CHAPTER 264: THE FIRST RETURNEE (3)

"GUIDE SEON CHOWON-SSI, are you saying there’s a chance that those who have been missing because of dungeon breaks in the past can still return?"

"How would I know?" Bitna asked back, shrugging. "I’m not a god."

She heard Yeon Soobin and Lee Cheongsan sigh as if they had already given up on her and her "PR abilities" (or lack, thereof).

On the other hand, Ahn Kaia and Hwang Minho tried to stifle their laughter.

"How can you say that when it’s you who brought up the idea, Guide Seon Chowon?"

"I just wondered out loud," Bitna said casually. "I mean, the world is vast. I can’t be the only one lucky enough to return, right?"

"You can’t just give false hopes—"

"The people who lost someone important to the dungeons have never stopped waiting for their loved ones," Bitna said. This time, she was being sincere. "Is my existence giving them false hopes? Maybe, maybe not. But here I am. I’m a survivor. It’s up to them whether I become a false hope or a symbol of hope to them. I have no control over their feelings."

Now the reporters looked confused.

Oh, well.

[At least I distracted them from asking too much about my abilities as a Guide. It’s time to wrap this up—]

"Guide Seon Chowon, you haven’t told us your level yet."

Ah, this was one was a sharp reporter.

"Could it be that Guide Seon Chowon is an S-Class Guide, too?" the wise reporter continued bombarding Bitna with questions. "But how come your abilities are different from Actress Chu Wonhee? Judging by how you saved three A-Class Hunters at once, I’d say you’re the better Guide between you and Actress Chu Wonhee who hasn’t done anything remarkable as an S-Class Guide yet."

Chu Wonhee hadn’t done anything remarkable yet?

Pfft.

Bitna burst out laughing. "Aigoo, good sir. I’m not half as good as Guide Chu Wonhee-ssi."

"But your abilities—"

"So what? I have no intention of sharing my abilities with everyone," Bitna said, smiling. "If it wasn’t for Guide Chu Wonhee-ssi, the Big 4 would be no more. And had the Big 4 disappeared, then South Korea would have been invaded by stronger countries already. You’re lucky Guide Chu Wonhee-ssi is loyal to Korea. If I were her, I would start selling my services to countries with the highest bid."

A loud gasp erupted from the audience and, this time, it was obvious that the reporters were shocked and angry.

[That’s the reaction I want.]

"So, you should all cherish a national treasure like Guide Chu Wonhee-ssi. Not everyone is as selfless and generous as her," Bitna said, scoffing. "And you. Mr. Reporter from Daily Herald. I know Guide Chu Wonhee-ssi is an actress, but you should address her properly as a Guide if you have to. Are you looking down on the first S-Class Guide in the world?"

The reporter who kept addressing Wonhee as an actress instead of a Guide in that context flinched. "M-My apologies..."

"Guide Chu Wonhee-ssi doesn’t brag about her accomplishments, so I’ll do it for her," Bitna said. This was something she had discussed with Wonhee before, so she intended to go with it even though Wonhee’s memories were still a mess. "Guide Chu Wonhee-ssi convinced me to help the Guides of this country upgrade their skills. But since our project has only started, we’ve chosen the high-class Guides of the country for now. You may look forward to the result of our project soon."

Since she was done talking, she put down the mic and made eye contact with Vice President Yeon Soobin.

[I don’t wanna be here anymore, sir.]

Fortunately, it seemed like Vice President Yeon Soobin got her message as he picked up the mic and spoke.

"Guide Seon Chowon-ssi will now stop answering questions."

[Thank goodness.]

"Let’s welcome our next guest who will explain the collaboration project between Guide Seon Chowon-ssi and Guide Chu Wonhee-ssi," Vice President Yeon Soobin said while Bitna was swiftly leaving the hall. "Director Shin Geon of the National Guide Center, please join us here."

Bitna heard her name being called by the reporters, but she simply ignored everyone.

[This is enough to catch the attention of the world, right?]

***

KWON JIWOONG was half-annoyed and half-thrilled while watching the press conference in his office.

He was annoyed that Yeon Soobin and Shin Geon excluded him when Chu Wonhee and Seon Chowon were planning a huge project with the goal of upgrading the skills of the Guides in their country.

But he was glad that another ’first’ existence was discovered in South Korea.

[The first S-Class Guide and the first Returnee in the world... this is huge.]

"President Kwon, we’ve been getting calls from UAN and other countries," Kwon Mina, his cousin and chief secretary, reported. "What should we do?"

"Ignore them for now," Jiwoong said, scoffing. "Tell everyone to ignore international calls until further notice."

Kwon Mina nodded politely before she left the office quietly.

After his secretary left, Director Shin Geon’s voice echoed in the office since he was still watching the press conference.

"As Guide Seon Chowon-ssi mentioned earlier, she collaborated with Guide Chu Wonhee-ssi to help upgrade the skills of the high-class Guides in the country. I can’t give you the details yet, but I assure you that the project won’t be just for the high-class Guides. We will only start with them as they need to support the high-ranking Hunters of our nation. However, we promise every Guide in the country will benefit from this project. We’re asking you to be patient..."

