“Here are a few more. They pop right out when you pierce them.”

One, two, three. I laid out three invitations on my palm—excluding the one from Chloe—and then put them back into my inventory.

“But are you okay just standing? Have a seat.”

I turned toward the sofa.

“Or lie down on the bed. You’re pretty heavy.”

He was over twenty centimeters taller than me, and his build was also much ❖ Nоvеl𝚒ght ❖ (Exclusive on Nоvеl𝚒ght) larger. If he collapsed again, carrying him… would be difficult.

“It would indeed be burdensome for Han Yujin.”

Seong Hyunjae smiled as he appraised me head to toe.

“Even if you’ve been working out, it’s not that much of a change—”

“It’s just laziness. Laziness! As if I couldn’t lift you.”

“How very reassuring.”

Seong Hyunjae said he would be fine and sat on the sofa. If he collapsed again, I’d have to move him to the bed. I could lift him, but getting him onto the bed… well, if he was unconscious, no one would know I dragged him there.

“How much do you weigh?”

“That’s a sensitive question, so I’ll exercise my right to remain silent.”

What kind of response was that? I sat on the sofa and changed the subject.

“I think we can easily get a couple more invitations like this. But Park Ha-yul and the others haven’t been found yet. Did you hear anything from Chloe?”

“I did not. But there is another way. One that ensures complete handling.”

“Really? You should’ve said something sooner. What is it?”

Seong Hyunjae answered with a faint smile.

“Kill them all.”

“…Excuse me?”

What nonsense was this?

“You can’t burn down the whole hut to get rid of a single flea. There are too many S-Rank Hunters—how could you kill them all?”

“It’s not difficult.”

Seong Hyunjae reclined deeply into the sofa, crossing his legs casually. I almost copied him before stopping myself.

“If we use that buff skill, we can handle however many S-Rank Hunters gather. Besides, these S-Ranks here have never cooperated before. If they formed a proper team and synchronized, it would be tricky—but right now they’re just individuals, not a team.”

…He was right: a team of S-Rank Hunters would be challenging. But many individuals fighting without knowing each other’s skills or combat styles—they’d likely get caught in each other’s attacks.

“You promised to share information on Giseungsu before dinner. Once all the Hunters arrive, we’ll send every helicopter back. I’ll discreetly disable their communications equipment. If it’s within the mansion’s range, we can easily paralyze it.”

Cut off their escape routes and outside contact.

“Even with flying skills, Peace and Noah in dragon form would be faster. If they all took off at once from every direction, it could be troublesome—but it’s unlikely they’d show that level of coordination. So priority is to deal with the flying Hunters first.”

“…Wait. What are you planning to do by killing all the Hunters here? You can’t just have Korea survive. What about overseas dungeons?”

“All Hunters here belong to countries where they can afford to be away for a while. Even if they all vanish, things won’t immediately collapse. And if defending their own countries becomes unbearable, they’ll have no chance to turn to Chatterbox.”

“That’s…”

“Also, if Han Yujin struggles a bit, he’ll discover new S-Rank Hunters. Those whom he finds and helps awaken. As a latecomer, thanks to fewer competitors, these new guilds can establish themselves more easily.”

Despite the content of his words, Seong Hyunjae’s eyes were calm. Was he asking me to become the patron of these new S-Rank Hunters and their guilds?

It wasn’t impossible. With innate skills plus memories recalled from before regression… Information on S-Rank Hunters is often protected, but overseas they can be revealed. Famous ex-sports athletes often carry that fame here too.

We could also search blindly. Most S-Rank Hunters have strong physical ability even before awakening—narrowing the search area would help find them.

“But when would we have time? And isn’t it wasteful before moral concerns?”

“Set aside those worth keeping. Also, those clearly unrelated. They should be given a special tour of Hunter Yoom Woohun’s forge. Director Song Taewon can serve as a guard. If Han Yujin minds, the little lady too. Meanwhile, on the island, one or two more aggressive SS-Rank monsters will appear.”

What I thought was absurd gradually took on realism. The groundwork was laid; only execution remained. Even so… I let out a short but heavy sigh.

“Are you asking me to become a mass murderer? No—I certainly can’t carry that out, much less have my brother do it.”

“Do you think Han Yuhyun will feel guilty?”

“…”

“I assure you, if strangers are slaughtered—or anyone Han Yujin wishes—no one will hesitate. Besides, this world’s history of celebrating massacres far outweighs any history that doesn’t.”

“Even in the past, didn’t people call them scum for killing innocents?”

“They’re not powerless civilians but high-rank Hunters.”

I swallowed dryly. Was he truly sincere? Urging the murder of many people with cold composure?

“…Best case, they’re not fully hostile—Park Ha-yul’s side isn’t completely antagonistic either.”

“It’s safe, fast, and certain. From what I’ve heard, Chatterbox cannot intervene directly in this world. So if we eliminate all his words and prevent any new ones from being formed, that’s best.”

His logic wasn’t wrong. If I prioritized results and the safety of those around me above all—then wiping the slate clean here might be best.

My chest denied it, but my mind moved on to the next step. We couldn’t leave the area yet. But if many S-Rank Hunters disappeared, their countries would panic. Then we’d inform special awakening centers and get recommendations for candidates.

No need for me to search personally—among those sent, we’d pick the S-Ranks, apply the keywords, and imprint the danger of Chatterbox while the effect holds.

