The hall where the protagonist disappeared was silent. Not a single soul remained—only the scattered evidence of the party. Through the open wall, the sunset poured in, illuminating the stained tables. A long veil of his cloak drifted around Seong Hyunjae’s feet as he stood atop the steps.

He must always have been the last to leave. Naturally gathering so much in his hands, only to let it slip like grains of sand. Over and over again. Standing at dusk’s edge, just before darkness swallowed all. But he himself never greeted the night.

And now, into the place bathed in sunset, his night had entered. Seong Hyunjae leaned an arm on the railing and smiled. Song Taewon frowned slightly and looked up at him. Seong Hyunjae met that dark gaze with delight.

“Please try not to go out alone if you can avoid it.”

“Have I lost a decade in the meantime?”

“I’d rather you felt like a child.”

Song Taewon crossed the hall. Seong Hyunjae set foot onto the steps along the railing, moving much slower, so that before he’d descended half the staircase, Song Taewon had already reached him. Song Taewon’s eyes fell on the faint scars decorating Seong Hyunjae’s hand—multiple marks tracing beneath the sleeve of his shirt, extending to the inside of ➤ NоvеⅠight ➤ (Read more on our source) his wrist.

“What happened?”

“A guest paid a visit. Nothing serious.”

“If there are traces despite using potion, could this be a curse?”

Song Taewon extended his hand and asked permission.

“Han Yujin is away right now, so I’ll inspect it for a moment.”

Because Raiding negates an opponent’s skills, it can likewise nullify skill-based poisons or curses—at least temporarily. If a skill has already been triggered—like losing part of a body—that damage is permanent. But any ongoing effect that slows healing could be halted for a time.

“I can only block it temporarily, so I would need Han Yujin’s aid, but I should be able to treat it right away.”

It wasn’t a permanent cure. Once Raiding ceased, the curse would resume slowing recovery if the same wounds reopened. However…

“…If you absorb the curse itself, it might be different.”

By harnessing Raiding’s true power. Song Taewon’s expression darkened, and Seong Hyunjae spoke as if joking:

“Am I your lab rat now?”

“Not planning that at the moment.”

Song Taewon replied stiffly, laid his hand on Seong Hyunjae’s wounds—and then, immediately,

Crackle!

A burst of light flashed, and the shadowy mark lashed out, slashing deeply across the back of Seong Hyunjae’s hand. Song Taewon quickly retracted his skill, stepping back. The bleeding hand raised itself drenched in newly sprung blood.

“You—just now…”

“I see. Now that you mention it, it was a bit similar.”

Seong Hyunjae calmly produced a potion and poured it over the wound. The flesh healed instantly, the blood washing away into the liquid. He flicked the moisture from his hand.

“No need to worry.”

“About what?”

“I told you it was nothing.”

Song Taewon grabbed his shoulder as Seong Hyunjae turned to descend the steps. The instant Seong Hyunjae glanced at him, Song Taewon’s hand fell away. A golden iris flared into a ring as Seong Hyunjae looked down on him, amused.

“You’re worried. Not only about troubles I cause, but about me as well.”

“Eh?”

“I’ve taken on much of Han Yujin’s influence in the meantime.”

He’d inevitably been affected by someone who treated him—Seong Hyunjae—as human: Han Yujin himself.

“Neither in the age when there was not a single lamplight, nor now when the whole city glows. Night is still night.”

“Do tell me what’s going on. Could it be that you’re troubled by your… accumulations again?”

“No need to worry about that. An elder provided a suitable solution.”

“You mean Young Chaos?”

“This time, I won’t owe favors to either of them.”

Song Taewon watched Seong Hyunjae’s gentle smile. If Young Chaos, that Transcendent, had assisted, he could trust it somewhat. Yet he felt strangely uneasy.

“Rather, don’t let your guard slip too much.”

Seong Hyunjae turned fully and climbed a step.

“You know better than anyone that my interest doesn’t always move in a good direction.”

You should worry more about Han Yujin! murmured Song Taewon’s frown.

“My urge to kill your little brother or sister has grown more intense recently.”

“Of course I wouldn’t—”

“Recall the Chinese dungeon.”

He’d honestly enjoyed it. It had been thrilling. The smile on Seong Hyunjae’s lips deepened.

“If I were to kill the sibling you cherish as life itself, how would Han Yujin react? Doesn’t the thought excite you?”

“Not at all, it—”

Song Taewon’s foot lifted backward, stepping a stair higher. He wanted to retreat, but his other foot stayed planted.

“And it’s my duty to stop you.”

“Don’t worry. Unfortunately, I already made a vow: I will never harm Han Yujin’s sibling. Besides, he has only one.”

Seong Hyunjae sighed.

“It’s entertaining—and pleasing—to see you clutching your sibling to your chest. It arouses jealousy: ‘Am I not protecting my sibling enough?’”

“…That’s just for show, right?”

“If the dungeon-version of Han Yujin had emerged, I might not have been able to restrain myself.”

With a reserve in place, he might have done more than restrain. As though remembering one shouldn’t be two, Seong Hyunjae bounded lightly down the steps. Song Taewon stared at Seong Hyunjae’s retreating figure, then suddenly spoke up.

“Don’t go alone again! And I must check your wounds properly afterward.”

A sense of foreboding brushed his chest, but pursuing Seong Hyunjae felt more urgent. Song Taewon hurried down the stairs and out of the hall.

“Damn it!”

With a cry of frustration, a Hunter flew off and plunged into the water with a splash. In summer, it would have been a refreshing cascade.

“That team is screwed too.”

This was the third team. Still, not a single scratch marred the turtle’s shell—it gleamed perfectly smooth.

[Grade-1 Gigantic Armored Species – Sunken Sea Turtle

Current Stat Grade: SS

Awakening Stat Range: S–SS

Initial Optimization Skill:

• Blessing of the Sea (SS) acquired

• Water-Drained Armor (SS) acquired

• Gulp-Gulp (S) acquired

• Wave Whip (S) acquired]

The name alone sounded sturdy, and its skills seemed formidable. Thankfully, its offensive power wasn’t overwhelming—but like that toad of old, none of our attacks landed. SS-Rank monsters are no joke. Yet…

‘This might be surprisingly doable.’

Judging by its skills, I had a rough strategy.

“Yerim.”

“Yes, Uncle.”

“Could you examine the surroundings for me?”

They were doing their best, but I doubted these teams could truly defeat a turtle. To finish in thirty minutes, one must plan routes ahead. Moments later, Yerim returned with exactly the intel I wanted. Perfect.

“Good. Yuhyun, do you think you can pierce that shell? Without my buff or the Sword Eater.”

Yuhyun shook his head in a short denial.

“The shell’s hard, and it’s soaked through—impossible without the Finale skill.”

“Just as I thought.”

“Sorry.”

“No need to apologize. That works to my advantage.”

If I could extract an aquatic SS-Rank mana stone, I could craft gear for Yerim. Excellent. That turtle already looked precious. Profit from beast loot and mana stone—good creature.

Whoooosh—!

“Ugh!”

“Argh!”

A powerful current churned around the turtle, sweeping Hunters off their feet and into the water. This should have been done in height of summer, broadcast live even.

Anyway, nothing unusual seemed to happen next.

“Shall we head back? We can ask Hyuna about the Hunters’ performance later.”

“I’ll stay longer. Since it’s underwater combat, I’d like to observe more!”

“All right, but don’t stay too late.”

Though I regretted not seeing more of the turtle’s moves, watching Hunters fight would still be instructive. I’d watched plenty on TV. I hoped I could show Yerim too.

Most Hunters had gathered on the beach, leaving the mansion empty. Near the still-open wall, I saw Seong Hyunjae and Song Taewon standing. Had Seong Hyunjae actually gone to bathe? He wore a light shirt and trousers—why had he only half-dried his hair? Spots of water glistened on his shirt… wait. Why had he rolled up his sleeves? Something felt off.

“Yuhyun, how does Director Song look?”

“Tense.”

He always did. Peace folded his wings and hopped down to them from the flowerbed.

“What’s going on?”

Since we weren’t entirely alone, I spoke as professionally as possible. Song Taewon, inspecting Seong Hyunjae’s arm, turned to me.

“…He was assaulted.”

“Assaulted?”

Who would dare attack Seong Hyunjae…? A suspect would not lightly slip away. Song Taewon seemed to think similarly.

“He said the attacker used skills from a distance, so he couldn’t see their face.”

“I see. As the host, I must ask: are you all right?”

Seong Hyunjae raised both arms—traces of small wounds marred his skin.

“Just some scrapes.”

“Scraped… yes…”

Suspicious. Even shallow wounds meant he’d been hurt—and released the assailant? Even at range, he could have pursued. …Perhaps his condition was worse than we thought. He recognized the Chatterbox mark; it worried me.

“You used potion, yet traces remain—another curse?”

“Not very strong… but I’d welcome a hug.”

“Never mind.”

He must think me naïve. I quietly offered my help if trouble arose.

“Do you suspect anyone?”

“Well, I may have earned some dislike inadvertently—but someone bold enough to attack directly?”

Seong Hyunjae stared at me. Why me, I wondered.

“…I have an alibi. Several witnesses.”

“Pity.”

He still had energy for banter. I’d worried for nothing.

“Don’t fret—let’s go inside.”

Yuhyun asked if I was tired. Exactly: why fret over that man? It must be some Hunter fed up enough to strike at Seong Hyunjae. I dismissed it as nothing, though unease lingered.

“I’d hate for the Guild Master to be stabbed overnight. Could I ask you to watch?”

“Rest assured. I will keep my eye on him.”

Song Taewon answered with confidence. Good, I thought, sorry he’d come so far. Even if I didn’t say so, he’d guard—or surveil—Seong Hyunjae. Casting a parting glance, he turned away.

Peace bounded up the stairs ahead of us. With no elevator, even high-ranking Hunters had to climb—plenty of exercise.

“Ahem—thank you for your hard work!”

I bowed as I entered the room filled with monitors. One Hunter reviewing footage approached.

“Here’s the first roster.”

It was the list of those who’d received Chatterbox’s invitations. Not only to track high-rank Hunters precisely, but for safety—all present were A-Rank. Haeyeon Guild and Breaker Guild had cooperated. Although few knew the full story, they’d all been eager to help.

“Thank you. And those who contacted us?”

“Five so far. Two inquiries about Gi Seung-su, and three wanting to ask about Director Han’s neck mark.”

“Let’s meet all five, then.”

Gi Seung-su might be just an excuse. As I examined the roster and five contacts, Yuhyun snatched them from my hand.

“Let’s do it tomorrow. Most are on the beach anyway.”

“All right, all right.”

“And you need to freshen up and change.”

He seemed resentful I’d been buried in work lately. Gyeol nodded, and Peace chirped in agreement. Tomorrow would be busy too—perhaps I’d rest early tonight. No sooner had I entered the suite than Gyeol let out a fierce squawk:

– JIN! JA! SIH! EOL!

No subject, but the target was clear.

“Why? I poured more, didn’t I?”

– That was good.

“And honestly, it was fun.”

Who else but me would douse Seong Hyunjae’s head with wine? Even aside from that—

‘Just fighting him is… quite enjoyable.’

I wanted something more than wine—perhaps a hair-pull brawl. Impossible with my limited strength, but fun to imagine. I shrugged out of my outerwear, grabbed my phone, and texted:

[What does the mark on your neck mean?]

I waited for his reply until after I bathed—but none came.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep