IH Ch 43

Chapter 43

After a year and a half of activity, she vanished as if into thin air. The sudden and tragic news left people in shock. The news media covered her incessantly, while her agency, family, and fellow celebrities came forward, expressing hopes for her safe return. But even after several months, not a single trace of her was found.

Around that time, some media outlets and individuals began spreading malicious rumors—claims that it was all a publicity stunt, that she never existed and was actually an AI, or that she had been murdered and buried by a stalker.

As all kinds of rumors swirled, it became known that she had endured a difficult childhood and that all of her earnings had been taken by her family and agency. The star who had once shone so brightly and beautifully was now ruthlessly torn apart by gossip and sordid speculation. In this way, she gradually faded from memory.

“…Was it Yoo Sijin?”

[She was twenty-one when she disappeared.]

“Right, that’s true.”

After her disappearance, she never aged in people’s minds, forever remembered as twenty-one.

Kim Wi fidgeted with the photo in his hands, trying to recall the person who had come with Hwang Jae-i. He hadn’t really paid close attention to his face. In the video footage, the view had been obscured by the researcher or covered by hair, so his full features hadn’t been visible. But the eyes, jawline—they might have been similar.

“Are you sure?”

[Genetically.]

“Then that means Yoo Sijin’s disappearance was related to Lee Myunghwan…”

At the time of Yoo Sijin’s disappearance, Lee Myunghwan had only been operating in the shadows. It was only about ten years ago that he began to surface publicly. Even just counting the victims identified since then, the number reached into the thousands. If one included those from before, it would be even more.

The bitter taste in his mouth made Kim Wi change the subject.

“You figured it out quickly.”

[Someone mentioned something strange had entered that household, so I checked it out while I was at it. But he was… cute.]

“…Hm?”

When she said she had gone to see for herself, Kim Wi nodded as if he had expected it—but then paused. Cute? What was she getting at? He looked down at the phone in his hand.

[Considering how Jae-i used to be unable to tolerate even a stranger’s presence in his personal space, the fact that he’s lived with this one for several days says a lot. They seem to get along well. Not to mention what happened two days ago.]

What had happened two days ago was that Hwang Jae-i, while with her, had smiled in front of a crowd of cameras and people. That alone had been surprising, but he had even gone to meet a sick child who had sent him a postcard. When Suhyeon confirmed that, she had wanted to go and ask him in person if it was true—because she couldn’t believe it—but held herself back.

Perhaps something had shifted in him upon reaching adulthood at twenty. If that’s what had caused the change, then it was a good thing, and it was best to watch quietly. Maybe the child in that house was part of what had prompted that shift in Jae-i. They hadn’t yet confirmed his identity, but it was only a matter of time. So for now, if staying together brought out more of Jae-i’s positive side, then that was ideal.

“…Are you planning to keep him around?”

Sensing Suhyeon’s intent, Kim Wi asked. There was no answer.

“Still, isn’t it dangerous?”

[If he’s dangerous, Jae-i will take care of it.]

“……”

If even a hint of suspicion arose, that person would meet his end at Hwang Jae-i’s hands. Realizing that Suhyeon thought the same way, Kim Wi let out a dry laugh. Not because they were in sync, but because both had silently accepted that one person’s life could be sacrificed for Hwang Jae-i’s sake. That condition was something they had both agreed to without needing to say it.

“…Right. Let’s watch for now. Let’s meet up sometime when we both have time.”

That was the end of the call. Thinking that dragging it out any longer would only sour the mood, Kim Wi hung up and looked back at the photo.

The woman beaming under the wide-brimmed white hat. Slowly, he turned the page. The last sheet contained no photos, only personal information. It was a record on Dohwa—most of which was already known to them. In the notes section, seeing “Non-Awakened,” Kim Wi gave a short, thoughtful hum.

The rift that appeared south of Bundang rapidly solidified into a gate.

Since it was close to central Seoul, safety barriers had been deployed almost immediately upon the gate’s emergence. These thick, multi-layered safety nets would remain in place until the gate fully opened and the exploration concluded, preventing any damage to the surrounding area. Previously, seeing such setups had meant little, but now it felt different.

“What a fuss they’re making.”

At An Yuna’s muttering, a nearby hunter glanced at her and whispered, “Careful who hears that.”

“Let them hear it if they want.”

Her tone dry and sarcastic, An Yuna looked over at the technicians continuing to check the safety net even after the Guildmaster and multiple hunters had gone inside.

These technicians were from government agencies. The influential people living in the capital region had collaborated with the government to build this system in order to protect their homes and assets. If even a little harm came to their electoral districts, they would pull every string to prevent it. Meanwhile, they didn’t give a damn about those who lived just beyond the boundaries. The discriminatory nature of it was obvious to everyone, yet no one said a word—that was part of the problem too.

Just then, small sparks flew at the black gate’s entrance. It seemed someone was causing a ruckus inside. Although there was nothing particularly alarming about it, the technicians still freaked out over every little spark.

Shaking her head, An Yuna turned away. She boarded the waiting vehicle and immediately reached for her laptop. Entering the password brought up a four-way split screen. Different angles, different locations—but all showing the same person.

“……”

The round sofa in the rest area next to the Guildmaster’s office had a small figure curled up on it. Seeing the little head pressed against the armrest, An Yuna zoomed in on the screen.

He had been lying like that earlier too. Confirming that the food on the nearby table was still wrapped and untouched, An Yuna called the guild.

[Yes, Director.]

“Why is the guest in the Guildmaster’s office not eating, just lying there?”

[Excuse me? He’s just lying there?]

“……”

The confused reply made An Yuna glance upward.

[Shall I go check on him?]

“No, no, that’s fine. Just…”

She trailed off. Then said it was nothing, told them not to mind her, and ended the call. Then she looked again at the one curled tightly on the sofa.

When she first heard that the boy had gone with the Guildmaster to the Association, she assumed she’d never see him again. After all, he was the type the Association should be managing.

But then the Guildmaster had brought him back—and with a glaring blue bruise showing even under glasses and a mask. She had been so shocked that she’d grabbed the Guildmaster by the collar, demanding whether he had hit the boy, whether he had laid hands on a civilian. It turned out to be a misunderstanding, and she had apologized right away.

Still, her words had clearly put the Guildmaster in a foul mood, and he had entered the gate with a scowl. Maybe that was why sparks had been flying from it since.

When her work phone rang, An Yuna answered, wondering what it could be.

“Yes?”

[Director, we’ve received multiple inquiries from companies about setting up meetings with the Guildmaster.]

“……”

[Normally I would’ve declined on my own, but they were extremely persistent…]

Her voice trailed off, clearly uncomfortable.

Letting out a brief sigh, An Yuna muttered, “These bastards…”

A few days ago, for reasons unknown, that troublemaking Guildmaster had smiled in front of countless cameras. The impact had been huge—suddenly everyone was reaching out, wondering if Hwang Jae-i had changed. Maybe now was their chance to score a deal.

An Yuna was certain that was their delusion. The smile he had shown then—no, it hadn’t even been a smile. His mouth had been itchy or something had been on it, and he’d just lifted the corner of his lip. There was no deeper meaning. It wasn’t worth reading into.

She rejected them outright.

“I’m not about to deliver nonsense like that to the Guildmaster. Unless he brings it up himself, reject them all.”

[…How could I even approach the Guildmaster? Understood. I’ll turn them down.]

Her voice was full of disappointment.

If these were companies confident enough to reach out directly, they were probably fairly reputable. Sometimes, benefits from a contract with the Guildmaster would extend to other guild members too. That was likely what they were after—but if that was really the case, it was even more ridiculous.

After all, Hwang Jae-i alone brought in enough income. Whatever the case might be for other places, the Jae-i Guild treated its hunters well. Even regular employees had notably high average salaries. What more could they possibly want? Just as An Yuna was about to grumble, a commotion arose outside.

She quickly got out of the car. The blackened gate had begun to lighten in color. The exploration was over. Checking the time, An Yuna noted that the gate had been A-rank. If only regular hunters had entered, it would’ve taken at least two days—but the Guildmaster had gone in. Normally, it should’ve ended in three or four hours, but this time it had taken longer. Six hours? She murmured, then hurried to welcome the returning team.

As the gate’s color began to shift to transparent, familiar faces started to emerge one by one. But then—