Chapter 17: Taking the First Step Outside

“They probably came to spy. To see whether the other hunters knew or not.”

That, too, was a plausible explanation.

If he had learned about a Constellation while still an ordinary civilian, instead of trading information for mere food and lodging, he would have reported it and aimed for the bounty. The reason he could remain indifferent to the bounty was probably-

“With that many coins, he wouldn’t need a bounty in the first place. And he’s an Awakener himself.”

“Now you’re finally making sense. So, do you still intend to tear my house apart?”

He had gained a justification to leave without further snooping. If anything, this worked out well.

“Now that I hear it, there’s no point. It would be better to pull back the search team and find Seong Ju-an as soon as possible. If I don’t find him first, Baek Eun-hoo will track him down and threaten him to hand over the Creator of Sacrifice.”

Baek Eun-hoo nodded. Judging from his relaxed demeanor, it was obvious he had already grasped the situation and sent his people out.

“Then, my apologies for the intrusion.”

As Mo Jun-young turned to retrace his steps, Baek Eun-hoo quickly closed the distance and grabbed his shoulder.

“I can’t let you go like this.”

“What is this about? It seems we’re done with our business.”

“If you barged into my home without prior notice and conducted a search at will, shouldn’t you pay the price?”

It was an utterly ridiculous accusation. Every time Baek Eun-hoo had been involved in one incident or another, similar situations had occurred, but he had never picked a fight like this before.

The reason he was doing so now was obvious, to keep Mo Jun-young from going after Seong Ju-an.

“Let go of me. Do you want to be arrested for obstruction of official duties?”

“Oh dear, how scary.”

Baek Eun-hoo spoke without the slightest hint of fear, yet his grip on Mo Jun-young’s shoulder didn’t loosen. If there hadn’t been witnesses around, Mo Jun-young would have punched him in the face already. But as a civil servant bound by law and regulations, he barely suppressed his rage and shook Baek Eun-hoo’s arm off.

“I’ve warned you. Don’t touch me. And if you happen to find Buffer Seong Ju-an first, please contact the Center.”

“…You don’t actually think I’d really call, do you?”

Of course not.

It was just something to say in order to hide the fact that they already knew Seong Ju-an’s location.

“Please uphold the dignity befitting an S-rank Awakener.”

He offered a polite bow and turned away. As Mo Jun-young headed toward the back entrance, the search team followed behind him.

Watching that scene, Baek Eun-hoo snorted and muttered,

“So you found him. You really can’t act. If you’d searched this place like usual, I might’ve pretended to be fooled.”

After mocking the now-vanished Mo Jun-young to his heart’s content, Baek Eun-hoo issued orders to the hunters behind him.

“Contact the search team that went out first and have them tail the Center bastards. Seong Ju-an will be with them.”

“Yes, sir.”

Baek Eun-hoo followed leisurely after the hunters who hurried out.

****

Meanwhile, Seong Ju-an was riding in Gong Se-yoon’s car as they entered the shopping mall parking lot.

The car, owned by Gong Se-yoon, was just as impressive on the inside as its flashy exterior, sleek controls, plush seats, and such a smooth ride that it made him not want to get out.

Come to think of it, Mo Jun-young must’ve had a car too, so why did he bother carrying me and running? Is he poor because he’s a civil servant? Even S-rank Awakeners have to surrender all income other than what the state allocates them.

As he tilted his head in thought, Gong Se-yoon let out a whimper beside him.

“I… I’m really scared.”

“Of what?”

When Seong Ju-an turned his head, Gong Se-yoon was slumped over the steering wheel, his shoulders trembling as if he truly were terrified.

Without thinking, Seong Ju-an placed a hand on his shoulder. Feeling the touch, Gong Se-yoon flinched violently and straightened up.

“I-I told you not to touch me.”

I was just trying to comfort you, grabbing someone’s shoulder isn’t that big a deal.

When Seong Ju-an withdrew his hand and scratched his head, Gong Se-yoon avoided his gaze, looking uneasy. It was frustrating, but there was no point scolding someone who clearly wasn’t in a normal state.

Biting his nails, Gong Se-yoon continued with difficulty.

“I’m sorry. I’m not angry. Like I said earlier, if this becomes a habit, it’s not good. I’m alone, after all.”

“It’s fine. I’m not hurt by it. But what exactly are you scared of? Are you worried a monster might suddenly pop out?”

“I’m… more scared of people than monsters.”

“Why?”

“…Because I’m an Awakener.”

Once again, the conversation stalled.

For Gong Se-yoon, it was only natural to fear people. Ever since he was young, even his parents had hesitated to care for him because he was an Awakener.

All he’d done was cling to others because he hadn’t received affection as a child, yet people had only tried to use him. How deep those wounds must have been.

And all of it was my fault, for designing his character like that.

You reap what you sow. What else can you do?

“You don’t need to be afraid of people, so don’t worry.”

Gong Se-yoon looked at Seong Ju-an with eyes full of suspicion.

“How would you know that, Seong Ju-an? You don’t know anything-don’t comfort me half-heartedly!”

“I’m not trying to comfort you half-heartedly. Ah-damn it! How am I supposed to explain this?”

Calming Gong Se-yoon, who was depressed and stubborn on top of it, was no easy task. At the same time, the heavy sense of responsibility he felt whenever he looked at him made irritation bubble up.

I’ll convince him and get him out no matter what!

Swallowing hard, Seong Ju-an continued.

“Mr. Gong Se-yoon. If you’re scared of people, are you scared of me too?”

Gong Se-yoon, who had been staring at him with wide eyes, thought for a moment, then shook his head.

“Strangely enough, I’m only a little scared of you.”

Only a little scared… what kind of answer is that?

“Then let this ‘only a little scary’ person stay by your side, and let’s go. I’m starving to death. We need to buy potions too.”

Putting on a pitiful act, Seong Ju-an finally got Gong Se-yoon to step out of the car. Leaning against the car door and trembling, he looked like a deer hiding in the bushes, pitiful to behold.

Seong Ju-an stood in front of him and met his eyes. To steady his shaking pupils, he gently stroked down his arm and spoke calmly.

“I’ll hold onto you, so want to walk with your eyes closed?”

“…Why?”

“You said you’re scared. If you can’t see, it might be less scary.”

“Ah…”

If he gave him time to think, he’d surely refuse, so Seong Ju-an didn’t give him the chance and immediately pulled him along by the arm. Dragging along a huge, childlike figure who was a full head taller than him, he headed into the shopping mall.

At the entrance, he checked the directory and made a plan.

The Awakener-only shopping mall had three floors. The first floor sold groceries, the second potions, and the third various equipment. If they bought groceries first, the freshness would suffer, so it would be better to start from the third floor.

As they walked through the lobby toward the escalator, people around them began whispering when they saw Gong Se-yoon.

“Gong Se-yoon? Isn’t that Gong Se-yoon?”

“What? Seeing him in person, he looks like such a kid.”

“Watch your mouth. I heard he’s the strongest among the S-ranks.”

Just how rarely did he go out for people at the mall to find him so noble? When he was doing well, he’d been busy clearing dungeons, and when he was depressed, he probably didn’t leave his house at all, no wonder people were curious.

“Mr. Se-yoon, did you hear what they’re saying?”

“Huh? What did they say?”

“That you’re the strongest among the S-ranks.”

“Oh, I heard that. That’s why everyone’s scared of me and avoids me…”

He’d intended to use people’s words as evidence to boost Gong Se-yoon’s pride, but it backfired. At this point, there was no helping it, he’d have to ask directly.

Holding Gong Se-yoon’s hand, Seong Ju-an walked over to the information desk on the first floor. Seeing them approach, the employee began stepping backward.

What? Are they backing off because they’re scared? What’s scary about a kid who looks this pretty? Damn it, if they start like that, this is already doomed.

Sure enough, seeing the employee retreat, Gong Se-yoon stopped walking. Regardless, Seong Ju-an dragged him confidently right up to the desk.

“Excuse me. You know S-rank Hunter Gong Se-yoon, right?”

“Y-yes, I know him, but…”

“Then tell us this. What do you think would happen if Hunter Gong Se-yoon didn’t exist?”

The employee stared at Seong Ju-an as if asking what on earth was he saying. Seong Ju-an winked and gave a thumbs-up over Gong Se-yoon’s shoulder. Catching on, the employee nodded.

“Ah, if Hunter Gong Se-yoon weren’t around, the world would probably end. I think he’s an invaluable existence.”

Wow, what a line. As expected of someone in the service industry.

Internally sighing in relief, Seong Ju-an looked at Gong Se-yoon. He was staring back and forth between the employee and Seong Ju-an with a shocked expression. The employee added,

“When a dungeon suddenly appeared downtown last time, the news said over and over that many people would’ve died if it weren’t for Mr. Gong Se-yoon.”

Oh, something like that happened? Then why is his self-esteem still this low?

…Why else? Because I wrote his character that way.

“See? People like you, Mr. Se-yoon. So you don’t need to be scared.”

“But…”

“But nothing! Let’s go buy equipment already.”