IH Ch 47

Chapter 47

 

Today was the day to deliver the gifts that had been gathered for the Guildmaster. Even though it was understood that the Guildmaster would never personally check the gifts sent to him, this task had been faithfully carried out for the past three years without fail.

 

Hwang Jae-i, who had arguably the largest fanbase in all of South Korea, received an overwhelming amount of gifts and fan letters every single day. As such, the Jae-i Guild had a dedicated department solely for handling legal matters related to Hwang Jae-i and another department that managed the gifts and letters addressed to him.

 

Though all gifts were appreciated and cherished, only those deemed worthy of the Guildmaster’s attention were selected and passed on. This had been done for nearly three years, but as expected, he had never so much as glanced at them. Instead, the Guild responded with thank-you notes on his behalf. However, recently, an unprecedented event occurred where he actually read a fan letter sent to him and even went to meet its sender.

 

As someone who had long observed the Guildmaster, it was hard to believe—but it was true. And if it had happened once, perhaps it could happen again. Thus, the guild began sorting the gifts and letters even more carefully to ensure they reached him. Or at least, that had been the plan.

 

“…I guess today isn’t the day.”

 

Johan stammered as he spoke, forcing an awkward smile.

 

Regardless, Hwang Jae-i—seated deep in the Guildmaster’s chair—remained unresponsive. Today, he looked as though he had melded with the chair, his head tilted back so that his face was barely visible. Yet the oppressive air of displeasure that radiated from him was sharp enough to sting the skin.

 

Had he known it would be like this, he wouldn’t have overstepped. When he heard the Guildmaster had decided to enter the gate himself and then ran the hunters who followed him into the ground, he should’ve backed away then and there. But no—he’d come to deliver gifts for no reason at all.

 

Johan glanced down at the box in his hand. It was small, but filled with various items. He was supposed to take this to the Guildmaster’s house and retrieve the old one in exchange. Normally, this job fell to someone else, but Johan had volunteered. The reason was—

 

Click. At the sound of the door creaking open, Johan’s head whipped around at the speed of light. The door on one side of the office opened, and someone stepped out, only to pause.

 

“You look amazing, as expected!”

 

Overcome with emotion, Johan placed the box on the desk and clasped his hands together. With a face that looked like he could die from excitement, Johan eagerly looked Dohwa up and down, finally seeing him in clothes that fit properly. His gaze was so intense that Dohwa instinctively stepped back, attempting to retreat inside again.

 

“N-No! Don’t go back in. I’ll stop looking—!”

 

He then covered his eyes with both hands. Usually, he couldn’t stand even a speck on his glasses, but now, with his fingers pressing into the lenses, he didn’t care in the slightest. In a buoyant voice, he asked,

 

“Do the clothes fit well? If anything’s uncomfortable, please don’t hesitate to say so. I can go buy a new set.”

 

At that, Dohwa poked his head out again and shook it. He wanted to say no, that everything was fine, but only managed to mumble the words, then retreated behind the door like he was hiding. Seeing this, Johan slowly lowered his hands. Watching as Dohwa hesitated to come out again, he couldn’t help but feel pity.

 

Just as he looked, the man was as sensitive inside as he was beautiful on the outside. He must find strangers uncomfortable. And yet he was living with that Guildmaster. It couldn’t be easy. The Guildmaster had always lacked social skills—though most S-ranks had a tendency toward solitude, he was even more extreme. Johan had gotten used to it after years together, but that beautiful man hadn’t. Judging by where he’d been found and the crude iron mask he had been wearing at the time, life must have been excruciatingly hard for him.

 

Now that he’d escaped that place, Johan had hoped he could live comfortably. But instead, he had caught the Guildmaster’s eye and was now living with him. Wouldn’t it be better if he stayed at the guild instead? There was even a dormitory for staff here.

 

Just then, with a loud screech, Hwang Jae-i stood up.

 

“Oh? Are you leaving?”

 

As soon as Hwang Jae-i moved, Dohwa hurriedly darted out from behind the door. Seemingly wary of Johan, he glanced at him before following closely behind the Guildmaster.

 

At a glance, everything fit him perfectly—even the sneakers. The sky-blue shirt suited him so well that Johan couldn’t help feeling proud. But that moment of satisfaction was short-lived as Dohwa fidgeted nervously near Hwang Jae-i, prompting Johan to speak.

 

“You’re heading home, right, Guildmaster? If you go ahead, I can escort him back myself.”

 

To Johan, the Guildmaster’s mood looked to be at rock bottom. Years of experience had taught him that the best course of action in times like this was to let the Guildmaster go alone and follow behind afterward. That was why he made the suggestion—but a sharp glare immediately cut through the air.

