Chapter 105

Chapter 105

“What?! An S-Class Awakener has been born! How is it possible that not a single news article has been posted?”

Park Kyung-min glared at his smartphone, furious.

Do Jae sighed deeply as he watched him.

“I told you. I asked them to keep the reporters away.”

“Still, it’s been three or four hours already. Word must have spread by now, right?”

“I asked them to keep it under wraps as much as possible.”

Normally, the official appearance of an S-Class would be a historic event, worthy of major headlines in every media outlet.

And not just confined to a single nation—it’s an event the entire world would take notice of.

It’s so significant that the president himself stepped forward to hold a press conference and offer congratulations.

Yet Dojae left the Seoul Regional Hunter Bureau more quietly than anyone.

There was a risk of being spotted by the swarming reporters, but with the Chief’s help, he easily slipped out to the parking lot.

This was thanks to the Chief Hunter personally stepping forward to perform a congratulatory gesture for A-class Awakened Being Lim Seo-jun in front of the reporters.

“Yeah, if the boss hadn’t done that, do you think we could’ve come to Busan this easily? Probably dozens of cars would’ve been following us.”

Young-jin said as he unloaded his luggage from his car.

As he said, Do-jae had requested not only strict internal silence within the Hunter Bureau but also that any press releases be delayed as much as possible.

Otherwise, he might have ruined the guild members’ trip because of himself.

After all, it was a rare vacation and trip. How exhausting would it be if reporters followed them everywhere they went?

“And bro! I didn’t say anything in the car, but from now until we get back, reading books is also forbidden!”

After unloading all the luggage, Young-jin approached Do-jae and growled.

While the other guild members rode in the guild van, Dojae had come separately in Youngjin’s car, reading a book he’d brought from the Magic Kingdom during the trip.

Investing in his Spirit stat every time he leveled up had made his reading speed faster and comprehension easier.

Having finished one book in no time, Dojae felt grateful to Youngjin, who had been quietly mindful throughout the drive.

“Got it. I promised.”

“Hehehe. Let’s have fun today!”

The promise he and Youngjin had made when they set out.

To have fun without a care during the trip.

After seeing Dojae nearly cut off Choi Dong-wook’s leg last time, Youngjin had thought deeply the next day and planned this trip.

“Manager Young-jin! But if we were going to come deep into the mountains like this, did we really need to come all the way to Busan? And why didn’t we just fly? Only Tae-sung had to suffer.”

Ji-yoon, having finished moving all the luggage, stretched her stiff body and approached Young-jin’s side.

She spoke in an irritated tone, but deep down, she was thrilled.

Even though she’d seen mountains ad nauseam in Cheorwon, Busan was a first for her, and above all, the pension was just too beautiful.

“Sorry… our budget… we had to save every penny… and I drove here too…”

Young-jin replied, looking downcast.

Recently, the guild had grown rapidly, and even though they were haggling, they were actively trading with Choi Woo-seok in wholesale and retail. But that meant a lot of money was going out too.

While they weren’t in the red, they were investing heavily, so they wanted to save wherever possible.

“If you put it like that, what am I supposed to be… And honestly, I love it! Even without the ocean, there’s a pool and walking paths. The atmosphere is totally awesome…!”

Ji-yoon said with exaggerated gestures.

But her words were an unvarnished truth. The pool attached to the pension was large and clean, and it wasn’t just a simple rectangular pool; it was also outstanding in terms of interior design.

Plus, a well-maintained hiking trail ran behind the pension, perfect for enjoying the fresh air.

“Huh. You wouldn’t find a pension this good anywhere else in the country.”

“But this place seems pretty expensive. If we were short on budget, shouldn’t we have looked for somewhere cheaper?”

“It’s fine. I got it super cheap because it’s run by someone I know.”

“You didn’t…?”

“Ji-yoon! What do you take me for? I’m not someone who lacks anything!”

“Right. You are the son of a major corporation chairman, aren’t you?”

