RG 133

The one who would become the new leader of Circle Guild.

Those words, of course, meant that the current leader, Song Ji-un, intended to step down and leave the guild.

“What is this…?” Hearing this unexpected retirement announcement from his superior, Ryu Seonghyeon barely managed to speak, his expression turning cold. “So suddenly…?”

“It’s not sudden,” Song Ji-un replied with a leisurely lift of his lips. “Seonghyeon, think back to when we first met.”

“…”

“You had just awakened and were worried about your future. I suggested you join the guild. I told you I couldn’t promise to grow it into a huge guild, but I’d make sure that every Hunter who joined would be able to work safely, no matter what.”

“…I remember.”

Listening to their conversation, Cha Seohu narrowed his eyes slightly. Even though he knew the real Song Ji-un well, this was the first time he’d heard this story. It was a past that the fake and Ryu Seonghyeon had experienced together, but likely not so different from before the regression. The fake was faithfully retracing the real Song Ji-un’s footsteps.

“Thanks to you joining the guild and taking on the role of vicemaster, the burden on me was much lighter. The reason our guild came this far is largely because of you.”

“Guildmaster…”

“I’m not just saying that.” With a complicated expression, Song Ji-un exhaled briefly and continued, “Even when people mocked and pitied us, you stayed. Because of that, our guild is on the verge of real change. You know just as well how many Hunters have recently applied to join.”

After winning the competition against Ronic Guild and being mentioned in the Gwanghwamun incident, Ryu Seonghyeon had raised Circle Guild’s reputation. Moreover, word had spread about how thoroughly the Circle Guild prioritized its members’ safety, and once it became known that they were in a cooperative relationship with Yesung, the top guild in the country, interest from Hunters surged.

In a way, it was only natural. In fact, Circle had several opportunities in the past to expand. It was only because Ronic, upset about losing Ryu Seonghyeon, had interfered each time that they had repeatedly failed.

“I didn’t achieve all this on my own.”

At the firm reply, Song Ji-un gave a short laugh. “True. Others helped as well—especially Hunter Cover. He was a great help.” Song Ji-un’s gaze briefly shifted to Cha Seohu. His eyes were full of mischief, causing Cha Seohu to frown before quickly composing himself so Ryu Seonghyeon wouldn’t notice. “We should meet the expectations of those who trusted us and lent their support, don’t you think?”

“What does that have to do with you stepping down as guildmaster?”

“A strong guild needs a leader who matches its strength.”

Song Ji-un was an A-class mental-type Support. While a rare skill, it wasn’t particularly useful outside of national agencies dealing with criminals. Most guilds had little use for it.

“You’re more than enough to—”

“Be realistic,” Song Ji-un cut Ryu Seonghyeon off coldly. “A new Healer just submitted a resume. That’s a great thing. We’ve long been in need of Support-types. And if we continue to meet expectations, the number of Support will keep increasing.”

“…”

“At present, we don’t have the capacity to truly protect Supports. For now, Seonghyeon, you can move together with the new Healer and keep them safe. That much is fine. But what if there are two Supports? Three? Then what?”

“That’s…”

“Just as Supports protect DPSs, DPSs must also take responsibility for their Supports. And since Supports have the same physical limits as ordinary people, it’s a more delicate matter.”

Ryu Seonghyeon couldn’t bring himself to argue. He nodded quietly. He knew very well that besides himself, Circle Guild currently lacked any truly capable DPSs.

A skilled DPS in a guild wasn’t judged solely by their skill or rank—but by experience. How many battles one had experienced, how sound their judgment was, whether they could carry their weight in team activities—these were not qualities that could be built in a day or two.

What’s more, Circle Guild was small and didn’t own a training ground or dungeon. It was an unsuitable environment for a newly awakened DPS to gain experience. For Supports—who were essentially entrusting their lives to the DPSs—this was a serious consideration.

“Of course, as much as the Supports, many DPSs are also showing interest in our guild. But even DPSs need time to build rapport with one another. In the end, the current Circle Guild needs a strong guildmaster leading from the front.”

“I understand your point, guildmaster, but just as much as strength, what we need now is an experienced leader. If the leadership changes at the same time new members are joining, it’ll be difficult to stabilize things quickly.”

“That’s a valid point.” This time, Song Ji-un nodded and soon offered a deep smile. “But Seonghyeon.”

“Yes?”

“When did I say I’d leave right away?”

“…What?”

“Of course, I’ll handle the transition myself. Like I mentioned earlier, the new guildmaster is someone who’s lived a reclusive life in the mountains, keeping others at a distance, so I’ll need to support them for a while.”

Only then did Ryu Seonghyeon grasp the full picture that Song Ji-un had in mind, and he let out a sigh of relief. “So you’re not planning to leave immediately.”

“I do want to rest, but I have no intention of leaving irresponsibly.” As the conversation grew long, the tea in the cup had cooled. Still, Song Ji-un lifted the teacup without concern and drank slowly. “Seonghyeon. I haven’t said this to the other guild members, but I’ve told you many times over the years. If someone worthy comes along, I’d step down without regret.”

“…You did,” Ryu Seonghyeon answered bitterly, lowering his head slightly.

Cha Seohu, who had been silently listening to the two, looked at Song Ji-un with a renewed feeling.

‘That guy…’

He had asked the fake guildmaster who had taken over the Circle Guild multiple times about Song Ji-un’s whereabouts. But all he ever said was to wait, that he’d let him know when the time came—empty words, or so it seemed.

So Cha Seohu had assumed the fake was just dodging the question with excuses.

‘So he wasn’t dodging it after all.’

Through the conversation with Ryu Seonghyeon, he realized that the fake had actually been preparing everything to hand the position over to Song Ji-un. That the “right time” he kept mentioning was now. The finer details would become clear after going to Mount Taebaek and meeting the real Song Ji-un, but it was undeniable that the fake had handled things with surprising maturity.

‘What an annoying bastard.’

Cursing the fake inwardly for no good reason, Cha Seohu had no choice but to admit it. The fake had done a pretty good job guarding and growing the Circle Guild in Song Ji-un’s absence.

As Cha Seohu swallowed his complicated emotions, Song Ji-un set down his teacup and continued speaking to Ryu Seonghyeon, “It won’t be easy, but I trust that you’ll be able to persuade the mountain dweller to come with you. And what you lack, Hunter Cha Seohu will help cover.”

“Ah.”

Now that he thought about it, they weren’t the only two in the room. It began to dawn on him that perhaps they’d spoken a bit too intimately, given that Cha Seohu, who had nothing to do with the Circle Guild, was more or less a guest.

Turning to the side, he saw Cha Seohu lost in thought. His pale, handsome face had eyes tinged red around the edges, stirring strange emotions the longer one looked at him.

Ryu Seonghyeon, who had been staring blankly at Cha Seohu’s face, finally came to his senses when Cha Seohu, feeling the gaze, turned to look back at him. He quickly turned his head forward, gave an awkward cough as he voiced a different opinion, “Ahem, well… wouldn’t it be enough for me to go alone to find the mountain dweller? There’s no reason for Hunter Cha Seohu, a Support, to come along and suffer.” It wasn’t just discomfort around Cha Seohu that made him say this.

‘Of all places, Mount Taebaek…’

Mount Taebaek. Once a beloved mountain visited by many, it had completely changed with the appearance of rifts and dungeons.

Snow fell year-round, and the entire mountain was engulfed in extreme cold and razor-sharp winds. It had become a barren snow-covered mountain where not even most Hunters could survive, let alone ordinary people. He would have to enter that mountain and search for the mountain dweller, whose whereabouts were unknown. Even if they were lucky enough to find him, convincing him would be no easy task.

Bringing along Cha Seohu, a Support, was far too dangerous.

“According to analysis, the cold across Mount Taebaek is artificially generated and spreads throughout the mountain. Hunter Cha Seohu likely won’t be able to endure it.”

Ryu Seonghyeon was genuinely concerned for Cha Seohu. But upon hearing that, Cha Seohu simply dropped his shoulders, looking rather downcast.

“I’m fine. I can go.”

“He says he’s fine, doesn’t he?”

Even Song Ji-un sided with Cha Seohu, making Ryu Seonghyeon let out a sigh in disbelief, wondering what on earth the two had talked about last night.

“This isn’t something to decide so lightly. What if he comes along and ends up seriously ill?”

“Hunter Cha Seohu isn’t a child. He must have already braced himself for that much. And Seonghyeon.” Song Ji-un’s long, narrow eyes curved gently. Then, with a very clear and firm voice, he offered advice, “Hunter Cha Seohu will be a very capable partner. Maybe even more than you imagine.”

“…”

“When the time comes, you might even feel grateful to me. After all, it’s because Hunter Cha Seohu owes me a favor that he’s able to accompany you.”

At his confident remark, Ryu Seonghyeon was too flustered to respond, mouth agape. That’s when—

Knock, knock.

With a knock, the stiff voice of a Circle Guild member came from beyond the door. “Um, guildmaster. A guest has arrived from Yesung Guild.”

Kwon Taehyeok had arrived earlier than expected. When Song Ji-un told them to let him in, the door opened and Kwon Taehyeok strode in confidently.

“Guildmaster of Circle.”

“It’s been a while, Guildmaster of Yesung.” Song Ji-un rose from his seat and shook hands with Kwon Taehyeok as he approached.

Even back when the Circle Guild was far smaller than it was now, Kwon Taehyeok had never once looked down on Song Ji-un or the guild. Extending his hand first and bowing his head slightly during the handshake reflected both the manners one should show to a fellow leader and the respect due to someone older.

“Hunter Ryu Seonghyeon. Thank you for relaying the message.”

Kwon Taehyeok didn’t forget to greet Ryu Seonghyeon either, then his gaze finally turned to the last person in the room—Cha Seohu. Watching the three exchange greetings in silence, Cha Seohu smirked when his eyes met Kwon Taehyeok’s.

“Lovely morning, isn’t it?”

“…Do you really find this funny?” Instead of a greeting, a rebuke escaped Kwon Taehyeok’s lips—but he didn’t look truly angry.

In truth, he hadn’t been in a good mood on his way to the Circle Guild. He couldn’t understand why Cha Seohu had sought out the Circle’s guildmaster. Wasn’t he, in every respect, the better person to help? More than anything, they had already agreed that Cha Seohu would stay in a private room within the Yesung Guild. So even if he had just shown up without warning, that would’ve been enough.

Nothing about the situation sat right with Kwon Taehyeok. He felt hurt that Cha Seohu didn’t trust or rely on him, and frustrated at constantly losing the chance to support him. His mood had only worsened as he traveled.

“But crying won’t solve anything, so I might as well smile.”

Facing Cha Seohu, who smiled broadly and joked with ease, Kwon Taehyeok felt all his irritation melt away like snow in spring.