RG 86

“Mmgh, mmph!”

Sensing the hostility in my gaze, Kwon Seoyul hurriedly nodded. As soon as I let go, he whimpered, rubbing his jaw with exaggerated complaints about nearly dislocating it. His theatrics left me speechless.

Honestly, I’m just a Support; no one should even feel my strength. He’s too much. If only I could transform into an S-class and hit him for real—what a dream that would be.

“Ahem, I sought out Hunter Cha Seohu’s office to request cooperation on this matter,” Kwon Taehyeok awkwardly cleared his throat, explaining the situation at the time.

But the uncomfortable atmosphere showed no signs of improving. I checked Ryu Seonghyeon’s reaction. Sure enough, he wore an embarrassed smile—the kind people have when they learn irrelevant details about strangers.

‘Seriously…’

I’d hoped this situation might bring us closer, but no. Progress? Forget it—things were bound to regress, all thanks to Kwon Seoyul.

After a long, awkward silence, Eun Woojeong broke it. “Well… with that face, I can see why women would be drawn to him. Don’t you agree, Circle’s vicemaster?”

“Pardon? Oh, uh, yes.”

“…”

I was sorry, but I didn’t appreciate the comment. And asking such a ridiculous question to Ryu Seonghyeon only annoyed me further. Even in the past timeline, Ryu Seonghyeon had known about this. But everything was different now—circumstances, relationships, all of it.

Back then, his sincere personality extended to his views on relationships. He was deeply serious about them. That’s why he used to worry about me, cautioning against casual encounters, and managed me quite strictly.

But the current Ryu Seonghyeon… He had no reason—or interest—to care about me that way. If anything, hearing Kwon Seoyul might’ve made him see me as someone to avoid.

‘…Enough. This isn’t the time to dwell on this.’

The more I thought about it, the gloomier I felt, so I forced myself to stop.

“Let’s get moving. We don’t have time to waste anymore.”

Pushing Ryu Seonghyeon and Eun Woojeong forward, I glared at Kwon Seoyul trailing behind us. Catching my warning look, he drooped his shoulders with a crestfallen expression.

When we arrived near Yeongchumun, guards stood at regular intervals, just like at the entrance to the National Folk Museum. Judging by their aura… they seemed about B-class. We were stronger, but sneaking past them undetected would be impossible.

I turned to Kwon Seoyul. “You go first.”

“Yes…”

Replying sullenly, Kwon Seoyul walked out without hesitation. Meanwhile, we hid in the alley across the street, watching him closely.

Kwon Seoyul approached the guard blocking the entrance and exchanged a few words before unbuttoning his right sleeve. Rolling it up past his elbow, he revealed a tattoo and showed it to the guard.

Kwon Taehyeok, observing the scene, asked, “What’s he doing?”

If it had been Eun Woojeong, I would’ve ignored the question. But I still felt a bit guilty toward Kwon Taehyeok, so I couldn’t brush him off so easily. Plus, Ryu Seonghyeon’s curious gaze left me with no choice but to answer.

“He’s showing his number—a proof of affiliation.” If Kwon Seoyul weren’t such a chatterbox, I could’ve left it vague. Sighing, I elaborated, “That tattoo extends from his right arm to his shoulder. Hidden within it is his number.”

“Does everyone affiliated with that zone have these numbers?”

“…Not everyone.”

I couldn’t exactly say that only the man’s close subordinates—his so-called ‘brothers’—had them. Keeping it brief, I left it at that, but Eun Woojeong picked up the baton.

“From the conversation earlier, it sounds like Hunter Cha Seohu might be connected to this… sector too. Does that mean you have a number tattoo as well?”

“…Yes.”

“Where?”

“…”

Even though I knew silence wouldn’t help, I couldn’t bring myself to answer. Luckily, Kwon Seoyul finished his conversation and gestured for us to come over. Grateful for the distraction, I turned away from the trio and headed toward Yeongchumun.

“Keep your eyes forward and move quickly,” the guard instructed in a low voice as he opened the gate for us. Finally, after much trouble, we stepped into Gyeongbokgung Palace.

Once inside, a wide dirt path branched into three directions. Walking straight ahead would lead us to the main event area of Gyeongbokgung.

“There doesn’t seem to be much movement here, but the closer we get to Gyeongbokgung, the higher the chances of encountering guards or event participants,” I said.

“We shouldn’t get too close, then,” Ryu Seonghyeon agreed.

Listening to our exchange, Kwon Taehyeok nodded and gestured toward a path.

