IH Ch 37

Chapter 37

They said he was pretty. Johan, who didn’t bat an eye at anything outside of 2D, and Ahn Yuna, who even scoffed at most S-ranks including himself, were saying it too. Honestly, it felt strange that people who saw this face nearly every day were all agreeing that it was attractive.

Everyone must have lost their minds from overwork lately. Hwang Jae-i’s expression grew indifferent. At that moment, a small hand reached up to press against the back of his head and murmured faintly, “It’s hot.” Startled, Jae-i quickly pulled the hair dryer away and looked up into the black eyes staring at him, then asked half a beat later, as if demanding an explanation,

“What is?”

He must’ve zoned out and kept the dryer aimed at one spot. Even lukewarm air could get hot if it blew continuously. Thinking that, Jae-i still wore a composed face.

Dohwa, staring at him, rubbed the back of his head and mumbled,

“Thought my scalp was cooking.”

“……”

On closer inspection, this kid wasn’t exactly normal either.

Jae-i switched off the dryer. Even though it was a low-noise model, the constant hum ceased, and just then—

Ding-dong. The doorbell rang, even though Jae-i had made it clear not to be disturbed during his time off.

The buildings outside the car window were all large and majestic. The first floors of their sleek exteriors were mostly occupied by restaurants, cafes, or retail stores, showcasing distinctive and stylish facades. Some places even had outdoor seating where people sat sipping coffee or eating meals.

On the sidewalks, people strolled in various forms. Some alone, others in groups, some walking dogs tied to leashes at their waists, and others holding children’s hands. Dohwa watched each of them, reading their expressions.

They all seemed cheerful and bright. Some were expressionless, but most had relaxed and easy-going faces. There were no signs of worry or struggle in their lives.

Staring absentmindedly, Dohwa pushed his slipping glasses back up his nose and looked around cautiously as if checking his surroundings, adjusting his glasses again. Just then, a soft voice filled the previously quiet car.

“If anything is uncomfortable, please let us know.”

“……”

“Also, if you need anything, don’t hesitate to say so.”

Dohwa didn’t realize those words were directed at him. He continued staring out the window until he felt someone’s gaze and slowly turned his head. He looked at the man with glasses sitting diagonally across in the spacious interior, large enough for face-to-face seating.

Though he wore a warm smile, the silver-gray eyes behind it were cold. Staring at those eyes, Dohwa turned his gaze further to Hwang Jae-i, seated beside him.

Arms crossed and legs too, Jae-i was exuding discontent from every part of his body. Even then, as soon as he felt Dohwa looking at him, he furrowed his brows and asked shortly, “What?”

Shaking his head to say it was nothing, Dohwa pushed up his slipping glasses again. As he looked back out the window, the Hunter Association official smiled and commented,

“Still, you’ve been living together for a few days, but the atmosphere seems a bit awkward. You two look around the same age too…”

They weren’t the same age. Dohwa was three years older than Hwang Jae-i, but he didn’t say that. Because—

“So what, are you saying I should’ve gotten along with him?”

Jae-i’s cold response made the Association hunter raise both hands.

“No, that’s not what I meant at all.”

“Then don’t spout useless nonsense and keep your mouth shut.”

Meeting the icy red eyes staring directly at him, the hunter bowed with an even brighter smile.

“Understood. I apologize for making you uncomfortable with unnecessary remarks. I’ll be more careful.”

Jae-i turned his head away without a word. Feeling the chill radiating from his back, Dohwa inched closer to the door.

The person who had rung the bell earlier wasn’t Ahn Yuna or Johan. He was from the Hunter Association, and his unexpected visit was related to Dohwa.

Among the people who had lost or nearly lost family to Lee Myunghwan, someone had appeared who seemed to be connected to Dohwa.

‘They mentioned things like age and appearance. Apparently, the family member had facial burns as a child and always wore a mask because of it.’

But Dohwa had no burn scars, and the iron mask wasn’t for that reason.

‘He can’t say for certain that this is his family, but the Association President also wants to conduct a proper Awakened test. Even if Guildmaster Hwang Jae-i personally requested it, they say it was reckless of him to house someone of unknown identity.’

