Late at night.
After the health clinic had finished its business hours and the shutter was completely lowered, Sung Yohan went up to the rooftop and held his smartphone to his ear while facing the cold night breeze. It was Vice Guild Leader Cha Taeju.
—Yohan-ah. The situation isn’t good. Baekya’s lackeys’ movements are expanding significantly throughout the Miyang-dong area.
The voice of Cha Taeju from the other end of the phone was sinking heavily, unlike his usual self.
—This isn’t just simple reconnaissance or threat level. Those bastards are purchasing or leasing everything from labor service companies to empty buildings around the alley commercial districts. I have a bad feeling about this. It seems like they’re planning something.
“……”
—Even though it’s not their territory, they’re moving as if Baekya is trying to swallow up the entire Miyang-dong area. The guilds in this area are also watching their movements. But strangely, the Hunter Association is quiet.
Sung Yohan’s eyes hardened coldly. Lately, there had been many hunters in suits wandering around the area. The tension in the surroundings had risen considerably.
“How is the security personnel deployment arranged?”
—Yeongwon is naturally ironclad. He’s target priority number one, after all. However, Moon Igyeol-ssi? It’s difficult to worry about that high school student Kim Hyungil who lives with him. You know, right? We can’t do anything about civilians. If a hunter gets entangled with a civilian, it becomes legally very complicated. Baekya knows that too. So they won’t touch them first, so you can rest easy about that side. You take care of Moon Igyeol-ssi.
Sung Yohan leaned against the rooftop railing and looked down at Miyang-dong’s complicated alleyways.
Baekya’s ultimate goal was to kidnap Kang Yeongwon and control his inheritance, or utilize something connected to Yeongwon’s bloodline. If this were a sensible chess game, it would be right to pour all efforts into protecting the king.
“…That’s true. There’s also the UNP. Hyungil also has Myeongil High’s safety barrier.”
—Right. Would Baekya really touch civilians? That’s the worst move. No matter how crazy those bastards are…
“Even if variables arise, I just need to step in. I’ll be here continuously.”
—…So about that, how long are you going to stay there? You didn’t abandon Sanctum Guild, did you? I’m dying here, Yohan-ah. Or should I come there?
“…Don’t say ridiculous things. I’m hanging up.”
—Hey, Sung Yohan! Sung Yoh…!
Sung Yohan quickly ended the call. Once Cha Taeju’s nagging started, it had no end, so it was better to end it quickly. He let out a small sigh and leaned against the rooftop railing.
Beyond the railing, a warm orange light was leaking from the worn window on the second floor of the health clinic.
From inside, the sound of Hyungil munching on snacks while bickering with Yeongwon, and Igyeol’s voice scolding the two kids while chuckling, traveled faintly through the night air.
Sung Yohan closed his eyes gently and took in those affectionate noises.
***
The dawn air was still cool. When a faint blue light was hovering over the Miyang-dong alleyway, Igyeol opened his eyes earlier than usual. Kicking off the worn blanket of his room, he cracked his stiff neck from side to side and climbed the stairs heading to the second-floor kitchen. It was a time when even his alarm hadn’t rung.
“Why did I wake up so early today……”
Igyeol yawned and opened the refrigerator door. To prepare breakfast for the four people today, he had to move busily. He took out the fresh vegetables stored deep in the refrigerator, sliced tofu, and began brewing a rich anchovy broth.
The pleasant sound of chopping green onions on the cutting board filled the quiet house. A low humming flowed from between Igyeol’s lips. It was an old trot melody that Grandma Oksoon used to hum often during her lifetime.
“Grandma said this. The body knows first.”
Igyeol chuckled while tasting the bubbling doenjang-jjigae. Even though nothing major was going to happen, strangely, a corner of his heart felt ticklish and anxious.
Igyeol hadn’t yet realized that when people feel afraid of losing something, they unconsciously pour their devotion into it. He just vaguely thought it was because of the Baekya stalkers he encountered in the alley yesterday, as he rolled up a thick egg roll.
7:30 AM. The small dining table at the health clinic was full.
With steaming doenjang-jjigae in the center, freshly made yellow egg rolls and side dishes were abundantly laid out. Igyeol, Sung Yohan, Hyungil, Yeongwon. The dining table where four men without a single drop of shared blood sat together was cramped, but that much warmth was concentrated there.
“Ever since Yeongwon and Yohan hyung came, every morning is a feast. I’m seriously moved.”
Hyungil pretended to wipe away non-existent tears while lifting his spoon.
“Be quiet. I just cleaned out the refrigerator, so stop chattering and eat.”
“Ey, for refrigerator raiding, the quality is no joke though?”
