“Hahahahaha!”

Lee Soo-ah let out a hearty laugh. It was the happiest and most carefree expression she’d had in a long time.

“Hehehe.”

Yoo Hana, standing next to her, was no different. As an S-rank hunter, she hadn’t laughed like this in ages, but today was different.

"Soo-ah, you seem really happy. It feels like it’s been a while since we’ve properly worked as S-rank hunters."

"Right? Same here."

They had just finished a task assigned by Baek Ji-hoon, leading other S-rank hunters and completing it flawlessly. Within a short time, the eight S-rank hunters had done something truly extraordinary.

"Hehe, we worked so hard I didn’t even notice how late it had gotten."

"Looks like we were really focused. Hohoho."

They were both filled with a sense of victory, clearly pleased with how they had managed to outmaneuver Baek Ji-hoon.

‘Hmph. Ji-hoon, I gave you all this attention, and you didn’t even look my way. You’ll have no choice but to react to me this time.’

Lee Soo-ah felt a deep sense of frustration and unfairness towards Ji-hoon, and she wanted nothing more than to prove herself.

‘He probably thought I wouldn’t be able to complete the mission. But look at me. I can do it—easily.’

Despite the complicated tasks that had been twisted and stacked against her, she had completed them all.

‘Tomorrow... I’ll be there bright and early, waiting for him. Hahahaha.’

Lee Soo-ah laughed joyfully, and Yoo Hana wasn’t far behind.

‘Ji-hoon... He’s no ordinary guy. I thought he’d just do what I told him, but he’s not that easy... He even knows how to manage S-rank hunters. Hmm. Could he be trying to charm other S-ranks, too?’

Yoo Hana found herself in a similar position to Lee Soo-ah. She, too, was frustrated by her inability to grab Ji-hoon’s attention. Until now, everyone she’d met had showered her with admiration and interest, but Ji-hoon’s indifference was driving her crazy.

‘It’s okay. I’ll just prove myself with skill. Ji-hoon doesn’t know what I was like back in the Blue Guild. I’m Yoo Hana, the S-rank hunter. He just doesn’t know me well yet. Hmph!’

"Alright, Yoo Hana, I’ll see you tomorrow morning. How about we report in early?"

"Yes, let’s go early and wait for him. I can’t wait to see Ji-hoon’s surprised face."

"Me too. Sleep well~"

The famously antagonistic pair, Lee Soo-ah and Yoo Hana, waved goodbye to each other with a friendly smile and parted ways.

“Tell me, Jin-soo.”

It was late at night, in a dimly lit corner of a café.

Che Su-hyeon and Park Jin-soo were seated together.

“What exactly is going on in Blue Guild?”

Her voice trembled as she asked. Che Su-hyeon was visibly anxious, a stark contrast to the arrogant attitude she had shown when they last met.

She seemed to sense that things were getting dangerous, and it was becoming clear to her that she was no longer in a position of overwhelming dominance.

She needed allies, and that’s why she was now turning to Park Jin-soo for help.

“Sigh... Well…”

Park Jin-soo scratched the back of his head, unsure of what to say.

“There’s so much conflicting information. Honestly, no one really knows exactly what’s happening inside Blue Guild right now…”

His face was tense.

“Please, tell me whatever you know, even if it’s unclear.”

Che Su-hyeon, her voice shaking, was now speaking respectfully to him. It was clear she was desperate.

“Well... Blue Guild is restructuring very quickly around Hunter Baek Ji-hoon. I’m sure you know that he’s now a team leader. He’s also gathering S-rank hunters for senior positions. Yesterday and today, from what I’ve heard, he’s been organizing dungeon raids with S-rank hunters from other guilds…”

“Was it Ji-hoon who ordered the S-rank hunters to gather for raids?”

Che Su-hyeon’s voice wavered. She sounded deeply suspicious.

“That’s what I’ve heard, but the information is all over the place. Some people are saying that Hunters Lee Soo-ah and Yoo Hana were the ones tasked with gathering other S-rank hunters…”

Park Jin-soo sounded uncertain, as the information was hard to verify. It wasn’t easy to dig up solid details about Baek Ji-hoon, and with Che Su-hyeon pressing him for answers, he could only provide what he had heard.

“So... It seems like Ji-hoon is using Lee Soo-ah and Yoo Hana to recruit other S-ranks… Hah…”

Che Su-hyeon began to draw her own conclusions, unaware that much of the information was inaccurate.

