Chapter 25: Chapter 24

Surveillance? Ryu Seo-ha’s eyes reflexively scanned the cafe interior quickly.

“Looks like you didn’t know at all.”

As he turned his head back at the amused voice, he saw Choi Junwan making a seemingly regretful expression.

“Well, how could you notice a high-level A-rank surveillance agent?”

Stealth-type, A-rank, high-level. A character from the original work suddenly came to mind. A supporting character who once worked as a contract killer.

“That guy’s always been like that. He pathologically can’t trust people.”

“……”

“He probably didn’t do it out of malice. Though when I looked into it, the surveillance agent’s background was a bit unsettling…”

Ryu Seo-ha swallowed the sigh that was about to burst out. What was the reason for this blatantly obvious attempt to drive a wedge between them? Did he think he could recruit him to Gangseong Guild if he split them up?

“But don’t take it too negatively. If you ask him directly, he might give you a reasonable answer?”

He must have added that knowing Choi Gang-hu’s personality wouldn’t allow him to explain obediently. Inwardly hoping the conflict would deepen. Ryu Seo-ha, who had been lost in thought for a moment, opened his mouth with a faint smile.

“I think there’s been some misunderstanding.”

“Misunderstanding?”

“It’s not surveillance, it’s protection.”

Choi Junwan’s expression became strange at his words.

“Protection, you say?”

“Yes. I asked the Guild Master for it myself. I’ve been feeling a bit uneasy since the kidnapping incident.”

Choi Junwan, who had been silent for a moment at the rebuttal that it was a bodyguard he had requested himself, smiled brightly.

“Then you must have known that the surveillan… no, bodyguard was a contract killer too?”

“This is the first I’m hearing of it, but it doesn’t matter.”

“Haha, Seo-ha, you’re bolder than you look? Aren’t you uncomfortable?”

“I think the present is more important than the past.”

Even if my bodyguard was a former assassin, I don’t want to make an issue of it if they’ve washed their hands of it and stepped into honest work. That was the meaning. It’s something he could say because he knew the background that forced them to choose that profession.

“I heard combat-type hunters watch you even at night using stealth items. Isn’t it uncomfortable or unpleasant to have eyes on you 24 hours a day?”

“I can’t detect them anyway.”

He shook his head at Choi Junwan, who was probing. The fact that he had collected such detailed information probably meant Choi Junwan had also assigned at least an A-rank surveillance agent. Ryu Seo-ha smiled calmly, pretending to be nonchalant.

“I hear they record frequently too?”

“Well, if another problem arises, we might need evidence. Though I hope that won’t happen.”

“…Well, that’s good then. I happened to discover this information, but I thought you should know too.”

Finally seeming to think there was no point in probing further, Choi Junwan backed off. What do you mean, happened to discover?

“Thank you for your concern.”

“Come to think of it, I haven’t congratulated you on passing the exam. We should have a meal sometime…”

Choi Junwan, who was continuing with a friendly smile, suddenly deployed a barrier. It seemed an item had activated automatically. Cold water poured down over the translucent membrane.

The water droplets splashing in all directions didn’t touch Ryu Seo-ha at all. This situation feels like déjà vu somehow. As he slowly turned his head, he saw Choi Gang-hu standing beside him, who had appeared at some point.

“What are you doing?”

“That’s my line.”

When Choi Junwan demanded with an unpleasant expression, Choi Gang-hu retorted in a leisurely voice.

“When a guild master visits another guild, they send an official letter in advance. Wasn’t that the implicit rule?”

“Unofficial schedules are an exception. I didn’t come to see you, did I?”

“You should just be honest. Say it was an attempt to poach valuable talent.”

Choi Gang-hu sneered while wrapping his arm around Ryu Seo-ha’s shoulders as if showing him off.

“You seem to have more free time than I thought. I thought you’d be busy trying to keep Seo-ha from being mobilized this time.”

“Mobilized?”

Ryu Seo-ha, who had been obediently letting himself be held, reflexively asked back. He felt the large hand on his shoulder tense.

“Ah, you didn’t know? Government guidelines came down about mobilizing medical staff for the IHL tournament being held this month.”

IHL (International Hunter League). It was a superhuman battle sport gaining worldwide popularity. Every year, national representative hunters from various countries gather to compete in various ways.

Though its history was less than 10 years, it attracted more attention than the Olympics, so countries were eager to be selected as hosts. Broadcasting stations were passionate about securing broadcasting rights.

“They say they’ll consider dispatching IHL medical staff when negotiating dungeon conquest priority rights.”

Ryu Seo-ha’s eyelids trembled briefly at the following words. Was it because the development was different from the original work?

“They say ‘medical staff’ on the surface, but it’s obviously a demand to hand over Seo-ha. I guess they want to boast to the international community that Korea possesses an S-class healer?”

“Ryu Seo-ha doesn’t need to worry about it. I have no intention of sending him away to such a distant place.”

Choi Gang-hu coldly declared. This year’s IHL host country was Italy. One of the countries where public safety had hit rock bottom after the Great Change.

It was troublesome. The S-rank dungeon that Choi Gang-hu had selected as the first conquest site to achieve certain results after accepting the Gangseong Group chairman’s proposal. He hadn’t thought that the entry permission itself might be lost.

“Hmm, shouldn’t we hear Seo-ha’s opinion too?”

Choi Junwan’s eyes lit up as if he had finally found an opening and latched onto the last words.

“So many people would jump at the chance to go abroad if given the opportunity. Right?”

Basically, air and sea routes were danger zones. Although technology to predict gate occurrences had been secured and there was sufficient manpower to deal with monsters during breaks, gaps can occur in a moment of carelessness.

As a result, international transportation costs had greatly increased due to flying monsters and underwater monsters that had escaped and successfully bred. It meant an era had arrived where ordinary people could hardly dream of traveling abroad.

“The state will cover the costs anyway, so it wouldn’t be bad to go sightseeing while you’re at it. Though Gang-hu would be too busy to accompany you.”

Is he trying to get himself killed? Ryu Seo-ha anxiously watched Choi Junwan, who was chattering away without realizing how much he was riling up a terrifying person. Why does he keep crossing the line lately?

“…I appreciate your words, but for me, the Guild Master’s opinion takes priority.”

As he calmly spoke without revealing his complex feelings, Choi Gang-hu’s fingertips on his shoulder twitched slightly.

“Thank you for the information.”

As he clearly drew the line to prevent further debate on the same topic, cracks appeared in Choi Junwan’s smile. But he quickly recovered and put on a friendly smile again like a mask.

“Alright, think it over well. It’s a rare opportunity.”

“Yes, would it be alright if I leave first? I have a prior appointment.”

“…I wanted to have a meal together at least. It’s a shame, but I’ll have to aim for next time.”

“Thank you for understanding.”

After politely greeting him, he stood up. And he tried to return to the guild headquarters right away, but Choi Gang-hu didn’t let go of his shoulder.

Wondering why, he looked up to see Choi Gang-hu’s expression hardened. Why are you being so scary? What’s the problem now?

“Guild Master.”@@novelbin@@

He cautiously called out to him, but his hand still didn’t budge. Looking closely, the corner of his mouth seemed to be twitching faintly. …I must have seen wrong. Choi Gang-hu can perfectly control even the tiniest muscles.

“Ryu Seo-ha. Let’s leave work early today.”

“What?”

While he was pondering what to do, the scenery before his eyes suddenly changed. It seemed he had applied a spatial skill. Feeling slight dizziness, he had to firmly grasp Choi Gang-hu’s collar.

“This is…”

He looked around, trying to steady his spinning vision. An open-air hot spring with rising steam caught his eye first. Then the Han River and city view spread out beyond the railing.

Turning his head, he could see Namsan Tower on the opposite side. Judging by the angle, it didn’t seem to be Choi Gang-hu’s mansion. But it was clearly nearby. By the way, an open-air hot spring on a residential rooftop? What an extravagant waste of money.

“It’s my neighbor’s house.”

Choi Gang-hu calmly solved his question. But what he was curious about was why he had brought him here. The dizziness soon subsided. As he subtly pushed away, Choi Gang-hu finally let go of his shoulder and abruptly held out his hand.

“Your hand.”

“…?”

“You asked me to hold it every day before, did you forget already?”

Come to think of it, he had said something like that in the popup dungeon. He lowered his eyes, feeling slightly embarrassed. After all, he couldn’t help but become more cautious about physical contact with him since the kidnapping incident.

As he was just looking down at the marble floor, Choi Gang-hu grabbed his hand. He reflexively tried to shake it off but stopped. He still needs the mana increase after all. The two moved indoors by elevator.

“Guild Master, why are we…”

“Choi Gang-hu.”

“…?”

“Call me by my name.”

A voice that seemed to gently reprimand yet also coax tickled his ear. He had changed it to show respect now that they had a contract, but…

“Mr. Choi Gang-hu. Why did we come here?”

As he obediently changed the way he addressed him, a smile appeared on his face. It was the smile of a satisfied predator.

“To show you around.”

No, but why? Instead of asking again, Ryu Seo-ha looked around the house. A space much larger than an ordinary citizen could imagine, covered with the highest quality materials, was spread out.

The overall structure seemed similar to Choi Gang-hu’s house he had visited before. Except for the swimming pool set up in a transparent glass room. The lanes looked quite long, more like for athlete practice than for play.

“It’s a bit early, but how about having lunch together?”

Choi Gang-hu asked as he leisurely crossed the living room towards the dining room. Each room visible through open doors along the way had a clear concept. Movie theater, music practice room, study cum office…

A large screen covering an entire wall, VR equipment, expensive audio equipment and instruments, an incredible amount of books reminiscent of a library… It was hard to tell if this was a residential space or a multiplex.

“I should go back to the guild.”

“Let’s consider it leaving work early. Since it’s your first day.”

“Isn’t it principle to stay on standby at guild headquarters until the scheduled return of the conquest team?”

“Exceptions happen sometimes.”

“The special treatment specified in the contract is sufficient.”

As Ryu Seo-ha stopped, Choi Gang-hu also halted and tilted his head as if he didn’t understand. His sexy sternocleidomastoid muscle was emphasized, catching the eye.

“Why are you so diligent in everything? It’s not like anyone will appreciate it.”

It was a habit for survival. Just as Choi Gang-hu came to pour energy only into his interests for survival in the Abyss. Still, right now he was just saying he’d work as much as others do.

“Well, that makes you even prettier though.”

Choi Gang-hu, who had casually made a statement that made one doubt their ears, let out a short sigh and pulled something out of [Subspace]. It was an envelope.

“Here. This is now Ryu Seo-ha’s.”

Ryu Seo-ha, who had received it in bewilderment, hesitated for a moment before checking the contents. He thought it might be proposing a new contract, but surprisingly it was house documents. In Ryu Seo-ha’s name.