VHN 8
by Springlila‘How did he get here? No, more importantly, why is he here?’
Seo Je-hyun seemed oblivious to Do Ye-hyun’s confusion, focusing solely on the Guild Master’s voice that was getting closer. Do Ye-hyun gripped Seo Je-hyun’s wrist tightly, trying to pry his hand away from his mouth, and only then did Seo Je-hyun remove it.
“…Who are you?”
“Name? Seo Je-hyun. But I don’t think this is the time for introductions.”
Seo Je-hyun, who introduced himself, glanced around and then pulled something out of his jacket. Do Ye-hyun reflexively stared at the object, and Seo Je-hyun chuckled softly as he spoke.
“It’s an A-rank item. A pair of them, and they can warp you once, regardless of location or distance.”
“Pardon?”
“Don’t you think we should go right now?”
“Uh, where to?”
Do Ye-hyun asked with a voice full of distrust, and Seo Je-hyun frowned slightly, as if troubled, before answering.
“To my… a place similar to my home.”
‘If it’s a home, it’s a home, what’s with “similar”?’
As if sensing Do Ye-hyun’s question, Seo Je-hyun added.
“Don’t misunderstand. It just means my house blew up, so I’m living in a hotel.”
“Pardon?”
‘His house blew up?’
But there was no time to ask further.
“Ye-hyun! I think you’re here. Let’s get out of here first. This old man is tired.”
The Guild Master’s voice was coming from right nearby.
Even as he watched Do Ye-hyun’s face turn pale in real-time, Seo Je-hyun asked leisurely.
“Want to trust me once?”
Was it right to follow this person? Do Ye-hyun had encountered Seo Je-hyun at the Awakened Registration Center. Moreover, seeing him moving with someone from the national organization, this man in front of him was definitely a Hunter.
‘I knew it. How else would he find me here…’
Doubt and anxiety grew within him, but there was no time to hesitate.
‘Right. This person is probably stronger than that Guild Master. Even if he demands money for saving me, it’ll be less than what the Guild Master would ask for…’
Whether he knew that Do Ye-hyun was desperately racking his brain or not, the man chuckled. Do Ye-hyun was about to feel offended by that laugh, but in an instant, Seo Je-hyun placed the A-rank item in Do Ye-hyun’s hand. As soon as he gripped the cube-shaped box tightly, he felt as if his body was being sucked into it.
“Wh-What is this….”
“I didn’t explain, did I? Only one person can warp.”
With those words, Seo Je-hyun smiled brightly before his face hardened coldly in an instant. His already cool impression turned rigid, and goosebumps ran down Do Ye-hyun’s spine.
“So, until I get there, don’t run away and stay put.”
‘I, I think I’ve made a mistake?’
But it was already too late. A moment later, Do Ye-hyun had vanished without a trace from the alley, leaving only the cold-faced man behind.
* * *
Back to October 7th, morning.
After checking into the hotel, I immediately went back down and headed to the department store. I don’t usually splurge on clothes, but sometimes it was necessary.
“It looks really good on you. Would you like to try on some other outfits?”
“No. Just give me the same size for all of them.”
I deliberately had several suits tailored at the luxury goods section and bought some casual everyday clothes as well. After writing down the address and asking for them to be delivered to the hotel, I put on the dark navy solid suit I had worn first, and threw away the cotton t-shirt and pants I had worn as pajamas.
“If you contact us next time, I’ll handle it directly without going through anyone else. If there are any products you want, please tell me in advance. I’ll set them aside for you.”
“Yes.”
‘Hmm.’
Even though I came to the department store I had visited several times on purpose, the purchase history had been erased. I needed to find out if this was because Im Seong-yeon didn’t know much about me, or if my tracks had simply been reset.
Because, while my parents’ numbers were gone, the traces were still too clear.
I stared blankly at the advertisement hanging in the distance before turning my gaze away.
‘Now, shall I try something more novel-like?’
First of all, the information I got from the novel was limited. The novelistic license, or omissions, have now become reality for me. Moreover, the focus of the novel is Kwon Tae-han, and right now it’s before Kwon Tae-han’s 5th regression starts, so the only information I can use is Kwon Tae-han’s 1st regression memories?
But just spending all day on the internet and trying to figure things out by guessing…
‘It’s inefficient.’
To solve something, whether in modern or ancient times, three things were needed equally. Money, time, and coercion. The last was optional, and time could be shortened to some extent with money, so I immediately looked for something else.
[Tracking, Surveillance, Anything Undertaken. 24-Hour On-Call Private Investigation Agency]
Whether it was trustworthy or not could be determined through other means. I had my status window, after all.
I immediately threw open the door to the private investigation agency.
“Ah, hello. What brings you here?”
Name: Lee Gi-cheol
Age: 38
Rank: –
Title: –
Main Skill: –
Limit Growth Rank: –
He’s not an Awakened.
