did something happen yesterday?”

“No.”

“You don’t look like nothing happened.”

“No matter what I say, Hong Juan, you’ll only believe what you want to believe. If that’s the case, don’t ask.”

“Well, I think you’re lying no matter what you say… Since Yasha says so, I’ll believe you.”

“Huiyun.”

“Yes, Huiyun.”

His attitude in correcting the name lacked sincerity. 

Half resigned, Huiyun followed Jiwook’s back and glanced at Juan.

He wondered if Juan knew about the suspicious behavior Jiwook had shown yesterday.

Unlike himself, his disciples had spent a long time together. Thinking they might have seen things over the years, he was about to speak when Jiwook, who was walking ahead, stopped.

Did he hear them talking about him?

You can’t fool the hearing of an S-rank. 

No matter how quietly they spoke, he must have heard everything, but since there was no reaction, Huiyun wondered if he had been caught, thinking of excuses. While considering what to say if Jiwook asked why they kept talking about him, Jiwook took a deep breath and opened the large door.

“From here, it’s the Director’s office, so refrain from personal talk.”

“There are many eyes watching and ears listening in the Director’s office. Of course, there are many invisible ones as well.”

“Ah.”

It seemed they had arrived at the Director’s office. Even after opening the large door and stepping inside, Huiyun kept his breath quiet as he walked across the spacious floor that still looked like a hotel lobby.

Already struggling with the abilities of three hunters, if he caught the eye of the Bureau Director, his life would become doubly exhausting.

As he held his breath, Juan signaled with a glance that he was doing well. How much farther did they walk? When it felt like they had reached the end of the space, another door appeared.

“Let’s go in.”

With a brief warning, Jiwook opened the door labeled “Director’s Office” without knocking. Inside, an old man, sitting with his back to a wall made entirely of transparent glass like something out of a drama, welcomed Huiyun and the group of disciples.

Bureau Director Choi Inhwa.

The nameplate, which caught his eye first, bore a familiar name. Since he had seen the name every day through the news or newspapers, Huiyun faced the living legend of the Bureau with a bit of tension.

Choi Inhwa, the first awakener in Korea.

Despite being over a hundred years old, Choi Inhwa maintained a youthful appearance that seemed like he was in his late sixties. He was the oldest existing awakener, proving that hunters had longer lifespans than civilians. 

As someone who had raised Korea’s prestige alongside three S-rank hunters, Huiyun bowed his head in respect. Choi Inhwa, who had been observing only Huiyun since he entered, ignoring Jiwook, Nameless, and Juan, burst into laughter.

“The foals have brought quite a decent person. You must have had a rough journey coming here, so please take a seat.”

Choi Inhwa, who stood up from his chair with a creak, walked directly to Huiyun and offered him a seat. Huiyun, flustered by the Director’s unexpectedly courteous attitude, followed his guidance hesitantly.

“Don’t covet him.”

When Juan pulled Huiyun’s body close and warned him, Choi Inhwa just smiled faintly as if he found the action cute.

“Nice to meet you. I am Choi Inhwa, the Director of the Hunter Bureau.”

“Ah, thank you. I am Mok Huiyun.”

Having nothing else to introduce himself with, Huiyun spoke awkwardly in front of the Bureau Director who handed him a business card, while Choi Inhwa, whose eyes crinkled kindly, clasped his hands and responded.

“I know. You are the savior.”

“…!”

At the sudden remark, Huiyun’s eyes widened. Seeing Huiyun’s agitation, Choi Inhwa’s eyes curled up in satisfaction, as if he had caught his prey.

“I have been waiting for a long time. For you to appear and come to the Bureau. We will bring out some tea, so please wait a moment. We have much to talk about.”

It was the first time that such a kind voice felt so ominous.

Choi Inhwa stood up and gestured for Jiwook, Nameless, and Juan to sit. Jiwook let out a long sigh and shook his head, while Juan, lamenting, leaned against Huiyun. Nameless, with his characteristic inscrutable expression, stared at Choi Inhwa for a while before whispering to Jiwook.

“Let’s erase his memory.”

“We can’t. Don’t you know Choi Inhwa’s traits?”

“Hmm. I think we can handle it well.”

“You brats have no manners. You don’t know how to respect elders.”

Even Huiyun, who was next to them, was startled by the eerie conversation, but Choi Inhwa, who seemed accustomed to it, brought out the tea and pushed it towards Huiyun.

“Now, let’s talk. Unregistered awakener, Mok Huiyun.”

The kind call made him more wary. When Huiyun glared at the three awakeners, they shook their heads, claiming they hadn’t said anything.

It didn’t seem like he could get out of this easily.

Choi Inhwa had been working as a hunter for the longest time in Korea. Before such a resume, Huiyun realized that clumsy lies wouldn’t work, and reluctantly asked directly.

“How did you know?”

With this single question, acknowledging that he was indeed the savior the news talked about, the Director’s eyes curled deeply.