RG 95

Without hesitation, Cover stepped into Gwanghwamun and immediately sensed a powerful presence rapidly approaching from the opposite side.

As Cover lifted a hand to greet the figure, who had just passed through Heungnyemun and was now running toward Gwanghwamun, he recognized the face and prepared to speak. But the other person, upon noticing him, scowled fiercely.

“You…!”

“Yesung’s guild— Urk!”

Before Cover could finish his sentence, Kwon Taehyeok, his dark blue hair whipping in the wind, ignored the greeting and charged straight at him, grabbing him by the collar without warning.

‘What’s this? Feels like this has happened before…’

While Cover, confused by the strange sense of déjà vu, stood there dumbfounded, Kwon Taehyeok growled as he shook him by the collar, “Where on earth have you been, and why are you just getting here now?”

“Pardon?”

“Can’t you see the mess we’re in?!”

“Um, sorry, what?”

Shaking like a leaf in the wind under Kwon Taehyeok’s grip, Cover blinked. A mess? Did he just say that? From his mouth? Well, it is a mess, but still…

What’s more, the way Kwon Taehyeok spoke as if it were obvious that Cover should have come to help—it didn’t sit right. It seemed like Kwon Taehyeok had formed some odd impression of him.

‘Well, I did come to help… kind of.’

The truth was, Cover had come to find Kwak Seunggyu. His plan was to retrace his steps, check the place where he’d first spotted Kwak Seunggyu, and then apprehend him near Sujeongjeon. Running into Kwon Taehyeok the moment he crossed Gwanghwamun was not part of the plan.

“Ahem, Yesung’s guildmaster.” Cover discreetly freed himself from Kwon Taehyeok’s grip and started with the most crucial explanation. “There’s a support team outside protecting the civilians. I also cleaned up the area just before, so there shouldn’t be much trouble now.”

Given the situation, it was obvious why Kwon Taehyeok was rushing toward Gwanghwamun. He must have realized late that a few monsters had landed just outside the gate and was hurrying to deal with them.

Hearing that reinforcements had already arrived, Kwon Taehyeok’s scowl eased slightly, though his sharp gaze toward Cover remained.

Why’d it have to be him? Cover grumbled inwardly as he cautiously put some distance between them.

“Well, I’ve given you the briefing, so I’ll just…”

“Wait.”

A large hand suddenly clamped down on the back of Cover’s neck.

The unfamiliar contact startled Cover, and his shoulders instinctively twitched. Despite noticing this, Kwon Taehyeok tightened his grip as he continued, “Where do you think you’re going? There are still so many monsters left to deal with.”

“Uh, and what does that have to do with me…?”

At Cover’s hesitant reply, Kwon Taehyeok’s black eyes gleamed dangerously, veins bulging on the hand gripping his neck.

“Ow! That hurts!”

“Then why are you even here?”

Groaning under the pressure, Cover let out a pained grunt. This wasn’t just for show; it genuinely hurt.

“I came for something else!”

“Something else?” Kwon Taehyeok finally let go, his expression softening slightly as he scrutinized Cover with a hint of hesitation. After a brief pause, he spoke again. “Are you here… to find someone?”

Huh? How did he know? Cover, who had indeed come to find Kwak Seunggyu, hesitated, unable to answer immediately. Taking his silence as confirmation, Kwon Taehyeok’s conviction deepened. “Are you here to meet Hunter Cha Seohu?”

“Oh.”

Come to think of it, thanks to Eun Woojeong earlier, there had been a misunderstanding that Cover and Cha Seohu were acquainted.

‘How should I respond to this?’

Cover rubbed the area around his masked mouth, pondering briefly before nodding reluctantly. “Well, kind of.” It wasn’t much of an answer, but it was the best he could manage. It was thanks to someone else that Kwon Taehyeok had learned Cover and Cha Seohu knew each other, which put Cover in an awkward spot. There was no need to embellish the relationship as being particularly close, though.

Yet, despite Cover’s indifferent demeanor, Kwon Taehyeok’s expression remained troubled.

