A soft rustle, and before I knew it, Rin—perched on Yuhyun’s shoulder like an angry beast raising its hackles—set the air alight. Yuhyun pressed closer to my side, and Yerim exhaled sharply.

“…It’s stifling.”

“You’re right. It feels like my throat’s being squeezed.”

Moon Hyunah agreed with Yerim.

“It wasn’t like this before.”

Noah, who’d been here before, said amid the uncanny discomfort of the S-Rank Hunters’ gazes. Myeong-woo, however, remained unperturbed, then looked at me apologetically.

“Is it really that bothersome? I’m sorry— I still can’t regulate it well.”

“Regulate?”

“Before, the domain was simply mine in name; I didn’t truly own it.”

Hearing that, I remembered the drawer the Harmless Queen had given me.

“Have your understanding and control of space improved?”

At my question, Myeong-woo’s eyes widened.

“You know about it too, Yujin?”

“A little. I heard that once it’s perfected, you can manipulate space at will.”

“That’s right. I’m far from there. Think of this domain as a tiny artificial world—cruder and more limited than the real one. An artificial ecosystem cut off from the outside can’t last without intervention. It needs upkeep.”

“I heard the drawer from the Harmless Queen also needs mana replenishment.”

“Because mana is the source power that creates and sustains a world. Without that source, you can’t create or maintain even an artificial world. Only the true world’s source can do that.”

The Harmless Queen had said much the same. Even forging an artificial microcosm required the source as foundation.

“But even so, mastering this domain completely means…” I trailed off.

“…Is it akin to being a god?”

I thought of the Newcomer and the Harmless Queen—how they bent surroundings to their will and conjured objects instantly. Not mere hallucinations, but real effects obeying their intent.

“It’s grandiose, but roughly? Omnipotent within that small world. I’m only at the beginning, but I’ve laid the groundwork as its true master. That’s why those sensitive to mana feel discomfort.”

Myeong-woo gestured at me and those around me.

“I’m openly marking this as My Domain. The outside world is communal, but here it’s not. It’s not like entering someone else’s house—every element, even the air you breathe, belongs to me. It feels like total surveillance.”

No wonder it felt claustrophobic. Myeong-woo apologized again, saying it would be easier to regulate once he’d practiced more. Then, beckoning me to sit, he gestured—and a chair abruptly appeared.

“Did you create that?”

“No. I’m not at instant creation yet. I simply teleported it here.”

“But you said humans can’t teleport objects.”

“This domain is mine. It’s like moving furniture in a model house.”

He offered seats to others too. I got a plush armchair with armrests; Yerim and Noah had simple but normal chairs. The rest sat on varied items—large crates, tree stumps, rocks—not exactly chairs. Were there only three actual chairs? I felt guilty taking the best seat, but Yuhyun seated me and stood guard. From my shoulder, Rin whispered softly.

—Brother, I don’t like it here.

“Is it too uncomfortable?”

—There are other spirits here. They seem so old, it’s upsetting. I’ve never felt this way before!

Perhaps because this was Ismuar’s territory, or because Rin resented being younger than other spirits. Shivering, he tapped his tail sharply.

“How intriguing.”

Seong Hyunjae said, perching on a rock. Perhaps due to the Seeker’s Chain that levels up based on its wielder, he’d paid little attention to Myeong-woo compared to other Hunters. He treated his subordinates well, but now he regarded Myeong-woo with genuine interest—planning some mischief, no doubt.

“I told you not to touch the people around me.”

“Wasn’t that limited to children? Hunter Yoomyeongwoo is the same age as Han Yujin.”

“Children, as humans, are one thing. People at the breeding facility and the building too—hands off. Why do you keep poking at everyone?”

He said, reminding that many here wouldn’t end amicably, and Myeong-woo was busy enough without a giant bug pestering him. He glared at Seong Hyunjae, who shrugged helplessly.

“I thought you two would get along.”

“What do you mean get along? We’re completely different.”

They had nothing in common, not even an ant’s eyelash.

“I’ll say again: I won’t stop you playing with others—except not my people, the non-Awakened, or lower-rank Hunters. If you’re a High-Rank, fine.”

At that level, Seong Hyunjae wouldn’t ruin someone’s life. And it wasn’t forced.

“But not my circle. I can’t stand that. I’d gouge your eyes out for it.”

“Usually they say you won’t die before dirt enters your eyes.”

“Why would I want dirt in my eyes when the culprit’s eyes are fine? That proverb’s wrong. It should be before dirt enters your bastard eyes.”

He meant he’d bury Seong Hyunjae alive if necessary. I resolved to warn Myeong-woo to be careful.

“And Seong Hyunjae, don’t sit there so conspicuously. Act as if uninvolved.”

In case Chloe remained uncooperative or Park Ha-yul’s side refused negotiation, Seong Hyunjae should stay in the background. I’d asked him not to come— or at least to arrive by ordinary vehicle, not helicopter.

“You never know if the Sesung Guild master might rescue Hunter Chloe.”

“You lack confidence in your acting skills.”

“‘My lord, I have come to save you, princess!’—shall we?”

“Did you ever really say that?”

Yerim, sitting beside me, asked. Well…

“When Liet tried to ambush Director Han, did she wear a dress?”

“She couldn’t! Who brings a dress to a dungeon?”

No gear comes with a dress. You’d trip on the hem mid-fight. I’d only brought that up because Seong Hyunjae’s boast about acting so poorly was ridiculous.

“Should we send the Sesung Guild master outside?”

“Then I’ll ask too.”

At Myeong-woo’s words, Director Song raised his hand.

“It’s unsafe to leave him alone with bound Hunters.”

“We promised not to kill for information.”

