Chapter 46
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 46
Chapter Title: A Fan's Enthusiasm
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There had been a minor commotion even before it began, but in the end, the rift exploration itself proceeded without any major issues.
Since Song Myeong-hun had something to feel guilty about, they assumed he wouldn't act rashly, but just in case, Yeon Sung-hun had firmly warned Gye Cheong-san.
He'd also passed along instructions to contact the reporter whose number he'd received last time and hand over all the prepared materials if anything happened. On top of that, he'd separately informed Seong A-reum.
He had no intention of dragging her into this just to settle a debt, but after hearing what Song Myeong-hun had said to Han So-yul, he'd changed his mind.
If word reached Seong A-reum, Han So-yul's sworn sister, Yeon Sung-hun wouldn't even need to lift a finger.
In fact, when he shared even a trimmed-down version of the story, Seong A-reum had shown clear signs of fury.
Even though she wasn't there in person, her aura came through vividly, almost palpable.
If not for her busy schedule with the Guild Alliance expedition, it wouldn't have been surprising if she'd stormed into Hwarang headquarters right then.
Even amid her packed schedule, Seong A-reum promised to act immediately if she spotted any moves from Hwarang.
'At least the bare minimum safety net is in place. Now I can focus on the rift exploration.'
The exploration continued smoothly and wrapped up over four days without a single hitch.
Thanks to his increased mana capacity, Yeon Sung-hun found the rift exploration far easier than before as he stepped out.
The cleanup crew from the company he'd recently acquired jumped into action swiftly, and naturally, Gye Cheong-san stuck by his side.
"Team Leader, no issues?"
"Fortunately, nothing happened. Though Seong A-reum Hunter kept calling."
"Hm?"
Gye Cheong-san held out Yeon Sung-hun's phone from his pocket toward the puzzled man.
Sure enough, there were several missed calls from Seong A-reum.
"Do you know why?"
"She contacted me separately and gave me the gist. She said you'd know once the exploration started."
"...I see."
The two weeks they'd discussed before were already drawing to a close.
It was about time for it to begin, timing-wise.
He still thought it was too hasty, but since Yeon Sung-hun wasn't participating anyway, it didn't really matter to him one way or the other.
Yeon Sung-hun called Seong A-reum right away.
The ringing dragged on for quite a while.
Was she that busy?
Just as he thought to try again later and moved to hang up, Seong A-reum finally picked up.
"Ah, Guild Master. Sorry about that. I've got a ton on my plate. Did the raid go smoothly?"
"Yes, it ended without issues. More importantly, I hear the expedition is starting soon."
"Exactly two days from now. This is the final check right now. Me and the other non-participating S-Ranks are gathered to plan the outer defenses."
"Hm. So you're busy?"
"Eh, not really all that busy, honestly. The big stuff's done; just fine-tuning left. That's for the staffers anyway—we're basically just sipping tea and chatting. You know, something like that."
Gossip among the pinnacle of Korea's hunters, the S-Ranks.
Yeon Sung-hun let out a small chuckle as he briefly pictured the scene.
"Among the other S-Rank Hunters, is there anyone who shares our view?"
By "our view," he meant the opinion that this Guild Alliance expedition would fail.
"Hmm... hard to say. They're all such slick operators... Hunter Lee Ye-rang wears her thoughts on her sleeve, but she doesn't seem to think it'll fail at all."
"What about the other two?"
"No clue. Elder Jeon Yeo-ryong predicts failure too, but he's so detached from worldly desires that it's nothing to worry about. As for the last one... Ah, hold on a sec."
After a quick apology, Yeon Sung-hun heard muffled voices from Seong A-reum's end of the line.
Not just casual talk, but bickering—playful arguing, by the sound of the tone and pitch. Nothing too serious, but who could spar verbally with Seong A-reum like that...?
Yeon Sung-hun easily guessed the culprit. Then came Seong A-reum's sigh and a new voice he'd never heard before.
"Hello? Still on?"
"Yes, still connected."
Even in this unexpected turn, Yeon Sung-hun replied calmly without missing a beat.
A low whistle came through the receiver.
"Whoa, awesome! You're that mystery alchemist F, right? The guild master of Golden—yeah, that one! Yeon-ah unnie joined! I've heard so much about you!"
