"Knock, knock, knock."

“Yes!”

Chae Soo-hyun responded in a bright and cheerful voice. She was in a great mood.

That was because she believed that after completely breaking things off with Lee Jin-hyuk and joining the Blue Guild, she would be able to team up with Baek Ji-hoon and take Lee Jin-hyuk down.

Creeeeak.

Park Jin-su entered quietly, looking rather troubled, his face crestfallen.

"Oh, Jin-su, how did it go? It went well, right?"

Even though Park Jin-su’s expression wasn’t particularly bright, Chae Soo-hyun didn’t care. She didn’t even consider that his demeanor might have anything to do with her.

She looked expectantly, without the slightest hint of doubt.

“Haa... it was rejected,” Park Jin-su said with a deep sigh.

He had been hoping to earn some points with the Blue Guild, and even more so with Baek Ji-hoon. But since his plan had been crushed, he was now deeply disappointed.

From Baek Ji-hoon’s reaction, it seemed that bringing in Chae Soo-hyun would be more of a detriment than a benefit. The response had been so bad that it was easy to guess there was some bad blood between them.

“What? Rejected? Why? For what reason?”

Chae Soo-hyun looked genuinely puzzled.

‘What’s this? Ji-hoon oppa is waiting for me, isn’t he? Right? He’s supposed to accept me when I make my move.’

Chae Soo-hyun was operating her “happy circuits” in full gear, convincing herself of a reality that protected her ego.

“Well... from what I gathered, Baek Ji-hoon hunter seems to... dislike you, Chae Soo-hyun hunter.”

Park Jin-su hesitated. He wasn’t sure whether to tell her the plain truth or try to sugarcoat it. He decided to go with the truth, as the rejection wouldn’t change either way.

Besides, Chae Soo-hyun didn’t seem like someone who would give up easily. She appeared determined to join the Blue Guild no matter what.

“What did you just say...?”

Chae Soo-hyun trembled slightly. Her expression showed utter disbelief.

This was typical of her. Since childhood, whenever she wanted something, she would decide the answer in advance and make everything fit into that narrative. This was another case of that.

She had already decided that Baek Ji-hoon wanted her, that he was waiting for her. And now she was trying her hardest to make that reality come true.

“There’s no way. Are you sure it’s Baek Ji-hoon hunter? The one who recently became an S-rank?”

“Yes, that’s right... that Baek Ji-hoon, the Team A leader...” Park Jin-su responded, looking incredibly awkward and apologetic.

“Haa... Jin-su, why are you so incompetent? This is really disappointing.”

Chae Soo-hyun started shifting her frustration toward Park Jin-su. She couldn’t imagine any reason why Baek Ji-hoon would reject her.

“I expected more from an A-rank hunter like you... but this is really disappointing.”

Narrowing her eyes, she glared at Park Jin-su.

“Ah! I... I did exactly as you asked. But Baek Ji-hoon hunter was very adamant that it was not going to happen.”

“What nonsense. I’m Chae Soo-hyun, the former S-rank number one! There’s no reason for him not to accept me, is there?”

Her voice dripped with irritation.

‘Well, technically, that’s true...’ Park Jin-su thought. He had no retort.

Technically speaking, Chae Soo-hyun was indeed an S-rank hunter. She was also the first one to ever beat Lee Su-ah, another S-rank hunter, though she had quickly fallen to second place afterward.

Even so, her rapid rise to S-rank was undeniably impressive.

‘But what can I do if Ji-hoon dislikes her? I can’t change that.’

There was no solution.

“Well then, what about the guild master of Blue Guild? Did you speak to them?”

“Oh... I didn’t even go that far... if Ji-hoon cut it off, I figured the guild master would probably feel the same.”

“Are you kidding me? You’re terrible at your job.”

Chae Soo-hyun was just spouting whatever came to mind, essentially demanding that he somehow get her into the Blue Guild.

Bang!

She slammed her fist on the desk and glared at him with fierce eyes.

