18.
Even though he knew he shouldn’t be like this, he still wanted to listen to the story using Do-jin as an excuse. He was overly greedy. Yes, let it go and take your anger out on others. Seon-woo laughed bitterly. And then, he apologized to Do-jin.
“I’m sorry too.”
He didn’t have a good personality, but that didn’t mean he didn't understand Do-jin’s situation. There was a time when Seon-woo was like him, naive and kind, in the past. That was when he was with his Hyung.
“No.”
Do-jin, who answered Seon-woo’s words, bowed his head and looked at the floor.
‘I want to hear more about Ye-won.’
But what should I do if it causes the other to suffer? Originally, he would not have cared about such things and would have tried to listen about his beloved sister’s story more, but strangely, the thought about Hyeon-woo suffering weakened his heart.
‘Isn’t it because he looks weak?’
Because he’s small and skinny.
‘And what should I do now?’
Things got awkward. Although Seon-woo had apologized, seeing his hardened expression again, it seemed like he wouldn’t allow Do-jin to approach Hyeon-woo anymore. He didn’t even know whether Seon-woo would break the contract. It was difficult to break a contract that was entirely favorable to him.
A solution was needed. Do-jin, who had organized his thoughts, opened his mouth first.
“I’ll continue to protect him according to the contract.”
Seon-woo looked at Do-jin, with unknown emotions within his eyes.
“I won’t ask any more questions about Ye-won.”
“Then, you already know that you don’t have to defend my Hyung, right?”
“I know.”
“But why are you doing this then?”
“I just have to, anyway.”
Do-jin touched the corner of his mouth with his hand.
“It may be difficult right now, but maybe one day he will be able to say it easily, right?”
“If he doesn’t speak about it?”
“It’s fine either way.”
Do-jin had no will to live any longer anyway. He wanted to die, but Hyeon-woo was the one who stopped him. So, he thought that dedicating his life to him wouldn’t be so bad.
He created a guild, but it was created out of necessity in the first place, so he had no regrets.
‘At this point, the guild should be reorganized.’
They were the people, who he had gathered out of his hypocrisy with the sole thought of finding his younger sister. Now was the time to let go. The power of the guild would decrease when Do-jin leaves, but they would still be able to withstand it.
Do-jin thought so.
“What? What did you just say?”
A woman with a particularly sharp raised eyebrow asked with a surprised expression. Her name was Park Hyun-hee. She was the Deputy Guild Leader of the Peace Guild. She wasn’t an S-class Awakened, but an A-class Awakened. Regardless, she was barely recognized in the country. She looked at the table in disbelief and asked again.
“Did I hear it wrong?”
“No. You heard right.”
Thin lips trembled.
“Then, you really want to leave the guild?”
“Yes.”
Hyun-hee pressed her throbbing head with her hands. The Peace Guild was a little different from the other guilds. Even though it was a guild that was ranked 5th, there were still many things it lacked.
It was good that the guild members were all working hard and gathered strength, but there were some things that just didn’t work. Strength was not something you could get just because you want it. That’s why the Peace Guild needed a Guild Leader. A strong man who saved them and brought them together. But the strong man will abandon them.
She didn’t know what to say. Hyun-hee clenched her teeth.
“But why?!”
In the meantime, the Guild Leader, Do-jin, has been doing just as he liked. Everyone worked hard and barely managed to get to this point. Despair tightened Hyun-hee’s heart.
“The purpose has been achieved.”
“Is that the purpose you mentioned when the guild was launched?”
“Yes.”
At that time, Do-jin told them his intentions.
‘I established the guild for a purpose. I will do anything for that purpose. A Guild is only a means to reaching that purpose. Are you okay with that though?’
At that time, Hyun-hee and the guild members answered.
‘It’s okay. The person who led us here is Do-jin-nim. We’ll do anything for Do-jin-nim.’
Yes, it was then. But time passed, and things changed. As the guild developed, she became more greedy, and she wanted to aim higher. If the Guild Leader leaves, everything would be in vain.
‘I’m not great enough to take on the Guild Leader position.’
The guild must continue to be operational. But she just couldn’t do that. If Hyun-hee became the Guild Leader, the guild would go down again.
“Again–can’t you reconsider it again?”
“I’m sorry.”
Do-jin answered firmly.
“We only came to this point with the help of the Guild Leader.”