“…Damn, but it’s still not right.”

I rubbed my face. If I wanted to go wild with my skills, I would have already.

“And besides, isn’t that just like transcendent beings? Sacrificing one world to save others.”

After all, they were innocent people. If I killed them all claiming it was for our survival or for the world, I’d lose the right to protest the deeds of transcendent beings.

“And secrets don’t last forever. If discovered, it’s ruin. Utter ruin.”

There were already those who’d faced Chatterbox. So even if we wiped them out clean, they might not have known. I—myself—had the skills.

“So let’s pretend we never heard any of this.”

“Understood.”

Seong Hyunjae nodded lightly. Neither he nor I spoke for a moment.

‘…He mustn’t have meant I’d accept.’

But if I did agree, he would certainly help enthusiastically.

“…I know too.”

I murmured softly. The time would come to make sacrifices. It was impossible to have none. Even I had already returned having lost something.

“If truly, truly there’s no other way—then I will protect those I must first. But not yet.”

“Your priorities are clear, Han Yujin.”

“Don’t cry later saying you were abandoned.”

No matter how far I threw them, they’d somehow return intact. Seong Hyunjae didn’t answer but smiled broadly.

“Since I promised, I’ll approach before the gathering ends. I’ve considered it. Now, about Chatterbox’s party—will you attend, Seong Hyunjae?”

I pulled an invitation from my inventory and tossed it to him. He raised his hand a beat late and—

Tap.

The gem knocked against his thigh and rolled off the sofa. I nearly cursed.

“Hey, you… you’re talking about killing S-Rank Hunters in this state?!”

So he hadn’t been unable to move, just unwilling? Huh? Seong Hyunjae picked up the invitation. He could move, but he clearly wasn’t well.

“Are you really sure you’re okay? Yuhyun and Yerim were completely drained too, but still!”

“It just takes time to fully command the body. Seong Hyunjae is very slight.”

“Excuse me?”

“I mean there’s nothing to worry about.”

He said he’d be fine soon, but I doubted it. Maybe I should take him to see the elder.

“I’m sorry, Director Song, but ask him to stay by your side. If you say he’s unwell, he’ll protect him. How about asking him to attend Chatterbox’s party together?”

I’d like Director Song to come, but, well. I felt terribly apologetic.

“No, it’s fine if he sits out.”

“Already giving up? As expected, Han Yujin only cares about my body—”

“I’m concerned! And honestly, if it weren’t for your body and skill, I’d discard you too. Who’d put up with that temperament?”

His body and abilities were lucky. Or maybe that’s why he turned out like this.

“If he were well, how about Yerim? Or Gyeol seems willing. Though they wouldn’t help much.”

“That doesn’t matter, but Han Yujin or Director Song would enjoy it.”

“I’m out. Convince Director Song yourself. Director Song, I’m very, very sorry.”

She tapped my neck gently.

“What do you mean?”

Seong Hyunjae rose and approached. His movements felt almost normal again.

“Show me.”

I removed the magical covering over the mark on my neck. At once his expression froze, and his golden eyes glared at me with such displeasure I flinched.

“What… is this?”

“I want to know why Chatterbox marked you.”

“…What?”

Seong Hyunjae leaned forward and placed a hand on my neck.

“Precisely, you’re a sacrifice. The offering at the ritual’s end.”

…An image of the Harmless King trapped in a huge tank came to mind. A death notice threatening to do the same to me.

“He wants to kill me, doesn’t he?”

“It’s different from that.”

“A sacrifice is basically the same. I heard the party is the Harmless King’s funeral.”

I quickly covered the mark with my mana. Immediately—

“Ugh!”

My neck stung like static electricity. I reflexively kicked Seong Hyunjae’s leg. Naturally only my foot hurt.

“Don’t show off that you’re cold! Your Christmas gift from me is an anti-static bracelet!”

“Let me see the mark again. I want to see if I can remove it.”

“No, I’ll die first! And keep it secret from Yuhyun.”

My brother would want to burn me up if he thought I was safe. Seong Hyunjae’s face looked so sullen that I jumped to my feet.

“Discuss it with Director Song and get back to me. Haven’t you gotten a new phone yet? Why did you break yours?”

“I did break it, but it’s not my fault.”

Did his hand move on its own to break it? I closed my mouth. If his body truly didn’t obey him… maybe it could happen. I felt uneasy again.

“Take care of yourself. When we return, make time. Let’s visit the elder.”

I left Seong Hyunjae and stepped out. My steps felt oddly heavy. Why did I have to feel this way about the esteemed Guild Leader of Sesung? It was like abandoning a child by the water’s edge. He was at least ten years older than me.

Through the damp, rainy-season unease, I returned to the waiting ones. As soon as Gyeol saw me, he flew over and circled me, inspecting closely.

“All is well.”

Could he really join Seong Hyunjae? I still thought it best if Gyeol stayed behind.

“I’ll ask Director Song first.”

“He probably won’t go. Or maybe he’ll worry about Uncle Sesung and follow after all.”

He’s the kind I hate being with, but hate leaving alone even more.

We headed to the temporary meeting room for the afternoon briefing when—

“Hello, Jina.”

Hwang Rim appeared. Without a word, Yuhyun drew his sword and held it to Hwang Rim’s neck, who forced a troubled smile.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep