Chapter 68. Please Help Hayang!
The day after I met Ryu Sea-ah, we stopped by the guild headquarters for a bit. To fill Chae Seunghyeon in on everything that had happened so far. Truth be told, I hadn't even properly explained why I'd asked him to look into the gate status board back then.
After hearing the story, Chae Seunghyeon went wide-eyed and shot up from his chair.
"What?! Why didn't you tell me about something that huge?!"
"Sorry."
"Ugh, sorry..."
With nothing to say, Han Yuseol and I just hung our heads.
Chae Seunghyeon wasn't really mad, though—he belatedly lowered his voice.
"Ah, no. I'm not fishing for an apology. You two must have had your reasons... I was just shocked. Never thought you'd get tangled up in something that big."
"So... it's okay?"
"Okay or not, who am I to tell you what to do? I just follow the leader's call."
"Seunghyeon...!"
I gazed at him with starry-eyed admiration, and he awkwardly looked away with a wry smile.
As expected of Chae Seunghyeon! Our guild's fool! Ah, no—treasure!
"Still, I'm worried. I know your abilities inside out, but this sounds way too dangerous..."
"It's fine. Master will be somewhere safe, and I'll join the on-site investigation. Whoever the enemy is, no worries."
"But they're criminals. Please, take care of yourselves. Sigh, it kills me how useless my skills are at times like this."
He was beating himself up because he couldn't pitch in much. Chae Seunghyeon let out deep sighs.
So I threw my arms up high and scolded him.
"No way! Thanks to you, we figured out where those jerks took the people."
"Thanks for saying so. But, leader."
"Yeah?"
"So where will you be during the on-site investigation? If you're not inside the gate, spotting illusions will be tough..."
"...Huh?"
Uh, wait a sec? Yeah, thinking about it...
Han Yuseol was already set for the on-site team. We didn't know the enemy's awakener powers, and cops alone would hit a wall.
So how was I supposed to get into the gate? Solo? I couldn't even handle a basic mob.
At least I'd confirmed I could watch the live feed from inside via video from outside—no worries there...
"Um, could I go in with you, Seunghyeon?"
"Helping out's no problem, but protecting you? Not sure I could."
"Yeah... right."
Of course, my buffs would let him shine a bit. But going solo? Numbers always beat skill eventually.
"Master, wouldn't it be best if I stuck by your side?"
"No! I already promised Sea-ah unnie I'd help out."
"True, but..."
Already looped in Ryu Sea-ah. My skill gets her inside the gate. She handles rescues, Han Yuseol mops up enemies outside.
Hmm, no good person around? Didn't need an S-grade. Just precursor gates. Anyone who could solo those would do fine...
Oh!
"There is someone!"
"Pardon?"
"There is! Yuseol! Someone to help us!"
Right—that person! How'd I forget?
I whipped out my contacts and dialed fast. They picked up right away.
- Hey, Hayang. What's up?
"Yujin unnie! Busy right now?"
- Nah, all free. What's wrong? Emergency?
"Yeah! Um... could you watch my back?"
- What?! What do you mean? Where are you? Bad guys nearby? Yuseol there?
"Huh?"
Ah, too condensed. Her sudden panic flipped it—I got flustered instead.
"Ah, no, not that. Long story... Gotta go into a gate solo, need backup."
- Oh, that? Party up then?
"Party's tricky. Just one person's perfect..."
- Not some high-rank gate, right?
"Nope, precursor's plenty."
Hope that landed. Head tilt—and her cool reply hit.
- Easy peasy. When?
"Tomorrow, pronto. But really okay? Work stuff?"
- Totally. Master said hand off guild crap for your stuff and help.
"Huh? Uncle?"
Choi Geonwoo said that?
- Yup. Anyway, tomorrow... Wait, where you at? Meet up, get deets.
"Our guild HQ."
- Oh, the new digs? Been dying to see. Heading over.
"Yesss, thanks!"
- Pffft, no biggie. Cute Hayang fix after forever—what're friends for?
I-I'm not cute! Why's Yujin unnie always say that? My name cute or what?
"Huh?"
Am I hallucinating? Called Yujin unnie...
"Ho, nice work. Interior's spotless."
"Right? Money vibes all over."
Why's Choi Geonwoo here too?
"Ah, hi. Uncle, Yujin unnie."
"Hey, long time."
"Yat-hoo! Long time no see, Hayang. Hug first!"
"Kyuuut...?!"
Straight-up hugged on sight—total hamster squeak escape.
Ugh, her love's always explosive.
"But why'd uncle tag along?"
"Free time, plus sudden bodyguard ask? Had to check."
"Pfft, 'free time'? Ditched that paperwork mountain."
"Quiet, Jeong Yujin."
Huh? Pretty sure she said something. Mishear?
"Long time, Titan Master."
"Yeah. Hayang faring well?"
"Naturally. More precious than my own life."
"Good. One less worry."
Somehow, Han Yuseol and Choi Geonwoo's chat felt... like that anime scene. Hero meets heroine's dad vibes.
My imagination, right?
"New guild guy? Heard. Choi Geonwoo, Titan Master. Here's to smooth sailing."
"Guh...! P-please to meet you."
Chae Seunghyeon shook hands and bailed quick. Awkward aura screaming.
Yeah, first Choi Geonwoo sighting? Intimidating AF. But chat with him? Total softie uncle.
Reception sofa: Choi Geonwoo and Yujin unnie plop down, us across.
"So, spill. Even with her there, Hayang hits up Yujin for guard outta nowhere."
"Bit of a long explanation."
"No rush. Knew it was heavy."
Wow, sharp as ever. Titan Master swag?
Ahem, but I'm Grand Master!
Han Yuseol lays it out; Choi Geonwoo chin-strokes.
"...Hah, Vendetta. Name in ages. Those psychos still lurking domestically."
"We got wrecked by 'em too. Right, Master?"
"Yup. Warned the guild: suspicious drugs? Don't. Tsk."
Yujin unnie eyes grumbler, then pipes up.
"So, gate dive to cooperate?"
"Yup. Yuseol site's priority, no one else free."
"My jam! Sis got you. Precursor gates? Buff-free cakewalk!"
Makes sense. She solos pollution gates easy-ish.
Knew it—that's why I asked.
"But gate insides kill comms. Video feed how?"
"Ah, my phone works inside."
"Hm? Inside?"
"Whoa, fr? Spill!"
Even mighty Choi Geonwoo blinks rare shock. Yujin unnie latches for secrets.
Ugh, truth time? Kinda cringe.
B-but lies bad, right?
"Deep gate run last time, snagged an item."
"Item?"
"Yeah. Details fuzzy—enchant adds indestructible."
"Gasp, indestructible? Jackpot."
Total jackpot. If I hadn't been a total idiot...
"...Yup. Set it on my phone while asleep. Phone got enchanted."
"......"
Fidget-explain; duo goes speechless.
"Anyway, side effect kicked in—phone gate-proof now."
"Literal world's strongest smartphone."
"Hayang: lifetime phone loyalty. Lucky Vicky!"
"Lucky... Vicky?"
Huh? Sounds dope tho.
"Video via phone. Yujin unnie guards me—thanks!"
"Easy. Days needed?"
"Dunno. Could drag..."
Till Bae Deokjun nabbed.
First troubled flick on Yujin unnie.
"Hmm, tricky? Master, cool if long haul?"
Wants to, but guild ties tug.
I puppy-eye Choi Geonwoo anxious...
"Fine. Can't swing it? Tell me."
"You, Master?"
"Yup. I'll cover."
"...Not just Hayang cravings?"
"This biscuit's damn good."
"Masteeer!"
Yeah, somehow sorted smooth.