NOVEL WEB Chapter 303: Inside Your Home
"Hello, Chief Song~"
I approached Song Taewon with the biggest smile I could muster. No one can spit at a smiling face. Well, even if someone could, Chief Song would probably endure it silently even if it happened five times over. Which just made me feel more sorry, because he's not the kind of person you should be doing that to.
"...Even now, I recommend that you go home."
Song Taewon said quietly. Yuhyun nodded as if in agreement.
"Yeah, hyung. Let's go home. Should we stop by the dentist on the way?"
Ugh, I don't want to go home if it means going to the dentist. Money isn't an issue anymore, but that whirring drill sound they have is the worst. The scraping against your teeth gives me goosebumps. Yeah, I know regular checkups are important, but still.
"I'll take one look at his face, and if things feel even a bit off, I'll come right back."
But standing around here might be more of a nuisance. People can't even come near us—they're all clinging to the corners. Like a school of sardines that just met a whale.
"Soyeong, should we move somewhere else?"
"Yes, this way please."
Kang Soyeong led us toward the elevator.
"You're fine, Director Han, but those two make things a bit more complicated."
The moment the elevator doors closed, Kang Soyeong started grumbling.
"Especially having the Haeyeon Guild Leader show up like this—what kind of message do you think that sends? He should've at least given us three or four days' notice so we could prepare. Showing up on the day of, barging in—it makes our guild look like a joke. He used to only send representatives, too. If it weren't you, Director Han, we would've refused the visit."
Fair enough. It's not like this kind of personal appearance happens often. Even when the monster mounts issue came up, having multiple S-Rank guild leaders in one place was extremely rare.
"I'll be more mindful going forward. But Soyeong, I didn't expect you to care this much about guild matters."
"I don't mind screwing up myself, but I won't let the guild get looked down on. The guild has to stay solid, or else who's gonna clean up my messes afterward?"
Kang Soyeong replied confidently. No wonder Seong Hyunjae cherishes her... he does cherish her, right?
"If you'd like, Director Han, you're free to go directly to the Guild Leader's residence."
Kang Soyeong said as she led us into the reception room.
"The Guild Leader said you're allowed unrestricted access, except for a few security areas. But the Haeyeon Guild Leader and Chief Song are not."
Well, I'm just an F-Rank stat bundle of soft tissue—not exactly a threat. Of course Yuhyun and Chief Song would be exceptions.
"I'm not letting hyung go in alone."
Yuhyun said firmly, and Song Taewon shared the same stance.
"The Sesung Guild Leader warned me that he might harm you, Director Han. After hearing that, I have no choice but to protect you."
"...He said that?"
"Maybe it was just meant to provoke me, but I still believe we should be cautious."
"Let's just go home, hyung."
Should I really just leave? But we've come all this way... I hesitated, then turned to Kang Soyeong.
"What do you think, Soyeong? Did the Guild Leader seem really agitated?"
"Hmm, hold on. He's weighing you against Comet right now."
"Excuse me?"
"I don't think he'd hurt you, Director Han. But if you're not around, Comet can't grow. Just in case, I also think it's best not to let you meet him alone! I'll contact Hunter Evelyn."
"Evelyn?"
"I don't have that kind of authority, you see. S-Rank Hunters should be handled by other S-Ranks. Normally, I'm not even in charge of welcoming guests like this, but... well, you're all too much to handle, so I volunteered."
Soyeong added that even Chief Song and the Haeyeon Guild Leader are wary of the Guild Leader.
"They're also a bit bitter they can't even get close to you. Anyway, please wait here. Ah, should I bring you something to drink?"
"We're fine."
Soyeong told us not to leave the room and stepped out. I sat down on the sofa and looked across at Song Taewon. On his face, so clearly defined by light and shadow, was the fatigue of modern life. He might be the most exhausted S-Rank Hunter in the world.
"Chief Song."
"Yes."
"Can you at least name the kid?"
"...Pardon?"
For once, his eyes showed clear and deep confusion.
"The little lamb. Everything's ready. You just have to accept it."
"...I cannot."
"I'll take care of all the paperwork. I'm offering it to the country, who's going to complain? More importantly, having a monster mount makes life so much easier. Dungeon clears get way faster. You're one of the busiest people alive, and being stuck in a dungeon for a week is a national loss."
