Chapter 31
The first time I witnessed Yu Chanhee’s abilities, even just a few weeks of training made their potential undeniable. I easily sidestepped Kim Guhyeon’s attack before swinging my two-handed sword. Aiming was even harder with both hands occupied. After a missed strike, I dove into the thick underbrush to hide. The third training ground was backed by a steep, forested hill. The crunch of loose stones under my misplaced foot gave me away, and Kim Guhyeon charged toward me without hesitation. Watching him rush at me, sword in hand, a thought flashed through my mind:
Should I just stab him for real?
It was an instinctive urge, even though I lacked the skill to follow through. The sight of him lunging with a blade brought back that terrible moment. In the end, I failed to dodge in time and took the blunt, mana-less sword straight to my body.
“Let’s call it a day.”
Kim Guhyeon picked up the fallen sword and spoke. I nodded. When he flicked the switch by the entrance, the night inside instantly brightened like daylight.
“…Only three weeks until the selection.”
Kim Guhyeon placed the swords in their case and locked it.
“I heard from Director Cha.”
“…”
“That you want to be number one.”
I brushed the dirt off my clothes without responding.
“You really do remind me of him.”
“…What?”
“Dohyun.”
I rubbed my eyes, exhausted. Another tiresome topic. The similarities between Dohyun and me were endless. We were brothers, after all. And Yu Chanhee would probably never escape being called “Yu Dohyun’s brother” in his lifetime.
“Not exactly a compliment.”
“Is that so?”
“I’d say Yu Hyunjae resembles him more.”
I watched Kim Guhyeon’s reaction after I spoke. He showed no sign of disturbance.
“It seems you and Yu Hyunjae still don’t get along.”
“Well, family matters.”
“I see.”
“So, about that.”
“…”
“Could you help me out?”
Kim Guhyeon looked at me sharply for the first time, his expression edged with something unreadable.
“It seems there’s more I can do for you than I thought.”
“Of course. You’re capable.”
“You flatter me.”
“Being number one isn’t an easy spot to claim, is it?”
“No, it isn’t.”
“And you didn’t get there purely on skill, did you?”
It was a vague remark, thrown out in ignorance of the truth, but Kim Guhyeon seemed to interpret something from it. For a moment, I sensed hostility, but he quickly masked it with his usual gentlemanly smile and spoke softly.
“What… can I do for you?”
***
A few days later, when Yu Hyunjae pounded on my door, I managed to greet him with a composed face—thanks to my practice. He had likely already heard of my request through his father or Kim Guhyeon. In just a short time, he seemed to have grown taller; his face was higher than before.
“What’s your intention?”
Yu Hyunjae asked in his usual flat tone. I answered without meeting his eyes.
“Exactly what I said.”
“Why should I?”
“It’s good for both of us. It’ll help with the selection, too.”
“Yu Chanhee.”
“What?”
Yu Hyunjae sighed and stared at me. The meaningful conversation we’d had days ago seemed like a dream; the air between us was chillingly cold. His sigh did nothing to ease his frustration. He rested a hand on his hip, pushed back his hair, and leaned against the wall—his version of showing anger. He wasn’t the type to lose his temper easily.
“What the hell is this?”
“I told you. You don’t need to know.”
“You’re really selfish, you know that?”
“I know.”
“Would it kill you to tell me in advance?”
“I already said we’re not that close.”
“Didn’t I ask you to wait a little?”
“No.”
I met his gaze with the most shameless expression I could muster.
“I said I wanted to live my own way.”
Yu Hyunjae stopped glaring and just stared at me, still leaning against the wall. The uncomfortable silence stretched on. I turned away as if I had nothing more to say and started toward my room.
“You really won’t tell me?”
His words hit me like a blade in the back. I stood frozen, gripping the doorknob, searching for an answer. Yu Hyunjae continued before I could respond.
“Every night.”
“…”
“Why do you call my name, then?”
Ah, so that was it. That was how he noticed the change in me. I squeezed my eyes shut. My grip on the doorknob tightened until my hand turned bloodless white. Yu Hyunjae waited for my answer for a long time before finally sighing and returning to his room. Only after the slow, heavy sound of his footsteps faded did I release my grip and collapse to the floor. It was a relief. Today, I didn’t cry.
