Chapter 44

What were the odds Na Seokgyung would lose his shit and come here looking for me, versus deciding getting caught was scarier and going into hiding for a while?

'Doesn’t matter. The fact that the first is even a possibility is already a problem.'

I hurried downstairs to the living room and called for Seowon.

“Joo Seowon!”

“Wh-what? Hey, I only let Do Yehyun ~Nоvеl𝕚ght~ wake you, it’s not like I didn’t!”

“What the hell are you on about? No, that’s not it. You’re gonna go to SH and work late today.”

“What? Out of nowhere? Do I have something to do there...?”

Seeing his confusion, I laid it out quick.

“The bastard who kidnapped me didn’t get caught, and chances are high he knows this address.”

“What?”

“He’s C-rank, but I don’t know if he’ll come alone or bring friends, or what kind of items he might bring. Just stay out. Best if you hole up inside SH Guild.”

“And you’re telling me this now?”

“I just found out myself.”

“Then what about you? You and Do Yehyun? You’re still running the dungeon?”

“Yeah. I am.”

“Just the two of you? No SH support? That’s suicide!”

Ah, right. I should ask for cooperation... It wasn’t set in stone, but since the Special Response Team had jurisdiction, they’d try to break in regardless.

But I knew the optimal condition for clearing this type of quest Gate. I’d already decided who to rope in the moment I saw it.

'A mental-type hunter is essential.'

The reason quest Gates are underestimated is simple: no dungeon boss, no dungeon break. If you just clear the quest, you clear the dungeon.

But.

If you succeed by clearing the quest—then failing means what?

'You die.'

Or at least, you get hit with a penalty close enough to death.

So why was a mental-type needed? The answer was simple.

'No one is ever going to agree.'

The quests get trickier stage by stage—start with “share a secret for trust,” then split the party so no one can confer, force them into moral dilemmas, pit personal benefit against the group’s.

The one time someone cleared a quest Gate with minimal sacrifice was when Im Haekyung went in and “mentally dominated” everyone.

If you can’t align opinions, you just have to make it look like you did.

Of course, going in with Im Haekyung carried its own risks. I hadn’t planned on approaching him this way at all.

But I had to clear this one, even if I had to use him.

'Because I need a fixed skill.'

Mimicking others’ skills? Looks good on paper, but in this kind of situation it’s trash.

I needed something stable. Not skills that flickered and changed every moment.

I glanced between Seowon and Do Yehyun and said,

“No. I’m bringing the Haeseong Guild Master.”

“What?”

“Huh?”

Both of them stared at me. What? Why?

Seowon shot to his feet, his expression incredulous.

“What, is the Haeseong Guild Master your neighbor? You got some secret deal? You two are close? You’re not close!”

“Hyung, have you been in touch with him even after the Sokcho dungeon?”

Yeah, that was the problem... If I told Im Haekyung to show up now, would he even come? I checked the time, thought briefly, then stood.

“Let’s head to Haeseong first and think there.”

“You kidding me? Hey!”

“If I call, he’ll pick up. If anything happens, I’ll contact you.”

“Wait—if you get into trouble, what the hell am I supposed to do?”

“Just pick up when I call. If you don’t, I’ll rip that earring out of your ear myself.”

That shut him up. Thanks to the potion, I could feel my body improving by the second. Seowon muttered, looking half-disgusted.

“Look at this psycho—back to normal the second he’s lucid...”

“What was that?”

“Nothing~! I’ll be cheering you on from the SH building!”

I realized, belatedly, that I’d been running simulations in my head but hadn’t actually warned Im Haekyung.

Even I thought it was ridiculous. Factoring in the entry deadline, trying to persuade him would cut things dangerously close.

“Let’s go, Yehyun.”

I grabbed my jacket without wasting more time. Yehyun was already ready, so he followed without complaint.

“Hyung, are you really okay?”

“Yeah. I’m fine.”

Still, thinking of the skills Im Haekyung stole from Yehyun in the original, I was curious about their relationship. Was it pure plunder, or was there more to it? Either way, not surprising.

Even as Kwon Taehan’s ally, Haekyung had always been a bit unhinged.

'So should I even let these two meet?'

Hard to say. Maybe it’d be fine since Yehyun’s skills weren’t developed yet.

Would be nice if I could build up enough rapport to predict him better. Or maybe it’d be better if they just stayed apart forever. But this wasn’t the time to dwell on it.

Instead of driving, I hailed a taxi. Told the driver to head for Haeseong’s building, then pulled up the news again. Despite an illegal guild occupying a Gate, only the first article had comments. After that, silence.

'No flashy incidents, so no buzz.'

Maybe that was better. At least no one knew Infinite Guild’s Gate was a quest Gate.

Just then, Yehyun, who’d been quiet, spoke.

“Hyung. So... you were always close with the Haeseong Guild Master?”

“No.”

“Then when you got closer the other day—”

“No, we’re not close.”

What the fuck is this kid babbling about? I gave him a look. He clammed up, then cautiously asked,

“Then shouldn’t you... tell him first?”

“......”

'Shit. He’s right.'

His perfectly logical point hit me, and I finally pulled out the backup phone to call Haekyung. Damn it. Once I clear this dungeon, I really need to start living like I plan things.

Brrr—

“......”

“......”

The call didn’t connect. The ringing dragged on ominously, until finally, instead of Haekyung’s soft voice, the voicemail message spoke.

—The customer you have dialed is unavailable. After the beep, you will be charged for your message...

“......”

“......”

...Fuck. Am I screwed?

“...Hyung.”

“......”

“Should I ask SH Guild to back us up?”

Considering how many of Haekyung’s calls I’d ignored, it wasn’t shocking he ignored mine. Hell, I’d be pissed too.

“Hyung?”

“Wait. Thinking.”

Was it right to still head to Haeseong? Not even sure he’d be there.

'Why am I being so stubborn? Totally winging it.'

Maybe Yehyun was right—it might be better to go to SH.

'No. That’d be trouble.'

Losing trust thanks to Seowon’s stunt was one thing, but if SH hunters found the Infinite Guild trio I’d dumped there, it’d be a mess.

Should I have taken Seowon along after all? No. If he died, it’d be a problem. If I died, it’d be a problem. Not an option. Maybe I should contact Ryu Taeyoung instead? But no—what I needed was a mental skill.

'Should I just recruit a random hunter off the street?'

No matter how I spun it, every choice left a bad taste. After agonizing, I gave up cleanly and lifted my head.

“What are we doing, hyung?”

“Call him one more time.”

If he didn’t pick up this time, I’d just storm Haeseong HQ and collapse in their lobby. Haekyung had to want to talk to me at least once, right? He’d show his face.

'If not, well... I’m fucked.'

I dialed again. The ringtone dragged on, steady and ominous.

Beside me, Yehyun’s eyes darted to the tablet, where the caller ID glowed large.

Brrr—

'Not answering?'

“By the way, hyung, why’s Haeseong Guild Master’s number saved as spam—”

Click. The call connected before Yehyun even finished.

“Shh.”

I pressed a finger to my lips, telling him to stay quiet, then spoke into the phone.

“How’ve you been?”

—Mm, I’ve been well... And you, Jehyun-ssi?

That smooth, languid voice, far too gentle for a man of his build, but fitting his image perfectly.

“Thanks to you, I’ve been well.”

No reply came. Considering I’d dodged his calls endlessly, it was shameless even to my own ears.

'And what I’m about to ask is even worse.'

I didn’t hesitate.

“Guild Master.”

—Yes?

“I know you’re busy, but could you spare me a little of your time?”

How much time left? I leaned to check the navigation’s ETA.

[Estimated Arrival: 7:24]

Current time: 7:17.

I really must be crazy. I spoke slowly.

“Say... in about ten minutes?”

—.......