"Booyah!"
Gim Haesung swiftly kicks the troll creature to the ground with a loud crack—killing it instantly, then shakes her foot from the impact.
"The area is all cleaned up, Yeonbom-ssi!" she announces before stretching her entire body, her fox tail lashes behind her as she sniffs around the area, catching no more creatures in her range.
"Good, we just need to find the boss." Ki Yeonbom nods as he flicks his hands; the guns disappear from his grip into pixels and return to his inventory.
Ki Yeonbom gestures toward the mountains in the distance. "The vortex boss might be hidden in those mountains. Chat with the others for backup."
"You got it!" she nods, opening her hologram screen to access the
'This S-ranked vortex has an unstable energy unlike its usual one... something isn't right.' Ki Yeonbom thinks to himself, his eyes focused on the targeted mountains.
Once the others are notified by their backup request and send their coordinates, Ki Yeonbom doesn't hesitate to start sprinting toward the distance, already running as Gim Haesung scrambles to match his pace.
"H-hold on! Are you rushing to get to the boss already!?" Gim Haesung whines, and Ki Yeonbom just nods, already picking up his pace.
"This is an S-ranked vortex. We've been here for a day," he scoffs, already reaching the destination while Gim Haesung almost gets left behind.
"Hey! We still need to report this to Master!!!"
***
"Congratulations on passing the assessment test!" Woo Taehwa cheers for Yeon Yujun, shaking him by the shoulders while the small fluffy creature, Pouch, seems frustrated by his actions.
Chae Yuna playfully punches Yeon Yujun's back, startling him as he shakes from the overwhelming congratulations. "Congrats to you too, you really surprised us with the test!"
Seo Hwigeon can't help but chuckle, reaching to pat Yeon Yujun's head. "You did well, really good."
"Yeah, right..." Yeon Yujun scoffs annoyingly, stepping back to a respectful distance while Pouch glares daggers at everyone.
Yeon Yujun looks down at the license card in his hands—he can't believe he's holding a registered hunter's ID card after passing those trials!
'Hold on... doesn't that mean I'll be ranked the highest...? Why did I let my pride get the better of me...' he sighs in defeat as Woo Taehwa looks at him, confused and worried.
"Hyung...!! Why the long face!?" Woo Taehwa whines, and Chae Yuna just laughs softly.
"He's probably overthinking what will happen next! Don't worry, you still have three to five months of being official. You gotta have lots of training before you become like us," she winks, pointing to herself confidently, and Seo Hwigeon agrees with her.
"She's right, you've got nothing much to worry about. You just need lots of exercise for the training because I'm sure Chief Baek will make you all train inside the vortexes."
'Seriously...? All I want to do right now is eat my grandma's bulgogi, even when they're away...!'
Now that he thinks about it, is Lee Seolji alright back at home alone?
"I'll be right back, I just need to–"
Before he can continue, he is stopped by a handsome young man with slicked-back blonde hair and sparkling eyes that match the color of his hair.
He carefully adjusts the sleeve of his white suit as if he had just come from a wedding and is the bride...! Who is this man?
"You must be Yeon Yujun. I've been watching you up there." He turns his head to the viewing room upstairs before returning his gentle gaze to Yeon Yujun, making him flush.
Seo Hwigeon tilts his head at the sudden appearance, placing himself in front of Yeon Yujun as if trying to block him from the handsome man's view.
"Woo Woojo, it is surprising to see the guild co-leader of
The handsome man, Woo Woojo, just chuckles and crosses his arms over his chest.
"Mr. Seo, is he yournew guild member? I wasn't aware."
"Well, he's about to be one." Seo Hwigeon gestures to Yeon Yujun, who just flinches at his words.
'Joining that insane man's guild? No way!' he grits his teeth, annoyed by the sudden turn of events until Woo Taehwa steps in.
"Hyung...! What are you doing here?" Woo Taehwa looks up at his brother, Woo Woojo, whose face instantly turns surprised and who smiles even more gently.
"My little brother! I didn't know you're with... Mr. Seo and Ms. Chae." His blonde eyes shift to Seo Hwigeon and Chae Yuna, whom he offers a small smile. However, the same isn't true for Woo Taehwa and Yeon Yujun.
'They're brothers...? I should've known because of the same hair color! But their eyes are different... Woo Taehwa has brown eyes.'
"I almost didn't notice the little guy on your shoulder, Yeon-ssi." Woo Woojo points at Pouch, who clearly doesn't want to be involved in the conversation, scoffing softly before looking away.
