* * *
As Doyoung was lost in thought, Beom Sinje, who had been quiet, suddenly spoke.
“Well, you two are as close as real brothers, so that makes sense.”
At first, that rumor had circulated as fact.
It started when the guild master abruptly brought Doyoung in, calling him “hyung” and showing him affection.
The fact that they lived together fueled speculation they must be related.
But Yeo Giwon denied it, and their different surnames and looks made it clear they were simply close like brothers.
“Team Leader Ye said it was Secretary Na who sent the guild master and Team Leader Yeo to the Hunter Academy.”
“He said that?”
“Yes. He mentioned that Secretary Na saved him from ending up in illegal fighting rings and rescued the guild master from wasting his youth on grueling work…”
“So it’s only natural the guild master would take care of you.”
Listening to the chatter, Doyoung made another resolution.
‘That Yeo Giwon needs to be muzzled.’
Apparently, the rumors about him being a hidden chaebol heir were also Yeo Giwon’s doing.
While Doyoung’s eyes gleamed with determination for revenge, the corners of Beom Sinje’s lips curled ever so slightly—a faint smile others might not even notice.
“Doyoung hyung is my benefactor and someone precious to me. That much is only natural.”
The sincerity in his words left a brief silence in the elevator.
“It’s clear the guild master truly values the secretary.”
The silence was broken by Jang Jihye’s cheerful remark.
“At first, I thought he was brought on as the guild’s official face because he was unvetted, but it didn’t take long to realize that wasn’t the case.”
As the elevator doors opened, Jang Jihye stepped out, throwing a parting remark over her shoulder.
“Anyway, Secretary Na, welcome back. Please make sure to keep our guild master in check from now on. After this incident, I’ve come to realize just how remarkable you are.”
Her team followed her out, leaving Doyoung and Beom Sinje alone in the elevator.
For a few brief seconds, silence reigned.
“I’m glad everyone values you so much.”
“You call that a compliment? After hearing what they think about us? And what was that—‘precious person’?”
Doyoung glared at Beom Sinje, who had spoken first.
Until now, he hadn’t fully understood why Beom Sinje said such things.
But not anymore.
He could clearly discern the emotions behind those words and couldn’t let them slide.
“It’s fine if you don’t accept my feelings, but I’d appreciate it if you didn’t deny what you mean to me.”
Before Doyoung could retort more harshly, Beom Sinje cut him off firmly.
Then, without waiting for a reply, he stepped out of the elevator as soon as the doors opened, leaving Doyoung alone, his face a mix of confusion and frustration.
Doyoung, seated next to Beom Sinje on the business class section of the plane, crossed his legs and glanced sideways.
Beom Sinje’s eyes never left the tablet screen in front of him.
He seemed so composed, it was hard to believe this was the same man who had once confessed his feelings at the guild with such fervor.
“What the hell. Am I the only one feeling self-conscious here?”
Perhaps the saying was true: the one who hits forgets, but the one who gets hit remembers.
No, this was probably the opposite situation.
Either way, it irritated him to no end that he seemed more restless than Beom Sinje.
“Doesn’t your guild have enough money to afford a private jet by now?”
Doyoung remarked, trying to disrupt Beom Sinje’s focus under the guise of casual banter.
“We rarely travel abroad,” Beom Sinje replied, finally meeting Doyoung’s gaze but maintaining an indifferent expression that betrayed no emotions.
“Fine. If he’s acting like nothing happened, I’ll just do the same,” Doyoung resolved.
He uncrossed his legs and then crossed them in the opposite direction, feigning nonchalance.
“You must’ve gotten a fair number of requests for dispatches overseas, though.”
After government regulations on guild activities had loosened, private guilds began to expand into overseas dungeons.
The appeal was obvious—international jobs often brought in more profit than domestic operations.
It had even come to light later that the notorious Antithesis had once funneled funds through similar means.
“We’ve had offers, sure. But not enough to justify buying a private jet.”
“Still, don’t you think it’s a bit inconsiderate to board a commercial flight decked out like that? Imagine how the other passengers must feel.”
Although none of them were blatantly armed to the teeth, it was obvious to anyone that the hunters occupying these seats were anything but ordinary travelers.
The other passengers had been sneaking glances at them since boarding.
“You have a point,” Beom Sinje admitted as he glanced around.
This trip included four guild members, three of whom were dressed in full combat gear—making their group stick out even more.
Doyoung, on the other hand, was simply dressed in a casual shirt, having left straight from home.
Oddly enough, Doyoung liked it that way. It made the trip feel less like work and more like a personal getaway with Beom Sinje.
“Instead of brushing it off like that, just get a private jet already.”
“I’ll think about it.”
Beom Sinje’s noncommittal response irked Doyoung, who shot him a dissatisfied look.
“He’s earned more than enough by now. Why not splurge a little?”
Doyoung even felt confident he could buy a jet for Beom Sinje himself if it came down to it.
Maintaining it wouldn’t be an issue, either.
“By the way, hyung, you mentioned testing the new ATE Pharmaceutical products on the guild members, right?”
Though Doyoung found Beom Sinje’s attempt to change the subject obvious and somewhat annoying, he decided to let it slide—for now.
“Fine. If he won’t buy one, I’ll just get it for him myself.”
Such a grand gesture was something only someone like Doyoung, who had wealth to spare, could make.
“Oh, right. I did put together a candidate list, but I haven’t finalized it yet. Once that’s done, we can set the schedule,” Doyoung replied.
The conversation reminded him of how they’d both been caught off guard during their last dungeon mission, forcing him to take a week-long break.
Most of that time had been spent in bed, recovering.
Now, watching Beom Sinje, who appeared completely unfazed, Doyoung quickly refocused his thoughts.
“Send me the finalized list while we’re in transit. I’ll have Team Leader Yeo prepare everything.”
“Did ATE Pharmaceutical reach out?”
“Yeah. They emailed asking about the list. I forwarded it to you, but I figured you might not have seen it yet since you hadn’t officially returned to work.”
“Ah…”
Doyoung, embarrassed by his apparent negligence, hurriedly tapped on his smartphone.
Before he could open his email, however, the flight attendant announced their imminent departure.
“Here, take this.”
He handed his tablet to Beom Sinje.
“Work on the list and send it to me during the flight.”
“You’re really putting me to work after doing everything you could to avoid me earlier,” Beom Sinje remarked with a faint smile, his sharp gaze softening into an amused curve.
Unfazed by Doyoung’s glare, Beom Sinje continued, “Still, I suppose you’re right. As guild leader, I can’t afford to be as careless as I used to. You taught me that well, hyung.”
“Excuse me?”
Was that supposed to be a backhanded compliment?
Doyoung stared at him in disbelief, but Beom Sinje pressed on.
“Even Team Leader Yeo mentioned it. He said I’m becoming more and more like you. Honestly, considering how much I’ve learned from you, it’s not surprising.”
“What? Like me? In what way?”
* * *
.. .