Chapter 65: He Chose You Instead

As far as Seong Ju-an knew, the only S-ranks in the game were the four currently in his party. The developers had made the probability of obtaining an S-rank character absurdly low to squeeze money out of players.

Then again, by that logic, he himself was already an S-rank that had never existed in the original game. So another hidden S-rank wasn’t impossible.

Besides, there were supposedly illegal Hunters who deliberately avoided registration.

This was reality, after all.

While he struggled to keep his expression under control, Baek Eun-hoo leaned close enough for his lips to brush against Ju-an’s ear.

“That woman’s father is a VIP.”

“Hiiik!”

Ju-an sucked in a sharp breath before he could stop himself. All the effort he’d put into maintaining a calm face vanished instantly as his eyes widened.

Only then did he finally understand the strange atmosphere he had sensed from the moment they entered the building.

A hidden S-rank Hunter protected by the government, and the daughter of a VIP at that, couldn’t exactly be met just anywhere.

Eun Soo-jung lightly clinked her champagne glass against Ju-an’s.

“Surprised? Ah, don’t look at me like I’m some kind of monster. You’ll hurt my feelings. It’s my birthday today, you know?”

‘Ah, so that’s why everyone was dressed up like this.’

And Baek Eun-hoo had seriously planned to bring up business at someone else’s birthday party?

‘How rude.’

“Monster? Not at all. If there were beautiful monsters like Hunter Eun Soo-jung, male Hunters would probably die before even managing to attack.”

“Hoho, you’re good with flattery. Unlike someone else.”

Baek Eun-hoo cut in. This time, loud enough for Eun Soo-jung to hear clearly.

“Seong Ju-an, don’t forget that every Hunter alive is drooling over an S-rank buffer.”

His gaze shifted toward Eun Soo-jung.

“And you stop trying things too. You’re part of the security team anyway, so it’s not like you participate in dungeon raids. You already have enough coins, you don’t need a Constellation’s help.”

Eun Soo-jung’s eyes slowly swept across Seong Ju-an’s face.

Just moments ago, her irises had been light brown. Watching them turn vivid red in an instant was strangely mesmerizing.

Something about it felt eerie enough that Ju-an instinctively looked away.

She laughed softly.

“Can’t someone desire him purely? Anyone would think he’s pretty, Mr. Ju-an.”

“…”

As expected of Baek Eun-hoo’s friend, the things she said were exactly the same.

Unable to hide his embarrassment, Ju-an hurriedly drank his champagne instead. Immediately, Baek Eun-hoo grabbed his wrist.

“Let’s respect each other’s territory. Trying to reach for Hunters from the security division?”

Eun Soo-jung waved her hand dismissively with a laugh.

“Sorry. I didn’t realize Baek Eun-hoo was this possessive. Anyway, enough small talk. What’s your real reason for coming?”

Baek Eun-hoo released Ju-an’s wrist and looked at her with an unreadable expression.

Then he leaned slightly forward.

“We need the security team to respond to our rescue requests.”

Ju-an nearly dropped his champagne glass.

So this meeting really was about the previous incident. It seemed Baek Eun-hoo intended to prepare in advance in case something similar happened again.

The security team was officially registered, belonged to the government rather than any Hunter faction, and therefore remained free from contracts with Constellations. On top of that, they were high-ranking.

If they became allies, they’d be incredibly reliable support.

Holding his breath, Seong Ju-an waited for Eun Soo-jung’s answer.

For the first time tonight, her perfectly controlled expression turned cold.

“Soo-jung?”

“Haa…”

After letting out a deep sigh, she drained the rest of her champagne in one gulp and swept a hand through her hair.

“You know this too, Eun-hoo. The security team isn’t meant for situations like that. We move when foreign Hunters cross national borders with hostile intent-”

Baek Eun-hoo interrupted her.

“When they invade and threaten the nation, yes. That’s why your team is raised in secret. I know. But Eun Soo-jung, what if every S-rank besides the security team is wiped out at once? Wouldn’t that be an even greater national crisis?”

After a brief silence, Eun Soo-jung alternated her gaze between Ju-an and Eun-hoo before answering.

“You know this isn’t within my authority.”

“It’s within the VIP’s authority. And you’re the only one who can move him.”

“God, you’re annoying. Even a fox that’s lived a hundred years would be less sly than you.”

“Thanks for the compliment.”

‘Ugh…’

Ju-an frowned unconsciously.

They were the ones asking for help, yet Baek Eun-hoo still acted ridiculously confident. It was honestly irritating.

Still, thankfully, Eun Soo-jung didn’t seem to dislike him for it.

If anything, she looked amused.

‘They really are alike. They’re probably enjoying seeing themselves reflected in each other.’

“I’ll ask for you, at least. But don’t expect too much. I can’t promise anything.”

“Good.”

Baek Eun-hoo rose from his seat and walked toward her.

When he held out his hand, Eun Soo-jung took it.

Then the two of them left the room together without saying a single word to Seong Ju-an.

“…What?”

Left alone in the suddenly silent room, Ju-an blinked in confusion.

Baek Eun-hoo had insisted they were “shared surveillance partners,” yet now he’d disappeared with another woman without explanation.

Ju-an considered following them, but his pride stopped him.

About five minutes later, the door opened again.

The person who entered was Mo Jun-young, dressed in a uniform nearly identical to Ju-an’s except for the color.

The dark black jacket suited his broad, powerful build absurdly well.

Every step he took made the golden medals pinned to his chest glimmer beneath the lights, and the insignia on his shoulder clearly marked him as the center director. The countless decorations decorating his uniform only emphasized his rank and status.

Seong Ju-an stared at him in surprise.

“What are you doing here…?”

“The Awakener Management Center falls under the Security Bureau. Of course, I’m not officially part of the bureau since I’m a publicly known Awakener, but I’m not exactly in a position where I can ignore their orders either.”

“Ah…”

Still, meeting a familiar face after being abandoned by Baek Eun-hoo felt strangely comforting.

Mo Jun-young’s eyes slowly swept over Ju-an from head to toe.

The tension in his jaw softened, and the corners of his eyes relaxed gently.

“The uniform suits you better than I expected.”

“You look especially handsome today too, Mr. Mo Jun-young.”

“Does it suit me? I figured you’d probably be the only one wearing a uniform tonight, so I wore mine as well.”

He’d done it out of consideration.

‘Seriously, unlike someone else, his personality is ridiculously good.’

Internally comparing Baek Eun-hoo and Mo Jun-young yet again, Ju-an asked,

“By the way, why did Baek Eun-hoo suddenly disappear?”

“He called me this morning saying he had to negotiate with Director Eun Soo-jung, but that her condition was irritating.”

“…What was it?”

“She said she’d grant Baek Eun-hoo’s request if he lent her Buffer Seong Ju-an for a day.”

“What? Am I some kind of object?”

Even though Mo Jun-young looked equally dumbfounded, the words coming out of his mouth were surprisingly calm.

“Baek Eun-hoo probably struggled with the decision. If the same thing happens in the next dungeon, all of us could be in danger, so we need the Security Bureau’s support. But at the same time, he clearly didn’t want to hand you over.”

Hearing it explained that way, it made sense.

If spending a single day helping the party’s host shine could earn them the Security Bureau’s support, it was objectively a beneficial trade.

Someone like Baek Eun-hoo, who pursued his goals by any means necessary, would’ve had trouble refusing.

“Baek Eun-hoo really has changed a lot. In the past, he would’ve accepted Eun Soo-jung’s condition without considering your safety at all.”

“So how did he negotiate?”

Mo Jun-young burst into laughter.

“He offered to personally escort her instead of lending you out. Director Eun Soo-jung accepted reluctantly. Baek Eun-hoo doesn’t normally attend social events like these, so simply having him beside her would attract enough attention.”

“…”

Ju-an genuinely didn’t know what to say.

Should he feel grateful for not being handed over to Eun Soo-jung?

“On top of that, he specifically asked me to stay near you because he thought he might not be able to properly watch over your safety tonight. At this point, it practically counts as turning over a new leaf.”

Mo Jun-young defending Baek Eun-hoo?

Today was full of shocking events.

While Ju-an was still thinking that, Mo Jun-young folded his arms and spoke.

“It’s fine to remain here, but for your safety, it would be better if more people recognized your face. Ah, and don’t worry about security. Since this is a party hosted by the head of the Security Bureau, not just anyone can enter.”

Though, considering no one had stopped them when they arrived, Ju-an had briefly wondered about that.

Then again…

Baek Eun-hoo’s face alone practically functioned as identification.

Anyway, once Mo Jun-young led him outside, Ju-an realized even more guests had arrived.

Baek Eun-hoo silently followed behind Eun Soo-jung as she moved from group to group, shaking hands with influential people.

Even someone as skilled as Baek Eun-hoo at hiding his emotions and changing expressions effortlessly seemed exhausted tonight. Fatigue lingered openly across his face.

Suppressing a laugh, Seong Ju-an whispered into Mo Jun-young’s ear.

“Baek Eun-hoo looks tired.”

“Even so, what can he do? He chose this himself.”

Just as Baek Eun-hoo was about to move elsewhere again, he glanced in their direction.

The moment he spotted Mo Jun-young beside Ju-an, his brows furrowed faintly.

But someone quickly approached him for a handshake, forcing him to turn away again.

Watching that somehow made Ju-an feel slightly guilty, but he immediately corrected himself.

‘Serves him right.’

After being dragged around by Mo Jun-young to greet various high-ranking officials, Ju-an was finally about to take a short break.

That was when a sudden fresh scent drifted over him.

Turning around, he found Baek Eun-hoo standing there.

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