Chapter 10
I asked Seong Dohyeon in the mirror hanging on the wall, but naturally, no answer came back.
Unable to shake off my unsettled feelings, I looked around the market, and the merchants watched my every move with eagle eyes whenever I passed by.
I'm realizing once again just how low Seong Dohyeon's trust rating is. I had planned to look around and buy various things, but it seemed better for my mental health to just grab what I needed and leave quickly.
"Where are the musical instruments..."
"Over there! That way!"
Before I could even finish my question, the merchants pointed to one side as if they had agreed upon it beforehand, and as soon as I turned around, they let out sighs of relief.
Hmm. Would my efforts even change Seong Dohyeon's image? It seemed easier to just live with the image Seong Dohyeon had created... I had now reached the point of just wanting to maintain the status quo. As long as I could endure the judgmental gazes, it would be fine.
No, if things stayed like this, I might not be able to join a subjugation squad later. Since people had to be trapped in a closed space called a dungeon for long periods, the Center only deployed hunters who had passed a personality test to subjugation squads to prevent potential fights between hunters.
A place like that would never accept a delinquent like Seong Dohyeon.
Sighing, I stood in front of a shop.
"Uh... what do you need?"
"A musical instrument I can hold in one hand and shake."
When using 'Celestial Command,' the system seemed to count even a decent hum as singing, but after fighting directly, I realized that for efficiency, an instrument was absolutely necessary. When you're on the verge of death, you can't even utter the words to beg for your life, let alone hum a tune.
I looked over the instruments the shop owner brought out. I was browsing one-handed instruments like castanets and maracas when 'Ariadne's Thread' suddenly appeared.
"Why?"
'Ariadne's Thread' looked over the instruments carefully, as if with arms behind its back, then pointed at a tambourine.
"No. It's too big."
I refused because it was clearly large enough to require both hands, but 'Ariadne's Thread' ignored my words and coiled itself on top of the tambourine.
"There are plenty of other tambourines."
'Ariadne's Thread'—ugh, the name is too long. I'll call it 'Asil' from now on.
Asil was being stubborn, refusing anything other than the tambourine with a grape cluster painted on it.
"Ah, that item can also change its appearance."
Why didn't you say so earlier? I've been wrestling with Asil for 10 minutes now?
Perhaps my glare was a bit fierce, as the clerk, who had flinched and stepped back, cautiously approached again.
"If... if you'd like, we can transform it into a lighter form, like a bracelet or a ring."
"Then please do that."
Asil, who had jumped up at my words, rubbed its body against my cheek, then danced swaying side to side before disappearing at my feet.
Wait, do other skills act like this too? Do whatever they want and throw tantrums? I suddenly felt anxious and stared blankly at the spot where Asil had disappeared.
"Shall I make it a bracelet?"
Exhausted, I nodded half-heartedly and extended Seong Dohyeon's wrist, which was so pale and thin it looked like it would snap at a flick.
Good grief, this guy. Would it kill you to get some sunlight?
While clicking my tongue, the transformed tambourine hung on my wrist. I was worried it might be too flashy, but the bracelet was a simple design with small beads connected on a thin thread bracelet.
When I lightly shook the bracelet, Asil appeared immediately and, seeming to like the grape-shaped pendant in the center of the bracelet, stayed glued to my wrist stroking the pendant until I finished paying and arrived at the Association.
"Seong Dohyeon. If you knew Baek Hamin was the real deal, you should have given us a heads-up."
As soon as I arrived at the Association, the Association President approached me and said.
I was dumbfounded.
He was the same person who had even checked the CCTV of Baek Hamin's kidnapping scene, yet had the audacity to guffaw at the news that I had rescued Baek Hamin, drawing tears from the kid. The shamelessness was truly astounding.
And he wanted a heads-up? Who was it that didn't believe me even after I told him it was real multiple times?
When my expression hardened, the Association President seemed awkward too and lightly slapped my shoulder.
"Do you know how much we got chewed out by Baek Eunseong?"
"Why should I care?"
"Wow, Seong Dohyeon. Really?"
I quietly glared at the Association President.
Meeting my cold gaze, the Association President cleared his throat and averted his eyes, but instead raised his voice even louder.
"It's because you always go around spouting nonsense. You know, that, what is it, the Boy Who Cried Wolf?"
Why would I care about that?
Ignoring the Association President's bullshit, I ground my teeth and sat on the sofa. If Seong Dohyeon were in front of me right now, I would pluck out every single hair on his head. Why am I suffering because of your terrible personality? Sighing, I checked the schedule written on the calendar.
"What's on the agenda for today?"
"Oh, Yuseong is throwing a party, so go and keep an eye on things."
I snatched the guest list the Association President handed me and skimmed through it.
Baek Eunseong is participating, I see.
"Ugh."
Jeon Jiyoon is also attending.
"Ugh..."
The main task for me and the other Association hunters was to check whether unregistered artifact black market trading was taking place at the party venue. And my role was to sense any suspicious flow of energy and prevent any potential fights from breaking out.
Still, it wasn't an entirely bothersome task, as such incidents were extremely rare in reality. Even though he'd been ostracized by the five major guilds, Seong Dohyeon was one of the few S-rank hunters in the country, and there was no hunter who didn't know how vicious Seong Dohyeon's temper could be.
No crazy bastard would cause a riot, risking the astronomical medical bills and the terrible retaliation that would follow if they injured Seong Dohyeon—an S-rank hunter without insurance no less—while fighting amongst themselves out of competitive spirit.
Well, there probably weren't many hunters who could injure an S-rank like Seong Dohyeon in the first place, though.
"Oh, right. Don't wear a hoodie again this time; wear a proper suit."
"I don't have one."
"What?"
The Association President made a face telling me not to spout nonsense, but I was serious.
Seong Dohyeon's wardrobe only contained achromatic hoodies, hoodies for going out, and several pairs of black sweatpants—that was the end of it.
"What the hell did you spend your money on?"
Seong Dohyeon had chased after Baek Eunseong, and I had found us a place to live.
Seeing me not answering, the Association President clicked his tongue and tossed me a business card.
"I'll let the Yuseong Guild Master know, so go there and borrow some clothes."
As I looked at the business card, Asil floated up and guided me. Under a black sign, there was a warning written in red letters.
【Hunters ONLY】
We are not responsible for any injuries caused by our staff.
Injuries caused by staff...? What kind of store is this?
I tried to step back, but the door opened on its own and the aisle began to move. The sudden movement left me in an awkward stance. With nowhere to get off midway, I had no choice but to ride it as I was.
A short while later, I arrived at a shop that looked similar to the tailor shops I'd seen in movies.
"Welcome, Hunter Seong Dohyeon."
Hmm? Did he just say the name Seong Dohyeon particularly loudly?
Having been treated all sorts of ways, I wondered if I'd developed paranoia and scratched the back of my neck, but it wasn't paranoia—he had definitely said it intentionally loud.
Seong Dohyeon? The man, who muttered the name loudly once again, approached with the click-clack of dress shoes.
"Nice to meet you, Hunter Seong Dohyeon."
Light brown hair, dark navy eyes, and a sleazy-looking face. It was Baek Eunseong's older brother, Baek Jiseong.
I had been fine looking after Baek Hamin for over a week, but the moment I saw Baek Jiseong, anger boiled up from deep inside. Contempt, fury—emotions that would make me lunge at him if I lost my reason for even a moment—surged up.
What kind of body is this that it gets angry the moment it sees anyone from the Baek family?
Even though I was openly ignoring him, Baek Jiseong wouldn't leave my front. I took a few deep breaths to calm my emotions before facing Baek Jiseong.
"Alright."
"You're here to... hoo, get clothes fitted, I see. With Hamin's situation and all, I'll personally take your measurements."
"...Do whatever."
If this were the real Seong Dohyeon, he would have thrown a fit, asking what they took him for and whether they just mocked him, before refusing. But I'm not him. They say you'd even drink lye if it's free, so why would I refuse when they're offering to buy me expensive clothes?
Looking askance at Baek Jiseong, who was forcing an awkward smile in his bewilderment, I called the clerk.
"Show me clothes suitable for the Yuseong Guild party. Ah, and that guy over there is paying."
Sitting on the sofa, I racked my brain while waiting for the clothes to be brought out.
Why is that guy suddenly offering to buy me clothes?
If it was because I protected Baek Hamin, Baek Eunseong had already compensated me handsomely.
What change of heart did he have? As I was glaring at Baek Jiseong, I let out a hollow laugh when I saw the clothes the staff brought out.
Wow, ah, I get it. These bastards want me to get angry right now.
The Baekwoo Guild had gained a reputation as a powerless guild that couldn't even protect its own nephew due to Baek Hamin's kidnapping incident. Yet Seong Dohyeon—the very Seong Dohyeon that the Baek family despised so much—had accomplished what the Baekwoo Guild couldn't.
So they must be trying to provoke my anger so I'd go around spreading things like, "So what if you're skilled, your personality is trash."
Just like back in the Academy days.
I gritted my teeth and picked up a garment that looked like a peacock. The clothes visible behind it were even more disastrous. I wanted to mock him, saying I didn't know Baek Jiseong's taste was like this, but I carefully selected the clothes, earnestly scrutinizing even the price tags.
"I'll go with this."
"Pardon?"
What I chose was another version of the peacock. An outfit heavily adorned with feathers and jewels—hence, the most expensive one.
"Please include the dress shoes as a set."
The shoes would be expensive too, I'm sure.
I declined the clerk's offer to try them on and looked back at Baek Jiseong.
"Well then."
Without even a bow, I just raised an eyebrow slightly before sitting back on the sofa and turned on my Day Words, Night Words skill under the guise of browsing a magazine. Perhaps he didn't expect me to accept so easily, Baek Jiseong discussed with his secretary with a flustered face.
"What should we do?"
"...Just pay for it."
Clicking his tongue, Baek Jiseong left first, and when his secretary took out a card to pay, I slammed the magazine shut with a smack.
"Are you paying by any chance with a card?"
"Huh? Yes, wh-why do you ask...?"
"No, it's just amazing that the Baekwoo Guild doesn't even have that much cash on hand."
As I spoke in a disparaging tone, Baek Jiseong, who had just stepped out the door, came back and paid with a check.
Without answering the clerk asking about packaging, I kept my eyes fixed on the magazine. When I heard the sound of Baek Jiseong's car door closing, I finally got up and headed toward the flustered clerk.
"Please refund all of that."
The clerk, with an expression that said they knew this would happen, handed the checks back to me.
I chose a neat suit and dress shoes I had separately noticed earlier and paid for them.
"Would you like to wear them as they are?"
"Yes."
Receiving the difference in cash, my money laundering was now perfect. I was just thinking I should buy some decent armor with this when—
'Jumpscare.'
Baek Eunseong suddenly appeared before my eyes.
What the? When did he show up?
Baek Eunseong, standing obliquely at the door, was looking at me with an incredulous expression.
"...Are you going to the party?"
"Why should I have to answer that?"
Sighing, Baek Eunseong approached me along with the clerk.
"It seems you don't know the dress code for today's party."
Did the Association President mention that? Becoming suspicious, I tried to recall but it was definitely the first time I'd heard of it.
I glared at Baek Eunseong, who stood in front of the brooch display case with a brazen face. A sudden uncomfortable feeling rose in me—was he deliberately lying to humiliate me again? Full of suspicion, I narrowed my eyes and gestured for him to move.
"Forget about that, I'm leaving no—"
"Hold on."
Baek Eunseong, who had picked out a square brooch, reached out to me.
"The dress code is..."
As my suit was slightly pulled, his pink eyes suddenly drew close.
"Gold."
The hand that had touched my clothes fell away, and Baek Eunseong raised his gaze to meet my eyes.
Then, with the very face that Seong Dohyeon hated, the one he utterly despised, he smiled softly.