Yoo Jin-Ho was flustered.
'...The Red Gate?'
Why was this being brought up all of a sudden? The incident had been all over the news, so he knew what had happened. But the timing was awkward, making it hard to guess his father's intentions.
'And that man...'
The man said to be a survivor. Why had the survivor the press had been desperately searching for been called all the way out here? Yoo Jin-Ho's curiosity only grew. Watching him, Yoo Myung-Han slowly opened his mouth.
"Looks like you don't know that part yet." "Pardon?"
Yoo Myung-Han paid no attention to the bewildered Yoo Jin-Ho, and turned to look at Go Myung-Hwan, who was sitting there with a nervous expression.
"Hunter." "Yes." "Tell my son who else was there that day besides the Baekho Guild's new recruits." "Understood."
Go Myung-Hwan's gaze turned toward Yoo Jin-Ho. Yoo Jin-Ho, having met Go Myung-Hwan's eyes unintentionally, wore a question mark on his face. While that was happening, Go Myung-Hwan spoke.
"A young female Hunter, about high school age." 'A young female Hunter?'
Up until that moment, Yoo Jin-Ho couldn't have dreamed whose name would come out of Go Myung-Hwan's mouth.
"It's Sung Jin-Woo."
Thud. Yoo Jin-Ho felt as though he could hear his own heart sinking in his ears.
'B-Brother was in the Red Gate?'
What had happened? His already confused mind became even more tangled. But then, a memory surfaced without warning.
'Wait, come to think of it, a few days ago...'
Brother had been chatting comfortably with Han Song-Hee, someone he had never even acknowledged before.
"Was the young female Hunter's name, perhaps?" "It was Miss Han Song-Hee."
No way. Yoo Jin-Ho's jaw dropped. So there had been such a secret behind the relationship between those two that he'd never been able to make sense of.
'Then could it be that...?'
The identity of the mysterious helper the news had been speculating about this whole time was actually... As if he knew exactly what Yoo Jin-Ho was about to say, Go Myung-Hwan swiftly confirmed the fact.
"Miss Han Song-Hee and our Baekho Guild members were able to escape the Red Gate safely thanks to Sung Jin-Woo." 'Ha, haha...'
Brother, what on earth did you do in there? Yoo Jin-Ho wore an expression half surprise, half delight. He then completely forgot he was in front of his father and asked.
"What happened inside the Red Gate?"
Go Myung-Hwan looked to the side. Yoo Myung-Han nodded. Go Myung-Hwan, who'd looked like his mouth was itching to burst, finally lit up and continued his explanation.
"Well, you see..."
Even Yoo Jin-Ho, the listener, was wide-eyed.
"At first, when we heard two E-rank Hunters were coming to observe the new recruit training, we were a bit taken aback. But..."
Go Myung-Hwan told the events of that day with the same excited tone as a kid showing off a toy he'd always wanted to a friend. But.
"An A-rank Hunter?"
Go Myung-Hwan wasn't the only one who was excited.
"Exactly! He spread his palm out flat, and BAM! Hit him right on the back of the head, and Kim Chul collapsed right there..." "Huh..."
Every time he heard about his brother's exploits, Yoo Jin-Ho's heart raced as if it were his own.
'That's Brother for you.'
Beating upper-rank monsters was nothing compared to this. Taking down an A-rank Hunter in a single blow. The fact that he himself had been standing beside such an incredible person was both moving and a source of pride. Go Myung-Hwan's story continued.
"...When dozens of Ice Elves appeared right in front of us, I really thought we were done for. But..."
Perhaps because he'd been listening so intently? Time flew by. The account of that day, which was anything but short, was finally nearing its end. The excited Go Myung-Hwan raised his voice.
"This doesn't make sense. Sung Jin-Woo is the benefactor of everyone who was there."
Yoo Jin-Ho nodded unconsciously. He could understand Go Myung-Hwan's feelings. He'd been on the receiving end of that help too.
"But they told us not to reveal Sung Jin-Woo's presence? I couldn't just accept the Baekho Guild's decision willingly. But then, the chairman happened to contact me."
At that moment, Yoo Myung-Han politely cut Go Myung-Hwan off.
"Hunter Go Myung-Hwan." "Yes?" "I believe that's enough." "Ah, I got a bit carried away. I'm sorry."
Go Myung-Hwan bowed his head slightly in embarrassment. Yoo Myung-Han's gaze turned back to Yoo Jin-Ho.
"In the process of learning about Hunter Sung Jin-Woo, a completely unexpected name came up."
The tip of Yoo Myung-Han's finger. Where his index finger pointed was Yoo Jin-Ho's name. It was the raid report Yoo Jin-Ho had handed to Yoo Myung-Han earlier. The index finger slid smoothly and stopped below the three characters for 'Sung Jin-Woo'. Party leader Yoo Jin-Ho, party member Sung Jin-Woo. Irrefutable evidence.
'I've been found out...'
The fact that Brother had helped him in obtaining his Guild Master license had been exposed. Yoo Jin-Ho's face stiffened.
"Your brother,The request was rejected because it was considered high risk