"Yoon Seo, you really don't seem interested in this at all."
When Yoon Seo asked, Park Soo-bin chuckled softly and explained in a low voice.
"He's a C-rank mercenary known as the Hwa Shim Hunter."
"C-rank?"
"Yes, and that's why he's so famous. A C-rank who managed to take down B-rank flood monsters. The video went viral worldwide, so he's probably the second most famous person among the hunters here. Well, except for the Seokyeong Hunters."
"Yoon Seo, you don't know Hwa Shim? There have been so many articles about him. It's almost too much to be this disinterested."
"Yoon Seo is probably the most indifferent and carefree person among the two hundred people here."
"Look at him now. Even while listening to us, his eyes scream 'I don't care'."
Others who were listening to their conversation burst into laughter. Yoon Seo wasn't as indifferent as they made him out to be. In fact, he was contemplating using his skill [Encyclopedia of People] on Hwa Shim, who, by the aura he exuded, was definitely not just a C-rank.
"But Hunter Hwa Shim seems pretty indifferent too. He never makes eye contact."
"They say he hardly talks. He might be a level above you, Yoon Seo."
"Yoon Seo, don't lose. Fighting!"
"Our guild's pride in indifference, fighting!"
"That's enough."
When Yoon Seo scolded his guild members, they chuckled briefly before starting a new conversation.
Yoon Seo decided not to use his skills on Hwa Shim. Being indifferent to others meant he wanted others to be indifferent to him. As he looked away, he noticed a redhead. It was Hong Eui Yoon, frowning as if annoyed by the attention Hwa Shim was getting.
"....."
Feeling the gaze, Hong Eui Yoon glared back. Yoon Seo turned his head without even acknowledging him.
The Seokyeong Guild had brought along high-ranking officials, including the Guild Leader Yoo Joon Chul himself. Although Yoo Joon Chul's name wasn't on the attendence list for the government-hosted Great Dungeon clearance ceremony, and the Vice Guild Leader Do Deungsu was busy with a dungeon raid, everyone had expected the Guild Leader to show up.
A pale-faced man stood on the podium and began his speech. Given the timing, only 20% of the speech was about the merger, while 80% focused on the Great Dungeon. The speech had started with a moment of silence.
Yoon Seo listened half-heartedly, glancing at the Seokyeong table. A middle-aged man with a mustache was staring straight ahead, determined not to make eye contact. If someone was watching him, it was best not to get involved, so Yoon Seo lost interest in that direction.
"The Great Dungeon was a truly horrific disaster. Many senior guild members from our Seokyeong Guild ventured into it but never returned. We have never forgotten them. In the ten years since, no portal of the same rank as the Great Dungeon has appeared, but if it does, our Seokyeong Guild will once again be at the forefront."
The Seokyeong Guild Leader was indeed speaking ominously.
Yoon Seo tried to distract himself from the speech by thinking about what he would do at home. Should be bake cookies again today? He could do squats while waiting for them in the oven. Maybe he should put on a drama rerun on TV. In the last episode, the male lead was caught wearing a wig by the female lead's aunt's son's tutor. The plot was unpredictable. Could the tutor also be wearing a wig? Just as he was lost in these thoughts, the speech ended. Next, each Guild Leader was called up to the podium to receive Seokyeong's official guild member certificate and name-tag.
The ceremony proceeded smoothly and ended right on schedule. After the meal, a well-dressed host smiled and announced, "Unfortunately for the reporters, it's now time for the Hunters to enjoy their night. New members of Seokyeong, we'll be handing out portal stones, so please prepare to move to Gyeonghoeru."
"Wow, portal stones."
"Are they really giving each person a portal stone?"
Exclamations of surprise echoed around the room. Portal stones, made from dungeon by-products, allowed teleportation to designated locations and were quite expensive. Considering the distance from Gangnam to Gyeonghoeru, it would be a C-rank item, costing around five million won each.
"Seriously, is Seokyeong showing off their world number one status? It's annoying."
"Well, we're part of Seokyeong Guild now."
"Oh, right. Does this mean we can commute using portal stones now?"
"Dream on, idiot. Even the Seokyeong Guild Leader wouldn't waste two portal stones a day."
Ki Sang-hyuk, who was no longer a Guild Leader, crushed the guild members' hopeful dreams. He praised the Seokyeong Guild Leader as a meticulous and rational person, causing Park Soo-bin to chuckle beside Yoon Seo. When Yoon Seo looked over, Park Soo-bin gave an awkward smile.
"The Seokyeong Guild Leader... doesn't seem that meticulous to me."
"Do you know him?"
"Not really, it's just a feeling."
Yoon Seo was convinced that Park Soo-bin knew the Seokyeong Guild Leader, but there was no time to probe further.
