# Chapter 171
This wasn’t a mistake or a moment of anger—it was truly a kiss. In all of Iyeon’s intense contemplation during lunch about the range of “couple-like behaviors,” deep physical intimacy beyond a peck was entirely absent. Logically, how could holding hands and kissing even be in the same category… Even Iyeon, despite his lack of dating experience, obviously knew they were different.
After hesitating repeatedly, when Iyeon tried to subtly retreat, Sano grabbed his arm and kissed him again. The warmth that never seemed to become familiar connected once more before pulling away. After the contact ended, Sano stopped just a tiny distance away, close enough that Iyeon could feel his breath, and spoke with a nonchalant expression.
“I don’t know why you see me as some clueless person.”
Their eyes met directly.
“I know at least that much.”
“…Huh?”
Wait, wait a second. What did he just say?
Iyeon, frozen like stone, stared blankly at Sano. His mind felt like a blank page, unable to form any thoughts. No, I mean, is Je Sano really…
“You don’t understand?”
That voice was definitely tinged with playfulness.
“I-I need to go to the Superpower Management Office! I have to submit a report.”
System overload. With his ears burning bright red, Iyeon hurriedly backed away from Sano and abruptly stood up. Though it wasn’t intentional, it was incredibly fortunate that he had procrastinated on writing his report despite Hyegang’s nagging. It provided him with the perfect excuse to escape this office.
What if he offers to come with me? How would I shake him off? Iyeon frantically pretended to prepare to go out while avoiding eye contact with Sano, consumed by intense deliberation. Sano watched him with an amused expression, then suddenly checked his phone. It seemed like he had received another message from somewhere. This happened several times a day, so it wasn’t surprising.
However, Sano’s gaze turned fierce as he looked at the screen. What’s that about? Concerned by the ominous atmosphere, Iyeon forgot to avoid his gaze and looked at him curiously when Sano suddenly rose urgently.
“Where are you going?”
“Something urgent came up. Go home by yourself after work.”
For him to be discussing going home when it was still morning meant this was no ordinary emergency. Did he receive an urgent call about a major variant? Iyeon looked at him worriedly.
“I don’t mind, but… are you okay?”
Sano responded without looking back as he left the office.
“Go home after dinner.”
With those words, the door closed. Only the loud jingling of the bell echoed through the office.
Though he was somewhat worried about what had happened… honestly, he also felt relieved. The timing seemed almost heaven-sent. Iyeon put on his outer garment with a considerably lighter heart.
And that’s how Iyeon ended up visiting the Superpower Management Office alone, without incident.
Iyeon pulled a waiting number and sat blankly in the waiting area where chairs were neatly arranged in rows. Submitting reports wasn’t difficult—he’d done it several times before.
The Superpower Management Office, always packed with people, was crowded today as well. Waiting for his turn would probably take the longest.
While spacing out, what naturally came to mind was Sano’s bombshell statement.
‘I know at least that much.’
The entire way to the Superpower Management Office, Iyeon had been mulling over the meaning of those words. Was it a metaphorical expression? Did I miss some context? After thinking dozens, hundreds of times about an eight-character sentence, the shapes of the letters eventually began to look unfamiliar.
However, considering the flow of the conversation, no matter how much he thought about it, there was no other way to interpret it. This wasn’t Iyeon’s delusion or wishful thinking—it really seemed like Je, Je Sano lik…
“Excuse me.”
“Yes?”
Iyeon jumped in surprise and looked up at the voice that had interrupted his endless contemplation. A tall man with flamboyantly dyed yellow hair was an unfamiliar face.
“Are you perhaps Hunter Jung Iyeon?”
“…Who are you?”
When Iyeon asked glumly, the man forcibly grabbed his hand for a handshake and smiled.
“Wow, I’ve heard a lot about you! I’m from Baeseong Company…”
“Are you Jung Iyeon-ssi? The one who caught the Dabalsin with Je Sano? Wow, how did you do that?”
Before the man could finish his sentence, another person cut in. What, what’s going on? Iyeon looked with bewildered eyes at the crowd gathering in front of him. While he hesitated momentarily, yet another person stood up and approached him.
