Uninvited Shadows at the Gala
Chapter 80
Jeong Haesu held out his phone to Nam Doyun.
“...?”
Nam Doyun stared at it blankly.
“Mind giving me your number?” Jeong Haesu asked with a grin.
That was unexpected.
He had assumed that figuring out Cerberus’s weakness would require exceptional analytical skill, but he never imagined Doyun would also provide an exact solution based on it. That kind of information could only be obtained by dissecting Cerberus itself.
How on earth did he find that out?
This guy really piqued his curiosity.
“Hmm. No wonder Hayeon took an interest in you.”
“Wh-what the hell are you talking about?” Jeong Hayeon shouted at her brother.
Kim Simin ground his teeth as he watched Jeong Haesu hand his phone to Nam Doyun.
Why him, of all people?
Kim Simin had wanted to build connections with Jeong Haesu for a long time. The man’s combat prowess was simply on another level. No matter how hard he tried, however, Jeong Haesu never spared him a glance. That much he could accept. But why was he asking for that guy’s number instead?
Kim Simin shot to his feet. Just as he turned to leave, someone grabbed his arm. He spun around, eyes blazing, only to find Jeong Haesu staring back at him.
“You promised to give it to me, remember?” Jeong Haesu said, pointing at the watch on Kim Simin’s wrist.
“Ugh… uuuugh.”
With a pained groan, Kim Simin removed the watch and handed it over. Jeong Haesu immediately passed it to Nam Doyun.
“Let’s talk more later.”
Jeong Haesu flashed a sly smile.
****
I stepped out into the hotel lobby. High-ranking officials I had only ever seen on television were exchanging greetings.
“Ah, hello, Vice Minister of Economy. It’s been a while.”
“Haha, indeed it has. You know I’ve been paying close attention to your work, right?”
“Of course. I’m very grateful for that.”
Given that this was Samhwa Bio’s new drug announcement, it was only natural for big names to gather. While I was scanning the crowd, a familiar back caught my eye on the stairs leading to the second floor. The figure was massive, easily over two meters tall, with muscles so defined that even a tailored suit couldn’t fully conceal them.
It was Urbashi of Cain.
Beside him stood a woman who appeared to be his colleague—another member of Cain, no doubt. They were heading upstairs when Urbashi bumped shoulders with a woman coming down.
He immediately fixed her with a murderous glare.
“Ah… I’m sorry…”
The woman who had collided with him turned to apologize, only to freeze at the sight of his bloodthirsty eyes. Her own expression hardened instantly.
“What’s with that look?”
It was Jin Hyewon.
“....”
Urbashi continued staring at her in silence, his gaze still lethal.
“Not gonna look away? Want me to gouge those eyes out?”
Jin Hyewon had a temper she usually kept hidden.
“..What?”
Urbashi clenched his fists. He looked genuinely provoked. The two stood locked in a standoff, neither willing to back down. Urbashi began loosening up his body.
“I was planning to hold back since today’s important, but you’re pushing it.”
Crack— crack—
He cracked his knuckles.
“Fine. You want a real fight?”
Jin Hyewon reached into her subspace to draw her weapon.
“....”
I watched the scene in silence, then glanced at the powerful figures gathered on the first floor. If those two started fighting here, the people downstairs would be caught in the crossfire and slaughtered. The blame would fall squarely on Samhwa Bio, and my stocks would plummet.
I rushed up the stairs and stepped between them.
I looked at Jin Hyewon.
“Hello.”
“Huh? What are you doing here?”
Jin Hyewon looked puzzled.
“I was invited as well.”
“Oh, really?”
“Yes. So, would you mind stepping aside with me for a quick talk?”
“...I’d like to, but I’ve got someone who needs a lesson right now. Let’s do it later.”
Jin Hyewon still had her weapon half-drawn, her fighting spirit undiminished.
“Ah, I’ve become interested in the Crystal Guild and wanted to discuss it in more detail.”
“...Really?”
Her eyes widened at my words.
“Yes. I really want to join, so I’d appreciate some advice.”
For whatever reason, Jin Hyewon held me in high regard. If I used that to my advantage, I could defuse the situation. Her hunger for talent was immense.
