Chapter 70
[Hello, this is Kim Jaesu, Director of the Disaster Response Headquarters at the Rift Control Agency.
I would like to inform you that the first phase of the subjugation operation has been completed regarding the so-called ‘Changgui’ unidentified new monster crisis that has caused great anxiety for citizens over the past two months.
Following the subjugation of the large entity that appeared in District 3, the Agency has precisely tracked the energy pattern of this monster and repeatedly reviewed whether any entities remain. As a result, no additional entity activity has been confirmed to date, and we have determined that there is no possibility of spread.
Accordingly, as of 9 AM today, we are lifting the ‘Changgui-related alert’ that had been issued for all residential districts.
However, investigations are still ongoing regarding the rift phenomenon that occurred in District 3. This rift showed differences from existing types, and therefore the area remains under control. Information regarding support for local residents and temporary shelters can be found on the Rift Control Agency’s official website and public notification page.
Regarding the connection between the new hunter and this rift, which has been raised in some recent reports, while it is true that the new hunter who was present at the scene has been registered, we inform you that this is unrelated to the rift phenomenon.
The Rift Control Agency promises to prioritize the lives and safety of citizens in all our responses going forward. We deeply appreciate your cooperation.]
“I wonder how many people will actually believe that announcement.”
Eunseong said as if he couldn’t understand while listening to the broadcast.
The web was already overflowing with analysis videos of that day’s battle. District 3, where the rift had opened, was swarming with people—from ordinary citizens who came out of simple curiosity to hunter guild associates and broadcasting personnel.
The Rift Control Agency, knowing that it was Eunseong’s “skill” rather than an “anomalous phenomenon,” was putting on a show of sealing off the area, even spending enormous compensation money.
“Even if it remains forever shrouded in mystery, things will flow as they want.”
In Baek Sangyeon’s absence, would they now try to tear Huiseon to shreds? They might not have even sent a rescue team to save him. Eunseong made a sour face, feeling like he had seen a new hidden side of the world.
It seemed that maintaining a high national security rating by possessing powerful strength was actually outside their concerns. They were truly a rotten political group that wanted only what was moderate and easy to control.
“Even Nova is asking Hunter Baek Mujin about the hunter who used the ‘skill,’ so I can understand why the Rift Control Agency is being so cautious. They’re probably busy racking their brains right now.”
While Yeon Seokchun responded earnestly to Eunseong’s words, his hands moved busily. He was neatly packing various guild-related documents and belongings into a blue box.
Mujin, Joo Hyeonwoo, and Ha Yera were in the same situation. Everyone was busy packing, erasing traces of their ten-day stay. Today was the day they would leave Yeon Seokchun’s old house and move to their newly acquired residence.
“Don’t worry about it. If anything gets revealed, we’ll be the ones to reveal it. Just come up with a guild name already.”
At Mujin’s light scolding, Eunseong pursed his lips.
“Suddenly asking me to come up with a name…”
“It’s not sudden. I’ve been telling you to name it since the day we went to meet Sayeong Guild. You forgot because you were busy practicing buffs with Park Jiwon.”
Mujin took the box from Eunseong’s hands, stacked it on top of his own, and went out to the yard. He was going to load the luggage onto the truck parked in front of the house.
Normally, Eunseong would have followed him, but instead he fidgeted with another box awkwardly. This time, Joo Hyeonwoo quickly snatched it away and sealed it by applying packing tape.
“Hyung, just sit down, will you?”
“Move aside, you men! It’s heavy!”
Ha Yera roughly pushed Joo Hyeonwoo aside and staggered outside carrying a box. With even her working so hard, being told to just sit… But whenever he tried to touch his safety glasses to take them off, Mujin would appear from somewhere and make a hissing sound.
The reason was that Eunseong’s low-grade fever wouldn’t subside. The fever that had started on the night they returned from the Rift Control Agency had persisted for five days without any apparent reason. Because of this, his eyes were also burning, so he had to wear safety glasses continuously.
‘Maybe it’s fortunate that I have these safety glasses…’
Eunseong turned his head toward where Mujin was. Even with his vision completely covered, he could tell exactly which direction Mujin was standing in. He even thought it might be convenient that his eyes were covered and his expressions hidden.
“Just a moment, Eunseong.”
Mujin seemed to be wiping his hands, then suddenly closed the distance between them, briefly touched Eunseong’s forehead, and quickly moved away again. Yes, this was exactly why the safety glasses were essential.
‘He really doesn’t seem bothered at all…’
Eunseong felt a little resentful that only his heart was racing.
“Hmm… should we name the guild Seongjin?”
Deciding to follow Mujin’s advice and come up with a guild name, Eunseong muttered to himself. Ha Yera, who was organizing items nearby, snorted. The titanium box made a clattering sound.
“Don’t tell me you’re going to call it Seongjin because you two will be co-representatives? Why not Jinseong instead?”
“That’s fine too.”
“No, oppa…”
Ha Yera grabbed Eunseong’s shoulders with both hands and shook him back and forth.
“That’s so tacky. Those lineage-style names are really lame. Let’s do something else besides combining names. And you just agree when he says to use Jinseong? Don’t you have any pride? Why should you be second when you’re not lacking in anything?”
“Then what should we name it? Using names is actually the easiest way.”
As Eunseong held his shaking head and asked, the answer came from behind.
“A guild jointly established by the heirs of Yuseong and Huiseon… it would be interesting if the two of you had a child together, wouldn’t it?”
“How could we have a child? We’re both m-men!”
The voice that had interjected belonged to Woo Nayeong. The content was so absurd that Eunseong forgot to greet him and squealed loudly. After making such an uncharacteristically loud noise, Woo Nayeong slapped Eunseong on the shoulder.
“Oh my, I meant separately. Separately… Is that really something to get so upset about, Eunseong-ssi?”
“That…”
“You probably don’t know, but Huiseon hasn’t given up on Baek Mujin as heir yet. And if you officially announce your return, Eunseong-ssi, won’t all your scattered relatives gather like hyenas? So it’s better to choose a completely unrelated name, as Yera-ssi suggested. You’ll need to establish yourselves before your relatives catch your scent.”
“I still have relatives?”
This was quite surprising news. Eunseong removed his safety glasses by unfastening the buckle and looked around for Yeon Seokchun. Why hadn’t he told him about this? But Seokchun was nowhere to be seen, and only Mujin was entering the house.
“Yes. You have many relatives, though they’re worse than strangers. Of course you do. Actually, that’s what the Rift Control Agency hates most, so if you want to stand against them, the answer is to have children first and gather all your relatives again. It’s difficult to tear apart an alliance united under the name of family.”
“…”
“With your impressive abilities, I’m a bit tempted too. I’d like to introduce you to my nephew. He takes after me. How about it? Forming a close alliance with me.”
Woo Nayeong smiled with narrowed eyes. Eunseong, who had been sitting on the floor until then, looked up at him and blinked his blue eyes. He was indeed a great beauty.
Though not as good as Mujin, who stood behind him.
“Are you free, Team Leader Woo? Isn’t it working hours now?”
Somehow he had come very close, and Mujin sneered while emitting a dark aura. His chilly voice drew everyone’s attention. He wedged himself between them as if pushing Woo Nayeong away and crouched down in front of Eunseong.
“I told you to keep these on.”
Avoiding Mujin’s gaze, Eunseong lowered his eyes. The safety glasses covered his face again as Mujin’s body heat brushed past his ear. Mujin pulled Eunseong toward him as if embracing him and clicked the buckle at the back of his head.
Woo Nayeong sat down on the leather sofa right next to them. He was very close to Eunseong, who was sitting on the floor. He didn’t seem to mind Mujin’s actions at all. Rather, he seemed to find it a bit amusing. His next words even carried a hint of laughter.
“I am free. Thanks to you guys, I got suspended. That’s why I came to take Eunseong-ssi with me today.”
“Take him where.”
Surprised, Eunseong grabbed Mujin’s wrist. The coldness dripping from his tone made it seem like he might cause an accident. Gently rubbing the spot where his artery passed with his thumb, Eunseong tried to convey that he should stay calm.
“You were suspended?”
“Yeah, for a month. But it’s no big deal. Though that Kim Jaesu bastard is a bit of a jerk.”
Kim Jaesu was the man who had just made the public announcement as the Rift Control Agency representative. Since they had successfully subjugated all the Changgui, if not for the incident where the Rift Control Agency building was destroyed, that announcement might have been Woo Nayeong’s role.
As Eunseong was speechless with guilt, Woo Nayeong laughed in a bright voice. Then he reached out his hand, saying there was somewhere they needed to go together.
Eunseong sensed the gesture of the hand extended to him but didn’t take it readily. He could feel Mujin’s muscles expanding.
He chuckled as if finding them impossible.
“Are you really not coming? Hanyeong has woken up.”
Eunseong was so surprised that he ended up gripping Mujin’s wrist tightly as if pinching it.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
