Chapter 10
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Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 10
Chapter Title: The Persistent Guild Leader
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[That bastard Do Jaegyu. That guy. Isn't he insane?]
Sejin, too drained to even soothe the rampaging Breaking Army Star, plugged her earbuds into her ears and blankly stared at the scenery rushing past as the bus headed toward home.
"Ha... I'm exhausted."
[He says he'll keep your secret if you join the guild he runs himself?]
Even at Breaking Army Star's incredulous tone, Sejin could only let out heavy, weary sighs.
"The day's dragging on forever."
The bus heading home was quiet this late at night. Hugging her bag to her chest, Sejin massaged her temples with her fingers against the pounding headache.
[If you'd just reported him, fine. But what the hell is he scheming, inviting you to his own guild? Tsk.]
Not forgetting to click his tongue in disapproval of Do Jaegyu, Sejin murmured in agreement.
"Yeah, right."
She lowered the hand that had been pressing on her temples.
"What could his angle possibly be?"
She was already on edge just from him seeing through her. His proposal—not to arrest or report her, but to join his guild instead—made Sejin tilt her head in confusion.
"I denied it over and over, but he clearly didn't buy it."
[He seemed convinced you're the Black Shadow hunter already.]
"Tell me about it. But I don't think he has any proof. What's his deal?"
To Do Jaegyu's recruitment pitch, Sejin had flailed her hands wildly, insisting multiple times that she wasn't Black Shadow.
Each time, his eyes had gleamed chillingly.
Do Jaegyu had asked a few more times if she really wouldn't join his guild, then nodded as if to say he understood, wrapping up the conversation.
'Well, if that's how it is. Guess we'll leave it here.'
For some reason, Do Jaegyu—who'd seemed ready to press the issue relentlessly—backed off easily.
It felt like an untidy ending.
'Leaves a bad taste.'
But pushing for a firm confirmation that he'd gotten it wrong would have been too exhausting in her state. Besides, words probably wouldn't get through to him anyway.
Suppressing her unease, Sejin shot up from her seat.
Better to go when told.
She'd bolted without looking back, but her nape prickled fiercely.
"What're you thinking?"
Do Jaegyu's obsessive gaze toward her resurfaced, making Sejin shudder as she hunched her shoulders inward.
Something lingered. Why let her go so easily? What was his game?
"Ah, whatever."
All she wanted was to get home and crash into bed.
This is why the world outside is dangerous.
At the announcement of the next stop, Sejin pressed the bell and jumped to her feet.
"Did everything go well?"
Myeongjin casually opened the back door of the car, peering at Do Jaegyu's expression as he asked.
"Hm. Who knows."
At the ambiguous reply, Myeongjin quirked an eyebrow curiously but closed the door without prying further and slid into the front seat.
Was it his quick wits? Even with the sound of gears turning practically audible, Myeongjin held back his curiosity.
That's one thing I really like about him.
Is that why Chairman Seo assigned him to me?
He recalled Chairman Seo, the CEO of the corporation investing in his guild.
Whatever. He's useful, I value him somewhat, and he gets paid well.
Do Jaegyu muttered to himself thoughts that would horrify Myeongjin if heard, crossing his long legs and stroking his chin.
"Oh, right."
"Yes?"
"Don't tell Chairman Seo about what happened earlier."
"Th-that..."
Do Jaegyu shrugged at Myeongjin's trembling voice, unable to hide being caught off guard.
"Reporting not just guild matters big and small, but even my personal life to him... You thought I wouldn't notice?"
Myeongjin's shoulders stiffened at Do Jaegyu's low tone. Instead of surprise, Do Jaegyu's lips twisted at Myeongjin's reaction, as if he were the oblivious one.
"Anyone who doesn't notice that would be an idiot, no?"
"I'm sorry..."
"I'm not saying it to get an apology."
"..."
"If this even reaches Chairman Seo's ears, then you'll have reason to be sorry."
Myeongjin neatly folded his arms on his knees at the icy tone that dropped several degrees.
"I'll assume you get it."
His voice carried a heavy warning.
Even though Do Jaegyu wasn't staring anymore, Myeongjin nodded vigorously.
"Understood."
Only then did Do Jaegyu lean back, satisfied with the response.
"Life sure is full of surprises. Never thought I'd run into her here."