Tap- tap- tap-.

While Young-jin and Ji-yoon were talking, a white-haired man walked out of the pension, leaning on his cane.

“Sir! I’m here!”

The moment Young-jin saw the man, he broke into a bright smile and ran over.

The two embraced each other tightly.

“Young master, you’ve arrived.”

“Uncle, I missed you.”

The man addressing Young-jin as young master.

He was Hwang Jang-gyu, the butler who had looked after Young-jin since childhood.

“You’ve grown so much more dignified since I last saw you.”

“Oh, come on. I’m just glad to see you looking so healthy, sir.”

“Thanks to you, Chairman, I’m doing well. So these are your friends, young master?”

“Yes! They’re members of the guild I belong to.”

Young-jin introduced the guild members one by one to Hwang Jang-gyu, starting with Jung Hoon-hyun.

Everyone liked Hwang Jang-gyu, with his deep voice and polite manners.

And finally, it was Dojae’s turn.

“This gentleman is the pillar of our guild and the elder I owe a debt of gratitude to. I mentioned him last time, right? And elder, this gentleman is the butler who looked after me when I was young.”

“Hello. My name is Do Jae.”

“Pleased to meet you. I’m Hwang Jang-gyu. I’ve heard a lot about you through the young master.”

Do-jae and Hwang Jang-gyu shook hands.

His hand was thin and wrinkled, yet possessed a grip that was by no means light.

Do-jae thought, this man certainly has the bearing befitting a butler in the household of a conglomerate chairman.

“Sir, are you fully recovered now? Still, seeing you walking around like this puts my mind at ease.”

“Heh heh, young master. We’ll talk more later. I should show you to your room first, shouldn’t I? Your friends are waiting.”

“Ah, yes! Let’s all go inside!”

The pension hallway they entered following Hwang Jang-gyu was so impressive it put luxury hotels to shame.

Not only was it immaculate, but the subtle aroma and warm red lighting created a cozy atmosphere without feeling dark.

The guest rooms were no different.

The understated interior and furniture arrangement, which instilled a sense of calm, ensured guests could relax and enjoy their stay.

It was clear this pension reflected Hwang Jang-gyu’s experience.

“Well then, I hope you have a relaxing stay.”

Hwang Jang-gyu, having finished his introduction and instructions, exited.

Do-jae followed him and stopped him.

“Mr. Hwang, I have something I’d like to ask you.”

***

Poo-wah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah

“Kyahahaha! Guys, focus your attacks on Manager Young-jin!”

Pooosh-pooosh-.

Poo-waaah-!

“Ugh! Stop it, stop it!”

Inside the pool.

Who knows when they brought those, but led by Ji-yoon, the Park Ha-gong trio fired water guns at Young-jin.

After unpacking, they immediately changed into swimsuits and entered the pool.

Though they always carried a heavy atmosphere and couldn’t hide their tension inside the dungeon, seeing them like this, they looked no different from any other twenty-somethings.

“Master! Big Brother! Help me!”

Young-jin shouted while dodging the water jets.

Do-jae lay on a sunbed watching them, while Jung Hoon-hyun paced around the pool, talking to someone on the phone.

“Keeee! Time out! Everyone, come over here. No, wait! I’m not trying to splash you, just come over for a sec!”

Young-jin gathered the kids and started whispering to them.

Unfortunately, every word of their conversation reached Do-jae’s ears.

‘When I say one, two, three, you all shoot your water guns at Hyung-nim. Then I’ll run over and push him into the water. Okay, one… two…’

Do-jae smiled broadly and reached his hand toward the pool.

And in sync with Young-jin’s signal, Do-jae cast his magic too.

“Three!”

“Wave.”

Simultaneously, Yeongjin and the others turned around and faced Dojae.

But the wave spell Dojae cast sent a towering wave crashing over them.

“Kyaaah!”

“Grrrr…”

“Wuuuuk…!”

“Brother!”

