Chapter 23 The Saint’s Threat

The Order.

After the previously dominant #1 guild, Yoo Eun-ha’s [Frozen Heart], collapsed.
There are three major guilds forming significant power.

One of them is [The Order], led by Reytana, who holds the S-class Rank 5 title of “Saint”.

The Order’s official purpose is for everyone to live happily.

If we get more specific, their goals include saving the weak, realizing justice, and executing evil—a benevolent guild.

Because of this, the Order’s popularity among ordinary citizens is absolutely significant.

But this is nothing more than a surface appearance.

No matter how many welfare projects, donation events, or charity relays they conduct, this is not the Order’s true nature.

Although it’s information known only to a tiny minority of hunters.

I know the truth about the Order because I worked as the manager for the #1 hunter guild [Frozen Heart], specifically under guild master Yoo Eun-ha.

The truth about the Order.

While they perfectly craft their image from the front, behind the scenes they don’t hesitate to do all sorts of despicable things.

Moreover, for the growth of [The Order], they spare no means or methods.

Loan sharking, gambling, human trafficking—the Order does many terrible things.

Because of this, the Order controls and operates gangsters and criminals as they please.

‘Is everything really Reytana’s doing?’

I had no definitive proof, but I might have vaguely sensed something.

Gangsters and criminal groups, they’re all under [The Order]’s control.

Not everyone, but most gate accidents are often connected to the Order.

That’s why I find Reytana very unpleasant.

Yoo Eun-ha used to call the Saint Reytana a “middle-aged woman”, and I also don’t have a good impression of Reytana.

I had run a few raids together as party members in the past and had conversations, but that was it.

Now, I have no relationship with Reytana at all.

“Leave here immediately.”

Park Jin-ha began emitting killing intent towards Reytana.

She hadn’t drawn her sword, but it was clearly a hostile act.

“Jin-ha. I don’t understand what misunderstanding you’re having… It’s a misunderstanding.”

Looking at Park Jin-ha, Reytana showed a kind smile.

She placed her finger on her cheek with an innocent expression, as if she really didn’t know why.

“After doing such things, you’re saying this to me now?”

“What things? I really don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“The attempts to kidnap my brother so far—that was all you, wasn’t it? I felt your power from the people who attacked me.”

“Oh my… That can’t be. You must have misunderstood.”

Park Jin-ha was on high alert, while Reytana, in contrast, maintained a peaceful, gentle expression. They exchanged a conversation with no progress.

During this unproductive dialogue, Reytana proposed something as if she had been waiting.

“However, Jin-ha. If you’re worried about attacks, there’s a solution. This would be resolved if you join the Order.”

This was likely what Reytana most wanted to say, and recruiting Park Jin-ha was her greatest desire.

“The Order will protect you. We welcome Jin-ha.”

Reytana held out her hand with a smile.

From the outside, it looked like a saint extending a hand to save someone in need.

“I’ve said it multiple times. I absolutely will not join. Leave right now.”

But this was definitely not a hand of salvation.

Park Jin-ha knew this, so she just glared at Reytana without taking her hand.

“Is that so? What a shame. But next time we meet, I somehow feel Jin-ha will be the one to say she wants to join. Hoho.”

“Absolutely not.”

“No. Such a thing will definitely happen. Because Jin-ha is such a good person.”

“Are you done with your nonsense? You should leave now.”

After several rounds of back-and-forth, Park Jin-ha remained consistent.

Park Jin-ha effectively told Reytana to get lost.

“Whether you like it or not, you’ll end up joining.”

Reytana also maintained her stance.

“And Si-woo. I’m done talking to Jin-ha, but I also have something to say to you. My purpose for coming wasn’t just because of Jin-ha.”

Reytana’s attention then turned to me.

“Si-woo. I came to visit you as an old colleague. Would it be okay to talk alone? I’d like Jin-ha to leave so the adults can talk privately.”

Reytana looked at Park Jin-ha as if seeking understanding.

It seemed Reytana had something to discuss with me besides Park Jin-ha.

“Wait a moment. Do you think I’ll let that happen? Let a dangerous person like you be alone with Si-woo?”

Hearing that, Park Jin-ha began guarding like a puppy encountering a thief.

