* * *

But Doyoung couldn’t say that outright, so he asked a different question instead.

“Then we can consider it an expanded version of Haengbok-ri Village, correct?”

“Exactly! It’s like an upgraded version, so the Guild Leader really needs to be here.”

Looks like that’s the case.

From the start, it was planned for Beom Sinje to come to this site.

However, due to an unexpected signing of an MOU with ATE Pharmaceuticals and a party that tied him up, he couldn’t make it.

This was also an event that diverged significantly from the original storyline, leading to this situation.

‘I should probably review things when I get back.’

He needed to examine the original timeline again, figure out what changes his actions had caused, and assess their scope of influence.

But for now, he had to focus on the task at hand.

“What’s the current progress on clearing the dungeon?”

At that, Song Jihee checked her smartwatch.

“About 65% completed. Estimated time to full clearance is one hour.”

“Not exactly a relaxed situation. Understood. I’ll contact the Guild Leader now.”

“Yes, please do.”

Before Song Jihee re-entered the dungeon, Doyoung called out to her.

“Hunter Song Jihee.”

“Yes?”

“Take this with you.”

He handed her a bag containing the medication he had prepared beforehand. Just like she had done with Joo Taekwon earlier, she cast him a suspicious look, not moving immediately.

A cautious stance. A good one.

“It’s medicine from Dr. Joo. He mentioned it helps Hunters use their abilities more stably.”

“Oh, that one?”

Her expression shifted instantly at the simple explanation.

“You even prepared something like this for me… Secretary, please stay by the Guild Leader’s side forever. We’ve been through so much…”

Song Jihee, about to say more in gratitude, was interrupted by an urgent voice from her earpiece. Snapping back to her senses, she straightened up.

“Ah, I’ll get going now! Please take care of contacting the Guild Leader!”

She quickly dashed into the dungeon. Watching her retreating figure, Doyoung chuckled softly. Her lively demeanor reminded him of Hunter Jang Jihye.

“She’s on the same team, wasn’t she?”

Jang Jihye wasn’t part of this assault team, but Song Jihee was on her team.

It seemed like the guild had grouped people with similar personalities together.

An amusing thought.

Doyoung turned his gaze to the ongoing argument between the government officials and the nonprofit representatives.

The tension was escalating, and it seemed like it might soon devolve into a scuffle.

He watched the scene idly as he dialed Beom Sinje’s number.

• Yes, Hyung. Where are you?

Hearing the slightly echoing voice, Doyoung instinctively turned his head.

As expected, he saw Beom Sinje approaching slowly from a distance.

Their eyes met almost immediately.

• Found you.

Beom Sinje ended the call, lowering his arm as the smartphone fell silent.

Doyoung also let his arm drop casually, having no reason to hold his phone any longer.

“Hyung…”

Just as Beom Sinje was about to approach him—

“Guild Leader, excuse me for a moment.”

One of the government officials who had been arguing with the intruders stepped in front of him.

Though not as rude as Section Chief Park, the man wasn’t exactly polite either.

His demeanor clearly reflected his belief that Hunters were beneath him.

Beom Sinje cast a brief, indifferent glance in his direction, then shifted his focus back to Doyoung.

“Guild Leader Beom!”

Realizing Beom Sinje intended to ignore him, the official blocked his path again.

Doyoung had intended to let it slide, but this was becoming tiresome.

“Guild Leader.”

He walked toward them, deliberately drawing attention.

The official shot him a look as if to say, ‘Who do you think you are?’

“Reporting in. The dungeon is currently 70% cleared, and as expected, the likelihood of transformation is high.”

At those words, the official’s expression shifted dramatically.

“Transformation? If that’s the case, shouldn’t you have informed us earlier?”

“I’m informing you now. They say the pattern matches that of the Haengbok-ri Dungeon.

What should we do?”

“What’s the estimated grade?”

Before Doyoung could respond, Beom Sinje spoke first.

“It’s S-class.”

Hearing the words S-class, the official’s face changed once again.

Watching him out of the corner of his eye, Doyoung nodded.

“That seems likely.”

“S-class? Are you seriously talking about an S-class appearing in an urban area like this? Do you realize the implications of what you’re saying?”

The official, who had been rigid earlier, was now visibly flustered.

‘If it were Section Chief Park, he’d be screaming about accountability by now.’

In some ways, that might have been easier to deal with.

“For now, please remove those people. Our guild will handle the dungeon situation.”

Doyoung gestured toward the command post with his chin.

The official scowled as if recalling their existence.

“Understood. I’ll report the transformation possibility to my superiors immediately, so please stand by.”

With that, the official ran off toward the command post.

Watching him retreat, Doyoung’s face hardened.

It seemed the intruders had recognized Beom Sinje and were now trying to approach them.

It might be best to get Beom Sinje out of here for a while.

“Guild Leader, can I speak with you for a moment?”

Without asking where they were going or what it was about, Beom Sinje followed Doyoung without question.

“You’re not going to ask?”

“You must have something to say.”

The slight change in his tone from earlier, when he’d been so cold and formal, made Doyoung smirk.

The cold, aloof Guild Leader others knew and the Beom Sinje he was familiar with were so different.

‘This is what familiarity feels like.’

Though it wasn’t quite the same, it was similar enough. Thinking that casually, he spoke again.

“Yeah, I do. Let’s head to the guild.”

At that, Beom Sinje stopped in his tracks.

“The guild?”

His expression asked why they were going there, and Doyoung hesitated, clicking his tongue.

He realized he hadn’t thought through how to explain this.

Earlier, he’d only thought about returning Beom Sinje’s sword to him.

He hadn’t prepared an answer for when he’d be asked why.

“Yeah. I have something to give you.”

“Alright.”

He’d expected Beom Sinje to ask what it was, but instead, the man simply nodded, surprising Doyoung with his lack of curiosity.

“Let’s go.”

Naturally, Doyoung didn’t ask why he wasn’t being questioned.

He didn’t have an answer prepared anyway.

The headquarters was only about a twenty-minute drive from the dungeon site.

Most of the lights in the building were off due to the party being held that evening, and Doyoung led Beom Sinje without hesitation to the floor where the armory was located.

“Have you been here before?”

Standing in front of the securely locked door, Doyoung asked.

“Yes.”

“You have?”

Surprised by the unexpected answer, Doyoung looked back at him, only to find Beom Sinje gazing at him calmly, as if asking, ‘Why is that strange?’

“Did you dispose of anything inside?”

This time, Beom Sinje tilted his head slightly.

It was then that Doyoung realized Beom Sinje had little interest in the armory.

“Come to think of it, you’ve never been materialistic.”

“Is that related to why we’re here today?”

“You didn’t even take a proper look inside?”

“I did take a look.”

* * *