IH Ch 6

Chapter 6

He had heard the explanation, but seeing it in person, it was still fascinating to realize that someone was really wearing something so crude and ridiculous. Just then, a tall figure appeared with a gliding motion, blocking Johan’s line of sight.

Standing in a different spot now, Hwang Jae-i didn’t uncross his arms and simply lowered his eyes.

“So. You pressed the emergency bell just to say something that pathetic?”

“It may not seem like a big deal to you, Guildmaster, but from our perspective, there’s no harm in being cautious…”

His voice gradually lowered, overwhelmed by the sheer intensity of the Guildmaster’s aura.

From the beginning, Hwang Jae-i detested dealing with others. On purpose, he had bought out an entire building in one of the most expensive areas in South Korea and used it solely for personal purposes.

From the 20th floor up, he had installed space-separating effects on every floor to block all access, and additional complex effects around the perimeter. Once holed up in a place like this, no one could reach him, and of course, all contact was cut off.

Due to a previous incident, the Jae-i Guild had realized it couldn’t go on like that and decided to install a specific mechanism. Though it had taken a fierce argument with Hwang Jae-i, they eventually succeeded in installing an emergency bell. In urgent, life-or-death situations where immediate contact with Hwang Jae-i was necessary, pressing this bell allowed them to reach him, even when he was shut away like a mole in his den.

This was something that had been somewhat pre-discussed with Hwang Jae-i himself. In fact, since the bell’s installation, it had only been used once, and that situation had been one even Hwang Jae-i found understandable. But this time was different.

“I asked if you disrupted my vacation just to spout that nonsense.”

When Hwang Jae-i bared his teeth and growled, asking if Johan had suddenly lost the ability to speak, Johan swallowed dryly.

Damn it, worst luck ever, as usual. Even while thinking that, he desperately tried to maintain a calm demeanor. If he showed even a hint of fear here, the Guildmaster would immediately tear him to pieces. Johan decided to play the “I don’t know anything, I’m just following orders” card.

“Director Ahn Yuna asked for your cooperation. She said… during your vacation, please just stay at home.”

“……”

“She said the outside matters will be handled on this end for now, so please disconnect from everything and avoid causing any trouble… Uh, those weren’t my words. Director said that.”

Hwang Jae-i’s expression had been worsening from the moment he started talking. He pressed the inside of his cheek with his tongue, then lifted his foot. Thinking he might get kicked, Johan quickly backed away with both hands out like “Whoa, calm down.” Then he grabbed the expensive carrier-type item box he’d brought with him.

“Lee Myunghwan was known as a cultist for a long time. Even after joining the rebels, he lasted quite a while. Even though they wiped them out, there are still tons of loose ends to clean up.”

To make matters worse, they had even let a few remnants slip away.

“Not just the Association, but there were even paparazzi spotted near the homes of two other Guildmasters. Getting photographed is one thing, but if they try to stir up drama with those pictures, it’ll be a hassle. You’ve already got so many lawsuits going on.”

“Do you think those lawsuits were my fault…!”

As Hwang Jae-i lifted his leg again, Johan dodged all the way to the front door and quickly added, “Of course not.”

“I know very well those are just con artists trying to make money by filing frivolous lawsuits.”

And that was the dilemma faced by all S-classes. Swarms of parasitic opportunists kept gathering, trying to ride on the wave of their popularity and fame. There was even a saying that the average S-class had dozens of lawsuits filed against them at any given time.

Even before becoming Guildmaster, Hwang Jae-i had been continuously targeted with lawsuits. Knowing that, it was even more infuriating to hear things phrased this way. His expression twisted with disgust.

“I mean, look! That person standing right there!”

“……”

He had been about to kick Johan out, not wanting to hear another word. But when Johan suddenly pointed to someone and shouted, Hwang Jae-i’s eye twitched.

He slowly turned his head to look and saw the one in the iron mask standing blankly.

The masked figure seemed surprised, as if he hadn’t expected the two to look his way. Seeing this, Hwang Jae-i shot another glare at Johan, silently demanding, And what of it? Johan grumbled in response.

