Chapter 22
Chapter 22
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 22
Chapter Title: Night of the Welcome Party (3)
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"Distrust and suspicion? Distrust?"
"……."
"You're talking about a bit of interest or something. What's with all the pickiness?"
Does the Gate think this is a joke? Providing support in every way and making him grind Gates—is that easy?
After Geon-ju left, Sa-yoon unleashed the anger he'd been holding back, running a hand through his disheveled hair. His lightly curly locks slipped through his fingertips.
Recapping his brief conversation with Geon-ju as if compiling a攻略 guide, he tried to infer what in his words or actions had sparked the distrust, when a persistent gaze stuck to the back of his head. He tried to ignore it, but it grew thicker, grating on his nerves. Finally, fed up with the increasingly obsessive stare, Sa-yoon irritably whipped his head around.
"What the hell's your problem now?"
Already rattled by Geon-ju, now Jong-sik was getting on his nerves too. When he kept shooting those unsettling glances and Sa-yoon demanded an explanation, the burly man—his bulk mismatched with how he was peeking at Sa-yoon's mood—hesitated like he had something to say.
"What is it?"
Irritation laced his voice. Deciding he'd kick him out if he stayed silent again, Sa-yoon watched Jong-sik's troubled expression. With a long sigh, he finally got to the point.
"…I, I get it, Hyungnim. Even if it's something like that."
"What?"
"It's fine. I understand everything."
The man squeezed his eyes shut then opened them, speaking in a grave tone. Not grasping what he meant, Sa-yoon flopped onto the sofa.
"Understand what?"
"Your situation, Hyungnim."
"What situation?"
Waiting made him explode with frustration. Why drag it out instead of just spitting it out? As Sa-yoon snapped, Jong-sik gulped under the interrogation.
"That… to win over that Geon-ju guy, didn't you have to kinda act gay or something?"
"……?"
"…Wasn't that it?"
Jong-sik asked again, looking dumbfounded. Sa-yoon wrinkled his nose bridge in sheer absurdity.
Did this idiot read some homo novel on his break or what?
He couldn't even guess what had led to such a misunderstanding. What kind of thoughts did he entertain daily for his imagination to leap there? Glancing pitifully at Jong-sik, who had wildly missed the mark, Sa-yoon watched him scratch the back of his head.
"Really not?"
"Why would you even think that?"
"Well, the vibe between you and that Geon-ju guy was kinda weird somehow…."
"What are you talking about?"
"You know, that sleazy, somehow melancholic feel…."
Jong-sik added his words with a weird hand gesture, kneading the air with his fingers. Grimacing in disgust, Sa-yoon chucked a nearby cushion at him to snap him out of his delusions. Warning him not to entertain nonsense, Sa-yoon figured Jong-sik was just embarrassed when the man thumped his chest and took a deep breath.
"Even if you're gay, Hyungnim, it's fine by me. I'll serve you loyally."
"I said that's not it."
He'd just been a tad nicer to Geon-ju to get him to relax. For that alone to spark such drama—a firm suspicion arose.
"You reading gay novels behind my back or something?"
"Huh?"
"Or watching that kind of video?"
"What?"
Jong-sik panicked and jumped back. Shooting him a look that screamed 'what kind of guy are you then?' Sa-yoon clicked his tongue at the man, who couldn't respond and was just sweating bullets.
"Cut the bullshit and sit up straight. With that huge build, you looming around is distracting."
"…Yes."
"……."
"But Hyungnim, I really didn't mean—"
"Jong-sik-ah."
Is that guy really an executive?
Gay or not, what did it matter? As long as he did his job. Slightly narrowing his eyes, Sa-yoon comforted him with, 'Even if you're gay, this hyungnim understands.' Receiving his own words thrown back at him, Jong-sik clamped his mouth shut, face screaming he had plenty to say.
Unhappy with the situation, frowning yet eager to explain his innocence, Jong-sik stared persistently at Sa-yoon. Reluctantly asking why his thoughts had veered there, Sa-yoon spent a short time clearing up the misunderstanding. Hammering in that favoritism and sexual attraction were different—like rote education—after 10 minutes, Jong-sik finally concluded that the conversation between him and Geon-ju was just a normal boss-favored-subordinate exchange. Grasping his sanity, he shifted the topic.
"So, which Gate are you heading to, Hyungnim? I'll prepare it."
"Where else? The Field."
"…Pardon?"
"What."
"The Field I know?"
"Did a new Gate pop up that I don't know about?"
"Not that, but the Field is an S-grade Gate."
S-grade Gate, 'Ruined World'.
Known among hunters as the Field, even seasoned Night Rat members took at least two months, up to half a year, to clear it once inside. Those who returned looked soul-drained and gaunt, but their skills were undeniably honed.
With that hidden card in hand, Sa-yoon figured he could mold Geon-ju into an A-rank within a month. But Jong-sik, hearing this, clearly disagreed.
"Why S-grade?"
Asking Jong-sik, who looked at him like he'd suggested the impossible, the man sighed heavily. Sa-yoon's brows furrowed.
"Why the sighs again?"
"You really don't know? If you push him like that, Geon-ju will definitely run."
"Why."
"Why? It's an S-grade Gate. And that guy's barely B-rank."
"So what? I'm S-rank going with him."
I cleared it at D-rank—what's the issue?
Genuinely baffled, he asked, and Jong-sik—who half-saw him as insane—eyed his guild leader, gauging how to explain, before speaking.
"How many times did you die in there, Hyungnim?"
"412?"
"When did you get out?"
"A year later."
"And became A-rank."
"Vertical rank leap."
From D to A-rank. A three-step growth to clear the Gate. Recalling how the System had force-fed him 'You're D-rank, True Evil of Humanity must be strong' and tossed him into the Field until A-rank, Jong-sik straightened up, elbows on knees, leaning toward Sa-yoon.
"And you still don't see the problem?"
"……."
"Normal Awakeners don't respawn like you, Hyungnim. It's natural to panic at near-death. Who'd trust someone shoving them into a death trap? Mark my words—if you pick the Field for his first Gate, your relationship with Geon-ju will sour."
Jong-sik declared gravely in a low voice. His serious demeanor left Sa-yoon no choice but to listen. In a place full of half-mad folks—Sa-yoon himself spinning 360 degrees to pass as normal—Jong-sik was the only one with a sound mind. He'd never regretted heeding his earnest advice.
"…Even if I protect him?"
"If the Grim Reaper shows up one day, drags me to hell, and says he'll protect me from the demons—yeah, that'd inspire total trust."
Thinking calmly, Jong-sik's point had merit. Until now, with only crazies around, tossing them into the Field got grumbles but ultimately joy, cheers, or excitement. Geon-ju might differ.
Remembering he was a fresh Awakener of just one week, Sa-yoon reluctantly conceded a step.
"Fine, start with a C-grade Gate then. We're going tomorrow, so find one and prep the car."
"Smart choice, Hyungnim. He's fresh off a Beginner Gate, so tackling E-grade or higher is new. C-grade's perfect to gauge his skills, I guarantee."
With Sa-yoon's change of heart, Jong-sik visibly brightened, adding details. He headed straight to the desk, pulling out six file folders and flipping through papers—lists of domestic Gates held by Night Rat.
Veteran at this, Jong-sik would pick a good one if left alone. Waiting quietly, Sa-yoon smirked inwardly as Jong-sik, sensing something, stressed not to backtrack now. Waving dismissively in feigned annoyance to signal agreement, Sa-yoon's lips curled where Jong-sik couldn't see.
For now, he'd go slow as suggested.
Just up to this Gate.
First Gate C-grade, second also low-rank?
As if.
He was top-tier S-rank elite. With him along, what could go wrong?
Planning to assess skills and senses, then drag him to A-grade on the second Gate, Sa-yoon glanced at Jong-sik buried in papers. His words had logic, but Sa-yoon had his own reasons for high-difficulty Gates.
People build trust surviving near-death crises together. Rolling in the dirt forms camaraderie, bonds. That's what Sa-yoon aimed for.
Plus, high-rank Gates let him save Geon-ju's life multiple times.
Humans feel goodwill toward lifesavers. Even if he deliberately lured him into traps, saving him three or four times would naturally foster affection.
In danger, humans rely on the stronger one, right?
Having observed humanity over a decade half-controlled by the System, Sa-yoon could write a philosophy book on it.
Muttering that the second Gate was the real start, he chuckled softly. Sensing ill omens, Jong-sik eyed the laughing Sa-yoon warily before bowing his head again.
A small tune slipped from Sa-yoon's lips.