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Even though Yoo Gyung Woo feels like they’d be able to get together with the slightest push. Yoo Gyung Woo doesn’t have the thought of helping their relationship any further. That’s because….

‘Jiho’s too good for him.’

While Joo Yiwon might be close to perfect as a guildmaster and hunter, he’s not that great as a partner. Jiho and Yiwon’s moral ethics are direct opposites of each other. Why are their personalities so drastically different from each other when they were both raised under Chairman Shin and Madame Lee? This is a mystery that remains unsolved.

However, the reason Gyung Woo has no thought of stopping them either is because unfortunately, Jiho also likes Yiwon a lot. 

As a result, both Yoo Gyung Woo and the Shin family can only maintain an ambiguous stance, neither encouraging nor stopping them. 

“Then maybe they met at a TV station. Wasn’t there a time when Yiwon appeared on a lot of TV shows? Maybe Lee Ha Yeon-ssi ran into him while she was visiting other colleagues in their waiting rooms.”

“That… is possible. Maybe they fell for each other, and if so, they can start dating….”

“No, it’s not like that, okay? They’re not dating.”

“How can Hyung promise that? And even if they’re not dating, it’s a fact that they’ve grown close. They’re not that far apart in age, and they’re close enough that she can just grab him like that. If they continue, they might start… dating soon ….”

“…”

They’re back at the beginning. Seeing Jiho force this through clenched teeth, Yoo Gyung Woo had a premonition that this conversation was never going to end. So, Gyung Woo put on a patient smile and used the last trick up his sleeve.

“Then isn’t that a good thing? If those two really are dating, then Yiwon won’t say such weird stuff to Jiho anymore.”

Jiho flinched. Even though anyone can tell that he likes Yiwon, not only does Jiho not realize it, but he actively denies it. Shin Jiho’s eyes shook.

“R-right. It is a good thing….”

“That’s right, and it’s not certain yet, right? Yiwon will come out of a dungeon raid soon, so you can ask him then.”

Jiho’s expression darkened.

“Joo Yiwon. He’s been coming to work on time these days, right?”

“Hm? Yeah, of course he does.”

“It’s been a while since he has come home…. He doesn’t contact me either. And his terminal is off too.”

“What?”

Yiwon hasn’t been going home? Sure, there weren’t that many days that he could go home because of how busy he was, but Yiwon definitely got off of work normally.

Actually, not even the vice-guildmasters, who are the closest to Joo Yiwon, know about his private life. The only thing they know is whenever he goes to find Shin Jiho.

Though he seems to be busy with something outside of work, Yiwon’s never revealed anything to them.

But Yiwon still looked like he was seeing Shin Jiho regularly, even when he was busy; to think that he hasn’t been going home at all. Yoo Gyung Woo chuckled awkwardly and tried to make an excuse.

“He’s busy… that’s probably why. You know how much of a workaholic that guy is. I’ll make sure he goes home today. Or do you want to wait in the guild?”

“No. He’ll come on his own. Not that it matters to me….”

Shin Jiho huffed coldly.

He’s sulking, he’s definitely sulking right now.

Yoo Gyung Woo doesn’t understand why Yiwon, for a guy who’s trying his best to look good in front of Shin Jiho, keeps doing things that get on Jiho’s nerves. Well, it’s not like that’s any of Yoo Gyung Woo’s business. He’s done enough.

“Oh yeah, Hyung.”

“Hm?”

“I would like to meet Hunter Joo Haeun. Would it be possible to see her?”

“Ah, Joo Haeun-ssi?”

Although he’s heard this request from a lot of other people, Gyung Woo never expected to hear it from Shin Jiho.

Normally, Gyung Woo would’ve cut him off and told him that Joo Haeun doesn’t like meeting people. But this is Shin Jiho. Yoo Gyung Woo nodded.

“Well, I can try calling her. I’m not sure you’ll be able to meet her though. As you know, Joo Haeun might be a guildmember, but she’s in a position that makes it hard for us to make her do anything.”

