Chapter 5

Heero bit back the bubbling frustration inside him and forced a better smile.

He often felt a sense of suffocation and irritation whenever he saw Jeongeun. The strongest hunter in Korea didn’t know how to protect his own rights and was being scorned by those filled with malice; it was impossible not to feel anger even for someone who was essentially a stranger.

Logically, he understood that those who tormented him were in the wrong, but it was frustrating to see him living like a fool, just accepting it all.

It had been the same during the Rift.

‘With just one spell, he could take care of all the boss monsters. To minimize damage, it would be best for Jin Jeongeun to go out alone.’

Heero had been appalled by the association president’s shameless words. It was true that a Word Sorcerer could use their abilities as long as their mouth was intact, making it seem like they were coasting through life.

However, everyone present, including the president and the top-ranking hunters, knew well that the higher the hunter's rank, the more immense magic power was consumed, even for the simplest skills.

Strong abilities required vast amounts of magic. They weren’t ignorant of that, yet to send Jeongeun alone was essentially telling him to go and take responsibility for his own death.

So, Heero had stepped in and protested vehemently, but that foolish fool had just nodded blankly with his mouthpiece on and really went to the scene alone.

And as you know, the rest is history…

How he survived was a mystery, but he seemed to have fallen into a catatonic state, his body weakened. Who would have thought he would still be living like a fool here?

Suppressing his rising irritation, Heero asked as gently as he could, “Do you have a pseudonym in mind?”

“Uh, I don’t…”

Even though he knew that a pseudonym wasn’t something that could just pop out at a moment’s notice, Heero forced a brighter smile, despite the frustration bubbling up inside her. Jeongeun’s expression hardened a bit more.

“I’m sorry… I just never felt the need for one.”

He had been called ‘dumb mute’ or ‘nobody,’ and he didn’t feel the need to come up with another name? Was he really not angry? What a true fool!

Concealing his incredulous thoughts, Heero let out a cheerful laugh and waved his hands.

“There’s no need for you to apologize, Jeongeun. Then I’ll come up with one for you. Hmm, how about something common like Kim Lee Park [1]?”

“Kim, Yi… Bak, sounds good!”

Jeongeun nodded more enthusiastically than before.

Sure, that works for you.

As Heero thought this, he was about to choose a simple and fitting name when someone called out to his from behind.

“Guild Leader.”

Turning around, he saw Soohyuk and Dasol standing there.

“Who is this? Is he the Hunter Gwiho?”

Soohyuk asked.

“No, this is the bodyguard hunter I just scouted. B-rank, mental manipulation type.”

Heero smoothly lied without hesitation. He could feel Jeongeun tensing up beside him, but he didn’t care. Not until Jeongeun opened his mouth to introduce himself.

“Hello. I’m Kim Yibak.”

“Cough…”

Heero let out a small cough, nearly choking. Jeongeun looked at him with his usual blank expression, as if asking what the problem was.

“No, Kim Lee Park are surnames… No, never mind.”

Heero gave up on explaining further. Having already introduced him as ‘Kim Yibak,’ it would seem suspicious to ask for another name.

“Did you come to check the deer wall and also interview for a bodyguard hunter in such a remote area? Wow, Guild Leader, you’re too much.”

Soohyuk laughed heartily and extended his hand to Jeongeun.

“Still, if the Guild Leader personally picked you, you must be trustworthy. Nice to meet you. I’m Kang Soohyuk, a hunter from the first team of the training guild.”

“Ah… um, yes, nice to meet you.”

Jeongeun slowly shook Soohyuk’s hand.

“I’m healer Dasol.”

Dasol briefly introduced himself with a nod. His intention not to touch a man was evident in his greeting.

Jeongeun bowed his head without showing any displeasure.

“I’m Kim Yibak.”

The name sounded increasingly deflating. Heero, now lacking the will to say anything further, waved his hand and smiled vaguely.

“Shall we wait in the car until Yejin and Rina arrive?”

Soohyuk and Dasol nodded in agreement and walked toward the vehicle. Heero watched Dasol’s retreating figure and licked his upper lip. He wished he could exchange at least one more word with Dasol during this brief moment.

“Hmm.”

As he weighed Jeongeun and Dasol in his mind, Heero quickly reached a conclusion. The scales naturally tipped toward Dasol. In fact, even if Dasol hadn’t been there, he wouldn’t have exchanged many words with Jeongeun. Heero hated wasting time with someone who wasn’t her type.

“Jeongeun, go greet the wall guardians and come back to the car. I’ll be waiting for you.”

