###
Oh Hyuk-jun and his subordinate hurried into the sealed room.
A dim room equipped with constant soundproofing and security.
The door closed behind them.
Oh Hyuk-jun picked up an ashtray and slammed it onto his subordinate’s head.
Thwack!
“…I’m sorry.”
Thwack!
“I’m sorry.”
Thwack, thwack!
“I’m sorr-”
“You bastard!!”
Thwack, thwack, thwack, thwack!
Blood trickled down his subordinate’s forehead.
Despite being a mage, Oh Hyuk-jun possessed the physical strength of a B-rank Awakened.
His subordinate, a physical-type Awakened, managed to endure the blows.
“Internal leak? What kind of mismanagement is this? And the ledger, damn it—what even is that about?”
“It was a branch that fell victim to the ‘Ghost.’ It seems the branch leader secretly kept a ledger—”
“Do you think I don’t know that already?!”
Crash!
The glass ashtray shattered.
Oh Hyuk-jun’s breathing was still ragged.
“My… my name… is plastered all over the news. Not just in Korea—my name has spread to the entire world.”
“I apologize.”
“This means, damn it, I can’t even flee overseas!”
“I apologize.”
Still, it wasn’t the worst-case scenario yet.
He had prepared escape routes for situations like this, two options in fact: the best-case and fallback plans.
The best-case scenario was negotiating with the government using the abnormal dungeon list.
The fallback was cutting loose ends—pinning everything on the affiliated contractor companies and disposing of them.
But the best-case scenario was already out of reach, thanks to that damn doctor.
Kang Hyun.
“Even the demons never mentioned this.”
An unforeseen variable.
“To see through dungeon anomalies, they’d have to be someone who’s faced a legion commander! And yet, this so-called ‘doctor’ isn’t even a bigshot. How does it make sense for someone like that to unravel everything?!”
“I will urgently confirm this with the demon side.”
“What good is confirming it now, idiot?!”
It seemed the fallback plan was the only option left.
“All affiliated contractor companies have already turned against us.”
“…? What do you mean?”
“Last night, another branch was hit by Ghost. Hearing the news, the other branch leaders went straight to the authorities this morning, bringing evidence with them.”
“You—!!”
Oh Hyuk-jun began beating his subordinate’s head relentlessly.
“Get that bastard! Catch Ghost!”
“I apologize.”
It was impossible.
Even Oh Hyuk-jun knew that.
He was simply lashing out in a fit of rage.
Why was the alias “Ghost” so fitting?
Because this person was the most elusive figure in history.
Word had it that even this time, catching him would be nearly impossible.
In the era of Awakened individuals, investigative methods had also evolved—utilizing abilities and magic for breakthroughs.
To completely evade such an investigative network?
It was beyond extraordinary.
His exact combat prowess remained unknown, but one thing was clear.
“They said he’s A-rank, but his combat ability can’t be A-rank, right? Just catch him!”
“I apologize.”
At best, his combat ability might be C-rank.
High-level Awakened individuals didn’t just fall from the sky.
Newcomers like Aden, or extreme exceptions like the S-rank Word Mage, were rare cases.
Even the Perfect Clear Awakened had started as an F-rank and worked his way up.
But the Ghost’s unique abilities were the issue.
Extreme stealth, earning him an A-rank classification purely due to the severity of his threat—a literal ghost.
“At least the political sphere is taking this very seriously.”
The people most frightened by the Ghost?
Not criminals or citizens.
Politicians.
If the Ghost decided to assassinate lawmakers one by one?
They’d be powerless to stop him.
As a result, the investigation would persist, even if this case seemed like a perfect crime.
No one could remain perfect forever.
Even magic to erase traces had its limits.
There was precedent for even A-rank mages being caught.
Unless an S-rank caliber mage intervened, Ghost would eventually be apprehended.
“Haah, Haah… Damn it… What do I do now?”
“Do not worry. The Guild Master will not abandon you. If that were his intention, he would have recalled me already.”
After all, Oh Hyuk-jun was the Guild Master’s last remaining kin.
“The Guild Master sent me because he still values you.”
Palan’s Guild Master was an S-rank—the second of only two in the country, an irreplaceable asset with immense influence.
“Even the government cannot entirely oppose the Guild Master. Eventually, the blame for this incident will be redirected to another individual, and your name will be buried.”
It would take a long time to clean up, but it would be covered eventually.
“Yes… That’s true, right?”
“Yes. For now, focus on what’s in front of you.”
“What’s most important right now is….”
Somehow mitigating the situation, even slightly.
That way, he could appeal—however feebly—to the Guild Master.
‘If only I could have negotiated with the list!’
The anomalies weren’t over yet.
And, the list was the only solution.
Negotiating with the list was essential.
It was the only way to buy time.
During that time, a public opinion campaign could be waged.
However, one person made that impossible.
‘First, Kang Hyun. That bastard has to die.’
If only Dr. Kang Hyun were gone.
This side would once again become the sole solution to the anomalies.
Restoring the value of the list was all that mattered.
“Bring me everything you can on him.”
“Yes.”
He was going to kill him.
###
Kang Hyun had returned to his family home.
“Oh, you must be so busy! Why’d you come all the way here?”
“I’ll be even busier soon, so I figured I’d visit before then.”
“…Really? You must be doing well these days, huh?”
“Of course. Why won’t you believe me?”
“I’ll believe you when you say something believable!”
Since they didn’t believe him, he decided to bring proof.
“Disciple, come in.”
“Huh? Who’d you bring?”
Peeking in cautiously was Aden.
“Ah… Hello.”
“Oh? Oh, my!”
