Chapter 42: Truce Under Pressure

Baek Eun-hoo must have his reasons, so he likely knows that, for now, this is the best course of action. If Mo Jun-young came in person, there must be a good reason for it.

“Why are you two always at each other’s throats? You actually suit each other pretty well.”

“I’ve never done that. Mo Jun-young is the one who’s always been wary of me.”

“That’s because…”

It’s because your personality is terrible. Well, to be precise, Baek Eun-hoo was designed that way from the start. In the end, even their conflict existed because he had created their characters like that. Seong Ju-an sighed and made up his mind.

Since it’s come to this, he would somehow make the two of them get along today. With unknown threats ahead, them constantly growling at each other would only cause problems.

“Baek Eun-hoo, I’m serious. Call him right now.”

“Damn it.”

Baek Eun-hoo muttered a curse under his breath and made a call. Being alone with him was awkward anyway, so this worked out. But really, why had Mo Jun-young come all of a sudden?

****

“Pardon? What did you just say?”

Mo Jun-young’s face stiffened.

“Well, I’ll be damned. I’ve heard all kinds of nonsense now.”

Baek Eun-hoo chimed in.

“Is it that hard to hold hands and sit next to each other?”

Baek Eun-hoo stretched out his hand toward Seong Ju-an, pretending not to understand even though he clearly did.

“Not me. I meant you should hold Mo Jun-young’s hand.”

“…Why?”

“Exactly. What a strange request.”

He had expected them not to comply easily, but he had a plan. Holding back his laughter, Seong Ju-an called out loudly:

“Mr. Invincible!”

“…”

“If you don’t do as I say, I’ll call you by that nickname from now on.”

Baek Eun-hoo clenched his jaw as if holding back laughter, while Mo Jun-young’s face twisted in irritation. As Ju-an lifted his shoulders as if to say the nickname again, Mo Jun-young reluctantly extended his hand toward Baek Eun-hoo.

“There, I’m offering my hand. Satisfied?”

Does he hate that nickname that much? It sounded pretty cool to him, honestly. Of course, Ju-an didn’t expect two grown men to suddenly become friends just by holding hands and sitting together.

He mainly wanted to train them not to snap at each other in front of him. It would make managing the party easier.

“Baek Eun-hoo, what are you doing? Take his hand.”

“Ha… do we really have to go this far?”

“You promised, didn’t you? That you’d never betray the party. Ignoring my request counts as betrayal too.”

Ju-an raised his voice firmly. With a displeased expression, Baek Eun-hoo finally clasped Mo Jun-young’s hand. It made Ju-an oddly satisfied. They could’ve ignored him, but they actually listened. Still, instead of shaking hands, they let go almost immediately.

“What are you doing? I said hold hands and sit together, not just shake once and let go.”

“That’s enough.”

“Yeah, that’s plenty.”

They spoke without even looking at each other. It was a bit disappointing, but getting this much cooperation from two stubborn people was already a big step. You couldn’t expect everything at once.

“Then sit side by side.”

Perhaps thinking that was better than holding hands, the two sat next to each other on the sofa. Ju-an sat across from them. Seeing two tall, handsome men sitting together was definitely a pleasant sight.

“Alright, now tell me. Why did you come?”

At Ju-an’s question, Mo Jun-young checked his watch and answered:

“I came to inspect the equipment before entering the dungeon.”

Baek Eun-hoo snorted.

“My whip can be repaired within the guild. No need to come all the way for that.”

“Are you saying you don’t need it?”

Judging by his tone, it wasn’t just a simple repair. They had leftover mana stones from the party’s share, he must be planning to use them to enhance their weapons. Baek Eun-hoo, you idiot.

Basic repairs could be done in the guild, but enhancements using mana stones required an S-rank blacksmith with the “Divine Hand” skill, a rare profession, with only one known in the Hunter Association.

Baek Eun-hoo thought for a moment before replying:

“So it’s enhancement, not inspection.”

He then awkwardly pulled out his whip from his inventory and handed it over. As soon as Mo Jun-young took it, he stood up.

“Then I’ll be going. See you in three days.”

Ju-an quickly stopped him.

“Mo Jun-young, have you had dinner?”

No need to ask, he obviously hadn’t. He must’ve been collecting weapons personally to save time, and since he disliked Baek Eun-hoo, he probably came here last.

“I haven’t eaten yet.”

“Then have some chicken before you go. There’s still one and a half left.”

Mo Jun-young glanced at the chicken, then at Baek Eun-hoo, and frowned.

“I’ll just eat at home.”

“Of course it’s uncomfortable here. Just go.”

“Mr. Invincible!”

This was a rare chance to keep them together longer, no way he’d waste it.

“Be reasonable and eat before you leave.”

If he was going to eat anyway, he might as well talk with Baek Eun-hoo too.

Mo Jun-young frowned but sat back down. When handed a new pair of chopsticks, he cleared his throat and tried the mala-flavored chicken, then started devouring it at lightning speed.

Is this what parents feel like watching their kid eat? It was oddly satisfying.

‘Yes, Mo Jun-young, you’re the future of our party. Eat well and grow strong so you can block all the monsters.’

“Seong Ju-an.”

While he was smiling at Mo Jun-young, Baek Eun-hoo suddenly called him in a cold voice.

“What?”

But there was no reply.

“I asked why you called me.”

“Don’t you need to enhance your staff too? You should give it to him while he’s here.”

“Ah…”

So that’s why he looked like that. Since he wasn’t a frontline fighter, Ju-an often forgot he even had a weapon. He took out his buffer’s staff and placed it next to Mo Jun-young, asking him to take it after finishing his meal. Mo Jun-young nodded while eating.

He really eats well. Well, with that build, he’d have to.

As Ju-an kept watching him eat, Baek Eun-hoo turned on the news.

****

“…Assemblyman Baek Yong-seok announced that the 50 billion won donated by S-rank buffer Seong Ju-an will be used for those injured in this incident. Furthermore, according to Mo Jun-young, head of the Awakened Management Center, this donation comes from a party led by Seong Ju-an…”

****

The news about the donation played on TV. At the same time, footage of Ju-an awkwardly standing before reporters in the suit Baek Eun-hoo had recommended appeared.

He looked more awkward than confident.

Both Baek Eun-hoo and Mo Jun-young stared at the screen.

“You look good on camera.”

“Indeed. Unexpected. Perhaps all Awakened interviews should be handled by Mr. Seong Ju-an going forward-”

“No way! That’s ridiculous!”

Ju-an quickly interrupted.

“And Baek Eun-hoo, why is only my name mentioned?”

“What do you mean? Mo Jun-young’s name was mentioned too.”

That wasn’t the point.

“It should be under all our names, not just mine-”

Baek Eun-hoo casually ruffled his hair.

“It’s for the Constellations. They need to see we’re on your side so they don’t look down on you. And your face needs to be widely known. That way-”

Mo Jun-young finished the sentence:

“You’re weak. If your face is known, even if foreign hunters kidnap you, people will act as our eyes and ears.”

It made sense. Still, publicly announcing a donation of 50 billion seemed risky. In his old world, that would attract all sorts of troublemakers.

Then again, would it matter? He was never alone without S-rank hunters.

After finishing the chicken, Mo Jun-young put on his jacket.

“I’ll come pick you up early tomorrow.”

After saying goodbye, Ju-an was left alone with Baek Eun-hoo again. The way Baek Eun-hoo kept staring at him was unsettling. Ju-an quickly cleaned up and escaped to the bathroom, taking a shower.

But even after returning, nothing changed.

Baek Eun-hoo had also washed up and was now wearing a gray robe. The glimpse of muscle visible through it was intimidating.

“Well then, good night. I’ll head to bed first.”

Ju-an turned toward the room, but Baek Eun-hoo followed closely behind. There was only one bedroom here, so what was he doing?

Even after entering the room, Baek Eun-hoo stayed right behind him.

“Aren’t you going?”

“Where?”

“…Your room.”

“I’m sleeping here.”

“…What?”

Ju-an’s eyes widened.

“I told you earlier. There are hunters who use stealth.”

“Ah…”

Being inside a room didn’t guarantee safety. If someone could hide and enter, it was better to have protection close by.

But there was only one bed.

It was large, but still.

Two grown men… sleeping in the same bed?

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