“...Yes.”

“You can take your time talking.”

Heero smiled brightly and turned away without hesitation. He would use the excuse of discussing the new bodyguard to stay close to Dasol. He walked lightly toward the car.

‘Is this a dream or reality…?’

As Jeongeun entered the office, he slapped his cheeks a few times. The sting in his cheeks suggested it was probably not a dream, but he couldn’t believe the stroke of luck that had just happened to him.

‘Heero gave me a name.’

Kim Yibak. The unusual sound of it somehow stuck to his mouth. What a genius Heero was with his naming sense.

This is exactly it. When he called my name, I went to him and became Kim Yibak…

It was so very Heero to suggest he greet the wall guardians. It was a reflection of his character, valuing people and emphasizing manners.

Even though he had lived as a punching bag for a year, he felt embarrassed for thinking of leaving so readily just because Heero asked him to. Jeongeun steadied his heart and opened the office door.

Minseong was sitting by the office window, closely watching Heero’s car. When Jeongeun entered, he stood up as if he had been waiting and grabbed Jeongeun.

“Hey, what did you talk about with Heero? I saw you getting into that car earlier! What did you do? You didn’t suck up to him, did you? That guy is famous for being a playboy.”

…What?

Jeongeun frowned at Minseong’s vulgar and crude words.

“Wow, you’re making a face now, huh?”

“…”

The reason Jeongeun had tolerated Minseong until now was that he was a weak F-rank hunter. Minseong’s bullying was one-dimensional and didn’t pose a real threat, so Jeongeun had let it slide.

However, attacking Heero was a different matter. Heero was kind-hearted, gentle, and soft by nature. If he ever heard such crude slander, it would undoubtedly wound his delicate heart deeply.

“Hey, you mute bastard, what are you looking at? Turn your eyes away!”

“...Son Minseong.”

“What? What are you going to do if I call your name… huh? Hey, you, you! You’re talking?!”

“[Don’t say anything related to Heero from now on.]”

Jeongeun whispered. His purple eyes glimmered strangely. The faint magic carried in his low voice wrapped around Minseong’s body.

“What the hell is this bastard saying? Am I Heero, uh, ugh? Ugh?”

Minseong clutched his throat. He struggled to open his mouth, but no sound escaped. Only a sound resembling a scream slipped out, an unpleasant groan.

Jeongeun looked down at Minseong coldly. Minseong, feeling a chill run down his spine, fell silent.

Did that guy’s eyes always look like that…?

The purple eyes, appearing darker than usual, radiated a heavy aura. The features he had thought were dull and foolish now emanated a chilling energy that made it impossible to look directly at him.

Was this how a herbivore felt when facing a predator in the wild? Every cell in Minseong’s body screamed for him to flee immediately. If he didn’t escape from that man, he would die right then and there.

Suddenly, Minseong felt warmth spreading between his thighs, and yellow liquid began to flow onto the floor. Even though he realized he was wetting himself, Minseong couldn’t move a muscle.

“Ugh, ugh, cough…”

As Minseong gasped for breath, Jeongeun clicked his tongue softly.

“You can act normally as long as you don’t talk about Heero, so don’t overdo it.”

With that, he bowed his head in a slight nod.

“I’ve been indebted to you for a year. Please convey my regards to Hunter Jang Gwiho as well.”

That was Jeongeun’s final farewell. He turned and left the office. Minseong stood frozen for a long moment after Jeongeun exited, before finally fainting.

And Jeongeun..

Jeongeun hurriedly ran to the back of the office and hid himself in a small trash area, vomiting blood.

‘It’s definitely too much for me still.’

Before his eyes appeared a dry and calm sentence.

Skill ‘Lord of Language (??)’

Status Effect - Debuff due to 59.2% magic damage

Jeongeun curled up, trying to suppress any sounds. A pain that felt like his insides were being torn apart overwhelmed him. He had been able to endure even worse pain without blinking before, but after a year of rest, it felt even more difficult.

“Cough, ugh, ha…”

A large, round, dark red stain appeared on the dirt floor. He needed to find a way to clean this up before leaving. Just as Jeongeun was thinking that…

“Hunter Kim Yibak?”

A voice filled with curiosity came from behind him.

Notes:

[1] 김이박 (Kim-Lee-Park)

• These are the most common surnames in Korea. Heero was suggesting to choose among these surnames for a start but Jeongeun took it as it is :)
• Because Jeongeun is using it as a name, I will keep it as Kim Yibak.