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A few days after the announcement of Yang Hojin’s A-rank promotion, another big piece of news related to awakened ones exploded in Korea. 

That is, Heaven Guild and Delta Guild announced their official partnership. 

Between Heaven and Delta Guild, they’ll be training guildmembers, sharing some of their research on dungeons, and officially sending hunters to countries with insufficient conditions due to a lack of hunters. 

Through Delta, Heaven Guild–which originally operated primarily within South Korea–has set up a bridge to expand overseas.

Jiho glared at Adrian and Chun Hui Seong, who were showing subtle smiles through the TV. With smiles that anyone can tell are fabricated, the two shook hands like they were on good terms with each other.

This made quite the issue in Korea as Heaven and Delta are both well-known within the country. 

Much of Delta’s fame is owed to the man standing behind Adrian with a faint smile: Cho Seung Taek. 

Cho Seung Taek is among the strongest and most famous hunters in America. Because of that, Koreans cheer whenever Cho Seung Taek, a Korean-American, makes a positive comment about Korea. 

Part of that is also because he’s often more favorably compared against another S-rank hunter, Kang Tae Joo, who’s Korean but wanders overseas instead of returning.

And although Cho Seung Taek is nearly 50, his face and physical that aren’t inferior to those of Hollywood actors play a role in his popularity as well. 

Though the public is celebrating this partnership… it’s actually not good news for Chungram Guild. 

Naturally, even if the two guilds were to merge, they still wouldn’t compare to Chungram. Yet it’s a different story if they’re talking about just Korea.

As long as Joo Yiwon exists, it’s impossible for Heaven to surpass Chungram. Well aware of this fact, Heaven Guild has been focusing on domestic activities using their parent company’s capital, and, thanks to that, is closely following Chungram domestically. This development will close that gap a bit more. 

Not enough to be a threat of course, but….

“…”

Jiho snuck a glance at Yiwon, who looked pathetic lazing around on the sofa. Sporting a t-shirt with a stretched-out collar and a pair of sweats he’s worn since high school–something embarrassing to wear even to a local market–Joo Yiwon was casually chewing on popcorn like someone with nothing better to do.

“Hey.”

“Hmm?”

“Is it okay for you to be here like this?”

“Why?”

“Do you not see the news?”

But his eyes had been fixed on the TV a few moments ago. He must’ve been thinking about something else because after checking the TV, Yiwon shrugged as if it wasn’t important. 

“Ah, that? It doesn’t really matter. It’s all the same whether two similarly ranked guys join hands or not.”

Though arrogant, when it comes from Joo Yiwon, it sounds like a fact. Jiho simply pretended to look at Yiwon pathetically again before turning his eyes back to the TV screen.

Can he trust what Joo Yiwon says?

Shin Jiho’s attacker, James Whitaker, clearly told him that Delta is helping him and that there’s a connection with Joo Yiwon.

However, Delta announced their partnership with Heaven, not Chungram. 

If James Whitaker was telling the truth, Delta Guild just stabbed Joo Yiwon in the back, and… if not that, that could mean that Joo Yiwon either let Delta’s partnership with Heaven happen or even ordered it himself.

If it’s the former, though it won’t be a threat to Joo Yiwon, it means there’s a huge obstacle for Chungram.

If it’s the latter, they’ll get a clear view of Heaven’s internal situation through Delta. After all, Heaven’s been a thorn in Joo Yiwon’s eyes ever since Jiho joined one of their raids. 

Jiho can’t tell if Yiwon’s nonchalance is because he has no thoughts or if it’s because he has a hidden card up his sleeve. 

The press conference soon ended. The TV screen switched and experts began to debate on this recent development. 

Yiwon, who had been indifferently watching the TV with a bored expression, turned to Jiho.

“Honey, are you going to keep watching these ugly old men?”

“…No.”

Jiho’s motivation to concentrate disappeared with Yiwon’s deliberately rude and discouraging words. And besides, the TV panel is saying things he already knows.

Yiwon soon took the remote and switched the channel. As he watched the channels switch, Jiho picked up his terminal which vibrated under his body.

There, an unexpected person had sent a message. 

Heaven Chun Hui Seong

Have you seen the news?
Our doors are always open if you wish to switch guilds.

He must’ve sent these as soon as the press conference ended. Chun Hui Seong doesn’t even like him, why does he keep paying attention to him?

Actually, Jiho already heard about Heaven and Delta’s partnership yesterday. Though he hadn’t paid attention because the source lacked as much credibility as a tabloid. Jiho ignored Chun Hui Seong’s messages and looked at the messages he received yesterday from someone else.

Heaven Chun Hui Lim

It’s so f*cking noisy these days
Sh*tty bastards are making a fuss by joining hands
Hey Heaven and Delta are entangling
Tell them to do something

Yesterday, Jiho wondered what the heck he meant by these texts, but…. In retrospect, Chun Hui Lim was simply giving him all the information he knew. Then say it properly. Who would take this seriously?

Ignoring Chun Hui Seong’s newest messages, Jiho responded to Chun Hui Lim.

Heaven Chun Hui Lim

	Please speak properly
	I thought you were speaking nonsense again because you said they were entangling
LMFAO
Do you even know what it means to be entangled?

After that, vulgar messages spilled from Chun Hui Lim. Jiho was disgusted by the messages rotting his eyes. He’s starting again. It’s impossible to hold a meaningful conversation with this person.

Since Jiho wasn’t reading them, Chun Hui Lim’s messages eventually quieted down, but…. Jiho’s terminal rang again.

