The Way of Life for a Terminal S-Class Hunter - C93
For the first time, I said I would make an effort for my own life. Though it took great courage for me to say this, Lee-han looked skeptical.
I’ve lost all credibility with Lee-han.
With just over 110 days left, I’m not sure if I can change anything. However, having made the promise, I intended to at least try to find ways to live. Though the chances were likely very low. I planned to extend my lifespan even by a month to repay my debt to Lee-han.
“Are you lying?”
“If you want, I’ll even write a contract.”
“Then why are you avoiding eye contact?”
“When did I ever avoid your eyes?”
The conversation went in circles. I said if he kept insisting, I’d run away alone without even writing a contract, and Lee-han retorted that he would track me to the end if I did. Lee-han said he wouldn’t force his thoughts on me, but then I shouldn’t try to change his mind either.
Because his words were justified, I had no way to stop him. Four days passed like that. I was set to leave tomorrow, and all preparations were complete except for the stubborn Lee-han.
After preparing the last of my luggage, I went to tell Isabella I would be leaving tomorrow.
“How sad, what should I do?”
She didn’t try to stop me from leaving, but showed her disappointment. It seemed she had thought I would stay longer.
“I’m sorry. I don’t think it would be good to stay in one place for too long.”
“I understand. Actually, seeing how they’re searching every guild related to you like catching mice, our turn might not be far off, so it might be better. It’s good to make the first move.”
I gaped at this news I was hearing for the first time. After being discovered at the second transit point, sightings had drastically decreased, so I had been thinking they were starting to give up, but they had been doing this behind the scenes.
I knew they would investigate, but to think they were contacting overseas guilds… It could be seen as distrusting their own guild and make them unpopular…
Exposing weaknesses and showing signs of suspicion was not good for the power struggle between guilds in many ways.
Do they really not care what happens to the Ihwa Guild?
Though all the guild members are capable and wouldn’t have trouble finding new jobs… when a large guild starts to decline, more people are affected than one might think.
As I thought that far, I shook my head. I had my own problems to worry about right now.
“Oh my, looking at your face, you didn’t know at all, did you? We actually got contacted once too. Of course, not by the Ihwa Guild master, but someone named Mi… Mi… something, anyway, when I played dumb for a while and acted offended, they apologized and asked us to contact them if we found you, then hung up.”
It must have been Ms. Mi-yeon.
“I have an idea who it might be.”
“After drawing a blank in Italy, it seems they’re personally searching countries close to Korea, so they’re probably still in Asia. But the fact that we were contacted means we’re not completely outside their jurisdiction.”
“I see. Hearing this makes me even more sure I need to leave tomorrow.”
Seeing me speak in a daze, Isabella busily took something out.
“I heard you were looking for an item to change your appearance. Did you find one?”
“Yes, though I’m a bit worried because it’s low grade.”
Since I obtained it on such short notice, it was a B-grade item. Though this level was risky as someone could notice the resemblance if they looked closely, it wasn’t easy to procure better in a foreign territory.
“Take this.”
Isabella held out a mask-like item as if she had expected this.
“I thought it might be difficult to get an A-grade or higher in our country since it’s illegal, but guilds like ours can use them with permission.”
It seems Portugal was a country that partially allowed them. Though I felt shameless, it was an item I desperately needed, so I bowed and accepted it.
“If there’s anything I can do for you, please let me know anytime.”
“I did this to repay a debt, but if you help us again, it’ll never end. I hate being in debt. Let’s consider this settled and have an equal relationship next time we meet.”
Was she trying to ease my conscience? She was like a general in battle, but her personality was also refreshingly straightforward.
“Then, let’s meet again if there’s a good opportunity.”
Just when I thought I had finished all preparations perfectly…
“Why is this happening?”
I felt vibrations in my pocket and took out the compass to check. The compass was shaking wildly, pointing in one direction.
“Is it telling me to move?”
Unable to understand why it was suddenly doing this, I looked at it closely.
Bang!
“It’s an emergency!”