“There’s some weird rumor going around—something about a Guildmaster protecting a surviving cult member. If word gets out that it’s you, the media will go wild. Sure, you could sue, but what will people think in the meantime? You’re a Guildmaster who drives both fans and haters to obsession—you need to be cautious… Hic!”

As Hwang Jae-i suddenly kicked the carrier box hard, Johan stopped mid-sentence and clammed up. Having endured enough of Johan’s pointless rambling, Hwang Jae-i’s voice dropped into a dangerously low register.

“Just get to the point. If you can’t do that, get the hell out.”

“…Director Ahn Yuna believes we should conceal that person’s existence well to avoid further complications with lawsuits related to the Guildmaster.”

At the same time, Johan subtly dragged the kicked carrier box back toward himself. Thankfully, it had survived the kick from an S-class completely intact. Feeling slightly proud, he ran a hand over its smooth surface as he continued.

“That’s why I came. I thought we should at least take off that thing he’s wearing on his head. If he has to move locations later, he’ll draw too much attention looking like that.”

“……”

“Also, Director was worried about letting someone whose identity we don’t even know stay with you, Guildmaster… And she told me to relay this too: If he doesn’t cooperate, she’ll keep sending people to bother you during your vacation.”

And chances were high that Johan would be the one continually sent. After all, he was the one with a dispelling ability.

He had rambled, but it boiled down to two things: stay shut inside the house during the break, and keep the guy in the iron mask hidden.

Ugh, what a pain. If I’d known it’d be like this, I wouldn’t have brought him. What was I thinking, bringing along something like that…?

As Hwang Jae-i’s expression and gaze grew visibly more dangerous, Johan raised both hands high.

“You’re not in a good mood right now, are you? Then I’ll come back later. When our Guildmaster is in a better mood. When peaceful conversation is possible, yes, yes. I’m leaving right now.”

Feeling like he might actually get thrown out the window if he stayed any longer, Johan hurriedly gathered the carrier box. As he lifted it, Hwang Jae-i spoke.

“Go take it off.”

“…Pardon?”

Unsure what he meant, Johan looked up and saw the Guildmaster glaring down at him. He quickly nodded.

“Yes, yes. Understood. I’ll take care of it right away.”

Kicking off his shoes, Johan ran inside. He approached the masked person, who had been watching the scene from the side. As Johan drew closer, the iron mask wearer took a step back, startled. Johan raised his hands.

“Uh, don’t dodge. I’m not suspicious—I just want to help you take that thing off. Isn’t it stuffy?”

“……”

“If you’re okay with it, shall we…”

Johan looked around the vast, empty living room and clicked his tongue. A house this size on prime city land—unbelievable. He pointed toward the living room couch.

“Shall we go over there?”

“……”

Even at that, the iron mask showed no reaction. He just silently stared at Johan, which gradually wiped the smile off Johan’s face. Why isn’t he saying anything? Could it be…

Peering into the small eyeholes, Johan asked,

“Do you not understand what I’m saying?”

The cultist Lee Myunghwan had been known for brainwashing his followers through gaslighting. So even if someone seemed normal on the outside, they often weren’t on the inside.

Johan raised his hand and waved it in front of the iron mask.

“Can you hear me?”

The masked figure twitched and tensed his shoulders, then slowly nodded.

So, he could hear and understand what Johan was saying. Then—

“Hey.”

Just as Johan thought to try persuading him again to move, a low, cold voice rang out. Both Johan and the iron mask reacted to the call. Hwang Jae-i, staring at the two, said in a subdued voice,

“Get it done before I throw you both out the window.”

The two of them moved in perfect sync. Johan knew that Hwang Jae-i was the type to follow through, and the iron mask felt guilty about earlier, so he was being careful too.

Still clutching his slipping pants with both hands, the iron mask made his way to the front of the sofa but didn’t sit down. Johan had already taken a seat and was patting the spot next to him, but the mask simply stood firmly in place.

Noticing how he was clutching his pants and looking unsure, Johan had a hunch.

This guy had been with the Guildmaster before he arrived. Even Director Ahn Yuna found the Guildmaster hard to deal with—how harshly must this guy have been treated during that time? Feeling sudden sympathy, Johan let out a sigh, his eyes and lips drooping with pity. Then he reached out toward the iron mask.