"The estimated value is around thirty billion, but once the building is completed and our guild moves in, it'll jump way higher, hyung-nim. Oh! If you need the notarized documents from that time, I can fax them over right now?"
"Hold on a second."
Jin-Woo cupped his hand over the phone to keep the sound from leaking out and asked.
"If you don't believe me, shall I have him come on the line himself?"
Ahn Sang-Min shook his head vigorously, beads of sweat forming on his brow.
"No, it's fine. I'll hang up." —Yes, hyung-nim.
Once the call ended, Ahn Sang-Min's expression had changed completely. His pupils kept trembling.
'Yoojin Construction had already promised three billion as a deposit before even founding a guild? And Yoo Jin-Ho, the second son of Chairman Yoo Myung-Han, addresses him with the highest honorific?'
Ahn Sang-Min was bewildered.
"Th-that, well... an amount that large is beyond my authority, so to speak... if you could give me some time, I'll consult with the higher-ups at the guild and..."
Jin-Woo cut him off flatly.
"Then I guess that's all there is to discuss."
Ahn Sang-Min was left speechless. He let his head droop and mentally analyzed the reason for his failure.
'In the end, it comes down to a lack of information.'
Rushing things had been the problem. He'd gotten so excited by the scent of a big score that he'd moved carelessly. If he'd first confirmed Yoojin's terms, secured backing from the guild, and proceeded step by step...
'I need to report to the Guild Master first.'
If Chairman Yoo Myung-Han had offered three billion first, this Hunter could be worth five billion — no, maybe even ten billion. It wasn't too late yet.
'If I get backing promised, dig up more information on Sung Jin-Woo, and then push hard...'
That was when Jin-Woo spoke up.
"I have just one question."
Ahn Sang-Min raised his head again. Without realizing it, the smile had vanished from Jin-Woo's face. Though it was a time of year when spring warmth filled the air, the atmosphere around them suddenly felt chilling. gulp. As Ahn Sang-Min swallowed dryly, Jin-Woo asked in a low voice.
"How many people know about me?" "Ah... right now, just myself. I was in such a hurry to recruit you quickly that I didn't have time to report to the higher-ups yet."
There was actually one more person — his subordinate and right-hand man, Hyun Gi-Chul. But he kept Gi-Chul's existence hidden. Just in case it irritated Jin-Woo. However, Jin-Woo's voice dropped even lower, turning threatening.
"Let's not tell lies to each other. It's better for our mutual trust."
Ahn Sang-Min was flustered.
'What? Did he already investigate us to some extent?'
If so, stubbornly denying it could completely sour the relationship. That was something he didn't even want to think about.
'I'll just be honest.'
The relationship between a Hunter and a guild was similar to the relationship between an entertainer and their agency. Even if a contract couldn't be struck right now, maintaining a good relationship left the door open for the future. Avoiding friction with Hunters as much as possible — that was the ironclad rule of Division 2. Ahn Sang-Min opened his mouth.
"Actually, one more of my subordinates knows as well. That's the truth."
Jin-Woo nodded.
'Just as I thought...'
It was exactly as he'd figured. It was too much for one person to handle alone. Investigations, surveillance, phone calls — and above all, the timing of the contact had been the giveaway. The moment he'd arrived near his home, the call came in.
'They must have been watching from somewhere and reached out.'
He wanted to meet as soon as possible, but they had to be careful about calling too hastily and getting caught by Yoo Jin-Ho.
'Still, it's not like the entire Baek-Ho Guild is on the move.'
He'd known from the earlier reaction. When the figure of five billion came up, Ahn Sang-Min had been visibly shaken — it was clearly an amount beyond what he could handle on his own. If he'd had orders from above, he would have at least pretended to contact them. Regardless of outcome. So Jin-Woo had guessed it was a small team of two or three people at most, and sure enough, Ahn Sang-Min had essentially admitted they were working in a pair.
'Good.'
He didn't want to make things more complicated than necessary. Still, two people were within a manageable range. If left alone, they'd keep being a nuisance going forward. So a little warning was in order. Jin-Woo spoke.
"In fact, I turned down Yoojin's offer too."
Jin-Woo's bombshell. Ahn Sang-Min was startled.
"What?"
In that instant, Jin-Woo vanished silently.
"Oh no!"
Ahn Sang-Min shot to his feet. He frantically looked around, but there was no sign of Jin-Woo.
'What? Did he move at a speed too fast to see?'
As Ahn Sang-Min stood there in confusion, he belatedly noticed someone placing a hand on his shoulder from the side.
"Ha."
A chill ran down his spine.
"Don't turn around."
The voice came from right beside him. Jin-Woo, who had been sitting across from him, had vanished without a sound and was now standing by his side.
'Stealth?'
Ahn Sang-Min's forehead broke out in cold sweat.
'H-H-He's not... angry at me, is he?'
Hunters were monsters. Working as close to them as he did, Ahn Sang-Min knew that better than most. That was why he always treated them with utmost courtesy.
'Surveillance and tailing — that must have set him off. Should I have requested an escort from the guild from the start? No, how could I request one without even knowing what rank the other person was...'
