Chapter 43: Guild Membership and an Underwater Reunion

“You know, I’m not even that close with the hunter you caused trouble for. I’d rather not bring up old stories, but Han Yuseong Hunter and I were guildmates, and we fought a lot because our personalities clashed. He just had no emotional depth. So, if you ever get another chance to mess with him, call me. We can mess with him together. Messing with CEO Tae would be good too.”

“Yes, I’ll be sure to call.”

Han Dokyeom unwrapped a candy Yisaein had given him and popped it into his mouth, nodding. A sweet aroma lingered on his tongue. As if that had been her sole purpose, Yisaein coolly turned her back.

“I’ll be going now. I came straight from home, so I need to head back. See you next time if we get the chance. Oh, and if you like sweets, let’s go to that new cafe up ahead sometime. Turns out, not many people like sweets as much as I do. Anyway, I’m off. No need to see me out.”

Having delivered her lengthy monologue, Yisaein strode away with a confident click-clack, just as she had arrived. However, as she donned her sunglasses, someone suddenly rushed out in front of her, bowing deeply and obsequiously.

“Senior, hello. I’m Yeo Jinsu, a B-rank Hunter who just finished training. You’re so beautiful.”

“What is it? Do you know me?”

“Excuse me? Yes! Of course, who wouldn’t? You’re so famous…”

“Look, do you think I asked because I didn’t know that? I’m asking if we’ve met before. Don’t you know I dislike it when strangers talk to me like this?! You’re so confident you know me, so why don’t you know that? Am I someone who has to entertain anyone who acts familiar? I am Yisaein.”

“Yes, yes? Ah, hahahaha! My, my apologies!”

“Oh, move! You’re making me dizzy!”

With a single wave of Yisaein’s hand, a fierce gust of wind, like an approaching typhoon, swept through. Amidst it, the rhythmic click-clack of her heels echoed long, like a reverberating sound. When the wind subsided, Yisaein was elegantly exiting the guild, her sunglasses firmly in place.

Only bewildered stares followed her receding back.

‘What was that? What just happened? Yisaein made something? Cookies? And she gave them to someone else as a gift? Yisaein, who only cares about herself? What on earth is going on?’

“Haha… Oh, Yisaein Senior must be in a good mood today, doing things she’d never do. Don’t, uh, don’t interpret it too positively. She’s a wild card, and next time, if someone acts familiar like that guy, things could get ugly again.”

Shin Myeonghwan’s boisterous voice filled the air around the table. Han Dokyeom tucked the cookies and candy into his pocket and rose from his seat.

“Right, well. If there’s nothing else, I’m leaving. Take care.”

His immediate departure, signaling that his business was concluded, spurred Shin Myeonghwan into action.

“No, a person is talking, talking! Han Dokyeom, this is Sahyeon Guild. It’s not a place where outsiders can just wander in and out.”

“I’m a bit busy right now. I wasn’t just sitting here with no purpose like you lot, was I?”

A dark shadow began to fall where Yisaein had vanished. Han Dokyeom slowly walked towards the lobby, watching the rapidly approaching figure. However, he suddenly remembered something and turned back towards Shin Myeonghwan.

“Oh, I almost forgot something. I look forward to working with all of you. As fellow guildmates of Sahyeon Guild, let’s at least greet each other now that we’ve met.”

“Wh-what?”

“Oh, I just finished stamping my seal. An E-ranker hit the jackpot, haha. Wow, the guild’s joining conditions are really good, aren’t they? So, even if I cause a little trouble, as a fellow guildmate, I look forward to your cooperation.”

“No, what are you talking about?! What nonsense are you spouting?!”

As Shin Myeonghwan abruptly stood up, Han Dokyeom conspicuously recoiled, as if feeling threatened.

“Whoa, if an A-ranker touches an E-ranker, it’s ‘clink-clank’ for you. Hmm? ‘Clink-clank.’ So let’s all get along. Even if my wrist breaks, it’s ‘clink-clank.’ If you don’t know, ask someone.”

Han Dokyeom’s well-kept hair fluttered gently. He turned his head slightly, gesturing with his chin towards someone who had appeared with the sound of the wind, and spoke.

“Han Yuseong, what happens if an A-ranker touches an E-ranker?”

“We follow the established principles within Sahyeon Guild.”

“‘Clink-clank’?”

“…Yes, if you indiscriminately overpower an opponent with force, your contract will be terminated, and you will be reported to the association.”

“You heard that, right?”

Han Dokyeom concluded the situation with a mischievous grin, wrinkling his nose. Shin Myeonghwan slumped back into his seat, his face blank. A hollow laugh finally escaped his lips.