The voice brimmed with energy, bubbly beyond cheerful.
Someone who could banter with Seong A-reum and casually call Choi Yeon-ah "unnie"? The pool was small.
Even as he pieced it together, Yeon Sung-hun asked steadily.
"Excuse me, but who might this be?"
"Oh right! Silly me! It's Lee Ye-rang! Lee Ye-rang! You know me, right? Of course you do!"
One of Korea's five remaining S-Rank Hunters aside from Choi Yeon-ah.
Yeon Sung-hun nodded slowly at the confirmation of his guess.
"Yes, I know you well. How could I not? You're so famous—not knowing Lee Ye-rang Hunter in this country would make you a spy."
"Haha! Hear that? Hear that? He knows me!"
Seong A-reum's interjection mixed with Lee Ye-rang's bright, ringing laugh.
Yeon Sung-hun quietly recalled what he knew about her.
Lee Ye-rang evoked the image of a classic hero.
Always bright and upbeat, the quintessential champion.
Hunting was a job like any other, so most didn't move without gain, but Lee Ye-rang never weighed it that way.
If someone needed help, if they called for her, she'd rush there—no matter where.
That made her the busiest S-Rank Hunter by far.
Some whispered behind her back that she was the Association's errand girl, but her heroic dedication won her massive popularity with the media and public alike.
"Whoa! This is so cool! I'm a huge fan! I use your potions all the time—they're super effective!"
"Thank you."
"A-reum, you snuck off and kept in touch with F without telling anyone? How could you do this to me! F! Listen, so A-reum...! Ah! You just finished a rift raid, right? Sorry!"
Her rapid-fire chatter was dizzying in the best way.
Even on their first call, her personality shone through exactly as imagined, drawing an involuntary chuckle from Yeon Sung-hun.
"It's fine. We can chat for a bit."
"Oh, really? Thanks!"
"So, what did you want to say to me... after taking the phone?"
"It's not a big deal! I'm just a fan from way back... Oh yeah! Like A-reum, I wanna get close to you, F! Not for more potions or anything... just 'cause I'm a real fan!"
"...Is that so? Well, thank you."
One of the most popular S-Ranks fawning over him—should he be happy? Yeon Sung-hun pondered briefly amid her nonstop stream of words.
"Ah. Could we meet sometime? Why're you answering, A-reum-ie? I asked F! What do you mean, who...!"
Even mid-call with Yeon Sung-hun, she dove right back into bickering with Seong A-reum.
'I heard they're the same age...'
They seemed like close friends.
Yeon Sung-hun amused himself imagining Seong A-reum's freakout if she knew he'd clocked that, as the two kept at it.
He couldn't just listen forever, so he cut in smoothly.
"Meeting Lee Ye-rang Hunter anytime works for me. Pick a convenient time and let me know."
"Yay! Thanks! I worried I'd get iced out too when I heard Jun-young oppa did!"
"Uh... well..."
"Ah, not trying to put you on the spot. Just saying! This number's good for reaching you?"
"...Yes, it is."
Her unexpected jab caught him off guard for a split second, but Yeon Sung-hun recovered his composure quickly.
Her clear laugh pealed through the receiver again.
"Score! Got the number! Saving it now!"
She sounded thrilled, giggling "hee hee." Yeon Sung-hun paused before asking.
"By the way, you're not joining this expedition, right? I heard you're handling outer defenses like Seong A-reum Hunter... Why is that?"
Given her usual style, it was a bit odd—she'd normally be first in line for something like this.
Lee Ye-rang replied in her still-excited tone.
"It's gonna fail anyway, right? No way I wanna die pointlessly!"
Yeon Sung-hun fell silent at her sunny declaration.
Seong A-reum's low sigh filtered through faintly.
'She looks ditzy, but she knows what's what, huh?'
Worthily S-Rank—she wasn't the type to charge in blindly, despite appearances.
"Huh? Why the reactions? No way you both think it'll succeed? Based on what? Jun-young oppa's great and all, but... Wait, is that why you sent so many potions, F...?"
Misreading their silence, her bubbly mood sobered into a serious mutter.
"No, that's not it. I agree with you, Lee Ye-rang Hunter."
