Chapter 96
“You’re being far too hasty.”
The two of them had only met for two days.
He had faced his parents for less than an hour.
“I understand perfectly well that Chenxi may want to move to another guild, but there’s no reason for it to be mine.”
China was vast, and with that vastness came countless guilds.
Surely there must be at least one guild suitable for Chenxi to join.
There was no need for him to go through complicated procedures to join a foreign guild when there were perfectly fine options in his own country.
‘Above all… I just don’t want him.’
He was only fourteen.
An age where puberty would make him sensitive and prone to problems both inside and outside the Gate.
Moreover, as an S-rank Hunter with a striking appearance, Chenxi would naturally draw attention wherever he went.
Even if he became an idol trainee, it wouldn’t seem odd—suddenly having a Chinese S-rank Hunter show up in Korea would attract immense interest.
‘He’s already popular in China. Taking care of his mental state on top of everything… just thinking about it gives me a headache.’
Stress arrived before any of it even happened.
Because of these factors, Juhyeok judged that Chenxi was not suitable for his guild.
Naturally, he couldn’t bluntly say, “I don’t want him here,” so he politely expressed his refusal.
“I am not the kind of person Chenxi imagines. I’m controversial and flawed—a young man still very much growing.”
“We’ve looked him up as well. Searching online, it’s not hard to find information immediately.”
In truth, they didn’t even need to search.
The news that a Korean S-rank Hunter had been involved with an illegal Hunter organization had been a global topic, not just in Korea.
They even knew how that issue had been resolved.
“The woman beside you must be the one involved in that controversy. I hear she can open Gates.”
“…Yes, that’s correct.”
“Don’t worry. She’s not the kind of person to brag about this lightly.”
Juhyeok immediately noticed his concern and waved his hands in dismissal.
Chenxi’s father continued.
“He stood up against his country’s Hunter Association to protect his friend, didn’t he?”
“It wasn’t exactly to protect a friend…”
He had just acted recklessly because he didn’t like the guy causing trouble.
Chenxi himself had a quietly pleased expression beside him, so they let it slide.
“To be frank, we don’t just want a guild that is righteous.”
“What kind of guild do you want, then?”
“A guild that can protect Chenxi under any circumstances.”
Having a righteous guild is important.
But if he went to a guild that wasn’t, they would surely exploit him for their own gain, as his current guild had done.
At least, the guild should have the basic sense to distinguish right from wrong.
This was the first criterion Chenxi’s parents had.
Of course, that alone wasn’t enough.
“A guild that values loyalty so much that it will confront even a country’s association to protect friends.”
Chenxi was still at the age to make mistakes.
At fourteen, he would often make incorrect judgments.
Yet society would hold him to a strict standard simply because he was an S-rank Hunter.
Thus, he needed a guild that would shield him even when he walked the wrong path.
Juhyeok had already faced his own Hunter Association head-on in the past to protect a friend.
“If the guild leader is such a person, we can entrust our Chenxi without worry.”
“….”
His parents had already made up their minds.
Chenxi nodded without hesitation, as if he already knew what was being said.
His parents pressed the issue with full force.
Juhyeok had no choice but to honestly express his feelings.
“Chenxi is still a child greatly influenced by his environment.”
At fourteen, his personality and opinions were still forming, easily swayed by surroundings.
“I am not mature enough to provide him with the proper environment.”
Juhyeok reflected on himself.
Objectively, he had great abilities and had lived righteously without deviation.
But could he truly lead someone else?
He wasn’t yet certain.
“This is a burden for me, and I believe this burden would not benefit Chenxi either.”
Without certainty, he couldn’t take responsibility for someone still immature.
Juhyeok was not an irresponsible man, so he politely declined the suggestion.
“I could be a good older brother to Chenxi and train with him occasionally, but becoming a proper guild master is still beyond me.”
“….”
His parents were momentarily speechless at the polite refusal.
Even with Juhyeok’s courteous and careful wording, they could not push further.
His father sighed with a bittersweet smile.
“I see, then we have no choice.”
With kind eyes, he glanced at his son and Juhyeok in turn, asking gently,
“There will be no change in your relationship with Chenxi due to our proposal today, will there?”
“No, coming to China has only strengthened the most precious bond.”
At first, Chenxi had made statements that could have caused controversy, but now he approached Juhyeok calling him “older brother” first.
There was no need to hate a child like that, and no reason to distance themselves simply because he requested to join the guild.
“….”
They worried that fourteen-year-old Chenxi might throw a tantrum to force entry into the guild, but he remained calm.
‘He wasn’t that desperate, after all.’
Being an S-rank Hunter at fourteen, any door could open for him.
Finding a guild that met all his parents’ conditions would be challenging, but not impossible.
‘There’s no need to leave his parents’ care at such a young age.’
For someone his age, who still needed emotional growth, this was the correct decision.
Still, feeling apologetic for refusing, Juhyeok gently patted Chenxi’s head.
“I’m sorry. I hope you find a guild that suits you well.”
“…It’s okay. Not everyone’s wishes can align perfectly.”
Though he tried to hide it, there was a slight pout in his tone.
Realizing that words wouldn’t immediately change Chenxi’s mood, he continued the meal as if nothing had happened.
“All right. Keep it going like this.”
A woman hung up her busy call and walked briskly down the corridor, the sound of her heels echoing.
She carried documents for inspection as she left the dark mansion.
The time was 11 a.m.
Outside, sunlight shone brightly, but inside, all the windows were blocked by high-quality blackout curtains.
Knock—knock—
She stopped at her destination and knocked.
“Come in.”
A voice called from inside. She carefully checked for any light leaks before opening the door.
Inside, there was nothing to see.
She remembered exactly where every piece of furniture and decoration was, but currently, her eyes perceived nothing.
She stepped into the familiar darkness and closed the door.
“What’s the current situation?”
“Smooth. Since last month, the Gates have been installed in planned locations, and there have been no incidents of detection.”
She spoke while keeping her gaze forward, in the pitch-black room like a sheet of black crayon paper.
“If this continues, within half a year, the Break phenomenon will devastate the world.”
“Yes, if it continues like this.”
Grrrrr—
A man’s voice, followed by a monstrous growl.
She felt goosebumps along her arms, listening to the growling of a monster she had heard countless times before.
She would never get used to it, nor should she.
In complete darkness, unable to see the creature, even an Awakened would feel fear hearing an S-rank monster roar nearby.
And she was not an Awakened—just a normal human, skilled only in calculation and management.
It would not be strange for her to collapse from fear at the sound.
The man, seemingly unconcerned, continued in a calm voice.
“Surely, one day, someone will discover us. Humans cannot help that.”
It had only been a month since the plan was implemented.
They may have been acting according to the rules now, but over time, security would slacken and mistakes would happen.
An inevitable fate for any human organization.
Knowing this, the man did not assume the plan would remain perfect indefinitely.
“I’ve also set up contingencies through sub-organizations, so there’s no need to worry.”
“Yes, all precautions are in place.”
He gently patted the monster beside him in the familiar darkness.
Her tense heart relaxed slightly.
“Still, this unease cannot be washed away.”
“If any problem arises, we will take immediate action and report.”
“I trust you.”
She was the only human he could trust.
He responded lightly and embraced the monster tightly.
Though invisible in the dark room, anyone witnessing it would be shocked.
By instinct, the monster could have devoured him, yet from the first moment, it treated him like family.
A remarkable phenomenon.
Despite being a creature with no concept of family, it felt warmth from a human, its so-called prey.
“Go handle the tasks now.”
“Yes.”
She carefully opened the door and left.
Alone, the man held the monster tighter to endure the lingering unease.