Han Dokyeom glanced sideways at Han Yuseong, who had appeared, covered in sweat. He had said he was nearby, but the scent of wind clung to him as if he had run a great distance.

“Han Yuseong. You said you’d be here soon, but you’re quite early. Twenty minutes my foot, what kind of ‘soon’ is that?”

“Why didn’t you answer your phone? Do you know how many times I called?”

Han Dokyeom pulled his phone from his coat pocket, unlocked it, and checked the screen. Fourteen missed calls were neatly displayed.

“Oh, it was on silent.”

“Han Dokyeom Hunter. Haah, what if there had been an emergency without Agon? Do you have any sense or not?”

“Why would there be an emergency when I’m here? Anyway, that’s enough. Let’s go somewhere for a bit.”

Han Dokyeom took Han Yuseong’s arm and began to lead him towards the elevator. A heavy sigh escaped Han Yuseong’s lips as he was docilely pulled along. His expression was ultimately tinged with resignation.

The rookie hunters could only stare at the scene with bewildered expressions.

‘Those two… when did they get so close? No… Yisaein too… And what’s this about a contract…? Didn’t the instructor hate him?’

Unanswerable questions swirled silently in the air.

****

Upon entering the corporate welfare center with Han Yuseong in tow, Han Dokyeom immediately caught the scent of the sea wafting from afar. The briny, fishy smell, heavy with salt, pricked at his nose even from a distance.

Following Han Yuseong further inside, a wide swimming pool appeared, boasting nearly seven lanes. Its length was as immense as its width.

Agon was submerged alone in that vast pool. Though he must have sensed their presence, the surface remained placid, showing no sign of him looking up.

Han Dokyeom took off his shoes and headed towards the pool area. Whether a lot of salt had been sprinkled or if it was Agon’s ability, when he dipped his finger in the pool water and tasted it, a strong saltiness washed over him.

Suddenly, without warning, Agon broke through the water’s surface from below, revealing his body. Splashing, droplets of water dotted Han Dokyeom’s clothes.

*Plink—*

Only upon seeing Agon’s gaunt face emerge from the water did Han Dokyeom realize the anxiety he had endured. Transparent, water-colored eyes continuously fixed on Han Dokyeom. He probed and searched, settling deep within Han Dokyeom’s own eyes.

“Didn’t you miss me?”

A drop of water clinging to Agon’s chin fell onto the surface. His serene gaze observed Han Dokyeom’s face without end. From his temples to his nose, cheeks, jaw, and lips. It was the same look Taeseongyeon often gave.

When those eyes, having completed their assessment, slowly blinked, a hand reached out from the water, seizing Han Dokyeom by the back of his neck and pulling him in.

“Han Dokyeom Hunter!”

“Puh-ha! I’m, I’m fine…! *Cough!*”

The sudden cold water stiffened his entire body. Han Dokyeom reached out, grasping Agon’s clothes as if clinging for life. As soon as sturdy arms wrapped tightly around his back, his body was drawn under the surface as if sucked in.

Agon’s tranquil form was visible through the shimmering bubbles. Agon took Han Dokyeom’s flailing hand and placed it over his own chest.

Instantly, all his struggling ceased. Han Dokyeom traced the beat thrumming beneath his hand, over Agon’s chest. It was calm. And slow. Perhaps due to the stillness underwater, the frantic thumping of Agon’s heart was exceptionally clear against his palm.

Normally, Agon would growl if even a faint warmth touched his skin, but now he seemed to be trying to steal even his faint body heat. Han Dokyeom reached out with his other hand and slowly stroked Agon’s cheek.

He wasn’t sure if Agon wanted to say he was worried, or that he was relieved to see him, but he could distinctly feel that he had been waiting for this moment.

Despite the possibility that Agon might have felt abandoned, there wasn’t even a hint of hostility. He couldn’t even tell when his connection had deepened so profoundly.

Agon had simply waited quietly, and suffered silently.

‘‘

As he closed his eyes, Agon’s heartbeat pulsed vividly against his fingertips. A strong hand slowly extended, gently tracing Han Dokyeom’s cheek. It slowly caressed his cheek downward, then lightly brushed the corner of his mouth where a deep scar lay.

When that touch withdrew, Agon’s bowed head buried itself deeply into Han Dokyeom’s shoulder.

It was an action steeped in worry. In the hazy water, Han Dokyeom hugged Agon’s back and patted him reassuringly. Strong arms wrapped around his waist.

In the serene afterimage, a flickering skill list caught his eye. Two skills, glowing like shooting stars. and . The intermittently glowing skills slowly faded away as if being erased, disappearing after a long while. Han Dokyeom gently caressed Agon’s hair, which floated on the water.