Hyungil scooped up a big spoonful and shoved it into his mouth. Yeongwon sitting next to him also carefully picked up his chopsticks and grabbed some egg roll.
“Hyung, what’s for dinner tonight?”
Hyungil, whose cheeks were bursting from chewing rice, suddenly asked.
“I don’t know. You haven’t even finished breakfast yet and you’re already going on about dinner. Is there something you want to eat?”
“Samgyeopsal! I’ve been craving meat since yesterday.”
“Where does the money come from for meat every day? Meat, meat.”
Igyeol clicked his tongue while scolding. At that moment, Sung Yohan, who had been eating quietly, elegantly wiped the corner of his mouth with a napkin and spoke.
“I’ll buy it.”
“Don’t buy it!”
Igyeol shot back immediately. Buy what? This guy is always saying he’ll buy things. Hyungil’s eyes sparkled, but Igyeol desperately used his spoon to block that.
“If you keep getting free meals, you’ll become a pig. Free food is the worst, dude!”
“Ah, why! He’s saying he’ll buy it, so why are you like this, hyung!”
“How much does it cost to buy a few pounds of meat… They say they want to eat it, so just let me buy it. I want to eat it too.”
Sung Yohan said with a languid smile. Igyeol frowned.
“…I also like samgyeopsal.”
A mosquito-sized voice dropped onto the dining table.
Everyone’s gazes turned to one place all at once. It was Yeongwon. Yeongwon looked down while holding his chopsticks, as if flustered by the suddenly focused attention. His ear lobes were burning red. It had been a long time since the kid who had been constantly gauging the mood and staying quiet since coming to the health clinic had expressed an opinion. Igyeol blinked and looked at Yeongwon.
Hyungil grinned and shouted.
“See! Yeongwon wants to eat it too! Tonight’s dinner is samgyeopsal! Look, hyung! Approval granted, right?”
“Ah, seriously….”
Even while letting out a deep sigh, Igyeol couldn’t hold back the laugh that leaked out.
“…Ugh. Fine, buy it. But you’re grilling it, Kim Hyungil.”
“Deal! Yeongwon, hyung will grill the meat amazingly for you later.”
“Yeah, sounds good!”
Yeongwon laughed.
A perfectly peaceful morning where nothing happened. Igyeol chuckled and slowly took in the sight of them eating. Even the sunlight coming through the window was perfect. Ah, it was so good.
***
After breakfast ended, Sung Yohan put on his coat, unlike usual.
“Then, I’ll go to the guild for a bit. There’s an urgent meeting this afternoon.”
“Go ahead.”
Igyeol replied indifferently while clearing the table. Sung Yohan checked his watch once, then spoke in a nonchalant voice.
“I’ve doubled Sanctum’s security personnel on Yeongwon’s side. They’ll thoroughly mark him from school to his way home. As long as those Baekya bastards are lurking around the Miyang-dong area, the child who is the target’s security is top priority.”
It wasn’t wrong. However, Igyeol frowned while recalling the ‘rat bastards’ he encountered in the alley yesterday.
“Yeongwon aside. Attach people to Hyungil too. That kid also sensed those bastards’ presence yesterday.”
“Priority is Yeongwon. And no matter how Baekya they are, they won’t lay hands on civilians, so don’t worry too much.”
Sung Yohan explained as if to reassure him.
“Myeongil High where Hyungil attends has an excellent security system. He’ll be safe while inside the school. Above all, Baekya has no justification to legally touch a civilian. Touching a civilian is—”
“Hey. Are Baekya bastards the type who won’t touch someone just because they’re civilians? You know Viper, that bastard’s methods.”
“I know. But this country isn’t one that made laws weak enough for hunters to freely treat civilians. Don’t worry too much. I’ve deployed security personnel as much as possible. And honestly speaking… I’m more worried about you.”
“What about me?”
Igyeol answered indifferently. Worrying about me? He’s thinking about useless things. Sung Yohan sighed.
“Well… it’s because you’re a hunter. Just a ‘C-rank’ hunter.”
“……”
“Right?”
There were no words to answer the confirmatory question. Igyeol just looked at Sung Yohan with narrowed eyes. Is he saying this knowing something? Or is he probing? Sung Yohan raised his eyebrows.
“Anyway, I’ll also finish my work and come back as quickly as possible. Be careful until then.”
Sung Yohan left the health clinic leaving only those words.
Igyeol smacked his lips while looking at the door that closed with a bang.
…I’m uneasy.
Should I have pushed harder? Or should I personally take Hyungil and bring him back? However, thinking about the morning customers pouring in, he couldn’t just leave his post either.
Igyeol suppressed his uncomfortable feelings and put on rubber gloves. Not knowing in his dreams that this small hesitation would return as bone-grinding regret later.
