* * *
Doyoung wanted to, but the phone was buzzing in his pocket, making it impossible to ignore.
Resigned, he pulled it out, intending to silence it, but then he froze.
“Wait a moment.”
“Hyung.”
“It’s a call from Hunter Kim Jinsoo. He might’ve found something related to the Dungeon Ecology Research Institute.”
“It can wait.”
Sinje, seeing no reason to take the call right now, tried to stop him, but Doyoung pressed the answer button anyway.
“Secretary Na Doyoung speaking.”
“Secretary! I found their trail!”
At those words, Doyoung immediately straightened his posture.
Before boarding his flight home, he had sent Kim Jinsoo the names, business cards, and even photos of the Dungeon Ecology Research Institute members he had encountered in Africa.
He had taken those photos with the help of a robot that Jinsoo had sent for him.
That robot had captured everything, including the white hunter Sinje had rammed his car into and their group that appeared later.
Using that material, Doyoung had asked Jinsoo to investigate their identities, and now, the results were in.
“The name on the business card was correct: Johan Lessenbrink, a Dutch national with the same profession. However, his family died 16 years ago in a dungeon overflow—his wife, two sons, and even his twin brother.”
Apparently, Johan had been enraged and sued the government, arguing that their failure to manage the dungeon had cost his family’s lives.
Others who shared his anger gathered around him, and while they fought the government for years, they achieved little beyond empty apologies and minor compensation.
“After that, he formed a group for those who had lost loved ones to dungeons, offering mutual comfort. Over time, that group expanded across Europe.”
What began as monthly meetings eventually turned into rallies and then into protests involving many people.
“Did we have a similar group in our country?”
“Yes, we did. They started contacting Johan Lessenbrink’s organization about three years ago.”
“I see… So, where are they now?”
How such a group, formed to comfort one another, transformed into one causing global chaos was something to figure out later.
The priority now was locating them.
“They seem to have left the country entirely yesterday.”
“So they did enter Korea.”
“Yes, but it looks like they left immediately after your press conference.”
Doyoung nodded, expecting as much.
As he processed this, he suddenly noticed the light touch against his lips.
‘What are you doing?’
He asked with his eyes, but Sinje didn’t pull back. Instead, he met Doyoung’s gaze and smiled with a playful curve of his eyes.
Caught off guard by that rare smile, Doyoung stared at him in a daze.
Then, Sinje leaned in and kissed him softly.
“!”
Startled, Doyoung quickly pushed him away, but Sinje looked utterly shameless, as if he had done nothing wrong.
Then, to Doyoung’s disbelief, he leaned in again and planted a kiss on his forehead before retreating.
“I’ll send you the files tracking the institute now.”
Thankfully, Jinsoo on the other end of the call seemed unaware of what had just transpired.
‘Let go.’
Doyoung mouthed silently. Sinje, looking displeased, finally relented when Doyoung leaned in and kissed him lightly.
Only then did Sinje’s expression soften as he stepped back, leaving Doyoung with one thought.
‘He’s so cute.’
And he liked it.
◇◆◇◆◇
“That’s a real deal.”
Doyoung smiled in satisfaction after finishing his call.
He already knew Kim Jinsoo had his uses, but this exceeded all expectations.
Originally, Kim Jinsoo’s role in Doyoung’s plan was to join the guild and develop various weapons.
But even before fully integrating, he had proven to be unexpectedly helpful.
“Hunter Kim Jinsoo has compiled the information on those guys. I’ve just sent it to your email, so take a look. Also, how about involving him in this mission if possible?”
“Involving Hunter Kim Jinsoo?”
Beom Sinje raised an eyebrow.
“Yes. Not for the lab infiltration itself but to test the new equipment. Hunter Lee Jihoon’s skills are great, but using robots for interior exploration could provide real-time footage. There are plenty of other advantages, too.”
Instead of replying right away, Beom Sinje silently stared at Doyoung.
Then, out of nowhere, he chuckled softly.
Not stopping there, he even shook his head as if he couldn’t believe him.
“What? Why are you laughing?”
“You’re just…”
How had he not realized this until now?
Someone who thought and acted solely around him.
Someone who knew only him.
