* * *
The Gaius Jung pursuit team’s lineup was… extravagant.
Go Junyoung, head of the Dongbaek team, who practically knew all of Tanbaek’s secrets; Alchemist Seong Anis, who’d be Earth’s representative if there were ever an alchemy competition against aliens; Healer Cho Wookwon, who’d represent Earth in a healing contest against extraterrestrials.
Not just Tanbaek guild members, but also Choi Jihyung, recently promoted from team leader to deputy director in the National Security Bureau, and Rusty Wolf from the Hunter Association—always ranking second in popularity polls (first was Kang Yigeon).
The emphasis on confidentiality was so extreme that even during tests, Seohwa had been alone.
He didn’t learn who his teammates were until he arrived at Tanbaek Guild’s HQ, on the 103rd floor, the day of the meeting.
‘What an even spread they’ve gathered…’
From the perspective of a former guild leader, the roster was truly impressive—combat, psychic abilities, alchemy, healing, tracking, stealth, and reclusive veterans, all handpicked.
“Didn’t expect Wolf-hyung to be here too. Give me your number! Yours changed, right?”
“Of course. But didn’t yours change before mine?”
Cho Wookwon and Wolf exchanged numbers like old friends.
“Deputy Director, didn’t you tell your family you were on a birthday trip for your daughter? Why are you here?”
“Didn’t you say you were studying for a license exam, Anis? Why are you here?”
Choi Jihyung and Anis exchanged wary glances—it was clear they didn’t get along.
It seemed they, too, had only learned about the team composition upon arrival.
“Two more need to arrive. We still have time, so wait a bit longer.”
Go Junyoung, the team leader who probably knew the full lineup, spoke calmly.
Anis tilted her head curiously.
“Kang Yigeon, the Vice Guild Leader, is obviously coming. Who’s the other one?”
“A combat type.”
“With this lineup, it’s gotta be someone we know… Why not just tell us? We’ll know soon anyway.”
“If you’ll know soon, what’s the rush? Just wait five minutes, Anis.”
Anis clicked her tongue, grumbling as she turned toward the window.
Seohwa quickly ducked away.
He was eavesdropping on the conference room from the hallway, concealing his presence.
Not a single staff member was wandering the hall—likely because the mission was so classified, access had been restricted.
‘Do I go in… or not…?’
The lineup was more glamorous than expected.
And… more familiar than expected.
It might’ve been coincidence, but excluding Go Junyoung, everyone else had been part of the original 50 members of the Epsilon Expedition.
In other words, people who knew Seohwa better than anyone.
“Why aren’t you going in?”
‘Shit.’
The hairs on Seohwa’s body stood on end.
He clutched his left ear, nearly jumping in shock.
Somehow, without a sound, Kang Yigeon had appeared behind him, standing close enough to whisper.
“Jesus, when did you get here? You could’ve just called out, why whisper in my ear?”
“Why are you so startled?”
“How could I not be startled? Ah, my ear feels weird now. Getting hit with that deep, cold voice first thing in the morning messed up the whole left side of my body.”
“……”
“Want to whisper in my right ear too? Balance it out—feels off when only one side’s stimulated.”
Rubbing his left ear dramatically, Seohwa spoke with mock indignation.
Kang Yigeon smirked, pulling up one corner of his mouth.
“Such a strong reaction. Is your ear an erogenous zone?”
…What? Seohwa’s face twisted in disbelief.
Kang Yigeon wasn’t the type to make sexual jokes.
At that moment, beep, the door opened.
“Oh, you two are here. Come in.”
Go Junyoung’s perfectly-timed interruption was both a blessing and a curse.
As the two entered the conference room, all eyes turned toward them.
At the sight of Kang Yigeon, the Hunters exchanged predictable, knowing glances.
But when they saw Lee Yuje… surprise flickered in their eyes.
Cho Wookwon shot to his feet.
“Huh? Poison Mushroom? That’s you, right?”
Seohwa beamed as he rushed over.
“Hunter Cho Wookwon! Wow, meeting you again here of all places. I owe you my life—if it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t be standing here.”
Grabbing his hand with both of his, Seohwa smiled brightly.
Cho Wookwon looked bewildered but pleased.
“Ah… So Poison Mushroom-hyung is the mage helping us out. Nice to see you, hyung.”
“I’m equally glad. I wanted to send you a gift basket of dried fish as thanks, but couldn’t track you down. I was about to eat another batch of Poison Mushrooms just to find you.”
“No need, hyung. If you’d gotten poisoned, Biyul would’ve been in a tight spot too. It was just good timing.”
“Such kind words to ease my burden… Hunter Cho Wookwon truly has an angel’s touch.”
