Chapter 61: Something Seems Suspicious (6)

Saint? Did he just say Saint?

Han Dayeon’s smiling face instantly twisted as she watched the scene unfold.

At first, when she saw Gyeonwoo running to meet the district chief, she had thought: How cute, she’s still just a child after all. Though Gyeonwoo had been acting more grown-up lately, especially around Pureumi, it was adorable to see her get excited about meeting someone like the district chief.

Well, to children the district chief might seem as grand as the sky. Maybe I should tell her later that our Guild Master is actually higher-ranking and more impressive than the district chief? Though she might faint from shock…

But that happy thought lasted only a moment.

The instant Gyeonwoo was called “Saint.”

The moment she faced the district chief acting so brazenly familiar.

Han Dayeon had to summon all her patience just to suppress her rising murderous intent.

Calling the female Gyeonwoo “Saint” rather than “Female Saint”?

But that wasn’t the real issue.

In the 21st century, idol worship of saints had long since disappeared.

Given what Gyeonwoo had told her about her past, only one group in the world would call her “Saint.”

The cult.

Those cancerous bastards who needed to be eliminated from Korea, from this world.

“Um… which restaurant do you mean…”

“Why are you all being so dense today? The usual place, that restaurant! Full course!”

“But that restaurant doesn’t deliver…”

“Good grief. Figure it out! You’re interrupting our conversation – go handle it over there!”

To think the Samgak District Chief was a cult member!

Right in the heart of Seoul.

Right in the middle of the three major guilds!

It sent chills down her spine thinking their puppet had been hiding here for over 10 years.

How many others had been pretending to be normal among them like this?

Above all, seeing him act so familiar with Gyeonwoo suggested he must have made a wish before.

How could this bastard smile like that after making such a small child sacrifice her body?

Unless he was a psychopath incapable of feeling emotions, his behavior made no sense.

“So, Saint, you’ve become much healthier.”

“Ah, hehe… I thought I would die, but my friend helped me.”

I thought I would die.

Han Dayeon clenched her fists at Gyeonwoo’s matter-of-fact voice.

She couldn’t even imagine how difficult escaping the cult must have been.

And this district chief was someone who could drag Gyeonwoo back to the cult.

A dangerous person who could directly report Gyeonwoo’s survival to the cult.

If only Han Yuyeon were here instead of me.

If only I had enough physical power to subdue this devil of a human myself…

How frustrating.

She deeply regretted awakening as a healer-type, though others praised it as noble.

Blood filled her mouth as she bit her lip.

“That’s wonderful. In these dangerous times, good people like the Saint should live long lives to help many others.”

“Of course! I’ve heard about villains and Gates causing trouble. Once I’m a bit older, I plan to solve everything myself!”

“How admirable!”

Perhaps because she now knew the district chief was a cult member.

Han Dayeon somehow felt like he was wearing a mask.

Though their conversation seemed friendly…

“Mama? Who is he? Is he a bad person?”

“My, who is this adorable young lady?”

“She’s like my daughter and sister!”

His fish eyes constantly studying Gyeonwoo’s expressions.

His tongue licking gray-stained lips from excessive smoking.

Every single action began to look utterly disgusting.

This was no time to hesitate.

While the district chief focused on Gyeonwoo, Han Dayeon pulled out her smartphone.

[Han Dayeon]: Guild Master! Need help! (12:41 PM)

A simple message without detailed explanation.

Even for close colleagues, it could seem like a prank, but…

[Guild Master]: Location. (12:41 PM)

[Han Dayeon]: Samgak District Office rooftop! (12:41 PM)

[Guild Master]: Arriving in 5 minutes. Buy time. (12:41 PM)

The Guild Master didn’t waste words.

Even though he was already busy, cutting sleep to help Gyeonwoo and Pureumi.

Catching the cult’s tail and eliminating them?

Good. It should be cause for great joy.

But what use was a world of completed revenge if Gyeonwoo and Pureumi weren’t in it?

“Hey brother! Where are you going after calling busy people here?”

“Emergency call. I’ll be back soon.”

“Really now! If you keep this up, I’ll start sending representatives like Jin-yu!”

He flinched at the irritated woman’s voice.

Though he could ignore most people, the problem was that she was another of the three major Guild Masters.

“You know I’m the busiest because of you, right? I let it slide when you suddenly asked me to find the cult, but not today. At least explain before you go!”