His thoughts grew tangled and his heart began pounding wildly. Even the sound of him swallowing felt deafening. Jin-Woo spoke in a hushed tone.
"Sit down slowly. I don't want to scare you."
Ahn Sang-Min nodded.
'This situation is plenty scary already...'
And did as told, slowly sinking into his chair. Jin-Woo then appeared in full and sat down beside him.
'Fair enough...'
He understood now what Jin-Woo meant by not wanting to scare him. Earlier, when Jin-Woo had said he had just one question, his gaze had been enough to make even the surrounding air feel cold. To face those eyes head-on in this kind of situation would have made his heart drop to the floor.
'In its own way, he's being considerate.'
Still, the thought that he was terrified refused to leave. Regardless, Jin-Woo continued.
"The reason I turned down Yoojin's offer is that I have no intention of joining any guild for the time being."
The two spoke without looking at each other, both staring straight ahead.
"I-I see." "And also."
Jin-Woo paused for a beat before speaking again.
"I also don't want the number of people who know about me to increase."
It was simple. He had no plans to join a guild, and he didn't want word getting around about him. Ahn Sang-Min understood the point immediately. But one question still lingered.
"Th-then why are you always seen with Yoo Jin-Ho?" "He's helping me with some personal errands. He was the only person who knew about my Reawakening, and since I consider him a trustworthy friend, I asked for his help. So."
Jin-Woo's voice carried weight.
"If word about me starts to spread from somewhere, would it be fair to consider that Section Chief Ahn Sang-Min's responsibility — or his subordinate's?"
Jin-Woo's hand had long since left his shoulder, yet the weight of his voice alone made Ahn Sang-Min feel crushed.
'He's not just posturing.'
For some reason, a conviction settled over him — this man, Sung Jin-Woo, was someone who could genuinely bring him harm.
'My instinct for reading people is almost always accurate.'
Jin-Woo had survived several terrible incidents unscathed. What happens inside a Dungeon stays inside a Dungeon — whatever Jin-Woo had done in there, nobody knew.
'And on top of that, this man possesses the Stealth skill...'
The Stealth skill was a headache. A Stealth-skill user who decided to commit a crime could do so without leaving a single shred of evidence. CCTV, security guards, anti-crime systems — all of it became useless. A long bead of sweat traced a line down the side of Ahn Sang-Min's forehead.
'To think he could use Stealth...'
Outstanding ability on top of a rare skill. No wonder Yoojin had offered thirty billion.
'Those aren't the kind of people who make bad deals.'
Thump, thump. Despite his fear and trembling, Ahn Sang-Min's heart was racing. He forced his lips apart.
"I-I'll keep this absolutely confidential. I'll make sure to warn Gi-Chul — I mean, my subordinate — firmly as well."
Keeping quiet was something Ahn Sang-Min would have wanted to request himself. An unaffiliated, supremely capable Hunter! There was no need to spread rumors and attract unnecessary competition, nor any desire to involve more people and split the credit.
'Fact is, the biggest reason is that he's terrifying to think of as an enemy...' "I'll trust you on that, Section Chief."
With that single sentence, the presence beside him vanished entirely. Ahn Sang-Min looked around. As if he alone had been dropped into a different world, the café's atmosphere was perfectly peaceful.
"Ha..."
Ahn Sang-Min couldn't find words. He could only clutch his chest in lingering shock. Hyun Gi-Chul came running into the café. He'd been watching the two through the glass from outside, and the moment Jin-Woo completely disappeared, he came sprinting in.
"Section Chief!"
Ahn Sang-Min's complexion was bad. Hyun Gi-Chul asked with concern.
"What happened? Did things go south with Sung Jin-Woo?"
Ahn Sang-Min answered while tremblingly pulling out a cigarette with shaking hands.
"Gi-Chul... we might have stumbled onto something even bigger than we thought."
He had to lock this down. That thought filled his mind entirely. Fortunately, there was still a chance. Just then, Hyun Gi-Chul lightly grabbed his wrist.
"...Um, Section Chief."
Ahn Sang-Min was about to light the cigarette when he stopped and looked up.
"Hmm?"
Hyun Gi-Chul glanced around and leaned in cautiously, whispering.
"This is a no-smoking area."
The cigarette crumpled in Ahn Sang-Min's grip.
"You little... ***"
***
The moment he got home, Jin-Woo pulled up his Status Window. Ding!
Name: Sung Jin-Woo / Level: 39 / Job: None / Title: Wolf-Bear Slaughterer / HP: 7,229 / MP: 683 / Fatigue: 0
[Stats] Strength: 97 / Endurance: 59 / Agility: 97 / Intelligence: 51 / Perception: 81 (Available stat points: 0) / Physical Damage Reduction: 20%
[Skills] Passive Skills: (Unknown) Lv.MAX, Tenacity Lv.1, Advanced Dagger Arts Lv.1 / Active Skills: Sprint Lv.2, Killing Intent Lv.1, Stealth Lv.1, Vital Strike Lv.1
[Equipped Items] Watchman's Necklace (A)
'Can't blame anyone for catching on to all this.'