"But you sent all those potions? You okay with that? They won't take 'em...? No, I'll help! If they stiff you on payment, tell me! I'll go collect—"
"Haha. Your words alone are appreciated."
"Not just words..."
"Hm. In that case, I'll ask a small favor later."
"Sure! Trust me! I'm good at this stuff! Debt default! Tax evader punishment! Ooh, sounds cool!"
Lee Ye-rang wasn't just sunny and upbeat—she had a quirky, fourth-dimensional vibe.
Even listening made Yeon Sung-hun's head spin a little.
As sudden fatigue hit and he pondered how to end the call, salvation arrived.
"That's enough. Hand it over—important talk left."
"Huh? What talk? What is it? Can't I hear?"
"Nope."
Seong A-reum's firm tone came with Lee Ye-rang's whiny "Hiiiing~," full of regret.
Regretful but done talking, she obediently passed the phone back—after one last plea to Yeon Sung-hun to meet soon.
"Phew... Sorry, Guild Master."
Seong A-reum apologized immediately upon reclaiming her phone.
Yeon Sung-hun smiled wryly.
"I'm fine. She's an interesting one, though."
"She's a weirdo. I usually keep her in check, but... this happened. Sorry again. Bet that was chaotic."
"Yeah, a bit."
Seong A-reum sighed once more.
She'd clearly dealt with a lot over the years.
Yeon Sung-hun offered silent sympathy before continuing.
"Anyway, she thinks it'll fail too, against expectations. That's good, right?"
"She's no issue. Never thought of it, but she's got zero interest in that stuff."
Yeon Sung-hun nodded at Seong A-reum's explanation.
Their brief chat showed as much—no eye for power plays.
Though her sharp side meant who knew what lay beneath.
"Don't worry too much. If others meddle, I'll handle it. Plus, Lee Ye-rang Hunter offered help, so your interests are safe."
Guessing his concern, Seong A-reum spoke steadily. Yeon Sung-hun nodded.
Two S-Ranks backing him—nothing sturdier in Korea.
"Any news on Hwarang?"
"Hm. Too busy to dig deep, but nothing big's hit my ears. Your threat must've landed."
"Good. Hope it stays quiet till So-yul's contract ends..."
Yeon Sung-hun murmured, though he doubted it.
Types like Song Myeong-hun always had lingering grudges.
Problems could brew later.
Time to nip it thoroughly.
"Anyway, my schedule's clear for a bit, so I'll handle Hwarang."
"Sorry I'm not much help."
"No. You're swamped as it is. And So-yul's our guildmate—this is natural."
"Still, I'm her unnie. Thinking she hid this from me all this time..."
Yeon Sung-hun reassured the guiltily sighing Seong A-reum flatly.
No blame for her.
He understood her feelings completely.
Han So-yul always brushed things off as fine.
Even Yeon Sung-hun wouldn't have known without tasking Jeong Hyun-su to investigate for recruitment.
"Enough self-blame. Focus on what's ahead."
"...Yeah. Anyway, take care of So-yul. I'm counting on you, Guild Master."
"Yes. It'll be handled cleanly."
"Crush it root and stem. As for her parents..."
Yeon Sung-hun paused as Seong A-reum trailed off delicately.
They were still family to Han So-yul.
Yeon Sung-hun thought what kind of family was that, but he couldn't impose his views.
Not even he or Seong A-reum could meddle in her family affairs freely.
"...We'll have to watch for now. Things change once she's an adult."
"Seems she thinks that too. Just endure a few more years..."
Not ideal for Yeon Sung-hun.
Family or not, they needed a thorough stomping to prevent future clinginess.
Ultimately, it was her choice, so he held back.
He just hoped she'd choose without regrets.
With that, Yeon Sung-hun ended the long call with Seong A-reum.
Cleanup was underway in the rift, while guildmates who hadn't left yet chattered lively nearby.
What were they finding so funny?
Everyone's faces beamed without exception.
Caught up in the peaceful vibe, Yeon Sung-hun smiled unwittingly as he approached quietly.
"Still here?"
"Duh, waiting for you, oppa! After-party tonight, remember? No way you forgot!"
Only then did he recall the promise made inside the rift. Yeon Sung-hun apologized to all.
Agreeing to some light penalties at the after-party, they finally dispersed.