Villain wants to live as a commoner chapter 23

* * *

Kwon Sahyeok grinned.

“You’re cooperating more easily than I expected.”

“Don’t get your hopes up.”

“I will. If it goes well, I’ll reward you.”

His high expectations didn’t weigh on my shoulders… I wasn’t doing this to meet Kwon Sahyeok’s expectations anyway.

“But why do you hate the Baekmyeon Sect so much?”

I was suddenly curious. It was well-known that Kwon Sahyeok despised the Baekmyeon Sect, but the reason wasn’t widely known.

Despite his displeased look, Kwon Sahyeok answered readily.

“There was a rumor that I was a member of the Baekmyeon Sect.”

“Now that you mention it, I did hear a rumor about a high-ranking hunter being in the Baekmyeon Sect… Was that about you?”

“…”

Kwon Sahyeok clamped his mouth shut, not even wanting to respond.

The Baekmyeon Sect views the system as a divine entity and considers awakened beings as chosen ones.

Because of this, the cult has a high proportion of awakened members, making the rumor about high-ranking hunters quite believable.

And that turned out to be Kwon Sahyeok.

“I started hunting the Baekmyeon Sect to prove I wasn’t one of them… But the more I did it, the more it pissed me off, and now I’m determined to see it through.”

Kwon Sahyeok shook his head in exasperation.

“Don’t get involved with the Baekmyeon Sect.”

“Do you think I’d fall for such a scam?”

“You never know. There are a lot of F-ranks in the Baekmyeon Sect.”

“I hate the Baekmyeon Sect, so stop creeping me out.”

“Well, you never know what might happen.”

“If you keep talking nonsense, I’ll quit.”

“Sorry, I’ll shut up. Want me to kneel?”

Instead of threatening with shadows, Kwon Sahyeok joked. I glanced at him and then lowered my gaze to the faces of the four people in the files he showed me.

How did these four end up in the Baekmyeon Sect? If it wasn’t out of mere curiosity but something linked to the Black Sea Guild…

Just thinking about it unsettled me.

✧✧✧

[Lee Jooyun: Have fun with your friend. If anything happens, contact me right away. ^^]

Lee Jooyun, who knew about my previous kidnapping, worried whenever he had the chance. I reassured him and shoved my phone back into my pocket.

I finally managed to get out of the building, swept along by the noisy crowd on their way home.

“Heewon!”

Choi Dokyom called me, standing away from the bustling crowd. I approached him and bowed apologetically.

“Sorry. I’m late, right?”

I had planned to come down at six, but I was given work at five-thirty, making me late.

Thinking about it again made me want to kill someone.

Fortunately, Choi Dokyom smiled without any sign of displeasure.

“No worries. I’ve reserved a restaurant. My treat.”

“Thanks.”

I didn’t refuse his offer. After all, I’m just an ordinary F-rank company employee, and Choi Dokyom, a B-rank combat hunter, earns much more than I do.

The restaurant he reserved was a nice Italian place, almost like we were on a date.

As we sat down, I observed Choi Dokyom.

He had a natural air of confidence, unlike when he was trembling in fear after being kidnapped by the Baekmyeon Sect.

“You look good today. You seemed like you might die if touched back then.”

Choi Dokyom’s face turned red instantly at my comment.

“Don’t talk about it…”

“Embarrassed?”

Choi Dokyom couldn’t respond and covered his red face with his hand. Yeah, it must have been embarrassing.

“I’m just glad you seem okay now, Heewon.”

“Are you changing the subject?”

“…Let’s order.”

Choi Dokyom hurriedly handed me the menu, as if trying to shut me up with it. I chuckled and opened the menu.

Instead of teasing him further, I chose my meal. Choi Dokyom looked relieved.

His reaction made me want to tease him more, but I had too much to say, so I restrained myself.

The food took a while to arrive, likely due to the dinner rush. While waiting, we chatted about how we’d been lately.

Choi Dokyom was part of the Zero Guild’s strategy team. The Zero Guild was quite renowned, and it seemed he was well-regarded there.

“That’s impressive.”

“Not really.”

He smiled bashfully, but he looked proud.

“I knew you were close with Baek Gunho, but I didn’t know you were close with Kwon Sahyeok too.”

“I don’t even know where to start correcting you. I’m not close with Kwon Sahyeok. And Baek Gunho… I am close with him, but how did you know?”

“It’s famous among hunters. That Baek Gunho has a close… friend?”

His speech was awkward and hesitant, raising my suspicion.

“What rumors are going around?”

“Well… rumors tend to be exaggerated…”

So, exaggerated rumors about me and Baek Gunho were spreading.

Given Kwon Sahyeok’s earlier talk about boyfriends, I could guess the content.

It’s really ridiculous.

To avoid unnecessary mental strain, I decided not to ask further.

As we continued talking, our conversation drifted to the past, and I cautiously asked Choi Dokyom.

“Do you know how the others are doing?”

“The others… you mean those from the same lab as us?”

“Yeah.”

Choi Dokyom downed a glass of non-alcoholic drink, looking serious, and asked me.

“Are you curious?”

“A little bit. Seeing you makes me happy, and I’m curious about how everyone is doing…”

“That’s interesting. I never thought about it that way. You’re an exception because you helped me, but I don’t want to see anyone else. It just brings back bad memories.”

Considering Choi Dokyum’s negative memories about the lab, it made sense.

As for me… I was carefree enough to spend those days following a researcher around.

On the other hand, Choi Dokyum, like many others, avoided the researcher and was scared of the experiments.

“Honestly, I wouldn’t recommend meeting them. Besides being from the same lab, we don’t know each other well.”

Choi Dokyum gave a serious warning. It felt like more than just a simple caution.

“Did something happen?”

“No, not really…”

Choi Dokyum sighed deeply before looking at me and speaking.

“To be honest, you’re the problem, not me.”

“Me? Why?”

“I recently got in touch with the others. I went to the first meeting, and the atmosphere was off. They kept badmouthing the Administration Bureau. It felt like they gathered just to criticize the Bureau. You wouldn’t like it either. We all know you were adopted by them…”

“Oh.”

I hadn’t considered that.

Choi Dokyum continued apologetically.

“Isn’t it weird? The Bureau saved us, so I don’t understand why they act that way. It doesn’t make sense, so don’t worry about it.”

Even if he told me not to worry…

I became even more curious. It smelled like a conspiracy.

As Choi Dokyum said, the Bureau saved us.

But the fact that they seemed to collectively hate the Bureau was very suspicious.

“It’s okay, just introduce me.”

“Did you really hear me? Nothing good will come of meeting them. They won’t welcome you.”

“Yes, that’s why I want to meet them. We might understand each other if we talk.”

Of course, I didn’t actually believe we’d understand each other, but I needed to meet them anyway. Choi Dokyum looked at me with a stunned expression.

“Are you serious?”

“Yes. If they don’t want to meet, then fine. Just ask them if I can join.”

“…Alright, I’ll ask.”

Choi Dokyum reluctantly agreed, probably thinking they would refuse. I gestured towards his phone.

“Ask them now.”

“Now?”

“Yes, now.”

Choi Dokyum sent a message reluctantly, and I watched him with a relaxed expression.

If it was just a group hating the Bureau, they would likely refuse me. They probably wouldn’t want to see me because of my uncle.

But if the group was related to those who kidnapped Choi Dokyum and me, they wouldn’t miss this opportunity. They would definitely accept.

After exchanging a few messages, Choi Dokyum’s expression became increasingly grim.

“What did they say?”

“They asked if you’re free on Sunday…”

“Of course I am.”

“They want to meet that day.”

“Got it.”

Choi Dokyum looked at me like I was an immature younger sibling.

“Come with me.”

“With you? That’s a bit…”

Considering the possibility of involvement with the Baekmyeon Church or the Black Sea Guild, I didn’t want to drag Choi Dokyum into this. But when I showed hesitation, Choi Dokyum shook his head firmly.

“Then forget it.”

“Alright, let’s go together.”

I reluctantly accepted his proposal. Choi Dokyum sighed deeply.

“I feel like this is a mistake…”

“It’ll be fine. Nothing will happen.”

“Alright, I’ll protect you.”

I wanted to protect you… Instead of saying this, I smiled at Choi Dokyum.

We chatted for a while, changing the subject. Just as I was about to leave, a notification came through on my phone. It was a message from Baek Gunho.

Baek Gunho: Where are you?

Here we go again.

“Just a moment.”

“Sure.”

I excused myself and replied to the message. Baek Gunho, acting like a jealous lover, was asking who I was with and telling me to come back quickly.

“I have to go now.”

Choi Dokyum checked the time.

“Oh, it’s already that late. I’ll walk you home.”

“No, someone’s coming to get me.”

“Is it Baek Gunho?”

I responded with an awkward smile instead of an answer.

Baek Gunho’s possessiveness was well-known.