POSSESSED 48

“Jeoksang might be at odds with the Director of the Gate Management Bureau, but not with the main headquarters. They say it’s a sort of show. Word is it’ll end with the charges being dropped.”

“Since they say the evidence or witnesses provided by our side lack credibility, the charges likely won’t be sustained.”

“Your guild must be quite frustrated. Because of that damn equality policy, even if you hand over evidence of the bullshit Jeoksang has been pulling, there’s no clear solution….”

While Baek Joomyeong was indifferent, thinking it was a shame but what could be done, Ho Seowon clicked his tongue, saying he was the one feeling bitter.

Jeoksang was a guild like dung—something you avoid not because you’re afraid, but because it’s dirty—so no one wanted to be involved with them. Everyone hoped not to get caught on the Jeoksang Guild’s dirty radar of jealousy and envy. It was the same for the Baekya Guild, to which Ho Seowon belonged.

“Is your guild hiring new hunters next spring too?”

“An announcement will go up. It’s the same for all guilds.”

“We’re not doing it this time. The scouters went around hiring and brought in quite a few useful rookies. A fair number of experienced hunters are transferring over, too.”

“…….”

Baek Joomyeong recalled Han Jaeseok’s instructions. Come to think of it, he had said that before. To look for decent rookies before the regular recruitment. He had agreed for the time being, but he hadn’t put much effort into it. He didn’t have the luxury for that. If it wasn’t hunter work, he had to look after Yeonji.

Furthermore, he was busy having to worry about Jang Taeyeon and the Jeoksang Guild matters, so there was no proper time….

“I’ve seen the rookies personally, but they’re boring. They’re all support types like elemental or healing. I wonder why mental-system hunters like me are so rare.”

“…Jang Taeyeon.”

Baek Joomyeong muttered the name without realizing it. He had a decent rookie. A rare mental-system hunter was nearby.

In an instant, his mind opened up like a vast prairie, and his thought process became a galloping horse, running without restraint. The more a fairly good idea came to mind, the more his heart pounded. What if he had Jang Taeyeon Teacher join the Wolhwa Guild? If that happened, Jeoksang would have no choice but to give up, even if they were frustrated.

It wasn’t about changing Jang Taeyeon’s main job. Even if he belonged to the Wolhwa Guild as a hunter, he wouldn’t have to quit Eden Daycare. Concurrent employment was possible as long as the Guild Leader permitted it. However, there was a problem he might be reluctant about. He would have to officially register as a hunter with the state. If that happened, those working at Eden Daycare would find out about Jang Taeyeon’s identity.

Even if being an ability user wasn’t a condition that could force a firing, it was enough for a recommended resignation. He would likely be pressured, asked if he couldn’t step down for the sake of the children. Thinking of that, he couldn’t make the proposal hastily.

The vast prairie quickly became a cliff. Baek Joomyeong, his thoughts cut off, let out a sigh. His pounding heart had withered away before he knew it.

Was it because he kept thinking about him? He started to miss Jang Taeyeon a little. Even though he had seen his face just yesterday evening. He also wanted to share a conversation. Even though he knew there wouldn’t be a single sound that would be good for him.

For now, the best thing was to stop while his interest in him was simple. There’s nothing as appropriate as simple interest. Even though Jang Taeyeon wasn’t a simple man.

Jang Taeyeon has many sides. The kind Teacher that Yeonji likes. The ability user who pulled a scam using himself as bait. The man whose ideal type is an older noona. An ideal type is something one can have as they please and can change depending on the occasion. Jang Taeyeon’s ideal type could become a younger man at any time. Even if it was out of spite, he would make it so.

Because he suits a younger person. A wealthy and capable younger person at that. Like himself….

“…Ha.”

Baek Joomyeong let out a small, hollow laugh. The more he chewed on it, the more absurd it felt.

He is handsome and tall. He has plenty of money and great abilities. He has popularity and honor. At this age, he has already risen to the position of Vice Guild Leader of a guild. While he wasn’t the type to have a habit of self-praise, he didn’t disparage himself either, so he couldn’t understand Jang Taeyeon. He felt that way even more because he knew there were many people, regardless of gender, who would blush if he said he liked them.

Baek Joomyeong was overflowing with childish confidence that he could succeed in a confession even if he grabbed the man right in front of him and spoke. Yet why could Jang Taeyeon be without even a hint of agitation?

Instead of saying he suits a younger person, should I have said I suit the Teacher?

Ho Seowon tapped the forearm of Baek Joomyeong, who was lost in thought unlike his usual self. He had something to say.

“Should I transfer to your guild? How much does your guild pay for the mental-system side? Can’t you just give me a little hint?”

“I don’t know. Try putting in a transfer consultation.”

“Then I’ll be fired. My Guild Leader is already keeping an eye on me as it is. He said he’d kill me if I transfer…. What are friends for? Can’t I just go through you?”

Baek Joomyeong stepped forward, leaving behind Ho Seowon, who was grumbling about wanting to go to a place that pays more, saying that if the cost is the same, one should choose the better option. It was because the vibration of the Gate had stopped earlier than expected. The hunters moved in perfect order, matching Baek Joomyeong as he took the lead with long strides. Ho Seowon also approached behind Baek Joomyeong, yawning.

The operation generally followed the guidelines of the Gate Management Bureau. When the Gate opens, high-rank hunters grouped as the vanguard team enter the Gate to primarily block the monsters. If the primary line of defense collapses and the Gate monsters burst out, the hunters waiting outside join the battle then. There is something high-rank hunters must keep in mind. They must come outside at the appropriate time. Because one never knows when the Gate might collapse.

The air became heavy and murky. At the moment when the surrounding area, covered in a thin layer of ice, became excessively quiet, the roundly closed Gate door opened, and an ear-splittingly terrible screeching began to be heard.

Baek Joomyeong was not agitated by the screeching heard from within. Like a boxer who must watch his opponent until the end, he naturally stared intently at the monsters trying to swarm out of the Gate.

May I return safely today as well.

Listening to someone’s prayer, Baek Joomyeong activated his ability. Using his telekinesis, he bound the monsters trying to burst out and threw them backward. Matching his attack, the other hunters of the vanguard team plunged in.

As always, the battle began. In a space so empty that even the word ‘hollow’ was insufficient, Baek Joomyeong slammed a monster that had lunged at him into the ground and trampled it with his foot. Then, he sent a monster targeting another hunter’s back flying high before making it crash down.

Even while performing a series of actions without hindrance, flashing with a cold blue light, he thought. Even as he pierced the monster’s body with his fist and monster blood splattered on his neat face, he thought of only one thing. Perhaps there was no justice, only personal desire.

How can I become close with Jang Taeyeon?

🍥

Having welcomed the weekend, I didn’t wake up until the afternoon. And as soon as I regained my senses, I listed the problems facing me.

One, the Jeoksang Guild, which hasn’t given up on me.

Two, the newly surging Baek Joomyeong.

I know the reason why the Jeoksang Guild is acting like this toward me. Having been deeply entangled once, there’s no way I wouldn’t know. So, while I can set the Jeoksang Guild aside for a moment, it’s not the case for Baek Joomyeong. I don’t know the reason why this man is acting like this toward me.

If I dare to guess, Baek Joomyeong seems to have an interest in me. It was an interest in a more private realm rather than an interest as a colleague. That’s why he asks about my taste and, at the mention of liking someone older, pushes someone younger and subtly appeals himself.