DEB 67

Sometimes it’s better to take the hit first, but even better if someone else takes it for you.

“No, ouch! It’s not like I forced him to go, Yasha originally…!”

“That’s a misunderstanding. Please call him Huiyun instead.”

After learning from Juan that the other world they traveled to through the gate was the demon realm, Huigang hit the back of the S-rank who had taken his precious brother into the gate. And being a B-rank, he knew he had to use equipment to hit an S-rank with his bare hands.

Following Huiyun’s request, Juan had no choice but to endure the hits, his eyes full of grievance as he looked at Huiyun. It was clear he felt unjustly treated and was ready to spill out his emotions at any moment.

“…For now, I’ll try to get a quest to find Zenith.”

Avoiding Juan’s gaze, Huiyun explained the plan to Nameless, Jiwook, and Vita, who were gathered nearby. Whatever had happened earlier, Nameless kept throwing cold glances toward Huigang, making Huiyun call his name several times to keep his attention.

Just like when they found Vita, they needed to accept a quest to open a path to Zenith. After getting confirmation from the three S-ranks, excluding Juan, to help clear the gates, Huiyun called out Siho’s name. The silver fox stretched, got up, and rubbed against Huiyun’s leg.

“Siho, can you help us now?”

-Pyau.

Having passed through his seizure, the silver fox obediently cooperated in searching for Zenith.

[Disciple Education Book for Reincarnator, Chapter 3]

-Only the master cares for the lost disciple (3)

Shouldn’t you find the missing disciples and register them in the Disciple Education Book? Clear the gate to discover clues about the disciples’ whereabouts!

Condition: Clear 2 high-level or above gates

Reward: A path to the disciple with viewable information

It was the third quest window Huiyun had seen so far. 

As always, there was no progress shown, and the only reward was providing a path, which made Huiyun feel slightly disappointed. 

He blinked as he reread the conditions.

“…It seems the conditions are getting harder.”

The one who answered his doubt was the administrator.

[We can’t just give everything away forever! We have to increase the difficulty to provide rewards!]

[But if Mr.Huiyun awakens, there’s a 100% chance the administrator will make things more convenient for you at their discretion.]

Not interested.

Huiyun ignored the system’s unchanged rhetoric and requested the three to clear two high-level gates. Huigang, who had been listening to their conversation while scolding Juan, raised his voice.

“Isn’t clearing two high-level gates too difficult?”

He was concerned about the difficulty before even entering the other world. Huiyun glanced at Jiwook.

It seemed Huigang still intended to follow him to the demon realm, but Huiyun had no intention of taking Huigang there.

“…Try to persuade him. As the guild leader, Kwon Jiwook’s words would carry more authority than mine.”

Having experienced the demon realm firsthand, there was no way Huiyun would take Huigang there.

No matter how much he tried to persuade Huigang if he remained stubborn, Huiyun had no choice but to rely on Jiwook’s help. 

Threatening that he wouldn’t go to the demon realm if Huigang insisted on coming along, Vita urgently lowered his voice.

“Shall I just knock him out, Yasha?”

“…Don’t say such crazy things.”

Though it was absurd, the fact that he was momentarily tempted suggested his mental state might have strayed from the norm after associating with them.

In a place where the abnormal gathers, the normal seems abnormal.

Thinking he had become just like that, Huiyun looked at Jiwook. The guild leader of Blue Flame sighed and grabbed Juan by the collar, pulling him away from Huigang. Meeting Huigang’s wary gaze, Jiwook spoke.

“…What is it?”

“Sorry, but it’s impossible for Hunter Mok Huigang to enter the other world with us. If you’re really worried, we can let you join for the first two gates. But we cannot allow you to enter the other world for any reason.”

“As Huiyun’s guardian, I have the right to know what he’s going through and where. The demon realm is no exception. If you command me as the guild leader, I’ll leave Blue Flame Guild.”

The conversation between the two men made Huiyun’s breath catch. 

He observed Jiwook’s expression after Huigang’s shocking declaration.

Half of Huiyun wanted Huigang to leave the Blue Flame Guild, while the other half wanted him to stay.

The Blue Flame guild was the best option for continuing his career as a hunter in Korea.

Of course, if they actually moved to America, things would be different, but he knew running away wasn’t the best choice.

If they fled to America, his disciples might lose their minds and come after them, possibly committing crimes. Yasha’s disciples were capable of arson if they felt abandoned.

Because of this, Huigang’s bluff and threat were almost ineffective. There must have been more to the incident that made the three hunters leave quietly, but no one mentioned it, leaving Huiyun in the dark.

He could only wait and see, hoping to understand when the time came.

Seeing the still-tense Huigang, Jiwook sighed lightly.

“If I were speaking as the guild leader, I wouldn’t be using honorifics, Hunter Mok Huigang. I’m speaking as an S-rank hunter responsible for protecting other hunters. Entering the other world at your level, as a B-rank hunter, is madness. Right now, you’re already shocked by the two high-level gates. What makes you think you won’t be overwhelmed in the other world? Can you guarantee you won’t be a burden to the team? Are you confident you can keep yourself safe from high-level monsters? Huiyun is passing every test you’re worried about. Who’s worrying about whom…?”

“Kwon Jiwook!”

Unable to take it anymore, Huiyun shouted. 

Though he asked Jiwook to persuade Huigang, this was too much. Huigang was only worried and asserting his rights as a brother. He didn’t need to hear such harsh words. 

Glaring at Jiwook, Huiyun saw a bored look in return.

“You asked me to persuade him, so I did. What’s the problem now?”

Before he could figure out where to start criticizing, laughter broke out behind him. 

Turning towards the sound, Huiyun saw Huigang, who was laughing bitterly and rubbing his face. 

Huigang, who had been laughing, grabbed Huiyun.

“It’s okay, Huiyun. I guess he’s right. I made a mistake. I got impatient and didn’t want to leave you alone with them. If I get caught as a hostage, you’d be indecisive, and you getting hurt would be the worst situation for me.”

Huigang, who slowly agreed with Jiwook’s words, rubbed his face with both hands. 

Huiyun, understanding Huigang’s feelings, felt uneasy despite not saying anything harsh himself.

He regretted asking Jiwook.

Even if Huigang was stubborn, Huiyun should have persuaded him himself.

Feeling guilty for relying on his unreliable disciple, Huiyun frowned as Huigang looked up at him and patted his head.

“Why do you look like that? It’s not like he was wrong.”

“…I’m sorry.”

“What are you sorry for? But I’m still worried about letting you go alone. Who knows what might happen to you, and I won’t know if you’re safe. I wish there was a compromise.”

Fortunately or unfortunately, Huigang seemed to have given up on going to the demon realm after being verbally beaten by Jiwook. 

Huiyun knew Huigang was pretending to be fine, but he wasn’t. He was paler than usual, and his pulse felt faster through his clasped hands. 

He seemed more startled than wounded.

…Was he shocked by the idea of being a threat?

It seemed the most impactful part of Jiwook’s words was the thought of being a hostage and causing harm to Huiyun. 

Holding his hand tightly to stop him from worrying, Huiyun saw Nameless, looking displeased, click his tongue.

“There happens to be a suitable compromise.”

He produced a familiar doll.

It was the doll that had once said “I love you, Yasha.” 

While Huiyun watched in shock, Nameless handed the doll to Huigang with a sigh.

“It has communication and video recording functions because Yasha seemed to want it. This should be a decent compromise.”

“…”

A stifling silence filled the room. 

Huigang, looking reluctant, accepted the doll. 

Did he squeeze its belly by accident?

“I love you, Yasha.”

The wretched voice came from the doll. In the suddenly silent room, Huiyun bore the brunt of the embarrassment.