"Their name is Pouch, he's my manifested pet." Yeon Yujun introduces Pouch politely, but it seems to have triggered something within Seo Hwigeon.
"Don't you think it's time for you to run along now, Mr. Woo?" Woo Woojo just tilts his head, still wearing that gentle smile that makes his actions seem humble and honest instead of merely polite.
"Is it? I wasn't aware that I have such a busy schedule…"
'Did these two have a personal history or what…?' Yeon Yujun gazes between them in annoyance before sighing and speaking up before anyone else can.
"Mr. Woo, you must have misunderstood — I'm still a new awakener. I don't have a guild because I am not an official hunter like any of you yet," then his eyes shift back to Seo Hwigeon's mask, as if he can see through it even with that on.
"And I don't recall agreeing to join your guild, Seo Hwigeon."
All Seo Hwigeon can do is laugh softly under his mask, now amused instead of mockingly polite or frustrated that his plans aren't working out. With Yeon Yujun's words, it's as if he's just walked into a trap.
"Apologies, kitten. We were just… too excited to make you our new member of the
"And trust me, Mr. Woo. My words aren't meant with any ill intent toward someone like you."
Even when Seo Hwigeon says this, the tension between them doesn't completely disappear; instead, it seems to lessen.
"I apologize if I said anything harsh," Woo Woojo says kindly, his tone sweet enough to make Woo Taehwa's eyes sparkle in admiration.
"You don't have to be so polite, hyung! You did nothing wrong!" Woo Taehwa gently squeezes Woo Woojo's hand to reassure him.
'They seem to be very close brothers,' Yeon Yujun thinks as his eyes return to Seo Hwigeon.
"Are you intentionally being mean to him? It's not like he's going to join your guild…" Yeon Yujun whispers to Seo Hwigeon, who merely shrugs.
"You never know, kitten. Even if you don't want to join our guild, I'll make sure you won't join any at all," Seo Hwigeon whispers back, his honeyed words sounding like a threat or obsession rather than comfort.
"Damn it… You creep."
Yeon Yujun steps back again, shaking his head.
'I still don't understand what he gains from obsessing over me!'
"Since you don't have a guild yet and aren't an official hunter, maybe you should reconsider your decision. It's not good for a hunter like you to work alone in the future," Woo Woojo calmly pulls out a sleek white and gold business card from his suit and approaches Yeon Yujun with a gentle smile.
'If only he knew I worked alone in the past…'
"Contact us if you need anything at all; having connections is an advantage for hunters," he offers casually, placing the card into Yeon Yujun's palm and then closing his hand around it, causing Yeon Yujun to flinch.
"We'd be happy to welcome you to our guild."
'Again… Why is everyone so touchy…!?'
"Y-yeah… of course, thank you, Mr. Woo," Yeon Yujun nods as Pouch watches him tuck the card into his pocket, and Pouch also seems to dislike Woo Woojo… just like they do with Seo Hwigeon.
Seo Hwigeon scoffs, shaking his head as he pulls Yeon Yujun to his side. "I think we'll be going now."
"Hey, w-where are you even taking me?" Yeon Yujun whispers loudly, trying to escape and squirm from his grip, but it's no use.
"Oh! Before you all go, the Hunter's Memorabilia Museum will open on October 7th…" Woo Woojo reminds him, making Yeon Yujun freeze.
Of course, how could he forget? On October 7th, his weapon will be displayed and auctioned to the highest bidder.
He has to get it back somehow.
Seo Hwigeon tilts his head at Yeon Yujun, as if he knows what he's thinking and what he plans to do.
"The
"Of course! We'll be expecting you and your guild, especially Mr. Yeon." With that, Woo Woojo prepares to leave.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Yeon. Until we meet again."
Yeon Yujun and the others watch as Woo Woojo turns away and walks down the corridor, disappearing after taking a right.
Yeon Yujun takes this chance to slip out of Seo Hwigeon's grip and slaps his shoulder. "Alright, that's enough. I have to go home — my niece is alone."
"Is that so? We'll let you go then," Seo Hwigeon chuckles and begins to leave.
'He's going to let me go? Just like that? It must be my lucky day…' Yeon Yujun quietly says 'yes' to himself, and Pouch seems relieved too.
"We'll see you at the museum!" Chae Yuna and Woo Taehwa leave first, followed by Seo Hwigeon, who turns around for a final word —
"We'll get your weapon back, Yeon Yujun." With that, Seo Hwigeon departs, leaving Yeon Yujun to reflect on his words, which echo like a curse. He stares blankly, left behind.
"I guess he kinda knows what I was planning after all, huh…?"
But the real question is… will they actually get it back?