“If you walk straight ahead, you’ll reach Sujeongjeon. From there, you can approach Geunjeongjeon, where Gyeongbokgung Palace is located. However, there will likely be guards posted along the walls… I suggest taking a left and circling around toward Sajeongjeon.”

Sajeongjeon was the administrative hall located right behind Gyeongbokgung.

“With Cheonchujeon and Manchunjeon right next to it, we can use the rooftops of those three buildings to observe the event area without getting too close.”

“Good idea. Let’s head there.”

We moved as quietly as possible through the shadowed interior of Gyeongbokgung.

With the exception of me, the other four members were all highly sensitive S-class Hunters, allowing us to avoid detection and maneuver with ease.

Just as Kwon Taehyeok mentioned, we passed Sujeongjeon and entered a small gate along a side alley. Inside, we saw Cheonchujeon, Sajeongjeon, and Manchunjeon lined up in a row.

Climbing onto one of the rooftops, we had a clear view of the event area beyond the wall. However, Gyeongbokgung’s central structure was much larger and taller than the pavilions, blocking our view of the middle of the event. We could only see the far left and right edges.

“It seems Kwak Seunggyu is hidden behind Gyeongbokgung and out of sight,” I noted.

Kwon Taehyeok and Ryu Seonghyeon moved between the rooftops of Cheonchujeon and Manchunjeon, scanning the event area as much as they could. Still, there was no sign of Kwak Seunggyu.

At this rate, we’d have to take the risk of getting closer to the event. Fortunately, I had already anticipated this possibility.

‘Originally, the plan was for me to go in place of the more recognizable Kwon Taehyeok and Ryu Seonghyeon…’

But now, we had someone even more suited for the job. I turned toward Eun Woojeong, standing beside me. “Eun Woojeong, you mentioned earlier that you wanted to help, right?”

He met my gaze with a subtle smile, blinking as if he already knew what I was about to ask. Ignoring his knowing look, I addressed the team, “Following the original plan, it would’ve been safer for me to go. However, since Eun Woojeong was officially invited to this event, it makes more sense for him to enter and search for Kwak Seunggyu directly.”

“Hmm…”

“He’ll have to move around the event area to locate Kwak Seunggyu, but his presence there will feel natural.”

Kwon Taehyeok glanced between Eun Woojeong and me, seemingly reluctant but ultimately resigned. He turned to him. “Would you be willing to do it?” He, too, recognized my suggestion was more practical than the original plan. Satisfied, I smiled, waiting for Eun Woojeong’s response.

“Well, I did say I’d help earlier,” he replied.

“Wow, reassuring!”

“But I have one condition,” he added.

A condition?

Confused, I blinked at him. Eun Woojeong gave me a pointed smile before speaking, “I’d like someone to accompany me. I don’t know what Kwak Seunggyu looks like, and I’m not sure how to act once I find him.”

Wait… don’t tell me…

Before I could fully process the ominous feeling creeping in, Eun Woojeong suddenly grabbed my shoulder, pulling me closer, his eyes narrowing playfully. “So, you’ll come with me, right, Hunter Cha Seohu?”

“Wait, why me…?” I tried to protest but stopped midway.

There wasn’t anyone else who could go with him. Kwon Taehyeok and Ryu Seonghyeon were out of the question from the start, and as for Kwon Seoyul… pairing him with Eun Woojeong was an idea so unthinkable, I’d rather take a hundred, no, a thousand risks myself.

“…Okay?.”

Unable to muster a retort, I was met with Eun Woojeong’s expectant gaze, urging me for an answer.

This was seriously the worst. Yet, there wasn’t a better solution in sight. Grinding my teeth in frustration, I pried his hand off my shoulder with more force than necessary.

“Well, of course, I’ll go with you. After all, you did come all this way claiming you’d be helpful. Though I must admit, it’s slightly surprising that you suddenly need me now. But hey, I understand.”

“Thanks for your understanding.”

Ha-ha. The awkwardly polite laughs we exchanged sent sparks flying between us, the air crackling with unspoken tension. Watching this petty back-and-forth, Kwon Taehyeok let out a quiet sigh.

“Broooo, can’t I come too? I don’t want to stay here,” whined Kwon Seoyul.

If you hate it so much, then forget orders or whatever—just keep watch from a distance or something.

“Stop spouting nonsense and stay put. Let’s go,” I said, shoving away Kwon Seoyul’s face as he tried to cling to me with an overly forced display of cuteness.