In truth, even when Hyeseong had mentioned he’d become famous, and when he’d confirmed his rapidly rising ranking, he hadn’t thought much of it beyond mild surprise.
He thought people were interested not in Iyeon himself, but in Sano who accompanied him. It was just called “becoming famous,” but it was no different from riding on the fame of the #1 ranked hunter. Iyeon was only a Tier 2 hunter, so even if they had worked together, it wouldn’t be difficult to assume that Tier 5 Hunter Sano had done everything. Literally nothing more than a bystander who happened to be there.
…Or so he thought.
“Excuse me. I overheard the conversation…”
“Who? Jung Iyeon?”
“Did he come with Je Sano?”
In an instant, people crowded around Iyeon, and the lobby turned into chaos. Several people approached from a distance with puzzled looks after seeing the commotion, while others watched with curious eyes. Cold sweat ran down Iyeon’s back.
He had severely underestimated the value of the name Je Sano. It was a tremendous blessing that he hadn’t come with Sano. If they had been together, Sano’s face would have been immediately exposed to everyone, and they would have been promptly summoned by Jongchan and Jonghee.
‘I couldn’t have known it would be this excessive…’
Iyeon grumbled to himself as he looked around. Already the area was so packed with people that he could barely see ahead. With this many people gathered, shouldn’t security come to manage the situation? Why is it so quiet? If he just waited for someone else’s help, he might get trampled to death. Iyeon gathered every ounce of his social skills and smiled as he backed away.
“I’m sorry, but I have an urgent matter to attend to…”
“I saw you take a waiting number and sit down. Aren’t you waiting for your turn?”
“Talk with us a bit until then.”
“Have you seen Je Sano in person?”
“Of course he has, they worked together. What kind of stupid question is that?”
“Hey! Who just said that?”
“I’m curious about Hunter Jung Iyeon’s abilities…”
“Bull crap, you’re asking what attracted Je Sano’s interest.”
“Who said that just now!”
Fortunately, people began arguing among themselves as they competed to ask questions. Iyeon quickly squeezed through the crowd during the escalating commotion. The spectacular maneuvers he used to escape club stages in the past proved useful here too. Iyeon managed to break free and leave the lobby.
However, just before completely hiding behind a wall, several people recognized him again.
“Jung Iyeon-ssi! Where are you going!”
“When did he get over there?”
“Is that his ability? Teleportation?”
“According to information, it was drawing materialization…”
“Ah, no. I really have an urgent matter.”
Iyeon responded to the murmurs while hurrying away. Fortunately, he spotted an elevator with doors opening right in front. He quickly entered and frantically pressed the close button, shutting the doors before people could reach him.
“Phew…”
Iyeon sighed and slumped his shoulders. He never imagined so many people would show interest. If this continued, how would he submit his report? Iyeon dejectedly crumpled the waiting ticket in his hand, now nothing but paper waste.
“Um… Are you Hunter Jung Iyeon?”
“Huh?”
Iyeon turned around in alarm. Whether she had been there before he entered or not, a young woman wearing glasses was looking at him.
“It really is Hunter Jung Iyeon. You’re super hot these days.”
“I don’t come to the Superpower Management Office often… I didn’t know…”
Iyeon responded gloomily. No matter how well-known his name had become, the number of people who would remember him at the Superpower Management Office could be counted on one hand. He couldn’t understand how people he’d never even greeted before could recognize him immediately. As if he had a name tag on or something…
“Haha, seeing as you didn’t even wear a hat, I guess that’s true.”
“Pardon?”
“Your hair color, your outfit. You really stand out.”
“…”
So it’s because of my hair!
Though it’s an age of self-expression, Iyeon’s hair color—bleached at least twice—still caught a lot of attention. Plus, with those huge goggles he wore, he went beyond distinctive to practically mascot level.
Since Iyeon was so accustomed to his own appearance, he never thought about how much he stood out. Anyway, Lee Taejin. Never helpful with anything. Grumbling, Iyeon first stuffed his goggles into his bag. Fortunately, he was wearing a hoodie, so if he pulled the hood completely over his head, people probably wouldn’t swarm him like before. After hurriedly adjusting his appearance, Iyeon gave the woman a small bow.
