Investigation Scene (2)
After spending several days in the hospital, I finally stepped outside. Before my departure, I had to undergo another examination and could only leave upon receiving a permit stipulating my return by nightfall. Nevertheless, I felt more than satisfied.
I had already reached out to Moon Soorin. A dedicated task force had convened at the party venue for ongoing investigations. The fact that the investigation was still active days after the terrorist attack spoke volus about its gravity. Given the involvent of high-ranking VIPs, a ticulous investigation was inevitable.
I’ll et up with Soorin Noona, assist with the investigation… visit my dorm, catch up with Lucy and Lumi… but seeing Professor Im Sol seems unlikely.
With a tentative plan in place, I arrived at the party venue, where a flurry of activity greeted .
“Soorin Noona!” I called out to Moon Soorin, who was awaiting my arrival. Her radiant platinum hair imdiately caught my attention.
“Hey, Hoyeon! Are you alright?” Moon Soorin approached
with widened eyes, examining
as if I were a long-lost sibling.
“I’m fine, Noona. I’m here to assist you.”
“Thank you. I’ve been quite busy here, so I have a lot to share for the investigation. Your presence puts
at ease.” Moon Soorin’s warm smile conveyed her genuine relief at seeing .
“Trust only . Just .” With a determined expression, I entered the investigation room. Three draining hours later, I erged. “Noona, I feel like I’m dying…”
“Ah, you’ve been through a lot. Here, have this.” She handed
a drink, as if intuitively understanding my exhaustion.
“Thank you…” I gulped it down, feeling sowhat revitalized.
While high-ranking officials had suffered casualties, this was the first instance of Pandemic mobilizing such a large demonic force, elevating the incident to a massive event.
The manpower deployed was staggering, and the relentless questioning, particularly about the barriers, left
utterly drained. Their fixation on a genius mage narrative made my exit strategy even more difficult.
I pondered why such a significant event was absent in the original narrative. Though the butterfly effect might explain it, there was no clear focal point.
Click, click— Journalists sward the venue, capturing every mont.
“It’s still a bit chaotic here. The number of journalists indicates people are still interested.”
“During the first day, it was even busier. Half were journalists, and the other half were investigators.”
“Ah, I see…” The re thought was disorienting. Having faced relentless dia scrutiny before, I could empathize.
“You should take a breather. I have so personal leads to pursue.”
“Sure, go ahead.”
During Moon Soorin’s absence, a familiar face approached.
“Student Lee Hoyeon, it’s been a while.” A cat-like woman settled beside .
“Ah, Miss Min Yeji, hello.”
“Feels like we’ve had this ‘first eting’ multiple tis.”
“Indeed. Thanks to you, things worked out well. Much appreciated.”
Considering the presence of combat personnel, it made sense that Min Yeji was here for the investigation.
“How about reconsidering joining the guild?”
“Well, that’s a bit complicated…” I offered a gracious smile as I declined. Balancing guild responsibilities with etings with won isn’t sothing I can commit to. ??????????????
“I can offer so conditions, can’t I? You’re too rigid, Student Hoyeon.”
Min Yeji’s casual deanor made her seem more approachable than her role as Iron Blood Guild’s team leader would suggest. She was right; re words of gratitude fell short.
“Ah… maybe we should explore a different approach instead of just joining the guild?”
After all, joining the guild isn’t the sole solution; establishing a mutually beneficial partnership is also viable.
“Should we? Alright then…”
As Min Yeji and I delved into potential business terms, the crowd around us grew thicker. Just as we were on the verge of wrapping up our discussion and pivoting to alternative conditions beyond guild mbership, we found ourselves being approached.
“Student Lee Hoyeon, do consider the Noblesse Guild’s terms. We can match the Iron Blood Guild.”
“Excuse , he’s in talks with the Iron Blood Guild!” Min Yeji interjected sharply, addressing the man who had rudely interrupted us.
“Give our Gladiator Guild a fair shot, too!”
“Really, these people! Don’t they have any manners?”
“Please, let’s not argue. Miss Yeji, hold on. Ah…”
How could these people act like this in front of a student?
Unable to voice my frustrations due to the crowd, I silently awaited Min Yeji to restore order and quell the commotion.
***
At the sa ti, a man exited the party venue, having wrapped up his investigation.
“Those bastards! They dumped everything on
and took off,” sighed Park Mingyu, the leader of the Buyers Guild.
Accustod to managing tasks for high-ranking figures, he found himself mired in mundane responsibilities here. His days had been consud by the investigation, leaving his guild duties neglected.
While stepping out for a smoke, he observed a crowd pouring out from a corner.
“That crazy woman needs to check her attitude. She’s ready to kill over a recruitnt disruption.”
“Lee Hoyeon won’t fall for that face of Min Yeji.”
Hearing this, Park Mingyu furrowed his brows. “Lee Hoyeon? Here?”
Puzzled, as there was no reason for him to be at the investigation scene, Mingyu headed in that direction.
Upon arrival, he spotted Min Yeji and Lee Hoyeon in dialogue. Monts later, the forr nodded and retreated in the opposite direction. Piecing it together, Mingyu realized, So she’s attempting to recruit him.
Lee Hoyeon, the genius mage making waves. If he joins the Buyers Guild, we’d be unstoppable.
However, he promptly dismissed the notion. Even the Iron Blood Guild had bowed down; he lacked negotiation leverage.
Hold on… I might actually have sothing.
The potent allure of a young man’s sexual desire. Nam Daeun was tied to a slave contract with the Buyers Guild.
Nam Daeun will soon be mine. While I can’t offer her imdiately, after savoring her for a bit… I could lend her to Lee Hoyeon. Being in the sa year, he’d surely appreciate her allure.
