RG 17

“Hmm…”

Even I was perplexed by how this situation unfolded, but I couldn’t afford to stay like this, especially considering Kwon Taehyeok’s dignity. It seemed best to quickly rectify the situation.

Still contemplating what to do, I rose while holding Kwon Taehyeok in my arms.

As I cradled the unconscious Kwon Taehyeok in my arms, the spectators watching us stirred once again. Looking around, I saw people in suits who had been talking to Kwon Taehyeok before the Ranking Match began—his secretary and subordinates—sweating nervously.

‘I should return him to those people.’

As I moved with Kwon Taehyeok in my arms, the spotlight followed me. Since it was difficult to tell them to leave me alone, I left it alone for now.

“Excuse me.”

“Y-yes?”

As I approached them, the secretaries looked unsure of what to do, their faces pale. Feeling a bit sorry for their predicament, I spoke with the intention of resolving the situation quickly and leaving.

“Here.” As soon as the words left my mouth, I felt like I was returning an item, so I hastily added, “Take him with you.”

“…”

Ah, this somehow felt like treating someone as if they were a pet.

In my awkwardness caused by consecutive mistakes, the secretary finally regained composure and pointed to a nearby bench. “I-if you could leave him here…”

“Ah, yes.”

I carefully placed Kwon Taehyeok on the bench.

Kwon Taehyeok, in his unconscious state, couldn’t control his body and slumped to the side. The scene created a rather poignant atmosphere.

‘I’m sorry. But it doesn’t seem to be entirely my fault…’

If we scrutinize it, isn’t his luck the one to blame for receiving the rare 0.3% probability directly? Anyway, well, I silently convey my apologies in my mind.

‘I’ll take the rank one position.’

If you still want it, maybe this time you should apply for the Ranking Match…

After sending a silent greeting in my mind, I turned away without any lingering feelings. Kwon Taehyeok has already been sent to the relevant personnel, or whatever you want to call them, so all that’s left is to leave here.

“Wait, challenger! No, the new Rank 1 Hunter!” A reporter who quickly realized that the situation had somewhat settled rushed over. “Tell us your affiliation, your name! Is covering your face with a mask part of a planned performance?”

“No interviews.”

Dodging the microphone thrust at me, just like when I first arrived here, I kicked off the ground and soared, easily clearing the iron bars. Wow. Leaving behind the awe-struck audience, I ran towards a nearby building.

“Catch him!”

“We must catch him for an interview!”

“Where did he go?”

As soon as I hid in the building, broadcasting officials passed by. After the signs of pursuit disappeared, I sighed with relief and sat down on the steps of the building.

“This is crazy…”

It still hadn’t fully sunk in. Did I really defeat Kwon Taehyeok? Am I really the Rank 1?

The fight was forced due to the quest, but I never expected to benefit from my trait in this way. After removing my mask, I wiped my face and pondered.

‘Could this be… was the status window intended from the beginning?’

It’s possible that the trait was designed to come into play during a dangerous moment in the fight against Kwon Taehyeok. The timing was too perfect, raising suspicions that it wasn’t just simple luck but someone’s intentional plan.

“And what’s the reward for this?”

I brought up the status window that I couldn’t properly check earlier due to being in a daze.

《Main Quest cleared. Rewards are granted.》

《Kwon Taehyeok’s interest increases!》

Increase in interest level? Was the quest’s “Quest Success: ���� Increase” referring to Kwon Taehyeok’s interest level? Does failing the quest result in a decrease in interest?

‘I don’t need it… No, do I?’

Regardless, the most important main quest was to gain the trust of the main characters, and having successfully piqued Kwon Taehyeok’s interest was a gain.

“…Wait a moment. Is this interest not directed towards this body?”

Does this mean that from now on, every time I face Kwon Taehyeok, I’ll have to undergo such transformations? It was an unavoidable choice since my F-class body wouldn’t have won in the first place, but… I felt uneasy.

The fact that Kwon Taehyeok, the one I defeated, is now showing an increased interest in me and claiming the Rank 1 spot is amusing in its own way.

Sighing briefly, I stood up from my seat.

I don’t know what’s what, but in any case, I’ve completed another quest.

Next time, I hope they give me an easier quest. Like bathing with Cha Sahyeon or something. Doing intense quests like this one a couple more times, and I might as well go to the underworld.

