Chapter 184
Chapter 184
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 185
Chapter Title: Nayeo-ju Saves the World Part 2 Episode 5
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The meeting resumed, but nothing had changed.
It was still a draining back-and-forth, with conversations biting at each other's tails, only stoking more animosity toward one another.
"Hngh."
I stifled a massive yawn as best I could, trying not to look bored.
When I turned toward the gaze brushing my cheek, Kang Han was watching me with eyes full of amusement.
What? Since when has he been staring?
"Bored? Should we step out?"
Kang Han leaned toward me and whispered in a very soft, low voice.
"Don't tease me like that if you're not actually gonna leave. Now I wanna go home."
His smile deepened at my pouty reply.
That was when it happened.
"We were supposed to discuss how to bring the divided hunters back together!"
The one venting her frustration was Yu Myeong-hwa, master of the Camellia Guild.
She was so furious her clenched fist trembled visibly.
But in stark contrast, Sama Young, who was trading barbs with her, was utterly calm.
No, his blatantly grinning face made it seem like he was enjoying the situation.
"Is there any real need to do that?"
Everyone turned to look at Sama Young at his words.
Even the guild masters aligned with the Public Guild Alliance.
His statement was that shocking.
Despite all the trash-talking and growling at the opposing side, everyone still harbored the thought that this conflict had to end someday.
Ever since gates appeared and awakeners—humanity's new evolution—emerged, hunters had always been united.
Sure, the leading guilds shifted with the rise and fall of others, but they'd never split into such sharply divided factions.
"So... you're saying we should just keep going like this, split in two?"
Ryu Do-kyeong asked Sama Young, as if he couldn't believe his own ears.
"There's no immediate way to resolve this, is there? All I'm saying is we should approach such an important issue with due caution."
He'd said a lot, but it boiled down to maintaining the status quo.
Guilds like Fantasia and Utopia, which had reaped massive benefits from the emergence of a rival in the Justice Alliance, didn't seem opposed.
If anything, they looked at Sama Young like he was a genius.
But Ryu Do-kyeong's expression hardened visibly.
He fell silent, saying nothing more.
And that's when my eyes met Sama Young's.
Now even just eye contact raises his favorability.
As I thought that indifferently, our gaze held steady.
Neither of us looked away.
It went up again, but I wasn't particularly thrilled.
I'm being watched.
Sama Young's gaze was persistent.
Like he'd tossed a huge rock into a lake and was now observing my every move.
Normally, I'd have at least furrowed my brows in annoyance.
But...
Not bad.
My honest take wasn't far off from his.
The hunters split into two factions would end up competing.
With guilds outside their alliance shunned, they'd bond tighter within.
They'd whip themselves into a frenzy like, "We need to conquer more gates than the Justice Alliance," or "Our Public Guild Alliance guilds have to rank higher."
And in that process, they'd grow.
This was right around when, in the original story, the Sama Guild started swallowing mid- and small-sized guilds to bulk up and dominate.
Pushing through that to grow the Justice Guild sounded impossible.
But Kang Han's quintessentially heroic decision to protect Pangyo's citizens at all costs—even sacrificing himself—had made the Justice Guild the alliance's core, despite its small size.
This works in our favor.
No reason to turn down a board already tilted our way.
As long as I figured out how to exploit it to the max.
Though it's kinda creepy that Sama Young thinks the same.
What could I do, though?
Sama Young and I had our similarities, after all.
For the time being, I planned to milk this rivalry dynamic for all it was worth.
Just then, as a glint flashed in Sama Young's eyes—like he'd caught a glimpse of my thinking—
"Direction matters more than speed, doesn't it?"
Kang Han said calmly, addressing everyone.
"If we keep up dialogue and exchange without giving up, we'll eventually reach a consensus on our conflicts."
"Dialogue and exchange—nice words, sure."
It was Seong Rosa.
"But not realistic. We're yelling and fighting even now that we've gathered for a meeting. You think pretty words will fix anything?"
She hadn't dropped her goody-two-shoes saintly act, but it was clearly a jab at Kang Han.
This woman, seriously.
"Then let's talk reality."
Unlike my bristling, Kang Han stayed earnest.
"Hunters didn't create this mess. It was the government's reckless legislation proposal. Our opinions diverged only because we differ on how to respond."
"That's true, but..."
"No one's in this room demanding we blindly accept the government's bill, Fantasia Guild Master. We all share the same goal. Why couldn't we find common ground if we keep trying?"
He was right.
I was already nodding, along with many others.
"Right now, our views clash so hard we might feel hostility toward the other side. But remember the key fact: the enemy isn't among us."
Awkward coughs of "Ahem" echoed through the conference room now and then.
Some guild masters who'd been the most vocal against the other side flushed slightly.
Kang Han waited for the minor commotion to die down before speaking again.
"Don't forget: hunters' true enemy lies beyond the gates."
Many who'd unconsciously started seeing the other side as "enemies" looked stunned.
Kang Han was spot on.
A hunter's enemy wasn't another hunter.
It was the monsters lurking inside gates, waiting for a chance to break out.
"Ha."
A deflated laugh escaped me.
This was why I couldn't help but stick with Kang Han.
Those who believe the righteous path is the true one shine on their own.
And that light enchants ordinary folks like me.
Compelling us to walk the righteous path alongside them.
I gazed at Kang Han without hiding my pride.
Before everyone's eyes, this world's protagonist neither shrank back nor puffed up exaggeratedly.
He simply stood tall, unhidden, fully himself.
I smiled, my pride plain as day, thinking:
Now you're acting like the protagonist, Kang Han.
With Kang Han's words, no more meaningful debate followed, and the meeting wrapped up.
Everyone seemed lost in thought, holding back their words.
Of course, no one was shouting anymore either.
"You guys heading home or what?"
I stretched in my chair, scanning the room.
The meeting was over, but no guild left right away.
Some, like Cheongmun's guild master, sat deep in thought alone.
Others, like those from Utopia and Fantasia, huddled with their own alliance, continuing talks.
Kang Han was in the latter group.
The moment the meeting ended, Justice Alliance guild masters swarmed him.
"Doesn't look like it'll wrap up quick."
The protagonist's too damn popular. Kinda annoying.
Might as well use the time to hit the bathroom and shake off my stiff body. I slipped out of the conference room.
The second I reached the lobby with the elevators, I sensed footsteps following me.
Obvious who it is.
I considered ignoring him again, but decided against it—losing his interest entirely would be trouble. I stopped and turned.
"Nayeo-ju."
Sure enough, Sama Young.
"Heading out? Safe travels, Sama Guild Master."
Despite my well-wishes for his safe return,
Sama Young stepped even closer.
And with a smile-free face, he asked,
"Why don't you hate me?"