The abduction of Lee Ha-yeon, the heir of the Angel Guild and a prodigy widely regarded as a genius, sent shockwaves throughout South Korea.

"She was kidnapped on the way from Incheon to Seoul?"
"An SSS-class villain moving again? This is a disaster!"

The attack by Gye Un-jik, an SSS-class villain, was nothing short of a calamity for South Korea. It had been nearly nine years since an SSS-class villain dared to act in the southern regions of the country, and the populace had grown accustomed to peace.

The fact that the heir of the Angel Guild could be abducted so brazenly planted a deep fear throughout the nation—fear that SSS-class villains might resurface.

But that fear did not last long.

In less than an hour, another piece of news made headlines:

[SSS-Class Villain Gye Un-jik Defeated! Angel Guild's Heir, Lee Ha-yeon, Safely Rescued!]
[Healer Han Se-hee Rescued Alongside Lee Ha-yeon]
[Gye Un-jik Taken Down by SSS-Class Hunter Kim Ho-jun in Collaboration with Seomun Ye-jin!]
[SSS-Class Villain Subdued in Under an Hour! South Korea's Security is Unshakable!]

The nation quickly transitioned from panic to jubilation, the defeat of the villain reaffirming their confidence.

"I knew it! Nothing to worry about!"
"Not even an SSS-class villain can last an hour here!"
"Unless they have a death wish, they better stay away! Ha-ha!"

Amid the public celebration, Lee Ha-yeon and Han Se-hee, officially said to be under the protection of the Kangin Guild, were quietly staying at Baek Seo-jun's home.

"Thank you so much for saving me," Lee Ha-yeon said, bowing her head deeply as soon as they arrived.

"Enough with the thanks for now," Baek Seo-jun replied nonchalantly. "Get some rest and recover your composure before you step out again. If the heir of the Angel Guild appears disheveled, the rumors will be endless."

"Yes…"

Though Gye Un-jik had not physically harmed her, society's watchful eyes were a different beast. Speculation and rumors about her ordeal would swirl if she showed any sign of weakness or distress.

"I'll prepare tea," Baek Seo-jun said, brushing off Seomun Ye-jin's protests to do it herself.

"But I'm not even tired…" she muttered, puffing out her cheeks as she watched him.

Soon, he returned with three teacups. One was placed in front of Seomun Ye-jin, while the other two went to Han Se-hee and Lee Ha-yeon.

"Thank you," they both said politely.

"One cup for the two of us, hmm?" Seomun Ye-jin teased, scooting closer to Baek Seo-jun with a mischievous smile. She leaned into him, pressing herself against his side, her casual affection on full display.

Even though Han Se-hee had seen such displays before, her face still reddened as she looked away. Lee Ha-yeon, on the other hand…

‘This feels… irritating.’

It wasn’t jealousy, exactly, but the sight annoyed her, as if Seomun Ye-jin were flaunting something she didn’t have.

Lee Ha-yeon sipped her tea to distract herself, her eyes widening slightly.

‘Is this… medicinal tea?’

It wasn’t a high-grade elixir, but the tea had a calming and restorative effect.

"Is this medicinal tea?" she asked.

"Nothing fancy," Baek Seo-jun replied. "Don’t think too much about it."

But she couldn’t help thinking about it.

‘We just met today…’

His kindness felt excessive, almost calculated. Was he hoping to gain something from the Angel Guild? If that were the case, there was no need for such gestures. Saving her life was more than enough to warrant the guild's gratitude.

Han Se-hee's next words dispelled her doubts.

"Ho-jun oppa, you haven’t changed. You still enjoy looking after people."

"You two have talent. It’s only natural to take an interest," he replied. "What? Are you thinking of learning from me?"

"Yes, if that’s possible. Can I?"

Lee Ha-yeon listened closely to their conversation, her curiosity piqued.

"Not today or tomorrow, but maybe later this month. I’ll think about it."

"Thank you, oppa!" Han Se-hee beamed, clenching her fists in determination.

"Watching Ye-jin unni fight today made me realize how much I still lack. Even as a healer, if I were better, I could’ve prevented so many people from falling so easily to that villain."

The experience had been an eye-opener for Han Se-hee. While healers typically played a supportive role, her defensive abilities gave her potential to do more.

But in this instance, she had only been able to protect herself and Lee Ha-yeon—and even then, not perfectly.

Lee Ha-yeon, recalling her own helplessness against Gye Un-jik, felt a sharp pang of frustration.

‘How humiliating.’

The thought of her own weakness stung, especially as she watched Seomun Ye-jin grow stronger under Baek Seo-jun’s guidance.

"Ho-jun, could I help teach Se-hee?" Seomun Ye-jin asked suddenly.

"That would be great. It’d make things easier," Baek Seo-jun replied.

‘Could he… teach me too?’

The thought crossed Lee Ha-yeon’s mind, but she hesitated to speak.

To ask for guidance after he had already saved her life felt like imposing too much.

"Ho-jun-nim," she said cautiously, finally breaking her silence.

"Yes?"

"Do you… need any help from the Angel Guild?"

"No, not really."

His immediate reply left her momentarily flustered.

"You want to get stronger, don’t you?" he continued. "You seem furious about what happened."

"Yes… but I feel like I’d be burdening you too much. You’ve already saved my life, and I want to repay you for that."

Her honest response earned a nod of approval.

"Repay me after you’ve gotten stronger. Who knows? I might need something someday."

"Understood. Whatever it is, I’ll do it!"

Satisfied, Baek Seo-jun smiled slightly.

"Good. That settles it."

"Do you only teach talented people?" she asked hesitantly.

"Yes. Aside from Ye-jin, there are just the two of you here."

His response reminded her of another person—someone her own age who had also reached S-class Hunter status.

"Would you consider teaching someone like Baek Seo-jin, if they’re talented?"

The air in the room shifted instantly.

Seomun Ye-jin’s smile froze, and Han Se-hee’s expression grew tense. Lee Ha-yeon glanced around, realizing she had touched a nerve.

Baek Seo-jun’s voice broke the heavy silence.

"You can call me Ha-yeon, right?"

"Y-yes… of course."

"Then let me show you something."

Before her eyes, his appearance began to change.

The black-haired young man transformed, his hair turning a striking blue and his eyes a piercing red.

It was a face that looked eerily like an older version of Baek Seo-jin’s.

"My real name is Baek Seo-jun."

***

"Baek Seo-jun…"

Baek Seo-jun hadn't revealed much to her. All he had shared was his name and the fact that he harbored deep hatred for the Baekho Guild.

But for Lee Ha-yeon, heir to the Angel Guild, those small pieces of information were more than enough to start an investigation.

After returning to the Angel Guild headquarters and briefly assuring the press of her well-being, she began considering her next steps. Her thoughts revolved around looking into the Baekho Guild—an organization she hadn’t given much thought to until now.

"Ha-yeon! I’m so relieved you’re safe!"

Her father, Lee Jung-cheon, the guild master of the Angel Guild, greeted her warmly, his face lighting up with visible joy.

Yet, her emotions were conflicted. She couldn’t return his enthusiasm immediately, instead hesitating to respond with a smile.

"Hmm, is something wrong? Could it be… did that villain do something horrible to you…?"

"No, nothing like that! I was just… thinking about the person who saved me."

"Ah, you mean Kim Ho-jun. Wait… don’t tell me that guy tried to…"

"Dad!"

Lee Ha-yeon’s voice rose sharply, interrupting her father’s increasingly wild assumptions, his complexion pale with worry.

She had no intention of mentioning Baek Seo-jun to her father—or anyone else for that matter.

Because she had promised.