* * *
Beom Sinje’s skill was already a known factor.
But watching him single-handedly take down a boss monster was awe-inspiring.
At last, his blade pierced deep into Charybdis’s core.
Crack.
A sound like splitting earth echoed as cracks began to form on the creature’s massive body.
“Just a little more!”
With their combined efforts, the once-immovable boss monster began to fracture under their relentless assault.
Crack. Crackle.
Each strike of the blade deepened the cracks, the sound echoing like shattering stone.
“Beom Sinje!”
For the first time, Doyoung raised his voice.
Taking it as a signal, Beom Sinje drove his blade into a critical spot with unparalleled force.
Shatter!
The colossal form of Charybdis split apart, revealing its vulnerable core.
“Fall back!”
Doyoung commanded sharply, and Beom Sinje obeyed without hesitation.
As he retreated, his sword ignited, flames licking along its edge.
“That’s always so incredible to watch…”
Jihoon, back in observer mode, let out a sigh of admiration.
Doyoung silently agreed.
It really suits him.
It’s definitely different seeing it in real life compared to just reading about it in text.
And the fact that the one wielding that sword is Beom Sinje makes it even more remarkable.
“That’s impressive. That’s quite a weapon you’ve got there. I’ve known Guild Master Chunho’s skills were extraordinary, but that sword doesn’t seem ordinary either.”
As the GA Vice Guild Master exclaimed in admiration, Doyoung couldn’t help but wear a proud expression, as if he had been personally complimented.
“…Oh!”
Beom Sinje leapt again.
However, he didn’t fully close the distance to Charybdis. He didn’t need to.
Like tree branches extending outward, flames pierced through the fissures in Charybdis’ cracked hide.
It was reminiscent of lava breaking through a mound of earth.
As the peculiar sight unfolded—a scene none of them had witnessed before—most of the onlookers couldn’t hide their stunned expressions.
That’s when a thought struck Doyoung’s mind.
“Gravity! Envelop Charybdis with it!”
Doyoung’s thunderous shout jolted the gravity-type hunter, who was still dazed, into confusion.
“If it explodes, debris will scatter everywhere. Hurry!”
At his follow-up yell, the hunter finally grasped the situation.
As the gravity-type hunter’s ability manifested, Doyoung’s gaze shifted to Song Jihee.
“Hunter Song Jihee, summon the Guild Master over here.”
Meeting Doyoung’s intense, crimson-colored eyes, Song Jihee flinched but quickly nodded.
The space around Beom Sinje distorted slightly, and in an instant, he was transported to the group.
At that very moment, a deafening explosion erupted.
BOOM! BOOM!
POW! POW!
The explosion was reminiscent of a volcanic eruption.
Dark crimson liquid splattered in all directions, and boiling water shot upward.
“Hey! Water manipulators! What are you doing? Move it!”
The GA Vice Guild Master shouted as smoke and black ash rapidly filled the interior of the building.
At his command, two hunters steadied themselves and activated their powers.
The smoke dispersed like mist, and the ash was washed away by the water.
“Not bad teamwork for something put together on the fly,” Beom Sinje remarked.
Having taken down Charybdis and returned to Doyoung’s side using Song Jihee’s ability, Beom Sinje kept his eyes forward as he spoke.
“The GA Vice Guild Master’s judgment was excellent. Using both water and gravity manipulators… They must have analyzed Charybdis in the research lab in the short time they had.”
“That’s true…”
Beom Sinje’s gaze landed on Doyoung.
Their eyes met, and Beom Sinje’s expression softened slightly.
“It’s thanks to the crucial information you provided, Hyung.”
“It wasn’t much.”
“Even so, this outcome was only possible because you took the lead.”
The faint curve of Beom Sinje’s lips hinted at his not-so-bad mood.
Though he grumbled, knowing that someone had acknowledged his efforts felt genuinely satisfying.
Doyoung allowed a faint smile to cross his face as well.
