CHAPTER 218: DIRTY SKILL

WONHEE was disappointed after talking to her manager unnie on the phone.

"What’s wrong, Wonhee-ya?" Yejun asked worriedly. "You look upset."

"My manager called and said our table reading for my new drama was cancelled. It was rescheduled for next week," Wonhee said, sighing. "I was planning to confront Ruda-ssi after our table reading. Do you think he’s hiding from me?"

She heard that the biggest investor in their drama was someone supporting Park Ruda.

[It’s Ruda-ssi’s rumored chaebol family.]

Wonhee personally didn’t believe the rumors that Park Ruda came from a chaebol family.

There were only a few chaebol families in Korea.

[Semi Unnie would know if Park Ruda is one of us, even if he was an illegitimate child.]

"That’s possible," Yejun said while peeling a tangerine for his dessert. "But I think Park Ruda is really busy these days."

"Is something going on?"

"Do you remember Kunwoo?"

"Yes, the creepy APA Hunter."

"He’s APA’s old dog, and he’s been active since he came out of his hiatus," Yejun said, putting the peeled slices of tangerine on Wonhee’s clean plate. "Park Ruda is the only A-Class Guide in APA. So, he’s in charge of Kunwoo now that the fake carnivore is inactive."

"Oh, I see," Wonhee said while nodding. "That’s a shame."

"Why? Are you planning to kill Park Ruda?"

"Yah. Don’t say bad words in front of food."

Well, the table was already cleaned after they had their breakfast earlier.

But they were still snacking on the tangerines that Yejun peeled for her.

[Fruits are food.]

"Then let’s change the topic," Yejun said, cracking his knuckles. "I can’t say nice things if the topic is either Park Ruda or the fake carnivore."

"Why does it seem like you’re more upset at them than I am?"

"Because they hurt you. Even if you forgive them, I won’t."

"Okay, let’s change the topic," Wonhee said, clearing her throat. "Since I’m free now, I’d like to take you up on your offer. You said you’d give me an office tour of the Winter Guild’s building, right?"

Yejun’s face beamed. "Oh, yes. I wanna brag about the building I built with my blood and sweat."

"No tears?"

"Nah, I don’t cry."

"I remember you were teary-eyed when I called you by your name again after our fight."

Yejun grinned cheekily. "I’ll only cry for you, Wonhee-ya."

"So cheeky," Wonhee said, putting a slice of tangerine in Yejun’s waiting mouth. "Can we also invite Yool? I want to talk to him. Plus, we need to plan how we’ll send him to the dungeon."

"Sure."

"Will your cousins be there, too?"

"Why?"

"I can’t come empty-handed," Wonhee said, wondering why Yejun had to ask. "I know your parents will be there, so I’m planning to buy some red ginseng for them. So, tell me if the triplets Oppas and Unnie will be there, too."

"Just buy them some candies or something."

"Yah. Do you want me to look thoughtless?"

Yejun let out a sigh, obviously sulking. "Minsu Noona is really a fan of yours, Wonhee-ya. I mean it when I say she’ll be happy to receive anything from you."

"But I still want to give Minsu Unnie something that she can use."

"Noona was telling me the other day that she couldn’t wait for the release of your new eyewear collection."

Oh, right.

She collaborated with the luxury eyewear brand called Green-eyed Monster and helped them create a new collection of fun sunglasses.

[It was supposed to be released around the time I was accused of being a druggie, so it was postponed.]

But the brand decided to release it now that Wonhee’s reputation had recovered.

She had already filmed all the promotional videos in advance, so the brand was planning to release them before the launch.

[I’ll be there, of course.]

There would be pop-up stores in at least 10 different countries during the launch.

"I think I can give Minsu Unnie the PR Gift in advance as long as she doesn’t post it on social media until the launch."

"Noona will be happy then."

"What about Minki Oppa and Minho Oppa?"

Yejun pouted, obviously pouting again. "Why are you calling them ’Oppa?’ Just call them formally."

"Jealousy doesn’t look good on you, Yejun-ah."

"They won’t be at the office."

"Why?"

"Ah, did I forget to tell you?" Yejun said, tilting his head to one side. "Minho Hyung and Minki Hyung are in charge of training the fake carnivore while the fake carnivore is under my guild’s surveillance."

"Oh," Wonhee said, nodding. "That reminds me that Lee Seojin sent me a message yesterday."

"What did he say?"

"He wanted to know if he can visit his hyung. I think he wants to apologize."

Yejun suddenly sneered, his eyes turning into little crescent moons.

[That’s his villain smile.]

"Why not?" Yejun said, still smiling creepily. "I’ll ask my hyungs to let Lee Seojin meet the fake carnivore."

Wonhee suddenly felt nervous. "What are you trying to do, Hwang Yejun?"

***

"HWANG FROST told you to let Lee Seojin meet Lee Seodam?" Soobin asked, raising an eyebrow at Hwang Minho and Hwang Minki. "Why?"

The two men, standing in front of his table, exchanged looks.

[Are they talking to each other mentally?]

It was Hwang Minho who spoke first.

"We don’t know, sir. We’re just following our Guildmaster’s order."

"Our captain asked us to ask for your permission first, Vice President Yeon," Hwang Minki added. "I believe it was Miss Chu’s request to let Lee Seojin meet Lee Seodam. We heard from our captain that Lee Seojin asked Miss Chu if meeting Lee Seodam was possible."

Oh.

"If it was what Hee-ya wants, then I suppose there’s no harm letting Lee Seojin meet his hyung," Soobin said, leaning against his chair. "Just make sure that you’ll keep an eye on the two so that they won’t end up fighting again."

To be honest, he didn’t want Lee Seojin to meet Lee Seodam yet.

[Lee Seodam isn’t stable yet, and Lee Seojin doesn’t remember the things that happened when he attacked his hyung.]

But maybe letting the two meet could trigger some memories?

It was risky, but Hwang Minho and Hwang Minki were capable Hunters.

Moreover...

"What exactly did Hwang Frost ask you to do?" Soobin said, raising an eyebrow. "The two of you often insult Lee Seodam during your sparring. It’s not your style to be verbally abusive towards someone who hasn’t done you any harm."

Hence, he could only conclude that it was Hwang Yejun’s order.

But Hwang Minho and Hwang Minki looked like they had no intention of answering his question.

[How tight-lipped.]

"Alright. You don’t have to answer— I’ll just ask Hwang Frost later," Soobin said, sighing. "Is that bastard still with my baby sister?"

"That seems to be the case, sir."

Wonhee sent a message in their group chat last night.

His baby sister said she would sleep over at Hwang Yejun’s house.

[Semi Noona and I decide to just trust Hee-ya since she’s already a full-grown adult. And we don’t want to upset her again. But...]

"Your damned Guildmaster is a thief."

Hwang Minho and Hwang Minki just laughed awkwardly.

"Ask Lee Cheongsan to fetch Lee Seojin," Soobin said, waving his hand to let the Hwang Brothers know that the conversation was over. "He’ll take care of everything."

***

LEE SEOJIN was relieved when APA finally let him meet Lee Seodam.

[I want to apologize to Hyung for what I did even though I don’t remember anything.]

He was a bit nervous.

Moreover, he was scared that he might end up attacking his older brother again.

"Don’t worry too much, kid," the one Seojin remembered as Hwang Minho said as if reassuring him that everything would be fine. "If you feel like killing your hyung, tell us. We’ll stop you."

Seojin frowned even though it was obvious that the older Hunter was only kidding. "My relationship with my hyung isn’t that bad, sir."

The one Seojin remembered as Hwang Minki gently smacked the back of his brother’s head. "Don’t tease the kid. Our captain is fond of this one."

[Their names are familiar...]

"Who’s your captain?"

The two answered at the same time. "Hwang Frost."

Oh.

Seojin felt stupid when the realization hit him late. "You’re from the Winter Guild! I’m sorry, I didn’t recognize you instantly. It’s probably because I’m used to seeing the famous Hwang Triplets as... well, three. So, it’s strange to see you without your sister Hwang Minsu-ssi."

Hwang Minho and Hwang Minki just laughed.

The elevator doors finally opened and they were led to the hotel’s rooftop garden.

There was a giant terrarium in the middle, and...

"Hyung!" Seojin yelled when he saw his older brother there, walking towards his hyung at a fast pace. "Why are you locked up..."

He trailed off when his Status Window suddenly popped up, causing him to freeze.

[A family member with the same bloodline as you is near. Would you like to activate your Blood Ties Skill? It’s a skill used to control people in the same bloodline as you without their knowing. The thicker the blood between Hunter Lee Seojin and the other party is, the more control you have over them.]

Another Status Window popped up.

[Connection to the other party confirmed.

Target: Hunter Lee Seodam

Relationship: Brother

The blood tie between Hunter Lee Seojin and Lee Seodam is thick, hence you’ll be able to control your older brother easily and more ’quietly.’

Would you like to activate your Blood Ties Skill now?]

Seojin let out a gasp. "What kind of dirty skill is that?"

***

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