Villain wants to live as a commoner chapter 42

* * *

I wanted to go home and rest as soon as possible.

But because of a prior engagement, I couldn’t rest and was now sitting across from someone I didn’t want to see.

“Why does such a pretty face look so withered?”

“Cut the crap…”

I was sick of Kwon Sahyeok’s annoying jokes.

Sacrificing my precious evening time and having to listen to his nonsense was excruciating.

“Did Baek Gunho hit you?”

“Why are you bringing up Baek Gunho here? And he doesn’t use violence.”

When I snapped back, Kwon Sahyeok, sitting across the table, smirked annoyingly.

“Then why?”

“Just… things have been rough at work.”

Lately, Moon Haeyoon had been troubling me, but the reason I was feeling like wilted spinach now was also because of work.

“What happened?”

“Well…”

Today, there was a major commotion at work.

My company makes and sells items. We don’t manufacture items for Hunters.

Instead, we create small items for the general public, made from dungeon materials.

Our main product line consists of potions crafted by an alchemist.

Although the alchemist only produces some of the core ingredients, we use those to mass-produce the potions in a factory.

Anyway, our business is to package and sell mass-produced potions as if they’re something special.

The problem that surfaced last night involved a fatigue recovery potion.

Someone posted online claiming that they experienced symptoms of magic power addiction after consuming our fatigue recovery potion.

They claimed that the symptoms occurred even though they took the recommended dose.

Magic power addiction has been a hot topic lately.

After Shin Chaeyoung’s death, which was caused by magic power addiction, the issue gained significant attention.

Several cases of magic power addiction became known to the public, and the increased awareness led to widespread concern.

Naturally, public opinion exploded. The person who initially posted the claim probably didn’t anticipate this level of backlash.

In the end, the issue was resolved. It turned out that the incident was fabricated.

The photos supposedly showing symptoms of magic power addiction were found to be stolen, and this was revealed just a few hours ago, clearing up the misunderstanding.

“Ah, so that was your company?”

Kwon Sahyeok unexpectedly reacted after hearing my story.

“You knew about it?”

“Yeah.”

“Sigh…”

So the story had grown big enough to reach even his ears. I let out a deep sigh. Even though the rumor had been corrected, the damage was done, and it was impossible to avoid the fallout.

“We’re not going to go out of business, are we?”

“If you do, why not join our guild? We’ll treat you well.”

I glared at Kwon Sahyeok for his irritating comment. He met my gaze with a grin.

At that moment, a waiter knocked on the door, bringing in the food we’d been waiting for.

With no more interruptions to our conversation, it was time to get to the point.

“So, what exactly do you need my help with?”

“I’m not sure if you can help, but…”

“What is it?”

“Lately, Baekmyeon Sect has been recruiting the children of high-ranking officials from the Inyang Department.”

“Don’t tell me you’re implying that I’m one of those high-ranking officials?”

“Why not? You are.”

I couldn’t easily agree or disagree with his words.

The man is the team leader of Combat Team 1 at the Hunter Management Bureau, under the Inyang Department.

The Hunter Management Bureau is a core institution of the Inyang Department. But being just a team leader there is both a high and low position.

However, it’s hard to see him as just any team leader.

He’s a symbolic figure in the Hunter Management Bureau, to the point where some people equate Seo Hoon with the bureau itself, as he’s been a key figure since its inception.

“If they approach you, I’d like you to pretend to go along with them and find out what they’re up to.”

“That wouldn’t be too difficult, but… will Baekmyeon Sect even bother approaching me again?”

After all, dealing with me cost them one of their branches, along with several other incidents, including the capture of Shin Chaeyoung. It’s hard to imagine they’d risk coming after me again.

“That’s why I’m not sure if you can help.”

“Well… I’ll keep it in mind.”

Though whether I can help is uncertain, the information itself was useful.

I’ve resolved to deal with the Black Sea Guild somehow, but as a powerless ordinary person, it’s hard to even track their movements.

The best chance I have is to take down Baekmyeon Sect, which has ties to the Black Sea Guild.

And the best way to take down Baekmyeon Sect is to team up with Kwon Sahyeok, who detests them.

“Anything else you need help with?”

“You’re enthusiastic. Ah, is this about Seo Hoon getting hurt?”

“Yeah.”

“How dutiful.”

His teasing tone made me flush with embarrassment.