“Let’s go home…”

Just in case I might be recognized by my attire, I took off my hat and roughly combed my flattened hair. Then, I took off the denim jacket and draped it over my arm. Since I might need the mask again, I didn’t discard it and instead tucked it into the hoodie pocket.

‘I should stop by the pharmacy on the way and get some medicine.’

Late, but the pain from the injuries started to surge. Not only the places where Kwon Taehyeok’s blade cut but also the entire body that collided with the ground whimpered and screamed in pain.

“Haah…”

A sigh involuntarily escaped at the messy sight of myself.

***

“Hup.”

I returned home while avoiding people’s gaze as much as possible and, just like when I left, leaped up to the second-floor window from the back alley.

Unlike when I left, I safely perched on the windowsill with a somewhat heavier movement.

‘Cha Sahyeon must be sleeping, right?’

It was late, close to midnight. Cha Sahyeon usually went to bed around 10 PM, so by now, he would have already gone to sleep.

After descending from the windowsill to avoid waking him, I closed the window. However, as soon as I turned around, I discovered a black shadow abruptly rising from the middle of the sofa and let out a silent scream.

“Wh-what on earth?!”

“…”

I quickly turned on the light in a hurry, revealing Cha Sahyeon sitting on the sofa. My heart thumped so loudly, it felt like it might jump out of my mouth due to the surprise.

“Kid, why aren’t you sleeping? What are you doing here?”

Cha Sahyeon, sitting like a lifeless doll with an expressionless face, slowly raised his head at my question. His eyes, half-hidden in the shadows, somehow seemed reproachful.

“I mean, how can you stay up and wait until this late? I told you I’d come back on my own.”

Brushing off the tension in my chest, I approached, trying to lecture him. As I did, he subtly avoided my gaze and hesitated to hold my outstretched hand.

“If you keep doing this, you won’t grow taller. Regretting being short when you’re older is pointless; it’s too late.”

The changed body made me much taller than usual, even higher than eye level with the child. I had no choice but to bend down, causing blood to pour again from the wound on my thigh. It’s going to be painful.

“Hurry and go lie down inside. Next time, don’t wait even if I’m late… huh?” I spoke from a distance, given my messy state from all the rolling and the blood on my body. However, Cha Sahyeon, with arms outstretched, unexpectedly hugged me.

“Hey, can’t you see I’m dirty? Get away.”

I complained about the absurdity of the child hugging me, dirty as I was. But the child raised his head, rubbing it against my neck.

Oh, covered in dirt and blood, just like me. Even though I was about to scold the child for getting equally messy, the tension eased as warmth radiated from the little one’s body.

“I’m going crazy because of you.” While muttering, I lifted him in my arms. “I’ll help you wash up, so you owe me, too. Help me with the treatment.” Heading toward the bathroom, I sarcastically remarked, and the child merely nodded. Well, he always answers well in these situations.

Although I sometimes carried him, this time, he seemed more desperate for some reason. Watching him tightly grip my clothes until his small hands turned pale, I squinted my eyes.

‘Is this what they call separation anxiety that I’ve heard about?’

It seems that Cha Sahyeon thought I wouldn’t come back after going out. That’s why the child stayed up without sleeping, waiting until this late at night. To check if I returned or left, abandoning them.

‘The road is tough, really.’

Handling quests is already challenging, and now I have to consider the child’s emotions as well.

While I understood the anxious feelings, leaving things as they were was not an option. I couldn’t let the child wait anxiously like this every time I went out.

“Kid.” I patted the child’s back and expressed some genuine feelings. “I’m sorry, but I’m not as good of an adult as you might think.”

“…”

“If I ever want to abandon you, I’ll say it and leave right away.” Lowering Cha Sahyeon from my arms, I locked eyes with him. The eyes looking at me sparkled with a peculiar light. “So, there’s no need to worry about that unless I say I’m leaving. If I say I’m coming back, I’ll definitely come back. Got it?”

He blinked, stared blankly, and once again nodded.

Rather than the uncertain and embellished lies filled with comforting promises of never abandoning them, I said what would ease my own conscience. Surprisingly, there was little reaction. I thought he might cry from being hurt, but his mental strength was more resilient than I expected.