CH 202

I looked suspiciously at Ha Tae-heon, who seemed to avoid my gaze, but Cheon Sa-yeon smiled as if he knew it.

“The reason Han Yi-gyeol was tied up was that he secretly sneaked into the guild without permission. He is the real thief.”

No, how long are you going to keep saying that? I exclaimed as I pushed Ha Tae-heon’s hard arm holding onto my waist.

“It’s a misunderstanding. And both of you, put away your weapons.”

“Yes. If you understand, I think it would be better to come in now. You don’t want to talk like this at the front door, are you?”

“……”

Ha Tae-heon, who frowned while looking at Cheon Sa-yeon and me alternately, let me go and removed the sword. Correspondingly, Cheon Sa-yeon also put the S-class sword in the inventory.

“Is it over?”

When Ha Tae-heon, who was blocking the door, took off his shoes and entered, Woo Seo-hyuk, who was waiting in the hallway, asked me.

Aigo, I’m sorry.

“Yes, I’m sorry. Please come in.”

“Did something happen?”

Kwon Jeong-han, who ended the call just in time, also returned. Shaking my head to mean nothing, I took the two of them and walked to the living room.

“Gasp…”

As I was about to approach Ha Tae-heon without thinking, I stopped in shock at the suffocating awkward atmosphere in the living room. Ha Tae-heon, standing bluntly with an uncomfortable expression, and Cheon Sa-yeon with an unknown smile. There were also Kim Woo-jin, Park Geon-ho, Woo Seo-hyuk, and Kwon Jeong-han.

The living room seemed cramped for the first time as it was crowded with big men. The tiny Min Ah-rin caught between them looked like some kind of deer.

‘Come to think of it, this is the first time we have gathered like this.’

A cold sweat broke out in the silence that filled the room. I couldn’t help it. I should come forward and introduce them to each other.

“Umm. I mean, um. This is… Roheon’s Deputy Master Ha Tae-heon.”

“……”

“……”

I opened my mouth despite my embarrassment, but there was no response. The corners of my lips that were forcibly pulled up trembled at the gaze of everyone who looked at me without saying a word.

I didn’t know why they were doing this. Weren’t you all so sociable. What’s the problem.

“Nice to meet you, Deputy Master Ha Tae-heon. We met once at the gate last time, remember? I’m Min Ah-rin, Healer from Requiem.”

Then, a ray of salvation came down. Min Ah-rin, who stood because I looked pitiful because I was caught between the Requiem guys and Ha Tae-heon, greeted him with a soft smile.

“…yes. Of course, I remember. I was indebted last time.”

Ha Tae-heon, who glanced at me, meekly answered Min Ah-rin’s greeting.

“No, Sir. I also really appreciate the help.”

As expected from Min Ah-rin. The atmosphere was much better than before so I was relieved of my anxiety.

“This is Team Leader Park Geon-ho, and my bodyguard, Talented Kwon Jeong-han. You already know Secretary Woo Seo-hyuk, right?”

Since I couldn’t just introduce them all day, I just pointed them one by one and explained quickly. I also tried to introduce Kim Woo-jin, but he blatantly avoided my gaze.

“I’m Ha Tae-heon, Deputy Master of Roheon.”

Ha Tae-heon briefly introduced himself as he realized that I was trying to release the stiff air somehow.

“Nice to meet you, Deputy Master Ha Tae-heon. I’m Park Geon-ho, Team Leader of the Special Operations Division under Requiem.”

Then, Park Geon-ho, who turned his gaze away from me, smiled and shook hands with Ha Tae-heon. You should’ve done this earlier.

“Let’s end this introduction here. Ha Tae-heon-ssi, I want to talk to you.”

I wanted to separate Ha Tae-heon from this stuffy space as soon as possible. I also had something to talk about with Kwon Jeong-han, but for now, Ha Tae-heon came first.

Piik!

When I grabbed one of Ha Tae-heon’s arms, Fox, who had been quiet on my shoulder, hated it and ran away to Min Ah-rin.

Ah, right. He said Fox didn’t like SS-ranks. I pulled Ha Tae-heon into the bedroom and told Min Ah-rin.

“Please take care of Fox, Min Ah-rin­-ssi.”

“Don’t worry.”

I left Fox to Min Ah-rin and entered the bedroom with Ha Tae-heon, who was slowly dragged. Like the last time I had a conversation with Cheon Sa-yeon, I made the chains transparent and closed the door tightly.

“Umm, here’s only one place we can talk about separately.”

“Doesn’t matter.”

Being alone with Ha Tae-heon without anyone else, I felt a sense of security that I had never felt before. I brought out a greeting that I hadn’t asked before.

“How have you been?”

“Fine. When did you return to Korea?”

“It’s only been a day since I arrived. As I said before, I couldn’t contact you right away because my wallet and cell phone were all here.”

I took a look at Ha Tae-heon’s face closely. I was a little worried about the gate bombing, but fortunately, it didn’t seem like much had changed.

Let’s stop greeting here and get to the point. I had a lot to talk about with Ha Tae-heon.

“I’m sorry for calling you to Requiem without a proper explanation. Actually, there is something I want to ask you.”

“Say it.”

“Similar crimes have been repeated in Seoul for the past few days, do you know? It’s an incident where a talented person is drunk and wields abilities or weapons.”

Hearing those words, Ha Tae-heon tilted his head slightly with a strange expression.

“I did hear it. It was the first time I knew that it was repeating itself.”

“It’s said that the situation is the same not only in Seoul but also in Incheon and Busan. Seoul has nine cases, and Incheon and Busan have five and seven cases, respectively. There must be something wrong.”

“A total of 21 cases? With a number like this, it certainly is.”

“Yes, therefore…”

I hesitated for a moment, unable to continue speaking until the end. It was always difficult to ask for something from Ha Tae-heon, but I was even more uncomfortable when I called him to Requiem and asked for help.

“That… if it’s okay with you.”

“Han Yi-gyeol.”

Ha Tae-heon was looking at me, who couldn’t easily open my mouth while sweeping the nape of my neck, and sighed.

“Don’t be so self-conscious and explain it properly. There must be a reason why you called me all the way here.”

“That’s true…”

“If it bothers you, I will pay the price instead of granting you a favour, so tell me first.”

Paying the price? Surely that would ease the burden a bit.

Ha Tae-heon comforted me so much, so I couldn’t hesitate any longer.

“If similar crimes occur again in the future, we want to bring the relevant talented people to our side. Before being reported and taken away.”

“…you must think there is something in the alcohol.”

As expected from Ha Tae-heon. I smiled as he was able to grasp the parts that weren’t explained accurately.

“Actually, as soon as I came to Korea yesterday, I subdued a man who was wielding a kitchen knife at ordinary students. He was a C-rank talented person and smelled like alcohol.”

“You already met?”

“Yes. At the time, I thought he was just a drunkard… I met Cheon Sa-yeon and heard the explanation and found out that it wasn’t.”

Ha Tae-heon looked at me with unknown eyes. It was hard to convince him with this kind of explanation.

‘How much should I tell him?’

I thought it was okay to tell him about the Praus Cult. If I knew this would happen, I should have consulted with Cheon Sa-yeon in advance.

“Ha Tae-heon-ssi, I…”

“I get it.”

“Pardon?”

“Roheon will also cooperate. I’ll take care of explaining it to Master.”

“…yes?”

I doubted my ears for a moment. What? Did I hear it wrong? Or am I dreaming?

“Wait a minute.”

“Do you have any plans on how to catch them for sure?”

“No. It’s still…”

While replying, I quickly came to my senses and grabbed Ha Tae-heon’s shoulder. Why did you keep rushing by yourself? Driving me crazy.

“Please listen until I finish explaining.”

“I do.”

“Thank you for your willingness to help, are you sure is that okay? It’s not an easy decision to make.”

“Isn’t it because the management headquarters collapsed and we have no choice to step forward?”

…did you notice that far? It was amazing. Looking back, even in Abyss, he was as fast as Cheon Sa-yeon.

“And it seems to have something to do with the Praus Cult anyway, so there’s a good reason for Roheon to step up.”

“Roheon, why… ah, I see.”

As I recalled the connection between Roheon and the Praus Cult, I soon remembered the bombing that took place at the new gate of the D45 Area. Ha Tae-heon, thinking the same thing, answered with his eyes closed.

“Even so, I was just gathering information about the Praus Cult. They must pay for what we had been through.”

“Ha Tae-heon-ssi, do you also think that this case is related to the Praus Cult?”

“I’ll have to go back and find out more about it, but I’m still somewhat convinced.”

He also had the same opinion as me. If the Praus Cult was really involved in this case, that would be a problem.

“There is nothing to be sorry about, as we are following up the Praus Cult.”

I smiled bitterly at the words of consideration for me. In the end, Ha Tae-heon’s willingness to do a favour without payment weighed my heart heavily. I always got help from this person.

“Ah.”

I remembered the sword I had hidden as I was wondering if there was anything I could do for him. That’s great. Thanks to Ha Tae-heon, who understood the main point, the conversation ended quickly, so I could give him a sword in this gap.

I ran to the back bed and grunted while pulling the large mattress. Ha Tae-heon, who blinked at my sudden action, lifted the mattress with his ability.

“Thank you.”

I smiled awkwardly and finally pulled out the sword, leaving my messy bed behind, and went back to Ha Tae-heon then held out the sword.

“Take it, Ha Tae-heon-ssi. It’s a gift.”

“…a gift?”

“Yeah! Absolutely cool, right? It’s an SS-class sword.”

However, Ha Tae-heon just stared at me with a suspicious gaze and didn’t take the sword. Why? I was perplexed and quickly explained.

“It’s an item that Ha Tae-heon-ssi should have. Do you remember the D17 Area gate? The place where you and I fell to the underground.”

“I remember.”

“At that time, there was a rose pattern in the room. Ah, it wasn’t a rose, it was a peony… anyway, the item was as I expected.”

“Is that the sword?”

“Yes. I got it with Elohim’s help before coming to Requiem. This item was found at the gate owned by Ha Tae-heon-ssi, so please take it.”

Please could you just accept it? If he refused, I had to raise the mattress again and hide it. As if my earnest wish had eventually reached him, Ha Tae-heon stretched out his hand towards the sword.

It was quite heavy, but Ha Tae-heon lifted it lightly as if holding a branch.

“As soon as I arrived, I hid it so no one found it. So don’t worry, you can use it.”

Hearing my words, Ha Tae-heon, who turned the sword back and forth, sighed.

“Han Yi-gyeol. As you know, I can make weapons with my ability.”

“If you make a weapon, you have to be very careful and it also consumes your energy. Since it’s an SS-class sword, it will be worth more than a sword made by your ability.”

Even with those words, Ha Tae-heon’s hard face showed no sign of loosening. If he refused this, I’m in big trouble. I got closer to him and convinced him one more time.

“There is no one I will give it to other than Ha Tae-heon-ssi. It’s too heavy for me. So, please take it and use it well. That’s all I need.”

“…I get it.”

Ha Tae-heon, who looked down at me with a complicated gaze, finally nodded his head.

“Thank you.”

“No. You have helped me a lot.”

Ha Tae-heon, holding a sword, suited him a lot better than expected, so it made me smile. He looked at me for a moment, who couldn’t hide my excitement, and then lowered his head.

Cup, a strange touch passed by the corners of my eyes, accompanied by a light sound.

“……?”

Ha Tae-heon grabbed my frozen face, who couldn’t accept the situation, with a smile and kissed my cheek once more.