"Even twins born a minute apart can distinguish between who's older and younger!"
Cha Eui-jae, flaring up with anger, snapped, and the gas mask responded with a compliant answer.
"Okay. I understand, Hyung."
Hyung? Suddenly being addressed so familiarly left Cha Eui-jae looking up at the gas mask with a bewildered expression.
"Hyung?"
"Would you prefer if I called you by your name?"
"No."
"Or should I call you apron?"
"No, not that either."
"Hmm, how about ladle?"
"You just melted my ladle."
As Cha Eui-jae rejected every suggestion, the gas mask spoke in a sullen voice, realizing he was getting nowhere.
"You won't tell me your name. You don't like apron or ladle, so all that's left is Hyung."
"No, just don't call me anything."
"Shall I call you Hyung?"
"I said don't call me."
"Yes, Hyung."
The gas mask pretended not to notice Cha Eui-jae's dumbfounded expression and smoothly settled on the title. Cha Eui-jae's plan to cut off the conversation with the gas mask had completely failed. He sensed that if he kept responding, he'd get caught up in this guy's pace.
He could argue more, but Cha Eui-jae had a lot to do. He needed to find Park Ha-eun and prepare for the morning's business before dawn.
He thought about asking if the gas mask would take responsibility if today's business failed because of him, but looking at him, he figured he was the type who would do more harm than good in the kitchen. No way could the gas mask handle prepping green onions, chopping garlic, boiling broth, or blanching meat. Though he couldn't see the face behind the mask, he knew it was true.
"Enough with dragging out the time by splitting hairs. I won't be playing along anymore."
"I never did that."
"You've already asked two questions."
"One was a lie, and you didn't answer the other."
"I told you it wasn't a lie. If you don't believe me, that's not my problem. And I didn't agree to answer all your questions, did I?"
An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. Cha Eui-jae decided to stoop to the gas mask's level and be petty. He thought if the gas mask showed any signs of being flustered or taken aback, he would just leave to find Park Ha-eun.
But the gas mask seemed to find the situation amusing, staring at Cha Eui-jae as if he were having the time of his life. Just as Cha Eui-jae was about to snap at him, the gas mask's phone vibrated. The gas mask answered the call, still looking at Cha Eui-jae.
"Hello?"
"…"
"…Oh, really? Bring her here."
"…"
The gas mask smiled, unable to hide his pleasure.
"Alright, I'll send someone to pick them up."
"…"
"Take good care of her. Don't let her cry…"
After ending the call, the gas mask paused before speaking.
"Hyung, they found your niece."
"Where?"
"The playground next to the nearby church."
It was close to the alley they were in. If this guy's presence hadn't distracted him, he could have picked Park Ha-eun up without wasting time. The gas mask continued speaking.
"They said they'd bring her here… but it seems she wants to stay put. Since her guardian is here, they can't force her to move…"
The gas mask shrugged.
"Go ahead. My guys will be nearby."
"Alright."
Cha Eui-jae had already turned halfway toward the direction of the church playground when the gas mask mentioned it. It would be rude to interrupt, so he waited until the gas mask finished speaking before moving. He waited patiently like a well-trained dog, then turned around immediately when the conversation ended.
Oh. Cha Eui-jae took a few steps before looking back at the gas mask.
"…Thanks."
After expressing his gratitude, which he almost forgot, he was about to hurry away when the gas mask lightly grabbed him.
"Hyung."
"What?"
"Lee Sa-young."
"Who's that?"
"My name."
The eyes inside the gas mask narrowed slightly.
"See you next time."
'No, let's not meet again. I appreciate you finding Ha-eun, but I don't want to encounter a crazy guy like you again.' Without returning the farewell, Cha Eui-jae hastened his steps. At the end of the alley, he glanced back, half-expecting Lee Sa-young to follow. But Lee Sa-young remained where he was, unmoving.
For some reason, that sight stuck with Cha Eui-jae.
***
Lee Sa-young stood still until Cha Eui-jae's figure completely disappeared. Even after that, he waited a bit longer until Cha Eui-jae's presence had fully faded before moving.
He approached the motionless corpse lying on the ground. Without hesitation, he grabbed the head of the body, which had spikes protruding from it, by the hair and lifted it.
"They've been appearing more frequently these days…"
As his hand touched it, the hair began to burn, and the flesh turned black and melted away. Soon, the corpse vanishes, leaving only a small black puddle.
A black cat jumped lightly onto the narrow alley wall behind Lee Sa-young. From the cat's shadow, a round head popped out. It was a man wearing sunglasses.
"Guild Leader."
"Yes."
Lee Sa-young wasn't surprised by the sudden presence. As he knelt and swept his hand over the puddle, the last trace of the corpse vanished, leaving only a shallow dent. The man, cradling the cat, reported.
