“Can’t move? Are you hurt anywhere?”
“I have no strength.”
Seong Hyunjae replied in a languid voice. He really did look exhausted.
“Hearing that from you feels really strange.”
“I’m also sleepy. My eyes keep closing.”
Was he just tired, or was sothing wrong? After going through all that trouble to save him, he better not just pass out for a hundred years or sothing.
— It’s because I need to organize things.
Changeling, draped across my shoulder, spoke.
— A chunk of what was built up suddenly drained out. He’ll need to sleep for a few days. And even after that, he’ll have to sleep more than before for a while.
So it was like data cleanup, in a way. Still, Changeling, being at least a fragnt of the sa existence as Seong Hyunjae, said there wouldn’t be any major issues. If I’d used the Plunder skill instead, it would’ve been far more unstable, and he might’ve stayed asleep even longer.
What if the disappearance before the regression was just him being asleep? Even if not, he definitely wouldn’t have been in any state to function properly.
“What’s that?”
Han Yuhyun, who had co up beside , asked as he looked at the silver dragon. Changeling lifted her head and looked at Yuhyun, then rose up and bowed politely.
— Hello, Uncle.
“...”
My brother didn’t look too pleased.
“Why, rember that magic stone combo from before? She was born recently. A Fairy Dragonkin.”
I lowered my voice considerably. At this distance, Evelyn probably couldn’t hear.
“With her help, I can use an S-rank Hunter’s power, like earlier. Just for a bit, though.”
“A monster, huh.”
“Yeah, like the others. She can talk, but that’s about it.”
Yuhyun furrowed his brows slightly as he examined Changeling. Changeling blinked her round golden eyes as if trying to act cute.
“...Even if it’s brief, that would be helpful.”
“Yup, of course it would. With Grace added in, there won’t be much danger. The biggest downside to Grace was that once it’s taken, it’s over.”
Using S-rank level power puts a strain on too... should I ntion that? Not sure. What about A-rank, or maybe B-rank? Even with B-rank, I could at least survive an imdiate crisis...
...Wait a second.
‘If I practice and experience it a few tis through the teacher skill, doesn’t that an I could use them all in real life?’
Uh... that’s a cheat. No, seriously, this is a total cheat. Sure, the target has to agree, and I have to wear down my body, but still—it’s a cheat. The ability to manifest things that were only usable in ntal realms... that’s insane.
If soone with a sturdy body used it, they could wield all kinds of skills.
“Changeling, can your ability be used on other people too?”
— No. It’s not easy. Only for Daddy.
...Should I start working out to boost my durability? Either way, it’s an ability I’d rather keep quiet. No need to explain how important skills are to Hunters—if word got out that I could copy and use them, of course they’d be wary. Plus, there are already enough people after ... Now I can even copy and use all sorts of skills on top of everything else.
‘Chief Song wouldn’t spill the secret, and Seong Hyunjae would probably stamp a contract or two since I used the ability to save him.’
For my own safety, it’s better to keep it hidden. A stat F-rank with only support skills and a stat F-rank who can sotis be S-rank are completely different. If I get kidnapped again, the forr might be guarded by an A-rank, but the latter would definitely warrant an S-rank. And they wouldn’t let their guard down.
“But why does that thing call you that?”
“Huh? Well...”
— Because Daddy made .
Changeling replied as if it were obvious. I an, I did make her.
— I was born just as Daddy wished. Daddy really wanted an u...
“Hey, hey!”
What the hell are you about to say! I quickly pressed a finger to Changeling’s mouth to shut her up.
“She’s a good, helpful little girl. Just a small dragon. Try to see her as cute.”
I should tell her not to shift into a kid’s form again. Yuhyun looked at Changeling with clear displeasure, then let out a short sigh.
“Don’t call him Uncle.”
“Okay.”
That went over better than expected. The monster kids never reacted much, but maybe it’s different since this one can talk.
“Miss Evelyn!”
Evelyn, who had been watching from a distance, approached at my call. Even then, she didn’t co too close.
“Is the Guild Leader safe?”
“For now, yes.”
“Publicly, we’ve announced that an S-rank monster, presud to have appeared during the recent mass outbreak, had infiltrated Sesung Guild.”
Good move. That should be enough to explain the current situation. The issue was whether Chief Song would accept it. In response to my gaze, Song Taewon spoke quietly.
“...It’s best not to let word spread that there’s been a problem with the Sesung Guild Leader’s condition.”
His gaze shifted from Seong Hyunjae to . He looked deeply fatigued. It wasn’t just physical. Of course, he looked physically drained too. His clothes... poor guy.
“However, if there’s a chance sothing similar happens again... we cannot overlook it.”
“It’ll be fine. So...”
I did need to explain it to Chief Song too, but I suddenly had no idea where to even begin.
There’s sothing called the Source in this world, and it’s trying to devour our world. To stop it, transcendent beings of ancient tis created a system, turning the power of the Source into dungeons, and helping Awakened with system ssages. Among those transcendent beings, Crescent Moon chose—yes, long ago—Seong Hyunjae... well, the original Seong Hyunjae? They marked him and made him travel across many worlds to gain experience and power, but in the end, the current Seong Hyunjae couldn’t handle it and was on the verge of going berserk. Changeling—though she’s a monster made from combining magic stones—sohow ended up with a fragnt of Seong Hyunjae... and that fragnt appeared because I regressed...
Let’s just drop it.
“Mr. Seong Hyunjae’s ridiculously talented, as you know. But his body couldn’t handle that power. If left alone, he would’ve been swallowed by his own strength and lost himself. So he asked Chief Song to remove a portion of it.”
I skipped all the first part, but the summary wasn’t wrong.
“But it was too dangerous, so I used the ability of a new monster I acquired to safely extract the Guild Leader’s power. So now he’s completely stabilized. It could happen again once the power builds up again, but that’s a long way off.”
“...It seems much has been left out.”
“Well, there’s so privacy involved and all that. I’ll explain the details separately later. For now...”
I looked toward the now barren remains of the house. Then I looked down at Seong Hyunjae.
“Do you have a safe place to stay? He needs to sleep defenselessly for a few days. I’ve got a spare room in my building, but I can’t say it’s secure.”
Yuhyun might accidentally blow it up. Yerim, upon learning the situation, might decide to cryogenically preserve him. Myungwoo could want to test his new weapon, and Noah might quietly coat the place with poison.
Not a great recomndation.
“Mr. Seong Hyunjae, don’t sleep yet.”
“...I’ve never felt this sleepy in my life.”
“If you sleep outside, soone’s going to kidnap you.”
He’s way too noticeable to be sleeping rough.
“There is a hideout within the guild building.”
Evelyn said, glancing at the Sesung Guild headquarters.
“Of all places, it had to be that building.”
“This part will need to be rebuilt.”
“Yes. The other buildings will also need inspections.”
“You heard that, Guild Leader Seong Hyunjae? Doesn’t look like you can stay at your own guild.”
Don’t fall asleep. Open your eyes. Seong Hyunjae let out a small sigh and opened the eyes he had closed. It was such an unfitting vibe, but he really looked like a kid whining about nap ti.
“Hunter Miller, take charge of the guild with Vantes for the ti being.”
“Yes. What about the overseas branch?”
“That’ll be fine for a few days.”
“Understood.”
The golden eyes turned toward .
“There are a few safe houses, but I’m not in any state to go there myself.”
“That’s impossible, clearly. You’d draw way too much attention being carried around. Oh.”
I pulled a Mini-Mini Cookie from my inventory.
“Miss Evelyn, would you take him with you?”
“I doubt the Guild Leader trusts enough for that. Not that I wouldn’t mind the opportunity, if it cos.”
Her eyes smiled softly behind her glasses.
“Being under the protection of an S-rank Hunter isn’t bad, but true safety is when no one knows ~Nоvеl𝕚ght~ where you are.”
“Well, sure, but the problem is he can’t walk on his own.”
“That’s why I’m asking Mr. Han Yujin.”
“Huh?”
Seong Hyunjae continued, eyes sliding closed again. I said not to sleep.
“Because you’ll take better care of my life than I would.”
“I an, yeah... I probably wouldn’t hurt you or anything...”