“Does she not like meeting people?”

“She’s just a little eccentric. She loves her work too much. It’s not that she hates people, she just doesn’t have any interest in them. I don’t know if she’ll agree to meet you. And if you guys do meet, she’ll probably ask for your blood.”

“My blood?”

“Yeah. She likes collecting blood from the hunters she meets and studying it. She’ll definitely ask you for yours too….”

Jiho frowned, aghast. 

“Is she like a mad scientist or something?”

“No, she doesn’t do anything out of line…. But her image might be something similar….”

Listening to Gyung Woo’s description made Jiho’s firm resolve to meet her waver, but… he can’t back down now.

Since Jiho told Gyung Woo that he still wants to meet her, Gyung Woo reluctantly used the guild line to phone Joo Haeun.

“Ah, hello. Hunter Joo Haeun.”

Gyung Woo greeted her respectfully before getting to his main point. Shortly afterwards, Gyung Woo covered the receiver and whispered to Jiho with a complicated expression on his face.

“She says it’ll be hard to meet, but she can talk to you through the phone.”

Jiho nodded vaguely.

“Should I leave so that you guys can talk comfortably?”

“But this is Hyung’s room.”

“I have to head out soon anyways. Feel free to rest here after the call. You don’t need to clean up or lock the door or anything, so you can just leave whenever you want.”

“Yes, thank you. Then have a safe trip.”

“Eung. Have a nice call, and be well. Let’s get a meal together next time.”

Gyung Woo made a promise to meet again and then left the room.

Now alone, Jiho picked up the phone.

“Hello, Hunter Joo Haeun-nim.”

Jiho politely greeted. A light laugh passed through the speaker of the phone. The female voice was neither too high nor too low, and she sounded quite amused.

– Ah, there is no need for such a stiff address. Please just call me Joo Haeun.

“I cannot….”

Not only is the other such a great inventor that she is a monumental figure of humanity, but she is also much older than Shin Jiho.

– If you continue to use the –nim suffix, I will be ending the call here.

“…Yes.”

But if she doesn’t like it, Jiho has no choice. Jiho decided to try his best not to call her name during their conversation.

– Alright then, what did you want to meet me for?

“There is something I would like to tell you in person.”

– Do it through the phone.

“Can I not meet you in person?”

– Yes.

She’s not as difficult as Jiho thought she would be, but… she was firm.

“It’s just a bit difficult to say over the phone.”

– This phone is a special item, so you do not have to worry about someone listening in. You can speak comfortably.

“In fact, I actually asked Yiwon if he could help me meet you…. Did he not say anything? Yiwon promised that he would try his best to arrange a meeting.”

Yiwon didn’t actually go that far, but… Jiho sold off Yiwon’s name without any hesitation. A brief moment of silence passed through the phone. 

– Now that you say that, I do believe I heard something like that…. But I’m kind of busy right now. An experiment that I am conducting right now makes it hard for me to leave the lab. I cannot take my hands off of it, you see.

Joo Haeun’s mind could not be changed. On top of that, her work is tied to this; what else can Jiho do? Jiho surrendered and got to his point.

“Then… there is actually something that I wanted to ask you.”

– Yes.

“Hunter Joo Haeun invented the inventory pocket and fissure prediction device. Could you possibly invent something completely different?”

– Hm, what kind of thing?

Hearing the curiosity in her voice, Jiho quickly explained.

“This might sound a little confusing, but… have you ever played video games before?”

– Yes. I’ve played quite a bit.

Personally, Jiho has very little experience with video games. He only started playing after he had gained the ability to see a system, and even then, only shallowly, in the name of studying. However, he knows enough to be able to explain the concept to someone who actually plays.

“You know how there is a party system in games? You can create a party with fellow dungeon raiders and share statuses with each other. In a similar manner, I thought it would be nice if people who enter dungeons together could check each other’s statuses.”

– That is going to be difficult for me to do.

Only an immediate rejection was returned.

– I apologize that I could not give you a positive answer.