“Hey, you two! Save the chatting for later! What do we do now?”
The brief lightheartedness was shattered by Song Jihee’s cry.
Beom Sinje furrowed his brow, clearly displeased, and turned his head.
Charybdis’ massive body, which had been erupting from within, was finally beginning to collapse.
“Hunter Song Jihee, Hunter Lee Jihoon, check for anything we might have missed nearby.”
“Yes, Guild Master!”
“Understood!”
At the Guild Master’s orders, the two hunters sprang into action.
“Hunter Park Chanoh, come with me to examine Charybdis’ condition.”
“Understood.”
After assigning tasks to Park Chanoh, Beom Sinje turned back to Doyoung.
“And you, Hyung…”
“I’ll rest for a bit.”
“Fine.”
Though Beom Sinje had intended to give instructions first, Doyoung’s calm response caused his stern gaze to soften.
“That was incredible. If it had been left to explode, the lab wouldn’t have just collapsed; the surrounding area would’ve been affected too.”
The GA Vice Guild Master finally spoke, seemingly satisfied that the situation had been resolved.
“How did you know? That it would react that way?”
His curious gaze fixed on Doyoung.
“Just a hunch.”
“A hunch? Ha, ha, ha…”
The GA Vice Guild Master burst out laughing at Doyoung’s curt response.
“You’ve got great instincts. You’re a telekinetic, aren’t you? The way you supported Guild Master Beom Sinje earlier, and how you precisely placed stepping stones as he moved—it’s clearly not your first rodeo.”
“It’s not like we just met yesterday.”
Doyoung’s tone remained casual, but it only seemed to pique the Vice Guild Master’s interest further.
“I heard Guild Master Chunho has a very capable secretary. I suppose that’s you?”
The recognition finally caused a subtle change in Doyoung’s otherwise indifferent expression.
“Interesting. Last I checked, there weren’t any telekinetics of your caliber left in Korea.”
The Vice Guild Master’s gaze roved over Doyoung with unconcealed curiosity.
“What exactly are you implying?”
Beom Sinje stepped in front of Doyoung, locking eyes with the GA Vice Guild Master.
“Nothing at all. I’m just amazed to see such a talented hunter go unnoticed.”
“Secretary Na joined recently and has only been assisting the Guild Master due to health reasons.”
Park Chanoh interjected, aiming to de-escalate the situation before it turned into a clash between Guild Masters.
“Besides, he won’t be participating in fieldwork in the future.”
Park Chanoh’s glance at Beom Sinje confirmed his statement, and the latter gave a brief nod.
Watching the exchange, Doyoung clicked his tongue internally.
It was surprising, even for him, to see Park Chanoh stepping up like this.
“All I see is that your guild holds him in high regard. I was just curious, so I hope I didn’t offend anyone.”
The GA Vice Guild Master offered a sincere apology, stepping back to avoid any unnecessary conflict.
“Move aside now.”
With the situation settled, Doyoung lightly tapped Beom Sinje’s back.
“Are you alright?”
“Yeah, just a little numb and drained, but nothing serious.”
Though he claimed to be fine, Beom Sinje’s eyes carefully scanned Doyoung, who calmly endured the scrutiny, knowing it would ease his companion’s concern.
“By the way, is it really dead now?”
“Hold on.”
As the topic shifted, Beom Sinje followed Doyoung’s lead, turning his attention back to Charybdis.
The tank’s floor was strewn with its remains, resembling a mix of hardened lava and melted asphalt.
“I’ll confirm.”
As Park Chanoh moved to investigate, Beom Sinje followed closely, with the GA Vice Guild Master and his team trailing behind.
Finally left alone, Doyoung let his body collapse to the floor with a thud.
“Ugh… I’m exhausted.”
He had played it cool for Beom Sinje, but his trembling legs betrayed him.
If Beom Sinje had taken any longer, Doyoung might’ve collapsed into his arms again, just like last time.
“Are you hurt, Secretary?”
* * *
