Chapter 9 …
“So then, what….”
“Creature.”
“Huh?”
“You smell distinctive to monsters.”
What was that supposed to mean?
For Myungjin, a normal human, it was a scent he could never recognize no matter how hard he tried.
“Really?”
It was hard to keep up with Do Jaekyu suddenly talking about smells.
So what is that smell? How would I know?
It was the best answer Myungjin could give, unable to respond any other way.
In return, Do Jaekyu gave him a blatantly obvious stare. Following his gaze, Myungjin turned his head back.
“Suspicious.”
“That woman over there?”
Instead of answering, Do Jaekyu just nodded and swallowed the rest of his drink.
‘What’s he planning?’
When Do Jaekyu suddenly stood up, he radiated such an overwhelming presence that it felt like an impenetrable wall had appeared before him.
Myungjin, flustered, hesitated, and Do Jaekyu gestured.
“Kick everyone out.”
“Everyone?”
The scolding look that seemed to say Is Korean so hard for you? was an added bonus.
Wow, Myungjin thought bitterly.
A top graduate of a prestigious university, and here he was, feeling a surge of irritation at his boss testing his intelligence like this.
Ah, should I just quit?
Ignoring his subordinate’s internal struggle, Do Jaekyu continued politely.
“Yes. Everyone except that woman.”
Myungjin’s mood had already soured, but he couldn’t overlook one thing.
The boss he served, Do Jaekyu, not only paid him very well but also had an exceptional intuition.
No, it was extraordinary.
Scouting unregistered hunters even before they registered officially wasn’t something an ordinary person could do.
Watching Do Jaekyu walk boldly ahead, Myungjin hurried to find the restaurant owner.
Twisting the watch on his wrist leisurely as he walked, even the whispers in the restaurant quieted.
The way he moved through the soup restaurant like a runway model was so stylish it made Myungjin forget where he even was.
Thump, thump.
His polished black shoe stopped directly in front of Sejin.
‘Ha…’
At the same moment, Sejin’s heart, which had been pounding, seemed to drop straight to the floor.
‘No, no!’
Some ominous premonition suddenly struck him.
Why are bad feelings always right?
[He…he’s noticed!]
Paragon’s panicked voice made Sejin rub his forehead in exasperation.
Somehow, he had sensed it. It wasn’t that he ignored the signals his body was sending. Regretting his earlier hesitation, Sejin bit his lip and released it quickly.
Do Jaekyu slowly leaned his upper body toward Sejin.
Was he really moving slowly, or was it just Sejin’s eyes playing tricks on him? His mouth was dry from tension.
A hand large enough to tear a small creature apart clenched loosely into a fist.
‘No way… Is he going to attack?’
Swallowing nervously, Sejin tried to calm his churning stomach.
Still recovering from the energy spent in the gate, Sejin’s eyes darted anxiously.
Do Jaekyu’s gaze revealed only his tightly pressed lips beneath the cap.
Sejin’s mind raced: Could I even escape him?
Of course, the fleeting thought of fighting him head-on flashed for a second—but it was obviously hopeless, so he quickly dismissed it.
Do Jaekyu’s slowly moving fist tapped the table.
Tap, tap.
“Can we talk?”
Sejin lifted his head at the languid tone. The man accompanying him was politely asking the customers for their understanding.
“Yes, yes. Thank you for understanding.”
Handing out white envelopes to the customers, bowing repeatedly, the man made everyone leave the restaurant in a line.
The expressions on their faces were not of confusion but joy at receiving a hefty envelope.
‘Ah! Don’t leave me behind!’
Even the restaurant owner and kitchen staff went out, each holding an envelope.
‘No! Boss! Me too! Take me with you! Don’t leave the customers!’
Ignoring Sejin’s inner protests, everyone left the restaurant.
In disbelief at the situation, Sejin, feeling as if his soul had left him, watched Do Jaekyu pull out a chair and sit across from him.
I never said we’d talk!
Unable to grasp Do Jaekyu’s intentions for sitting directly opposite him, Sejin stayed silent like a dumbfounded mute.
[What is he thinking?]
Now, only Do Jaekyu, Sejin, and the man he brought were left in the restaurant.
The silence was almost eerie.
The man stood politely a short distance away, watching them.