If I were truly dutiful, I wouldn’t have let him get hurt in the first place. The thought left me feeling a bit bitter.

“Stop talking nonsense and eat your food.”

“Are you embarrassed?”

“It’s not that.”

I avoided Kwon Sahyeok’s smirking gaze and picked up some food. Just then, my phone started to ring.

The person calling, unsurprisingly, was Baek Gunho.

“Is your boyfriend throwing a fit again because you’re meeting me?”

“I told you, he’s not my boyfriend. And he doesn’t know I’m meeting you.”

Though I was no longer being followed by security on my way to and from work, he was more persistently asking about my whereabouts.

I had just sent a vague message saying I had plans without mentioning where I was, so it was probably driving him crazy.

I ignored the call, knowing it would just lead to nagging, and instead pondered what to text back.

“Just tell him you’re meeting with me. He might feel a bit more at ease knowing you’re with an S-rank.”

“He might hate that even more…”

“You two are definitely dating, right?”

I ignored Kwon Sahyeok’s question, finding it not even worth answering. He chuckled as if he found the whole situation amusing.

Eating with a friend. Talk later.

I sent a short message since there wasn’t much to say, and the call ended abruptly.

As I continued eating, a message from Choi Dokyum came in.

[Choi Dokyum: Something up?
Baek Gunho called, asking if you were with me. He seemed pretty pissed.]

[Me: Sorry, just ignore him.]

Normally, he’s not one to lose his temper easily, so I don’t understand why he always blows up when it comes to me.

Eventually, I excused myself to Kwon Sahyeok and sent another message to Baek Gunho.

[Me: Having dinner with Kwon Sahyeok.
Don’t worry, I’ll head back on my own.
I won’t be home late.]

The message was read immediately. I worried he might call Kwon Sahyeok this time, but thankfully, both our phones stayed quiet.

“Baek Gunho’s got a serious case of jealousy,” Kwon Sahyeok commented as he watched me, spouting nonsense.

I shot him a glare, but he shrugged as if he hadn’t said anything wrong.

“It’s not just Baek Gunho, you know.”

“What about me?”

I could tolerate insults directed at Baek Gunho, but not at me.

As I shot back, Kwon Sahyeok clicked his tongue.

“Stop indulging him. You’re just making Baek Gunho’s behavior worse.”

“I haven’t indulged him at all.”

“This is exactly what indulging looks like.”

“I ignore what needs ignoring.”

“If you followed all of Baek Gunho’s orders, that would make you his slave. It’s already too much. What kind of friend polices where you go?”

“It’s just… I get into bad situations a lot.”

“And that’s exactly why indulging him is making things worse.”

Maybe he’s right.

Baek Gunho controls me harshly under the pretext of worrying about me.

Not that his concern is entirely unwarranted—it has actually helped me out in the past.

And by now, I’ve grown used to it, accepting it without much thought…

‘But this isn’t a situation that can be solved just by staying quietly under protection.’

Unspoken frustrations started bubbling to the surface.

If someone’s specifically targeting me, staying quiet might be the best way to help.

But the Black Sea Guild led by Lee Jaehee is something even Baek Gunho hasn’t been able to root out in over ten years.

Can this be resolved with the same old methods?

‘Of course, there’s no guarantee that helping out would solve everything either…’

As my thoughts wandered, I suddenly realized I still held resentment towards Baek Gunho for not truly listening to me.

Couldn’t he at least pretend to trust me, even if just for show? Thinking back on it, he really is a cold-hearted bastard.

I should have said everything I wanted to back then. Why did I hold back, thinking it was cute?

It would be perfect if you could combine Baek Gunho and Kwon Sahyeok and split them down the middle. I sighed deeply.

“Just enjoy Kwon Sahyeok as he is, without mixing or splitting him.”

Nonsense met with more nonsense. I scoffed and resumed my meal.

“Shall we get going if you’ve finished eating? I’ll walk you home,” Kwon Sahyeok suggested after the meal.

After a moment of hesitation, I nodded.

When I arrived home, the lights were on.

My uncle and Baek Gunho were sitting together on the living room sofa.

“I’m back.”

“Did you have a good time?”

My uncle greeted me warmly, but Baek Gunho’s gaze was far more menacing.

What are you going to do with those eyes?

I sneered at him.

* * *

*Summary page is only available for login users. Non-users can view the chapters on the chapter list.*