Before Jiho could add anything else, Joo Haeun ended the conversation there. Jiho swallowed his disappointment at the firm rejection, which left no room for negotiation, and politely replied.

“No. Thank you for giving me your time.”

Though he didn’t receive a hopeful answer, since he gave her the idea, she might be able to develop something at a later time.

– If you’re thankful, can I make a request?

“Yes?”

– Give me a couple of drops of your blood.

“…”

Jiho was only being polite when he thanked her. If they’re being honest here, Joo Haeun didn’t even do anything, yet she was still asking for his blood. It’s a good thing Yoo Gyung Woo gave him a heads-up or else Jiho would’ve been shocked. Sure, Jiho can give her a couple of drops of his blood, but….

“I will, if you agree to sincerely consider my idea.”

– Ah….

Joo Haeun sighed lowly.

– It seems that you misunderstood because I did not explain it clearly. The reason I say it will be difficult is because I already tried to do it before. At that time, I came to the conclusion that such a system would be impossible to create.

“Ah, is that… so?”

– Yes. As of right now, it is impossible to create something like that. Being able to see other people’s statuses is a challenge in and of itself, after all.

Her firm answer wasn’t because she was being insincere, but because she’s already tried. Joo Haeun remained silent for a bit, before adding on quietly.

– And on top of that, it’s not something I can invent on my own….”

“Do you work with another person?”

Jiho asked in surprise. According to his knowledge, the fissure prediction device and the inventory pocket were all invented by Joo Haeun on her own. Is she saying that there was another person?

– That is a secret. 

A light chuckle followed her soft reply. Though Joo Haeun spoke enigmatically, she didn’t deny it. 

It was a completely unexpected secret. Just who is that person that they aren’t stepping up to announce that they worked with Joo Haeun? Thanks to those inventions, Joo Haeun has earned extraordinary riches and honor. Why is that person hiding….

– Then are you not going to give me your blood?

Before he could think too deeply about that subject, Joo Haeun urged him for an answer. Had it been another person, Jiho wouldn’t have given them his blood, but he can trust Chungram’s Joo Haeun. And plus, it might not be big, but there’s no harm in creating a debt of some sort.

“If it is needed, then I do not mind giving a couple of drops. It will not be used in anything weird, correct?”

– There is no way I would use the blood of our guildmaster’s boyfriend in anything weird.

“I am not his boyfriend.”

– So you will give it, right?

“Yes….”

She didn’t even pretend to hear Jiho’s explanation. At Jiho’s listless response, the other laughed as if she was satisfied.

– Please go to the Research and Development Office on the 20th floor. I will let Hunter Lee Chae Hui know. It will not take long.

“Yes, I understand.”

As soon as she finished her business, Joo Haeun ended the call. She… is very much a person who only likes saying what she wants to say.

Since there was no need to delay, Jiho soon headed towards the 20th floor.

When he got off of the elevator, a girl wearing a white gown over a high school uniform was standing there. After seeing her face and appearance, Jiho remembered where he had heard her name before.

Chungram’s A-rank alchemist, Lee Chae Hui.

This girl is quite well-known. After all, Lee Chae Hui is only 19 years old.

The story of how Lee Chae Hui, who was in the middle of cram school, lost consciousness after a sudden nose bleed, before she eventually awakened, is a legend among the students. Since she was able to quit cram school and enter a big guild like Chungram, the other students can’t help but envy her.

Although there’s a couple of old-fashioned people who will ignore young awakened ones…. Lee Chae Hui is an important person who will become the nucleus of Chungram’s R&D Team after she graduates from high school. Jiho went to greet her respectfully.

“He…”

“Wow, it’s Shin Jiho!”

Lee Chae Hui excitedly screamed almost at the exact same time. Surprised by her own self, Lee Chae Hui covered her mouth with her hand. Face bright red, she continuously bowed over and over again.

“Ah, I-I apologize, No Name Guildmaster-nim.”

“It is alright.”