"Reporting. The guardian has just arrived at the playground and reunited with the child. We confirmed the child calling him uncle and hugging him."
"Any other notable details?"
"None. Should we follow them just in case?"
"Follow them. Check where they go and report back immediately."
"Understood."
The man gently scratched the cat's soft fur and bowed to Lee Sa-young.
"And a message from the Vice-Guild Leader. He asked if a meeting at 11 a.m. the day after tomorrow regarding the dungeon bid is okay."
Lee Sa-young nodded in acknowledgment.
"Alright, I'll relay that."
"Seo Min-gi."
As Seo Min-gi, having set the cat down, started to slip into its shadow, Lee Sa-young called out.
"Yes? What is it?"
"Help me find someone."
"Just tell me."
"Go through the Awakened Management Bureau database and compile a list of males over 25, around 180 cm tall, with at least a B-grade Awakening. Exclude those with strange faces."
"What? The Awakened Management Bureau database?"
Seo Min-gi pointed at himself with his thumb.
"Me?"
"Why? Can't you do it?"
The Awakened Management Bureau database. Established under the Awakened Special Law enacted a few years ago, it stored information on all Awakened individuals in South Korea. Though managed directly by the Awakened Management Bureau, its existence was treated as a state secret, and most civilians were unaware of its existence. Its security was also very tight.
But to hack such a place? Seo Min-gi, also known as the Hunter "A Small Miracle Seo Min-gi," replied, flustered.
"Given some time, I can hack it, but…"
"Then hack it."
Lee Sa-young's attitude implied it was no big deal. Seo Min-gi, already feeling overwhelmed by the thought of breaking into such a secure place, wiped away a tear secretly. Office life sure isn't easy…
Seo Min-gi nodded, shoulders drooping. But his relentless superior didn't stop the orders.
"And that elementary school student we just found. Did you get the name?"
"Park Ha-eun, second grade, class 2 at Saetbyeol Elementary School."
"Check her family relations."
The instructions were increasingly difficult. Afraid of getting reprimanded for being nosy, Seo Min-gi hesitated but still asked bravely.
"Why her family relations…?"
"…"
As Lee Sa-young calmly put on black leather gloves, he replied indifferently.
"I've taken an interest in her uncle."
***
Park Ha-eun's and her grandmother's home was an old single-story house. After finally bringing home Park Ha-eun, who had insisted on playing more, and confirming her grandmother scolding her stubborn granddaughter, Cha Eui-jae felt at ease. As he took a moment to catch his breath, Park Ha-eun's grandmother offered him barley tea and asked,
"Cha Eui-jae, are you staying the night?"
"Oh, no. I need to go back to the restaurant and prepare for tomorrow's business."
"How's the business going? I should come out and see…"
"It's going fine, Grandma. You know I'm strong. I can handle it alone. How's your leg these days?"
"My leg? Almost healed."
Lies. Cha Eui-jae silently watched as the grandmother walked toward her sleeping granddaughter. It's easy to pretend everything's okay, but you can't hide the subconscious favoring of an uninjured leg.
The grandmother sighed as she stroked Park Ha-eun's head, now fast asleep under a blanket in the living room.
"This girl gives me heart attacks all the time. What's she doing outside at night? Doesn't she know it's dangerous…"
"I'll have a talk with her tomorrow, so please don't scold her too much."
Laughing, Cha Eui-jae set down the cup and subtly checked outside through the window. Something had felt off since earlier. He hadn't sensed any presence on his way to the playground to get Park Ha-eun, so it seemed he was being followed on the way home.
'Did that guy order it?'
It seemed suspicious that they'd let him go so easily. Still smiling, Cha Eui-jae stood up.
"Good night, Grandma."
"Leaving already?"
"Yes. Can I use your window?"
"Why the window?"
"There's something I need to take care of. I'll call to check in tomorrow."
Cha Eui-jae headed to the window on the opposite side of the entrance, holding his shoes in his hands.
Using a skill to mask his presence, Cha Eui-jae contorted his body to slip outside. He quietly closed the window, then hastily put on his shoes and listened intently to his surroundings.
Two men watching the front door, two more waiting in the alley. Since they weren't making any moves, it seemed they hadn't noticed his escape in this direction.
'I could just beat them all up, but… cleaning up would be a hassle.'
Following right on his heels indicated they were part of an organized group. There was no need to cause trouble and make enemies with Lee Sa-young and his group.
'I'll just… knock them out.'
Cha Eui-jae sighed tiredly as he massaged the back of his neck. All hunters had a duty to protect civilians. So, if these guys had any sense, they wouldn't harm grandmother and Park Ha-eun.
However, in extreme situations, laws and rules became meaningless, and there was always a worse scenario than the worst. Cha Eui-jae always prepared for the worst. This time was no different.
'I need to give them a warning.'
After stretching his wrists, he disappeared in an instant.