#37 The Brightest Shining Star (1)
After scattering their attention with a sandstorm, we slipped into the nearby forest.
Han Seohyun asked with an utterly exhausted expression.
"Is it really over now?"
"Nah, this might just be the beginning."
Seol Rokjin would soon learn of his failure. And he'd immediately cook up another plan.
Whether he'd target Yuseonje again or reach for something else, I had no idea—but he wasn't the type to sit idle.
"Still, just in case, keep an eye on that guy for a while."
Since the assassination had failed, the Tower might step in again.
Of course, now that we'd tipped him off, he wouldn't go down easy—but protection was necessary for the time being.
"Ugh, I really hate that."
Han Seohyun, who hadn't exactly welcomed Yuseonje before, now despised him completely after this mess.
Can't blame him.
"I'm not protecting him because I like the guy. It's just... after all the hell we went through to save him, it'd piss me off if he got offed carelessly."
"Got it."
At my words, Han Seohyun silently sent out his sand mouse. As the signal went out, Kim Jaeho emerged riding a shadow.
It had been a full three weeks since we'd last seen each other.
I wanted to ask if he'd been doing okay, but one look at him killed that urge.
—He's turned into a complete savage.
'Yeah...'
I'd barely gotten him to look human again, and now this? Kim Jaeho's hair had turned into a wild mess of tangles. The uneven spikes were bad enough, but his clothes—torn in places—drew a deep sigh. I'd packed spare outfits in his bag, so where the hell had those gone?
He was still dressed like when we'd entered the gate. No doubt he hadn't bathed either. I'd have to scrub him down back at base.
"So bored. Same food every day—tastes like shit."
Kim Jaeho grumbled the moment he saw us.
"Next time, take me with you. Don't leave me behind. Got it?"
He really hated being alone; he even tugged at my shirt while whining. What a brat.
"Fine, fine. Cut it out. You're stretching my shirt—no, wait! It's ripped?!"
Failed to control his strength, huh? My favorite tee was beyond stretched—it was torn. Too much power came with its problems. Staring at the shredded fabric, I let out a hollow chuckle.
Kim Jaeho pointed at Lee Hyewon behind me.
"Who's that woman?"
"Eek!"
Those beast-like glowing eyes in the dark were scary even to me, but did she have to freak out that much? With an awkward grin, I told Jaeho,
"Someone we rescued from inside."
"H-Hello."
Even her cautious greeting got no reply—Kim Jaeho just glared at Team Leader Lee Hyewon.
"You left me behind... but brought a new one..."
That's what bugs you?
"Uh, yeah, it just kinda happened."
Truth be told, I hadn't wanted to drag her along either. But no matter how I crunched it, spiriting away Team Leader Lee Hyewon was the best play.
Kim Jaeho circled Lee Hyewon, sniffing.
"Not small, not cute."
Team Leader Lee Hyewon was tall—around 175cm—with a sleek, urban look. She was terrified now, but normally she'd pass for a sharp career woman... Wait, what was I even saying?
"Don't worry, no plans to bring her home."
"Hmph."
With a snort, Kim Jaeho vanished into the shadows. Clearly, Team Leader Lee Hyewon rubbed him the wrong way.
Even so, I had no intention of taking her back to our base.
"You go home with him."
At my words, Han Seohyun narrowed his eyes.
"Where's the Boss headed?"
I could almost hear "with that woman" tacked on.
"Don't worry. I'll handle things and head back."
Her shoulders twitched at "handle." In the dead of night, in a creepy spot, that word choice was way off.
Better clear up the misunderstanding before it snowballed. First, separate these two.
"You guys go on ahead."
"Fine."
Han Seohyun shot me and Lee Hyewon a dirty look before stomping the ground, summoning a sand jaguar. Mounting the pitch-black beast, he vanished.
"Wh-where are you taking me?"
"Relax. Somewhere with a very reliable person."
After sending the pair to base, I drove off with Lee Hyewon. Our destination: a massive mansion with a design so stunning it never failed to impress.
I parked nearby and walked up with her.
Leaving the demanding Lee Hyewon aside, I pulled out my phone and dialed.
I half-expected him to dodge, but it connected quickly.
"Geum Doctor."
[Huh? Oh! Who is this? It's been ages!]
"Yeah, long time."
I could tell he wanted distance, but butter him up and it'd be fine.
"Just one favor."
[Huh? Favor? What? I'm swamped these days—can't make time like before...]
"I'm at your door. Open up."
[What?]
"Won't mind if you don't, but you'd be better off opening."
[Agh, fine! St-stay put!]
I hung up amid the frantic yelling from the receiver. Now, just wait—he'd come running.
Lee Hyewon whispered beside me, scared stiff.
