#33
“I’ll make sure to report back quickly.”
As expected, even without specific instructions, he acted with sharp intuition. He was reliable.
Not once had Jo Tae-su been disappointed after entrusting him with a task.
Jo Tae-su got up from the sofa at his leisure and walked toward the elevator.
“It won’t do to try to back out now.”
Jo Tae-su muttered softly with a smile on his lips.
On the surface, that smile appeared infinitely benevolent.
*
Seo Yi-young walked in a daze.
He couldn’t understand it at all. Why? Why had this dimension’s Seo Yi-young been delivering information about Choi Do-jun to Jo Tae-su? The secretive meetings, Jo Tae-su’s hidden “expectations”—judging from the situation, this was certainly not honorable information.
‘Who was it that came and flirted first, so you can’t back out now.’
‘Didn’t you clearly say you could satisfy him with this?’
At that moment, words Choi Do-jun had once spoken in the back seat of a car flashed through Seo Yi-young’s mind. It was like an intuition.
The previous Seo Yi-young’s approach to Choi Do-jun and what he intended to do couldn’t possibly be unrelated to Jo Tae-su.
Which meant…
Seo Yi-young’s steps gradually slowed.
It meant he had been Jo Tae-su’s puppet.
He had no idea why he had formed such a relationship with Jo Tae-su. He wondered if Jo Tae-su might have had some leverage over him, but dismissed that possibility. If that had been the case, the balance of power would have tilted more in Jo Tae-su’s favor during their meetings. He hadn’t felt that dynamic in their two encounters.
Though positioned below Jo Tae-su, there was no sense of being forced through blackmail.
Seo Yi-young’s brisk walk came to an abrupt halt.
Jo Tae-su and Seo Yi-young.
The relationship between the two men began to take vague shape in his mind. But whatever that relationship was, from Seo Yi-young’s perspective, it had to be Jo Tae-su, it had to be Choi Do-jun. Moreover, it was completely opposite to their relationship in the previous dimension.
“…Fuck, seriously…”
He covered his mouth with the back of his hand and cursed under his breath. What kind of filthy karma did he have with those two from a past life that they would be entangled so disgustingly even in this dimension?
In the previous dimension, their relationship had been problematic, and now it was like this in this dimension too. From Seo Yi-young’s perspective, he genuinely didn’t even want to see their names. He had thought he could somehow get past it since the relationships were different now, but for it to turn out like this? It was truly unbelievable.
This must be what people call bad karma.
The only difference was that unlike the previous dimension where he had no power to stand against them, things were completely different now.
The current Seo Yi-young had the strength to confront them. He had abilities, social reputation, and status. It was incomparable to the previous dimension where he had no supporters around him—now he himself was like a solid shield.
Though Jo Tae-su’s position was certainly formidable, he could manage somehow. Seo Yi-young clenched his fist, giving himself courage.
‘I’ll arrange for us to be on the same dungeon conquest team again soon, so I look forward to it.’
He recalled Jo Tae-su’s words before leaving the office. According to that, he would soon be teamed up with Choi Do-jun to enter a dungeon. Though it seemed uncommon to be paired so frequently, Jo Tae-su’s influence would certainly make it happen.
He needed to think about how to face Choi Do-jun when that time came.
And just as Seo Yi-young had predicted, a meeting with Choi Do-jun was arranged within a short time.
The problem was that it wasn’t for a dungeon conquest, but for filming a public service announcement.
A public service announcement? The fact that he would be filming an advertisement was surprising enough, but not just any advertisement—a public service one. Even more shocking, the theme was respecting the elderly and loving children. Seo Yi-young couldn’t remember what expression he had when he first heard this news.
Apparently, the few times he and Choi Do-jun had entered dungeons together had become somewhat of a hot topic. “Somewhat” was too modest—”considerably” or “quite” would be more appropriate.
S-Class Hunters entering dungeons together wasn’t very common, and the frequency of their pairings was high, so people were saying things like they had good chemistry and were fantastic partners. It seemed carefree from an outside perspective, but unless there was a dungeon break, the danger of dungeons wasn’t something that ordinary people could truly grasp. The chaos and fear when dungeons first appeared were already considered things of the distant past.
He had gotten up and prepared, but… he really didn’t want to go.
“…I don’t want to go…”
“Pardon? …Oh, Hunter-nim. If you’re uncomfortable, should we adjust the schedule? I think it would be fine to change the plan and have Hunter Choi Do-jun film first, then have you film separately later.”
The secretary, who had somehow understood Seo Yi-young’s gloomy muttering, asked for his opinion with apparent difficulty. Hearing the question, Seo Yi-young shook his head in preemptive alarm.
“No, no. I was just saying. Let’s go.”
Though he desperately wanted to avoid it, that wasn’t an option. He couldn’t refuse just because he didn’t want to do it.
It wasn’t like he had given advance notice that would allow for schedule adjustments, and he couldn’t be so irresponsible on the day of filming. He couldn’t waste the time and effort of all the people gathered for the shoot. Even if he hated it, he had to do it. That’s what being an adult meant.
…But he really did hate it.
Seo Yi-young forced his heavy legs to move toward the filming location. The thought of meeting Choi Do-jun in this unsettled state was truly demotivating. It was awkward in many ways.
Arriving at the site, Seo Yi-young heard that Choi Do-jun had arrived earlier and was being set up. Come to think of it, Choi had never been late for an appointment. Despite having an image of doing whatever he wanted, regardless of how long others had to wait, that wasn’t the case.
Now he really had to face Choi Do-jun.
Having made up his mind, Seo Yi-young took a deep breath and opened the door to the powder room. The first thing he saw was Choi Do-jun’s profile as he sat in a chair getting his makeup done. This was the same Choi Do-jun that Jo Tae-su had asked for information about. Though Seo Yi-young didn’t know exactly what information he was supposed to gather, he could guess what kind it might be based on Jo Tae-su describing it as “useful.”
Something that could be used as leverage, most likely.
Seo Yi-young’s lips tightened.
“…”
He’s supposed to find out…?
About Choi Do-jun’s weaknesses…?
He couldn’t blindly follow orders when the way they would be used was so obvious. Yes. Setting aside how uncomfortable Choi Do-jun made him feel, the man hadn’t done anything particularly wrong.
…Wait.
Why am I assuming Jo Tae-su is the bad guy?
The realization hit Seo Yi-young like lightning. What if Choi Do-jun was the villain and Jo Tae-su was on the good side? What if he was using Seo Yi-young to stop Choi Do-jun?
Thinking about it, he really didn’t know much personal information about either of them. The impression from the previous dimension remained so strong, but they might not be the same people in this dimension.
…Though it was absolutely true that Choi Do-jun was still lacking manners.
Honestly, he didn’t want to be involved with either of them, but it was already too late for that. If he had to take a side, he should make a decision after properly confirming the facts to avoid regrets.
But…
Seo Yi-young bit down on his rolled lips.
“Oh my, hello, Hunter Seo Yi-young.”
A staff member who noticed Seo Yi-young’s arrival greeted him, and he slightly bowed his head in return. Choi Do-jun must have heard the voice too, but he remained motionless with his eyes closed.
It was completely unexpected. Seo Yi-young had thought Choi would at least greet him first, but to be completely ignored?
At first, he was bewildered, but soon indignation rose. It had been only seconds since he’d made the admirable decision to judge Choi Do-jun after getting to know him better, yet here he was, making Seo Yi-young’s blood boil. If this was a talent, then it was certainly Choi Do-jun’s specialty.
Seo Yi-young’s lip corner twitched once.
“Hello, Hunter Choi Do-jun.”
Let’s see if he can keep ignoring me.
Momentarily forgetting his resolve to maintain his usual attitude, Seo Yi-young raised his voice in greeting, causing Choi Do-jun to open his closed eyes.
“Ah, yes.”
And then he closed his eyes again.
Ah, yes?
AH, YES?!
Seo Yi-young bit his rolled lips at Choi Do-jun’s lukewarm response. Sure, he was well aware that Choi Do-jun lacked manners. But just accepting Seo Yi-young’s greeting without returning it—what was that about?
That son of a bitch.
Feeling once again the depths of how unpleasant Choi Do-jun was, Seo Yi-young glared at his profile and took the remaining seat. He could feel a vein throbbing in his forehead. As much as he disliked Jo Tae-su, Choi Do-jun was no better.
“Hunter Seo Yi-young, have you eaten?”
A stylist who had introduced himself asked in a cheerful tone. Seo Yi-young, finally coming to his senses, turned his gaze toward the person speaking. Just hearing the bright voice somehow made Seo Yi-young feel more energetic. Putting aside thoughts of Choi Do-jun, he focused on the conversation with the stylist.
Since he needed makeup, Seo Yi-young closed his eyes. After a while, it seemed Choi Do-jun had finished his preparations as there was movement of him getting up and going outside. However, since the stylist was busy fixing Seo Yi-young’s hair and continuing the conversation, he couldn’t see Choi leaving.
But is this normal?
Even after doing… that kind of thing, isn’t he too composed? How much experience must he have to be so nonchalant? Such a young guy being so brazen. I know his type.
As he thought about it, Seo Yi-young’s insides began to boil without him even realizing it.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
