* * *
When it came to computers, Johan considered himself the best.
There was nothing beyond his ability.
Even though they had been forced to shut down the Korean research institute, they had prepared thoroughly—enough to deal a major blow.
At the very least, he should have suffered.
The one he most wanted to eliminate was that arrogant bastard, Beom Sinje, the leader of the Chunho Guild.
Yet instead of licking his wounds, the man had appeared before the press, unscathed and triumphant.
Just the sight of him made Johan’s blood boil.
“I knew something was off when I ran into them in Africa. Their eyes… They must have figured it out then.”
“There’s no way. They didn’t even know who we were. At most, they might have heard our names.”
Johan trailed off mid-sentence, his mouth snapping shut.
On the internet, among the faces displayed in the news, was one he recognized.
Na Doyoung.
The secretary of Chunho’s Guild leader.
The charming man he had met in a South African hotel lounge.
“…Ha. So that’s how it was.”
Now it made sense.
Johan had shown interest in that man, had even handed him his business card.
That must have been it.
That tiny mistake had exposed him.
How, he wasn’t sure.
But he never imagined such a minor slip-up would lead to such disastrous consequences.
“We need to move. There’s no way we’re safe here. Let’s head to Málaga and take a ferry to Morocco.”
Security on ferries was less strict than at airports.
Worst case, they could cross by boat.
‘Knock, knock.’
Just as Daiken finished speaking, there was a knock at the door.
Both of them turned to look at the entrance simultaneously.
They were staying at a rental that allowed contactless check-ins—there was no reason for anyone to be visiting.
Unless it was an unwelcome guest.
The air turned ice cold.
Johan jerked his chin, signaling Daiken to check.
Moving cautiously to avoid making noise, Daiken crept toward the door, planning to use the peephole to survey the situation outside.
But he never got the chance.
Boom!
With a deafening explosion, the door was blasted apart, and hunters in combat gear stormed inside.
“Don’t move!”
“You are under arrest!”
◇◆◇◆◇
“We found them!”
Kim Jinsoo shot to his feet in excitement.
His hair was matted, his clothes unkempt—he hadn’t even bothered to change.
None of that mattered.
What mattered was that they had finally located the key figures of the Dungeon Ecology Research Institute, who had been completely off the radar until now.
“Where?”
Beom Sinje strode over immediately.
Even Doyoung, who had been discussing matters with the guild’s PR team, turned his attention to them.
“They were staying at a rental in Aranjuez, Spain.”
“Contact the local guilds right away.”
“Yes, sir!”
Kim Jinsoo’s fingers flew across the keyboard.
“They’ve already mobilized to the given location.”
As if they had been standing by, the local guild responded quickly, assuring them they were on their way.
It wasn’t long before a report came in.
“They’ve arrested Johan Resenbrink and Daiken Marker on-site.”
At the news that the most troublesome targets had finally been apprehended, the guild erupted into cheers.
After a month and ten days of chasing down the remnants of the Dungeon Ecology Research Institute, they were finally reaching the end.
Now, there was just one thing left.
Doyoung turned back to the PR team.
“So people are posting online claiming they were originally members of Antithesis?”
“Yes. There’s been an increase in posts like that.”
“It’s even become a meme now—people keep writing ‘I was actually with XX back then…’”
“A meme, huh?”
Doyoung frowned at the unfamiliar term and glanced at his phone.
Sure enough, there were countless posts with similar phrasing.
“…Sigh. People really have no sense. If anything, they should be laying low. What’s so fun about outing themselves?”
“They have nothing left to hide, so they don’t care anymore.”
A warm hand settled on his shoulder.
He was pulled back slightly, his back meeting a firm chest.
Beom Sinje had casually wrapped an arm around him, so naturally that Doyoung didn’t even realize what had happened at first.
It wasn’t until he noticed the PR team members staring in shock that he snapped out of it.
“Hey. Let go.”
“So what? We’re an official couple now, aren’t we?”
That was true.
A month ago, Beom Sinje had publicly announced that he was dating Doyoung.
The impact was enormous, instantly flooding the internet and media.
The problem was that the attention toward Antithesis, which was expected to die down, had instead intensified because of their relationship.
The interest had grown even more significant.
It had gotten to the point where a broadcasting station even reached out, asking if they would be interested in appearing on a couple’s variety show.
As if that weren’t enough, even former subordinates began to emerge, one by one, testifying about how capable and righteous their leader was—how much he had done not just for them but also for the government-affiliated hunters.
Each testimony only added fuel to the fire.
“What does that have to do with this? Get off me.”
When Doyoung nudged Beom Sinje in the stomach with his elbow, instead of backing away, Beom Sinje leaned his forehead against Doyoung’s neck, playfully acting hurt.
“You’re so mean, hyung. There’s nothing stopping us anymore, so this much should be fine, right?”
“Do this at home! Not outside!”
Doyoung shuddered at the ticklish sensation spreading over his neck and tried to push Beom Sinje away, but as always, he wasn’t someone he could win against with strength alone.
“So, it’s fine at home?”
Only then did Doyoung realize he’d walked right into Beom Sinje’s trap.
His face twisted in disbelief.
Watching the two bicker while still showing their affection, the guild’s PR team members and Kim Jinsoo exchanged looks before letting out deep sighs.
They really shouldn’t be getting used to this…
Unfortunately, their guild master had no awareness of their struggles at all.
“Guild Master, could we talk for a moment?”
It wasn’t because Doyoung felt burdened by other people’s stares.
He genuinely had something to discuss with Beom Sinje, which was why he suggested moving to another place.
But somehow, things had spiraled into this situation instead.
“Mmh… Mmm!”
Beom Sinje’s tongue slipped into his mouth, gliding over the roof before pressing against his teeth.
He lightly nibbled on Doyoung’s tongue, sucking just enough to make it tingle, drawing out a small groan from him.
One arm was wrapped around Doyoung’s neck, while the other held onto his broad shoulders.
Doyoung twisted his head, trying to catch his breath, but Beom Sinje shifted angles skillfully, deepening the kiss instead.
“Ngh… Mm!”
He couldn’t even voice a proper protest.
More than that, the wet sounds ringing in his ears only made his excitement swell.
It felt like Beom Sinje was tempting him, whispering, ‘Wouldn’t it be a waste to stop here? Don’t you want something better?’
“Mmh… Mm…”
The kiss grew deeper, more intense, more unabashed.
The purpose of this meeting was becoming increasingly blurred.
Before he knew it, a large hand had slipped under his t-shirt, brushing over his lower abdomen and navel before moving upward.
As fingers grazed his firm abs and teased the space between his ribs, they finally reached a hardened peak.
The unexpected sensation sent an uncontrollable shudder down his spine.
“Ah… Mm…”
A heated sigh escaped through his slightly parted lips.
* * *
