* * *

Stepping out of the taxi, Doyoung quickly assessed the atmosphere around him.

Like when the government’s investigation team had arrived earlier, there were various groups of people gathered, all with tense expressions.

“At least it doesn’t seem like the situation is dire.”

Somewhat relieved, Doyoung began walking, drawing curious glances from the crowd.

Once they realized he was dressed plainly, their interest faded.

It seemed something had indeed happened, but he couldn’t figure out what.

He needed to get closer to the scene.

“This area is off-limits to civilians.”

Before he could reach the dungeon entrance, a Hunter in uniform blocked his way.

He glanced at the emblem—it bore the hibiscus mark of the government agency.

“I’m from the Cheonho Guild.”

Hearing the guild’s name, the Hunter eyed Doyoung up and down.

In his casual T-shirt and slacks, Doyoung didn’t look like a Hunter or a guild member.

If anything, he looked frail, like someone who might trip over a twig.

“Do you have any ID? A guild member card, maybe?”

The government Hunter’s tone was firm.

Doyoung rolled his tongue inside his cheek.

He didn’t have such things; he’d never needed them while always accompanying Beom Sinje or Park Chanoh.

Seeing Doyoung hesitate, the Hunter gestured behind him.

“Please don’t cause trouble and leave. This isn’t a place for just anyone to wander around.”

This was new—there hadn’t been such strict restrictions earlier.

Something must have happened.

The problem was that he couldn’t just ignore the Hunter and force his way through.

“Look, it’s dangerous here. Go home.”

The Hunter seemed annoyed, waving him off as if he were dealing with a reckless bystander.

‘Well, this route is a no-go.’

Instead of pushing back, Doyoung pretended to back off while searching for another path.

But no matter where he looked, every approach to the dungeon was guarded by government Hunters and police officers.

Worse yet, news of his presence seemed to have spread, as the next officer who spotted him sighed deeply, looking at him as if he were a nuisance.

“Sir, if you keep this up, we’ll have to detain you for obstructing our work. Please leave immediately. You’re making things harder for the Hunters risking their lives out here.”

Hearing the officer’s weary tone, Doyoung felt a bit guilty.

‘Maybe I should just go back.’

It was his fault for coming here recklessly.

He should have contacted someone, even if he wanted to keep it a secret from Beom Sinje.

As he glanced around the now-dark surroundings, he took a deep breath.

He wanted to take a break, but it seemed the situation wouldn’t allow it.

“Sir, please, turn back now. Don’t do anything rash.”

A police officer called out from behind.

‘The police aren’t to blame. They’re just doing their job in a tough situation.’

When a dungeon breaks out, not only are government agency Hunters deployed, but local police are also mobilized.

‘I shouldn’t cause more trouble.’

Just as Doyoung decided to leave with a disappointed expression, he noticed a group approaching.

There were eight people in total, led by a familiar face.

‘It’s Deputy Park.’

Noticing him, Deputy Park yelled out furiously.

“How could you handle the situation so poorly? You should have contacted me immediately!”

“We’re sorry, Deputy. We received the report too late.”

A civil servant hurriedly apologized beside him.

“Is that even an excuse? There are plenty of Hunters on-site!”

“But only the guild’s Hunters were inside the dungeon…”

“So? You found out late about the mutation, and while the Chunho guys were causing a commotion, you just stood there, doing nothing?”

Hearing the conversation between the two men, Doyoung’s eyes gleamed.

‘As expected.’

It seemed Chief Park had only rushed over after hearing that the Cheonho Guild was already handling the issue on their own.

“I-I’m sorry, Chief,” stammered one of the officers.

Doyoung quietly followed behind them.

With so many people around and it being dark, blending in with the crowd would make it hard for the police to spot him.

Unfortunately, his eyes met directly with one of the officers.

‘Damn.’

Doyoung clicked his tongue inwardly when he saw the officer’s expression harden.

“Move!”

To his surprise, Chief Park unexpectedly helped him out, shouting irritably at the officer blocking the way.

“Uh, wait…!”

The officer hesitated and tried to signal at Doyoung, but another government-affiliated hunter who had come with Chief Park intervened first.

“Step aside.”

The officer looked troubled but had no choice but to let them pass.

Doyoung nodded slightly as he followed behind them.

‘My apologies.’

He managed to slip through and arrived at the dungeon entrance, where he saw several hunters gathered.

“Are all of them from Cheonho Guild?”

Chief Park also seemed to have noticed them and expressed his discontent openly.

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“Then why are they all outside? What about the dungeon?”

“I’m not really sure about that…”

Doyoung glanced at the man sweating profusely as he answered.

He seemed like a subordinate, but his responses were utterly inadequate.

‘As expected, a weak boss has weak subordinates.’

No wonder things weren’t going smoothly.

They’d handed over the matter to the guild’s raid team and failed to notice when the situation changed.

If it were Doyoung’s subordinates from Antithesis, they’d be reprimanded and reassigned to the toughest positions immediately.

Chief Park merely clicked his tongue in frustration.

“Annoying fools. Who do they think they are, ignoring us like this?”

Hearing Chief Park badmouthing the Cheonho Guild hunters, Doyoung inwardly clicked his tongue again.

He slowly distanced himself from the group, observing the Cheonho Guild members.

There was no sign of Beom Sinje.

‘Is he inside the dungeon?’

Based on the messages, he seemed to have joined in later.

Considering Beom Sinje’s personality, he likely went in himself to assess the situation properly.

Fortunately, among the Cheonho Guild members gathered, Jang Jihye was present.

“Hunter Jang Jihye.”

Doyoung approached and called out to her.

She was speaking seriously with her team members, but at the faint sound of his voice, she turned around in surprise.

“Secretary-nim? What brings you here?”

“Where’s the Guild Master?”

Instead of answering her question, Doyoung swiftly redirected the conversation to inquire about Beom Sinje’s whereabouts.

“He’s inside. Oh, did the Secretary guide you here?”

Thankfully, Jang Jihye misunderstood his presence.

Doyoung easily guessed where her gaze landed.

“Yes. This is Chief Park, a government official who arrived earlier as the exploration team’s representative.”

“Ah, I see.”

Jang Jihye nodded with a look of reluctance.

Doyoung realized that she likely knew what kind of person Chief Park was.

“Hey, you there! Where’s the Guild Master? Bring him here immediately!”

As if he sensed that they were talking about him, Chief Park arrogantly shouted in their direction.

“Ugh, it’s him again.”

It seemed like Jang Jihye wasn’t the only one who had a negative impression of Chief Park.

The guild member she was talking to sighed deeply at the sight of him.

“Hunter Lee Jihoon, go fetch the Guild Master.”

Jang Jihye gestured dismissively, as if that were enough.

Lee Jihoon sighed again before reluctantly turning around.

“Isn’t the Guild Master in a meeting? If he’s near the entrance, I can go instead,” Doyoung interjected, seizing the opportunity.

“Oh? Would you?”

Lee Jihoon seemed pleased, while Jang Jihye looked puzzled.

Her eyes seemed to ask why Doyoung was volunteering.

“Well, go ahead.”

Whatever she thought, she soon nodded in agreement.

They had already completed the first clear, and the dungeon was still undergoing mutation, so there wasn’t much immediate danger.

Since Beom Sinje was near the dungeon’s entrance, there wouldn’t be any problem running into him right away.

With her approval, Doyoung headed straight for the pitch-black entrance of the dungeon.

However, just as he was about to enter, the entrance trembled violently, and hunters began pouring out.

Doyoung halted, scanning the crowd, and soon spotted Beom Sinje at the front, his expression stiffening.

“Beom Sinje.”

Despite the soft call, Beom Sinje’s gaze immediately fixed on Doyoung.

The surprise in his widened eyes was unmistakable.

But Doyoung didn’t notice his reaction.

He was too focused on examining Beom Sinje’s appearance.

* * *