“Right now! Go to the guild master of Blue Guild and tell them that S-rank hunter Chae Soo-hyun is transferring!”

“Y-y-y-yes! O-okay!!”

Overwhelmed by her intensity, Park Jin-su quickly fled from the office.

‘So frustrating. Seriously. This guy’s supposed to be an A-rank hunter, but he’s terrible at handling things. Why would Ji-hoon oppa reject me? He must have messed it up somehow. Or... could it be that he’s working for Baekho Guild after all? I mean, he was originally a spy for Baekho Guild, right? Maybe they’re trying to prevent any talent from leaking out...’

Suspicion toward Park Jin-su began to rise in Chae Soo-hyun’s mind.

‘Nothing’s going right...’

Ding-ding.

As she furrowed her brows, deep in angry thought, a message came through.

[XX Café, 3 p.m.]

‘Huh? What’s this...?’

It was from an unknown number. No matter how much she searched, no information about the number came up.

‘Is this someone asking to meet me? Could it be... Ji-hoon oppa?’

Chae Soo-hyun’s mood brightened instantly. At this moment, there was only one person who would want to meet her—Baek Ji-hoon.

‘Hehe. So that’s how it is. Ji-hoon oppa didn’t want to meet openly because of what people might think, right? He didn’t want the attention. Hehe. Alright, oppa. I’ll come quickly. I understand.’

With a spring in her step, Chae Soo-hyun started getting ready, humming a tune to herself, already imagining her prosperous future in the Blue Guild.

 

“What is this?”

A voice filled with irritation and anger rang out in the café. It was the sharp tone of Chae Soo-hyun.

“Have a seat.”

“You’ve got to be kidding me.”

Chae Soo-hyun, who had practically skipped to the café with excitement, saw Seo Ji-soo, legs crossed, sitting there waiting for her. Her face contorted in displeasure.

“Did you send that message? Telling me to come here?”

Chae Soo-hyun placed her hands on her hips, closing her eyes in frustration. Her emotions were in turmoil.

She had been in such a good mood, only to be met by S-rank hunter Seo Ji-soo, and the sight of her filled her with intense displeasure.

‘Ugh. What’s with this fox-like bitch?’

She had already heard about Lee Jin-hyuk meeting Seo Ji-soo. So she had a pretty good idea why she had been called here.

‘That nasty bitch. Just sending the place and time without any explanation?’

The only person she thought would behave that way toward her was Baek Ji-hoon, which is why she had come with such confidence.

“I just have a few things to ask you. Why don’t you take a seat?”

Seo Ji-soo’s tone was dismissive and disrespectful as she addressed Chae Soo-hyun.

“I’m leaving. This is ridiculous. Don’t call me out like this again. How did you even get my number?”

“Aren’t you curious about what I have to say about Lee Jin-hyuk oppa?”

Seo Ji-soo spoke in a teasing tone.

‘This bitch...’

Chae Soo-hyun realized she didn’t have much of a choice.

At this point, it was necessary for her to know what Lee Jin-hyuk was up to. She needed to know her enemy to respond accordingly.

Slam.

“What is it? Spit it out.”

She sat down, pretending to do so reluctantly.

“We both know the situation well enough, so let’s cut to the chase. Jin-hyuk oppa came to see me.”

Seo Ji-soo smiled slyly. It was a smile that would definitely piss off Chae Soo-hyun.

“Last month, he made such a fuss trying to recruit you, Chae Soo-hyun. But now, why did he suddenly come to me? Care to explain?”

Seo Ji-soo continued to sneer at her, legs still crossed.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“I have a good sense of these things. Our Jin-hyuk oppa seems to be in a hurry. Otherwise, there’s no reason he would come to me. I’m his ex, after all. Hoho. Funny how life works, right? After dumping me so coldly, now he’s come crawling back. What happened? Why is he acting like this?”

Seo Ji-soo leaned in, slightly closing the distance.

