* * *
A curse escaped his lips. In this state, even deploying the robots seemed futile.
[I didn’t expect to see you swearing too.]
The calm, crisp voice came from behind him.
Doyoung whirled around.
Standing there, incongruously dressed in an ivory suit that didn’t suit the chaos of the scene, was Sara.
Behind her were Park Bora, Lee Namsoo, and several other hunters in combat gear.
When Park Bora’s eyes met Doyoung’s, she waved a hand cheerfully.
Beside her, Lee Namsoo gave a polite nod.
“What are you doing here?”
Doyoung, too shaken to notice Sarah had spoken in English, asked without thinking.
Sarah tilted her head as if she didn’t understand, glancing at Park Bora for a translation.
Park Bora, ever playful, translated Doyoung’s words, and Sara, now understanding, replied,
[I stopped by the guild and heard everyone was heading here, so I decided to join. Hmm… It doesn’t look good.]
It seemed she was maintaining the persona of an outsider, the CEO of ATE Pharmaceuticals, given the public setting.
Not just Sara, but the others with her were all mixed-race, making them appear as one group to onlookers.
Only Song Jihee, who had encountered Park Bora and Lee Namsoo in Africa, wore a confused expression, wondering what was happening.
Doyoung silently watched, waiting to see what they intended to do.
If they had appeared suddenly, there had to be a reason.
[It looks like you need help. May I assist?]
Sara’s request came out of nowhere, and Doyoung turned to Lee Namsoo.
He understood immediately what Sara’s offer meant.
“The building is still unstable. Is it possible?”
Lee Namsoo nodded without hesitation.
For Doyoung, that was enough.
But Sarah wasn’t done.
[And this.]
She held out a vial filled with liquid.
Her smile was enigmatic when Doyoung looked at her questioningly.
[It’s a new formula we just finished testing. It’s more effective than the previous one. Your lover specifically requested it.]
At the mention of “lover,” Doyoung’s brows furrowed.
When had Beom Sinje and Sarah grown close enough for such a request?
He hadn’t noticed any recent exchanges between them.
[This might sound strange…]
“Then don’t say it.”
Doyoung’s curt response made Sarah chuckle, but she went on regardless.
[You’ve changed since meeting him.]
Doyoung’s brows furrowed even more, a sight Sarah found amusing as she waved her hand dismissively.
“Take the potion and go already.”
“So arrogant.”
Despite his cold tone, Doyoung accepted the potion and drank it.
Whether it was his imagination or not, the heaviness in his body gradually began to lift.
Satisfied with the sight, Sarah spoke again.
“Now that our relationship has changed, it doesn’t matter anymore, right?”
“So that’s how you’re going to play it?”
“Did you know something?”
What now?
What more did she have to say?
As Sarah looked at him with a faint smile, Doyoung’s expression turned skeptical.
Strangely enough, despite the less-than-ideal situation, a smile kept tugging at Sarah’s lips.
Perhaps it was the relief she felt seeing the former leader so different from the past.
“You look better now. Compared to before. It must be because you have a lover by your side. Make sure you don’t lose them.”
What a ridiculous thing to say. Doyoung scoffed and glanced at Lee Namsoo.
Then his eyes shifted to Kim Jinsoo, who stood awkwardly, still trying to grasp the situation.
“Namsoo will use his clairvoyance to scan the lab interior. Hunter Kim Jinsoo, move the robot in the direction he indicates.”
“Ah! So you’re a clairvoyant hunter. Understood!”
Relieved to have a guide, Kim Jinsoo’s face visibly relaxed.
Having someone to lead made the task much easier than blindly sending a robot into the ruins.
“But how long can his ability last?”
The issue was how long the skill could be maintained.
“I can sustain it for up to 28 hours.”
“Twenty-eight hours?”
Is that even possible?
Kim Jinsoo blinked, unable to believe it.
However, Lee Namsoo’s expression remained indifferent, as if it were no big deal.
“Our employee has excellent stamina. Don’t worry.”
Park Bora, who had been watching the two, chimed in with a mischievous grin.
“Employee?”
Curious about their relationship, Kim Jinsoo alternated his gaze between Park Bora and Lee Namsoo.
But his curiosity would have to wait.
“Hurry up.”
There was no time to waste without knowing the lab’s current state.
Prompted by Doyoung’s urging, Kim Jinsoo snapped out of it and moved the robot.
As the small machine approached the lab, Lee Namsoo’s eyes sharpened.
“Let’s begin.”
The moment he spoke, Lee Namsoo’s vision expanded.
Kim Jinsoo immediately guided the robot inside the building.
Watching the two hunters explore the lab, Doyoung steadied himself and gave orders to the guild members around him.
“First, get all the civilians out of here. Journalists too—make sure they can’t get close; it’s dangerous.”
“Understood.”
After instructing Song Jihee, Doyoung contacted the guild directly.
- Yes, Secretary.
It was Park Chanoh who answered the call.
“The lab has collapsed, trapping the guild leader and several members inside.”
- Understood. We’re preparing to dispatch immediately.
Clearly already aware of the situation from surveillance footage, Park Chanoh responded promptly.
“Send clairvoyants and telekinesis hunters.”
- Will do. Is there anything else to handle?
As Park Chanoh asked, Doyoung glanced at the gathering crowd of onlookers, their eyes filled with worry, curiosity, and intrigue.
“Delay all inquiries. Say we’re assessing the situation and will release a statement later. Post updates on the website as well.”
- Understood. But Secretary, there was something strange in the footage.
“Strange?”
- Yes. Just before the building exploded, it looked like something dark covered the interior. There was also a noticeable ripple, as if someone had used an ability.
“So, it wasn’t a bomb?”
If that were true, it meant the culprits were likely hiding nearby and observing the situation.
Doyoung’s eyes gleamed sharply.
“I’ll investigate. Hurry.”
- Yes, sir!
After ending the call, Doyoung approached the crowd gathered near the site.
Civilians, ignoring warnings, desperately tried to record the scene.
“We’ve already told you this is unsafe! Leave now!”
Song Jihee shouted in frustration, but the crowd didn’t budge.
“Let them do what they want. If they’re ready to risk their lives.”
Doyoung’s blunt remark immediately provoked a reaction.
“What kind of nonsense is that? Hunters are supposed to prioritize civilian safety!”
“That’s right! How could you be so irresponsible, even in an emergency?”
“How do you think the public will react when they find out the Chunho Guild is this reckless?”
Brandishing cameras and smartphones, they acted as if Doyoung were forcing them into danger.
Song Jihee frowned, while Sarah scanned the crowd before turning her head.
Hunters in combat gear suddenly surrounded the civilians.
“What is this?”
Startled by the abrupt display of force, the onlookers protested.
“It’s for your safety. In case the lab explodes or hidden monsters appear,” Park Bora said nonchalantly.
The warning was effective.
Many of the reporters and civilians had seen the Charybdis raid footage, vividly remembering how formidable the boss monster had been.
If there were similar threats here, they didn’t want to take chances.
Doyoung smirked as he observed the uneasy crowd surrounded by hunters. His gaze shifted to Sara.
“What is this?”
His tone was formal, considering the onlookers, but his displeasure was evident.
Sarah, however, remained unbothered.
“Didn’t I tell you? They’re here for safety.”
“Hah.”
Doyoung prided himself on recognizing his team members.
The hunters surrounding the civilians were not unfamiliar.
They were Sarah’s former subordinates.
* * *