“Brother!”

Soaked to the bone by the waves, they looked at Dojae with resentment, looking like drowned rats.

Dojae waved his hand lightly at them.

‘Just a little while longer before we go inside.’

Leaving the guild members behind as they started playing again.

Dojae recalled the conversation he’d had with Hwang Jang-gyu.

‘Lee Ki-hyuk. Young-jin’s eldest brother… He doesn’t seem to care much, does he?’

Lee Ki-hyuk, the eldest son of Song Ja-kyung.

He was the young CEO of Polina Life & Style, one of Polina’s subsidiaries.

As the head of a conglomerate whose shampoo and conditioner products were used by virtually every person in South Korea, he was said to be 15 years older than Young-jin.

Consequently, he was relatively less interested in Young-jin, and his outstanding personal abilities earned him Song Ja-kyung’s deep trust.

Thus, unless Young-jin causes major trouble, the likelihood of conflict between them is considered the lowest.

‘Third son, Lee Ki-hoon….’

The second son, Lee Ki-hoon.

As Young-jin’s third older brother, he held the title of Planning and Coordination Director at Polina Fashion. While officially a director, he effectively functioned as the representative.

Moreover, he possessed a rather eccentric personality, having frequently beaten and tormented Young-jin since childhood. Even as an adult, he reportedly resented Young-jin’s very existence.

Particularly, Lee Ki-hoon grew up receiving little love from Song Ja-kyung, and he blamed all of that on Young-jin. Outwardly, it seemed Ki-hoon disliked Young-jin the most.

But in reality, Lee Ki-hoon wasn’t the one who caused Young-jin the most trouble.

‘The one who bothers me the most is Young-jin’s sister.’

The eldest of four siblings, Lee Ha-jung.

Hwang Jang-gyu thought of Lee Ha-jung this way.

‘A cruel girl…’

Lee Ha-jung was said to be extremely cunning and cruel.

The Lee Ha-jung Hwang Jang-gyu had observed was the type who manipulated things from behind the scenes without revealing herself directly.

They say Lee Ha-jung was the kind of woman who would meticulously create an escape route for herself before initiating any action.

Furthermore, Yeong-jin had a burn scar on his right shoulder blade from a major fire around age seven, and Hwang Jang-gyu suspected it might be Lee Ha-jeong’s doing.

This was because Lee Ha-jung’s nanny had died in the fire, and it later came to light that not only was a massive insurance payout made out to her, but her family also received an unknown sum of money.

If that were true, it meant she possessed a cruel nature, capable of setting fire to a house without hesitation to achieve her goals.

‘All three are owners of enormous corporations. While your older brother and sister inherited the family business, what were you doing, Young-jin?’

Do-jae watched Young-jin laughing and chatting.

He looked both pitiful and pathetic, playing with clear eyes, unaware that the more he grew, the more his life was threatened.

“Huh? Oppa! You’re just now coming in?”

“Kids! Stop it!”

As Dojae rose from the sunbed, Youngjin and the Parkha Trio swiftly ran over and hoisted him onto their shoulders.

Then Young-jin whispered into Do-jae’s ear with a sly grin.

“Hehehe. Big bro, if you move, you’ll hurt the kids. Just stay still and let us carry you!”

Splash!

Do-jae finally sank into the water without resistance.

And just as he tried to get up.

Splash splash-!

As Dojae surfaced, they unleashed a barrage of concentrated fire all at once.

“You guys…!”

Dojae smiled faintly as he chanted the spell.

“Everyone, get out of the way!”

A third of the pool water rose above Dojae’s head. He hurled the mass of water toward Youngjin and the others.

“Whoa!”

Unfortunately, it hit Jung Hoon-hyun, who was wandering around.

Completely soaked by the sudden water bomb, Jung Hoon-hyun fell down in an embarrassing heap. The other guild members burst into laughter at the sight.

“Sorry… Hahaha.”

Do-jae scratched his head and laughed along.