“I don’t know what Lee Jin-hyuk is up to, nor do I care. Maybe he’s trying to recruit more S-rank hunters to deal with the Blue Guild.”

“No, no~”

Seo Ji-soo wagged her finger in the air.

“That kind of lie won’t work on me. I know Jin-hyuk oppa too well. There’s no way he’d come to me just to recruit more S-rank hunters. The fact that he came to me means he’s out of cards to play.”

She smiled even more smugly, her grin becoming more irritating with each passing moment.

“So, tell me, Chae Soo-hyun, did Jin-hyuk oppa abandon you?”

The mocking tone in Seo Ji-soo’s voice was unmistakable.

“What nonsense!!! Seo Ji-soo, you're just as rude as they say. How can you just say something like that to my face?”

“Listen, Chae Soo-hyun, I think you’re mistaken. Right now, I’m the one holding the key here. If Jin-hyuk oppa is on his knees begging me to come back, it means you’re out of the picture.”

“What... what are you talking about...?”

“It means you’re no longer useful. I know this all too well because I’ve been there myself. When Jin-hyuk feels like someone is no longer needed, he discards them without hesitation. I’m sure, now that Lee Su-ah has taken the number one spot in the rankings, Jin-hyuk has no more use for you. So, naturally, he’s revised his strategy, right?”

“What did you just say...?”

Chae Soo-hyun was fuming inside, but she was cautious. Seo Ji-soo seemed to know too much about her current situation, and that made her nervous.

‘What’s with this girl? Why is she so sharp...?’

“You heard me. Lee Jin-hyuk doesn’t need you anymore. You’re expendable now that there’s someone stronger. He’s switched tactics, and he’s trying to get me on his side. I mean, let’s be honest, why else would he come crawling back to me, right?”

Seo Ji-soo leaned back in her chair, her smugness reaching unbearable levels.

Chae Soo-hyun clenched her fists under the table. She wanted to lash out, but she couldn’t afford to show weakness in front of Seo Ji-soo.

“So, what? You think I care if Jin-hyuk’s trying to recruit you? He can do whatever he wants. That doesn’t change anything.”

“Really? I think it does. You’re just upset because you’ve been discarded, and now you’re scrambling to find a way into the Blue Guild, hoping Baek Ji-hoon will save you. But guess what? He doesn’t want you either.”

Seo Ji-soo’s words were like salt in the wound, and Chae Soo-hyun’s patience was wearing thin.

“I don’t have time for your petty games, Seo Ji-soo. If you think you can replace me in Baekho Guild, go ahead. You’re still just a second-rate S-rank hunter who’s never been number one.”

Seo Ji-soo’s smile faltered for a moment, but she quickly recovered.

“You might have been number one for a short while, but let’s not forget you’re second place now, Soo-hyun. And Baek Ji-hoon? He’s not going to waste his time on someone like you. Face it, you’re done.”

Chae Soo-hyun felt a surge of anger rise in her chest, but she forced herself to remain calm.

“Believe whatever you want, Seo Ji-soo. I’ll be fine without Baek Ji-hoon or Lee Jin-hyuk. You’ll see.”

With that, Chae Soo-hyun stood up abruptly, turning on her heel to leave the café.

“Oh, and one more thing, Soo-hyun,” Seo Ji-soo called after her. “I’m the one Jin-hyuk will choose. Not you. Not ever again.”

Chae Soo-hyun clenched her teeth but didn’t turn back. She stormed out of the café, her mind racing with thoughts of revenge.

‘Just you wait, Seo Ji-soo. You’ll regret crossing me.’

Despite Seo Ji-soo’s cutting words, Chae Soo-hyun wasn’t about to give up on her plans. She was determined to reclaim her place, no matter what it took.

As she walked down the street, her phone buzzed with another message.

[Meet me tonight. 9 p.m. Same place.]

This time, Chae Soo-hyun smiled.

‘Ji-hoon oppa, I knew you wouldn’t reject me for long.’