Chapter 63
“You’re here? How is Han Chasu?”
In the Cheonryeong Guild conference room, Lee Jinryeol asked while speaking with the raiding party. Jeong Iheun accepted the documents with a silent smile.
He had just returned after visiting Han Chasu at the medical center. It was late in the evening, but his schedule was as packed as ever.
“Later.”
His red eyes glanced over the guild members before returning to their place. It meant they would talk after everyone else had left.
A deflating sound escaped Lee Jinryeol’s mouth. Whether he did or not, Jeong Iheun quickly skimmed the documents and asked a guild member,
“You’re saying the Gate estimated to be Grade 3 suddenly changed to Grade 1.”
“Yes. They say its grade rose abruptly only a few minutes after the advance team entered. Fortunately, it wasn’t the type that only reopens after the boss is defeated, so everyone returned without any loss of combat power.”
“Wasn’t the measurement wrong from the start?”
A short-haired Hunter grumbled and crossed his arms. He seemed annoyed at having been suddenly called out.
“We all know those bastards in the Dungeon Safety Department don’t do their jobs properly. This time, too, they probably slacked off and botched the measurements.”
“That’s hard to refute. But in the end, getting our hands on a Grade 1 Gate is good news. I’ll call you back in an hour, so be ready.”
Jeong Iheun said, setting the documents down on the table. The raiding party members each nodded or shrugged and rose from their seats.
“Um, Guild Master.”
A Hunter with a refreshing aura hesitantly approached and held something out to him.
“Um… if it’s all right, I’d like you to give this to that person.”
Jeong Iheun’s gaze landed on the small bottle. The other person shyly pushed the glass bottle into his hand and fled.
“……”
“Han Chasu is still as popular as ever. Well, he saved the raiding party that’s practically the pillar of the guild, so I suppose it’d be hard to argue if they treated him like a hero.”
Lee Jinryeol said from behind, peering down at his hand. Clink. The glass bottle was placed on the table. Lee Jinryeol narrowed his eyes at Jeong Iheun as he sank heavily into his seat.
“What is it? Did something happen at the center? Why do you look like death warmed over?”
“Give me your hand for a moment.”
Lee Jinryeol raised an eyebrow but obediently held out his hand. And was immediately pushed away.
“…
You ill-mannered Guild Master bastard.”
What the hell are you doing? At Lee Jinryeol’s question, Jeong Iheun answered with a sigh-like laugh. Resting his chin on his interlaced fingers, he said,
“About Han Chasu. Maybe he has some hidden ability.”
His red eyes languidly swept the surroundings. Lee Jinryeol’s demeanor changed.
“What?”
“Or maybe he gained a new ability.”
“Hey, stop talking nonsense and tell me properly what happened.”
Lee Jinryeol pulled out a chair and sat down as he asked. The mischievous look on his face had vanished before anyone knew it.
“What exactly happened?”
He asked in a serious voice. Jeong Iheun was silent for a while before slowly speaking.
“When my body touches his, the energy that was boiling inside me settles down.”
To be precise, it had started after Han Chasu entered the medical center and began receiving contact treatment.
Since then, whenever he unintentionally came into physical contact with Han Chasu, he had experienced the fire energy subsiding.
By his guess, Han Chasu might have the ability to absorb another person’s energy and transmit it.
‘Considering he’s receiving intensive treatment from Gi Taeyeon, it’s entirely possible.’
Meanwhile, Lee Jinryeol looked as though he couldn’t believe it. To explain in more detail, Jeong Iheun rolled up his sleeve.
“Here, look.”
Lee Jinryeol’s eyes widened. With an expression of disbelief, he grabbed Jeong Iheun’s arm. Beneath the rolled-up sleeve was a thick wrist.
Until only a few hours ago, a small black stain had remained there like a burn.
It was the trace of the flame Jeong Iheun possessed, Muhwa, the Martial Flame.
“No way. Last time, even something the size of a fingernail took more than a week to disappear.”
“Now you understand what I’m saying?”
“Ha, no. I’m looking at it, but I still can’t believe it.”
Lee Jinryeol let out an empty laugh as he touched the firm forearm.
Jeong Iheun was especially outstanding even among S-ranks. Great power and control to match. Since it was usually difficult to possess both, he was respected as a guild master despite his young age.
But whenever he reached his limit, black scorched marks would remain on his body. A powerful warning, as if telling him that one more step from there would turn his entire body to ash.
That was the trace of Muhwa.
“You don’t feel any pain either?”
Lee Jinryeol asked quietly. Jeong Iheun nodded.
“Ha…”
Lee Jinryeol let out another groan of admiration.
“Just what kind of person is Han Chasu?”
The traces of Muhwa came with horrific burning pain. Lee Jinryeol still remembered it.
The trace of Muhwa that had covered his solid back in pitch-black marks. How shocked he had been when, after they barely escaped an irregular Gate, he discovered it on the nape of Jeong Iheun’s neck as he walked back alone.
That day, Jeong Iheun asked Lee Jinryeol to keep silent about the marks. Lee Jinryeol naturally promised to remain silent.
Because to him, Jeong Iheun was a dear friend and a comrade-in-arms who had crossed countless lines of death with him.
That was why he simply couldn’t believe it. The traces of Muhwa that countless medicines and items had failed to erase. They had been wiped away all at once in less than a few hours?
“Hey.”
“Mm?”
“Hold on to Han Chasu.”
The Lee Jinryeol of the past, who had been displeased and asked if they really had to go as far as a lifetime contract, was nowhere to be found.
“Ten times his annual salary? Not even close. Whether it’s twenty times or thirty times, we have to match whatever he wants. Han Chasu is now the treasure of Cheonryeong Guild, a treasure. Hold on to him tight so he can never go anywhere else. Got it?”
Lee Jinryeol’s eyes flashed.
***
For some reason, the back of his neck felt chilly. Han Chasu rubbed at the goosebumps that had risen and furrowed his brows.
‘Is it because of the air conditioning?’
The chill had been seeping down his spine since he entered the building. Han Chasu slowly looked around. He saw the eyes that had been watching him through the cracks of doors vanish like arrows.
‘Good grief.’
This was the research building used by various research organizations under the Management Bureau, including the Support Development Office.
The reason his resolution not to take a single step out of his hospital room had broken was because of the training system.
‘Today is the tour. They said I’d begin the practical training tomorrow.’
Gi Taeyeon had said that after a few rounds of practical training, the abnormal status would be removed in no time.
He sincerely hoped so.
Han Chasu unconsciously rubbed his arm. It was the spot where a bruise had nearly formed because Jeong Iheun had hugged him so tightly yesterday.
“Are you very cold?”
The medical staff member following behind him suddenly asked. The glasses perched on the man’s nose glinted as they caught the light. Han Chasu shook his head as if to say there was no need to worry and said,
“It’s just a slight chill. There’s no need to worry.”
Since his body wasn’t healthy, it was only natural that he couldn’t properly maintain his body temperature.
‘Still, this is the first time the area around my chest has felt this cold… I suppose being stabbed near the heart really was a big deal.’
It felt as though ice was rising from inside his heart.
It was then that a heavy weight settled over his shoulders.
“If you collapse again, the Center Director will have a fit.”
The man said as he draped a thick coat over him.
“Han Chasu’s health is our top priority. Please understand.”
At the rigid look beneath the glasses, Han Chasu clicked his tongue. He could tell there was no room for negotiation.
As if they had been waiting, the others behind him chimed in.
“That’s right. If news gets out that you collapsed in the research building, half the Management Bureau might really be blown away this time.”
“That’s a bit…”
“I’m telling you, it’s true.”
The person with their hair tied tightly into one ponytail shuddered as they spoke.
“Otherwise, why do you think the Development Office stepped up and offered up protective gear? Even they can read the room. If anything happens to Han Chasu here one more time, the remaining half of their budget will probably be blown away too. Isn’t that why?”
“That’s right. Those bastards usually won’t lend protective gear even if you beg them, but at times like this they’re truly sly as foxes.”
Han Chasu closed his mouth and rolled his eyes.
‘So this was that hard to get.’
He looked over his own outfit with new eyes.
From head to toe, he was decked out in A-rank items owned by the Management Bureau. They were all items the Development Office had sent, begging him to wear them when he came.
However, with the addition of the coat, his body was now incredibly heavy.
‘Well… it’s better than not wearing anything at all.’
Among the items sent by the Development Office were accessories that improved mental strength and willpower.
He would have to return them as soon as he left the research building, but even if it was only for that short time, they were necessary items for Han Chasu, who had to be on guard against his archenemy.
‘Thankfully, it doesn’t seem like he’s nearby…’
Since he never knew when or where the Rebellion skill might activate, it was better to be careful. Han Chasu stopped in the middle of the hallway.
“There’s something I need to tell you.”
“Do your legs hurt?”
“Would you like something to drink?”
“I brought some snacks.”
“……”
Brushing away the arms reaching toward him from all sides, Han Chasu said,
“If I suddenly behave violently or start saying unpleasant things, I’d like you to subdue me immediately. I can’t cause trouble for the others.”
“Pardon?”
“What are you… gasp.”
The sound of someone sucking in a breath echoed down the hallway. Various emotions filled their eyes. Sympathy, pity, sorrow… But those tearful emotions vanished in an instant.
“Please trust us.”
Something flashed in their hands along with the cool gaze of professionals. It was a syringe filled with sedative.
“We’ll put them to sleep in one blow, as if nothing happened.”
“Pardon?”
“Ah, not you, Han Chasu. The other people. For example, Department Head Gi Taeyeon?”
“……”
“If Department Head Gi Taeyeon gets angry and so much as raises a hand toward you, that would be terrible. So we’ll handle it.”
He had said he didn’t want to cause trouble, and they were saying they would handle the person he might trouble.
Han Chasu gave up trying to understand.
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