# Chapter 204
Iyeon’s eyes widened. Taejin had acted as if he’d created the terrain setting function all by himself. If he were to declare himself the developer of the terrain setting function, it would be a troubling matter for the Superpower Management Office. Because among Taejin’s numerous lies, that alone was the only truth.
“Didn’t they ask Semi-ssi during the investigation? If you explained that Taejin couldn’t have done it alone.”
At Iyeon’s words, Semi replied with a somewhat embarrassed face.
“Well, we finished serving our sentences before Taejin threw that tantrum. And I only heard rumors from the Superpower Management Office.”
“But still, you could have gone to the investigator and…”
Semi received a reduced sentence because she honestly confessed the truth. The investigator in charge would probably have believed her if she had spoken up.
But instead of answering directly, she asked:
“And would that be okay with you?”
“Pardon?”
“If I report this to the Superpower Management Office, you won’t get off scot-free either. They’ll find out where Taejin’s function came from, whose it originally was, and what process led to its creation. Then your carefree life so far will be over.”
Iyeon closed his mouth. But still, for Taejin to… Unfinished sentences formed like lumps in his mouth. Semi spoke to him in a cold tone.
“This is your business.”
“…”
“So I thought you should be the one to decide.”
Silence piled up on the table. Iyeon slowly mulled over what he had heard. Semi could have told everything but chose not to.
It was consideration for Iyeon.
“…Why, to that extent?”
Iyeon had put Semi away twice. By any measure, they weren’t positively connected. There was no reason for her to care about him to such an extent. At the groan-like question, Semi looked directly at Iyeon.
“I was just repaying a debt.”
“…But I never lent you anything.”
“Even so, I received something.”
“…”
“Whether you inform the Superpower Management Office or not is up to you. I don’t want to be responsible for that decision.”
Semi stood up from her seat. Iyeon stared blankly as she put on her jacket, then suddenly murmured.
“Thank you.”
Only then could he understand. This had been Semi’s purpose from the beginning. She had half-expected that Iyeon wouldn’t know.
To his dazed thanks, Semi gave no response. As she turned to leave, Iyeon hurriedly asked her retreating figure:
“You said Je Sano would know about this too, right?”
Turning only her head slightly while keeping her back turned, Semi shrugged as if uncertain.
“Probably. Given that even clueless low-ranked hunters are buzzing about it, it’s likely officially shared information among Tier 5 hunters.”
The last thing that came to mind was the image of Sano following Heesu suspiciously quickly. As if trying not to be caught, he had fled before any conversation could begin.
Iyeon was certain. Sano knew.
After leaving the restaurant, Iyeon headed to the nearest combat zone.
The spacious grounds set up throughout the city were mainly used for fighting large variants, for emergency evacuations, or during Cho Jeonryeok, so they weren’t actually used much in normal times. The vast majority of variant missions were for capturing and eliminating small variants. This was also Iyeon’s first time except for Cho Jeonryeok and when he met Cheongho.
Low-ranked hunters had no need to use it and rarely did, but the usage permission itself was granted to all hunters. This was a precaution for potential emergencies. Like when Iyeon had opened Combat Zone 32 before.
[Mugunghwa Tier 2 Jung Iyeon, superhuman verified. This is Combat Zone 22. Please note that using the combat zone for purposes other than variant combat without special permission may result in severe punishment. Do you wish to enter?]
Iyeon’s gaze turned to the empty land. The rumors about problems that had been circulating even before the Cho Jeonryeok postponement notice appeared weren’t just due to the atmosphere at the Superpower Management Office.
It was because hunters had means to verify it themselves.
“Yes.”
As soon as his voice was recognized, a control booth rose on the inside of the combat zone entrance. Iyeon entered the booth without hesitation and pressed the control pad. Since combat zones are usually used right before or during variant combat, operation training for combat zones was included in the mandatory annual hunter safety training courses.
[Activating protective wall. Once activated, the entrance will be sealed until deactivation.]
Iyeon’s first action was to isolate the space from the outside. There was no benefit to being seen in a combat zone when not in the midst of variant combat. With a whirring sound, thick walls rose from the edges of the zone. The inside of Zone 22 was quickly concealed from view.
The protective walls also blocked out the ambient noise of the city. The surroundings instantly became quiet. Before operating the pad, Iyeon took a deep breath. His hand pressing the terrain setting button was noticeably careful.
And then.
[This function is currently restricted.]
“…”
Iyeon, unable to release his full breath, pressed the button again. But the result was no different.
[This function is currently restricted.]
The unbelievable reality struck clearly in his ears. His slender body stiffened as if it had turned into a wooden block. His slow, in-and-out breath trembled intermittently, and veins stood out on the back of his hand gripping the edge of the pad.
After a long silence, his pale fingers suddenly operated the pad again.
[Combat has ended. Deactivating protective wall. Please report to the Superpower Management Office if there is any damage to the zone.]
Before the dry voice guidance ended, Iyeon had already turned and disappeared. The hem of his clothes fluttered as he belatedly slipped through the barely opened entrance.
*
“Oh, hyung. You’re a bit late?”
At the cheerful sound of the door opening, Hyegang poked his head out between the monitors. Iyeon grinned and held up the bag he was carrying.
“I was buying snacks. You like steamed buns, right?”
“Hyung, you’re the best.”
When Iyeon handed over the warm bag as is, Hyegang took it with delight. Even the rustling sound of unwrapping the packaging seemed excited. As Iyeon walked toward the sofa, he asked:
“Where’s Je Sano?”
“He hasn’t come back yet. Wonder if he’ll be here before closing time?”
Hyegang seemed unaware of anything. He had never been particularly interested in city politics anyway. He only used his ability to gather information when it was related to Chageum.
“Hyegang, are you busy these days?”
“Huh?”
But it wasn’t that he couldn’t do it—he simply didn’t.
“Can you find out what Lee Taejin is doing right now?”
At Iyeon’s question, Hyegang paused and looked up. Iyeon met his gaze calmly.
Sano’s decision not to tell Iyeon despite knowing the facts was clearly intentional. It meant he wanted Iyeon to remain ignorant. Probably meaning he didn’t want Iyeon to get involved. Just like how he hadn’t wanted to put Iyeon on the stand for Taejin’s trial.
But this was something where Iyeon absolutely needed to be present.
Seeing how cold Iyeon’s face looked as he said this, Hyegang quietly nodded. After a light tapping on the keyboard, a concise voice dropped:
“It’ll probably take a day or two. The Superpower Management Office security is tighter than other places.”
“That’s fine. I’ll wait.”
With the clicking sounds of keyboard and mouse as background, Iyeon flopped down on the sofa. Then, habitually fiddling with the goggles hanging around his neck, he became lost in thought. Though at first glance he looked the same as usual, there was a subtle sense of dissonance at moments. Hyegang, who had been glancing over while pretending not to, said:
“Hey, hyung.”
“Yeah?”
“I’m telling you this because you probably don’t know.”
It was an abrupt introduction. Iyeon looked at him questioningly, but instead of explaining his reason, Hyegang continued:
“I want you to be happy.”
“…Why are you suddenly saying this? Are you going somewhere? Our company will collapse without you, you know.”
Iyeon responded as if joking, but Hyegang didn’t laugh. Sincerity flowed through his level voice.
“I’m glad I met you back then. I enjoy working with you. It’s really fun right now.”
Since first meeting Iyeon, Hyegang had always sensed an odd atmosphere about him. He constantly acted light and carefree, as if without any worries. He liked to laze around, passed time with trivial jokes, and often got swept up in situations and dragged along.
Trust, goodwill, help. Hyegang had seen Iyeon extend these things to others unconditionally many times. Iyeon ridiculously trusted people easily and followed them readily. It would be harder to lure a child than this. No matter how much Hyegang scolded him, it never changed. He had suffered quite a bit of harm because of it.
On such days, a grimy-faced Iyeon would return to the office grumbling and suggest having a beer. Sitting side by side on the rooftop platform, looking at the Red Void, they would clink their beer cans with a “cheers” and laugh saying this is life. His rounded eyes, reflecting the red light, created a slightly mischievous impression when they narrowed with laughter.
Hyegang liked seeing Iyeon smile like that. Because Iyeon, when he stopped smiling and stared at something insubstantial, sometimes gave off a very lonely feeling.
The current Iyeon seemed like he might just leave for somewhere at any moment. There was a precarious feeling that he might disappear without a trace. Suddenly, just as he had appeared before Hyegang on that cold, dark night.
“I hope you’ll feel the same way too.”
He simply couldn’t just watch Iyeon going through the motions out of obligation.