Seemingly uncomfortable, Do Jaekyu lifted his chin slightly. The man adjusted his glasses, bowed slightly, and then disappeared outside.
‘No!’
Leaving me behind… Sejin was dumbfounded.
‘I just wanted to eat soup!’
A deep, low voice shook the floor as Sejin’s eyes met Do Jaekyu’s.
“Right?”
“Eh?”
Sejin blinked at the sudden question. Do Jaekyu’s expression was so composed it made him want to slap him.
“Black Shadow.”
“Excuse me?”
“You are, aren’t you?”
Do Jaekyu rested one arm on his chin and stared at Sejin.
Despite the intimate tone, his eyes shone like a predator tracking prey.
“Ah, kkkh… no, I’m not.”
His throat tightened suddenly.
My heart feels like it’s going to explode.
Thump, thump—Sejin’s heart pounded so loudly he was sure Do Jaekyu could hear it.
[Calm down.]
Paragon’s reassurance did little. Sejin’s neck bobbed nervously. Lying wasn’t in his nature, and he forced back the urge to cry.
“Um.”
Do Jaekyu’s eyes narrowed.
“Nothing much, I just have a proposal.”
Sejin was sure Do Jaekyu hadn’t even heard him say I’m not.
Already convinced it was Black Shadow, Sejin clenched the hand he had placed on his thigh. Sweat soaked his palm.
“I told you I’m not.”
Raising his voice abruptly, it wavered with nervousness.
“C-cough. I’m not… Black Shadow.”
“It must be, right?”
Confidence laced every word.
“W-what… what proof do you have that I’m Black Shadow?”
“Hmm… I have a keen nose.”
Sejin’s body went limp at that answer.
A confident claim? Ridiculous.
Sejin gaped in disbelief. Do Jaekyu’s eyes glinted with amusement as he stared at him.
“It’s me. The scent.”
“What… scent?”
Sejin sniffed under his hood. Nothing. No scent at all.
“I told you, I have a keen nose. And my intuition is pretty good.”
“Uh?”
Looking dazed, Sejin stared at him. Do Jaekyu gave a small playful wink, and his eyes curved slightly.
“Just kidding.”
Though he said it was a joke, he scrutinized Sejin as if dissecting him.
Shaking himself out of the daze, Sejin opened his eyes sharply.
What is his purpose?
Do Jaekyu’s lips twitched into a tight-lipped smile.
“Would it make sense if I said I’ve always been interested in you?”
What interest? Sejin’s guard shot up.
“Seeing you mess with Han Gi-tae and run off was just too…”
Do Jaekyu tried to hide his smile behind his hand, but Sejin noticed the corners of his lips peeking through.
“Amusing, I suppose.”
Sejin knew they didn’t get along, but this…
He was stranger than he thought.
“He didn’t even flinch when he left the guild after throwing mud at the Jinhung Agency.”
Shaking his head while chuckling occasionally, it seemed Do Jaekyu genuinely enjoyed the situation.
“Seeing you so angry, I couldn’t help but take interest. Who was this hunter, Black Shadow, that made Han Gi-tae so mad?”
His eyes darkened with a strange obsession. Sejin could not respond.
By now, it was too late to deny it—Do Jaekyu was 100% sure.
“So I watched you closely.”
Shrugging, Do Jaekyu looked directly at Sejin.
“I’ve seen every video you were in, over and over. Even in my dreams.”
Sejin’s insides burned with anxiety.
Ha, what is he planning? Sejin gripped his hand under the table tightly, nails digging into his palm.
“Maybe that’s why, even meeting by chance, I recognized you immediately.”
Leaning closer, Do Jaekyu crossed his arms.
As he closed the distance, Sejin instinctively backed away. Do Jaekyu raised a hand as if to stop him.
“I have a proposal. Don’t be too wary.”
Though his tone was gentle, his gaze still scanned Sejin from head to toe.
Sejin furrowed his brows, feeling uneasy.
“Um. You know who I am, right?”
His tone oozed confidence. Despite wanting to retort sarcastically, it somehow suited him, and Sejin sighed.
“You’re Hunter Do Jaekyu, aren’t you?”
“Thanks for noticing.”
He winked casually, making Sejin’s stomach churn.
“I’ll get straight to the point.”
Swallowing hard, Sejin watched Do Jaekyu, who smiled at him calmly.
“Join our guild.”
