Holy B-Class Life – Chapter 182

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#182

“Ah…”

[Sacred Zone S] was a skill that required Dan Joo-hyuk to borrow an S-grade item to use. However, it meant that with just a little more proficiency, it could become his own unique skill.

Somehow moved by this heartening information, Yoon Pa-ran carefully placed his hand on the glowing statue again.

As if he had touched an item, a status window suddenly appeared.

[Forgotten Sacred God’s Statue]

Until now, the safe zone statues had never displayed status windows. They were just like decorative structures in the background.

But now it appeared as a status window containing information.

And seeing that name, Yoon Pa-ran finally understood why his skill had particularly responded to this statue.

“What’s wrong?”

Unlike the others who weren’t paying attention, Dan Joo-hyuk, who had been watching only Yoon Pa-ran, detected the change and asked.

Yoon Pa-ran, who had been staring ahead with blank eyes, slowly turned his gaze toward him. The movement seemed strangely sluggish.

“It says this is the Forgotten Sacred God’s Statue. Try placing your hand on it.”

“…”

Following Yoon Pa-ran’s instruction, Dan Joo-hyuk placed his hand on it and a status window appeared. Though he had expected it, actually seeing the text gave him a peculiar feeling.

It was proof that Yoon Pa-ran’s role had become that much more important.

“And about the skill that opens safe zones.”

“Yes.”

Yoon Pa-ran, who had approached, now whispered with his voice lowered.

Seeing those lips, which had become plump from being bitten and sucked earlier, come close again made Dan Joo-hyuk feel a renewed thirst.

“It could become my permanent skill. That’s good, right?”

“…Yes, that’s good.”

This time he was tense for a different reason. The reasons for Yoon Pa-ran to stay by his side were gradually disappearing.

Reflexively, Dan Joo-hyuk looked around. The people who had been blankly staring at the sky until just now were one by one turning their gazes toward Yoon Pa-ran.

The monster they had brought for the experiment had turned to dust inside its cage. It happened almost simultaneously with the white light of the safe zone being emitted.

The same thing happened when they deliberately brought a monster from outside the range slowly into it. The monster, which had been howling as it approached the safe zone, stopped moving and collapsed to the ground as soon as they forcibly threw it in with its cage.

As these experiments continued, the gazes directed at Yoon Pa-ran intensified. Seeing those greedy looks, which had grown even heavier than before, Dan Joo-hyuk felt the greatest tension of his life.

Unconsciously, he moved Yoon Pa-ran behind his back, blocking those gazes. His nerves were so keenly on edge that he wanted to draw his sword immediately.

“Right? I might not have to wear this item anymore in the future!”

“…That’s really great.”

While responding to that innocent exclamation, Dan Joo-hyuk unconsciously sought out and grasped Yoon Pa-ran’s hand.

He felt as if all the blood in his body was drying up.

❖ ❖ ❖

For several days afterward, the two of them were busy without a moment’s rest.

More precisely, Yoon Pa-ran was busy. Dan Joo-hyuk simply hovered around Yoon Pa-ran without paying any attention to the gates.

Fortunately, Yoon Pa-ran didn’t find Dan Joo-hyuk’s behavior strange, just considering it as ‘help’.

Minister Byeon repeatedly apologized for the tricks played by the Presidential Office. However, Dan Joo-hyuk had already visited and had a private meeting with the President. After personally visiting the President’s bedroom while he was sleeping, he was impressed by how actively the President promised to cooperate.

“Hmm…”

With that, he had put a stop to the government’s schemes. After all, the importance of Yoon Pa-ran, who could create eternal safe zones, was incomparable to a mere term-limited President.

Anyway, Minister Byeon was persistent about providing Yoon Pa-ran with security. Dan Joo-hyuk, who proudly wrote his name in the position of security team leader despite not being a civil servant, instructed all the remaining security personnel to guard Yoon Pa-ran’s orphanage.

This “Seoul Grand Gate Incident” had sent shockwaves throughout the world. It had brought even greater despair to humans who were already struggling to survive after seeing the system notification.

Therefore, the attention focused on Yoon Pa-ran’s power was truly immense.

Massive inquiries were already pouring into the Korean government. However, since it was still unknown whether the safe zones Yoon Pa-ran could create were unlimited, the priority was still confined to Korea.

There was a possibility that people with ill intentions might attempt kidnapping. Because of this, Dan Joo-hyuk’s nerves had been constantly on edge.

At that moment, his tense nerves suddenly relaxed as he sat alone in the car, deep in thought.

It was because Yoon Pa-ran was slowly walking out from the orphanage’s main entrance, which Dan Joo-hyuk had been watching all along.

“…”

Forgetting even to blink, Dan Joo-hyuk stared at Yoon Pa-ran as if entranced. After looking around curiously, Yoon Pa-ran soon spotted the car Dan Joo-hyuk was in and walked straight toward it.

“I’m here.”

“You’re here.”

“I haven’t seen this car before? Did you buy it?”

“Yes, I bought it. Something more ordinary.”

Since it had become public knowledge that he was accompanying Yoon Pa-ran, various troublesome matters had increased. Obtaining a car discreetly was also for that reason.

Today, the two of them had planned to conduct a small experiment at Dan Joo-hyuk’s house. They were going to see if a safe zone could be formed using fragments of the safe zone statue, which they had started calling “Seongssang” for short.

If everything went as intended, it could lead to the creation of a revolutionary combat method.

“This is for you.”

“What’s this phone for?”

Before departing, Dan Joo-hyuk also handed Yoon Pa-ran a new mobile phone. Like the car, it was a measure to enhance security.

…Along with a bit of personal interest.

“You said you’ve been getting too many calls. I thought you might need it.”

Averting his gaze slightly, Dan Joo-hyuk provided additional information.

“Right now, only my number is saved in it.”

The same was true for Dan Joo-hyuk’s new phone. He had also been in need of a more secure phone. After obtaining the SS-grade item, the number of bothersome contacts had increased significantly.

Of course, Dan Joo-hyuk’s new phone was intended to be used only for communication with Yoon Pa-ran in the future.

“It’s a line that ordinary people would find difficult to trace. Only give the number to those who absolutely need it.”

“I will. Thanks.”

Dan Joo-hyuk knew that Yoon Pa-ran wouldn’t be as cautious as he was. Knowing this fact made his mouth taste strangely bitter.

That’s when Yoon Pa-ran asked a question that would further twist Dan Joo-hyuk’s mood.

“By the way, what has Hunter Heo Sang-yeon been up to these days?”

“…Why are you looking for Heo Sang-yeon?”

Trying to hide his tension, Dan Joo-hyuk deliberately asked slowly.

Whether aware of his concern or not, Yoon Pa-ran calmly fastened his seatbelt and replied.

“I have something to look into. Is he still recovering?”

“…”

Could it be that he was looking for Heo Sang-yeon because he had recently asked to end their contract?

A dark energy kept trying to rise from within. Being born of flame, those fierce thoughts that easily spread around him were desperately suppressed by Dan Joo-hyuk.

“What do you want to find out?”

“Ah.”

Completely unaware of Dan Joo-hyuk’s feelings, Yoon Pa-ran once again spoke lightly as if it was nothing significant.

Whether it was fortunate or yet another misfortune, the content was unclear.

“Actually, for a while now, the wavelength I feel from you has been getting fainter.”

“My wavelength?”

“Yeah. It seems like the wavelength that others detect is still the same, so I wonder if it’s because of my skill. I think I could figure it out if I meet another S-class, and Heo Sang-yeon is the only one left, right?”

Kim Min-ji was in custody, and Kim Sang-deok’s whereabouts remained unknown.

At this clear reasoning, Dan Joo-hyuk inwardly sighed. After some deliberation, he mentioned a fact he hadn’t bothered to share before because it wasn’t important.

“Actually, Hunter Heo Sang-yeon has been wanting to meet you.”

At the time he heard this, he had dismissed it without even considering it worth pondering over.

“Why?”

“He said he wants to apologize.”

“Ah.”

Heo Sang-yeon’s persistent suspicion of Yoon Pa-ran was entirely due to Kim Tae-jun’s manipulation.

Dan Joo-hyuk had been irritated by Heo Sang-yeon’s insistence on apologizing face-to-face, but if Yoon Pa-ran had something to look into, it couldn’t be helped.

“…If you want, should we go see him for a moment now? There’s another S-class there too.”

Besides, if the two were going to meet anyway, it might be better to have them meet in front of him. It would be more problematic if Yoon Pa-ran decided to go alone to investigate.

He should have prevented Heo Sang-yeon from even giving his business card.

No, perhaps he shouldn’t have shown his face in the first place.

“Alright.”

With Yoon Pa-ran’s casual response, their destination changed. Swallowing a sigh inwardly, Dan Joo-hyuk started the car.

The sound of Yoon Pa-ran’s breathing beside him seemed to strangely tickle his ears.

❖ ❖ ❖

Upon arriving at Dan Joo-hyuk’s villa on the outskirts of Gyeonggi Province, Heo Sang-yeon was waiting at the main gate to greet them.

“Hunter Yoon Pa-ran. I’m truly sorry.”

As soon as they met face to face, Heo Sang-yeon offered an apology. Yoon Pa-ran’s gaze slowly scanned him.

Perhaps due to the aftermath of his defeat against Dan Joo-hyuk, he looked even thinner than the last time Yoon Pa-ran had seen him. In particular, he still couldn’t use one arm, which hung awkwardly to one side.

In many ways, Heo Sang-yeon had also suffered greatly. Uncomfortable with the awkward situation, Yoon Pa-ran simply asked directly.

“Since when were you being controlled?”

“I think since I first called you to my brother’s office. Detaining someone without even investigating the circumstances isn’t my style to begin with. …Though I’m not sure if you’ll believe me.”

Though Heo Sang-yeon was always cheerful, his apologetic appearance was incredibly sincere. Since there was no particular reason not to believe him, Yoon Pa-ran nodded willingly.

After all, it was welcome news for him that someone as formidable as Heo Sang-yeon wasn’t actually his enemy.

“Alright, I believe you. I hope your injury recovers soon.”

Just as he was giving this casual response, Dan Joo-hyuk suddenly reached out and grabbed him tightly.

“How can you believe such an excuse so easily?”