The outside had been noisy, and someone burst into the guild master’s office. The person was breathing heavily, having apparently run quite a distance in the urgent situation.
“The… Ihwa Guild master has attacked the front of the guild.”
“That’s impossible!”
It was dizzying news. Just moments ago they said he was searching Asia, how could he have come here?
“Seo-heon came here?”
“Yes. Of course, our guild members are blocking him so he hasn’t gotten inside yet. But…”
Judging by their dark expression, it seemed Seo-heon was trying to force his way in.
“I understand. Please tell them I’ll escape on my own, so they don’t need to worry about me.”
Seeing that he came all this way, did he have some certainty? Or was he simply trying to confirm?
I wanted to think it was the latter, but given his reckless attitude, the former seemed more likely. If so, I needed to leave far away right now.
“I’ll be going now.”
“We’ll hold him off as much as we can. Woo-hyun, run far away!”
Isabella hurriedly equipped her gear and headed outside.
As I was rushing towards my room, I ran into Lee-han.
“Hyung!”
Seeing him sweating, it seemed he had already heard the news. Lee-han was even carrying the luggage I had left in my room. Instead of asking how he knew, I quickly took the bag.
I considered using the disguise item right away but decided against it. Someone of Seo-heon’s ability might see through the item use if we met directly. Even if he didn’t immediately recognize me, he might become suspicious. That would be disadvantageous for escaping later.
It’s better to save it and use it sparingly.
I put the item the guild master gave me into my inventory and patted the still-stunned Lee-han on the back.
“Let’s contact Antonio. We’ll move as soon as we meet him.”
I had planned to leave Lee-han behind, but if we encountered Seo-heon here, we’d be in deep trouble. He would find out that I was here and that Lee-han had helped me escape.
In fact, he may already know, but we still need to keep Seo-heon from finding out as much as possible. He might direct unnecessary anger at Lee-han.
Normally, I would have wondered if Seo-heon would go that far. But I couldn’t predict how the recent Seo-heon would act, so I needed to set up minimum defenses. I called Antonio’s saved contact. Fortunately, he answered quickly.
[Hello?]
His relaxed voice neutralized my anxiety.
“Hello? Antonio, could you tell me where you are right now?”
Though he might have found my abrupt question strange, he showed no particular reaction.
[I’m on my way to the guild just now.]
“Could you teleport now then? I’ve been told the person tracking me has come to the front gate.”
[Alright. There’s a side door our guild members use. I’ll send you a map, so come out that way.]
“Okay.”
The map arrived quickly. Though the path looked blocked from the outside, it was probably an illusion and we could just pass through.
“Let’s go, Lee-han.”
Lee-han hesitated for a moment before following close behind me. The path wasn’t as far as I thought, but the distant explosions made me increasingly anxious.
“Could that sound be Seo-heon?”
The noise was growing too loud to be just an argument. At this rate, it could escalate into a conflict between guilds.
We needed to leave quickly, but remembering that Seo-heon had been injured, I kept wanting to look back. Had he fully recovered from his wounds before coming?
“You may not realize it, hyung, but it could be Kang Seo-heon.”
While I was hesitating uncertainly, Lee-han spoke firmly.
“Hyung, you don’t know how obsessed that guy is with you. Of course, some of it might be intentional on his part, but in a way, it seems like you want to pretend not to know.”
It was quite a cold assessment, and an accurate judgment.
Because of the painful memories of the past 4 years, I couldn’t even imagine that Seo-heon had such strong feelings for me. On the other hand, I didn’t want to believe Lee-han’s words.
I could understand a Seo-heon who didn’t love me, but
A Seo-heon who loved me was incomprehensible and made me resentful.
I wanted to understand him.
“It’s this way.”
Lee-han grabbed my shoulder as I was about to go down a different path and turned me in the right direction. I had nearly gone the wrong way.
I was lost in thought again.
“Let’s pick up the pace a bit.”
After about five minutes of focusing, we finally reached the back door where Antonio was. However,
Boom, boom.
The distant explosions had followed us. Even without looking back, I knew. It was Kang Seo-heon.