Chapter 104

As instructed, I waited in Hongyeon’s office, and soon, Hongyeon appeared after finishing her work.

She perched on the edge of the sofa and spoke to Taewoon.

“So, shall we start with an explanation?”

“…….”

Since there was nothing in particular to hide, Taewoon recounted everything to Hongyeon, starting from the moment Yerin had been taken hostage.

Hongyeon nodded and continued.

“…I get the gist of it. I’ve handled the basic cleanup, so there shouldn’t be any immediate problems. However, you realize this situation won’t end just like that, right?”

“Yes.”

Due to this friction with Kalliedu, Taewoon had pushed his head deeper into the power struggle with the Gwangseong Church.

Naturally, it could be said that he had already passed the point of being able to withdraw.

Hongyeon frowned for a moment, tapping the table, then let out a small sigh and spoke to Taewoon.

“You have a rough idea of what I want to ask, don’t you?”

“…….”

“In my opinion, today’s events don’t seem unrelated to the secret you’re hiding.”

Indeed. It was only natural for Hongyeon to express such suspicion.

The conquest of the Heavenly Secret Manual Theater and the clash with Kalliedu—those two events were certainly significant enough to cause such a stir.

“Until recently, you were nothing more than a slightly exceptional Level 2. I thought you were peculiar before, but this time, it’s a different story.”

“I suppose so.”

“Your growth is too fast—far too fast. It’s as if you’re skipping several steps of the stairs laid out before you. To put it bluntly… it’s abnormal.”

Hongyeon scanned Taewoon’s entire body with her eyes, gesturing as if she found it absurd.

“At first, I wondered why Kyurihi sent Kalliedu, but if she noticed your peculiarity, it’s not that strange. And that means…”

“Are you saying that he will continue to target me in the future?”

“Exactly. Once she’s set her sights on something, she won’t give up easily. After all, Kyurihi has no one to answer to.”

In short, Taewoon had already become the center of the storm.

It was only natural that Hongyeon wore such a troubled expression.

“…As you said. My method of growth deviates slightly from the standards of the world.”

“Is that a method others can follow?”

“It is impossible.”

“Then… it must be related to your Trait, after all.”

Perhaps it was because she was a high-ranking Hunter, but Hongyeon seemed to grasp the general context with just that answer.

After a moment, Hongyeon’s expression turned more serious. She looked at Taewoon with unwavering eyes and continued.

“So, the part I really wanted to talk about starts here…”

“…….”

“Where is the limit of your special growth method? From what I know, Kyurihi doesn’t give her attention to just anyone. The Five Fingers she personally reached out to were all called geniuses and grew into high-ranking Hunters.”

Taewoon didn’t know either. However, it was certain that the ‘Heavenly Secret Manual’ Theater was at least a four-star difficulty, and he suspected that theaters of much higher difficulty existed.

In other words, the path to growth was still open. It could be said that everything depended on Taewoon.

“Honestly, I’m not sure. Until now, I’ve only focused on the tasks immediately in front of me.”

“How boring. Still, since it’s your own business, you must have given it some thought. Let me tell you, this is more important than you think.”

After a brief pause, Hongyeon cleared her throat softly and asked again.

“Think about it. Why do you think I stepped back from the front lines to create Baran?”

“……,”

“It’s not that difficult. It’s because I realized that even if I spent my entire life striving here, I would never reach Level 7.”

He had a rough idea. Hongyeon had hinted at something similar to Taewoon before.

“When the time comes, you’ll find out even if you don’t want to. Most who choose the path of a Hunter have the same experience. Actually, someone like me is on the blessed side, so it’s funny for me to complain about it.”

“…….”

“But… it’s also true that someone eventually has to look beyond that. You saw it too, didn’t you? The reality where I couldn’t even put that arrogant brat in his place.”

Acting out like that in the middle of a citizens’ residential area was clearly crossing the line.

However, Hongyeon had no choice but to let Kalliedu go, and neither the Association nor the government took any further action against him.

If that wasn’t irrational, then what on earth was?

“The inside of the Black Tortoise is a space isolated from the outside… but even there, I could clearly feel Kyurihi’s gaze. Isn’t it funny? Until that moment, I was absolutely furious, but just by making eye contact once, I had to become a docile lamb.”

“…….”

“Pride and all, I didn’t even think about fighting. Kyurihi’s power is real. In all my life, I’ve never felt a gaze that chilling.”

She spoke lightly, but Hongyeon’s face looked quite complicated.

He could imagine to some extent what emotions she was feeling.

“It doesn’t have to be me. I’m certainly not the only one thinking this way. That’s why everyone goes wild for talented rookies.”

“…Are you saying that I am such a being?”

“Am I not? A guy who’s been active for less than a year survived against Kalliedu. Saying that is really shameless of you.”

He didn’t want to take credit, but honestly, he had no choice but to nod at Hongyeon’s words.

Even Taewoon thought his current growth rate was not normal.

“Honestly, I’m curious too. Just how far you can go. Whether you can continue to grow as quickly as you have until now.”

Taewoon remained silent for a moment, recalling past memories.

The six theaters he had conquered so far. He had met many strong opponents within them, but regardless of the theater’s difficulty, the most powerful being was likely the monster from ‘The Mirror.’

‘…….’

The giant eye that had been watching the passage connecting the world inside the mirror to reality.

That was likely a being with transcendental power, and he didn’t think it was weaker than Kalliedu or Hongyeon.

And even that being was merely one of the devices used to construct a single theater.

If so, wouldn’t the limit of Taewoon and the theaters exist at least beyond that?

One way or another, that was the only way he could think about it for now.

“…I still don’t really know.”

“…….”

“However, I have no intention of stopping here.”

As if that answer was sufficient, Hongyeon nodded lightly.

“Then we’re done with that. Shall we talk about something else?”

Hongyeon’s gaze then shifted toward Yerin, who had been quietly listening to the conversation.

“Uh… are you talking about me?”

“Yes. I won’t pry too deeply, but honestly, I feel like giving you a piece of my mind. Looking at you, you’re involved with him in one way or another, right?”

“…….”

“Though not as much as him, your growth rate is also clearly abnormal. Isn’t it natural to think you’ve been influenced?”

Turning her gaze back, Hongyeon tilted her head as if baffled and teased Taewoon.

“Since you’ve caused this much of a commotion, the Association will contact you soon. It’s only a matter of time before rumors about you spread.”

“…….”

“People’s thinking is quite simple. They’ll focus on you first, but then they’ll likely turn their attention to those around you. And it won’t be very hard for them to find the connection between you two.”

Only then did Taewoon realize what Hongyeon was trying to say. He couldn’t help but frown.

“…You mean it will be impossible to avoid receiving more attention than necessary.”

“Right. It would have been no problem if it were just you. But two people achieving abnormal growth in the same period, and those two are even connected? Naturally, some people will harbor ulterior motives.”

Honestly, Taewoon felt it was unfair. He had originally had no intention of challenging such high-difficulty theaters and planned to build his position in reality step by step.

But the events had already unfolded, and Taewoon and Yerin had drawn attention without sufficient preparation.

It was only natural that there would be those who sought to steal the secret of that growth or obtain benefits from it.

“So, here’s my proposal: how about you both join Baran? Of course, it’s in name only; I won’t bother you or restrict your actions.”

“…But then, wouldn’t you gain nothing from this, Ms. Hongyeon?”

“Not true. Just harboring special rookies like you raises the guild’s prestige. And to add to that… this is a kind of investment.”

Hongyeon’s expression turned serious as she met Taewoon’s eyes and continued.

“I’m quite serious. I intend to provide whatever support you need without hesitation, and when the time is right, I’m even willing to hand over the position of Guild Master.”

“That… why?”

“I’ve been feeling a lot of things lately. Up until now, I’ve led a reasonably peaceful life, but there’s no guarantee that another unstable element like Kyurihi won’t appear. So, it’s not strange that I’d want to find someone to share the responsibility. It’s a guild I’m quite attached to, after all.”

Hongyeon’s words seemed to be sincere and without lie.

She was convinced that Taewoon had the talent to grow beyond her, and she seemed determined to hand everything over to him.

And certainly, there was no reason for Taewoon to refuse the offer.

‘Under Hongyeon’s protection, I can fend off most of those who approach me with ulterior motives. Moreover… considering future events, it’s better to be affiliated with a guild regardless.’

Since there would be no restrictions on his actions, it was the optimal condition to balance his life as a Hunter with his challenges in the theaters.

After a moment of deliberation, Taewoon glanced at Yerin and spoke.

“What do you think?”

“As long as you’re okay with it, Oppa, I’m fine… I didn’t plan on acting as an individual for the rest of my life anyway.”

Then it was decided. Taewoon conveyed his acceptance of the proposal to Hongyeon, and thus, the two of them officially became members of the Baran Guild.

“Good. Then shall we move on to the next thing?”

“…Is there still more?”

“Isn’t it obvious? The most important part is still left.”

Hongyeon answered with a nonchalant expression, then began preparing to leave, speaking with a meaningful tone.

“Actually, I was about to burst from frustration. Since we now have a justification, I should take this opportunity to stir things up properly.”

The Association and the government, who had remained strangely silent throughout the Gwangseong Church incident that had lasted for several months.

It was now time to dig out their hidden intentions.