“Ha… it’s done… hahahaha…”

Lee Sooah let out a satisfied sigh as she brushed her chest.

“Jihoon, you’re now mine. No, you belong to our A Team. There’s no way you’re getting away.”

She thought that if other S-Rank Hunters found out about Baek Jihoon, it would create a tremendous headache for her.

“Ugh… the problem is Yoo Hana, though…”

“I have to find a way to stop the rumors from spreading.”

It was clear.

In Sooah’s opinion, if Baek Jihoon’s abilities were disclosed, it would send shockwaves through the Hunter community.

All S-Rank Hunters, including herself, were struggling due to various status ailments. They had reached a point where they could no longer grow.

“Think about it, Sooah. Just last week, you were in so much pain, it was hard to even work. But now? You’re energetic and thriving. The only person who can create this state is Baek Jihoon.”

She nodded.

She believed that what she was doing was absolutely right.

“I can’t let Baek Jihoon go…”

She recalled several S-Rank Hunters whom she considered rivals.

They were all beautiful and definitely the type to captivate Baek Jihoon.

“Hmm… what should I do to make Baek Jihoon completely commit to our guild…?”

“First, I need to protect him from Yoo Hana… It’s an emergency.”

*

Click clack.

Lee Sooah entered the office with a slightly intimidating expression.

“Ah, Hunter Sooah, you’re here!”

Manager Cha greeted her warmly.

However, Sooah seemed absorbed in her thoughts and ignored Manager Cha while passing by.

“Huh. Why is Sooah acting like this today?”

Creeeak.

As Sooah entered her office, the members of Hunter Class 6 gathered in a huddle.

“Hey~ Hunter Sooah, why’s she so stuck up today?”

“Not sure? Maybe she’s in a bad mood? Something might’ve gone wrong over the weekend?”

“Could it just be Monday blues? It is Monday after all. I was annoyed during my commute today. It would be great if someone just paid me to stay home.”

“Hmmm… I don’t think it’s simply Monday blues. She seemed focused, not angry.”

“Is that so…?”

*

Knock knock.

“Yes.”

Sooah seemed lost in concentration, giving a terse response.

Creeeak.

“I’m here to get approval from Hunter Sooah.”

“Yes, come in.”

“Wha… what is all this…?”

Manager Cha paused at the door, staring wide-eyed at the wall lined with monitors.

“Is that… CCTV?”

“That’s right. It’s footage of Baek Jihoon.”

Sooah appeared deeply engrossed in her work.

“Eh…? Baek Jihoon? But… why? Are you monitoring him?”

“Ah, Manager Cha, we’re in big trouble.”

“Why…?”

Sooah spoke with a serious tone, filled with worry, prompting Manager Cha to pull out a chair and sit down.

“We need to protect Baek Jihoon.”

“Eh?”

He could only cock his head in confusion.

“Baek Jihoon. Other guilds and S-Rank Hunters might have their eyes on him.”

Her voice was earnest.

“Why? Isn’t Jihoon E-Rank? Oh, now he’s D-Rank, right? He mentioned getting a rank-up this weekend.”

“That doesn’t matter whether he’s E or D Rank. I just sense other Hunters might start targeting him… I think Yoo Hana is already after him.”

“Come on~ don’t you think you’re worrying too much? Why would Yoo Hana be after Baek Jihoon…”

“Right? That’s what it seems. But I feel like that’s not the case. It seems that Yoo Hana is already smitten with him!”

“Is that even possible? Jihoon’s only been dispatched for three days! If she’s already got him, then he’s quite the Casanova!”

“Sigh…”

Sooah felt an overwhelming sense of concern.

“But… is that why you installed the CCTV…?”

“Yes. To protect Jihoon.”

“No… still…”

Manager Cha looked bewildered.

“It’s all on consent.”

“?”

“I got Jihoon’s permission, you know.”

“Not through coercion, right?”

“No. It was voluntary.”

Sooah smiled brightly.

‘Heh, as if…’

“Anyway, it’s too dangerous right now.”

“But, Hunter Sooah, if Yoo Hana falls for Baek Jihoon, isn’t that actually good for us? I think the guild master would welcome that.”

“Ha. It’s not about whether Yoo Hana returns to our guild or not. I’m worried that with more people aiming for Jihoon, it could become a mess.”

*

“What’s going on? Manager, why are you taking so long?”

The Class 6 members stared at Manager Cha, waiting eagerly for answers.

“I don’t know~ But it seems like Sooah is definitely falling for Baek Jihoon…”

“Why’s that?”

Manager Cha relayed everything he had just learned.

“Eh…? So you’re saying you’ll be monitoring him live through CCTV?”

“Yeah. And, it doesn’t seem like that’s all. I have a feeling she’s planning to swoop in on Yoo Hana soon.”
EP.61

“Eh…”

Everyone looked at each other.

It seemed they all had the same thought.

“Lee Sooah is totally into Baek Jihoon. No doubt about it; that explains everything.”

“I’ve poked her a few times, but she insists it’s absolutely not true. She says she’s just managing her team… calling him a valuable asset to our A Team. When did D-Rank Hunters become ‘valuable assets’?”

“Hmm… maybe she’s just embarrassed?”

“Eh?”

“I mean, she’s been putting up such strong defenses, only to find someone who genuinely excites her. It makes sense that she’d be a bit ashamed of her feelings.”

“Oh, is that it?”

“If we play it cool and act like we don’t know, maybe it’ll help her out. She seems a bit embarrassed, after all.”

Hunter Class 6 then convened for a strategy meeting.

*

“Hello.”

“Yes. You’ve come in a bit early today.”

Yoo Hana replied with a more relaxed tone compared to last week.

“Is Baek Jihoon here?”

“Yes.”

“Where did you say he lives…? Sillim, right?”

“Yep.”

“Are you considering moving?”

“Huh?”

She looked at him seriously.

“I don’t think Jihoon should be too far away from me.”

‘I’m not a wireless charger or anything…’

“Hm… I’ve never done this before, but how about I find him a new place to live? Would you be okay with that? I hope you will…”

Yoo Hana spoke with a slight insistence.

“Eh? Hana… what are you saying… Why the sudden change?”

“Ah, just stay out of this, Oppa.”

Her manager looked a bit flustered and raised an objection.

“You never did that for us, did you? I just barely got it, but now you’re doing this for someone from the Blue Guild?”

“Ugh, Oppa. He needs to be close to me. Just know that.”

She stated firmly.

“Uh, but moving seems unlikely.”

I naturally expressed my refusal.

“Why not?”

Her voice came back with a slight irritation.

“First, my work with you is temporary. I’ll have to return to the Blue Guild anyway, so it would just be a hassle to move back and forth.”

It seemed only to complicate things further.

When would I move again, and how would I organize my things?

“No, it’s not temporary. Baek Jihoon, you have to keep working with me.”

“?”

“I’ve already told the Blue Guild about it.”

“??”

What the heck does that mean?

*

“Eh????????”

Lee Sooah held a document, her eyes wide with disbelief as she trembled.

“What does this mean…?”

“Yoo Hana applied last week…”

“Is Yoo Hana out of her mind?”

Lee Sooah’s expression suddenly turned full of rage.

“Ha. I’ll head out for a field visit.”

Her face looked terrifying as she faced the exit.

“Uh… is Hunter Sooah really going to confront Yoo Hana…?”

“Who knows… But if it comes to a fight, will Baek Jihoon be the prize for the winner?”

“Isn’t it Jihoon’s decision?”

“Come on. When does Jihoon get to decide? It’s whatever the S-Rank Hunters say.”

“Oh really? But isn’t that a win-win situation? If I were him, I’d just follow the winner.”

“Oh boy…”

The members of Hunter Class 6 were deliberating over the unfolding situation.

Suddenly, they received news about a permanent dispatch notice for Baek Jihoon.

“Anyway, I told you, Baek Jihoon is a valuable asset. The guild master is keeping an eye on him for sure.”

“Ugh, is that so…”

*

Bang!

Suddenly, the door burst open.

It was Lee Sooah.

“Yoo Hana?”

“Ha… why is Sooah here again? This is ridiculous.”

She stormed in during my conversation about the move.

“Excuse me, but I just received a strange document… permanent dispatch?”

“Yes. You received it well.”

“This is absurd. Who granted permission for a permanent dispatch?”

“My heart did. The guild master must have approved it as well.”

Yoo Hana crossed her arms and crossed her legs.

“Ha… seriously…”

Lee Sooah seemed at a loss for words.

“I’m against this.”

It had turned into a very awkward situation.

Two women were fighting over me.

‘What the heck is this.’

“Lee Sooah, please talk to the guild master instead. There’s no point in arguing with me.”

Yoo Hana pointed her finger at Sooah with a smirk.

“Ha. Baek Jihoon!! Come here. We’re going out together!!!”

She grabbed my wrist and pulled me outside.

“What the!!”

Yoo Hana followed suit and grabbed my other hand, pulling me in opposite directions.

I felt like I was about to be torn apart between two S-Rank Hunters.

‘Damn it. This is a torture device or what?’

To be continued…