For someone in close combat like Song Taewon, monster mounts were even more essential. Yuhyun, Yerim, and even Seong Hyunjae could cover wide areas from one place. But for Song Taewon, even using tools, the limitations were obvious. I bet when he's in a dungeon, he spends more time moving around than fighting monsters.
"Honestly, I'd prefer to sign the contract so it's your personal mount. But I'm letting that go out of the kindness of my heart! I'll assign it under national jurisdiction, so don't worry—just name the kid."
Of course, the contract would essentially still give him personal control. I looked at Song Taewon with pleading eyes.
"It's just a poor nameless baby right now. Didn't you even visit the facility to see it? What did you think? Cute, right? It was cute, wasn't it? Please say it was cute."
"...I only visited the facility to check on its status."
"That tiny lamb was staring only at you, Chief Song!"
After some desperate pushing just for a name, Song Taewon finally gave an answer.
"I'm not confident I can come up with a good name."
"That's fine! What matters is your intent. Besides, you're... probably better than me. I've actually been banned from naming monster babies."
"I think the names you came up with are fine, hyung."
"Thanks, Yuhyun. You really are the only one who gets me."
Yeah, well. The unicorn names did feel a little half-assed. Still, "Blue" really fit Blue. If not Blue... maybe Happy, since she's always so cheerful. Or Cheese, since she's golden. Ah, I should've gone with Coffee and Milk for the unicorns. That actually sounds clever.
Just then, Song Taewon, who had been seriously thinking, spoke up.
"What about Taesan?"
"...Huh?"
Wait... is that for the lamb? Yerim, maybe I'm actually better than Chief Song at this. Taesan? Seriously? That's kind of old-fashioned. He's not even out of his thirties yet.
"How about something cuter? It's a baby lamb, after all."
"An adult Volcanic Black Lamb isn't very cute."
"Still... Song Taesan is a bit..."
"...Is the surname required?"
"There are lots of cases where it's added. Like Kim Cherry, Choi Pudding, or Park Ppoppi."
Normally it's just "Cherry," but when they cause trouble, it becomes "Kim Cherry!"
"Then... Seoraki, maybe?"
"Feels a little stiff. How about Fluffy, or Cloud, since its wool is so soft? Just, please keep it a secret that I named it."
Song Cloud—actually kind of nice, but just in case...
"It's black, so would that be Black Cloud?" Thе аuthеntiс vеrsiоn is оn М|V|LЕМРY_R.
"Why are we switching to Chinese characters now? I mean, yeah, it's black, but—"
"What's black?"
The door opened, and Kang Soyeong came in. When she asked curiously, I told her we were naming the lamb. "It's cute, right? I got to pet it too!" she said with a smile—until she heard the name candidates. Then her face stiffened.
"...Forget names. Just call it Song."
"That's cute too. Black Song, Dark Song, Lamb Song..."
"Just Song."
I think Lamb Song is pretty good. Kang Soyeong gestured for us to follow her. At the corridor leading to Seong Hyunjae's private residence, Evelyn was waiting. Behind her glasses, her eyes curved into a gentle smile.
"Hello, Director Han. Chief Song, Guild Leader Han Yuhyun."
With a light greeting, she continued.
"First off, two S-Rank Hunters entering the Guild Leader's residence together isn't something we can allow. Please choose just one person to accompany Director Han. Preferably Chief Song, since he's more likely to remain impartial."
"Protecting someone with F-Rank stats isn't exactly easy."
Yuhyun said, facing Evelyn directly.
"I don't think Director Han is someone so easily underestimated just because of his stats. Still, should the Guild Leader pose a serious threat, I will assist you as well. I'm being very generous here. Under normal circumstances, you'd have °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° been turned away entirely."
"You're really going in?"
Yuhyun asked, clearly displeased. Instead of answering, I pulled out my phone and sent one last message.
[I'm right outside. If you don't want me to come in, just send me a dot or anything.]
The phone stayed quiet.
"...The Sesung Guild Leader is alive, right?"
"Yes. I spoke to him on the phone this morning."
So, he saw all the messages.
"Since he's been in contact with Evelyn, there's probably no need to be too wary. What do you think, Yuhyun? Do you want to come with me?"
"No. Go in with Chief Song."
I stared at my brother, surprised. I thought he'd insist on going himself.
"Are you sure?"
"You'd never leave if I was in there with you. If things get dangerous, use Chief Song as a shield and get out immediately."
...A valid reason. If I'm with Chief Song, I could step back right away thinking I'd be in the way. But if it were Yuhyun in danger, I wouldn't be able to move.
Next, Yuhyun asked for his inventory sealing bracelet to be removed and took out his weapons—a Japanese S-Rank sword and dagger, plus a wire.
"I'm entrusting you with protecting my brother, so I won't hold you responsible if these are damaged."
Song Taewon hesitated briefly, then accepted the weapons without protest. I couldn't talk about my regression in front of Chief Song, but Seong Hyunjae had a sound-blocking item, so it should be fine.
Together, Chief Song and I walked down the corridor and passed through the mini-portal. The house was quiet. It had been a while since I'd been here.
[Inside your home.]
Come on, at least show your face. I started heading further in, but then Song Taewon came to a stop.
"...I smell bread."
"What?"
"Seems to be coming from the second floor, near the auxiliary kitchen."
"The one that faces the garden?"
Song Taewon led the way, and I followed. As we went up the stairs, I caught the scent of freshly baked bread too. It must have just come out of the oven.
Turning the hallway corner, we were met with a large wall of glass filled with sunlight. A round table and chairs came into view. It was called an auxiliary kitchen, but it looked more like a chic little café.
"I'm so glad my two favorite people came to visit."
A familiar voice rang out. Standing beyond the long island bar was Seong Hyunjae. He wore a white short-sleeve shirt and an apron tied at the waist. An unexpected look. He didn't seem tense or upset at all.
"...If I'd known you'd be this happy to see me, I would've brought flowers."
Though I did bring a bomb.
"No need. Just having you here is more than enough, Han Yujin."
Seriously, what am I even supposed to say to that? I glanced up at Song Taewon without thinking. He simply furrowed his brow slightly, not offering much of a reaction either.
"Don't just stand there—sit down."
What is this, really? Did he get into a fight with Chief Song and take a hit to the back of the head, losing part of his memory or something? Why is he acting like nothing happened? With a shared feeling of unease, Song Taewon and I took seats at the table. Through the glass wall, part of the garden was visible. From outside, this would just look like a normal building wall, he once said.
"Green grape."
Glasses of juice were brought out and placed in front of Chief Song and me. He even kindly asked if we wanted anything else to eat. Chief Song declined, but I accepted an egg tart. It was freshly baked and unnecessarily delicious. So I had another.
"I have absolutely no idea what you're thinking right now."
"I'm simply treating my dear Han Yujin with the utmost care."
"You really do like high-maintenance work, huh? It's not just me and Chief Song—there were others too, right? Stop playing with people so much."
"That's a little unfair."
Seong Hyunjae raised an eyebrow slightly. He slowly untied his apron and shifted his gaze to Song Taewon, who was staring into his juice glass.
"There's never been a case where I went to such lengths to care personally for someone. Isn't that right, Song Taewon?"
Why drop the title all of a sudden? Is it just because this is a private setting? Song Taewon answered with a sigh.
"Yes. It's excessive."
"There you have it."
Seong Hyunjae's gaze toward Song Taewon was warm. And yet, at the same time, unmistakably condescending. Then again, wasn't that how he looked at everyone? But today, that fact felt even more pronounced.
"There have been several people I took an interest in, yes. But they were nothing more than fleeting amusements that left no mark on me."
Most of those people probably changed. But Seong Hyunjae hadn't. No one had managed to change him. Just like he said—none of them had made any impact.
He calls himself human, and claims to have remained one.
'...Even if he doesn't remember, could all that accumulated time really have left no trace?'
He's a born S-Rank like Yuhyun and Liette. But does he truly see himself as the same as them? Thinking back to his attitude toward Yuhyun—what I've heard and seen—it's hard to believe he considers them equals. He probably sees even those two as beneath him.
For some reason, he felt especially distant to me now.
"Why did you ignore all my messages?"
I had to ask. He seemed perfectly fine, so what the hell was with the total silence? He had time to bake bread but not tap a single reply?
"You did read them, right?"
"Of course I did."
"And you still ignored them? At least come up with an excuse."
Seong Hyunjae smiled. The apron he'd taken off hung loosely over the back of his chair.
"Because I hadn't reached a decision yet."
"A decision?"
"Whether to leave Han Yujin as is... or remove you."
My eyes narrowed instinctively.