Chapter 16: Between Praise and Misunderstanding

Ion expected Jin Seongha to expose him on the spot: “This guy broke into my house and attacked me.”

If his S-rank status (though not truly S-rank) were revealed, he’d lose the freedom to quietly roam dungeons alone. He was prepared for that.

But Jin Seongha, surprisingly, led him out instead.

They went to an empty stairwell.

What’s his game? Ion thought, eyeing him suspiciously.

He half-expected Jin Seongha to draw a sword, but what he pulled from his bag wasn’t a weapon.

Pruung.

A green, round creature with a long tail tied with a pink ribbon.

The mascot, uncomfortable in the bag, shivered. It looked chubbier, with small ears now formed.

Pruung?

Their eyes met. Recognizing Ion, the creature bristled in shock, glanced at Jin Seongha, then back at Ion.

Pruung! Pruung! Pung!

It bounced, fur raised, rapid-fire chattering—clearly cursing, emboldened by Jin Seongha’s presence.

Spoiled by too much love, Ion thought.

It was just as bratty in the novel.

“Purr recognizes you. So it was you who…” Jin Seongha trailed off, adjusting his hold on Purr. Covering its ears with one hand, he continued, “You abandoned Purr at my house, didn’t you?”

“…”

“Ion, Corps Leader. Answer.”

“Are you… covering Purr’s ears so it doesn’t hear?”

“Yes.”

“That’s really kind.”

“Of course. This innocent creature shouldn’t be hurt.”

Really kind.

But seriously, this is his first question?

Not how Ion has three skills, why he joined Horizon, or if he’s truly S-rank—just this?

Obsessed with animals…

“Yes, you’re right. It was a gift for you, Jin Seongha Hunter. It’s such a cute monster, I thought you’d like it,” Ion said, smiling brightly, pushing aside complex thoughts.

Jin Seongha’s handsome brow furrowed slightly.

“Don’t pick up cute animals and dump them at someone’s house. Abandoned animals carry that memory forever.”

“Oh, yes. I’m sorry. Sorry, Purr.”

Ion gently stroked Purr’s fur. It trembled in fear.

Jin Seongha, satisfied, uncovered Purr’s ears. Purr floated up, landing on his shoulder with practiced ease.

“I’m announcing Purr as my pet at the press conference today. I’ll say I got it from a dungeon, so you stick to that story.”

“Don’t worry. Purr’s got a ribbon to look cute for everyone, huh? Adorable.”

Pruung!

Purr puffed up, catching “cute” and “pretty” despite its fear.

Teacher was right. Other novels’ mascots have special powers or secrets, but Purr’s just cute—nothing else.

“Announcing Purr will overshadow the illusion dungeon talk,” Ion noted.

Whether good or bad, the illusion dungeon issue would be buried.

“If you’re done, let’s go. The press conference is starting.”

“B-rank mercenary corps leader,” Jin Seongha said.

“…”

“Why hide your rank?”

He didn’t let it slide.

“S-ranks have to tackle high-risk dungeons constantly. Your schedule’s brutal—just this morning, you came from one, right? I don’t have the confidence for that life. I want peace,” Ion said, shuddering theatrically, drawing on Teacher’s acting lessons.

Jin Seongha studied him, his deep golden eyes piercing.

“Can you find peace ignoring people suffering from dungeons?”

…What?

Ion’s expression froze, dropping the act.

Ignoring suffering people? From Jin Seongha, who despised humans? It sounded like he couldn’t bear ignoring them, like he was overworking himself for their sake.

Too shocked to respond, Ion’s lips just twitched. Jin Seongha, interpreting the silence, continued.

“Are you a minor, Corps Leader?”

“…That’s random. I’m twenty, an adult.”

“Young.”

“You’re only six years older.”

“I think I’m young too.”

“…”

“Twenty-six isn’t young?”

Ion didn’t reply. Purr, meanwhile, wrapped its tail around Jin Seongha’s neck, cooing. Jin Seongha scratched it gently.

“I’m young. Not old enough or experienced enough to advise anyone. How you use your power is your choice. But you and I have greater strength than others, and I believe there’s a reason for that.”

“What reason? Are you saying something about the responsibility of the strong? Like a movie hero—‘with great power comes great responsibility’?”

Ion snapped, a bit sharply. Jin Seongha’s serious expression didn’t waver.

Instead, he gave a charming smile.

“I don’t know why you pretend not to be righteous.”

“What?”

The odd phrasing threw Ion off.

“I looked into you before coming. You’ve been tirelessly clearing unrecorded dungeons in remote areas, unpaid.”

“…What nonsense? My activity log shows I raid every three or four days.”

“I said I investigated, not just checked logs. You cleared a dungeon on an island in Jeollanam-do this morning, unrecorded.”

Jin Seongha’s tone softened, his golden eyes warm.

The atmosphere and conversation felt alien. Ion, uncomfortable, stayed silent.

“Even as an S-rank, entering another dungeon without half a day’s rest is overwork. In a way, you’re pushing yourself harder than I am.”

Ion thought he was being criticized for shirking responsibility, but this…

“Dungeons that might overflow, ignored by the Association in remote areas, unaffordable for guilds to handle. You’re their last lifeline, yet you hide your achievements completely.”

He’s mistaking me for some ultra-righteous person, isn’t he?

“You’re an exceptional Hunter and hero.”

The praise gave Ion goosebumps.

Teacher never praised him, always ending with, “You disappoint me.”

Friends were different, showering him with awe after training: How do you pass those trials? How do you remember everything?

Once, Teacher saw Ion surrounded by friends. That night, she called him to her room.

“Child, don’t trust orphans. Praise darkens the heart. It makes you reckless, arrogant, lazy, and leads to ruin. They’re waiting for you to fall.”

“…”

“You’re still lacking. If you take their sweet words to heart and grow complacent, you’ll forever disappoint me. Do you want that?”

Jin Seongha was trying to make him careless, to lure him into a reckless choice.

And it wasn’t sincere.

He wasn’t a righteous hero shouldering responsibility. Later, he’d regain some humanity and become heroic, but now? He was filled with distrust, disillusionment, and hatred for people.

“Nice words. What do you want from me?”

“Maybe just pure praise. If I want anything, it’s to tackle high-risk dungeons together.”

“If I were as righteous as you say, I’d refuse. While we’re clearing priority urban dungeons, remote ones could overflow. How could a righteous person ignore that?”

“I knew you’d say that.”

Jin Seongha lowered his voice.

“This is confidential, but I’ll tell you. Soon, we’ll have a way to predict overflow timelines. A device that reads dungeon rank and overflow risk from the gate, without entering.”

What?

“It’ll be a cheap, commercialized handheld terminal, so no need to worry about rural overflows.”

Ion’s heart pounded.

It was “Moshi.” It had to be Moshi.

“Who… said that?”

“Can’t say. I signed a confidentiality agreement.”

“A foresight skill user?”

Jin Seongha shrugged.

Someone had told him about the future.

Daon? That’d be fine. But if it was someone else—a foresight skill user we don’t know, whispering the future to Jin Seongha—that’s trouble.

A mental list of foresight skill users flashed through Ion’s mind.

I need to have Daon investigate this too.

And mention Jin Seongha’s character breaking.

“With high-risk dungeons increasing and S-rank Hunters scarce, people are anxious. Ion, Corps Leader, stop hiding your strength. Let’s protect this world together.”

Jin Seongha extended his hand, calloused and large.

Ion, a storm raging inside, maintained a calm exterior, staring at the hand.

He’d never needed a truth-detection skill more.

Jin Seongha wasn’t righteous. He despised people, caring only for animals. So what was this act? A test?

To see how Ion reacts, knowing his true power?

His mind swirled with possibilities.

He couldn’t just leave that hand hanging.

As Ion raised his hand to shake—

“Jin Seongha Hunter! Where are you? The press conference is starting!”

“Hey, Ion! Time to go!” Hong Insu called.

Voices echoed from beyond the metal door.

“Oops, we talked too long. Let’s meet after the conference,” Jin Seongha said, opening the door.

Purr glanced back at Ion, its eyes wary despite its lack of powers beyond cuteness. Overwhelmed, Ion couldn’t glare back and followed.