“Hunter Cha Seohu has already evacuated,” Kwon Taehyeok said.

“I see,” Cover replied, nodding easily. Pretending not to know would likely drag the conversation out further. Even so, Kwon Taehyeok looked like he had even more to say, his lips parting as if to continue. Cover, growing frustrated, was about to speak up when—

Vrrreeeeee!

“…!”

“Ugh…”

A sharp, piercing sound echoed from above, accompanied by a chilling presence that made their skin crawl. Both Cover and Kwon Taehyeok turned their attention to the rift.

Creak, crack!

The guttural cries of beasts emerged from the rift, drawing a deep frown from Cover.

‘Already the next wave? Again?’

As if confirming that this wasn’t a normal rift, dozens of hands pushed through the crimson glow, crawling out into the open.

The limbs were muscular yet sickly, their taut skin clinging to the bones like mummified flesh. At the other end of the grotesque arms were humanoid monsters with bulging eyes and desiccated features. Goblins—a whole horde of them—poured from the rift.

The number easily exceeded fifty. If they weren’t contained within Gwanghwamun, allowing them to scatter… the thought alone was horrifying.

Seeing goblins drop near Geunjeongjeon, Kwon Taehyeok muttered loud enough for Cover to hear, “Hunter Ryu Seonghyeon is guarding that area alone.”

“What did you say?” The familiar name made Cover’s heart sink. He grabbed Kwon Taehyeok’s arm and demanded, “Are you serious? Circle’s vicemaster is defending Geunjeongjeon by himself?”

“The monsters from the last wave haven’t been fully dealt with, so—hey!”

Before Kwon Taehyeok could finish, Cover bolted like an arrow. The thought of Ryu Seonghyeon fighting alone spurred him into action.

Watching Cover sprint off, Kwon Taehyeok followed quickly, narrowing his eyes.

‘It’s clear now that Cover has some kind of connection to Hunter Ryu Seonghyeon, just like Cha Seohu.’

In the past, such behavior might have raised suspicion. But now, Kwon Taehyeok was more preoccupied with the relationship between Cover and Cha Seohu. What kind of connection could they possibly share to overlap so often?

‘Could it really be, as that irritating guy suggested…?’

Kwon Taehyeok shook his head and sighed, dismissing the thought. There was no time for speculation right now.

Cover ran past Heungnyemun and Yeongjegyo, finally arriving in front of Geunjeongmun, his original destination. The area was a wreck. Walls had crumbled under the strain of the ongoing battle, and the spot where Kwak Seunggyu had been was buried under rubble.

‘Damn.’

He hadn’t expected things to turn out like this. The one lead he’d carefully traced was now gone, leaving Cover with a bitter sense of futility.

Clicking his tongue, Cover quickly scanned the area before crossing Geunjeongmun. With the lead gone, his priority shifted to ensuring Ryu Seonghyeon’s safety.

Fortunately, Ryu Seonghyeon wasn’t far from where Kwon Taehyeok had indicated. In front of the grand Geunjeongjeon, Ryu Seonghyeon was dispatching monsters, his skills radiating brilliance. His soft brown hair swayed amidst the glowing energy of his attacks.

“Vicemaster!” Cover called out loudly, unable to suppress his relief. Even though he’d just spent time with him in the guise of Cha Seohu, seeing him now brought an inexplicable wave of comfort.

Startled by the shout, Ryu Seonghyeon turned, his stern expression giving way to surprise. “Hunter Cover?” He’d half hoped to see Cover again but had long given up expecting it after their last competitive event. Just as he was about to greet him—

“Gloves!”

“Sorry, what?”

Cover didn’t stop running, yelling with urgency, “What happened to the gloves?!”

It was the question he’d wanted to ask since they’d parted as Cha Seohu.

“Oh.”

Remembering the gloves he’d stashed in his inventory, Ryu Seonghyeon smiled sheepishly. By the time he reacted, Cover had already reached him, his mouth ready to fire off more questions.

“Why don’t you wear it? Surely you didn’t sell it already—”

“I put them in my inventory… so they wouldn’t get damaged.”