"Wh-who are we meeting?"
"Like I said—a very reliable person."
Hmm, yeah. Harmless pushover like him? Perfect. How long passed? Noisy clanks echoed as doors began unlocking layer by layer.
Geum Doctor emerged looking wrecked.
"Haha! Long time no see!"
Round glasses, half-singed curly hair.
"What the hell have you been up to?"
"Ahh, just some experiments... Anyway, how'd you get here unannounced—no, wait! Who's this beautiful lady?"
At his boisterous words, Lee Hyewon glared daggers at me.
You're seriously dumping me with this mad scientist?
Sorry, Lee Hyewon. Got my own kids—no, team members—to look after. I shoved her toward Geum Doctor.
"Take good care of her."
"Huh? W-what?"
"Y-you're not leaving me here, right?"
I ignored her pleading gaze, channeling mana into my feet. Leaping airborne, I waved cheerily.
"Haha! She's all yours!"
"Y-you bastard!"
"What the— what favor?"
Their screams faded as I soared away. None of my business.
You asshole, that's abandonment!
Abandonment? I found her a great guardian.
I felt zero guilt.
The raid on Serena's Ice Palace succeeded, but Sirius's stock plummeted to its floor.
Two 7-star hunters, thirty 6-stars, thirty 5-star-plus supports, forty porters. Out of the 102 who entered, only four returned.
One 7-star hunter, three supports.
A pathetically meager result for a "success." Upon hearing the news, Jin Yeonhwa canceled all schedules with a stone-cold face and prepped a press conference. Onlookers buzzed, tallying Sirius's losses.
"How big a hit will Sirius take? Enough for Doha to surpass them?"
"They lost Kim Daegwon, sure—but Yuseonje survived, right? They cleared an S-rank gate, after all. Crucial point: they conquered it despite losing everyone. He might've hit 8-star already, not just 7..."
"At his age? No way."
"Impossible."
"But he cleared an S-rank with just four supports. Press conference confirmed it."
Sirius's conference had briefly recapped the raid.
Long story short: monsters inside were "stronger than expected," sparking disaster. Gate accidents were common, but succeeding amid chaos was key.
Sirius credited Yuseonje's growth. Everyone got swept up by the overpowered beasts, but his awakening let them pull through.
Thus, Yuseonje—the youngest 7-star darling—skyrocketed in value.
Pity the dead hunters, but the world forgets losers.
"Did he really reach 8-star?"
If true, Sirius's losses meant nothing.
All eyes locked on Yuseonje.
But he declared seclusion, "unable to bear losing family-like comrades," leaving folks to speculate wildly.
Jin Yeonhwa, briefed fully by Yuseonje, wore not a trace of a smile.
"So, someone tried to kill you."
Dropping her drawn-out drawl, she fixed him with a low growl.
"And strangers helped you clear the gate and escape."
"Yes."
"But you don't know the culprits—or our saviors?"
"I know their name."
"What is it?"
"Smith. Obviously fake."
A fleeting smile tugged at Yuseonje's lips—or hallucination? His face hardened again.
"They said no spilling their info as payment for the aid. Couldn't push it."
"Hmph, fine. Not enemies, at least. Real issue: brainwasher who hit Hyewon and ambushed us. Tower lacks brainwashers, so..."
Third party involved.
"Where's Hyewon, anyway?"
"...With someone reliable."
"Good. Play dead till we nail the perp."
Fury blazed in Jin Yeonhwa's eyes. Whoever it was, they'd pay for touching Sirius.
For screwing her over? Hell to pay. Composed, she adjusted her horn-rims and flashed a sunny smile.
"Anyway, great job, Seonje. Go rest up~."
Dismissing Yuseonje, she ditched the glasses and bit her lip.
Auction leak via Hyewon? Made sense. This raid too?
"Beltsmets behind it?"
They'd used her at auction, snatched the goods. They'd climbed the Tower too—explained villain involvement.
"But why?"
No motive clicked. Not like they'd tangled with Sirius before. Just screwing with them? Nah.
Wait for Hyewon, get details then.
She threw on a fuzzy-hooded tee and drove quietly to a hospital.
Whenever doubt crept in, she came here.
To hold her roots.
Passing tight security, Jin Yeonhwa reached a room prepped for one: gorgeously floral, lilies blooming petal by petal from a talent-wielder's touch.
Lying amid them: her grandfather, Jin Yongseok.
In a coma from villain attack, sustained by life support.
She sat by his bed.
"Grandpa, it's me~."
Beaming playfully, she tapped his hand, whispering cheerily.
"Thought I'd send you off after this, but nope—not yet~."
Her eerie tone yielded no stir.
"Keep waiting there. I'll avenge Dad's killer, promise."
She hissed with killing intent.