“And... what’s the relationship between Lee Soo-ah and Baek Ji-hoon?”

“Sigh… The rumors are unclear…”

He hesitated, clearly unsure how to proceed.

“It’s fine. Even if it’s just rumors, I want to hear it.”

“Well... there’s a rumor going around the guild that Lee Soo-ah and Baek Ji-hoon are dating, but that Baek Ji-hoon still can’t forget about his ex-girlfriend, and that he’s thinking about going back to her…”

“What?”

Che Su-hyeon shot to her feet, her expression lighting up as if she’d just heard the best news of her life.

‘What... What is this? Ji-hoon oppa?’

Her face brightened even more.

‘Why is she so happy all of a sudden?’

Park Jin-soo frowned slightly, confused by her reaction. He knew well that rumors within the company often held little truth. In a place where a casual comment about liking coffee in the morning could turn into rumors of opening a coffee shop by the afternoon, accuracy wasn’t their strength.

‘Sigh... there’s still not much useful information, but... Che Su-hyeon is really pressing me.’

From his perspective, Che Su-hyeon was a major figure. Even being an S-rank hunter was impressive, but she was ranked number one among them.

‘If I can earn her favor... maybe I can join her team. Then I could secure a powerful position…’

He had high hopes, though for now, the information he had wasn’t very helpful.

‘Still... she’s reacting to this silly rumor.’

Her reaction was puzzling.

‘Is she Baek Ji-hoon’s ex or something?’

He couldn’t believe it. To him, Che Su-hyeon and Baek Ji-hoon didn’t seem like a match at all.

Che Su-hyeon had a sharp, almost predatory air about her, while Baek Ji-hoon seemed much more subdued.

‘Unless... was Baek Ji-hoon her slave or something? That wouldn’t count as a relationship, would it?’

A swirl of conflicting thoughts filled his mind, but none of them seemed certain.

‘Could it be... that Ji-hoon oppa still hasn’t forgotten me?’

Che Su-hyeon’s face was now glowing with happiness. The information she had just heard filled her with joy, and she felt her heart racing.

‘He... he still hasn’t forgotten about me.’

Even though office gossip shouldn’t be taken at face value, this was something Che Su-hyeon had hoped for, and she quickly believed it.

“And... is there anything else? Any other stories?”

Having collected herself a bit, she sat back down.

“Well... there’s also a rumor that Hunter Cha Isul has feelings for Baek Ji-hoon...”

“Hah…”

Che Su-hyeon scowled, annoyed.

‘Why her too…?’

She had already heard a bit about it. Cha Isul, Baek Ji-hoon’s childhood friend, had quickly been recruited into the Blue Guild.

Cha Isul’s swift transfer from the prestigious Zeus Guild had been a major topic in the hunter community.

‘Hah… for her to fall for Ji-hoon oppa so easily… she must really like him.’

Che Su-hyeon narrowed her eyes. She had felt a glimmer of hope, but now an annoying obstacle had appeared.

‘It’s hard enough dealing with Lee Soo-ah… and now Cha Isul too...’

“And aside from Lee Soo-ah and Cha Isul... any other hunters? Don’t tell me… Hunter Yoo Hana…”

“Yoo Hana also seems to have a lot of interest in Baek Ji-hoon…”

“Hah…”

Park Jin-soo was speaking cautiously, knowing this wasn’t the kind of news Che Su-hyeon wanted to hear.

Every time he mentioned Baek Ji-hoon’s relationships with women, he could see the tension increasing in Che Su-hyeon’s expression.

‘What’s going on with this guy, Baek Ji-hoon?’

The situation was incomprehensible. While Park Jin-soo didn’t fully believe in the office rumors, most of the gossip in Blue Guild revolved around women being drawn to Baek Ji-hoon. Yet, Che Su-hyeon kept asking about and reacting to every bit of information on the subject.

“Um... excuse me…”

Park Jin-soo decided to take a leap of faith and ask.

“What is it?”

“Do you... have feelings for Hunter Baek Ji-hoon?”

“I... I don’t!!! That’s incredibly rude of you to ask!”

Che Su-hyeon responded almost explosively, clearly trying to conceal her true feelings.

“Ah… I see. I apologize. I overstepped.”

Park Jin-soo quickly apologized, not wanting to risk angering her further.

‘Sigh... so what is this all about? These complicated relationships?’

The tangled web of S-rank hunters surrounding Baek Ji-hoon was impossible to unravel.