 

“Why you?”

 

“What do you mean why…”

 

Did he need a reason? He’d always done it that way.

 

Not knowing what he’d done wrong, Johan clamped his mouth shut. And just then, Dohwa—who hadn’t responded to anything until now—gently asked,

 

“You’re going home?”

 

“…”

 

“Can I go with you?”

 

Looking up at Hwang Jae-i cautiously, his question was pitiful. Johan felt like his heart was melting and made a strained sound as he looked at the Guildmaster.

 

How could anyone say no when someone that beautiful asked so sweetly? Even the Guildmaster, known for his cold-blooded nature, couldn’t possibly refuse. But Hwang Jae-i didn’t even blink. His face actually hardened even further, making Johan inch forward anxiously.

 

“Guildmaster…”

 

If it’s inconvenient to take him with you, perhaps he could stay here at the guild—Johan was about to suggest that when Dohwa raised a hand to his lips and whispered something. It was a very faint whisper. Just as Johan was wondering what he’d said, the Guildmaster’s face twisted dramatically.

 

“You…!!”

 

Like a puffed-up cat with its fur bristling, Hwang Jae-i’s chest heaved as he lunged toward Dohwa—only to catch himself mid-motion. As he turned his head, he locked eyes with Johan, who now wore a serious expression.

 

Johan looked between the Guildmaster and Dohwa before hesitantly speaking.

 

“I do respect you deeply, Guildmaster, but I can’t stand by while you act threatening toward a civilian…”

 

“What are you even talking about—you don’t know anything—”

 

Jae-i snatched the box from Johan’s hands and simultaneously grabbed Dohwa’s wrist with the other, dragging him out.

 

“G-Guildmaster!”

 

Startled by the rough treatment, Johan, who was significantly smaller in build, jumped up and hurried after them. But Hwang Jae-i had already boarded the elevator and was heading down. Watching the floor numbers drop rapidly, Johan was fidgeting in place when An Yuna emerged from the hallway and called out.

 

“You’re just standing around again instead of working.”

 

“N-No, that’s not…”

 

“What?”

 

“….”

 

At her raised eyebrow, Johan fell silent.

 

He had plenty to say, but not the confidence to explain it clearly. Besides, nothing he could say would stop the Guildmaster from taking that beautiful person with him. The Guildmaster was an S-rank, after all—he was surely aware of his own strength, so maybe he wouldn’t treat him too harshly. Feeling dejected, Johan quietly returned to work.

 

Thud—the door shut with such force it made a heavy noise, and Hwang Jae-i slumped over it.

 

“…”

 

The guild’s parking lot housed all the vehicles he’d driven since he was seventeen. Most of them were high-end models outfitted with special equipment. Hunters were recruited for gate operations starting at age fifteen, and naturally, driving and firearm use were also permitted from that age.

 

With his face buried in his palm, Hwang Jae-i inhaled deeply, then exhaled. Slowly straightening, he moved to the driver’s seat, resting a hand on the car door. Forcing himself into motion despite his reluctance, he climbed into the seat and started the engine.

 

“Aren’t you going to buckle up?”

 

“…”

 

“…It’s dangerous.”

 

He wanted to ignore it, but couldn’t.

 

Clenching the steering wheel, Hwang Jae-i asked in a low voice,

 

“What was that just now.”

 

“What was what?”

 

Dohwa acted like he had no idea what was being referred to, and Jae-i ground his teeth, turning to glare. In the passenger seat—where Jae-i had practically tossed him—Dohwa sat hugging the box in his arms.

 

What Dohwa had quietly whispered to Johan earlier was this:

 

‘You’re way too big down there. Maybe you should talk to him and get some help.’****

 

“…”

 

Feeling a headache coming on, Jae-i leaned an arm against the wheel and buried his face into it. Dohwa, still hugging the box, fidgeted with his hands before cautiously speaking.

 

“Did I say something unnecessary?”

 

“…”

 

“I’ll be more careful from now on.”

 

No two people were exactly the same, and as long as it didn’t cause problems, that couldn’t be considered a flaw. That applied to Hwang Jae-i’s situation as well. Trying hard to forget the terrifying feeling of accidentally grabbing that monstrous thing earlier, Dohwa mumbled,

 

“I won’t mention the fact that you’re unusually huge down there to anyone else either—”****

 

“Ya-.”

 

Slowly lifting his head, Hwang Jae-i was utterly speechless.

 

****BWAHAHHWHWHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHA