CHAPTER 86………………………………………………
“Is that so?” After hearing Lee Ji-ah’s words, I tried to think of the similarities between Baek So-hyeok and myself, but nothing came to mind. No matter how I thought about it, it sounded like a hollow compliment.
“There’s no point in giving praise if it doesn’t come naturally.”
“Praise? I guess for you, hearing that you resemble your younger sibling feels like a compliment. For me, I absolutely hate being told I resemble my older sister. Is this what it’s like when siblings really get along?”
Normally, someone might cringe at being told they look alike, but if the comparison was with Baek So-hyeok, it seemed unlikely anyone could feel negatively about it.
‘He’s perfect in appearance, has a body like it was sculpted, treats those around him well, and is even righteous… Is there really a reason to dislike being told we look alike? It’s hard to find anything bad about him, inside or out.’
When I tried to voice this thought, it felt somehow like bragging, so I swallowed it instead.
“Then, was being told we’re alike supposed to be an insult?”
“No, of course not. It was more like a compliment from my perspective. But compared to the guild leader, you do seem a bit soft-hearted. Our guild leader isn’t the type to hesitate; they make clear decisions. But you seemed to get attached even to that Kang Kwon-hoo.”
Until now, I hadn’t noticed because Ji-ah had just been cheerfully smiling, but she was surprisingly observant. She also had a knack for delivering her thoughts without upsetting others.
‘By the way… did it really show that I’d grown attached to Kang Kwon-hoo?’
I’d thought I treated him just like an ordinary colleague, but if Ji-ah said that, maybe others might have thought we were quite close.
“Since we’re in the same guild, isn’t this normal? Honestly, there are so many people following Kang Kwon-hoo. I guess I’m just one of them.”
“Is that really so? Not many treat him as a person, human to human. Since he’s… a bit crazy, only crazy people gather around him. Sometimes, there are even fanatics who worship him to an extreme.”
She spoke sharply. Working with Baek So-hyeok, she had witnessed the atrocities Kang Kwon-hoo committed and knew how many unbalanced people surrounded him.
‘One of those crazies who worshipped Kang Kwon-hoo even once attacked me.’
I couldn’t deny it, so I offered an awkward, half-smile.
“You really dislike Kang Kwon-hoo, don’t you?”
“Yes. Our Dohwawon team spent a week staying up nights gathering strategy info for a top-tier A-class dungeon, right? We were planning to publicly share ways to handle the monsters there without fully clearing it, so anyone getting items or materials would have to pay a small percentage to the dungeon’s victims. But Kang Kwon-hoo’s spy stole the info to help build his back organization. Of course, his name wasn’t on it, but investigations revealed the organization’s boss was one of his subordinates.”
Even now, Ji-ah ground her teeth in anger.
“And besides that, he interferes with what we’re trying to do all the time! Then sometimes he donates a little under the Chaos Guild name to look good. It’s ridiculous to get praised for that. Image cleaning has to have limits.”
After huffing and puffing for a while, Ji-ah spoke again, unable to contain herself.
“The amount of sneaky things he does behind people’s backs… Sending the Chaos Guild to the Order faction this time was clearly calculated. He’s trying to maintain his image while benefiting from a small guild that doesn’t get attention. Our guild leader got tons of criticism for choosing Chaos alone, and bad news articles appeared, but that was probably all from Kang Kwon-hoo leaking info. Woo-jin, you should kick that guy out as soon as possible.”
Ji-ah unleashed her anger like a machine gun, venting everything that had frustrated her. She couldn’t bring herself to admit the Chaos Guild went to the Order faction because of me.
“You seem to have a lot built up against me. If you wanted to badmouth me to Woo-jin, why not just say it directly?”
From behind, Kang Kwon-hoo’s voice suddenly interrupted, though he had gone off to make a call. I was startled by his sudden presence, but Ji-ah smiled warmly as usual, completely unfazed.
