Even A Tired Villain Has Circumstances

Chapter 4

"I have to create a guild myself. If I fail, I have no choice but to die."

"Isn't that a standard system quest, and there shouldn't be any penalties?"

For a moment, Kang Gwonhoo's eyes flickered with surprise, then quickly vanished. It was so brief that I wondered if I had imagined it.

"That's how it usually is. However, it was written that there would be a death penalty if I didn't create it myself."

If he let this slide, I had nothing more to ask for. While silently invoking the gods I knew for about five minutes and praying, Kang Gwonhoo extended his hand. I instinctively shook hands and exchanged a handshake.

'This should be a sign that it's resolved, right? This handshake probably means we won't see each other again.'

"Counting on you. I'll be the first member of the guild you create."

"What... What did you say?"

Kang Gwonhoo shattered my positive circuit into dust.

"Why? Am I not enough? It won't be easy to find another man like me."

Of course not. If Kang Gwonhoo, the only hunter like him, roamed around South Korea, it would be catastrophic.

"No, it's not that. You already manage a guild without the title of guild master, and it might be too much for someone of your stature to join a newly formed guild..."

The operation to boast about myself unknowingly failed, turning into a mere bubble. Holding onto the melted drink with ice, I anxiously waited for the next words.

"Our guild allows free entry from other guilds, so it's okay not to worry about it."

"Even if you say that, I still can't help but worry!"

I kept my true feelings inside, as my life was precious too.

"I... Well, I have some people in mind."

"It shouldn't be difficult to fit me into that group."

Kang Gwonhoo closed his eyes and smiled.

"Our directions might be a bit different."

I tried to convey that I didn't want to work with him as much as possible.

"It's not that you don't want to work with me, right? I'll adjust to your direction."

"Why are you going to such lengths?"

This time, I ended up blurting out what I had been thinking.

"I told you. Because it seemed interesting."

He's tormenting me just for that? I wanted to scream, "Go find something else interesting!" But I held back.

"I hate boring things the most. If you make me happy, I'll treat you well enough."

Kang Gwonhoo's hand lightly touched my cheek and then withdrew.

'I don't need that kind of affection!'

"I'll give you about three days to think."

'Wouldn't it be better for me to run away within that time?'

However, if Kang Gwonhoo wanted, he would find me wherever I hid. I wasn't sure if the brief respite given had any meaning.

* * *

Having turned into a wreck, I gave up on today's guild recruitment and randomly picked up a piece of paper to take home.

The letter I belatedly checked was only half the size of an A4 paper, with a large heart drawn on the front. Even if you looked closely, it was a design that might have been popular ten years ago, utterly tacky and outdated, but I didn't want to go out to buy a new one.