RG 132

‘Didn’t something like this… happen before?’

The thought suddenly crossed Ryu Seonghyeon’s mind, and he recalled Cover. Back then too, he had felt the same kind of awkwardness. He wondered if the “big brother” that Cover had called out to in the competitive match waiting room was the same person as the “big brother” that Cha Seohu had just whispered.

“…Ah, Vicemaster.” After blinking several times, Cha Seohu seemed to finally come to his senses. With a clearer tone than before, he addressed Ryu Seonghyeon and sat up. “Good morning.”

“Ah, yes. Good morning.”

Offering the same greeting Ryu Seonghyeon had exchanged with Song Ji-un, Cha Seohu then noticed the blanket sliding off his lap and tilted his head slightly. Judging by his confused expression, someone else must have covered him with the blanket.

‘Did Guildmaster do it?’

Since they’d been together until morning, it was likely that Song Ji-un had done it. That, too, struck Ryu Seonghyeon as odd. Song Ji-un always wore a friendly smile, but he wasn’t the kind of person who showed such delicate consideration. Despite his gentle image, he was someone difficult to approach, and many guild members were intimidated by him.

With a complicated expression, Ryu Seonghyeon glanced back and forth between Cha Seohu and Song Ji-un. He had already thought it strange that Cover had come to the guild twice just to see Song Ji-un. And now Cha Seohu too? He couldn’t make sense of when Song Ji-un had grown so close to the two of them.

“Now that you’re awake, shall we get down to business?”

At Song Ji-un’s suggestion, Cha Seohu—still blinking sleep from his eyes—brushed his bangs aside and pressed a hand to his brow. “Let me just wash my face first. I’ll use the bathroom.”

Song Ji-un shrugged as if to say “go ahead,” and Cha Seohu headed toward the small bathroom in the corner of the office.

It was hidden behind a coat rack—most first-time visitors wouldn’t even realize it was there. Yet Cha Seohu moved toward it like he’d known it all along. The sight left Ryu Seonghyeon even more confused.

***

After washing his face and neatly using one of the towels on display, Cha Seohu returned, his hair slightly damp. His complexion was still pale—so much so that Ryu Seonghyeon couldn’t help but worry if he was unwell. But Cha Seohu quietly sat down on the sofa, as if nothing was wrong.

“Looks like we’ve all got a lot to talk about. Let’s sit down with some warm tea and take our time.”

Seated across from Cha Seohu, Song Ji-un lifted a kettle filled with hot water and gave a small nod to Ryu Seonghyeon.

Ryu Seonghyeon, who was naturally heading toward the seat beside Song Ji-un, paused and, following the cue, sat down beside Cha Seohu instead.

Glancing sideways at Ryu Seonghyeon now seated next to him, Cha Seohu lowered his head slightly. His posture showed clear tension, and Ryu Seonghyeon felt it too. Normally, he would’ve stayed quiet so as not to pressure Cha Seohu, but now wasn’t the time for that. With a short, awkward cough, Ryu Seonghyeon finally spoke. “Hunter Cha Seohu, did you come here last night?”

“Sorry? Oh… yes.”

Apparently surprised that Ryu Seonghyeon had spoken to him first, Cha Seohu blinked wide-eyed and nodded. Seeing that he had no idea what the question was getting at, Ryu Seonghyeon let out a sigh. “Hunter Kwon Taehyeok has been looking for you. I heard your office was wrecked, and you weren’t answering any calls. What happened?”

“Ah…!”

Cha Seohu finally understood what Ryu Seonghyeon was saying and looked genuinely startled. It was clear to anyone that he had completely forgotten, which made the situation all the more absurd.

“Hunter Cha Seohu, I heard you were going to be staying with the Yesung Guild for a while. But then you suddenly disappeared, your office was trashed, and bloodstains were found—Hunter Kwon Taehyeok was really worried.”

“I-I didn’t avoid contacting anyone on purpose. My phone broke…” Cha Seohu fidgeted anxiously as he tried to explain. It seemed less like he felt sorry toward Kwon Taehyeok, and more like he was worried that Ryu Seonghyeon might be disappointed in him for causing trouble and forgetting about it.

“Yes, I know that too. I heard they found the smashed remains of your phone on the office floor. So.” Ryu Seonghyeon wasn’t sure why Cha Seohu was so flustered around him, but there were more urgent matters at hand. “Call Hunter Kwon Taehyeok first.” He took out his own phone and handed it over. After a moment’s hesitation, Cha Seohu accepted it with a quick “thank you” and immediately dialed Kwon Taehyeok.

Since Kwon Taehyeok had just told Ryu Seonghyeon about Cha Seohu’s disappearance and asked to be contacted right away if anything came up, the call connected quickly.

As expected, the moment he heard Cha Seohu’s awkward voice, Kwon Taehyeok shouted in alarm.

— Hunter Cha Seohu? Is this really Hunter Cha Seohu?!

“Yes. Um… good morning.”

— Good morning? Seriously… Where are you? Are you hurt?

“I’m at Circle Guild. I’m not injured.”

— When did you even get to Circle Guild—no, never mind. Since Hunter Ryu Seonghyeon is there, it should be relatively safe.

