Chapter 11: A Dangerous Deal

A photograph had been attached to the resume, making it impossible for Taeseongyeon not to recognize Dokyeom, who was seated right beside him.

In the original story, Han Dokyeom and Taeseongyeon were strangers who had never even brushed shoulders. Their paths were entirely different.

Han Dokyeom first went missing, and Taeseongyeon subsequently lost his life, leading to both characters’ clean exit from the original narrative.

However, unlike Han Dokyeom, Taeseongyeon’s death was a predetermined and inevitable path.

The reason was clear. There were too many characters, and to adjust their numbers, branches that didn’t reach the core had to be pruned. Taeseongyeon had been the first such branch.

“I thought you contacted me after reviewing the contents of my resume.”

“It’s true I called you, Han Dokyeom, for my own selfish reasons. But it’s not a heavy topic, so let’s relax a bit. Have some tea.”

“I trust you’re saying that with the intention of hiring me. I tend to be quite suspicious, you see.”

‘That look in his eyes, as if he’d devour me the moment I let my guard down.’

He rested his chin on his hand, observing Dokyeom with an air of boredom, almost as if appraising an object. To Dokyeom’s surprise, he got straight to the point.

“I think you should tell me what I want first. What do you say, Han Dokyeom?”

In this world, information is readily available, and words, if artfully crafted, can often sound like brilliant strategies.

Taeseongyeon was pointing that out. He questioned whether Dokyeom truly knew what he desired, or what Dokyeom could offer based solely on that assumption.

“Let’s concede a point and assume, as you say, that what I want isn’t here. Even so, it would be problematic if you thought your role here was to negotiate. Unless you’ve brought something with real bargaining power, something worthy of a negotiation. A week surely wasn’t enough, and if you’re bold enough to come here, you must have a negotiation card in hand, so try to convince me, even if it’s just a bluff.”

Taeseongyeon’s words implied that he was willing to listen to whatever Dokyeom had to say, even if it was nonsense, to gauge its worth as a potential deal.

‘Yes, that’s how it should be. Only then could Dokyeom confidently make his offer.’

“Three in Korea, two in China, one in Japan, and one in America.”

Taeseongyeon’s fingertips tapped against the sofa armrest. A brief, heavy silence settled between them.

Dokyeom broke the silence with a faint smile, as if punctuating it.

“And among those, what you desire, Taeseongyeon, won’t be found in Korea, will it?”

“You seem quite confident.”

“You don’t think I’d come here without some leverage, do you?”

The seven ‘Deadly Sins’ scattered across this world.

Dokyeom was referring to the ‘Authorities.’ Among them, what Taeseongyeon coveted was the ‘Pride’ Authority, located in China. This particular Authority was known to be stronger than the others.

There was no need to reveal all his cards. The locations of the Authorities were as random as a roulette wheel, making them difficult even for the Constellations to pinpoint.

However, that didn’t mean they were entirely undiscoverable. Hunters who possessed tracking skills or astrology could, to some extent, uncover their clues.

The real problem was that acquiring such skills was akin to plucking a star from the sky.

This was precisely why Taeseongyeon had gone to the trouble of summoning Dokyeom, willing to listen even to what might be nonsense. It was because no one in Korea could yet ascertain the Authorities’ locations.

‘No one in Korea knows the details about the Authorities yet.’

In the original story, Taeseongyeon’s death was a calamity born of his own arrogance. From the outset, hunters who knew about the ‘Authorities’ were rare.

Even if they did, their whereabouts remained shrouded in mystery, and they were so immensely powerful that lower-ranked hunters would be consumed and absorbed by them rather than managing to wield them.

However, once one managed to acquire and control an Authority, there was no stronger force.

Consequently, Geon Ita and Taeseongyeon were depicted as hunters who sought out ‘Authorities’ to expand their influence.

Among them, Taeseongyeon, in particular, was a fanatic, blinded by ‘Pride,’ who recklessly delved into various gates.

Thus, Dokyeom’s deal was effectively set from the start. It involved leaking information about the ‘Authorities’ to him, and then collaborating to retrieve them. If Taeseongyeon happened to obtain ‘Pride’ in the process, all the better.

“Let’s draw up a short-term contract. Within two months, I’ll find one of the Authorities in Korea and bring it to you, Taeseongyeon. However, it will be mine, so don’t even think about claiming it.”

“How can you be so certain, Han Dokyeom, that it won’t be what I’m looking for?”

“It would be the Authority you most despise, wouldn’t it, Taeseongyeon?”

“Tell me. At this point, I’m quite curious to hear what it is I supposedly dislike so much.”

As Taeseongyeon asked languidly, Dokyeom met his gaze indifferently before offering a subtle smile.

“What if I cling to you a bit from now on? If I act possessive and obsessive, Taeseongyeon, you won’t be able to sleep a wink.”

“I’m rather looking forward to it.”

‘Should I really unleash an obsession for the ages?’

His tone and expression, utterly devoid of seriousness, were so irritating they made Dokyeom’s mouth feel dry. Observing Taeseongyeon’s bravado, Dokyeom spoke.

“You’re saying that’s the Authority right now. Ah, never mind. If you’re not going to sign the contract, I’ll just leave.”

“Sit.”

A heavy voice, as if pressing down on Dokyeom’s shoulder as he rose, reached his ears. Dokyeom sank back onto the sofa.

Meanwhile, Taeseongyeon picked up the documents that had been on the desk and scanned them. It was Dokyeom’s resume, detailing his personal information, skills, and characteristics. On the back, a contract awaited his thumbprint.

“On the surface, Han Dokyeom, you’ll be tasked with stabilizing guild hunters entering gates for training purposes. We can’t just keep you around without a proper role, you see.”

“…You’re asking me to join your guild members in their training, like some sort of undercover employment?”

“Even so.”

With a low tone, as if coaxing a child, Taeseongyeon extended the contract he had been reviewing to Dokyeom.

“The contract will be short-term, and I’m considering paying you a daily rate per task. What are your thoughts, Han Dokyeom?”

“How much will you pay? That’s what’s important.”

“Name your price. I’ll grant it if possible.”

“500,000 won.”

The answer came immediately. Taeseongyeon tapped the armrest and chuckled, a profoundly significant sound.

“Han Dokyeom, let’s discuss this after you’ve seen the contract.”

Dokyeom took the contract offered to him and glanced at the section detailing the salary. The moment he confirmed the number of zeros, he slammed the contract down.

“Can I have a pen?”

“I can always reduce it further if you wish.”

Taeseongyeon, like a wily serpent, chuckled slyly. Dokyeom returned his smile.

“Let’s just consider it saving one pathetic E-rank hunter and proceed as is. 1.5 million won, isn’t that wonderful?”

Without a word, Taeseongyeon pulled a fountain pen from his pocket and offered it. Dokyeom, barely acknowledging it, meticulously read through the contract clauses.

The duties specified in the contract involved using the and skills to stabilize hunters entering gates for training purposes.

Although it fell under the umbrella of a ‘raid team,’ it was for training, meaning three A-rank hunters were the minimum requirement, with E-rank Dokyeom explicitly designated as the top priority for protection. It was, in essence, a perfect contract.

Furthermore, the reverse side stipulated that both parties would actively cooperate for their mutual benefit as partners, and that the orally agreed-upon results would be delivered within the manually specified period.

“You can write the period yourself, Han Dokyeom. Since you said two months, bring me some satisfactory results within that time. Only then can I even consider whether to devour you or not.”

“That’s hardly ‘take it or leave it’…. But Taeseongyeon, you’ll have to help me too. Despite appearances, I am an E-rank, you know.”

Looking at the surface of the contract, yes, this was practically a freebie. The minimum rank for hunters cultivated by the Sahyeon Guild’s raid team was B-rank; would they even need a ‘Stability’ skill?

Anyone would look at this and think, ‘That guy’s clearly a nepotism hire.’

‘Something felt too easy. A strange sense of effortless ease. The hurdle was so low that his prior resolve felt wasted, as if he’d simply stepped over it. Especially considering how every convenience was centered around Dokyeom.’

Dokyeom, who had been scrutinizing Taeseongyeon with a wary expression, decided to play along for now. After all, it was Dokyeom, not Taeseongyeon, who was in a hurry.

“Well, this is nice. An E-rank getting such preferential treatment.”

Dokyeom took the extended fountain pen and signed his name in the blank space on the contract.

They each took a copy, and as Dokyeom began to rise, Taeseongyeon deliberately spoke, a familiar smile playing on his lips.

“Han Dokyeom.”

“Yes?”

“How about we have a meal together? To celebrate becoming ‘family,’ I’d like to fatten you up a bit, Han Dokyeom.”

Dokyeom, too, chuckled softly as he retorted.

“Get lost.”

Without a second thought, he turned with the contract in hand. The secretary, standing by the door, scrambled to open it for him.

Dokyeom, who had been striding forward, suddenly remembered something and halted.

He turned his head for a quick glance back, spotting Taeseongyeon tilting his teacup. Their gazes met, clashing with startling intensity.

“Taeseongyeon. Can I ask you for one favor?”

“Hmm, go ahead.”

Taeseongyeon gestured towards Dokyeom’s untouched teacup, indicating he should drink it.

After a brief hesitation, Dokyeom sighed and turned back. He picked up the teacup Taeseongyeon had indicated and downed it in one gulp.

The bitter taste of the tea coated his tongue. After smacking his lips a few times, Dokyeom wiped the tea drops from the corners of his mouth with the back of his hand and met Taeseongyeon’s eyes.