Cho Wookwon’s nickname, ‘Angel Cho Wookwon,’ came from both his skills—Angel’s Eyes, Angel’s Trumpet—and his fluffy, sky-blue, curly hair, resembling a cherub.
“Oh wow, Poison Mushroom. Didn’t expect to see you here.”
Anis chimed in, curious.
Cho Wookwon introduced Lee Yuje to everyone—a mercenary who once eradicated an entire cluster of Poison Mushrooms by himself.
“Be more careful. You know how to tell poisonous mushrooms from edible ones now, right?”
Anis offered a friendly greeting.
“…Poor guy. So ugly.”
Wolf, however, immediately picked a fight.
“But it’s nice to meet the hottest Hunter these days. Come on my channel sometime—I’ll pay you a generous appearance fee.”
Despite his friendly tone, the underlying message was clear—he only wanted Seohwa for clout.
“Even if you’re a mage, what’s a C-rank doing here?”
Choi Jihyung crossed his arms, openly sizing Seohwa up with disapproval.
At thirty-six, already Deputy Director of National Security, Choi Jihyung held significant power.
If he rejected a team member, that person could be kicked out.
Seohwa debated whether to flatter him with smiles or brace for rejection—until Kang Yigeon dropped a bomb.
“Did no one notice?”
“Notice what?”
“Hunter Lee Yuje’s been lurking outside the conference room for at least five minutes.”
“…What?”
The realization that none of them sensed the presence of a mere C-rank Hunter for five whole minutes sent a visible ripple through the group.
“Poison Mushroom-hyung, were you… hiding your power?”
“I’ve heard of ‘power hidden giant’ but what’s ‘power hidden plain’?”
“Plain face hiding power.”
“…I am plain, but I wasn’t hiding anything. It’s just… this space feels weird.”
“This space?”
Seohwa couldn’t explain in detail, so he just vaguely said it was “a feeling.” Luckily, Go Junyoung helped explain.
“We’re on the 103rd floor. This is where Tanbaek’s top security team operates. From the steel reinforcements to the concrete walls, everything here is made from dungeon byproducts. Unless you’re really paying attention, it’s almost impossible to sense anything beyond the walls.”
His tone was blunt, his expression sour.
“So, Mush Hyung, you couldn’t sense us outside either?”
“No. I could clearly see you through the window, but I couldn’t feel your presence at all. I was so curious about it that I ended up being five minutes late.”
Cho Wookwon and Anis suddenly jumped up and ran outside.
Like kids discovering a new toy, they kept going in and out, marveling at the space.
“Whoa, this is insane.”
“Wow, if you work here, your privacy is basically guaranteed.”
“Should we install this at home too?”
“Hyung, how much would it cost to build a whole room like this?”
They were only twenty-two, twenty-three years old, yet they still acted like little kids.
‘Hey! Be careful!’
‘Holy crap, that was close. If you weren’t my noona, I would’ve fallen into that trap just now!’
‘Your head nearly got chopped clean off.’
‘Hah! My head!’
‘God, that’s hilarious. Should’ve just let you fall into the trap.’
‘Ah, shit, my head…’
‘Stop it. I can’t—this is killing me.’
Three years ago, they were just nineteen, twenty.
At that age, even watching leaves tumble on the ground could send them into fits of laughter.
To adults listening in, it was baffling—what on earth was so funny?
But they’d giggle uncontrollably at everything.
Once they got going, they’d laugh nonstop for nearly thirty minutes, which had led to some awkward situations.
‘Did we really have to drag kids like this into all that bloodshed?’
Katie had cried out in grief, clutching the bodies of Cho Wookwon and Anis, their heads severed.
But now, they were alive, laughing and messing around like nothing had happened.
So those weren’t words she’d spoken in this timeline.
Which loop had that been again?
His memories were tangled and overlapping.
“Anyway, since everyone’s here, let’s start the briefing. Please take a seat.”
Seohwa deliberately sat at the farthest spot from Go Junyoung.
He logged in to the prepared tablet with his assigned ID and number.
A sharp, tingling sensation pricked at his temple.
Go Junyoung was staring daggers at him.
‘Junyoung hyung’s security’s as tight as ever.’
From the beginning, Go Junyoung had never liked Lee Yuje.
It was obvious during the interview, too.
After confirming a few necessary spells, he made it clear he wasn’t thrilled but was forced to hire him because the Vice Guild Leader had personally recommended him.
If the timeline’s rejection of him had been as strong as before, he wouldn’t even be sitting here.
They’d have attacked him on sight.
But now, even with rejection in place, the intensity had weakened so much that the worst Go Junyoung could do was glare at him—an almost cute level of hostility compared to before.
* * *