Though it wouldn’t be prudent in public, now seed an opportune mont to subtly broach the subject, Mingyu pondered.
And thanks to that brat, Nam Daeun missed clinching first place. If he joins the Buyers Guild, consider it his reward.
Once he confird Min Yeji’s complete absence, Park Mingyu approached Lee Hoyeon, who appeared to be yawning, clearly fatigued.
“Student Lee Hoyeon, hello. We t at the party.”
“Hello… Ah, you’re Mr. Park Mingyu from the Buyers Guild, right?”
“Yes, indeed. You rember.”
It’s because of Nam Daeun. Surely.
Given Nam Daeun’s involvent, there was no other reason for Lee Hoyeon to rember him. With a newfound confidence, Park Mingyu offered a friendly smile and continued the conversation. Lee Hoyeon just managed to maintain a neutral expression.
Why is this guy talking to ?
Although surprised, Lee Hoyeon engaged with Park Mingyu without showing it.
“You truly live up to your reputation as a genius mage.”
“Haha…”
“I was also grateful for your heroic actions at the party.”
***
What is he getting at?
Despite being caught off guard by his sudden approach, the conversation flowed surprisingly well.
Park Mingyu is a skilled actor. His kind deanor, comforting smile, and considerate tone put others at ease. Such social finesse is essential for the illicit dealings he’s involved in. Had I not sensed his ulterior motives, I might have been deceived.
Out of curiosity, I continued the conversation instead of declining outright.
“By the way, what were you discussing with Miss Min Yeji earlier?” He asked, getting to the point.
“She kindly offered
a guild mbership.”
“Oh… So, can we now consider you a mber of the Iron Blood Guild?” Park Mingyu’s face lit up genuinely as he clapped his hands.
“No, I actually declined.”
“Really? Perhaps the conditions weren’t to your liking? Did they offer too low an initial fee because you’re still a student? But you, Student Lee Hoyeon, are already at the level of an active hunter.”
“It’s not about that. I simply have no interest in joining a guild.”
“I see… Maybe Miss Min Yeji finds it difficult to present conditions that would entice you.”
“Excuse …?”
“In the actual hunter industry, there are various offerings besides money or artifacts. Especially for male hunters… like a woman?” Park Mingyu subtly gauged my reaction.
Although his warm smile remained, his eyes couldn’t deceive . Seeing my lack of response, he quickly switched to an apologetic expression, as if realizing his misstep.
“Ah, I apologize. That was out of line, wasn’t it? If I’ve offended you, I’m truly sorry. My intention was rely to shed light on the realities of the hunter industry.”
Look at him putting on a show.
I’m a 20-year-old who has just entered adulthood. Seeing a man over 40 bow and apologize so earnestly is quite a spectacle. Mingyu is really going the extra mile to deceive .
A woman… A woman. Hold on, could it be…? If he ntions a woman from the Buyers Guild… that’s the only way to trap .
I scanned the area. I knew there was no one around, but I wanted to put on a performance for him.
“No… Such conversations aren’t necessarily bad.” I flashed a forced, sly smile, pushing the corners of my mouth upward as much as possible. A calculated move, considering there was no audience.
“Haha… After all, Student Lee is also a man. There’s hardly a man who would object to such discussions.” Park Mingyu then retrieved sothing from his pocket.
It’s a contract.
“Student Lee, you’re familiar with Nam Daeun, the renowned first-year student, aren’t you? She’s actually under a lifelong contract with the Buyers Guild. And… she also has a confidential agreent with . To put it plainly, it’s akin to sponsorship.”
The term ‘sponsorship’ sent shivers down my spine. Holding Nam Daeun’s younger sibling hostage and labeling it as sponsorship? Anyone would assu she had willingly beco a prostitute. Is this the sort of thing you’d do to your own daughter as well?
“Let’s cut to the chase. If you join the Buyers Guild, you can have your way with Nam Daeun. Her younger sister too. Look, here’s a photo of her sister. She’s quite attractive, and in the future—”
“Enough.”
Park Mingyu pulled out a picture of Nam Dahee, likely thinking it would seal the deal. But I couldn’t bear to listen any further; I felt sick to my stomach.
“Student Lee?”
“I’ve just recalled sothing pressing. We can pick this conversation up later.”
“No, it’ll only take a mont…” Park Mingyu’s voice trailed off as I chose to ignore him, making a quick exit from the party venue.
“Acceleration.” Despite my attempt to use magic for a speedy escape, my heart still pounded in my chest.
“Ah, I can’t use mana now…”
The re effort to summon mana sent shivers down my spine. In that mont, I nearly forgot I was a patient; my sole focus was on leaving as swiftly as possible.
“I didn’t even get to say goodbye to my noona.”
I realized I had almost forgotten to do so.
Returning to et her would an risking another confrontation with Park Mingyu, and I doubted my ability to keep my temper in check. My [Clear ntal Strength] skill wouldn’t entirely mask my emotions; I could technically control my temper, but not to the point of flawless acting.
“At least I’ve gained sothing from this ordeal.”
Park Mingyu remains oblivious to Daeun’s disappearance, likely assuming she had returned to the academy. Given the circumstances, that was a small relief.
Despite the unsettling nature of our conversation, it wasn’t entirely fruitless. Before making my way back, I sent Moon Soorin a brief ssage to explain my departure.
[: Noona, my hospital leave ti is up, so I’ll be heading back. See you later.]
I glanced at my smartwatch briefly, but no reply had co in yet—likely because she was engrossed in her ongoing investigation.
With that, I left the party venue.
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