RG 13

Ranking Matches are usually managed by the guild association, so to request a Ranking Match against another Hunter officially, you must go through the guild association.

Of course, I had no intention of making a formal reservation for the Ranking Match through the proper channels. I put my phone to my ear, stood up from my seat, and walked over to the window. It was a hectic moment, but luckily, the call connected quickly.

– What’s up?

As soon as the person on the other end picked up, instead of greeting, they grumbled impatiently.

“Hey, my one and only friend, Dowun! Are you busy right now?”

I asked with an overly energetic voice, causing the other person to groan and mutter curses.

– F*ck you…

“Ah, why are you cursing? You’ll hurt my feelings.”

– Shut up. Why are you calling me out of the blue again? I’ve done everything you asked.

Hyeon Dowun retorted with annoyance. I’d expected this reaction, so I calmly continued, “Just one more favor. It’s urgent, and it’s something I can’t do on my own.”

– Ugh…

Hyeon Dowun exhaled sharply and only spoke up again after a while.

– What is it about?

“Could you submit a Ranking Match request to the guildmaster of Yesung? The date doesn’t matter as long as it’s within the week, anytime at night.”

– Guildmaster of Yesung? As in Hunter Kwon Taehyeok?

“That’s right.”

– As far as I know, he’s the Rank 1. Why are you suddenly planning to go against him in the Ranking Match?

“You’ll do it because it’s me, won’t you?”

– What nonsense are you spouting? You’ll probably force me if I don’t want to.

“I have my reasons.”

– I mean, what reasons could possibly make a support want to have a Ranking Match with an S-class DPS?

As expected, he reacted this way. But it’s not like I can exactly explain my position honestly.

“I’ll explain more later, just do it for now.”

– I’ll do it because you want to, but…

The perplexed Hyeon Dowun trailed off, unable to comprehend.

– You don’t really need to involve me in this. You set up the guild, so you could’ve just applied yourself, right?

“How did you know about my setting up the guild? It’s barely been an hour since I sent the text. Are you stalking me?”

– I’m not. I helped you set up the guild; of course I’d know! You even came up with a lousy name.

“What’s wrong with the name? Wasn’t it cool?”

When I asked sincerely, Hyeon Dowun openly mocked me.

– You have no sense.

“For you to criticize my sense, I must really be losing it.”

– Keep blabbering, and I’ll hang up.

“Stop that. I didn’t ask for your help to submit the application under my name. Do it anonymously.”

Of course, there was no such thing as an anonymous application feature. That’s why I needed Hyeon Dowun’s help. Whether hacking the guild association’s system or bothering the Yesung Guild, as long as the application got to Kwon Taehyeok, it didn’t matter.

Hyeon Dowun understood my intention immediately and let out a frustrated sigh.

– So, let me get this straight… You want me to anonymously apply for a match with Kwon Taehyeok within a week?

“Yeah. Nighttime, specifically. It has to be at night.”

– You’re driving me insane.

“Don’t give me that romantic spiel. Will you do it?”

– F*ck!

Amidst the forceful expletives, I heard the sound of aggressive keyboard typing. Listening to it, I reconsidered the situation I was in.

Using the hidden skill I gained through regression changes my appearance drastically. It makes me unrecognizable, even to myself. However, the lab personnel noticed my changed appearance, so it’s better to conceal that I’m the blond S-class Hunter that night.

‘If they can run an illegal research lab of that scale… There must still be remnants of power elsewhere.’

If my identity is exposed, and if that information falls into their hands, including the information about Cha Sahyeon by my side…

“…”

Just imagining it sent a chill down my spine. That situation must never happen. It’s a place filled with lunatics willing to inject pain-inducing syringes without hesitation.

‘… Wait, pain-inducing syringes?’

I shifted my gaze to Cha Sahyeon eating lunch at the table, and as if confirming my suspicions, a new status window appeared.

[User Information: Cha Sahyeon (Antagonist)]

Special Note▼

ㄴ Seed of Calamity (35% Progress)

[Seed of Calamity]

The being in whom this seed is planted will become a harbinger of calamity in the future.

Anxiety, pain, and anger are the best nourishment for the seed. When the seed sprouts and blossoms into a flower, the bearer awakens into Calamity.

Even if the being with the seed planted within them is killed, the seed does not vanish; it transfers elsewhere.

Anxiety, pain, and anger are the best nourishment for the seed.

In other words, the more turmoil the child faces, the faster the progression of the seed, accelerating its awakening.

Amidst the confusion, the voice of the Director from the Central Lab echoed in my mind.

[This one is perfect. It’s the version I barely completed yesterday. If injected with this, he’ll feel excruciating pain but won’t be able to move as if he’s asleep.]

The Director had produced a syringe filled with a crimson substance—a drug designed solely to inflict pain.

To create this drug, they abducted numerous awakened individuals, including myself, for human experiments. The goal of this concocted substance was Cha Sahyeon.

[Since even the strongest sedatives don’t work on this subject, this is the only way to take him and flee.]

Even in the face of Hunter assaults, the Director didn’t give up on Cha Sahyeon. She attempted to flee with him, even resorting to using a barely completed product.

A foreboding feeling struck me. There were too many points that aligned to dismiss it as excessive worry.

‘I might need to prepare, just in case.’

If those targeting Cha Sahyeon move systematically, I can’t protect him alone. My hidden skill only works in the dark; basically a half-useless skill that can’t assure safety.

– Hello? Why aren’t you responding?

“I’m listening.”

– I’ve applied as you wanted. But it’s up to them whether they accept it or not. There’s nothing more I can do beyond this.

“Just submitting the application is enough.”

If Kwon Taehyeok ignores it, there’s nothing I can do. I’ll have to persistently plead and beg him for just one fight. Still, Kwon Taehyeok is renowned, so finding his destination shouldn’t be too difficult.

– After months of no contact, you suddenly showed up with a kid and now aiming for a public humiliation. Have you hit your head somewhere?

“Unfortunately, I’m perfectly fine. And let me ask you one more favor.

– Do you really want to kick the bucket?

“Just one more thing! You can take your time considering this one.”

– Cursing at you will only make my mouth hurt. This is truly the last time. Next time, it’s gonna cost you a million each!

Just a million? To think that demanding a million is a big deal.

‘Is this person a fool?’

Receiving just a million with his skills felt absurd. Is this a friend’s benefit or something? It might benefit me, but still.

“I’ll send the details via text.”

Explaining over the phone would be convenient for me, but considering Cha Sahyeon’s presence, texting was safer. I didn’t want to be so blatant as to rant about the lab in front of a child who’s been victimized more than me.

‘Most importantly, if there are still factions associated with the lab… I must keep this from Cha Sahyeon.’

If he finds out that those who subjected him to pain still exist, it will only bring anxiety. I have to be cautious because I don’t know what impulsive action the mentally distressed child might take.

After ending the call with Hyeon Dowun, I saw Cha Sahyeon finishing his lunch. As I sent a message to Hyeon Dowun, I noticed he was tidying up after lunch.

Last week, there was an incident where several guilds, led by Yesung Guild, attacked a laboratory. It wasn’t made public in the media, but related information might be circulating underground. Please look into whether there are factions associated with that lab.

Hyeon Dowun

How random. I really have no idea what you’re up to.

Let me know if you find anything useful.

Hyeon Dowun

Sigh…

Got it, I’ll start looking into it.

As I cracked a smile because Hyeon Dowun ended up listening despite this and that, a small, white hand suddenly appeared, covering the screen of my phone.

Cha Sahyeon, who had approached unnoticed, had a vacant expression while covering my phone. Why is he acting this way?

“Have you finished eating?” I asked casually, and he just nodded, avoiding eye contact. It seems he’s been approaching me more often lately. Is he getting more used to me?

“You did well.” I ruffled his hair, contemplating about the Ranking Match.

Whether Kwon Taehyeok refused or accepted the Match, I’d have a problem. If I went for the match, I’d have to leave the child alone here. But there was no one around whom I could entrust him to.

At times like this, the reality of handling everything alone felt suffocating.

‘There’s no choice. I need to finish this as quickly as possible.’

[Main Quest: Defeat the current Rank 1 Hunter ‘Kwon Taehyeok’ and claim the Rank 1 position (Remaining time: 6 days 23 hours 12 minutes)]