MTLNOVEL 72.
72.
Although both the guild and Hyunwoo had grown to a point where even Yoonjae couldn’t easily interfere, Hyunwoo still harbored resentment towards him. He wanted to expose Yoonjae’s true face, but he couldn’t use the two decisive cards he held. He couldn’t stir up Jian’s connection for fear of causing harm to Jian, and the research facility matter had to be halted without much progress due to lack of concrete evidence.
Jian had said he didn’t know the director well. But seeing the director’s actions now, there was clearly something between them that Hyunwoo didn’t know about.
“We’re in a national emergency situation. So naturally, I have to seek out skilled hunters. Since that person is hiding their power and living under a false identity, I had to come personally.”
His smiling face looked kind enough to be likable to those who didn’t know his true nature.
Listening to Yoonjae’s words, Jian realized he was talking about his hunter rank.
He had certainly lived comfortably until now. The director had remained silent even when Jian changed his hunter rank to A-class with Hyunwoo’s help. The fact that he was moving now was probably a sign that he too considered the current situation serious.
He had risen to the position of Hunter Management Bureau Director at a young age and had held that position for over 10 years.
He seemed to have connections with the research facility, but he was so meticulous that no evidence could be found. Openly defying such a person could lead to unpredictable consequences.
“As you can see, I have a young brother. I’d like to take him somewhere safe before we talk. Would that be possible?”
Jian had no choice but to step forward. Now that the director had appeared in person saying he had business with Jian, there was a limit to how much Hyunwoo could intervene.
“I don’t want to.”
However, Sehun immediately objected to Jian’s words. He strongly interlocked his fingers with Jian’s, showing his determination not to be separated.
“So this is your younger brother. Ah, I’m late with introductions. I’m Shin Yoonjae, Director of the Hunter Management Bureau.”
Yoonjae’s gaze towards Sehun was peculiar. Even though only Jian knew that Sehun had awakened as an S-rank hunter, he felt uneasy.
Sehun didn’t respond to Yoonjae’s greeting. He only looked at Jian, intentionally ignoring Yoonjae.
“Sehun, just for a moment.”
Thinking that this would only lead to a meaningless standoff, Jian struggled to detach Sehun’s hand.
Then he met Sehun’s eyes. His expressionless face looked precarious. Jian’s heart pounded rapidly, as if looking at a time bomb about to explode.
“How about staying with Hyunwoo hyung for now? I’ll just talk with this person and follow you right away.”
If the director sensed something strange and used a perception artifact on Sehun, things would get more complicated.
The tower is a dangerous place. Unlike in the original story, Sehun had almost no combat experience. He had brainwashed Kim Soochul, but that was all.
Due to Jian’s overprotective upbringing, Sehun’s combat ability was much weaker than in the original story. Even in the original, Sehun struggled when climbing the tower.
Although he handled monsters more easily than others, there were scenes where he occasionally got injured. Now that he was even weaker than then, it was impossible to predict what dangers might befall him.
Just imagining Sehun bleeding made Jian dizzy. The moment his S-rank hunter status was discovered, Sehun would likely be exploited by the Hunter Management Bureau and the government.
Even if a situation arose where they had to enter, it shouldn’t be now. The choice should be made by Jian and Sehun. Not by Yoonjae.
Moreover, not only Sehun but also Hyunsu was present. It was too dangerous to continue facing the director when they didn’t even know about Hyunsu’s awakening status.
“What if you don’t come back?”
“What are you saying? I’m just going to talk and come back.”
“How can we trust that person?”
Despite Jian’s pleading, Sehun didn’t back down. His glance at Yoonjae was cold.
In truth, Sehun wasn’t particularly interested in the appearance of the mysterious tower or the numerous deaths and injuries. The only thing important to him was Jian. He knew Jian’s abilities were exceptional. That’s why he was more anxious.
Clearly, both Jian and Hyunwoo were wary of the director. Which meant the director was a dangerous person.
Such a person was now seeking a private conversation with Jian. Sehun felt a sense of crisis that if he parted with Jian now, he might not see him for a long time.
“I’m a bit shocked that my trustworthiness is so low. How about we do this then?”
Yoonjae snapped his fingers to draw everyone’s attention. Hyunsu, frightened by the strangely unfolding situation, hid behind Hyunwoo’s back.