He'd felt it, without a doubt.
More certainly and intensely than ever.
Clenching and unclenching his large palm, a glint flashed across Do Jaegyu's black eyes.
He'd spouted vague nonsense about a hunch or a creature's scent, but this was a unique sensation only he could perceive.
Beyond his fire manipulation, Do Jaegyu possessed an ability he'd never revealed to anyone.
The power to distinguish ordinary people from hunters.
A third sense that identified hunters.
He hadn't reported it to the Hunter Promotion Agency because no hunter with two abilities had ever existed, and he had no intention of being the first.
No need to stir up trouble.
Unsure what penalties might come, Do Jaegyu had chosen silence.
He didn't trust the Hunter Promotion Agency anyway, and no one knew his secret.
'But she's not Black Shadow?'
One corner of Do Jaegyu's mouth curled in ridicule.
She'd flailed her hands desperately, feigning innocence with raised eyebrows, but she couldn't fool his eyes.
This ability had never failed him once.
She had no idea how precise it was. Not even the lowest E-rank could evade his senses.
How to describe it?
The aura was utterly different from an ordinary person's. The stronger the ability, the more sparks it sent shooting through his body.
That's why he'd known the instant she walked through the door.
His whole body had felt like it was electrified.
This intensity was a first since Han Kitae.
The body hairs standing on end violently was proof enough.
'No way she's not.'
Recalling her youthful face, Do Jaegyu swallowed a smirk, covering his lower face with his palm.
Twenty years old, maybe?
He pictured the features packed into that small face, smaller than his hand.
Pale skin, the fresh upturn of her lips, perky nose. The small lips that had mumbled. Nothing like the Black Shadow he'd imagined.
He'd expected someone tougher.
Her youthful innocence had caught even him off guard.
In the blurry photos, Black Shadow had always hidden her face behind a mask.
Staring at those shots, he'd wondered endlessly about her looks and imagined them. All for nothing.
The futility made his lips twitch upward.
He'd never dreamed she'd be so young and cute.
And how bad she was at lying. From the moment she entered the restaurant, her panicked expression and robotic stiffness. Her shoulders flinching at his every move.
Even without his third sense, he wasn't blind to her fluster.
"Ah, Secretary Kim."
"Yes!"
A sharp, tense reply burst from Myeongjin, who had been holding his breath.
"Why are you yelling all of a sudden?"
Myeongjin cleared his throat at Do Jaegyu's mild scolding.
"Yes, go ahead."
"That girl from earlier."
"Yes."
Do Jaegyu paused briefly at the compliant response.
Myeongjin waited patiently regardless.
"Look into her background by tonight."
"Got it."
Young-looking, yet boldly pulling off such cute stunts without fear? Skulking around unregistered like a stray cat?
Unable to fathom her actions, Do Jaegyu stroked his high nose bridge.
Anyone born and raised in Korea knew how the state handled unregistered hunters.
Did she have some reason she couldn't register?
What kind of situation was this?
Mulling it over, Do Jaegyu tilted his head slightly.
Wielding that power as an unregistered hunter?
Do Jaegyu flashed a sinister smile.
To recruit key guild members, he'd fully utilized his ability.
He'd scrutinized every new registrant closely, and no registered hunter's rank escaped his knowledge.
That's how he'd known instantly upon seeing her.
That she was the Black Shadow he'd been desperately seeking.
He just hadn't expected to meet her so absurdly, in a place like that.
First encounter in a gukbap joint, of all places.
The location was too unexpected.
'Her tastes... run heavier than I thought.'
Do Jaegyu cocked his head.
Not the kind of food typical girls her age went for.
Suddenly, he felt grateful for visiting that day.
'Maybe that's why you should try new things once in a while.'
Had he ever predicted his whim would lead him to Black Shadow?
Shrugging, Do Jaegyu chuckled like an excited kid before quickly covering his mouth with a large hand.
'Oops... Feels kinda bad for beating Han Kitae to her.'
His face showed no remorse. If anything, he struggled to contain his laughter.
Imagining Han Kitae's twisted expression already thrilled him.
"Wonder how long she'll keep denying it."
Her stubbornness wouldn't last.
At Do Jaegyu's low chuckle, Myeongjin rubbed his tense nape from the front seat.