Regression Guidelines For the Supporting Character

Kwon Taehyuk narrowed his eyes with a tense expression.
“I understand the plan to some extent. But… there’s no guarantee you’ll be safe after the trade. There’s no certainty the kidnapped people are even still alive…”

“They’re alive. I’m sure of it.”
Cha Seohu answered firmly, though he understood their concern.
He only dared come up with this plan because the quest confirmed that Dan Yeoun was still alive. If their survival had been uncertain, he would’ve acted with more caution.

“If the fairies had wanted to kill them, they wouldn’t have taken them away in secret. They would’ve just killed them on the spot. They showed curiosity toward humans, even went so far as to offer the exit in exchange. That means they have a different motive. And that motive could be dangerous—so we have to rescue them quickly.”
“…Then I’ll go in your place.”
“No. That’s not an option. If even one S-rank is missing, it’ll be hard to take down those monsters.”

Cha Seohu shook his head.
“The most important factor in this plan is speed. As soon as the trade is complete, you have to take out those six monsters and come to me. For that, we need every available S-rank—and buffs.”
“Wait, buffs?”
At his words, Kwon Taehyuk, Ryu Sunghyun, and Song Jiwoon all flinched.

“Buffs… You’re planning to give one to Park Minhyuk, too?”
“Of course. And just so you know, I’m giving them to the three of you as well. Given the urgency, they’ll be two-hour buffs.”
“That’s…!”

Kwon Taehyuk, startled into raising his voice, barely managed to collect himself.
“That’s not a good idea. If Park Minhyuk finds out this isn’t a B-rank buff, he’ll report it to the higher-ups the moment we leave the dungeon.”
“Then we’ll have to persuade him not to.”

“Persuade him?”
As Kwon Taehyuk stared in disbelief, Cha Seohu gestured with his hand.
“I’ll handle that part. Just go bring Team Leader Park Minhyuk. You too, Cha Sahyeon.”

The sharp line drawn in his tone left Kwon Taehyuk no choice but to give up on arguing further. He trudged off, reluctantly, to fetch Park Minhyuk.
Cha Sahyeon, now aware that J would also be receiving a buff, dropped his shoulders too—but unlike Kwon Taehyuk, he didn’t argue. Unfortunately, he didn’t know about the side effects.
***

The two returned shortly.
Following them were a visibly displeased Park Minhyuk and a deeply annoyed J.
Believe me, I don’t want to be involved with you people either.

Grumbling internally, Cha Seohu was approached by Park Minhyuk, who asked stiffly,
“Why did you call me?”
Cha Seohu explained the information he’d gotten from the monsters, including his plan to trade himself.

“Team Leader. Don’t you want to rescue the kidnapped people?”
Cha Seohu stood with arms crossed and a cocky slouch, like some street punk.
“We’ve got a long way ahead. With ten already missing, it’s only a matter of time before more teammates disappear or die.”
“…What exactly are you implying?”

“There are probably reporters waiting outside the dungeon. They’ll be dying to know how many made it back alive. You were under pressure from your higher-ups before this, weren’t you?”
Park Minhyuk clamped his mouth shut, staring at Cha Seohu with a hard gaze.
“If you cooperate with my plan, I’ll put my body on the line and rescue those people. In return, I’d like you to keep one secret. It’s a trade. What do you think?”

“What secret?”
“I’ll tell you once you accept.”
“……”

A flicker of conflict passed through Park Minhyuk’s eyes.
Cha Seohu had struck the precise nerve.
He had been ordered to ensure the raid succeeded with minimal casualties, and it was true reporters would descend the moment they emerged.

Hesitating for a moment, Park Minhyuk finally relented.
“I don’t know what kind of secret it is, but if you really can rescue the kidnapped… I’ll turn a blind eye.”
He accepted not because he trusted Cha Seohu, but because he trusted Guildmaster Kwon Taehyuk. Otherwise, he’d have insisted on finding a different plan.

Park Minhyuk assumed the “secret” had to be some kind of crime.
As a government-affiliated hunter, the fact that Cha Seohu was asking him to hide it, paired with his delinquent behavior, made the suspicion all the more convincing.
“Alright. Don’t go back on your word later.”

Hearing the conversation, the surrounding S-ranks let out weary sighs.
So it’s really happening, their expressions seemed to say.
Just as Park Minhyuk began to feel confused by their reactions—

“Alright! First, let’s start with the buff.”
“Buff?”
He recalled the faint effect Cha Seohu had applied earlier by grabbing his finger. It had disappeared within five minutes.

“I’m fine without it.”
“Sorry, but giving you this buff is part of the plan. No refusals. If you want to save people, you’ll follow my lead.”
Park Minhyuk visibly frowned. Cha Seohu ignored him and began giving instructions.

“You’re wearing a coat, huh? Take that off—it’s in the way. Roll your sleeves up past your elbows. Also, unbutton the ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) top few buttons on your collar.”
“Why should I?”
“To apply the buff properly.”

“…Ha.”
With an annoyed sigh, Park Minhyuk removed his coat and rolled up his sleeves. He figured it’d be faster to just do what was asked and get on with saving people.
“Now, put both hands inside my shirt and hug me.”

“……”
Seriously? Now he had to hug him? And slip his hands into his clothes?
It wasn’t just uncomfortable—it was downright unpleasant. Letting out a long sigh, Park Minhyuk reluctantly obeyed.

Cha Seohu was wearing only a black turtleneck. Park Minhyuk pushed his hands under it and wrapped his arms around him.
The cold, smooth sensation on his palms made him grimace.
He thought he’d pull away the moment the buff activated—but then it hit.

《Skill: Bond of the Guardian (S-rank) activated!》
《Main skill damage increased. (Target: Park Minhyuk) (Duration: 1 hour 59 minutes)》
《Base speed increased. (Target: Park Minhyuk) (Duration: 1 hour 59 minutes)》

《Stabilization effect applied. (Target: Park Minhyuk) (Duration: 1 hour 59 minutes)》
“…!”
His heart thumped wildly.

A powerful wave of heat erupted from his chest, flooding his entire body and overwhelming his senses.
“Haa, ngh…!”
His hands, awkwardly resting against Cha Seohu’s back, clenched tight. His eyes lost focus as his whole mind zeroed in on the euphoric sensation.

What the hell?
His heart pounded violently. A dizzying pulse rose up his spine, making his shoulders tremble.
More… Just a little more…

Before he realized it, Park Minhyuk was clinging tightly to Cha Seohu’s waist.
A chorus of shouts rang around him, but it all sounded like a distant hum.
His eyes reddening, he was about to plead for just one more moment when—

Grab!
Someone yanked him away roughly.
Their bodies were forcibly separated, and with it, his sense of rationality returned.

“That’s enough.”
Kwon Taehyuk had pulled him off Cha Seohu and muttered coldly.
Park Minhyuk covered his flushed face with both hands, panting. As he came to his senses, horror crept in.

“Th-this is…!”
He turned a shocked glare on Cha Seohu.
“How can this possibly be a B-rank buff…? Did you lie about your rank?!”

“Yeah. So? You’ll keep your promise, right? It was a deal.”
Cha Seohu lifted the hem of his shirt and looked down at his waist.
A red mark remained where Park Minhyuk had grabbed him. Seeing it, Park Minhyuk’s face flushed even brighter.

“U-unbelievable… Using a fake rank is a serious offense!”
“That’s why I made you promise to keep it secret, even risking lives. If it weren’t something this serious, you wouldn’t have even listened, right?”
“…!”

His brazen reply left Park Minhyuk completely speechless.
Leaving him there trembling in outrage, Cha Seohu turned his attention to J.
“Alright, you’re next. You saw how it works, right?”

He’d already confirmed J’s grade with Cha Sahyeon: currently S-rank. It was impressive strength for someone who looked like a high schooler—though still nothing compared to L-rank Cha Sahyeon.
Even so, with a buff, he’d be a valuable asset in taking down the fairies.
As Cha Seohu motioned to him, J, who’d been watching Park Minhyuk in horror, violently shook his head.

“N-no, I’m not doing it.”
“Excuse me?”
“I said no! That guy is clearly messed up, and you want me to go through that?!”

J looked genuinely desperate to avoid it. But Cha Seohu wasn’t the type to be sympathetic.
He opened his arms, smiling gently like coaxing a scared child.
“C’mon, don’t worry. That guy’s just struggling with some minor side effects.”

“Side effects?! And you want me to not worry?!”
“It’s fine.”
“No! I’m not doing it!”

J bristled like a cornered animal and hissed.
Fine. This calls for the big guns.
Cha Seohu signaled subtly to Cha Sahyeon behind him.

“J.”
At the sound of his name, J—who had been edging away—froze in place.
He turned, eyes full of pleading, but Cha Sahyeon simply returned an expression that said hurry up and get it over with.

“….”
Having failed to escape, J trudged over to Cha Seohu in utter defeat.