Jiwoong clicked his tongue. "Even the proposal they sent me didn’t specify how Chu Wonhee and Seon Chowon plan to upgrade the skills of our Guides."

"Does it matter? I’ll be there anyway."

Ah, right.

Jiwoong turned to Park Ruda, who has been sitting on the sofa while watching the press conference quietly, with a smile. "Of course, they’ll invite you to join the gathering since you’re also an A-Class Guide, Park Ruda. I suppose you already know what to do once you’re inside Chu Wonhee and Seon Chowon’s circle."

The reason he didn’t make a fuss when Yeon Soobin informed him about the project belatedly was because the Vice President invited Park Ruda to be a part of the first batch of the Guides under the project.

"Don’t worry, President Kwon. I know what to do," Park Ruda assured him. "I will be your little spy."

***

"CHOWON-ah..."

Bitna smiled when she saw the person waiting for her in the waiting room. "Uncle Chang-ho."

Seon Chang-ho— the illegitimate half-brother of her evil father.

[One of the only two people who cared about in the family after ’that’ incident.]

"Uncle Chang-ho, it’s good to see you again," Bitna said, smiling at his uncle. "Uncle is still a crybaby, huh?"

"I’m just so happy that you’re back, Chowon-ah," Uncle Chang-ho said. "Will you come home with me? I’d like to formally introduce you to my wife and son again."

"You’re doing this because you don’t want my father and brothers to get a hold of me, aren’t you, Uncle?"

"I don’t want you to get hurt because of them again."

"They can never hurt me again, Uncle. They’re the ones you should be hiding from me."

"Chowon-ah, you’re scaring your uncle."

Aigoo.

[Uncle is still weakhearted.]

Oh, well.

Her uncle was kind, and she benefited a lot from that kindness back when she was still a helpless ’disgraced’ heiress.

[It’s time I return the favor.]

"Let’s go to your house, Uncle," Bitna said, smiling. "I need to see your son anyway."

"My son?" Uncle Chang-ho asked, confused. "Why do you ’need’ to see my son, Chowon-ah?"

"The System informed me about the new Forced Awakening drugs that your son had consumed without his knowing."

"Did the System ask you to investigate about the new drugs?"

"No."

"Then what...?"

"The System wants me to kill the people responsible for the new drugs."

Uncle Chang-go let out a loud gasp. "Chowon-ah..."

"It’s my job, Uncle," Bitna assured her kind yet weak-hearted uncle. "I’m the System’s executioner."

***

"WONHEE-YA, is it okay if I drop you off at Semi Noona’s house instead of Soobin Hyung’s house? You’ll be safer there since the baby herbivore is there."

"’Baby herbivore?’"

"That’s what I call Do Ahyeon."

Oh, right.

Wonhee remembered that Hwang Frost sent Ahyeon to Semi’s house to guard Eunseok before they went to the press conference.

"Can’t I just stay at my own place?"

"Your penthouse is still under renovation, Wonhee-ya."

"That penthouse is the one I use the most because it’s in the luxury apartment building I inherited from my parents," Wonhee explained. "But I have other penthouses, villas, and mansions that I can use anytime. They’re all in safe areas."

Because only the rich could buy properties in areas deemed by the government as safe.

"It’s better for you to stay with the baby herbivore and your older siblings while I’m not by your side."

"Y-You’re leaving me?"

"Not for long," Hwang Frost assured her. "As you know, I’m the Winter Guild’s Guildmaster. My people were hurt during the recent attack by the square-headed villains. I can’t keep asking my parents to handle the guild problems for me. That’s why I need to go back to my guild and do my job properly. I’m sorry, but I hope you understand, Wonhee-ya."

For some reason, that was a relief to hear.

"It’s not something you have to apologize for, Hwang Frost-ssi," Wonhee said while shaking her head. "I’m the one who should be apologizing since you have to take care of me when our country needs you more."

"Wonhee-ya, don’t misunderstand."

"Hmm?"

"If I have to choose between you and the country— or even the world— I’ll choose you," Hwang Frost said firmly. "I’m leaving your side temporarily because I need to keep this country safe for you to be safe, Wonhee-ya. But, if something happens to you, I’ll prioritize you."

Aww.

Her conscience poked her a bit because the right thing to do was to prioritize the safety of the country.

However, hearing Hwang Frost’s words made her heart swell with happiness.

[The selfish part of my heart is happy that there’s someone who’ll always choose me first.]

"Y-Yejun-ah?"

Wonhee didn’t know what she was expecting, but she was surprised when Yejun suddenly looked like he was about to cry.

[Why do I feel like this has happened before?]

"C-Can I call you ’Yejun-ah?’"

"Of course, Wonhee-ya," Yejun said in a cracked voice. "The only time I wouldn’t want you to call my name is when we get married. Because, by then, I’d love it if you start calling me ’honey’ instead of my name."

That was a bit cheesy, but...

Wonhee couldn’t help but smile. "You’re so delusional, Yejun-ah."

***

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