“Does it have to be right now?”
“If it’s not now, I might change my mind.”
“Haa—”
She let out a long sigh and returned her weapon to her subspace.
“Fine. Follow me.”
Jin Hyewon started descending toward the lobby. Urbashi kept glaring at the back of her head, looking ready to charge at any moment. Then the woman beside him spoke.
“...Stop. Don’t forget why we’re here.”
“Huu— Yeah. I’ll let it slide this once.”
They turned and continued up to the second floor.
“Aren’t you coming?”
Jin Hyewon was already on the first floor, looking back at me curiously.
“Ah, I’m coming now.”
I hurried after her.
This is way too dangerous.
If Cain’s Slayers clashed with the hunters here, the entire venue would turn into a battlefield. Countless people would die.
They probably won’t go that far…
I could roughly guess their objective. They likely wouldn’t cause trouble before the announcement. But with Urbashi involved, that assumption no longer held. He was extremely hot-tempered—if something set him off, this place could become a war zone in an instant.
***
Samhwa Bio’s new drug announcement was being held in the banquet hall of the Sina Hotel. The entrance was heavily guarded. Lee Ki-min, the head of the Oriental Guild and today’s security chief, stood watch.
When a man tried to enter, Lee Ki-min blocked his path.
“What’s this? You.”
He frowned.
“You need to sign this pledge before entering.”
“Ha. Do you even know who I am?”
The man pointed at the National Assembly member badge on his suit.
“You still have to sign it.”
“What?”
“We can’t afford any accidents during this announcement. Everyone must sign the pledge.”
Lee Ki-min held out the document. Its contents stated that no mana could be used inside the banquet hall. Violating the pledge would result in severe consequences.
This is the best we can do.
The mana barrier surrounding the hall had been erected by a grand mage. It wouldn’t be breached easily. Any problems would have to originate from inside. The simplest solution was to prevent anyone from using mana at all.
That’s why I bought this pledge.
It had been extremely expensive, but the announcement was worth the investment.
“You must sign it. Without a signature, you won’t be allowed in.”
The assemblyman glanced at Lee Ki-min, but the man’s stubborn expression didn’t waver.
“What rotten luck.”
In the end, he signed the pledge and entered the hall.
“Next, please.”
Lee Ki-min called out. A towering man over two meters tall and the woman beside him stepped forward.
“...”
Lee Ki-min studied them. Even at a glance, they were clearly no ordinary people. Having spent years on the battlefield, his instincts told him they were incredibly powerful.
“Are you active hunters? Well, that much is obvious. What’s your hunter ranking?”
Even among active hunters, strength of this caliber was rare.
“....”
The man handed over his hunter ID.
“...Rank 3000?”
Lee Ki-min tilted his head.
“Is there a problem?”
The ID was forged—Urbashi’s doing.
“No, no problem. But you still need to sign this pledge.”
“...”
Urbashi and the woman stared at the document. This wasn’t part of their plan.
“....”
They didn’t sign.
“You’re not signing?”
Suspicion filled Lee Ki-min’s eyes. Urbashi whispered to the woman beside him.
“Hey, let’s just take them out right here.”
“....”
She didn’t respond.
“...Something urgent just came up. We’ll be back later.”
The woman turned and walked away. Urbashi followed after her.
“Hey! Keep checking everyone carefully. Especially that man and woman from just now—make sure they sign.”
Lee Ki-min instructed the guild member beside him.
“Understood.”
Lee Ki-min entered Cha Jiyun’s room. She was memorizing her script for the announcement.
“Representative.”
“...What is it?”
Cha Jiyun immediately noticed that Lee Ki-min’s expression was unusually grave.
“I’ve identified two suspicious individuals for the announcement.”
“...Tell me.”
“These two.”
He showed her the photos on his phone.
“..Are you certain?”
“Yes. And they’re no ordinary people. If they attack the venue, the results would be catastrophic.”
“...They’re that strong?”
“Each one is powerful enough that I couldn’t guarantee victory even if I fought with everything I had.”
“....And there are two of them?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“...Haa—”
Cha Jiyun let out a deep sigh.
Why now, of all times…