From Park Jin-ha’s perspective, knowing Reytana’s true nature, such a thing was unthinkable.

That was understandable.

But actually, being alone was no problem.

“It’s okay. Jin-ha, go outside.”

“Huh? Si-woo-nim… But.”

I told Park Jin-ha it was fine.

Because there was no real reason to worry.

“This is a hospital. Reytana won’t do anything strange here, unlike other places.”

I knew Reytana very well.

She was someone who staked her life on managing her public image as a saint.

Therefore, she absolutely wouldn’t leave evidence by doing something strange here.

“… Understood.”

Park Jin-ha agreed after hearing my words.

She looked slightly anxious but eventually left the hospital room.

Now only Reytana and I remained.

“You trust me unexpectedly?”

“Well, we know each other as former colleagues.”

Reytana smiled and chuckled slightly at our reunion.

I responded calmly.

As mentioned before, Reytana and I only occasionally cleared gates together when I was an A-class hunter.

There were no significant past memories beyond that.

Recently, we had some minor conflicts while I was working as Yoo Eun-ha’s manager, but nothing beyond a business relationship.

“Reytana. So what do you want?”

I went straight to the point.

There was no need for pleasantries in our business relationship.

“Oh my… Aren’t we going to exchange greetings?”

“What greetings could we possibly have? Just get to the point quickly.”

“Hoho… Understood.”

Seeing me go straight to the point, Reytana looked disappointed, but it was clearly a service-level smile.

She probably didn’t want to make small talk either.

As if proving this, Reytana quickly got to the main topic.

“Hmm… I’ll be direct. Would you like to work as my secretary?”

Reytana proposed this with her characteristic innocent expression.

It was an incredibly random suggestion given the current situation.

“A secretary? Why?”

“Because Si-woo is incredibly capable.”

I asked for the reason, and Reytana smiled and answered.

Well, I had made quite a name for myself since working as Yoo Eun-ha’s manager.

I had even handled all the practical work at her company.

In some ways, I might be a suitable experienced talent.

But that wasn’t a sufficient reason.

There were plenty of people who could handle practical tasks.

It didn’t have to be me.

Moreover, being a secretary for an S-class wasn’t a job that could be entrusted to someone without credibility.

“Is that the only reason? It’s quite underwhelming.”

“Well, the real purpose is obviously to use you as a secretary to recruit Jin-ha.”

When I didn’t drop my suspicious gaze, Reytana inevitably revealed her true purpose.

As expected, Reytana’s goal was in that direction.

She wanted to forcibly bring Jin-ha into her guild, but since Jin-ha was S-class, she absolutely couldn’t force her.

Additionally, threatening Park Jin-soo was becoming challenging, so she was trying to use me to bring Jin-ha into the guild.

I could roughly understand her thinking.

“Sorry, but I’m not interested.”

I naturally refused.

I didn’t want to do manager work now, and I had no desire to join the Order.

“Are you answering immediately? Can’t you think about it a bit more? It’s not a bad proposal for you. I understand your circumstances well.”

Hearing my answer, Reytana made a slightly sad expression.

But soon she raised the corner of her mouth and gave me a look of ridicule.

“I know that Si-eun’s medical expenses are difficult even for an A-class hunter to handle.”

“You’ve done quite a lot of investigation.”

“Hoho. Thanks for the compliment.”

Certainly, as the leader of a major guild like [The Order], her information network was formidable.

Reytana knew exactly why I had incurred massive debt and why I needed money.

“But I’m still refusing. I don’t need it.”

I refused again.

As I said, I didn’t want to do manager work now, and I had no reason to do so.

“Si-woo. It seems you’re misunderstanding something…”

Hearing my answer, Reytana smiled brightly.

Then she took out a mobile phone from inside her nun’s habit.

And she called somewhere.

Ring ring…

The phone signal went through.

And a few seconds later, an unexpected person answered.

“Oppa… Save me…!”

An urgent cry.

A familiar voice.

It was my sister Si-eun’s voice.

Click.

The call ended.

“I’m not asking. This is an order, Si-woo.”

After the call ended, Reytana continued speaking with a smile.

“… Hey. This is going too far?”

A sound was heard.

The sound of my reason’s last thread breaking.