Chapter 79: The Price of Docility

‘Why did those words sound like a threat to blind me rather than him?’ A timid researcher, pale with a chilling fury, recoiled instantly.

“And it seems you’re misunderstanding something,” Sagyeol continued. “The rights to these demonic beasts belong solely to Credit. They are merely entrusted to you until their safety is confirmed. If you were planning anything untoward during this time, I suggest you clean up your act right now.”

‘Unless you want to see me make a scene.’

Though unspoken, the implication of his words resonated clearly in the ears of the Association officials. The highest-ranking executive director present offered a strained smile.

“We’ll ensure they are sent to the Credit Guild as quickly as possible.”

‘So, would you kindly get lost first?’

“I’m glad we could reach an understanding. We’ll be taking our leave then.”

Sagyeol gave a slight nod. The two S-ranked individuals, who had been cowering like guilty criminals throughout, swiftly exited the Association building.

“Let’s go, too.”

For a moment, everyone who heard him doubted their ears. It was a voice so tender, it was hard to believe it had come from the mouth of that beast of a man.

‘Is he sick?’

‘Did he take something?’

The Credit Guild Master he knew was not the type to act this way. Yet, Sagyeol’s expression, soft as a spring breeze, was undeniably genuine.

The jaws of the Association officials and researchers dropped.

Sagyeol. Who exactly was this man? While the media portrayed him as an unparalleled paragon, anyone with even a foot in the field knew the truth: he was a truly vicious bastard.

Of course, Sagyeol was the primary contributor to Grisha’s rise. There was no denying he was a hero of the city. However, they had all learned through him that being a hero didn’t necessarily mean being a decent human being.

The image they held of Sagyeol was, in fact, closer to that of a demon. So, for such a man to suddenly be scattering flowers everywhere? It was hardly strange for them to doubt their eyes and ears.

‘What exactly am I seeing right now?’

‘Is that actually a demonic beast wearing Sagyeol’s skin?’

The Returnee hesitated, then approached and stood beside him. Sagyeol’s expression softened into a languid warmth. It was fundamentally different from the sharp, languid air he usually wore when tormenting those he disliked. This feeling was akin to the sweet, fluffy softness of cotton candy.

Everyone who witnessed this impossibility was utterly dumbfounded.

“Then, if you’ll excuse us.”

Regardless of their reactions, Sagyeol placed a hand on the Returnee’s waist and glided away, moving with the leisurely grace of a sated snake.

‘I’d heard he was protective of the Returnee.’

‘But did it actually mean this?!’

Grrrrowl!

Grrr!

It was the ominous growls of the demonic beasts that snapped them back to reality. Suddenly realizing something, the officials urgently called out to the departing ‘snake’.

“W-wait a moment!”

“What is it now?”

Sagyeol asked with irritation, a palpable aura of a gangster threatening to overturn the entire Association if further provoked. The executive director broke out in a cold sweat before speaking.

“The, the Returnee… are they truly leaving?”

“Did you think I was joking?”

His expression alone conveyed the message: ‘How dare you covet my Returnee?’

The executive director’s tightly clenched fists trembled.

“But, you said only the Returnee could control them?!”

“That’s right.”

“Then what about them?”

The executive director pointed to Rephtha, who was scratching the floor with a paw as if ready to rampage. No, not ‘as if’; it was already rampaging. A researcher, bitten by the scruff of the neck, flew through the air.

‘Huuuugh!’

Other researchers scrambled frantically, trying to get the screaming man down.

Yeowon hesitated, then added.

“They’re just playing—”

Sagyeol cut him off.

“That’s none of my concern. You handle it yourselves. Once their stability is confirmed, please return them to Credit without a single hair harmed. They are valuable guild assets, after all.”

There was no way approval for stability would be granted to creatures currently biting and swinging people around like toys. Yet, they couldn’t simply kill all the demonic beasts that Credit had secured, creatures that could arguably be considered somewhat tamed.

The Association, more than anyone, understood their true value.

‘Surely not.’

‘Did he plan that entire parade across the city, aiming for this exact outcome?’

A sudden chill ran down his spine. If that were the case, then this confrontation here was a meaningless waste of time. He sighed, as if conceding defeat, and spoke.

“Take them now.”

“S-sir!”

“Unless you intend to calm those demonic beasts yourselves, stay quiet.”

“…”

The executive director surveyed those who had instantly fallen silent, then turned to Sagyeol.

“In return, I trust that Credit will take responsibility for any damages caused by these demonic beasts.”

“Agreed.”

Sagyeol nodded readily, then took the Returnee’s hand. ‘Is this truly alright?’ The Returnee, uncertain of their actions, glanced at the Association officials before slowly beginning to walk with Sagyeol. The demonic beasts naturally followed behind them.

More precisely, one creature took the lead, and the rest surged after it.

‘Now that I see it, there was a leader among them.’

Seeing it immediately dash to the Returnee and wag its tail, he finally understood how the system worked. The Returnee only controlled the leader, and the leader, in turn, controlled the rest.

“S-sir. Are you really going to let them go like this?”

Just when the Hunters had quieted down, an anxious researcher rushed over and clung to him. The executive director ignored them. Undeterred, a few of the more daring, gloomy researchers lingered around Rephtha’s departing rear.

Grrr!

Naturally, predators dislike being approached from behind. Demonic beasts from the Demon Realm were unlikely to be any different in this regard. Annoyed, a beast on the periphery bared its fangs and growled.

“Th-that…!”

The moment the startled executive director reflexively took a step, the leader demon beast darted back like a bolt of lightning and swatted the creature’s head with its front paw.

Whack!

Whimper!

‘Whimper?!’

The demonic beast, having made a whimper like a puppy, lowered its head cautiously. Conversely, the leader held its head high, continuously snorting.

Grrr.

“Reph.”

The Returnee, walking ahead, turned back and spoke. It was clearly a command directed at the leader. The executive director watched as a human-like expression formed on the horse-like head.

‘You got lucky. Huh? Mess with me again, and you’re dead.’

The creature trotted back to its original position. Then, as if seeking praise, it nudged its head against the Returnee. The man, with an air like an ink wash painting, reached out a hand, as if resigned. However, a large hand suddenly shot out from the side, touching the beast’s crown before his own.

It was Sagyeol.

“Oh, you horse-bastard. Good work.”

“Grrrrowl!”

The leader demon beast glared, its eyes like hatchets, and attempted to bite the hand.

“Reph. Stop.”

The Returnee, who had spoken to the creature with stern eyes, turned their head to look at Sagyeol.

“Sagyeol, you stop too.”

“Wait. I think I just got treated on the same level as that horse-bastard.”

“Impossible.”

“Why are you avoiding my gaze?”

“Let’s go back now. Staying here like this is an imposition.”

“Yeowon. Hey, Yeowon?”

The Returnee turned away, acting as if they hadn’t heard a thing. The executive director wore a bewitched expression.

“That Sagyeol… no, the demonic beasts… no, are all Returnees like that?”

The Returnee from Hestia wasn’t like that, though. He paused, having reached that thought.

Ah.

A major incident, momentarily forgotten amidst the storm raging before his eyes, suddenly resurfaced. The executive director covered his face with both hands. ‘What wretched misfortune is this, at an age nearing fifty?’

“S-sir. Are you crying?”

There was no reply.

“Sir?”

“I wish to be alone, so everyone, please leave.”

“…Yes.”

We were led to the Association’s basement, to the area where the demonic beast by-product storage was located.

Although it was a spacious and clean area, it must have originally been a warehouse or a multi-purpose space used by researchers.

Consequently, the corridor boasted high ceilings and was as wide as an average room. It was perfectly suited for Rephtha to move alongside them. After walking in silence for a while, Sagyeol murmured.

“They’re docile.”

I tilted my head to the side.

‘Docile? What is? Reph?’

“I thought you’d pull your hand away if I held it in front of everyone.”

“Ah.”

I squirmed belatedly, but Sagyeol tightened his grip even further. I could have pulled away with a decisive show of strength, yet I chose not to.

‘I didn’t want to.’

“You’re not pulling away.”

“Because it would hurt your feelings.”

Sagyeol, who had been walking smoothly, suddenly halted. His expression as he turned back was reminiscent of how he looked when he’d promised me cake.

‘What had he said back then? Something utterly absurd, I recall.’

“I’m going crazy. Seriously.”

His grip on my hand tightened considerably.

“How can a person be like that?”

‘Like what?’

“If you’re going to act several times more adorable just because you’ve acknowledged your feelings. Huh? What am I supposed to do? Huh?”

Had I truly made the right choice? For the first time, my certainty in my decision wavered. I looked at Sagyeol with eyes that had gone utterly cold. They were the very eyes Dongjun had pleaded with me not to use. Unlike Dongjun, Sagyeol didn’t flinch.

He spoke seriously.

“Why are you looking at me so sexily?”

‘Is he insane?’

“I can’t just swallow you and carry you around in my stomach.”

He truly seemed insane. I sighed and took a step back, only for him to immediately close the gap, pressing himself closer.

“When we get home, be prepared.”

He circled me like a beast stalking its prey, growling low.

“Tonight, we’re going all the way. If you try to pull the ‘it’s just business’ card after provoking me like this, I swear I won’t let it go.”

I wasn’t so naive as to misunderstand those words. My belatedly acknowledged feelings trembled uncontrollably. This tremor spread to my outwardly impassive demeanor. My steps faltered, and my naturally swinging arms moved with an uneven, jerky rhythm.

Sagyeol clicked his tongue, then swiftly reached out an arm to steady me.

“Pretending to be tired won’t work.”

When I didn’t respond, his pace slowed. The growling faded, replaced by an edgy impatience.

“Are you really tired?”

Hesitating, I nodded. Sagyeol immediately bared his teeth.

“Bae Gil-su. I shouldn’t have killed that bastard so easily.”

His voice, filled with fury, was somehow deeper and lower than usual. Yet, practically speaking, nothing had changed. If anything had shifted, it was me.

‘It must be me.’

My insides constricted as if pressed in a vice.

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