Seong Hyunjae leaned forward, resting his arms on his knees. That promise referred to Min Jisoo, no doubt: reading her memories to learn how she died. He might’ve even drawn up a contract. Director Song’s brow furrowed at the reminder.

“One of them among the four before…”

He trailed off—no place to elaborate, but I knew his meaning. As long as Seong Hyunjae didn’t kill directly, he could manipulate the outside Hunters into murdering one of their own. Subtly. I had no doubt Seong Hyunjae would execute it cleanly, without offending Min Jisoo’s memory.

…Extracting information from a corpse is the easiest method. Still.

“You both stay here. We can erect a screen so you’re out of sight.”

No sooner had I spoken than a thin panel appeared before Seong Hyunjae and me. I felt no presence as it materialized. Seong Hyunjae tapped it lightly, and it wavered; its interior remained inscrutable.

“Can’t you feel it?”

“No. Not at all.”

I asked Yuhyun—he answered that all sensation was completely blocked.

“But I can hear voices.”

“It merely blurs your perception of what’s beyond the panel.”

“Can you use this outside?”

“No. It’s not an item effect. I’ve subtly twisted the space. That panel serves as both screen and boundary. I’m clumsy, so I have to draw a visible line.”

Truly, he can do anything. I wondered if I could learn to replenish mana in a drawer. Then, from beyond the panel where Seong Hyunjae sat, a necklace flew in. It sped toward him and Yerim caught it deftly.

“For the little lady.”

“Thank you! But did the Sesung man carry a translation device too?”

“I’m not proficient in every language.”

Even Seong Hyunjae wouldn’t know all obscure dialects.

“Hyunah, what will you do?”

“Hmm, maybe I’ll hide too, just in case. I’ve known you less time than Chloe, so I could pretend to rescue you instead ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) of Seong Hyunjae.”

“Agreed.”

Moon Hyunah also vanished behind a panel. At first it looked odd, but moments later it felt like a solid wall. Another of Myeong-woo’s feats.

‘…That leaves only me.’

The one to persuade Chloe. I couldn’t task Yerim, Yuhyun, or Noah with it. Would I manage? I swallowed, straightened my shoulders, and crossed my legs.

“Wake me up. But how did you knock her out?”

She’s S-Rank, yet unconscious so long—it amazed me. S-Rank Hunters rarely black out without life-threatening injury. Even Yuhyun stayed calm then.

“I twisted her mana flow.”

“Is that possible?”

“Ismuar’s mana is far stronger, and this is my domain. I can’t do it outside. Capturing her was quick, but inducing unconsciousness took longer.”

Severe injury would’ve been easier, but he cared about me. Kind as ever. Myeong-woo smoothed the back of Chloe’s neck; her closed eyes snapped open.

“I never imagined you’d use a blacksmith’s skills.”

Chloe spoke calmly, then sat up while still bound, fixing me with a cool stare.

“Sending out a low-stats friend alone seems dangerous.”

“I volunteered.”

Myeong-woo moved beside her and stepped toward me.

“Of course Yujin worried. But I was fed up with merely watching.”

‘You came to the Chinese Dungeon too, didn’t you?’ I recalled—he’d helped me greatly there.

“Surprisingly few forces. I expected more.”

Chloe glanced around, her eyes noting that the hidden three remained unnoticed.

“It’s our affair.”

Noah rose from his seat and said coldly. Technically, it was the breeding facility’s business. Yuhyun and Yerim are Haeyeon’s, but first they’re my family.

“Whatever your purpose, you stole Yujin from us.”

“That’s right! He’s fragile enough as is.”

“Merely being companions gives you no reason to live.”

Whether bystanders or not, Yuhyun’s tone was icy—she would have drawn her sword by now under different circumstances. The atmosphere brimmed with the anger I’d felt when I vanished.

Yet Chloe stared solely at me.

“I see you’re more loved than I thought.”

“Thankfully so.”

I smiled. Being told “no” by her had once hurt deeply, but now it felt strangely inconsequential. My precious people were standing firm.

“Will you cooperate with me?”

“No.”

A natural reply.

“I remain a victim. So I believe I deserve compensation.”

“Speak.”

“First: Park Ha-yul. Remove her skill. That’s not compensation, but a rightful demand. As compensation: all of Chatterbox’s invitations. That should suffice.”

“…Chatterbox?”

“The transcendent who issued the invitations. I have slightly more information than you. I was already wondering how to acquire the invitations.”

She spoke as if she’d known all along, not as if she learned from Seong Hyunjae. She tipped a foot in the air.

“As you know, we didn’t receive any invites. We’ve had a minor grudge with Chatterbox. They got snubbed when I refused the first offer, so there was no second.”

Not entirely false—the Harmless Queen had drawn in Chatterbox to propose to me.

“Sorry, but I can’t answer that.”

Chloe said evenly.

“I regret Park Ha-yul’s skill, but now that I know Director Han’s faction is larger than expected, I can’t back down further.”

“You’re saying you intend to keep using me. I don’t know who the real villain is.”

My expression cooled on its own. Finally, S-Rank meant… Park Ha-yul’s words resurfaced. My surrounding S-Ranks had grown less suspicious after all our trials—but mental skills are influenced by context. Yuhyun never guarded against me in the first place.

But Chloe was different—she was almost an enemy from the start. She’d grown more distasteful to me.

“Shall I play the villain as well? I’m already a kidnapper, so I might as well make it definitive.”

I smiled at Chloe.

“After you disappeared, your companions came to rescue you. They’re restrained, of course.”

My words made her expression harden.

“They are safe for now. But frankly, there’s no reason to leave my kidnappers unharmed.”

Her calm gaze turned ice-cold. I hadn’t wanted this, but my people mattered more.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep