From the very next day, Ryu Seo-ha started commuting to the guild headquarters again. The difference from before was that instead of helicopters or limousines, he now used Choi Gang-hu’s skill [Spatial Jump] as transportation.

Other changes from before were that his residence was now a high-rise tower villa in the Polynesian Islands rather than the Hannam-dong mansion, and that he was excluded from healer duties, eliminating any need to leave the Guild Master’s office.

Naturally, he had almost no face-to-face interactions with outsiders or even guild members. On the rare occasions when Han Kang-seok or Han Ga-eul were called for advice, they were only allowed to visit after thorough body searches.

“Once again, thank you.”

Director Hwang Munseok, who was now bowing politely before Ryu Seo-ha’s eyes, was no exception. He had undergone multiple inspections that would have elicited strong displeasure from an ordinary person.

“Is that all you have to say?”

However, the complaint erupted from Choi Gang-hu, who was sitting askew on the wooden desk. He looked clearly displeased, as if asking if they had persistently requested this already rejected meeting just to say hello.

“I heard that without Ryu Seo-ha Hunter, the rescue operation wouldn’t have even been attempted, so I wanted to meet in person…”

“I think that’s enough with the greetings.”

He essentially issued an order to leave. It was a rather rude attitude, beyond just being prickly. It seemed he was in a bad mood, likely due to having his time discussing future actions with Ryu Seo-ha while thoroughly reading the “Future Event Log” interrupted.

Ryu Seo-ha quietly took his lover’s hand. He thought there was no need to be so sharp with a high-ranking association official that he would often see as Guild Master. Only then did Choi Gang-hu’s brow smoothen.

“Just get to the point briefly.”

“I will explain.”

The one who answered the softly flowing voice was Kwon Se-jeong, who had been sitting quietly.

“We came to ask for your participation in the dispatch of the rescue team this time.”

“Who?”

“…Both of you.”

When Kwon Se-jeong answered with an expression that seemed to say ‘You’re not thinking of moving without Ryu Seo-ha anyway, are you?’, Choi Gang-hu’s brow, which had just relaxed, furrowed again.

World attention on fate of Pakistani citizens buried in massive landslide

Magnitude 7.3 earthquake occurs in Namibia, southwest Africa

What is the extent of damage from tsunami caused by volcanic eruption in Cebu, Philippines?

Hurricane hitting western US destroys hundreds of thousands of homes

From Hell Guild: “Stop the rumors! It’s not Choi Gang-hu this time”

It was because they knew that the cult was behind the recent surge in unexplained natural disasters. And that this was a sign of an impending global crisis. It was a development much faster than the date predicted in the ‘Future Event Log’.

“As it’s a rescue site in desperate need of medical personnel, if Ryu Seo-ha Hunter participates, it will greatly benefit national interests.”

Director Hwang Munseok continued speaking in a consistently polite manner. As he said, if an S-rank healer went directly to the disaster site to help, it would greatly contribute to improving Korea’s status and From Hell Guild’s image.

It would also ease Ryu Seo-ha’s mind, who had been worried about the issues caused by Choi Gang-hu’s recent actions. However, the rescue team’s first destination was likely to be the United States, Korea’s closest ally, rather than a country lacking manpower.

“I’m sorry.”

Having thought that far, he offered a calm apology without needing to consider further.

“I’m afraid I won’t be able to participate this time.”

As he firmly rejected the request, a look of bewilderment appeared on Hwang Munseok’s face. He seemed to have been given some prior indication about Ryu Seo-ha’s nature of not being able to turn away from requests with clear justification.

Even Kwon Se-jeong clearly looked surprised, as if she hadn’t thought he would shake his head so firmly. As the conversation didn’t continue immediately, a subtle silence fell over the Guild Master’s office.

Even Choi Gang-hu, who had been quietly observing after allowing the meeting, was looking at him with an expression of surprise. Ryu Seo-ha gently smiled as he faced his lover who had by now changed his attitude towards life.

He had firmly resolved as he left the fortified island. To no longer push the responsibility of choices onto his precious person. He had no intention of continuing to selfishly pass on decision-making power ambiguously as before.

If he showed even a slight sign of hesitation, Choi Gang-hu would, as he always had, make an unwilling decision just to bring peace to Ryu Seo-ha’s mind. So he had to show firmness.

“May I… ask the reason?”

However, he couldn’t fully reveal his true feelings to Hwang Munseok, who carefully asked back.

“It’s for personal reasons.”

As he slowly shook his head and avoided answering, the expressions of the father and daughter became troubled. They seemed to be struggling to figure out how to persuade him without knowing the reason.

“I will immediately provide you with the list of borrowed-name accounts I have secured.”

The first to open their hand was Hwang Munseok. It meant he would give away a weapon that could enable negotiations with Gangseong Trade’s hidden major shareholder without any compensation. Ryu Seo-ha deliberately put on an innocent face and tilted his head.

“Hadn’t you already handed that over?”

When he looked at Choi Gang-hu as if to say hadn’t they requested and received it right after rescuing the kidnapped people, a look of embarrassment flashed across Hwang Munseok’s face. He seemed to realize it was a subtle jab asking if he had pushed aside the gratitude for saving lives and why he was trying to make a deal.

This was why debts of the heart were scary. Objectively speaking, the two were completely separate issues, but Hwang Munseok, with his upright character, wouldn’t be able to clearly distinguish between public and private matters as usual. Not to mention himself, but even his only daughter’s life was indebted to them.

“I thought you might find it difficult to move because of the upcoming shareholders’ meeting, so I mentioned it.”

“Yes, that part does concern me.”

“I will send you the list today, so please reconsider the dispatch issue.”

As Ryu Seo-ha smiled leisurely, anxiety seeped into Hwang Munseok’s eyes. He was curious about why they were so concerned, even if they were mindful of the US’s stance.

“You said you could protect the company even without those shares, right?”

“Ah, yes.”

But instead of asking the person directly for the reason, he pretended to be relaxed as he turned to look at Choi Gang-hu. Though surprised by the unexpected behavior, he nodded in agreement without saying much. In fact, it would be an absolutely necessary document to create even one more friendly share.

“If there’s anything else you want, please feel free to say so.”

Hwang Munseok revealed his impatience without hiding it. Given his position, it wasn’t as if this was his first time negotiating. Ryu Seo-ha, who had been quietly guessing the reason, looked at Kwon Se-jeong sitting quietly.

“Is Kwon Se-jeong Hunter also joining this dispatch team?”

“…Yes.”

The short answer that came back like a sigh immediately made Hwang Munseok’s attitude understandable. He probably wanted some kind of insurance, as he was about to send his only daughter abroad right after she had returned from being kidnapped.

“If Ryu Seo-ha Hunter participates in this matter, the Each Administrative Country will in the future…”

“Director, I think it’s time for us to leave.”

As Hwang Munseok tried to persuade again, Kwon Se-jeong stepped in to stop him. Unlike her usual fair and just character, she was preventing him from trying to break down even work standards after agreeing to overlook the illegality of someone who had traded stocks under other people’s names.

“I apologize for the many rudeness.”

Kwon Se-jeong, who had given up cleanly and stood up, bowed to the two. Hwang Munseok, who stood up at the silent urging, looked at them with regretful eyes. Feeling uncomfortable, Ryu Seo-ha unconsciously lowered his gaze.

“Wait.”

Surprisingly, it was Choi Gang-hu who called back the father and daughter as they were about to leave the room. But his gaze was fixed on Ryu Seo-ha, not on Kwon Se-jeong and Hwang Munseok whom he had stopped.

“It doesn’t seem bad to go to the site and look for clues.”

It was a question asking if it wouldn’t be better to join the dispatch to detect the movements of the cult, the true culprit behind the phenomena that appeared to be natural disasters. Ryu Seo-ha’s eyes widened at the unexpected remark.

Having visited the cult’s branches before, he wouldn’t say such things without knowing how quickly and thoroughly they could hide.

He would also know that it would be much better to investigate Go Young-hoon or the private equity fund that acquired YH Global. Yet the reason he made such a proposal was obvious.

“We could travel together after a long time.”

It would be for Ryu Seo-ha, who would clearly have many concerns.

“It’s also an opportunity to directly procure dungeon items needed for future plans.”

The words finding reasons one by one to support the argument that visiting abroad wouldn’t be bad touched his heart.

“…You don’t want to go to America, do you?”

Perhaps because of the memory of falling into the Abyss during his study abroad, Choi Gang-hu had even shown a tendency to avoid stories related to the United States. He would have no desire to voluntarily set foot again on the land that gave him the worst experience of his life. With that personality, he wouldn’t like Ryu Seo-ha worrying about others either.

“Anywhere is fine. As long as Ryu Seo-ha is with me.”

But Choi Gang-hu’s gently smiling face showed no sign of reluctance or displeasure.

“And I told you.”

The large hand arranging his disheveled hair was so warm.

“You can do whatever you want, as long as you’re by my side.”

The voice whispering that there was no need to be mindful, no need to hold back or suppress anything to be considerate of him, was also terribly sweet.