"Alright, everyone, change your clothes and don't be late."
The former Guild Leader instructed the guild members as they retrieved their belongings at the hall exit.
"Yes!"
"See you at the banquet hall."
Everyone except Yoon Seo scattered to change their clothes. Yoon Seo, who hadn't brought a change of clothes, felt flustered. He remembered the notice posted in the group chat a week ago about preparing according to the dress code. Of course, Yoon Seo had barely glanced at it.
It's not like we're going to a ballroom. A suit should be fine...
He recalled Go Hee-won's dreamy voice saying, "This is my first Hunter banquet. I'm so moved that my first banquet is at Gyeonghoeru, hosted by Seokyeong. I should dress appropriately, right?"
Yoon Seo felt a moment of anxiety but tried to shake it off.
***
Anxiety always becomes reality. This time was no different.
"Yoon Seo, why are you standing so far away? Are you embarrassed because you're the only one in plain clothes?"
"Are you jealous of us? But this is really delicious. Come and try it, Oppa."
Park Young-beom and Go Hee-won, each holding a plate full of rice cake, waved at Yoon Seo, who was standing at a distance. Yoon Seo pretended not to know those crazy people dressed in traditional hanbok and took a step back. Couldn't they feel the stares from others? Or were they just that carefree?
Yes, the Nakyup Guild members had prepared hanbok. The reason was that the banquet hall was Gyeongbokgung Gyeonghoeru. Even the sly Park Soo-bin was wearing a modernized hanbok, laughing with his hands behind his back. Of course, everyone else except the Nakyup Guild members was dressed in suits and dresses. Yoon Seo was also in a suit. After all, this was a merger celebration banquet, not a masquerade ball.
"Guild Leader, can you move your hat? It keeps poking me."
"Try moving your wig. And don't call me Guild Leader anymore, Hee-won."
"Then what should I call you? Ki Sang-hyuk Oppa?"
"That makes me want to puke. Let's discuss this later. Don't call me anything until we decide. Where's Yoon Seo?"
"He was over there just a moment ago."
"I wanted to ask him to hold my hat. Damn it."
Hiding behind a tree, Yoon Seo held his breath even more. He overheard two men, who seemed to be from another guild, talking nearby.
"Those people are hilarious. Was it the Nakyup Guild?"
"Yeah, a guild with twelve members and two B-rank Hunters. I didn't even know they existed, but they're definitely making their presence known."
"I want to get to know them. They seem fun. I should've worn a hanbok too."
"Lee Jung In, you're a funny guy."
The man called Lee Jung In, of average height, smiled broadly as if he had received a compliment. Dimples appeared on both his cheeks. Unusually, his eyes were pink. Seeing such an un-Korean eye color, Yoon Seo wondered if he was using a passive skill, but it seemed his irises were naturally that color.
"But Kwon Ji Han couldn't make it after all. I really wanted to see him, but of all times, the flood bell had to ring."
"Now that we're in the same guild, we'll meet him eventually."
"They say Kwon Ji Han is practically the strongest in the world. I want to enter a dungeon with him."
"If you're going in to a dungeon with Kwon Ji Han, it would be S-rank. Are you okay with that?"
"If you're an Awakened, you have to risk your life in an S-rank at least once."
"Lee Jung In, you're really something."
The two men laughed and walked away.
Yoon Seo also knew about Kwon Ji Han. He had been ranked number one for several years in the unofficial Hunter rankings, an S-rank Awakened. People often debated who was stronger between Seo Chaeyoon, the strongest in defence, and Kwon Ji Han, the strongest in offence.
"Yoon Seo, where are you? We're going to eat all of this."
The masquerade participants persistently searched for Yoon Seo. He quickly left Gyeonghoeru. It was the most thrilling moment he had experienced recently.
The beautifully decorated surroundings, the calm water reflecting the moonlight, and the grand yet elegant palace were all stunning, but Yoon Seo had no mind to enjoy them.
At least it was fortunate that the merger had just been completed today. He wouldn't have to mention the Nakyup Guild anywhere.
I want to go home.
Yoon Seo walked to a secluded part of the palace and suddenly thought about going home. If he had left now, he might not be able to bake cookies, but he could still catch the drama rerun.
"Looks like we all ended up getting absorbed by Seokyeong. I had some hopes for you, though."
A faint voice came from the darkness.
"Mom and I have given up. What about you, hyung?"
"....."
"Mom said you can come back home if hyung wants."
Are they brothers?
Yoon Seo really didn't want to hear this. He had no interest in learning about other people's relationships, so he turned to leave.
"I'm not going back."
"I figured you'd say that. So, tell me, you haven't given up on finding Seo Chaeyoon, right?"
What? Who are they looking for?