Chapter 86

Cho-i Hyeon was recovering better than expected. In fact, after his skin had completely dried, he seemed more energetic than before. Cho-i Hyeon actually pressed his skin and made a strange sound.

“My skin feels harder.”

“What are you talking about?”

Dongju Kim, who was with Cho-i at Taehyeok Sa’s Office, asked. Dongju Kim must have heard the general situation from Yeonhan Kim. Then Yeonhan Kim, who was sitting next to him, asked.

“Are you saying your defense has increased?”

At that, Cho-i Hyeon opened his stat window.

[Cho-i Hyeon (S-grade)]
Strength 351170 Intelligence 300018
Vigor 561870 Agility 311680…]

“My stats have gone up, but it feels different?”

“Different feeling?”

At Yeonhan Kim’s question, Cho-i crossed his arms and tilted his head far to the left.

“Should I say the nature of my skin itself has changed….”

Cho-i went up to Yeonhan Kim and held out her arm as if to say, ‘Feel it.’ When Yeonhan Kim stroked Cho-i Hyeon’s arm, there wasn’t much difference from human skin, but something caught the sensitive S-Rank’s senses.

“Yeah, it definitely feels a bit different from human skin…. I’m not exactly sure what it is.” “Right?”

As Cho-i was doing that, Dongju Kim, who was sitting next to Yeonhan Kim, also subtly brushed Cho-i’s arm. Cho-i gave him a subtle look, then openly rolled up the sleeve on her forearm. Dongju Kim kneaded it a few times and then said,

“It seems a bit smoother.” “Dongju Kim, you’re a bit perverted right now.” “…….”

And Taehyeok Sa, who had been watching the scene, sighed. Taehyeok Sa had been on edge lately. The reason was none other than this.

“Zhixuan is moving within the Jaheon Guild at this time.”

He was looking at an internet article on his smartphone. The fact that Zhixuan, the Guild Master of China’s number one guild and a big shot in the Black Society, had entered Korea was something that could not be ignored.

“Cho-i Hyeon.”

Taehyeok Sa called Cho-i.

“Why?” “Are you sure that hunter is Zhu Rui of the Black Society?” “Right? That’s how he introduced himself.” “This is driving me crazy.”

No matter how much Taehyeok Sa thought about it, he felt that Zhixuan had come to catch Cho-i Hyeon. Given the current situation, he couldn’t think otherwise. Taehyeok Sa asked Cho-i Hyeon,

“What did you do after killing Zhu Rui?” “I threw him into the sea?” “Just like that?” “He said if he cut open his stomach and threw him into the sea, all the fish would eat him, so he’s probably in a fish’s stomach now.” “…You cut open his stomach and threw him into the sea.” “It’s more like I split him in half rather than just cutting open his stomach, but isn’t it similar?” “…Right.”

Taehyeok Sa felt his head ache even more. He spoke to the two people next to Cho-i.

“Don’t leave Cho-i Hyeon alone for a while.” “Understood.” “Yes.” “Cho-i Hyeon.” “Why?” “Don’t bring up anything related to Zhu Rui anywhere.” “Do you think I’m an idiot?”

Taehyeok Sa squinted one eye and looked at Cho-i Hyeon suspiciously before asking,

“If someone asks where Zhu Rui is?” “How would I know where Zhu Rui is!”

Cho-i clenched one hand and said. Taehyeok Sa rubbed his forehead for a moment and then muttered,

“First, I should ask who Zhu Rui is….” “Oh, right.”

When Cho-i Hyeon replied as if she had just realized it, Taehyeok Sa said again,

“Just don’t open your mouth. If anyone asks, say you don’t know anything.”

“I’ll try that for now.”

“If they don’t know for sure whether Zhu Rui is alive or dead, there’s a high chance they came in to find out who killed him.”

Then Yeonhan Kim asked.

“What if they already know?”

“If that’s the case, Zhixuan’s side is likely to contact the guild. Even if Zhu Rui is dead, in a situation where there’s no body, arbitrarily touching an S-Rank hunter who seems unrelated would cause friction between guilds.”

“I understand for now.”

“Still, just in case, don’t wander around alone.”

“I said I get it. Are you my dad?”

“If I were your dad, you might at least pretend to listen to me.”

“I don’t think so.”

“That’s something to be proud of.”

Taehyeok Sa sighed deeply and motioned for Cho-i to leave. Cho-i gave him the middle finger, and Yeonhan Kim and Dongju Kim, who were next to her, dragged Cho-i away into the elevator. Taehyeok Sa let out a deep sigh, then said to his secretary,

“Closely observe Zhixuan’s movements in Korea.”

“Understood.”

“If they try to approach Cho-i Hyeon, report it immediately.”

“Yes.”

Taehyeok Sa looked down outside, crossing his arms with a serious expression. Zhixuan was famous simply by the name of his guild, but in fact, not many people knew much about him. Taehyeok Sa pondered, then picked up his smartphone and called someone. Ring-ring-ring-click. The long ringing stopped, and a familiar voice came from the receiver.

-“What is it, Paehyeok Guild Master?”