Even if Doyoung didn’t express his feelings outright, there was no denying the emotions he held.
“What did I…”
Doyoung’s words were cut off by overlapping lips.
Not that he minded, of course.
In fact, he felt a pang of disappointment when Beom Sinje pulled back too soon.
“Hyung?”
Perhaps his thoughts were showing. Beom Sinje’s gaze shifted briefly.
Doyoung followed it instinctively.
“Oh…”
He wasn’t sure why his hand was gripping Beom Sinje’s arm.
When he tried to pull away, it was Beom Sinje who grabbed his hand this time, interlacing their fingers firmly.
Doyoung looked up at him in quiet surrender.
“I’ll get Hunter Kim Jinsoo involved. If there’s anything else you want from me, just say it.”
“I’m coming, too.”
“And?”
Watching Beom Sinje willing to do anything for him, Doyoung felt his heart tickle once again.
He glanced down at their clasped hands before speaking.
“I also want to strengthen you.”
“Sounds good.”
Having grasped Doyoung’s feelings, Beom Sinje seemed determined not to refuse anything he offered.
“How can you agree so easily when you don’t even know what I’m planning to do?”
Taken aback, Doyoung asked, but Beom Sinje only gave him a look that said, “Why does it matter?”
“It doesn’t matter. I’m confident you’d never do anything to harm me.”
The obviousness of his answer left Doyoung speechless.
Peck.
Beom Sinje planted another quick kiss on him.
When he moved to pull away, this time Doyoung stopped him, deepening the kiss into something far more intimate.
◇◆◇◆◇
An hour later, the Chunho Guild held its first video conference with every member in attendance.
This was to ensure even those unable to join in person, such as those stationed outside, could participate.
[The team to infiltrate the dungeon ecological research lab in Gyeonggi-do will consist of 15 members.]
At Beom Sinje’s words, guild members began voicing their eagerness to join.
Even those on regional missions, unable to return immediately, were eager to participate.
[Why such a small team?]
Representing the guild members, Yeo Giwon asked the most pressing question.
[We’ve confirmed that they’ve fled abroad. We won’t need a large team. Our task is to infiltrate their base and uncover what they’ve been working on.]
Since Beom Sinje had declared their intent to attack, the research lab would have likely ceased operations and evacuated.
Moreover, Kim Jinsoo had traced and verified evidence indicating they were trying to destroy evidence in their escape.
As such, their goal was clear: to expose the truth about the group and their actions.
[What if, like the lab discovered in the African savannah, they’ve released monsters from the dungeon?]
This time, Jang Jihye posed a question. Others on the screen nodded in agreement.
[In that case, the objective is to exterminate the monsters.]
[Wouldn’t they anticipate an attack? Could they have planted bombs inside the lab?]
[It’s unlikely they’d act recklessly now that their schemes have been exposed. Still, to be cautious, we’ll deploy special-unit hunters as the advance party.]
[If they’ve fled overseas, are we giving up on capturing them?]
Another guild member expressed concern.
[As mentioned during the press conference, we’ve already coordinated with guilds worldwide. We’ll leave it to them. If they remain in the country, then it’s our responsibility.]
Seeing the guild members nod in understanding, Beom Sinje continued.
[The new guild member has done an excellent job, uncovering the key figures behind the dungeon ecological research lab. Wherever they appear, they’ll be dealt with.]
His explanation was seamless.
[To reiterate, our objectives are twofold: infiltrate their base to reveal their activities and eliminate any hidden monsters. I’ll now announce the team.]
The team included Song Jihee and Lee Jihoon, who had been stationed in Africa, along with Yeo Giwon, Jang Jihye, and three A-rank members. And…
[Hunter Kim Jinsoo and Hunter Na Doyoung will also join.]
As his name was called, Kim Jinsoo bowed his head low.
[Thank you for the opportunity, Guild Leader!]
Beom Sinje observed the emotional Kim Jinsoo briefly before shifting his gaze to Doyoung.
Their eyes met, and Beom Sinje’s sharp gaze softened, his hand instinctively reaching to caress Doyoung’s face.
The scene was broadcast to all members, causing silent shockwaves across the meeting, though no one dared react openly.
* * *