Perhaps due to anxiety, his heart had been racing since earlier. He was also experiencing chills and cold sweats, symptoms similar to a severe case of flu.
“You were all on your way somewhere, right? Were you heading to the Darknet Guild headquarters? Then why don’t you invite me to the guild as well? I only want to have a conversation with Jian, not to oppress anyone.”
As Yoonjae stepped back and made this proposal, Hyunwoo stroked his chin. It would certainly be fine if they just went to the Darknet Guild to talk.
That place was Hyunwoo’s territory, and whatever Shin Yoonjae’s intentions were, it would be easier to handle there.
“Jian, what do you think? This proposal seems okay.”
Hyunwoo looked at Jian while comforting the anxious Hyunsu. Jian nodded as well. Since Sehun refused to be separated, he had no choice either.
“Then let’s move in my car.”
“I’ll drive.”
“Go ahead.”
Even as Hyunwoo insisted on driving, unable to shake off his wariness, Yoonjae nodded readily.
After walking behind Yoonjae for about 10 minutes, they saw a black van with dark tinted windows parked on the roadside. The Hunter Management Bureau logo printed on the back of the vehicle was noticeable. The person in the driver’s seat immediately got out and greeted Yoonjae.
“This person will drive. Follow in another car.”
“Understood.”
The man wearing pitch-black sunglasses responded to Yoonjae’s order and then disappeared somewhere.
Hyunwoo got into the driver’s seat, and Hyunsu opened the passenger door. Jian only got into the back seat with Sehun after Yoonjae had entered the car first.
The journey to the Darknet Guild was quiet. As they moved further from the tower, the road conditions improved, but there was heavy traffic congestion due to accidents that had occurred in various places.
* * *
After an hour, the car was finally able to enter the underground parking lot of a five-story building. While the car driven by Hyunwoo was allowed in immediately after the parking security guard checked his face at the entrance, the car following them was stopped at the entrance.
“Will those people be coming in too?”
Hyunwoo, who had received a call from the parking security guard, turned to look at Yoonjae. Yoonjae shrugged lightly and pressed his watch screen. Soon, a call connected.
“Wait nearby. It won’t take long.”
―Yes, understood.
Once again, the other party followed the order without any objection. As if asking if that was enough, Yoonjae met Hyunwoo’s eyes through the rearview mirror.
“Shall we get out?”
Hyunwoo let out a small sigh and was about to get out of the car when he noticed Hyunsu sweating profusely.
“Hyunsu, what’s wrong? Are you sick?”
“Hyung…”
Jian also paused as he was opening the car door. Hyunsu’s reddened face looked ominous. Recognizing the situation unfolding similarly to when Sehun had awakened as a hunter not long ago, he quickly got out of the car.
After gesturing for Sehun to get out as well, he looked at Yoonjae. Yoonjae also got out of the car without resistance, letting out a small “Hmm.”
To think Hyunsu would awaken at a time like this.
Jian, growing anxious, approached Hyunwoo and grabbed his arm.
“Hyung, I’ll take the director and Sehun upstairs first. Why don’t you take Hyunsu to the hospital? He seems to be in a lot of pain.”
“Ah, this is driving me crazy.”
Hyunwoo roughly ruffled his hair. Even though Sehun was there, he didn’t like leaving Jian with Yoonjae. The problem was that Hyunsu’s condition was deteriorating by the minute.
Although he had improved after heart surgery, Hyunsu was still weak enough to require regular hospital check-ups.
“Please. I’ll be back as soon as possible, so contact me immediately if anything happens. Don’t stay alone with him for too long.”
“I will. Don’t worry and go.”
It was better to handle Yoonjae alone than to let him witness Hyunsu awakening as an S-rank hunter.
Hyunwoo picked up Hyunsu, who was slumped in the passenger seat. Jian helped transfer Hyunsu to another car parked nearby.
Until the very end, Hyunwoo cast worried glances at Jian before driving out of the parking lot.
“My, I hope it’s nothing serious.”
Despite his words, Yoonjae didn’t seem particularly interested in Hyunsu. Neither did Sehun. Faced with these two who only looked at him, Jian swallowed a rising sigh.