Delta Cho Seung Taek

Did. You. See. The. News?
Korean. Reporters. Can’t. Take. Pictures
(Picture.jpg)
s(￣▽￣)v

Attached to Cho Seung Taek’s messages was a picture taken of him and Adrian. 

Adrian, who clearly grew up loved, and Cho Seung Teuk, who has a sharp impression that shows the passage of time. Although their atmospheres clash, it’s thanks to that that they look even more impressive as a pair. Especially since they’re both good-looking.

While the press photos came out good, aesthetics aren’t as important there. Though the photo Cho Seung Taek sent definitely excels in that respect….

Jiho doesn’t understand why he was sent this photo.

Why is this middle-aged man texting him in the first place?

When Jiho scrolls through his messages, they’re filled with strange images and sentences from who knows where.

Delta Cho Seung Taek

(Brilliantly Sparkling Rose Pic.jpg)
I. Hope. You. Have. A. Day. As. Beautiful. As. These. Flowers. ^^

Delta Cho Seung Taek

(Image of a night sky that reads “The brightest star has yet to reach us”)
Youth. Is. About. Dreams. And. Passion,,,,,

Cho Seung Taek has been quite consistent in texting Jiho after their first meeting.

It’s not like he has nothing to do now that he’s in Korea. The messages practically scream that he’s free, but…. What’s his purpose?

Jiho stared at the screen thinking it could be a code, but nothing stood out between the lame phrases.

“What are you staring at, Honey?”

There must’ve been nothing fun to watch on the TV since Yiwon interrupted him. “Something,” Jiho answered offhandedly as he sent Seung Taek a halfhearted [Yes^^] and prepared to push his terminal aside.

However, this time, someone he can’t ignore sent a message.

It was Park Geon Ho, who was instructed to contact him as soon as he found something.

No Name Park Geon Ho

Good afternoon, Guildmaster-nim, did you enjoy your lunch? I enjoyed mine as well thanks to Guildmaster-nim, I believe No Name Guild is a truly wonderful guild, and thanks to that, I have the strength to work hard
The reason I am reaching out is because while I was tracking the cat you previously mentioned, I found a strange spot that I cannot figure out

Long messages came one after the other as if Geon Ho had pre-typed them all. The content was completely unexpected.

No Name Park Geon Ho

	A strange spot?
Yes, strange
There’s something that looks like a gate, but it’s unusually calm and it doesn’t look like anything will come out of it either
I was going to report it to the Hunter Association, but I am asking you because I felt it would be good if you saw it.

If it’s a fissure he saw, then benefits aside, Park Geon Ho should report it first. Jiho frowned and was about to reply when more messages followed.

No Name Park Geon Ho

And I don’t know if this is just my imagination but something about this fissure is off
You know how fissures normally make you feel uneasy
This one feels… how should I put it… clear?
Plus I feel like that cat led me here
I apologize, you can ignore me if this sounds like nonsense
	Alright. Please send me the address.
	And report it immediately if something goes wrong while you watch it
Yes, I will

Park Geon Ho might’ve said he just had a feeling, but you can’t ignore a hunter’s sixth sense about locations, especially from search hunters like Park Geon Ho.

Besides, if the cat that Jiho can’t bring himself to think of as his enemy led Park Geon Ho there… it’s worth seeing. It’s not like it’s far either. 

And above all else, Jiho has an ace up his sleeve.

Doesn’t he have a top-tier helper lazing around with nothing better to do right next to him? The exceptional couch potato who can handle all sorts of dangerous situations in an instant is currently using his skill to delicately pick popcorn crumbs off of his shirt and throw them away.

Instead of asking Yiwon to follow him to the gate, Jiho stood up. Jiho ignored the persistent stare and went into his room to change into outside clothes before coming back out. Seeing this, Yiwon, who was spread out on the couch, sprang up and ran to Jiho as if something big had happened. 

“Honey. Where are you going when it’s your day off?”

“To buy something to eat. It’s almost lunchtime.”

“I’m going to cook….”

“I want to eat out today. Do you want to go out together?”

Yiwon, who was going to sulk, looked up with sparkling eyes. 

“Eung, I want to go. Wait just a second. I’ll be quick.”

If Joo Yiwon had a dog tail, it’d probably be swishing vigorously right now.

Yiwon frantically rushed into his room as if he was afraid Jiho would run away and took a long time to return. When Jiho saw Yiwon walk out, he lost his words.

Yiwon’s outfit wasn’t fancy–he was just wearing a short-sleeved shirt and a pair of pants as it’s still the middle of summer–but it strangely looked like he had put a lot of thought into it. For starters, Jiho’s never seen those clothes before, they must be new. And on top of that, Yiwon had his hair perfectly styled and wore a watch even though he’s usually too lazy to wear one.

It contrasts Jiho’s, which consists of a random t-shirt and jeans plus a cap.

‘Is he going on a date?’

Knowing that Yiwon wouldn’t hesitate to say yes and spill other nonsensical things if he asked that out loud, Jiho suppressed the itch.

“Shall we go, Honey?”

Yiwon whispered excitedly in a gentle tone as he held Jiho’s hand. 

Jiho’s heart hurt looking at Yiwon’s pretty smile. He’s not taking him on a date, he’s taking him to use him. Hearing the anticipation in Yiwon’s voice, Jiho felt sorry that he wouldn’t live up to Yiwon’s expectations. 

“…I’ll drive.”

Jiho answered with a slightly hoarse voice and led the way with the car keys in hand. For some reason, his heart beat and his face felt hot, but at the same time, he felt like throwing up.

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LaZ Bird Corner

Someone in the Korean comments said it’s like when your mom says let’s go eat and takes you to the dentist. 

Yiwon was cute this chapter.

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