"Um, Guildmaster Park Yoon-sung, I..."
It was the moment I opened my mouth to speak to him.
Knock, knock.
An urgent knock rang out in the hospital room, causing Park Yoon-sung to shift his gaze to the door.
"Come in."
Someone opened the door and entered. It was Park Yoon-sung's secretary, Yeon Seung-won. His demeanour was typically calm and serene, but today he appeared uncharacteristically stiff.
"Excuse me."
He bowed to me right away, seemingly believing he had interrupted my conversation with Park Yoon-sung. However, given Yeon Seung-won's personality, I knew he wouldn’t behave this way unless it was something serious, so I didn’t feel offended. I nodded in acknowledgment.
"What’s the matter?"
"Guildmaster, we've received a call from the Association."
"..."
As soon as he heard the word ‘Association,' Park Yoon-sung's expression hardened. He then glanced back at me, who was sitting quietly, and his lips twitched slightly before he quietly posed a question.
"Is it alright if I leave? Something came up."
"Ah, yes."
"...Did you have something to tell me?"
"No, I don’t."
I hurriedly waved my hand. Finding it difficult to discuss the novel's last chapter directly, I planned to ask if the Prophet had mentioned what would happen if we failed to clear the final dungeon.
I decided it would be better to continue this conversation later. I wasn't sure what was happening, but it was the first time I had seen Park Yoon-sung so agitated.
"Please, go ahead."
"Alright then... Ah."
Park Yoon-sung, who was hastily turning to leave, suddenly stopped in his tracks. He glanced at me and said—
"If you're feeling better, I think it would be good for you to visit Do-gyul."
"Do-gyul?"
"His training is going smoothly, so I believe it will be okay to move him to accommodation soon."
"Really?"
"Yes, I think the two of you will be able to be discharged together shortly."
"Ah..."
After finishing his words, Park Yoon-sung nodded and exited the hospital room. I looked at the closed door before turning my head.
We had cleared the Muspelheim dungeon, but it had taken a heavy toll on the raid team. Most of the people I know are safe, thanks to their exceptional S-rank abilities.
However, I heard that several S-rank combatants from the Tyr Guild and other guilds, who fought on the front lines, were killed during Seo Ha-joon's runaway.
"Sigh...”
I felt guilty about their deaths. The Laufey Guild's intrusion was partly my fault. While clearing the final dungeon was a significant concern, I knew that if I didn’t do something about the Laufey Guild, I’d be in serious trouble again.
However, no matter how much I thought about it, I couldn’t find a way out. In the original story, the main character Kang Yoo-hyun must have brought the Laufey Guild down somehow, but from what I'd seen, he seemed to be completely defeated.
“When did you get here, Hyung?”
“I just arrived.”
“Hyung, did you see me lifting that heavy thing, hm? And I...”
Do-gyul usually kept his mouth shut and just nodded when Oscar was teaching him. But the moment he came over to me, he started chattering non-stop, as if a dam had burst. I smiled and patted his head.
"Yeah, yeah. Good job, my little brother."
"Hehe."
Do-gyul’s cheeks turned red as he smiled happily. I also felt energised after meeting and talking with someone for the first time in a while.
“Ah, right. Hyung, are you okay? I heard you were hospitalised.”
“I’m fine now. I’m all better.”
“Are you really okay? You’re not pushing yourself too hard, right?”
“I’m really fine.”
I reassured Do-gyul several times that I was fine, but he continued to scan my body anxiously.
He must have been waiting for me to come out of the dungeon, and I could only imagine how worried he was when he heard I was hurt and hospitalised.
While I felt refreshed after resting and receiving treatment in the VIP room, I wasn't sure how to prove it to him. Lost in thought, I was suddenly greeted by someone.
“Hello. Are you... Hunter Han Yi-jin?”
“Ah.”
It was Oscar, who had been standing there blankly for a while. I was so focused on Do-gyul that I greeted him belatedly.
“Hello. I’m Han Yi-jin.”
“Just as I thought! I’m Oscar Norton. Nice to meet you.”
“Nice to meet you too. I hope you’ll take good care of Do-gyul.”
I wondered if he had seen the YouTube video too. I was surprised that he recognized me. I awkwardly shook his hand, and Oscar tilted his head slightly to the side.
“Hmm.”
“...?”
He let out an odd groan and smiled when I looked at him in confusion. He was British. Thanks to the translation item, Korean was automatically fed into my mind, so I couldn't hear his typical British accent. I doubted whether I would understand it, even if I heard it in person.
“What's wrong?”
“It's nothing.”
Oscar released my hand with a nonchalant expression and then bowed slightly to me.
“Well, I’ll see you around, then.”
“Yes... Oh, you need to say goodbye to your teacher, Do-gyul-a.”
“...I bid you farewell.”
Do-gyul reluctantly opened his mouth, wearing a displeased expression for some reason. His mood during training had been good, so I wondered why he was acting shy again. Fortunately, Oscar didn't seem to mind and waved his hand. When Oscar’s figure disappeared, Do-gyul turned to me with a blushed face.
“Am I going to stay in the same accommodation as you from today, Hyung?"