CHAPTER 219: OFFICE TOUR

WOW.

Wonhee was genuinely impressed by the Winter Guild’s main office.

Out of all the high-rise buildings in Seoul, the Winter Guild’s glass skyscraper was the prettiest.

[Actually, it looks like an ice palace.]

The inside of the building was modern and chic.

It was still practically empty, though.

"The Hunters and Guides of our guild, aside from the core members of my team, were scattered all over the country. To be precise, they’re currently stuck in either an island or a rural area," Yejun explained. He probably noticed that Wonhee felt confused as to why the huge building was practically empty. "APA made my people sign temporary contracts with the small guilds in charge of the areas they were sent to."

"Oh. But the Big 4 Guilds only accept A and S-Class Hunters, don’t you?"

"A and S-Class for Hunters, A and B-Class for Guides."

"I’d like to say that it was a shame that such high-ranking Hunters and Guides were sent to the countryside. But I’m actually glad that your people were sent to places where Hunters and Guides are needed the most," Wonhee said carefully. "Soobin Oppa told me before that APA focuses too much on big cities that the rural areas are often neglected. While it’s true that Cracks appear more often in big cities with a large population, rural areas are also prone to Crack burstings. Hence, the government should also pay attention to them."

"And that’s exactly why Soobin Hyung sent my people to those places."

"It was my brother who did that?"

"Hyung used his authority as APA’s Vice President to send my people to rural areas before Kwon Jiwoong could lay a hand on them," Yejun said, nodding. "And I’m glad that Soobin Hyung did that. I know for a fact that my Hunters and Guides would rather work in the countryside than work for Kwon Jiwoong. That’s why I decided to wait for their contracts to end before asking them to come back."

"That’s nice and all, but I heard from Oppa and Semi Unnie before that all the treasures that your people bagged from their raids were surrendered to APA. I’m sure President Kwon also stole from your guild."

"Yeah. Kwon Jiwoong used my guild’s finances to finish the construction of APA Village. That’s why APA Village was opened earlier than scheduled."

"That’s upsetting."

"Are you worried about my finances, Wonhee-ya? Don’t be. The amount of money that Kwon Jiwoong stole from me didn’t even leave a bent on my wealth. I still have the means to spoil you to death~"

"I’m not worried about your finances. I know you have a slush fund and a room full of gold."

"Oh."

"I’m upset that President Kwon claims that APA Village was built by the government when in reality, your guild helped fund it," Wonhee said, sighing. "But we can’t complain since you have a slush fund, and you don’t pay your taxes properly since you have hidden wealth."

Yejun suddenly burst out laughing. "I’ll pay my taxes properly from now on."

"Good."

"Let me bring you to my favorite part of the office."

"Sure."

Yejun held her hand and brought her to the Winter Guild HQ’s rooftop.

And wow.

Wonhee was amazed when she saw the huge ice rink in the middle of the rooftop!

The rooftop had a dome-shaped roof made of clear glass.

[It’s like the rooftop of our hotel.]

Anyways...

It was nice to see the little shops that surrounded the ice rink. There were also plenty of chairs and tables for anyone who wanted to watch people skate.

[Too bad the place is empty.]

"Once my people return, this place will be lively again," Yejun said, and then he turned to her with a worried look on his face. "Are you cold, Wonhee-ya?"

"No, I’m fine."

"Then do you know how to ice skate?"

"A bit. But it’s been long since the last time I was in an ice rink, so my skating skill must have gone rusty already."

Yejun grinned and extended his hand to her. "Should we play while waiting for Gong Yool to arrive? I’ll give you a refresher course on ice skating."

That didn’t sound like a bad idea.

"Alright," Wonhee said, accepting Yejun’s hand. "Let’s play for a bit."

***

"LEE SEOJIN, are you alright? You suddenly went pale."

Seojin raised his head when he heard Lee Seodam’s voice.

He was surprised to hear his older brother’s voice even though he was inside the giant terrarium. After all, he thought it would be sound-proof.

"There’s a device inside the terrarium that amplifies the voice of anyone inside it, and then the device attached to the door works like a speaker. That’s why you can hear your hyung’s voice," Hwang Minho explained, and then he turned to him. "What happened, Lee Seojin? Your hyung is right— you’re pale."

Oh, right.

That dirty skill...!

"Sir, the System informed me of a new skill," Seojin said— no, he actually whined. "It says I can use it to manipulate my—"

He was forced to stop talking when Hwang Minho suddenly covered his mouth.

