* * *

“Excuse me.”

“Yes, go ahead.”

Not long after they began walking side by side, the rookie hunter spoke up again.

“Is it hard to get into the Chunho Guild?”

“If you’ve completed the mandatory education at a training academy, it’s possible.”

Unlike in the past, when graduating from a training academy meant automatic placement with the government, hunters now had the option of joining private guilds directly—a hard-won result of negotiations between private guilds and the government.

“Really?”

“As long as you don’t have a criminal record.”

If a hunter excelled in school and had no significant infractions, they could at least apply.

But Doyoung wondered if the rookie understood the unspoken message: success depended on ability.

“Wow…”

The rookie seemed to pick up on the nuance, his expression shifting to one of resigned acceptance.

“What’s your skill?”

“I work mostly with machines. These days, I focus on robot explorations.”

Hearing that he was part of a specialized category, Doyoung glanced over at the rookie.

Interpreting his gaze as curiosity, the rookie quickly volunteered more information.

“Oh, and I’m a B-rank. I’ve only been at this for three months, though.”

“Really? For someone so new, getting dispatched right away means you’re talented.”

Doyoung’s compliment made the rookie’s ears turn red.

“Thank you. I get scolded by my senior all the time, though…”

When the rookie laughed awkwardly, he looked even younger.

Once again, Doyoung found himself reminded of Beom Sinje and Yeo Giwon’s younger days.

In a softer tone, he asked, “What’s your name?”

“Kim Jinsoo.”

The moment he heard the name, Doyoung’s eyes glinted with recognition.

‘So this is Kim Jinsoo, the genius craftsman who later gives Beom Sinje that legendary weapon? He’s here, of all places.’

Pleased by the unexpected discovery, Doyoung began scheming how to recruit him.

[Hyung.]

Suddenly, a low, firm voice came through his smartwatch.

“Whoa! You scared me.”

Before Doyoung could respond, Jinsoo jumped in surprise and looked around frantically, clearly startled.

[Hyung, who’s with you?]

Beom Sinje’s quiet inquiry came next.

“Ah, just Hunter Kim Jinsoo.”

[Kim Jinsoo? Who’s that? Why are they with you?]

“Oh, not a guild member. He’s with the government.”

Doyoung figured Beom Sinje was confused since even a guild master couldn’t know every single hunter by name.

[Why is a government hunter with you? Did something happen? Stay put.]

Beom Sinje’s tone grew sharper and faster.

“You’re not seriously thinking of coming here, are you? I was just talking for a bit. Why would a guild master leave mid-combat?”

[I’m just on support duty right now. I can step away briefly. What were you talking about? Is anyone else there?]

“No, it’s just Kim Jinsoo.”

[…Just the two of you?]

‘Why does he keep phrasing it like that?’

It sounded as if Doyoung were doing something shady with Jinsoo.

“Oh, come on. I didn’t do anything. I couldn’t even if I wanted to.”

[What are you saying… Hyung, do you really think I’d doubt you?]

“What?”

Doyoung was caught off guard.

[Do you think I trust you so little?]

‘Then why all the questions?’

Doyoung’s mind raced as he tried to reconcile Beom Sinje’s behavior.

“Fine, forget it. Why’d you call me, anyway?”

Trying to change the subject, Doyoung turned to glance at Jinsoo, who was looking increasingly nervous.

“Ch-Chunho Guild Master…!”

Kim Jinsoo’s face was frozen in shock.

He had clamped his mouth with his hand, muffling his reaction, but the tremor in his breath was still audible.

It seemed he had finally realized whose voice was coming from the smartwatch.

‘Hyung? What’s going on?’

Just when Doyoung thought he had successfully shifted the topic of conversation…

The person responsible for this interruption left him sighing in frustration, though he couldn’t bring himself to voice it.

“You must be surprised by how casually we talk. So just spill it—why did you call?”

‘Are you sure you’re not close?’

“I’m not. How many times do I have to say it?”

Clearly, they weren’t going to let this go easily.

‘But seriously, why does this guy keep asking such questions in this way?’

It wasn’t as if they were doubting his actions.

Still, the repeated inquiries were starting to make Doyoung wonder if he should be questioning something himself.

‘Just get back already.’

“I was literally on my way back when you called,” Doyoung retorted, irritation clear in his voice as he abruptly ended the call with Beom Sinje, who had already told him to leave earlier but now decided to pester him again.

“Wow… You’re close with the Chunho Guild Master? That’s so cool,” a voice filled with admiration came from nearby.

‘Oh, right. He’s still here.’

Doyoung clicked his tongue, realizing he had completely forgotten about Kim Jinsoo while talking with Beom Sinje.

“Well, you could say that. I am the Guild Master’s secretary.”

“Secretary? Oh! Right, you did mention that!”

Kim Jinsoo nodded enthusiastically as if he had only just pieced it together.

He seemed about to ask more questions but was cut off.

“Shall we get going? As you heard, the Guild Master is adamant about me returning quickly.”

“Okay…”

Quickly wrapping up the conversation, Doyoung gave Kim Jinsoo a pat on the arm before picking up the pace.

The two made their way to the car.

“Try it and let me know how it works for you later. Here’s my contact info. Feel free to ask me about anything related to the guild or joining it.”

“Can I really?”

“Of course.”

A promising hunter showing interest in Chunho Guild was an opportunity too good to miss.

As much as Doyoung wanted to call the guild right then and there to recruit him, he knew it wasn’t the right time.

‘I’ll meet with him separately later and bring him in.’

After ensuring the Chunho Guild’s interests were well-tended, Doyoung sent Kim Jinsoo off first and leaned against the car for a moment.

“Ugh, my body feels a little stiff.”

Still, it wasn’t as bad as before, when his stamina would plummet.

The medicine’s effects seemed solid enough.

Stretching his arms and legs, Doyoung contacted the guild next.

“Yes, this is the secretary.”

‘The combat footage is being streamed live, right? Can you send it to me?’

“Oh, you’re going to view it from the situation room? Understood. I’ll send it over right away.”

The guild, assuming Doyoung had already cleared this with the Guild Master, quickly provided a link to the footage.

Boom!

The moment the video started, the screen was filled with explosions and brilliant flames.

“Wow… What an explosive opening scene.”

Impressed, Doyoung let out a small whistle as he watched dozens of monster corpses strewn across the ground, charred so thoroughly it was hard to discern their original forms.

“They’re well-done. As expected, Levatein’s ability is all about the flames.”

Completely engrossed in the footage, Doyoung failed to notice a group silently approaching him.

Suddenly—

“Urk!”

A powerful force yanked him, causing his smartphone to fall, and he staggered.

Thick arms wrapped around his neck, and cold metal pressed against his waist in an instant.

‘A gun?’

It didn’t take long for Doyoung to recognize the weapon prodding his side.

Likely, it was a specialized device for Espers.

Even without his combat gear, it wasn’t hard for those monitoring him to figure out who he was and what he’d been discussing.

“Don’t make a sound.” (English)

Hearing the voice, Doyoung narrowed his eyes.

‘English?’

* * *