For the past four years, the world had enjoyed a semblance of peace.
Villains still caused trouble, and countless societal problems continued to surface, but at least there wasn’t a looming sense that the world might collapse any mont.
Amid this enduring peace, I was now…
"Seo-jun, what do you think about taking a bath together at midnight tonight?"
Listening to Seomun Ye-jin, who had been planning her sches since morning.
"Isn’t it a bit much to have your first experience in the bathroom?"
"Oh! You’re right! Seo-jun, you’re absolutely right! It has to be in bed to leave a lasting mark for all eternity, doesn’t it? Hehe~ If my maiden blood stains the sheets after losing it to you, Seo-jun… it could beco a family heirloom to treasure forever."
"Stop saying weird things. Why would you even think of making that an heirloom? That involves
too, doesn’t it?"
"Yes, of course! It would be with you, Seo-jun~ Hehe~ Together, right?"
From the way Seomun Ye-jin imdiately brightened at my words, it was obvious that her earlier "heirloom" remark was just a joke.
She only said it because she wanted to hear
acknowledge the implication—being together as a couple, bound in that way.
"You could have just asked
directly."
"But it’s nice to hear it naturally like this too~"
Seomun Ye-jin had a knack for enjoying my casual, matter-of-fact comnts as if they were the most natural things in the world.
'If she likes it, I guess I don’t mind either.'
Seeing her smiling so brightly, I realized my lips had unconsciously curved into a grin as well.
***
Lee Ha-yeon
Lee Ha-yeon was born to a Korean SSS-Class Hunter, Lee Jung-cheon, and Isabelle Marsa, a retired Arican model of French descent.
As a result of this East-West lineage, she took more after her mother in appearance and stood out from a young age.
Her father, Lee Jung-cheon, was the guild master of the Angel Guild, one of Korea’s top ten guilds.
Though the Angel Guild didn’t boast multiple SSS-Class Hunters like the Seven Star Guild or the Taehan Guild, having an SSS-Class Hunter as its leader made it a renowned guild worldwide.
Growing up under such a prominent figure, Lee Ha-yeon’s talents were apparent from an early age.
"Remarkable!"
"At this rate, she might beco an SSS-Class Hunter in her twenties!"
The label "next-generation SSS-Class Hunter" had been attached to her since childhood, a mark of her genius.
No matter where she went, she attracted attention and high expectations.
To strengthen herself quickly, she spent most of her ti in Korea, where mana was abundant. Even at a young age, she volunteered to participate in dungeon raids, earning her considerable fa.
"One, two~"
Recently, she had been in the U.S. tackling dungeons, but today she returned to Korea.
Taking a deep breath as she exited the airport, she maintained a composed smile and even waved lightly as caras flashed around her.
"Wait! Don’t push!"
"Just give us a mont for an interview!"
"Don’t block the way! This is the public’s right to know!"
Lee Ha-yeon offered a picture-perfect smile and expressed her gratitude to the Angel Guild mbers shielding her from the swarming reporters.
"Thank you for your help today, everyone."
"It’s our duty, miss!"
"We’re glad to be of service!"
Lee Ha-yeon’s reputation was stellar. Despite being born into the Angel Guild’s upper echelon, she was known for her kindness and respectful deanor toward the guild mbers.
Her dazzling blonde hair, pink eyes, and glamorous appearance only enhanced her favorable image.
After leaving the airport, she boarded a car heading to the Angel Guild’s headquarters in Seoul.
"Villains!"
Villains appeared on the Incheon highway, destroying roads and attacking nearby vehicles indiscriminately.
"Miss, we’re under attack."
"It seems their target is you."
"Yes, it looks that way."
The scene was chaotic, with cars being hurled into the air and the terrified screams of passengers ringing out. Hunters nearby scrambled to catch the flying vehicles.
Lee Ha-yeon calmly channeled mana into her hands, ready to strike if necessary.
Villains.
Her feelings toward them were simple: irritation and annoyance.
Her usual deanor was gentle, matching her serene appearance, but the endless socializing at U.S. parties had exhausted her.
After enduring those events until yesterday, she had hoped to relax upon returning to Korea. Yet here she was, fending off an ambush from villains targeting her.
She couldn’t help but feel ntally drained and irritated.
"Leave it to us."
"We’ll handle it quickly."
The guild mbers in a nearby vehicle ard themselves and stepped out.
"Argh!"
"These guys are tough!"
The villains causing havoc on the highway couldn’t withstand the Angel Guild mbers’ assault.
Although surprise attacks from SSS-Class villains like So Kang-seok occasionally happened, this ambush was simply an opportunistic attempt by those who thought Lee Ha-yeon would be unprotected in her father’s absence.
After So Kang-seok’s infamous incidents, the Kangin Guild had been closely monitoring SSS-Class mana awakeners among the villains, making it difficult for them to operate even in the north. Operating in the more secure south was nearly impossible.
"Looks like I don’t need to get involved."
Seeing the situation resolved without her intervention, Lee Ha-yeon stepped out of the car.
"Good work, everyone. Is anyone hurt?"
Though no injuries were apparent, she checked the guild mbers just in case.
"No injuries here!"
"They weren’t particularly strong!"
The Angel Guild mbers piled the subdued villains in one spot, speaking with pride.
Soon, the Kangin Guild’s cleanup team would arrive to arrest the villains and repair the damaged road.
"I guess I can relax in the car again."
As Lee Ha-yeon thought this, another annoyance arose.
"The Angel Guild’s Lee Ha-yeon was attacked, and we’re here in response."
"We’ll escort you to Seoul."
The White Tiger Guild, upon hearing of the incident, had dispatched an escort team under the pretense of offering aid.
Representing the team was Baek Seo-jin, the White Tiger Guild’s successor, along with a hired healer.
"I’m Baek Seo-jin, sent from the White Tiger Guild to ensure your safety. I’ll do my best to see you arrive unhard."
"I’m Han Se-hee, fifteen years old, and serving as the healer."
The healer, Han Se-hee, was a freelance addition, not a White Tiger Guild mber.
Han Se-hee. I’ve heard that na before.
Though Lee Ha-yeon had been away from Korea, she recognized the na.
Han Se-hee was a well-known healer unaffiliated with any guild. Seeing her in person, Lee Ha-yeon noted her striking pink hair, crimson eyes, graceful aura, and well-developed figure, which made her a beautiful and impressive young girl.
To Lee Ha-yeon, Han Se-hee’s beauty was comparable to her own, rivaling even the most stunning appearances she had seen in the U.S.
"She’s my age? Impressive."
Lee Ha-yeon was slightly surprised as she observed Baek Seo-jin. Though they were the sa age, his strength seed comparable to her own as an S-Class Hunter.
She hadn’t expected soone her age, aside from Seomun Ye-jin four years ago, to be this capable.
While exceptions like Kim Ho-jun, who had been an SSS-Class Hunter at her current age, existed, he was so far beyond normal comparison that she hadn’t even considered him.
Baek Seo-jin, with his blue hair and green eyes, exuded a soft and approachable charm, likely leaving a positive impression on anyone eting him for the first ti. However, after the exhausting party yesterday, his appearance and deanor didn’t interest Lee Ha-yeon much.
"Thank you. I’m a bit tired, so would it be alright if I rested for a mont?"
"Of course."
"Thank you."
Hearing Baek Seo-jin’s confident reply, Lee Ha-yeon closed her eyes to rest.
BOOOOM!
A man radiating an overwhelming aura of mana far beyond the earlier villains appeared.
***
[Breaking News! Angel Guild’s Successor, Genius Girl Lee Ha-yeon, Kidnapped!]
[Healer Han Se-hee Also Confird to Be Among the Abducted—Shocking Developnt!]
[White Tiger Guild’s Successor Baek Seo-jin Severely Injured During Escort Mission]
"What is this?"
Reading the breaking news in real ti, I montarily doubted if the article was a mistake.
– It seems the two girls are about to be offered as sacrifices to The Fox That Devours Worlds.
Why were the two original heroines suddenly thrown into a life-or-death situation?
‘The original protagonist is utterly useless, isn’t he?’
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