No time to waste on this.

The Guild Master spoke without hesitation:

“My daughters are in danger.”

My daughters.

Though not yet announced publicly, the woman knew what he meant.

“Haah… Well, if it’s about the kids, you should go. Hurry up. Want me to send you by magic?”

Though she ran her fingers through her long hair irritably, she stood up so forcefully her chair clattered over.

Then she lifted a staff as tall as herself that had been leaning against the wall.

A child she hadn’t met yet.

It had seemed crazy when he suddenly announced he would take in and raise some child as his own.

She’d wondered if perhaps the child had somehow brainwashed Lee Sunghwan.

But that was impossible.

This was THE Lee Sunghwan.

Though called one of the three major guilds, in terms of raw power he ranked among the world’s top ten.

If someone could deceive him, what could she do about it?

She just wanted to meet this child herself someday.

To see who had captured this cold block of ice’s heart.

What they looked like, how they acted, and so on.

This time she planned to force him into owing her a favor.

Unaware of her thoughts, the Guild Master asked:

“You? How long will it take?”

Looking at his watch, then at her.

Just urging her on in that brusque voice.

“Hah… at least faster than you running there on foot?”

“So, how long?”

Crack-

For a moment she wanted to smack him on the head with her staff, but.

Sigh, I should be patient.

When his child was in danger, the fact that he wasn’t smashing through walls to rush out showed remarkable restraint.

She pressed her furrowed brow smooth and answered:

“Five minutes.”

“Too slow.”

“…Three minutes fifty seconds.”

“Oddly specific, but believable. Start preparations.”

“I was already preparing, so don’t break my concentration and get ready yourself. I’ll drop you above the district office in the blink of an eye.”

Only then did the Guild Master stop tapping his foot impatiently.

Her help was crucial when he was ready to use his abilities and dash off immediately.

A full 70 seconds.

It was a rational decision to cut time that could cost hundreds of lives.

As he silently checked his equipment preparing for battle.

The Guild Master watched the woman drawing magic circles and said:

“…Thanks.”

His voice awkward as if speaking the word for the first time.

“Huh? You know how to say thanks? Wow, is this perhaps a doppelganger instead of you?”

“You’re making a fuss over a simple thanks.”

“That child must really be important, huh?”

Her teasing laughter at his unprecedented behavior didn’t last long.

“You probably don’t need to worry too much though.”

“Mm. Han Dayeon is too soft-hearted to help.”

“No, not about Dayeon. Jin-yu’s sibling attends that kindergarten.”

“…News to me.”

“Isn’t that why you requested the tour? Anyway, isn’t it about time you two made up?”

“Continue what you were doing.”

At the Guild Master’s urging, the woman shrugged and replied casually:

“Jin-yu’s sibling goes to that kindergarten. Whether coincidence or not, it doesn’t matter. It’s obvious why Jin-yu skipped today’s meeting. Probably went to see their sibling.”

Though simple logic anyone could follow, it made sense.

Guild Master Jang Jin-yu.

It was well known to the public that this person, the youngest to reach such a high position, would rush like a mad bull for family.

“Then I need to get there even faster.”

“Why? You think they’d blame your daughter if their sibling got hurt?”

“No. It’d be troublesome if that dangerous person fell for one of my daughters.”

The woman could neither answer nor tease, her lips just twitching at his words.

The cold air conditioning breeze flowed.

In the awkward air, the woman belatedly chuckled and muttered:

“You’ve really fallen hard.”

Just like an obsessed new parent.

Though you checked illegal methods first in case the child refused adoption.

Well, anyway.

“So, brother.”

As the magic neared completion.

She watched Lee Sunghwan wrapped in blue energy preparing for battle and spoke:

“Knowing your worried personality, let me say this.”

“Why beat around the bush?”

“You know not everything goes according to plan and calculations. Don’t just try to protect your daughter – listen sincerely to what she wants too. Kids these days mature faster than you’d think.”

He was dense enough not to notice a woman’s gaze on him for years.

So naturally…

He couldn’t even handle guild members’ children, let alone siblings, so problems must have piled up.

“…Right.”

In that awkward atmosphere.

The Guild Master couldn’t meet her eyes as he surrendered to the gathering energy.

Above all, saving Gyeonwoo came first right now.