like you never existed || TSCTIR

out of the bag

[We have just received a live report that an outbreak occurred on a college campus in the XX area. As far as reporters know, the outbreak happened at 11:07 am, and all citizens are recommended to evacuate from the area.] The news reporter suddenly holds her wireless headphones and ponders for a minute. [A new report came in, detailing a mysterious unknown awakened on site fighting for the safety of these students. There is no information about this awakened, and it is highly speculated that he is a fellow student. We will now provide you with onsite footage.]

The television crackles and zips to a man holding a microphone with chaotic scenery behind.

[Hello, reporter Kim Gohyuk here, and I'm bringing you the live footage of this speculated student fighting shark-fanged wolves. Like sharks, these wolves have rows of teeth as strong as iron, and jaw strength highly exceeding crocodiles, yet this student is bravely fighting for the safety of others.] The camera pans closer to the fighting student, dodging and striking weaknesses with pens. [He seems to be controlling objects by pure will —not only that, his weapons are merely pens! It's hard for any stationary to pierce the coat of a shark-fanged wolf, yet he is doing it like he's a veteran! His steps are fast and his strikes are precise, so just what kind of identity does this boy have?]

Many people of certain guilds watched intently at the boy fight with incredible accuracy, including Han Yoojin, who was lying around with a mess of his luggage.

"What!? Isn't that the psychokinesis user??" Yoojin grabbed the TV and watched the boy control stationary like they were his limbs, killing everything that appeared out of the portal. "Wasn't he meant to awaken a year later...? He's also controlling a lot more than I thought he could. Could these changes be caused by me?" Yoojin shook his head. A lot already changed because of him, and it will continue changing, including the relationship his brother now has with him. He decided to think positively. "It'd be pretty helpful if I could get him on my side since I'd have the equivalent of a house mover everywhere I go...'

'Whatever the case, I need to get him before anyone else does.' He dashed towards the door and opened it, only to be met with two fierce eyes he angered earlier.

"Ah. Um... Sorry. I thought this was the bathroom door, hahaha..." He bowed and slowly shut the door.

'How would I get him if this guy blocks the door, dammit? Do I really have to wait until Yoohyun comes back? Considering he's already been aired on TV, I'm on a time restraint...' After an intense consideration, Yoojin flopped to the floor. 'It's alright. I'll get the Ice Queen Baek Yerim instead. Losing out on telekinesis like that is a shame, but she was my original goal anyway. Hopefully, Yoohyun won't get as worried when I use her as a personal bodyguard...'

—

The Hunter's Association gathered around the dissipating gate and cleaned up the mess of corpses, while an employee questioned Chaewon about what occurred and his contact details.

Hayoon finally had the chance to rush to him when the employee was leaving, since they barricaded the surrounding area for safety. He was jittering from the amount of worry, his tears also trembling as they came out. "Are you okay? Are you hurt anywhere? Do you know how dangerous that was? What if you messed up and lost a limb? So many things could have gone wrong, what would I do in that situation? What if—"

Chaewon wanted to pat him to reassure him, but his hands were dirty. So he verbally tried to reassure him, even if he wasn't that good at it. "Calm down. Aren't I fine right now? Don't overthink it. "

Hayoon, who saw his attempt at comfort through his curt words, smiled and rubbed off his tears. "You're right... but we should get you treated. What if your wounds get infected? That would be terrible..."

"There it is again." Chaewon sighed. It's even worse now that he's garnered this much attention. He's pretty sure he's aired on national television and on social media at the very least, considering he's seen some drones, cameras and phones nearby. "It's alright, I'll ask the Hunter Association to—"

"Are you the student who cleared this gate?"

"What's your name, student?"

"Is this your debut as a hunter?"

"Are you affiliated with any guild?"

"What is your power?"

Unfortunately, yellow and black warning tapes couldn't hold back the rush of reporters, and they all shoved microphones into Chaewon's face. 'Speak of the devil... How do I escape with Hayoon? If he gets caught in this, he'll be in trouble too.'

Hayoon, with his big size, managed to shield some of the reporters away. "Please stop! He's not in a condition to receive any questions!"

"Who are you, student? Are you a friend of his? A fellow hunter?"

As per a reporter's curiosity, questions flooded him as well. He started to shake.

"Now, now." A deep, velvety voice came from above their heads. Chaewon looked up, and a man who looked to be in his late twenties to early thirties, carried handsome features, platinum gold hair and a formal suit with a red coat on his shoulders. He stepped down using his chains as a foothold before the two college students. 

'He...' Chaewon stared at his back. Some familiarity came to him, despite it being the first time seeing him in real life. 'Isn't he the Jupiter Guildmaster...?'

The reporters, consisting of mostly low-rank awakeners or normal citizens backed away, nauseous at the difference in power between them. Hayoon stumbled as well, and Chaewon held him up. "It's not good to overwhelm new hunters. You're in restricted areas as well, so there's potential that someone may get hurt." He looked towards the Hunter Association employees and exchanged a nod. "Employees will now escort you out. Please take your leave."

"Wh,, wait, Jupiter Guildmaster! Is this hunter affiliated with you? Please wait a moment!"

Turning around to ignore the bursting questions of his appearance, he smiled at the two students, but his eyes were on Chaewon. "Well, as you heard, I'm somewhat of a Guildmaster. What do you think about coming to my guild?"

Chaewon cautiously studied his expression. His face didn't hold any particular emotions other than friendliness, but his eyes held a calculating feel. Chaewon guessed it was a ploy to come here by himself, not only to have them 'owe' him something, but to warn the other guilds that he already had his eyes on him.

He activated mind reading to scope out his motives.

[He's got quite the fierce gaze, as if he's trying to read my mind. How interesting. It'll be worth it to raise him.]

'...?!'

Sung Hyunjae looked beside him to find his friend still stuck up to shield him, yet trembling like a lamb, and chuckled. "Don't look so cautious. It hurts my feelings. I'll give you time to think about it." He pulled out a name card from his coat pocket and handed it over to Chaewon. "It's unfortunate that I can't see you both out. I've still got some matters to resolve here, so I'll see you later." He smiled and left towards the Hunter Association employees.

Chaewon's first impression of the Jupiter Guildmaster was 'a sly old fox'.