CHAPTER 87……………………………….
“A rumor, huh? That was a sudden topic of conversation.” Yet as soon as Kang Kwonhoo brought it up, the other person seemed to immediately understand what the topic was and jumped in his seat in the driver’s seat. Then he waved one hand frantically, denying it. Reacting so sensitively would normally make someone seem even more suspicious, but it seemed he didn’t even have the luxury to consider such basic thoughts.
“Guild Master, you know I wouldn’t betray you or pretend to be the real master of the Chaos Guild, right? You’re the one who saved my family—how could I ever forget that favor?”
Unlike his tense reaction, Kang Kwonhoo calmly took the time to fasten my seatbelt for me.
“You are the Guild Master now.”
It was a conversation where the hierarchy was clear. Kang Kwonhoo used polite language, but he was clearly condescending toward the other person, while the other person, uncomfortable with Kang Kwonhoo, was desperate to have his loyalty acknowledged.
“How can you say that? If you told me to step down as Guild Master, I could do it right here, right now.”
Even as a third party, I could sense that the real Guild Master of Chaos was speaking the truth.
“You’re doing well. No need to worry because I don’t doubt you.”
Kang Kwonhoo maintained a strictly professional attitude. It made me wonder how a Guild Master could be so passionate while staying so composed.
‘I guess Kang Kwonhoo knows exactly when to throw a carrot.’
Given that he was the type to see straight through people, that seemed very likely. I silently nodded in agreement.
“Do you really trust me?”
“If you had truly betrayed us, I wouldn’t be unaware. Just continue leading the guild well, Guild Master. There’s no need for me to intervene in such minor matters.”
It seemed the other person wanted to explain himself to Kang Kwonhoo even while busy, and Kang Kwonhoo, knowing this, pretended not to notice.
“Thank you for trusting me.”
If one read the context carefully, it could be interpreted that Kang Kwonhoo wasn’t trusting the Chaos Guild Master so much as his own intelligence network. It was a little tragic.
‘No need to spoil the mood now that it’s lightened.’
I chose to remain silent like a statue. The car started moving smoothly, and the Chaos Guild Master began a briefing without being prompted.
“Today, Chaos safely cleared the first floor, and we lightly explored the second. Judging from the fact that this quest is being carried out worldwide, it seems inevitable that this will become the largest-scale event among all major events so far.”
He glanced at me briefly, checking if it was okay to continue speaking in front of an outsider.
“No need to worry. Please continue.”
Kang Kwonhoo, who had been looking only at me and seemed distracted, somehow sensed this and encouraged him to continue the briefing.
“Yes. It’s clear that the system is moving humans with some enormous purpose. On the other hand, we tracked about three humans receiving special quests, and those quests seemed to have intentions different from the system’s goals. In other words, it’s reasonable to assume that whoever gives special quests is not the system, and some people refer to them as Deus Ex Machina.”
“I see.”
Kang Kwonhoo seemed indifferent, as if he already knew, but this was extremely useful information for me. To summarize roughly: humans were caught in the power struggle of a divine-like entity different from the system.
‘Then the one giving me the special quest probably isn’t the system either. So maybe it’s that divine entity that brought me into this world. Why would either the system or this entity drag people in instead of resolving it themselves?’
While I was lost in thought, I felt a piercing gaze and turned my head. Kang Kwonhoo was looking at me without a hint of wavering, with a serious expression. He quickly forced a smile when he noticed my gaze, but it was clear he realized I was deep in thought.
“Let’s return to the current system quest. Besides our guild, have there been any other guilds that passed the first floor?”
“Excluding Chaos and Chronos, six guilds attempted the first floor, and two succeeded.”
“That’s within expectations.”
After that, the conversation shifted to guilds I didn’t know much about. Even while speaking, Kang Kwonhoo couldn’t leave me alone, subtly fiddling with his fingers or scanning me with his eyes repeatedly.
‘Should I tell him to stop soon?’
Even the Chaos Guild Master, reporting while driving, seemed to slow his speech, perhaps noticing Kang Kwonhoo’s attention.
“We’ve arrived.”
But before I could finish pondering, the car turned into the alley near my house. I was relieved.
“Huh?”
At the end of a long shadow stood Baek Sohyeok. I didn’t know since when, but he had been waiting for me at the front door.
“As expected, Woojin’s brother is a bit obsessive. I don’t like how you try to hover over me like a lover.”
As I prepared to get out, Kang Kwonhoo muttered, seemingly displeased. I fumbled with the twisted seatbelt in my haste. Seeing this, Kang Kwonhoo stretched his arm and helped me untangle it.
“I’m just concerned because you’re family.”
“Who puts a watcher on their family and eavesdrops on them?”
The moment the word “eavesdropping” came from his mouth, I knew my instincts were right.
‘Kang Kwonhoo wouldn’t lie, and he probably used Ji-a to eavesdrop. I need to tell them to stop since I have privacy too.’
I was at a loss on how to persuade the stubborn Baek Sohyeok.
Thump. Thump.
While I hesitated, Baek Sohyeok approached the car and tapped the passenger window where I was seated. I marveled at how he found me despite the heavily tinted windows.
Bang. Bang.
“Thank you.”
Worried that he might dent the car, I quickly opened the door and got out.
‘Why are you getting out?’
Baek Sohyeok glared sharply at Kang Kwonhoo, who was also stepping out. A few days ago, at the café, Kang Kwonhoo had avoided a confrontation with me, but I didn’t understand why he insisted on leaving the car today.
“Why are you following me out?”
Baek Sohyeok seemed to think the same. Before I could relish the rare moment of agreement between brothers, the tension escalated. Usually polite in public or while fighting together, Baek Sohyeok now spoke with flustered words.
“Since I brought you here, I’ll escort you all the way.”
I don’t need an escort—why does he keep calling it that?
“Did I say I needed that?”
At the word “escort,” Baek Sohyeok snorted in disbelief.
“You even put unnecessary surveillance on Woojin, yet you’re so shameless. Did you report to Ji-a properly? Ah, never mind—you heard everything anyway, so no report is needed, right?”
“It’s natural to worry when my brother works with someone like you. I heard you even attacked some of our guild members on purpose during the exploration.”
The topic of eavesdropping passed naturally, replaced by a new one. It seemed a tense struggle between the two guilds had begun.
“Well, I don’t know about that. The guild I belong to is Chronos, you see.”
“The vehicle that brought me just now—isn’t it the current Chaos Guild Master’s?”
Just by looking at the car—or perhaps by other information—Baek Sohyeok also knew about this. Normally, he should have been at a disadvantage against Kang Kwonhoo at this point, but unexpectedly, he wasn’t. Whether it was due to the changes I made in the past was unclear, but it certainly had some influence.
“I left the guild for minor reasons, but I’ve kept a personal friendship.”
Kang Kwonhoo rebutted without a word. Even I, an outsider, could tell he was making a brazen excuse. I couldn’t imagine how frustrating it was for Baek Sohyeok.
“Next, I’ll participate in the Planariant Castle raid. Don’t try anything reckless against me or our guild. Come on, let’s go inside.”
Baek Sohyeok grabbed my hand to pull me along.
“I’ll contact you, Woojin.”
Kang Kwonhoo, perhaps intent on getting under my skin, held my other hand and didn’t let go.
“Don’t touch me recklessly.”
Angry, Baek Sohyeok slapped his hand away.
“Why do you like holding hands with me but get so sensitive when it’s him? I told you before—such a reaction isn’t something you’d have with a brother, but with a lover having an affair.”
Baek Sohyeok flinched sharply
