Sawon had a duty. The duty of being Ji Hayeon’s guard. On top of that, he had a grand plan. To stick close to Ji Hayeon and seize any lead on information about his past.“Please exclude him.”As Ji Hayeon insisted again, Bureau Director Kwon spoke with a heavy hum.“Hunter Gu is currently Chief Ji’s guard, and there aren’t many hunters who can do the work of a hundred men like Hunter Gu. In many ways, he seems the most suitable personnel.”“There’s more than one excellent hunter besides Gu Sawon. We can use the experimental drugs, and I’ll handle my body properly myself. So please exclude Hunter Gu.”Sawon didn’t bother # Nоvеlight # hiding the look on his face that said this was absurd.“No. I’m going. And that’s what you call handling things properly?”At Sawon’s pushback, the fist Ji Hayeon had clenched began to tremble. This time Director Kim Inhee, flustered, joined in.“That’s right. No matter how you look at it, Hunter Gu seems the right fit. I really think he should go…”“There isn’t only one first-class hunter or chief hunter, and it isn’t just Gu Sawon.”“I’m the only one. I’m going.”Of course, that wasn’t true. At Sawon’s reaction, Ji Hayeon glared, eyes bloodshot.“You think the other hunters are worse than you?”His tone was sharper than usual, and Sawon’s confusion deepened.What’s with this guy all of a sudden?Director Kwon also tried to calm Ji Hayeon in a tone that said he didn’t understand what was going on.“Anyone can see Hunter Gu is the most suitable, Chief Ji.”“Because it’s dangerous?”Ji Hayeon’s voice suddenly rose.“Are these the only kinds of missions Gu Sawon is suited for?”“What do you mean by that, Chief Ji.”This time Director Kwon’s voice turned sharp. At the suddenly chilled mood, Ji Hayeon bit down hard on his lips. His hands were shaking even more.“……I’m sorry. That was out of line.”Sawon rubbed his chin and narrowed his eyes. This wasn’t the first time Ji Hayeon suddenly flared up. His emotions often swung without warning. And Sawon always calmly accepted it. He considered that part of his job. He decided he would show the same sense of responsibility as a guard this time too. Sawon tapped the table—tok, tok—to draw their attention.“There are many reasons I need to go with Chief Ji. But if I had to pick the most important one, it’s that I want to go. I’m not some machine that does it if you say do it and stops if you say don’t. Before I’m manpower belonging to the Central Hunter Bureau, I’m a person who’s allowed to have opinions.”Now Director Kwon looked at Sawon. His eyes clearly said, Is that meant for me to hear. Sawon glanced at Director Kwon, then turned his gaze back to Ji Hayeon.“I thought I’ve handled the duty of guarding Chief Ji without any issues so far, or am I wrong? I’ve been the most faithful worker, carrying out every mission I’ve been given. And I don’t have even this much right to choose? Is that it, Director?”Director Kwon let out a short laugh, as if he couldn’t believe it. Sawon gave Ji Hayeon a big grin, making sure he saw it.“People piling work on me without asking is what I hate the most. But I hate it even more when someone takes what’s mine without permission. Chief Ji is under my jurisdiction. He’s mine.”Sawon was a pro. No superior could refuse a professional appeal that came with that kind of responsibility. At Sawon’s words, Ji Hayeon’s eyes shook wildly. Director Kwon looked puzzled, yet very satisfied, as he spoke heartily.“Hunter Gu is right. Hunter Gu Sawon will be part of this operation as well.”***The whole way back to the dorms, cold air poured off Ji Hayeon.“Chieeef.”Sawon drew out the end of his words in a low voice. But Ji Hayeon just strode forward on his long legs, staring straight ahead.“Chief. Chieeef.”Ji Hayeon’s steps didn’t stop.“Chief Ji. Ji Hayeon.”Keeping a one-step distance as they walked, Sawon hopped forward on tiptoe and grabbed Ji Hayeon’s shoulder.“Ah, Hayeon. What’s wrong with you, seriously.”At the name, his feet froze in place. A faint trembling came through to Sawon’s palm.He’s so mad his body’s shaking…?“Do you hate me that much? Hm? Was it that awful to go with me?”Sawon stepped in front of Ji Hayeon and shoved his face close.“You hate being with me?”Ji Hayeon glared at him. His cool gaze was full of frost. But the cold in his eyes soon turned into a red heat. Like he was holding back a surge of grief, Ji Hayeon bit down hard on the inside of his mouth. The bottom of his cheek twitched faintly. Sawon carefully took hold of the cuff of his sleeve.“Hey. Why are you mad at me. I like being with you, it’s fun.”In an easy tone, Sawon shook the sleeve he was holding.“Come on, let’s just go together. Hm? I’ve worked really hard as your guard, and now you’re setting things up to cut me loose because you’re sick of the sight of me?”“Who said I’m sick of the sight of you.”At last, Ji Hayeon spoke. Sawon let out a breath of relief and moved to stand beside him. Then he bumped Ji Hayeon’s shoulder with his own. Because of the height difference, Sawon’s shoulder hit around Ji Hayeon’s forearm.“Then why’d you try to stop me. When I said I’d go.”Ji Hayeon started walking again, slowly this time.Is he done sulking? Is he?Judging by the slower pace, he seemed less angry than a moment ago. But it was impossible to tell. You could never predict at what point he’d get mad, or at what point he’d calm down.Before they knew it, they had reached the elevator reserved for the Bureau Director. They waited in silence until the elevator arrived. Hands shoved in his pockets, Sawon scuffed the floor side to side with the tip of his shoe. He even tried whistling.Ji Hayeon finally answered right around the moment the doors opened.“I’d rather you didn’t go.”[The doors are opening.]Clatter.The two of them stepped into the elevator.“Why? I said I want to go.”“I don’t want you to.”“Wow. You don’t want me?”Ji Hayeon kept silent. After a long pause, he spoke again.“……It’s dangerous.”Sawon’s eyebrows lifted a little in surprise. Then he answered in his usual laid-back tone.“Hunters work in dangerous places. That’s the job.”Clatter. Thunk.The doors closed, and the elevator started to rise. Ji Hayeon spoke quietly.“Not every hunter is assigned only to high-risk sites.”“My rank is high. It can’t be helped. That goes for you too. All the difficult, exhausting work ends up on your desk.”“I just want the fissures gone. That’s all.”Sawon leaned his back against the elevator wall.“Everybody wants the fissures gone. Who wouldn’t. But I don’t think there’s another researcher out there who grinds his body down like you do. At this rate, you’ll be the one who breaks before the fissures disappear.”“It doesn’t matter.”Ji Hayeon’s reply was firm. It was just a conversation that happened to come out, but once he’d said it aloud, Sawon realized he genuinely wanted to know.“Why are you so hung up on fissures?”Awakened and non-Awakened alike wished for fissures to disappear from the world. But that wish came from wanting to live. Most people wanted the fissures gone because they wanted to survive. Ji Hayeon, though, acted like he didn’t care if he died as long as the fissures were erased.[60th floor.][The doors are opening.]The elevator had arrived before they knew it. Even after the doors opened, Ji Hayeon stood still for a moment before slowly speaking.“I’ve lost too many things that were precious.”He stepped out of the elevator. Wondering what precious things he’d lost to fissures, Sawon stepped out a beat later.“Precious things?”Ji Hayeon turned back to look at him. After a long pause, he spoke.“Yeah. And I’m still losing them now. I want to find a way to get them back. That’s why. I’m working hard because I want to get them back.”It was a reason anyone living beneath a fissure-riddled Earth might have. And it was an extremely personal one. It wasn’t some altruism about saving humanity or redeeming the world. Sawon’s eyebrows twitched. As if he’d read Sawon’s thoughts, Ji Hayeon gave a faint smile. A smile on the verge of tears.“I’m more selfish and self-centered than you think.”The two of them started walking again. Sawon said playfully:“Wow. Cold-hearted Chief. I’m the same though. I’m a guy who only cares about himself too.”“Liar,” Ji Hayeon murmured under his breath. But since only his lips moved, Sawon didn’t hear him. Ji Hayeon said:“Good. Then stay selfish while you’re my guard. Only think about yourself.”***Clatter, clatter—the cramped vehicle shook. One van held a full ten adults plus all kinds of weapons and gear. Wedged in so tightly his shoulders were squeezed in, Mok Geonho spoke up.“Gu Sawon.”“Yeah.”Sawon answered flatly, propping his elbow on the narrow window frame.“Does this really make sense.”The old, outdated van was narrow inside. On top of that, the place was packed with guys whose bodies counted for one and a half men each, so just looking at the scene inside was enough to make you short of breath. The struggling vehicle shook with a rattle-rattle-rattle sound. The speed was about as slow as crawling. Sitting directly across from Sawon, right behind the driver’s seat, Seo Hansu grumbled.“Hey, rookie. Sit up straight, will you.”Next to Seo Hansu sat a man who looked hopelessly clueless. It was the snot-nosed kid who’d bawled when he saw Sawon in the lobby the other day. Hunched under his broad shoulders, he mumbled:“I’m sorry, sir. But the car keeps tilting…”He had barely finished speaking when the vehicle lurched to one side again. Every time they took a curved stretch of road, everyone inside toppled in the same direction under the pull of centrifugal force.The old van was currently crossing Daegwallyeong, in what used to be the Gangwon-do administrative region.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.