“I know. So, once in a while, I’m going to help out too.”
That’s not enough. It felt like the ground under her feet was collapsing.
“Is it because of that First-Generation missing person?”
The information was controlled, but some leaders knew it. It was natural that the Guild Leader couldn’t solve everything alone. Hyun-hee also knew that Do-jin’s younger sister was one of the First-Generation missing persons.
Do-jin didn’t answer, but that seemed to be the likely answer. She didn’t know what the First-Generation person said, but he must have a reason to be like that. Hyun-hee shook her head.
“Can’t you just use us like before?”
“Isn’t that a nuisance?”
“No! Why is that a nuisance!”
“I won’t be able to go to dungeons as often as I used to.”
“It’s alright!”
“Most of the things that the Guild Leader can do, I can’t do them either.”
“I know how to, so it’s okay.”
The moment Do-jin, who was looking at Hyun-hee, opened his mouth again, Hyun-hee spoke first and struck him with the most important words.
“The Guild Leader must be the strongest in the guild. I can't play that role!”
“Isn’t the Deputy Guild Leader second only to me?”
“There’s a significant difference. Please don’t abandon us.”
“I’ll think about it.”
Still, she was glad Do-jin slightly changed his mind. Hyun-hee took a deep breath as she harbored a grudge against the First-Generation person, who had created this situation.
Tuk tuk.
The slightly pale man, who was tapping the desk with his finger, said to Moo-hyuk.
“Bring him to me.”
“The Seon-Hyeon Guild’s blocking access.”
“No matter how strong the Seon-Hyeon Guild is, it’s impossible to ignore the government’s orders.”
“They are more likely to refuse and remain silent.”
“At least, our country has the first* and it’s a miracle.”
The man clicked his tongue and continued.
“Guild, that guild. They’re all bastards who only care about their own interests. Do you really think Ji Seon-woo will ignore the Hunter Administration’s offer?”
“Can’t you tell from the non-response that we received?”
“Yeah, that’s right. Then, we can’t stand still either.”
The man, Kim Chul-su, narrowed his eyes. Director of the Hunter Administration, Kim Chul-su. He was a non-Awakened who took the position of head of state, due to his political qualities. He had no idea how frightening it would be if the Awakened were determined, since he was always protected. He thought it was because of his power that he had some courtesy that everyone reluctantly maintained.
Moo-hyuk, holding back his urge to sigh, looked at the man in front of him.
“Intimidation by force is outdated. Now is the time to respond differently. So, let’s spread the information.”
“You mean that First-Generation person’s information?”
“Yes! Notify the families of the First-Generation missing persons, and also let the media onto this secret. If you want it all, even Ji Seon-woo can keep hiding it. There’s the image and reputation of the Seon-Hyeon Guild. But with the families behind us, it’s harder to maintain that. Make it as complicated as possible, and use protection as our bait!”
It was a very Kim Chul-su-like idea. His voice seemed excited. He seemed to think that he might catch the leash of the Seon-Hyeon Guild at this opportunity. Did he not say that Ji Hyeon-woo was Ji Seon-woo’s family? Things are going to get more complicated.
‘If only I were the Director.’
No, it’s still too early. No one wanted to seat a young man in his late 20s as the Director of the Hunter Administration. So, Moo-hyuk remained in this position.
“Then, we will pass it on to the Intelligence Department and proceed like this.”
I think only the resentment of the S-Class Awakened will live on. Moo-hyuk reluctantly answered.
“Alright. Then, may I leave now?”
“Yes.”
The Director flicked his hand. That was rather rude.
Tang.
The delicately crafted door closed, and Moo-hyuk immediately clicked his tongue. Now, the country will be inundated with the newly known information about the First-Generation person. And the news will spread to other countries as well.
To the Awakened Powerhouses, like Japan and the United States.
‘I seem to have a lot of work these days.’
For the time being, working overtime was confirmed.
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Credits:
Translator: Hoshi Miya
Editor/Proofreader: Davine and Meimei
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MM: Take it, Moo-hyuk, what are you being shy for?
HM: … Nothing to say, in this chapter. If you don’t know, this novel is completed in 135 chapters. Please support the author ^^
Davine: I seem to have a special affinity to Moo-hyuk despite his manhandling of Hyeon-woo. The unfortunate part is that there is no one to ship him with.