“I’m just being safe. I’ll only be gone a bit. And Ppiyak can’t go out—it’s too dangerous.”

Gyeol narrowed his eyes, then blurted out:

“Huh? Ppiyak?”

…He’d been so well-behaved lately I never suspected. I went back to the living room and lifted Ppiyak, who sat quietly.

“Ppiyak, did you sneak out without telling Dad?”

“You didn’t go out, right?”

I couldn’t understand him. He flapped his soft, downy wings and chirped at me… Bellare hissed in protest as I held Ppiyak. Maybe Bellare, too, was so content here he refused to grow.

There was nothing I could do to stop a teleporting monster.

“You can’t go out by yourself. It’s dangerous. Got it?”

If he really snuck off, all I could do was pray for his safe return. At least teleportation couldn’t be used to detain him—or anyone else.

“If you go out, don’t take Bellare. If Ppiyak’s alone, he can at least run away.”

He couldn’t understand, but I made my plea.

“Gyeol, keep an eye on Ppiyak, okay?”

“Peace, you too.”

The horned fox next to Peace echoed the cry. I told Ppiyak again to stay put, then released him. Guarding him was futile and a headache. Maybe I should ask Myeong-woo for a protective item for Ppiyak.

On the way out, I drove Yerim to school.

“I’m off!”

“All right—study hard.”

Hungry stares from classmates streamed through the window, so I rolled it up. I heard voices asking Yerim questions—she recognized some of them.

“Hey, you’re Guild Master Haeyeon! My uncle doesn’t have a license yet.”

“Really? I wanted to see him for real!”

“There’s nothing to see. It’s just Han Yuhyun.”

“Hey, Park Yerim, you used to—”

“No, I didn’t!”

Yerim shrieked like she was being tortured. The jeering voices faded as the car pulled away. We headed toward a lower-grade dungeon not far off when I got a text from Director Song.

[Han Yujin, the CSAT is coming soon.]

He wasn’t telling me to take the exam—he meant “don’t cause incidents until then.” He thought Seong Hyunjae and I would definitely stir up trouble.

[Don’t worry. Nothing serious will happen before the CSAT. ^^]

When was the CSAT this year? I glanced at my driving sister.

“You’ll be dispatched for the CSAT, right?”

“Yeah. If a dungeon breaks, we have to clear it fast. Regions are by lottery. Last year only seven S-ranks existed, so they went to each major city. Excluding Incheon, one went to Jeju. Director Song stayed in Seoul.”

Seoul had the most test-takers—and the most high-rank hunters. So during the CSAT, S-ranks scattered nationwide. Dungeon breaks are rarer now, but you never know.

“This year there are nine S-ranks if you exclude Minui. Riette might count too? The capital has many students, and Yerim’s experience is low—so the three of us could go together. Might as well draw Jeju or Busan. Gwangju would be nice too.”

Even if it’s just for a day and we have to wait during the exam, it’d be a fun family trip.

We arrived at the dungeon, knocked, and entered. Again it wasn’t the Winter Forest; this time it was a reed field by a broad river.

[Hello, Honey! Honey’s sister!]

Chaos junior, who’d been fishing atop a huge tree root, looked up as the volleyball bounced. He bowed politely; I bowed in return.

[I see Honey’s sister often!]

Since starting lessons with Elder, Yuhyun and Yerim visited the dungeon whenever they could. The training dungeon’s open days were limited, only a few times a week—but if they could, they’d go daily.

“This is the invite from Chatterbox, right?”

I showed the new recruit the invitation from Cloie. Tentacles slid out from the volleyball. They sparkled pale pink.

“…What the hell is that?”

[Because Honey really hates tentacles.]

The recruit waved them prettily, scattering pollen-like dust. The color deepened and faded in dazzling patterns. I felt even more disgusted.

[It’s the power of Chatterbox.]

Studying the jewel on the invite, the recruit explained:

[Once you register, the invite’s owner can transport you to a specific place. In return they guarantee your safety and can send you back whenever you wish.]

“Can we trust that?”

[Physically, they guarantee you live and have no lasting harm to daily life—and mentally they preserve your identity! If you don’t cross certain lines, you won’t suffer damage.]

They’d reattach severed limbs so you’d be fine. If you couldn’t stand it, you could return—reasonable terms, given S-ranks won’t just sip tea.

“So if our hunters register?”

The eye on the volleyball rolled once.

[No limit! It’s Chatterbox, after all!]

“I know. That’s why I’m checking. If it’s risky, I won’t go. I’ll only disrupt them.”

We’d have to persuade or coerce S-ranks who showed up. Better to stop them before they go—and if we go ourselves, even better. The recruit hummed, spun around, then bounced.

[Shall I ask directly?]

“Huh?”

[If we register, they’ll know immediately. If we tell Chatterbox in advance, they’ll have no leverage. It’ll be safer!]

“True. Do that. What did I tell you before?”

[I dropped hints casually! Give me a moment and I’ll go—please wait~]

The recruit returned my invite, and the volleyball vanished with a whoosh. Though they want to gather their people, Chatterbox likely won’t refuse us. They can’t harm us but can still collect information.

Of course we can do the same—see who takes more and gives less.

Suddenly we heard running water. Junior Chaos had lifted his rod. I watched, expecting a catch—but the line held taut with nothing on it, not even a hook. Even without a weight, it was stretched tight. The thought crossed my mind: if it were Elder, he could fish with a flimsy line. Then the rod trembled violently.

Splash!

“Whoa!”

Yuhyun scooped me up. No sooner had he stepped back than the ground where we stood exploded as if by bullets, earth and grass flying high. Before I could wonder, he spun and drew the Sovereign’s Blade, knocking the rod aside like an arrow.

“Don’t use Grace.”

“What?”

Chaos junior, already beside us, retrieved the rod and said, “Don’t use Grace.” He’d used a teacher’s skill on Yuhyun.

“That’s dangerous!”

Holding me in one arm, Yuhyun blocked the next incoming rod strike with the sword. My body jolted so violently I couldn’t speak.

“Look at our big sis—can’t even utter a word. She’s rattling.”

“But I’m holding her—why can’t I move?”

“It’s one-armed. Just don’t move half your body.”

Easier said than done! Yet Yuhyun strained to cushion the blows against me. He had to modulate his grip, too—no excess force.

“She’s effective, as expected.”

Chaos junior smiled as the rod scraped the ground. Thanks for the lesson, but it’s still brutal.

Fighting without impacting the F-rank you carry is exhausting—Yuhyun’s fatigue showed quickly. Protecting me is easier; he still had to remain steady. It’s too hard.

“It’s inefficient—that’s why.”

He hopped back lightly. Yuhyun set me down and quickly drew water.

“Drink some. You okay?”

“Yeah. Thanks, bro.”

“Inefficient? How inefficient?”

“By my standard, very.”

My face twisted. That’s hardly fair.

“Compared to S-rank standards?”

“Impossible to match so quickly.”

So it’s not bad—in fact, it’s impressive! I wiped my brother’s sweat with a handkerchief. S-ranks seldom tire so fast. Perhaps fine control of magic is harder than unleashing it.

“You’re all right? You tensed your grip a bit.”

“I’m fine.”

“You’ll bruise a little. I get why you worry about her, but you must push back enough. Coddling weakens.”

He asked while kneading the firstborn’s shoulders. Is Elder also a massage expert? At his words, Yuhyun glanced away.

“When nothing’s wrong, it’s hard to properly….”

“Just as I thought.”

Chaos junior strode forward. Reflexively trying to flee, Yuhyun held me tight.

“Sorry, bro.”

Yuhyun—no need to apologize—agh! Wait!

[Honey!]

The recruit popped out cheerfully, saw my slumped form, and spun around. Then he conjured an armchair. I was grateful.

“Sit up straight, firstborn.”

A healer-embraced world, yet I can’t use potions or healing skills. I squared my slouch. Why are bad postures so comfortable? The human body is weird—comfort should be healthy.

“How was it?”

[Well, they said it was fine too easily! They were grinding at you, Honey…]

“Saying it’s safe can’t hurt Chatterbox. Didn’t they promise final rewards require a contract with him?”

Without such restrictions, one could grab the reward and bolt.

[But I feel there must be ulterior motives.]

“If safety is guaranteed, that’s all the more reason to jump in. Watching from outside won’t change anything.”

By the time we finish the party, it’ll be too late to join.

[Honey and every participant’s safety was assured. No limits on returning to your original spot either.]

“Any other reactions? They said other transcendent beings showed interest.”

[They show interest, but only authorized ones can interfere. Chatterbox can meddle in his own party, but I can’t!]

“Interfere, like in Chinese or Japanese dungeons?”

“Yes. Even communication would be hard.”

The party site might be a Chatterbox-created dungeon. Guaranteed safety suggests Japanese-dungeon–style rules.

“It said partners work in pairs. Does that mean two or more operate together?”

[I don’t know.]

If one-on-one, I shouldn’t go—alone I can’t handle an S-rank. But in teams, I can contribute. One invite per pair suggests team play. If we get multiple invites, I’ll go; if not, we send mostly S-ranks for safety.

“Yuhyun could pair with Noah; Hyunah… Evelyn’s skill synergy is perfect. She can restrain foes remotely. Or Yerim—but better with Seong Hyunjae. Yun-Yun hates fighting; Director Song will decline. Riette’s A-rank but meshes best with Soyeong.”

“Did they tell you when it starts?”

[Umm…]

The recruit betrayed reluctance and bounced.

[If Honey agrees, Chatterbox will contact you directly.]

“To me? Like the Harmless King tried?”

“Yes. Only simple communication—no mutual influence. If he calls when you’re alone, he’ll appear.”

Yuhyun narrowed his eyebrows.

“Is it really safe?”

[Absolutely. No contracts possible. Still, I doubt there’ll be any benefit in meeting…]

“Got it. I wanted to try talking at least.”

Convincing him to stop scheming revenge by words alone would be tough, but I’d try.

Sishio called the next day and cheerfully offered us an island. Conveniently, a guild master I’d once crushed owned a private island villa. It was fairly large and remote—used for guild training. It had living facilities but no permanent inhabitants—truly deserted. Sishio’s such a filial son.

Rumors of the Gi Seung-soo gathering spread fast, aided by returning VanCave guild members. Inquiries already reached the breeding center and Haeyeon side.

“I was going to ask Guild Master Seong for help, but I’ll host the meeting on my own.”

When I asked if the breeding-center budget would cover ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) it, Hyung Kyun frowned.

“Venue was the biggest issue—you’ve solved it.”

“Yes. Cruising is expensive.”

It’d be a shame to use it once.

“Cost records for S-rank gatherings are rare. The Hunter Association arranged only one meeting of all domestic guild masters.”

Maybe we’ll still need Seong’s records. Reluctantly, I pulled out my phone.