Time passed until my legs went numb. Suddenly, my phone buzzed with a messenger notification.
“Cha Suhyun…”
I listlessly scrolled through his rambling messages. They were disjointed, but the core question was clear: Why did you become a Hunter?
Did Cha Suhyun know? The thought struck me. Did he know the secret Han Jaemin and I shared—the truth Yu Hyunjae was keeping silent? My conclusion was a firm no. He knew nothing. He still believed Yu Dohyun had been ambushed by a mysterious group and that Yu Hyunjae had died trying to save him. That delusion was the fuel for his meaningless vengeance.
When I didn’t reply, he called. After ignoring it a few times, he called repeatedly, as if determined. Finally, I slid the answer icon.
—You fucking bastard.
“I’m not in the mood for your insults.”
—You’ve been acting weird ever since then.
“Acting weird?”
—Did you suddenly want to play house with Yu Hyunjae?
“I chose the most refined method, in my opinion.”
—When I get back to Korea, I’ll make you pay.
I lifted my head to check the calendar. Cha Suhyun’s return was less than a month away—just before the selection began. What would happen when he came back? His alliance with Han Jaemin would only strengthen. Cha Suhyun was a man who dreamed of avenging Dohyun under the pretense of helping me. If he found out that the fatal cause of Dohyun’s death wasn’t Yu Hyunjae but me, what would he do? Would all the blame and resentment he’d directed at Yu Hyunjae now turn toward me? How hollow and petty that vengeance would be. The thought of Cha Suhyun getting involved in this already complicated mess made my head ache.
“Hey.”
—What.
“What if I kill Yu Hyunjae next week? How would you feel?”
A hollow laugh came through the phone. He must have thought I was talking nonsense. Realistically, it was nonsense. I couldn’t just kill someone out of nowhere.
—What the hell are you saying? Have you lost it?
“Well, it doesn’t matter what you think.”
—Hey, what the fuck are you talking about?!
Cha Suhyun shouted through the phone, demanding an explanation. I couldn’t bear to listen anymore and ended the call. Silence returned instantly.
After hanging up, I checked my phone again. There was a text from an unknown number: [Next Tuesday, 7 PM.]. I didn’t save the number or reply. Instead, I searched my contacts for someone else. I still didn’t know if this was the best approach, but I had no other choice.
—Hello?
“It’s me.”
—Chanhee, calling first? What’s the occasion?
“I have something to tell you in advance.”
I would kill the powerless Yu Hyunjae. Next week.
***
Han Jaemin didn’t object, but his voice wasn’t exactly reassuring. Yu Chanhee had recognized Yu Hyunjae’s natural talent early on and tried to eliminate him. He wouldn’t easily attempt such a reckless move. The only reason I could persuade him was one: the petty jealousy of a boy his age.
“I want to crush his spirit before the selection.”
—You’re so childish.
“Childish?”
I scoffed.
“Didn’t you say you even learned martial arts?”
—Scared?
“Scared?”
I answered dramatically.
“Not scared. Just putting him in his place. Showing him his level.”
—That’s not like you, Chanhee.
“Once Cha Suhyun gets here, I won’t have a chance to keep him down alone.”
—Chanhee.
Han Jaemin called my name softly.
—Do you really want to kill Yu Hyunjae?
“What are you talking about?”
—This isn’t some kid’s game anymore.
“I… know that.”
—But your actions are no different from some stupid kid’s.
“Are you telling me not to?”
Han Jaemin was silent for a moment before answering in a low voice.
—If you get hurt, everything we planned falls apart.
“I know.”
I was slightly relieved that the conversation was going as planned. The only reason I told Han Jaemin about this was to buy time—to delay the necromancy, even if just a little.
“I won’t get hurt.”
—Okay.
The call ended. I finally let out a long sigh. I had laid some groundwork. Through mock battles with Yu Hyunjae, I intended to create various scenarios. I hoped the rest of my plans would fall into place safely. Of course, I was prepared for Yu Hyunjae’s hatred. I collapsed onto my bed, exhausted. All of this was a reckless gamble.