Jiho stifled his laugh. Since she is both young and capable, Jiho can tell that Chae Hui feels comfortable within the guild and that the guild values her. Seeing Jiho adjust his attitude to be more casual and show a warm smile, Chae Hui looked a lot more relieved. 

Embarrassed, Chae Hui coughed with a blush on her face. Then, like a good working member in society she led Jiho in. Jiho took a seat on the sofa on one side of the lab and Chae Hui sat next to him.

“Manager Joo told me already. Then I will draw a bit of blood now.”

“Yes.”

“It will sting a little.”

Chae Hui pulled out a syringe made from dungeon materials and drew Jiho’s blood with practiced motions. The matter was much simpler than expected.

After storing the blood, Chae Hui looked at Jiho again and admired.

“Wow, I’m in awe.”

“By me?”

“Yes. After all, you are incredibly famous right now. Ah, of course, you were always famous. But these days, you’re even more famous than before. Of course, I was always rooting for Guildmaster Shin Jiho-nim!”

“Ah, thank you.”

Her sparkling eyes did not appear to be fake. Noticing this, Jiho thanked her with a pleased heart. Among the other guilds in the country, Chungram Guild’s guildmembers are generally more positive towards Jiho, perhaps because they were strictly trained by Shin Jihye.

“Um….”

“Go ahead.”

“Would it be possible to get a selfie with you?”

Jiho was wondering what she was going to say because of how much she was hesitating, but Chae Hui’s request was something he didn’t expect at all. Jiho nodded awkwardly.

“Wow! Thank you. Do you mind if we stand next to each other?”

“No.”

Chae Hui excitedly pulled her terminal out and stood next to Jiho. The distance between them was a little far for a selfie. Jiho looked at Chae Hui through the camera and asked.

“Is this not far? How about we stand closer?”

“Oh. No, that’s forbid….”

“Forbid?”

“Ah, no. I like this distance.”

Jiho feels like they’re kinda far, but… if the person who requested the selfie is fine with it…. Jiho nodded and turned back towards the camera.

When was the last time he took something like a selfie?  Since he doesn’t usually take selfies, Chae Hui had to coach him multiple times on how to smile naturally.

At the end of that brief struggle, the picture turned out nicely, even in Jiho’s eyes. Chae Hui, too, showed a proud smile like she was satisfied with the picture.

“Wow, is it okay if I upload this to Infollagram?”

“…Yes, go ahead.”

As soon as she got his permission, Chae Hui eagerly tapped away on her terminal before showing it to Jiho. She showed a photo, along with a short caption and numerous tags. 

“Wait.”

Even after posting it, Chae Hui seemed busy, staring at her terminal. Chae Hui lifted her head and grinned in excitement.

“Wow, the reactions are just as explosive as when I posted that picture with Guildmaster-nim.”

“You took a picture with Joo Yiwon?”

“Yes. Would you like to see?”

Jiho nodded as though he was in a trance. Chae Hui immediately touched her terminal for a bit before showing a post to Jiho. 

The post had an impressive number of hearts and comments. In the picture, Yiwon and Chae Hui were standing side-by-side, with the nightscape behind them. Jiho frowned. He wasn’t expecting that.

“When did you take this picture?”

“The day I signed with Chungram Guild after I was scouted! In my contract, I requested a 1:1 fan meeting with Guildmaster-nim, you see. We weren’t able to do anything big because he was so busy, but I still managed to get a photo out of it.”

Jiho didn’t even hear her last sentence.

A 1:1 fan meeting?

He didn’t know that Yiwon had a schedule like that….

Then again, they probably wouldn’t put something like a 1:1 fan meeting on Yiwon’s schedule online. It might’ve become a small issue online, but it’s been a while since Jiho’s cut himself from the internet because he was so tired from all the people cursing him.

Yiwon does fan meetings to recruit new members?

If someone offers him something even better, Yiwon will probably do anything for that person.

‘That easy bastard.’

For some reason, Jiho’s temper flared.

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LaZ Bird Corner

THAT EASY BASTARD.

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