RG 100

Kwon Taehyeok alternated between looking at the hand Cha Seohu had placed on his own and the other man’s face before asking hesitantly, “Hide you? What do you mean…?”

“I need to use a skill to treat the injured, but I don’t want anyone else to find out,” Cha Seohu replied, stepping away after withdrawing his hand. “I can use the skill just fine. The problem is, even though it’s an area-of-effect skill, I don’t know the exact range. That means I can’t stray too far from where the injured are.”

Cha Seohu lifted his head and scanned the surroundings. Everything was destroyed and in ruins due to the sudden rift and the appearance of monsters. There wasn’t a single place to hide.

In the distance, Geunjeongjeon Hall remained relatively intact, but it was too far from where the injured were gathered. 

Even an S-class area-of-effect skill had its limits. The skill might reach farther by sheer luck, but they didn’t have the luxury of betting on such uncertain odds.

“I need to use the skill right here, where the injured are. But I’m worried there might still be CCTV cameras or even drones watching.”

“So that’s why you asked me to hide you? But…”

“Yes, I know it won’t be perfect. But what choice do I have? There are so many injured people here.”

“…”

“Could I borrow your coat? I’ll try to at least cover my face. Then we’ll need to head toward where the Circle’s vicemaster is—”

“Understood.”

As Kwon Taehyeok anxiously watched Cha Seohu carefully avoid stepping on the demon blood scattered across the ground, he finally couldn’t hold back and grabbed his arm. Gently pulling him closer to avoid startling him, he lifted Cha Seohu onto the tops of his shoes.

Caught off guard, Cha Seohu blinked in confusion at suddenly standing on Kwon Taehyeok’s feet. With a sigh, Kwon Taehyeok explained, “Try not to step on the ground if you can help it. It’s dangerous.”

“No, it’s really not—”

As Cha Seohu tried to push away from Kwon Taehyeok’s shoulders, finding the position awkward, Kwon Taehyeok wrapped an arm around his waist and leapt into the air before he could react.

‘This guy doesn’t even pretend to listen.’ 

He found Kwon Taehyeok annoying for acting so high-handedly despite knowing how uncomfortable it made him. As Kwon Taehyeok ran toward Heungnyemun Gate, Cha Seohu stole a glare in his direction but froze when their eyes met. Kwon Taehyeok just smiled.

‘Fine, do whatever you want.’

It was easier for him this way, anyway.

Cha Seohu mentally gave Kwon Taehyeok a thumbs-up for his unshakable kindness in always helping the weak, then relaxed. There was no time for petty complaints over trivial matters.

When they arrived at Heungnyemun Gate, Ryu Seonghyeon, who had been moving injured people scattered across the area, spotted them and widened his eyes.

“Hunter Cha Seohu?”

“Long time no see,” Cha Seohu replied, nodding politely before quickly taking stock of the situation.

There were well over twenty injured people on the ground, and the demon blood pooled here was even more abundant than around Gwanghwamun.

Ryu Seonghyeon was busy moving the injured from the corners to a central spot, and Eun Woojeong was surprisingly still present, helping by dragging them over with chains. He must have meant it when he said he didn’t want to get on Cover’s bad side.

Kwon Taehyeok carefully checked for any spots free of demon blood before setting Cha Seohu down. By then, Ryu Seonghyeon had approached.

“It’s dangerous here. Why are you… where’s Hunter Cover?”

“Oh, he had other matters to attend to and left first—”

“He ran off again,” Kwon Taehyeok cut in bluntly before Cha Seohu could finish. “He claimed he’d bring back Hunter Cha Seohu, but in the end, left him to come here alone and disappeared.”

Ryu Seonghyeon glanced at Cha Seohu. “And why are you here?”

“To treat the injured.”

“Excuse me?”

As Ryu Seonghyeon struggled to understand, Cha Seohu gave him a small, reassuring smile. “I have a healing skill.” He was sharing this information because he needed Ryu Seonghyeon’s cooperation for the task at hand. But even without that reason, he would’ve told him eventually.

Because it was Ryu Seonghyeon.

If Ryu Seonghyeon knew Cha Seohu had a healing skill, he might reach out in the future when guild members were injured. And when Ryu Seonghyeon needed buffs or healing, Cha Seohu wanted to be the one to help.

“A healing skill…? Aren’t you a buffer, Hunter Cha Seohu?”

Still skeptical, Ryu Seonghyeon furrowed his brows, but Cha Seohu simply smiled, unfazed by the doubt.

“It’s fine if you don’t believe me. I’ll just show you.”

Seeing is believing, after all. At Cha Seohu’s added remark, Ryu Seonghyeon slowly closed his eyes and opened them again. Strangely, it wasn’t the fact that Cha Seohu possessed a healing skill that shook Ryu Seonghyeon—it was that single statement.

“Seeing is believing. You know that, right?”

Cover had said the exact same thing once.

Ryu Seonghyeon recalled that moment—a dark hallway, a mask covering a face, and pale blond hair shimmering under the moonlight.

‘So they really do know each other.’

The unexpected connection between Cover and Cha Seohu had felt too surreal to take seriously, but now, facing their similarities, he had no choice but to accept it.

‘So Cover really did join the competition at Cha Seohu’s request.’

It made sense, really. It had felt sudden and odd at the time. He hadn’t expected the mystery to unravel this way, but it fit. That didn’t diminish the gratitude Ryu Seonghyeon felt toward Cover. However, realizing that Cover had helped him on someone else’s request left a bitter aftertaste.

Ryu Seonghyeon remained silent, lost in thought. Meanwhile, Cha Seohu turned his attention to Eun Woojeong, who stood at a distance, watching quietly.

Cha Seohu planned to put Eun Woojeong to use as well.

Eun Woojeong had already seen him wield Divine Power during a previous rift incident. There was no point in driving him away—he wouldn’t leave willingly. If the secret was already out, it was better to leverage it.

“You can cooperate too, can’t you? Cover said you’d be willing to help.”

The name Cover from Cha Seohu’s lips made both Kwon Taehyeok and Ryu Seonghyeon narrow their eyes simultaneously. Hearing the proposal, Eun Woojeong tilted his head. “What’s in it for me if I help?”

“Ask Cover about that,” Cha Seohu replied shamelessly, deflecting the question to Cover.

Eun Woojeong let out a small laugh behind his mask. “Would that guy even agree to see me?”

“Of course. You two have a contract, don’t you? Isn’t it a bit much to doubt him like that?”

The implication was clear—Cover still had unfinished business with Eun Woojeong, so he’d have no choice but to meet him. Catching the meaning, Eun Woojeong clicked his tongue before asking, “What do you need from me?”

With Eun Woojeong now roped in, Cha Seohu looked up.

Just then, a faint buzzing sound announced the appearance of a black object in the distance. As Cha Seohu had suspected, with the rift gone and the monsters cleared, the drone cameras were starting to move in.

They had to act before the drones began filming in earnest. Without taking his eyes off the approaching drone, Cha Seohu said, “With all of you helping, this will be over in no time.”

***

Kwon Taehyeok, Ryu Seonghyeon, and Eun Woojeong surrounded Cha Seohu, shielding him from view.

Hidden behind the large builds of the three men, Cha Seohu draped a black coat over his head, ensuring even the drones in the sky couldn’t see his face. At most, only glimpses of his legs or parts of his clothing might be visible.

Using one of Ryu Seonghyeon’s skills to conceal Cha Seohu was an option, but that would interfere with tracking the range of his divine power. To both observe the state of the injured spread out from Gwanghwamun’s entrance and treat them quickly without delay, this was the only way.

‘Hiding your identity is such a hassle.’

Cha Seohu had never realized, before his regression, just how annoying maintaining anonymity could be. With a small sigh of frustration, he announced, “I’m activating the skill.”

《Skill: Divine Power (Class S) activated!》

《A divine aura overflows!》

The moment the skill activated, a brilliant white light burst from Cha Seohu’s body. Ryu Seonghyeon, who stood to his left and was shielding him from view, turned wide-eyed at the dazzling glow emanating from behind him.

《Due to the high rank of Divine Power, a special effect is added!》

‘Damn it.’

Cha Seohu swallowed a curse as a familiar status window appeared before his eyes. Right on cue, the thing he absolutely despised—a pair of luminous wings—unfurled magnificently from his back.

《Such strong Divine Power inspires awe in everyone!》

“Huh…”

Ryu Seonghyeon, startled by the sudden appearance of the radiant wings, parted his lips slightly in astonishment.

This is so embarrassing. Seeing his reaction, Cha Seohu’s cheeks flushed red beneath the coat, and he channeled more power into the skill. The sooner he healed everyone, the sooner he could deactivate it.

The pure white light emanating from Cha Seohu spread outward, reaching far and wide. The glowing energy touched the injured and soaked into the demon blood staining the ground.

“The wounds are actually…”

Ryu Seonghyeon’s head turned to follow the light, unable to hide his amazement.

The injuries of those struck by the light began healing rapidly. Torn flesh mended, punctured skin regenerated, and areas swollen and blackened by poison became smooth and unblemished. The deathly pallor of those on the brink of death faded as their color returned.

Even the demon blood soaking the ground was purified instantly upon contact with the light, transforming into clear, harmless water.

Both Kwon Taehyeok and Eun Woojeong, witnessing the purifying effect of the skill for the first time, looked visibly shocked.

Hunters who had managed to remain conscious stared blankly in the direction of the radiant light. Though the three men blocking the view obscured Cha Seohu himself, the Divine Power’s effects compelled their attention, leaving them unable to look away.

Meanwhile, more drones hovered overhead, their numbers significantly greater than before.

‘Good thing I didn’t just cover myself with the coat but also had these three stand guard.’

Those near Heungnyemun Gate had all been healed, but further out toward Gwanghwamun, the light hadn’t reached completely, leaving some injuries untreated.

‘Should I move closer?’

Just as the thought crossed his mind—

Ding!

《Hidden Quest has been unlocked!》

‘What?’

《Hidden Quest: Treat 50 Injured with Divine Power (Class B)》

《Hidden Quest: Treat 50 Injured with Divine Power (Class B) cleared!》

《Hidden Quest cleared. Rewards are granted.》

《A new Divine Power activation effect has been added!》

《Meditation Prayer: Class S (Divine Power Effect) obtained!》

[Meditation Prayer: Class S (Divine Power Effect)]

By clasping both hands together, the skill’s effects are amplified, increasing its range.

Cha Seohu blinked, his expression one of exasperation as he read the status window.

‘This is absolutely insane.’

Now it wasn’t just nudging him—it was outright telling him to pray. Or maybe… pretend to pray?

[Main Quest: Locate the lab associate hiding somewhere in the event hall (Time remaining: 3 hours 43 minutes]