“Right.”

Though his tone hadn’t changed much, Cha Seohu was actually starting to feel uneasy as the call went on.

‘Let’s just make an excuse and hang up.’

Unfortunately, now wasn’t the time to explain everything that had happened. There was a more important issue that needed dealing with. He did feel bad—he had asked Kwon Taehyeok to lend him a room in the guild, and now things had turned out like this—but honestly, it wasn’t really his fault. This was all because of those damn cult bastards.

So Cha Seohu kept his tone polite but minimal as he responded to Kwon Taehyeok. He planned to keep talking for about five more minutes and then end the call. But—

— I’m coming over right now.

“…What?”

Kwon Taehyeok was being far more proactive than Cha Seohu had expected.

“Where are you… coming?”

— To Circle Guild, of course. Let’s talk in person.

Wait, who gave you permission? I’ve got nothing to explain to you in person.

‘Don’t you have anything better to do…?’

How could the movements of the number one guildmaster in the country be decided so casually? Flustered, Cha Seohu instinctively turned to look at Ryu Seonghyeon. It wasn’t a calculated move—it was closer to a reflex. Whenever something unexpected happened, if Ryu Seonghyeon was nearby, Cha Seohu would always look at him first.

“…?”

Ryu Seonghyeon, for his part, was also thrown off by Cha Seohu’s gaze, staring at him with a lost expression.

While both the Yesung’s guildmaster’s sudden visit and the reactions of Cha Seohu and Vicemaster Ryu Seonghyeon stirred confusion, Song Ji-un interjected at just the right moment. “Let him come.” Clink. The sound of a teacup being set down accompanied his graceful permission.

‘Damn it, that fake bastard.’

Since Cha Seohu didn’t recognize the transcendent in front of him as the Circle’s guildmaster, he ground his teeth in frustration and begrudgingly passed the message to Kwon Taehyeok.

“…He says you can come. But I…”

— Great. I’ll head over right away.

Kwon Taehyeok replied briskly and hung up immediately. It was as if he anticipated Cha Seohu would refuse and escaped the conversation before he could.

‘This is insane.’

Cha Seohu sighed and handed the phone back to Ryu Seonghyeon. Watching him with a smile, Song Ji-un finally spoke. “This worked out perfectly. Once the guildmaster of Yesung arrives, we can catch up, and Hunter Cha Seohu can take a day to rest and recover from his injuries.”

“What? Wait—!” Caught off guard, Cha Seohu tried to object, but Song Ji-un was faster.

“Seonghyeon. Send a message to the Yesung’s guildmaster and ask him to bring a Healer as well. Hunter Cha Seohu will be helping us from now on, and we can’t have him doing so while injured.”

“…So you were hurt, Hunter Cha Seohu.”

“N-no, it’s not bad enough for treatment!” Cha Seohu shook his head desperately, but unfortunately, Ryu Seonghyeon didn’t believe him and pulled his phone back out.

Seeing him send the message to Kwon Taehyeok, Cha Seohu bit his lip and glared at the fake Song Ji-un.

‘That bastard!’

Meeting Kwon Taehyeok was already more than enough trouble—now he wanted him to get treatment too. Cha Seohu wanted to bolt out of there that instant.

As he fumed internally, Song Ji-un chuckled calmly while Ryu Seonghyeon looked on with a bitter expression.

“Your office was a wreck. There’s no way your body came out of that unscathed.”

“Right. I gave him a quick look yesterday. No major injuries, but he definitely needs a Healer. Since the Yesung’s guildmaster is coming, it works out.”

So that’s why his complexion was so pale. Ryu Seonghyeon, who had been vaguely bothered by Cha Seohu’s appearance for a while, was now convinced.

With his fists clenched, Cha Seohu snapped back at Song Ji-un, his voice sharp and halting, “That’s a bit of an overstep.” He had been gentle and obedient with Ryu Seonghyeon, his gaze lowered. But now he was entirely different.

Song Ji-un let the remark slide and turned to Ryu Seonghyeon. “Yesung’s guildmaster will take about an hour to get here. In the meantime, I’ll explain what you need to do. I already spoke with Hunter Cha Seohu about it last night. But you, as the vicemaster, deserve a proper briefing.”

Ryu Seonghyeon looked puzzled. What kind of task involved bringing up his title as vicemaster?

Facing the defiant glare from Cha Seohu, Song Ji-un continued at a leisurely pace, “What I want you to do is convince someone to come here.”

“Someone…?”

“It won’t be easy. He’s the same age as me, but he’s lived a far more secluded life. And he possesses an incredibly powerful skill.”

By then, the smile had completely vanished from his face.

It was the first time Song Ji-un had given such a serious warning. Taken aback, Ryu Seonghyeon cautiously asked, “Who is he?”

“…”

A chilling silence followed. After a long pause, Song Ji-un slowly closed and opened his eyes before replying, “He’s the one who will become the new leader of Circle Guild.”

“…!”

Ryu Seonghyeon’s eyes widened. As his expression hardened, Song Ji-un gave him the order again, “Go to Mount Taebaek. Find the caretaker who lives there. And convince him—to accept my name and my position. That’s the task for you and Hunter Cha Seohu.”