Though the conversation was with Jae-i, Dohwa stood not far away. Even when they outright pointed out that he belonged to a high-risk group, he didn’t react much. He just wondered if he was going to end up at the Association again.

But the clothes he wore were too big. Could he even walk properly in an outfit that drooped like this? And the shoes were a problem too. The best they could find were loafers, which were too large for his feet.

While Dohwa fiddled with his clothes, Jae-i stared at the hunter apologizing for the sudden visit and saying he would take responsibility for Dohwa.

That man pretending to be kind was Mason, the right-hand man of the Association President. When Director Kim was absent, Mason often acted on his behalf. Despite his appearance, he was extremely cunning, and he wasn’t the type to act on trivial matters. If Mason was involved, this wasn’t just about reuniting a victim with family.

Clearly, there was some hidden agenda he wasn’t being told. Whatever it was, Jae-i was determined to find out, and that’s why he was going with Dohwa.

“I didn’t expect the Guildmaster to accompany us.”

“……”

“Still, the two of you must have grown closer while living together.”

Mason turned his gaze to Dohwa, who seemed engrossed in the scenery outside the window.

“You even brought him glasses. I heard that when he was first discovered, he was wearing a thick iron mask. If someone lived in a sealed space for that long in that condition… it would make anyone cautious.”

“……”

“The Association President had a lot of worries, but it seems they were unfounded. That’s a relief.”

At the subtle probing, Jae-i smirked and lifted one corner of his mouth.

“I’m just going to settle some unfinished business with the Association while I’m at it. That way, I won’t have to get entangled with you lot ever again.”

“I see. I’ve learned a lot from working with you, Guildmaster. It’s a shame to part ways.”

As if. He’d only agreed to help with matters related to Lee Myunghwan, yet the shameless Association had tried to use him for other things as well. Now that he was cutting ties for good, they were clearly regretting it, but Jae-i sent a flat, indifferent look in return. Mason gave a sheepish smile, pretending to be embarrassed.

Hwang Jae-i’s house was thirty minutes away from the Association by car. Normally, it would’ve taken less time, but there were crowds outside the Association again, so they’d had to take a detour.

As soon as they arrived, Dohwa got out and trailed after Jae-i. At one point, Jae-i glanced back at him but didn’t say anything, so Dohwa kept following. They took the elevator to the top floor and were guided to the President’s office. The office was empty, suggesting the President was elsewhere.

“Shall I prepare some tea?”

“No need.”

As always, Jae-i headed to the seat farthest from the Association President’s desk. Mason, used to his uncooperative behavior, turned to look at Dohwa, who was still standing at the entrance.

“Then, shall this young man come with me?”

“……”

Dohwa gave no reply. Though he clearly understood, he kept his head down and pretended not to. Mason then asked Hwang Jae-i,

“Guildmaster, is it alright if I escort him?”

“……”

Jae-i, like Dohwa, remained silent. Though they looked completely different, their refusal to answer was the same. Mason, long accustomed to such responses, simply nodded.

“Alright. I’ll take him with me. After a blood test, he’ll likely have an interview with the person presumed to be a family member. Depending on the results, we may proceed with a more detailed Awakened test, which could take some time.”

He had been tested before and registered as a regular civilian. But there was a chance he possessed a unique ability that didn’t show up in standard testing, so they planned to re-examine him.

Saying it might take time was also a way of testing Jae-i—Would you even wait? But, as expected, there was no response again. Mason stared at Jae-i for a moment, then nodded.

“Understood.”

He walked over to Dohwa with a gentle smile.

“Well then, shall we go?”

Dohwa looked at the man extending a hand toward him, then shifted his gaze.

Jae-i sat with legs crossed and back relaxed against the chair, looking completely disinterested in anything happening over here. Saying something like I’ll be going now would only make things feel more awkward. Fidgeting with the hand lowered to his side, Dohwa turned his body instead of taking the offered hand. Mason, seeing that, moved ahead and opened the door.