Chapter 141: The Spotlight He Didn’t Mean to Take

Seong Ji-woo awkwardly changed the subject without offering any special explanation or clarification. Part of it was because he was flustered, and part of it was because he genuinely couldn’t put a clear label on what he and Yoo Hee-ro were to each other.

It was true that he’d become aware of his feelings to some extent… but that didn’t mean their relationship had suddenly changed.

Yoo Hee-ro was the same as always. The only one who had started to feel unfamiliar about Yoo Hee-ro was Seong Ji-woo himself. He’d let slip a few words and actions that weren’t like him, but thankfully, Yoo Hee-ro didn’t seem to have noticed yet.

…Is it that obvious?

Seong Ji-woo brushed the back of his hand over his inexplicably warm cheek. Watching him, Yoo Hee-ro leaned in close and whispered right by his ear.

“Are you hot?”

It had only been a slight flush before—but now he really was hot. Seong Ji-woo nodded, and Yoo Hee-ro lightly tugged at his jacket.

“If you’re hot, take it off and give it to me. I’ll hold it for you.”

“No thanks. You’re not my manager.”

And whose fault do you think this is? Seong Ji-woo shot Yoo Hee-ro a sidelong glare.

“Why not? Can’t I be your manager?”

“Stop saying weird stuff. And can you move over a bit?”

“Like this?”

When told to move aside, Yoo Hee-ro instead pressed even closer. He was already broad-shouldered to begin with, and the more he crowded in, the more Seong Ji-woo had no choice but to curl in on himself.

When Chae Min-jeong teased him about why the vice guild leader looked so squished, Seong Ji-woo finally shoved Yoo Hee-ro away with force.

“No, the other way! Who moves like that when someone says ‘move over’?”

“You keep trying to push me away, hyung. It hurts my feelings.”

“I’m not pushing you away. Have you ever considered that you’re the one getting way too close?”

“Nope. Never.”

While the two bickered back and forth, the awards ceremony host stepped onto the stage. Completely unaware that the broadcast had officially begun, Seong Ji-woo and Yoo Hee-ro were still busy arguing about who was right and who was wrong.

“Hey. Shh. Honestly, you two are kind of embarrassing right now.”

Unable to watch any longer, Chae Min-jeong stepped in to mediate. Seong Ji-woo shot Yoo Hee-ro a sharp look, while Yoo Hee-ro drooped his eyebrows dramatically, as if he’d been deeply wronged.

“Don’t talk to me.”

Staring straight ahead, Seong Ji-woo warned him through clenched teeth, practically ventriloquizing the words. He then smacked Yoo Hee-ro’s thigh to make him face forward.

“And now, we’ll begin the Hunter Merit Awards Ceremony for this year!”

A celebrity who had served as host for several years skillfully worked the crowd. Yoo Hee-ro muttered something beside him, but Seong Ji-woo deliberately clapped louder, pretending not to hear.

“……”

Pouting in displeasure, Yoo Hee-ro still followed suit and clapped along—half-hearted, purely out of formality.

The ceremony moved into the announcement of hunters who had made the list for the first time this year. It was a segment for rookie hunters, who found it hard to even get their faces known without standout achievements.

Even so, thanks to the host’s rapid delivery, the names would flash by in less than a second. Still, some of the rookies looked brimming with anticipation, even recording videos on their phones.

“Shin Jae-ho… Seong Ji-woo.”

Coincidentally, Seong Ji-woo’s name was called as well. Because he had officially become a hunter due to Yoo Hee-ro’s X-Gate subjugation, he too counted as a rookie hunter this year.

Whether intentional or not, the host paused for a beat after calling Seong Ji-woo’s name. A short cheer burst out from the audience.

Chae Min-jeong cheered loudly, while Yoo Hee-ro absentmindedly grabbed and released Seong Ji-woo’s sleeve. Feeling a little awkward, Seong Ji-woo bowed his head in acknowledgment. He’d made eye contact with the host, who was looking straight at him.

Soon after, Lee Won-jae’s name was called as well. At the sound of his name, Lee Won-jae visibly startled and flinched. Even when Chae Min-jeong congratulated him, he didn’t know what to do and ended up covering his face. That reaction only made him stand out more, and he was promptly blown up on the big screen.

Laughing gleefully, Chae Min-jeong smacked Lee Won-jae’s shoulder repeatedly. Beside her, Lee Won-jae wobbled helplessly back and forth.

Next came the introduction of newly registered guilds. Unlike the individual hunter segment, the called guilds went up on stage to give brief greetings.

Son Ji-hwan said the staff had given him a heads-up and told them to get ready to go up. Seong Ji-woo rose awkwardly, still dazed.

“Yes! Next up is a guild that appeared like a comet this year! A super-sized rookie guild that’s captured everyone’s expectations—please welcome the Gwangmyeong Guild!”

“Huh? We’re going up now?”

“Yes, yes—quickly!”