“Badmouthing? I’m just stating the facts. I’m at a loss hearing such things from a truly sneaky person.”
This person is bold, I thought. Is this the kind of composure required to be recognized as a top-tier hunter in a large guild?
“You seem to be holding a grudge over something you yourself messed up. Woo-jin, I’ll take you there, so don’t listen to nonsense—come along.”
“I need to escort Woo-jin too, so I have to go with her.”
Kang Kwon-hoo smiled in a way that could charm anyone while showing anger. I didn’t know before meeting him that he could smile so brightly yet still express anger, but right now, this seemed to be his only way.
“I’ve been generous following you around all day. Time to give some space, so back off a little.”
The staring contest between Ji-ah and Kang Kwon-hoo only ended thanks to the vibration from my phone. Ji-ah checked her messages and sighed heavily.
“Yes. Then I should be going. Take care going home, hyung!”
It seemed his retreat might be related to a message I’d just received.
“I hope we never meet again.”
“Then I’ll just stay away from you, hyung.”
They didn’t back down from each other even in their final words. I gestured for Ji-ah to leave, not wanting to watch the battle any longer.
Vrrr.
As soon as Ji-ah left, my phone vibrated. A message had arrived.
‘Hyung, I’m heading home too. If you’re not back within an hour, I’ll put a bounty on you and Kang Kwon-hoo, so please get home safely.’
The timing of the message was perfect. It might have been related to the conversation with Ji-ah, but the timing was too short—almost suspiciously so.
‘Nah, I’m overthinking. Ji-ah probably texted me after she finished her part.’
Still, a bounty? That felt excessive. Baek So-hyeok’s way of worrying about me was getting more extreme. Was it okay to just let it continue?
‘Seeing me get hurt right in front of him must have triggered some trauma.’
Baek So-hyeok had acted composed, but he had a history of losing family in front of him. Considering his vow never to lose his last family, it made sense.
“I need to get going quickly.”
I concluded there was no need to exacerbate his anxiety and worsen the trauma. I decided to accept moderate oversight and control until he felt safe.
“Judging by how hurried you are, I somehow don’t want to let you go home today.”
‘What are you talking about?’
Kang Kwon-hoo said nonsense, oblivious to my thoughts. If I stayed out late, I’d end up a wanted person with a bounty.
‘Though if it’s Kang Kwon-hoo, maybe he could pay even more to undo it. Would that solve it?’
I realized I was imagining scenarios based on the assumption that I couldn’t get home early. The best solution was never to give anyone a reason to put a bounty on me.
“I’m tired and need to get home to rest. My cat is waiting, and I need to make the next plan.”
“Alright. I’ll take you home. If you’re tired, I guess you’d agree?”
This was like being trapped by my own actions. I had no choice but to accept Kang Kwon-hoo’s escort.
“The car’s waiting.”
“I could go alone… but riding in the car is better, right?”
I quickly adapted my words to match his ever-changing expression.
‘Why can’t I resist Kang Kwon-hoo?’
At this point, it wasn’t just his strength that made me yield.
‘Is it that face, capable of hypnotizing people, even though he’s not a siren?’
I seriously pondered the question.
Coming down to the first floor, I understood what he meant by “the car’s waiting.” Someone was already in the driver’s seat, and Kang Kwon-hoo naturally opened the back door for me to get in.
“Hello.”
The driver’s face in the rearview mirror looked familiar, and after a few glances, I recognized him.
‘He’s the current guild leader of the Chaos Guild!’
Even if he was a figurehead guild leader, he must be busy—so why did he come here, volunteering as a driver?
‘Or did Kang Kwon-hoo order him to come?’
I tried to read his intentions with my eyes.
“Why would a busy guild leader come all the way here?”
Apparently, even Kang Kwon-hoo hadn’t expected the Chaos Guild leader to appear.
“Uh…”
The guild leader seemed unsure how to start a conversation, only moving his lips.
“I know you don’t care about such rumors, but I’m asking why you came all the way here.”