But putting that much trust in is kind of a burden. Feels like I’m about to snatch Silencia’s wings or sothing. I nodded reluctantly, and Evelyn took out her phone and made a call. Before long, Kang Soyeong appeared with Cot.
“Wow! Cleanly blown away! Though I only ever destroy other people’s buildings.”
Kang Soyeong, dismounting from Cot, approached and then froze when she spotted Seong Hyunjae collapsed. She subtly moved behind Evelyn.
“...It doesn’t seem like it’s all over yet. How could you call a delicate A-rank to a place like this, unni?”
“You just need to lend Cot, Soyeong. Now, Mr. Han. I leave it to you.”
“Ah, yes. Mr. Seong Hyunjae. Open your mouth.”
I pushed the cookie into Seong Hyunjae’s mouth. His body shrank down imdiately. Kang Soyeong squealed, “So cute! He’s the Guild Leader!” The sight of Seong Hyunjae reduced to the size of a child’s doll left with a weird feeling. Today’s been full of new experiences. Carrying him in one hand felt odd... should I stick him in a pocket? After thinking it over, I pulled out a hot pink fur hat from my inventory and tucked him inside.
“Sleep quietly in there... No, wait, you need to tell where we’re going. Wake up!”
I’ll shake this hat if I have to. As I walked toward Cot holding the fur hat, Yuhyun followed behind with a worried look.
“Are you sure you’ll be okay going alone?”
“Don’t have a choice. Don’t worry, I’ll use stealth skills.”
— Grrrr.
Cot lowered her head and gently nudged her snout toward . I rubbed under her chin, and she happily swished her tail.
“...Why do you keep getting involved in Sesung’s Guild Leader’s business?”
“It was all about to go up in flas. What else could I do? Sorry I dragged you into it too.”
“Why are you apologizing, hyung?”
I patted my little brother’s swollen head. Even though he was in a bad mood, he lowered his head the mont I raised my hand. Such a good kid.
“I’ll just drop him off at the safe house and co straight back. You... it’ll be a hassle, but you still have to handle the aftermath. Miss Evelyn smoothed things over well, but it hasn’t been long since the whole incident.”
If the Sesung Guild Leader doesn’t show up now, it’ll probably cause another problem. Kind of a pain to cover for a business partner. But what can you do.
“Changeling, can you turn into Seong Hyunjae’s current appearance? Just need you to show your face for a bit.”
I emphasized current. Not the kid version—adult. Changeling gave a small yawn and nodded.
— I’m sleepy too, haaawn, so I can’t hold it for long.
“Okay, good girl.”
— Yup, Daddy. But are you not gonna give a na?
Uh... I glanced over at Kang Soyeong without thinking. Maybe she overheard, because she quickly made a big X with her arms.
“...Later. After you wake up.”
— Got it!
Changeling answered brightly, then flapped her wings and landed on the ground. She shifted into human form—exactly like Seong Hyunjae.
“How’s this, a—”
“Ack! Don’t talk like that! Copy his tone too, the tone.”
“Got it. I an—Understood.”
Silver-haired Seong Hyunjae with a slight pink hue nodded. I should make sure she mimics the mannerisms too.
“Can’t you change the hair color?”
“I can’t make it exact. I recognize it’s faded, but I can’t identify what color it is.”
“What?”
Now that I think about it, I had trouble rembering Seong Hyunjae’s hair color before too. I quickly peeked into the fur hat. Mini Seong Hyunjae was dozing inside. His hair was... beige? Or light gray...? It was definitely a washed-out color.
“...Yuhyun, do you rember what color Seong Hyunjae’s hair was?”
“I think it was a light color, but I don’t know.”
“What about you, Miss Soyeong?”
“? Uh... wasn’t it kind of blonde, like mine?”
Kang Soyeong tilted her head, unsure. Sa with Song Taewon and Evelyn. Everyone seed confused, aside from rembering it was a pale, faint shade.
“...Then just keep it like that.”
“Okay!”
Leaving them with a quick “I’m counting on you,” I climbed onto Cot’s back. Her long black wings beat powerfully, and we shot up into the sky in an instant.
“You really wrecked it clean.”
I did stay in that house for a few days... sha. But I’ve got money—I’ll just build a better one.
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