Chae Min-jeong shoved Seong Ji-woo forward without mercy. Finding himself at the front, Seong Ji-woo desperately grabbed Yoo Hee-ro and pulled him ahead, as if clinging to a lifeline.

Yoo Hee-ro did nothing but grin at him.

“Hey—watch out! The stairs!”

Yoo Hee-ro was charging toward the steps while still looking backward, so Seong Ji-woo hurriedly yanked on his clothes. Even though he pulled pretty hard, Yoo Hee-ro didn’t so much as stumble. Instead, he stepped neatly up the stairs and said,

“Are you escorting me right now?”

“No—just look where you’re going!”

Even on the stage, Yoo Hee-ro kept craning his neck back, until Seong Ji-woo finally shoved his cheek forward with his palm. Only then did Yoo Hee-ro face front and step to the center of the stage, bending slightly to match the mic height.

“I’m Yoo Hee-ro, Guild Master of Gwangmyeong.”

It was a short, blunt introduction. Skipping even basic pleasantries like hello or nice to meet you, Yoo Hee-ro finished and stepped back.

The cheering crowd began to murmur in confusion at his behavior.

“Hey, what are you doing?”

Seong Ji-woo whispered in a low voice. Yoo Hee-ro looked at him like he genuinely didn’t see the problem, then extended his arm forward—almost as if guiding him.

Of course, at the end of that “path” was the microphone.

After a brief moment of trying to interpret his actions, Seong Ji-woo furrowed his brow, pointed at himself, and mouthed,

…Me?

“Yes. Next, our proud vice guild leader will introduce himself.”

Yoo Hee-ro drove the final nail in. Naturally, every spotlight swung toward Seong Ji-woo. Even the reporters’ cameras pivoted in unison.

“Uh… well. Um. I’m Seong Ji-woo, somehow the vice guild leader of Gwangmyeong. It’s my first time being in a guild, so… yeah. I’ll do my best.”

The somewhat half-hearted greeting ended there. The audience, who had been holding their breath waiting for more, didn’t even realize it was over. A beat later, they began clapping, murmuring, That’s it?

“Yes! Truly a bold and impressive statement, befitting a guild with so much anticipation behind it. Everyone, please give them another round of applause!”

Not knowing which way to leave and floundering atop the stage, the Gwangmyeong Guild was neatly wrapped up by the host. The mic passed to the next guild, and Seong Ji-woo fled back to his seat as if escaping.

Only then did cold sweat trickle down his back, goosebumps rising.

Since all the previous guilds had only had their guild masters speak, he’d assumed he could just stand behind Yoo Hee-ro like background decor and come back down.

He’d thought he understood what kind of person Yoo Hee-ro was by now—but once again, he’d fallen victim to his impulsiveness. Like an idiot.

“What if you suddenly call me up like that?”

“You’re the real power of our guild, hyung. I wanted to show you off.”

“What is there to show off about me… Ha. Fine. Whatever.”

Seeing the sincerity in Yoo Hee-ro’s eyes, Seong Ji-woo gave up arguing. It wasn’t like Yoo Hee-ro would listen anyway, and trying to persuade him would only make his own mouth hurt.

As if oblivious to all that, Yoo Hee-ro rummaged through his jacket pocket, pulled out a piece of candy, and handed it to Seong Ji-woo.

“Your blood sugar looks low.”

When he’d been hospitalized, Seong Ji-woo often complained about low blood sugar and looked for candy. He’d known Yoo Hee-ro started carrying sweets around like a squirrel after that—but he hadn’t expected him to keep them even in his awards ceremony suit.

He wanted to refuse on principle, but since his sugar really did feel like it was crashing, he had no choice but to take it.

“Whose fault do you think that is?”

“Whose fault is it?”

To the obvious scolding disguised as a question, Yoo Hee-ro replied as if he truly didn’t know.

“Just watch the stage.”

Even after being told to look ahead, Yoo Hee-ro kept staring until Seong Ji-woo unwrapped the candy and popped it into his mouth. Then, without fail, he took the wrapper from Seong Ji-woo’s hand.

And stuffed it carelessly into the pocket of that outrageously expensive suit.

“For this year’s merit awards, we have a very special guest in attendance! I’m sure none of you expected this person to be here. I was shocked myself when I saw the script.”

The host was milking the moment with exaggerated excitement. The seated hunters began murmuring at the unexpected announcement.

“What? Who’s coming?”

Chae Min-jeong craned her neck, looking around. Lee Won-jae scratched his cheek and said,

“Is there really someone more famous than our guild master here?”

As if answering him, the host began the introduction.

“The person who practically founded the Hunter Merit Awards themselves—many of you will recognize the name Morgan Award. Joining us today is a direct descendant of Morgan, the founder of the Morgan Award, and the current chairman of the International Hunter Association. A legendary hunter who has graciously attended this ceremony in person! Please welcome them with a big round of applause!”

📚 Also on NHV Novels

We Transmigrated Together, So Why Are YOU The Only Guy Left?

dominant MLFantasy RomanceFriendsToLovers

Read Now →
Not interested