Blond hair, blue eyes, an enormous mana pool—
A rare sight on Earth.
Not to mention, her face was already familiar from TV.
In an instant, all eyes in the house were on her.
His father, who had been scratching his belly in the back, widened his eyes in shock.
“W-What!?”
He stumbled while trying to get up from the sofa, causing a clatter.
Thud!
“I told you, she’s my student.”
“No way…! Please, come in! It must be cold outside!”
Aden hesitated before stepping inside nervously.
Now they’d believe him, right?
But then, a slap landed square on his back.
Smack!
“Ah! Ow, what was that for?!”
“You should’ve told us a guest was coming, you brat! And not just any guest, but someone so important!”
“What are you talking about? Just treat her casually.”
“How could I do that?!”
Even if he asked them to relax, in their eyes, she was an A-rank Awakened.
A superhuman who led the nation, part of the highest elite.
“Aden, right? I’ve seen you on TV many times!”
“Y-yes.”
“Have you eaten?”
“Disciple, tell her to make the short ribs. Mom’s short ribs are amazing.”
“Oooh…! Short ribs! Meat!”
Although initially nervous, his parents began to relax as they watched the easy camaraderie between Kang Hyun and Aden.
“Please, speak comfortably, mother!”
“W-what?! Mother?!”
“Yes?”
Aden had lived in Korea for a long time but was quite isolated.
She wasn’t well-versed in formalities.
“Of course, of course! Call me ‘Mother’, dear. It’s easier that way, isn’t it?”
“Hey, try calling him ‘Father-in-law’ while you’re at it.”
“…Don’t teach her weird things.”
Even over something as simple as titles, his parents were all smiles.
“Is she really our Hyun’s student?”
“I’m not a student! I’m a disciple! Master is the savior of my life, and I am his one and only direct disciple!”
“Oh my, our Hyun has really grown up…!”
Aden seems to be drunk on the priesthood after a long time.
He seems to be very enthusiastic about this opportunity to solidify his position.
Aden, too, seemed drunk on the pride of being his disciple.
She took the opportunity to solidify her position, becoming even more fervent.
“I will serve Master for the rest of my life!”
“Yes, yes! You must serve your husband for life!”
“And should Master ever bring someone else here, do not waver—chase them out! I am Master’s only disciple, Mother and father-in-law!”
“Oh my, of course, of course! No one else will step foot in this house!”
Why were they like this?
It wasn’t like he’d even mentioned taking another disciple.
“When’s Kang Subin getting here? Isn’t she late because of study hall?”
“High schools don’t do study halls anymore. She’ll be here soon.”
“High schoolers don’t do study halls? Kids these days… unbelievable.”
“Master, you sound like a boomer.”
“Shut up.”
Every time he spoke to Aden, the corners of his parents’ lips twitched.
“Son, Dad approves.”
“Approve of what?”
“Mom too.”
“Approve of what?!”
“As long as the three of you are happy, I’m happy too!”
“…You stay out of this.”
Kang Hyun could understand his parents’ enthusiasm.
Elves were a race of beauty.
They were the most beautiful women in Thea.
They go without saying on modern Earth.
“I was worried because the academy is self-run, but it seems to be doing well. That’s a relief.”
“Yeah. Forget all that talk about big corporations being the way to go. People should do what they want.”
“Oh, right. I’ve got something like a job now.”
“Huh? A job? What about the academy?”
“Speaking of which, I’m about to come into a lot of money, so how about an allowance—”
Ding Dong.
“Huh? Is that Subin?”
“Why would she ring the doorbell? Who is it~?”
When Kang Hyun opened the door, he saw someone unexpected.
“Huh, Yoo Chae—no, Team Leader Yoo?”
“Yes, it’s me. By the way… are these your parents?”
How did she find this place?
There was someone else standing behind her—a man with graying hair, fidgeting as though his life depended on it.
‘Who’s that?’
Yoo Chae-young glanced at Kang Hyun’s parents before bowing politely.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Yoo Chae-young, Support Team Leader of the Seonghwa Guild. Our guild is deeply indebted to Doctor Kang Hyun.”
Doctor?
Who’s a doctor?
“Pardon? Our Hyun?”
“Yes. Thank you for entrusting your esteemed son to Seonghwa’s care. This is…”
She handed them a lavish flower basket, with a card tucked among the blooms expressing gratitude.
“This is a token of thanks from our Guild Master.”
“Oh my, goodness gracious…!”
Wow, Yoo Chae-young’s sense of timing was impeccable.
She knew how to win over parents with style, hitting all the right notes for them.
“B-But the Guild Master?”
“Yes. Is there something you’d like to know?”
“Well, I hope it’s not inappropriate to ask, but… I saw on YouTube that the top 10 guilds usually send such gifts under the Vice Guild Master’s name…”
When did they even watch that?
“Yes, typically that’s true because the administrative team responsible for such gestures reports directly to the Vice Guild Master. However, this particular gift was sent personally by the Guild Master. Seonghwa holds Dr. Kang Hyun in exceptionally high regard.”
“Oh my, goodness gracious!”
His parents looked like they might faint from excitement.
Kang Hyun silently nodded in admiration of Yoo Chae-young’s incredible PR skills.
‘So this is why people rave about the benefits of top guilds.’
Their attention to detail was outstanding.
While observing, Kang Hyun’s eyes met those of the man standing behind Yoo Chae-young.
Unable to hold back any longer, the man burst out.
“D-Doctor!”
“Hmm?”
He rushed forward and collapsed to the floor at the entrance.
“I am the Guild Master of Gwangmyeong! Please, help me just this once!”