“I came to the wrong place.”
Next.
“Eh? A young man came. What’s the matter?”
Name: Kim Gwang-tae
Age: 32
Rank: –
Title: –
Main Skill: –
Limit Growth Rank: –
A bust.
“No. I came to the wrong place.”
Next.
“Hmm… Are you a reserved customer?”
Name: Park Eui-cheon
Age: 50
Rank: –
Title: –
Main Skill: –
Limit Growth Rank: –
“No. Fighting.”
“What? Who’s that crazy bastard?”
Next.
As a result of driving around Seoul in a taxi, the last private investigation agency within a reasonable distance that I could visit on the same day came into view.
‘Do guys with Tracking Skill not work as private investigators? It would be more profitable.’
Ding-dong?
The door to the private investigation agency opened with a cheerful sound.
Name: Min Jeong-bae
Age: 44
Rank: –
Title: –
Main Skill: –
Limit Growth Rank: –
“Customer? Is there something you’re looking for?”
The man who had been fiddling with a clock at the CEO’s desk greeted me as soon as I entered.
‘Oh, come on…’
Just as I was about to turn around and leave again, another status window appeared.
Name: Joo Seo-won
Age: 26
Rank: B
Title: –
Main Skill: Point of Trust (A), Tracking (B)
Limit Growth Rank: B
…Found him. My lottery ticket. I didn’t even wish for it, but he was here.
I felt like I was being rewarded all at once for all the hard work I had put in running around. I could feel a smile spreading across my face.
I never imagined I would meet Joo Seo-won here. Well, anyway, if I backed out now, that would be even more of a problem. I immediately ignored Min Jeong-bae, who was sitting at the CEO’s desk, and strode over to grab the doorknob leading inside.
“What are you doing?”
Click. I turned the doorknob, but the door was locked. I ignored Min Jeong-bae, who was babbling something, and knocked on the door.
Knock knock?
“Joo Seo-won.”
“…”
“I’d like to make a one-on-one contract.”
Without hesitation, I called out Joo Seo-won’s name, and after a brief rattling sound from inside, the door creaked open.
Joo Seo-won is a character with a significant role in the original story. I never thought I would meet him now. A tall, handsome man with brown hair who always smiles brightly. Thanks to his cheerful personality, he gets along well with everyone, but he had a secret. And of course, I knew what that secret was.
Should I use that card now? Joo Seo-won might try to kill me, should I trust the power of the rule of law once?
Joo Seo-won stared at me for a moment before grinning and saying.
“Joo Seo-won’s on-site service~”
“…”
“…Unfortunately for the customer who wants to use it, I’m fully booked right now. I’m sorry. My bad.”
As the door closed after those words, I forcibly shoved my foot in. With a thud sound, the door caught on my foot, creating pain. Ouch, that really hurts.
But if I missed this chance, it would take quite a while to get Joo Seo-won to cooperate. Probably, Joo Seo-won is not taking any requests and is in hiding right now. Out of money, time, and coercion, I’m most pressed for time right now, so let’s go quickly.
Taking advantage of Joo Seo-won’s momentary confusion, I smiled and said. I had already made up my mind. It’s okay to use what I know, whether it’s a secret or a weakness, right?
“Shall I tell you where Joo Min-ha is?”
Joo Seo-won’s younger sister who is nine years younger than him. She disappeared two years ago in a Dungeon accident, and Joo Seo-won couldn’t find her even with his Tracking Skill. Well, of course. Joo Min-ha isn’t on Earth right now.
At that moment, I felt my collar being grabbed, and in an instant, I was dragged into the room where Joo Seo-won was and my whole body slammed against the wall.
‘I expected this reaction…’
I raised the corners of my mouth and stared at Joo Seo-won. And this time, I didn’t feel the pain from the penalty. It meant it didn’t deviate from the plausibility.
“How do you know that?”
Joo Seo-won’s bright voice turned ominous and low.
Bringing up family is definitely a bad move. I forcefully pried Joo Seo-won’s hand off my collar and straightened my clothes. I could be grabbed by the collar any number of times, but I didn’t bring up these words to ruin my relationship with Joo Seo-won.
I raised both hands to show Joo Seo-won that they were empty, intending to prove my innocence. Whether he cared or not, Joo Seo-won was already half out of his mind just from the fact that I had mentioned Joo Min-ha. If I couldn’t have a conversation, I would have to subdue him, but I didn’t want to do that. I still couldn’t gauge whether I could completely gain the upper hand in a physical fight, and there was a big difference in rank.
The way to calm Joo Seo-won down in this situation is…
“Calm down, Joo Seo-won. I was in the place where Min-ha is until recently.”
‘Let’s lie a little!’
I put my hands in my pockets and smiled.