It was Kevin, the Guild Master of Shire. This was because Kevin had said he had met Zhixuan in person a long time ago. Taehyeok Sa immediately got to the point.

“Do you know anything about Zhixuan?” -“Zhixuan? Of course. I saw him once at a large-scale auction house in China a long time ago.”

“Wouldn’t you say that’s not knowing much?” -“Ahaha, it’s better than someone I’ve never seen at all, Scythe. But why that man?”

“Something quite tricky happened this time. I’d appreciate it if you could tell me anything you know.”

Then Kevin said,

-“Well, that’s not difficult, but as I said, I’ve only seen his face once, so there’s not much I can tell you. But…”

“But?” -“There’s something that bothers me a little.”

“Something that bothers you?”

Kevin recalled that time. When they met at the auction house, they exchanged handshakes with smiles, so there were no major troubles or good things. But Kevin could feel a subtle sensation. Standing in front of him, it was as if…

-“It feels like standing in front of you.”

“In front of me?” -“That is to say…”

Taehyeok Sa frowned, waiting for the next words, and Kevin continued without delay.

-“He doesn’t seem to be S-Rank.”

Taehyeok Sa frowned intensely.

“What…?”

* * *

Cho-i Hyeon, Dongju Kim, and Yeonhan Kim had taken the elevator down to the parking lot. There were no particular schedules today. All three of them had not been in contact with broadcasting stations, so if there were no dungeon raid schedules, they would idle around like unemployed people.

“How about staying at my place for a while?”

When Yeonhan Kim asked, Cho-i blinked.

“Nara Shim will die of loneliness.”

“I don’t think so.”

Cho-i Hyeon tried to stomp on Dongju Kim’s foot at those words, but failed. Dongju Kim quickly pulled her leg back and walked a few steps ahead, looking back.

“Anyway, don’t put Nara Shim in danger, and stay with us for a while.”

“Nara Shim is A-Rank now, too?”

“You know how big the difference is between A-rank and S-grade.”

“…That’s true. Alright.”

As Cho-i nodded, Yeonhan Kim said,

“Then let’s go straight home today. It’s fine to eat out and then go in, but it’s better not to wander around if possible.”

As Yeonhan Kim said that and pressed the smart key button, a beep sounded from that direction. They started walking towards the sound. Vroom- Just then, a car exhaust sound started to be heard from somewhere. The three of them turned their heads and looked in that direction. A pitch-black sports car was approaching. The dull, unpolished black car stopped right in front of the three of them.

“……”

Dongju Kim and Yeonhan Kim immediately became alert. Soon after, a man in a black suit got out, went to the back seat, opened the door, and a man with long, pitch-black hair stepped out.

“I was looking for you anyway.”

He didn’t seem to be Korean, but he was speaking fluent Korean. His voice was smooth and low-toned. His smiling face, as if he was doing something enjoyable, made those who saw him feel uneasy.

“And I found you right here.”

Zhixuan, he had come. Dongju Kim and Yeonhan Kim naturally shielded Cho-i. Seeing this, Zhixuan clasped his black-gloved hands together and said,

“Do you know who I’ve come to meet?”

At his curved eyes, the two seemed to realize something and tensed their shoulders. But they didn’t move from their spot.

“Aren’t you here to see our Guild Master?”

“Well, it’s true I intended to see your Guild Master as well…”

Zhixuan smiled slightly and looked at Cho-i Hyeon, who was visible between the two.

“It’s more convenient for me not to see the King.”

“You’ve come all this way; you can’t not see our Guild Master.”

Yeonhan Kim stepped forward.

“I will guide you.”

Dongju Kim naturally pulled Cho-i Hyeon towards himself. But Zhixuan didn’t move from his spot and turned his head towards Cho-i Hyeon. The sight of his body remaining still while only his head slowly turned was chilling.

“No, I’m currently…”

Zhixuan said,

“Rather than Guild Master Paehyeok, it’s Miss Cho-i Hyeon there that I wanted to see more.”

“…Hunter Cho-i Hyeon isn’t feeling well and has been recuperating lately. That might be difficult.”

Zhixuan let out a laugh.

“I didn’t say I was going to devour her, so why are you so sensitive?”

“Because she’s a hunter I’ve raised with great care. Please understand that much.”

As Yeonhan Kim replied without backing down, Zhixuan made a regretful expression. He unclasped his interlocked hands, tapped his chin with his gloved hand, and then spoke as if he were being generous.

“Then shall we go see Guild Master Taehyeok Sa? Oh, you too, come along.”

He didn’t take his eyes off Cho-i Hyeon. He scanned her once and then his gaze stopped precisely on the earrings she was wearing. Seeing his gaze fixed on her earrings, Cho-i Hyeon soon grinned. Her smiling face tilted.

“What, you?”

Cho-i Hyeon was unrestrained.

“You’re not S-Rank, are you?”

Cho-i Hyeon’s loud voice cut through the people. At her words, Zhixuan’s face stiffened slightly. Cho-i Hyeon smiled brightly and said to him,

“You’re doing this because you can’t see my rank right now.”

It was so easy to understand, too. Those words were her provocation towards him.