“If they get ruined, I’ll buy you a new pair. Just put them on already,” Cover snapped with a sigh.

Understanding there was no use arguing, Ryu Seonghyeon obediently retrieved the gloves and slipped them on. Despite Cover’s brusque tone, it didn’t feel entirely unpleasant. It reminded Ryu Seonghyeon of the competitive match. It was oddly reassuring.

Seeing the gloves finally in place, Cover drew his sword and swiftly cut down a goblin charging toward him. Simultaneously, he opened his quest interface to confirm Kwak Seunggyu’s location.

• Current location of Kwak Seunggyu: Beside Sujeongjeon Hall.

‘What the hell is he doing there?’ Cover thought irritably. Hiding a treasure chest or something?

Though Kwak Seunggyu’s stationary position was suspicious, it worked to Cover’s advantage. Hoping he’d stay put a little longer, Cover turned to Ryu Seonghyeon.

“You’ve been here alone this whole time? No one else besides Yesung’s guildmaster?”

“No one,” Ryu Seonghyeon replied curtly, then quickly added, “Ah, if you’re worried about Hunter Cha Seohu, he evacuated outside Gwanghwamun earlier.”

Cover couldn’t suppress a hollow laugh. It was ridiculous how both Kwon Taehyeok and Ryu Seonghyeon casually brought up Cha Seohu’s whereabouts.

“No, I’m not looking for Cha Seohu. I’m—”

“Looking for me, obviously.”

The interruption came from an all-too-familiar voice.

The metallic clinking of chains accompanied Eun Woojeong as he emerged from behind Geunjeongjeon, wearing his signature mask. Using pristine white chains to gracefully swing down, he landed smoothly in front of them.

Seeing Eun Woojeong, Cover raised his sword without hesitation.

Eun Woojeong chuckled at the sight. “We haven’t seen each other in so long, and you greet me with a weapon? That’s cold.”

Cover, who wasn’t in the mood to laugh back, opened his mouth with a cold, sunken face.

“I see you’ve switched professions. Heard you’ve been spouting a lot of nonsense,” Cover said icily.

“Nonsense? Ah…” Eun Woojeong tilted his head, feigning thoughtfulness, then shrugged. “If you wanted me to stop, you shouldn’t have come rushing here. Running to Cha Seohu’s rescue, then calling it nonsense? Who’s going to believe that?”

“Your belief is worthless,” Cover snapped. “And I told you before, there’s nothing between me and Cha Seohu.”

By then, Kwon Taehyeok had arrived, having dealt with the monsters slowing him down. Eun Woojeong’s gaze flitted between Ryu Seonghyeon, who stood silently nearby, and Kwon Taehyeok, who scowled openly.

“Nothing, you say?” Eun Woojeong mused. “But you clearly just saw him. Otherwise, how would you know what I said about you two? Hmm, Cha Seohu must be quite the tattletale. Or is he only like that with you?”

Cover clenched his teeth, suppressing the urge to expose Eun Woojeong’s identity here and now. Instead, he redirected his blade, cutting down an oncoming goblin. Beyond the blood splattering in the air, another wave of the creatures surged closer.

“If you’re just here to spout more crap, leave. I’m busy.”

Eun Woojeong’s expression didn’t falter. “Oh, but didn’t Cha Seohu tell you? I’m here for you. Once this mess is cleaned up, let’s have a private chat, shall we?”

Unexpectedly, someone else responded.

“No,” Kwon Taehyeok interjected sharply, glaring at Cover. “That’s my right first. Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten?”

He was referring to the time Cover had fled during their competitive match instead of talking.

Ryu Seonghyeon, too, hesitated before adding, “Hunter Cover, if it’s alright, I’d like to speak with you briefly as well…”

“…”

Cover looked between the three—Eun Woojeong’s smirking mask, Kwon Taehyeok’s piercing glare, and Ryu Seonghyeon’s cautious gaze. He pressed his fingers to his aching temples.

Ah. He wanted to abandon everything right now.

[Main Quest: Locate the lab associate hiding somewhere in the event hall (Time remaining: 6 hours 13 minutes]