"You just had your orientation this morning, kid," Hwang Minho said in a scolding voice. "Don’t expose your skills to anyone— not even to your family or closest friends."

Ah.

[But I trust all the people here...]

"You’re a newbie Hunter and until you find your people, you can’t trust anyone but yourself," Hwang Minho said, removing his hand from Seojin’s mouth. "But if you must share whatever it is that the System informed you, then you must tell it to the person you trust the most."

Only one person entered Seojin’s mind at that moment.

"It’s not like I trust this person, but I think he’s the one who can help me most at the moment," Seojin said awkwardly. "Can I talk to Hwang Frost-ssi?"

Hwang Minho looked surprised at first, and then he nodded. "Let me send a message to our Guildmaster first."

***

"HYUNG, I’m really sorry for hurting you."

Lee Seodam observed his younger brother’s expression while he was apologizing to him.

He wasn’t allowed to leave the terrarium, so he had no choice but to talk to Seojin with a glass wall between them.

Fortunately, the communication devices there allowed them to do so.

"You can stop apologizing now, Seojin-ah," Seodam said, assuring his younger brother that he was fine. "I know you didn’t do it on purpose. Newly Awakened People are at their peak a few weeks after their awakening. So, it’s only natural that you can’t control your powers yet."

To be honest, he also didn’t remember much during his quarrel with Lee Seojin.

Except for one thing.

"I should be the one apologizing to you," Seodam said, his voice full of remorse. "I hit you. Several times, at that. I know this will sound like an excuse, but I lashed out at you because I’m feeling frustrated lately. Even so, I shouldn’t have done that. You’re my youngest brother, and I’m supposed to protect you. But because of my weak mental fortitude, I ended up hurting you. I’m so sorry about that, Seojin-ah."

Seojin suddenly got teary-eyed. "Hyung, I’ll train and become stronger in order to help you protect our family. So, please take it easy."

To be honest, he didn’t like what his younger brother said.

But he immediately scolded himself.

[Seojin is just trying to look after me.]

So, Seodam gave his younger brother a small smile and nodded. "Thank you, Seojin."

"Hyung..."

"Are you done talking?" Hwang Minho, who appeared behind Lee Seojin, asked. "I already sent a message to our Guildmaster, kid. Let’s wait for him at Vice President Yeon’s office."

"Yes, sir," Seojin said politely, and then he turned to Seodam again. "Hyung, let’s talk again later. And don’t worry about Eomma and Noona— they’re both doing well."

Seodam nodded. "Take care, Seojin-ah."

His younger brother just nodded, and then he followed Hwang Minho out of the rooftop.

Seodam let his façade slip away when Lee Seojin was out of sight.

It was a big mistake.

"What a scary face you’re making, Hunter Lee Seodam."

Ah.

Seodam almost forgot that Hwang Minki was still there, watching him closely.

"It seems like Lee Seojin has earned a new skill that will definitely help him level up fast," Hwang Minki said, obviously provoking Seodam. "Who knows? Maybe your younger brother is on his way to becoming an S-Class Hunter."

’S-Class.’

That was Seodam’s dream— to level up and become an S-Class Hunter.

However...

[I’m nothing but a stupid B-Class now, and it’s only a matter of time before everyone finds out about my secret.]

Seodam felt agitated once again.

***

PFFT.

Wonhee couldn’t help but laugh.

She was just twirling in the ice rink, wearing the figure skates that she borrowed from the staff room, pretending to be a princess on ice.

Yejun, who made ice blades under his shoes, just watched her.

But, before she knew it, she was already dancing with him.

Wonhee just found herself having a slow dance with Yejun in the middle of the ice rink.

"You said you only know how to skate a "bit,"" Yejun complained light-heartedly. "I was ready to act like a passionate coach. But then you suddenly twirled around like a professional figure skater."

"It’s just muscle memory," Wonhee said defensively, and then she knitted her eyebrows. "And your watch is glowing."

The color the watch emitted was blue, so it shouldn’t be an emergency.

"I got a message from Minho Hyung," Yejun explained, checking his watch to read the message he received. And then he paused for a moment. "Wonhee-ya, is Gong Yool coming with Graham?"

"Yes. Yool said Graham insisted on taking him here. Why?"

"I’ll leave once Gong Yool and Graham arrive. The baby herbivore is on his way, too, right? The more guards you have, the better."

Okay, that made her nervous.

"What’s wrong, Yejun-ah?" Wonhee asked worriedly. "Is there an emergency?"

"Nah," Yejun said, grinning. "I’m just gonna go and adopt our second "son.""

***

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