“I’ve done some studying myself, you know.”

I couldn’t take my eyes off the face looking down at me. His soft voice tickled my ear.

“Back then, before I met you, I thought being a Hunter was just cool. But actually, it’s all an image they manufactured. They hide everything the high-rank Hunters do from the public.”

“That’s…”

It was true. Especially with S-rank Hunters, since they were considered nationally important personnel, most incidents were swept under the rug. If an S-rank dungeon broke out because no one could manage it, hundreds, thousands, or more people could die. So they couldn’t risk losing an S-rank Hunter over something comparatively minor.

“When you got hospitalized because of the S-rank Hunters’ incident.”

“I wasn’t caught up in it. I volunteered. If anything, the S-rank Hunters were dragged into my problem.”

I said it, but Park Hayul didn’t seem to believe me. Well, to other people, I probably looked like I was being dragged around by S-ranks. Who would believe an F-rank led S-ranks? I even made it look that way on purpose.

“No one even listens to unawakened people. Like with the Breeding Facility. I just wanted to check if you were okay.”

“Well… sorry, my stats are low, so for safety…”

“Why are you the one apologizing? It’s the S-rank Hunters who aren’t treating you like a person.”

“That’s not true.”

“Like on that Sesung Guild Leader cruise.”

Park Hayul spoke as if he felt bad for me. The cruise? The security should have been tight.

“…How did you know about that?”

“I heard. I know someone. They said everyone treated you like some extra the S-ranks dragged along. Even that the Sesung Guild Leader forced you aboard and knocked you out.”

Well, that part was true.

“Aren’t you angry? Don’t you feel wronged?”

“No, they treat me well in their own way.”

“I heard they just play around for a bit and toss people aside.”

…So you heard that too. Though it wasn’t exactly tossing aside, more like losing interest. Park Hayul sighed, looking distressed. Seeing that, I started feeling the same way.

“Even now, when they’re supposedly treating you well, they still act like that. I mean, they’re ruthless even with other high-rank Hunters. An F-rank must be easy to mess with.”

“…It’s really not that bad.”

“Even if you treat a pet dog like that—dragging it around on a leash, making it pass out—you’d be accused of abuse.”

“Well, yeah, but.”

Thinking of myself as the dog made Seong Hyunjae seem fifty times worse. Stat-wise, the gap really was that wide. He even threw me in water. I should call Chief Song… though he once strangled me too. I mean, I am human.

“Why are you saying it’s not that bad, when you’re treated like that? That’s Stockholm syndrome. You can’t even think of resisting them because they’re such overwhelming figures to you. What can you do, really, when your survival depends on going along with it?”

Did something else happen? Park Hayul whispered gently. I wanted to push him away, but my body wouldn’t move.

“Nothing happened. No, it’s in the past. It’s not like that now.”

“Ah… Hyung. But it could happen again anytime. Especially with the Sesung Guild Leader. At least the other high-ranks can protect themselves. But you can’t. He’s so cold. He’s been interested in you for a while now, hasn’t he? He’ll probably get bored soon. He’s known for not sticking around long.”

“…I know. I’ve heard.”

I turned my body to show I didn’t need him to tell me, but Park Hayul grabbed my shoulder. Stronger than expected, given how he looked. Even though I’m awakened and have leveled up a bit, I really must’ve ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) gotten weak.

“You’re anxious about relying on the S-ranks too, aren’t you.”

If he asked whether I was anxious—well. Honestly, I’d always felt uneasy around Seong Hyunjae. I was confident in my own value, but it wasn’t purely from my own abilities. That’s also why I was hesitant to reveal that I had regressed.

Because the original me was nothing special. Saying “I actually don’t have anything of my own” was…

“Aren’t you scared? That you’ll be discarded any moment?”

“I have my skills. Who’d throw me away.”

“Even if not others, you know how many exceptional people the Sesung Guild Leader surrounds himself with.”

Of course you’d be scared, Park Hayul said gently, patting my shoulder. My body flinched slightly.

“Even regular people get anxious about being left out. They force themselves to go to work dinners, follow trends, drink and smoke even when they don’t want to. But you’re F-rank and have to match pace with S-ranks. That’s got to be hard. Especially when it’s the best of the best among S-ranks. Most would just be terrified.”

“…He is ridiculously competent, that guy.”

“And you probably got compared a lot too, even though you’re just an ordinary person.”

Park Hayul sat next to me. I felt a chill run down my spine.

“There are plenty of people who badmouth you, saying you’re just an F-rank who lucked into a good skill and clings to S-ranks. Even though you’ve done nothing wrong.”

“I don’t really look at that stuff.”

“It’s better not to. People don’t dare insult the S-ranks, so they just go after you because you seem easier. They don’t see you as a fellow Hunter, just as some item to bring along.”

The kind of criticism I get is pretty similar to before the regression. Still, I manage the articles now. Well, I can handle online comments, but I can’t shut people’s mouths.

“You know I’m good at keeping secrets. If anything’s bothering you, tell me anything. Okay?”

Park Hayul said with a gentle smile. I nodded without thinking. Still, there’s too much I have to keep hidden to tell him everything. There’s no way I can say that much.

“It would be nice if you could go out just for a bit to clear your head. You have the stealth skill too. Can’t we, just for today?”

“Uh… no.”

“Isn’t there even a window of two or three hours to sneak out without being caught?”

Two hours wouldn’t be a problem. What time did Yerim finish school today? I sent a message and got an immediate reply.

[I’m going to a new café with some friends, why?]

[No reason, nothing’s wrong.]

Wait, isn’t she supposed to be in class? Can she text during class? Don’t they collect phones?

“I think I’ll have some free time after lunch.”

“Really? If you contact me, I’ll come right away!”

Park Hayul said, clearly excited. He also remembered to ask me not to tell anyone else. If we got caught, it would be fine for me, but Park Hayul might get banned from the Breeding Facility. …It is a bit strict. It has to be, but it still made me feel kind of stifled.

It should be okay to go out for just a bit. Just two hours.

Park Hayul said goodbye and left, and then I got a message from Yuhyun. He had gone to the Association briefly about a Japanese dungeon matter and suggested we have lunch nearby. When I heard he had sent a car, I headed to the parking lot, but someone completely unexpected was waiting.

“…Don’t tell me you’ve already transferred to Haeyeon?”

“I’d consider it if it were the Breeding Facility.”

Seong Hyunjae said with a soft eye-smile. I looked around, but the Haeyeon guild member Yuhyun sent was nowhere to be seen. The parking lot was completely empty.

“I have a prior engagement.”

“I’m sure I warned you to be careful. So why are you alone?”

“That’s…”

Come to think of it, why did I come out alone? The person Yuhyun sent wasn’t an S-rank Hunter, so I should have brought Noah or Peace. Yuhyun must’ve assumed I would. Seong Hyunjae stepped in close. I frowned instinctively.

“In any case, aren’t you supposed to be busy?”

“Not so busy that I can’t eat lunch.”

“I was supposed to eat with Yuhyun.”

Seong Hyunjae felt unusually uncomfortable to be around, so I took a few steps back. Or tried to. Before I could move, my arm was grabbed. I was pulled in, and his golden eyes looked down at me as if observing.

“Your little brother will be even busier for a while. Since I’d have to stop him from flipping the table in impatience waiting for his precious hyung, I thought I’d step in.”

Instead of answering, I pulled out my phone. I contacted Seok Gimyeong to confirm what Seong Hyunjae said, then sent Yuhyun a message saying I’d eat at home. He called immediately.

[Hyung, I’ll be done soon. It won’t take long.]

“Don’t lie. You said you’d be eating there too. Make sure you eat properly.”

[But…]

“I’ll send you a photo of me eating lunch too. You send one back.”

Yuhyun reluctantly agreed. I hung up and tried to pull my arm free. Of course, it didn’t budge.

“I’m going home to eat lunch.”

“Since your appointment’s canceled, I’ll escort you.”

“No thank you.”

At my words, Seong Hyunjae acted like he was disappointed.

“You’re awfully cold today, partner. I heard you had something to tell me.”

“…I don’t. Not anymore.”

“Han Yujin.”

“Let go of me. Or are you planning to drag me away? It’s not like I can fight back anyw—”

I stopped mid-sentence. My insides felt completely tangled. I was starting to feel a bit nauseous. As I furrowed my brow, a slightly colder voice came.

“What’s wrong.”

“Nothing. Everything’s been really peaceful lately.”

I’d met again with people I was grateful to before regression, talked with Noah, even told Yerim about the past. Everything was okay. My health was fine too. Myungwoo had scolded me, but that had ended well too. One of the Transcendents had taken my side, and I even said I’d teach Yuhyun.

It was mostly all good things.

“Nothing’s wrong.”

“If that were true—”

“Just stop paying so much attention to me. I probably won’t last that long anyway. You’ll lose interest soon, so don’t waste your time.”

I had to tell him about Crescent Moon eventually anyway. Then everything would basically be over. He said he’d be going overseas soon too, so it worked out. Once I was out of sight, I’d be forgotten quickly. At my words, Seong Hyunjae’s eyes slightly hardened.

“Was it yesterday? Or today?”

“What was?”

“Did the system connect?”

“Not yet.”

“Then it must be a person. Who?”

Seong Hyunjae kept prying. What the hell—then my phone rang. As I reached for it, Seong Hyunjae suddenly snatched it away.

“Give it back!”

“It’s the young master.”

The call button was pressed, and Yuhyun’s voice came through.

[Hyung, are you there right now—]

“I’ll make sure he eats lunch properly, so don’t worry.”

Before Yuhyun could reply, Seong Hyunjae ended the call. Then he held the phone out in front of me.

“Unlock this for me.”

“…Would you unlock yours for me?”

“Then I have no choice.”

A crackling sound burst out as my phone blackened and burned with a spark. Even the SIM card probably didn’t survive. In Seong Hyunjae’s hand, the phone was completely crushed, and the charred remains dropped to the floor. I was so dumbfounded that my voice came out a beat late.

“What the hell was that!”

“I was thinking of having a housewarming today. How about staying over for the night?”

“Too bad my phone just got smashed, so I won’t be able to get your housewarming invitation! Can’t even buy toilet paper now.”

“Toilet paper?”

Seong Hyunjae tilted his head. What, did he not get it? Whatever, just let go. What the hell is he even doing all of a sudden?

“Why are you acting like this all of a sudden?”

“Because it seems some bugs have gotten on my precious partner. I need to do some pest control.”

“What bugs are you talking about?”

“Han Yujin, do you not feel anything strange about your own behavior right now?”

What exactly is supposed to be strange? I frowned and looked up at Seong Hyunjae. He said I was being cold. Normally, sure, I might’ve gone along if he asked me to eat lunch. …Wait, so is he doing all this because I was short with him? He smashed someone else’s phone over that? Damn, I’m seriously about to curse out loud.

“Sure, sure. Mr. All-Mighty S-rank. If you’ve got a problem, go ahead and press me down again like before. Get the answer you want.”

“…”

Seong Hyunjae fell silent. Just as he was about to say something—

-Grrrrng!

“Peace!”

Peace suddenly grew in size and charged in. His fierce claws swung out, and Seong Hyunjae released my arm and stepped back. Peace snarled and pressed up against my side protectively.

“How did you get here?”

[Hyung, are you okay?]

Peace spoke! No, of course not. That was Yuhyun’s voice. It was coming from the phone hanging around Peace’s neck. My phone was dead, so he must’ve contacted Peace instead. But you need a portal to get out of the house—how did he open the door? Did he break it?

“I’m okay. Just the phone got wrecked.”

[I’ll be there soon.]

So he really did flip the table and leave. I let out a sigh and turned my head toward Seong Hyunjae. Our eyes met. His gaze and expression were cold and frozen. Was he mad at me? Or maybe suddenly disappointed?

“You’re going overseas soon anyway, so let’s keep things civil. We won’t be seeing each other for a while. No need to leave on a sour note—”

“This is really troublesome.”

“…What is?”

“I’m thinking I should force you to talk right now, even if I have to.”

Hearing him say he didn’t want to, I gave a hollow laugh. What’s with the sudden drama? Then flames suddenly roared at the parking lot entrance. The fire shot out like blades and instantly wrapped around Seong Hyunjae’s car. A loud explosion followed, and the sleek vehicle was reduced to the same mess as my phone.

Now that’s what you call giving back tenfold.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep