Chapter 10

Orzia didn’t seem to strongly deny that fact either.

It seemed like she had experienced something firsthand through Cheonma Cheon Hong-ryun.

“Instead, we also need to prepare to sever the worldline. Above all, we need to find the place where the deceased Returner Seongho-ram and Aegis Seya connected the worldline.”

“We need to find the place where Seya returned.”

“Yes, that’s right. As expected, Ha-chan, you know well.”

She smiled at me as if proud.

Though it felt a bit awkward, she turned to look at Orzia.

“Just to confirm, severing the worldline means you can’t return to Serlintium anymore. Is that okay?”

“Yes, I don’t want to go back to that world anyway.”

“Understood. We have Aegis Seya’s data, so pinpointing where he returned won’t be difficult. We’ll handle this issue. What remains is—”

Baekseolhyang tapped the table with her index finger, emphasizing the most important point.

“It’s about the future treatment of Returner Orzia.”

Normally, finding her family would be the priority, but she’s from 1800s Joseon.

It’s questionable if her bloodline even exists now, and releasing her into the modern world with her lack of knowledge would be reckless.

“Do you have any plans?”

Having confirmed through me that the World Returner Association is trustworthy, Baekseolhyang took the lead in the conversation again.

When she asked, Orzia shifted her gaze toward me.

But as if blocking that gaze, Baekseolhyang leaned forward slightly, her unique sweet scent wafting from her hair, making me dizzy, but I quickly regained my composure.

“Please don’t trouble Ha-chan any further. As you said, the reason Ha-chan is here today is purely out of goodwill. Expecting more from him would be rude.”

As Baekseolhyang warned, Orzia slowly shifted her gaze.

“What can I do in this world?”

At the same time, she innocently voiced her doubts.

Watching her quietly, I raised my hand as if to speak, and Baekseolhyang finally returned to her seat.

“Baekseolhyang, you’re quite high up in Rodri Company, right?”

“Yes, of course.”

Without hiding anything, I pointed at Orzia.

“Then, could you hire Orzia? Returners are valuable talents.”

Though I don’t know Orzia’s exact rank, Returners are on a different level from regular Hunters.

That’s why Returners and Hunters have separate classifications.

For a new company like Rodri, hiring a Returner would be a significant advantage.

‘Though I’m not sure how meaningful it is, given that Baekseolhyang, who seems to be a key figure in Rodri, is also part of the World Returner Association.’

Having more strength is always better, right?

When I suggested it, Baekseolhyang quietly observed me.

“You, again.”

She started to say something but let out a small sigh instead.

“It’s not difficult. I also need time to observe Orzia.”

Despite that, she looked at me with a slightly pouty expression.

“But I won’t put her in Ha-chan’s team. I’ll hire her personally.”

“Yes, of course.”

My team is a Hunter team, after all.

Unless it’s an S-class Hunter who can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with a Returner, having a Returner among regular Hunters would just mean all the achievements going to the Returner.

It’s much better to keep Returners separate and let Hunters work among themselves.

“Orzia, is that okay with you?”

“Yes, it’s fine.”

Since I, someone she trusts, made the suggestion, Orzia readily accepted.

I hoped this incident would help her adapt smoothly to this world.

After finishing with Orzia, Baekseolhyang made a call to someone, wrapping everything up.

Feeling like I had completed a task, I relaxed a bit.

“Huh, Oppa?”

At that moment, I turned my head at a familiar voice.

Standing there was Ayu, who looked surprised to see me, her eyes wide.

Today, she was wearing a mask and a hat, looking confused about why I was here.

“Why are you here?”

“You’re the one to talk, Ayu. You’re a Returner, right?”

I scratched my head, remembering that she was a Returner.

It wasn’t strange for her, a Returner, to be at the World Returner Association.

“I came to finish up some business from yesterday.”

It seemed she was talking about the World Returner Association summons I mentioned yesterday.

“I came because of Orzia. She doesn’t trust the World Returner Association yet.”

When I mentioned Orzia, Ayu’s eyes sharpened slightly.

“What does that have to do with you?”

For some reason, I started seeing Cheonma’s face in her, but I tilted my head and answered.

“I was the one who told her about Seya’s death.”

At my answer, the emotion in her eyes disappeared instantly.

“Ah, her lover. Right, that’s true.”

Her focus seemed a bit off, but Ayu nodded as if she understood.

“So, what happened?”

“Baekseolhyang decided to hire her at our company.”

There were still issues like the dimensional war, but since Baekseolhyang said she’d handle it, there was no need to worry Ayu unnecessarily.

Ayu, who was also involved with Orzia, tilted her head and pressed her mask.

“…Baekseolhyang?”

Do they know each other?

As I looked at Ayu curiously, footsteps sounded from behind.

“Ha-chan, sorry to keep you waiting. Let me guide you—”

“Gyaah!”

As Baekseolhyang, who had just finished her call, approached, Ayu suddenly let out a strange scream.

Startled, I looked at Ayu, who pointed at Baekseolhyang, trembling.

“I-Iron-blooded Empress, you crazy woman! Why are you with Oppa!”

“Returner Cheon Hong-ryun, your language is harsh.”

“Shin Sora. I told you not to call me that.”

“Then, Cheonma.”

“Fine, you want to fight?”

Ayu openly disliked Baekseolhyang, grinding her teeth.

“Ayu?”

When I called her, Ayu remembered I was there and coughed awkwardly.

Then, with a red face, she stepped in front of me, shielding me from Baekseolhyang.

“Oppa, you shouldn’t hang out with her. Run away from here right now.”

“Run away, my foot.”

I sighed and lightly smacked Ayu’s head.

“She’s a high-ranking person in our company.”

Probably the chairman.

Hearing that, Ayu trembled as if having a fit and grabbed my shoulder.

Lately, I’ve been feeling too weak, especially with Ji-eun grabbing my arm.

“Quit the company right now!”

“Talk sense. I have rent due tomorrow.”

“I’ll take care of you! We can live together even when you’re an old man!”

She’s really going off the rails.

“Just say the word. I’ll do anything for you. Even, even marry you.”

“That’s enough.”

Baekseolhyang coldly stared at Ayu, who snorted and turned away.

“Don’t you dare try to use Oppa. It’s obvious. You’re just using him to manipulate that eyepatch nun.”

“Please don’t say things that might make Ha-chan misunderstand. Cheonma, you’re still as ill-mannered as ever. Have you forgotten your real age?”

“Hah, I’m just a 20-year-old college student. How old are you again? If you add your age from that world.”

“I’m a proper adult for my age. Unlike someone, I can establish a company and hire people.”

Now it’s clear.

These two really don’t get along.

Like a shrimp caught between two whales, I shivered as they glanced at me and stopped fighting.

“And don’t worry. I have no intention of using Ha-chan. I respect his abilities.”

“How can I believe you? You’ve done things.”

Ayu glared at her with disgust.

I don’t know what happened between them, but Baekseolhyang brushed her hair aside as if it was nothing.

“If you want to argue about what I’ve done, don’t deny that you’ve benefited from it too. It was necessary for the Returners.”

Of course, the World Returner Association’s information is mostly inaccessible to a regular person like me.

Except for special cases like Seya, ordinary people know very little about Returners.

So, while I don’t know what kind of Returner Baekseolhyang is, I could vaguely sense that she played a significant role in establishing the World Returner Association.

‘After all, being able to arrange a private meeting with a new Returner like Orzia shows her high position in the World Returner Association.’

“I hate you.”

“That’s fine. I don’t particularly like Cheonma either.”

Is it okay to treat someone like that so rudely?

I started to worry slightly about Ayu’s future, but it wasn’t my place to intervene, so I stayed quiet.

“So, shall I show Ha-chan around the Association?”

“What, why would you do that?”

“Because Ha-chan wanted to.”

“I’ll do it!”

“Next time.”

I’m not bold enough to tour the World Returner Association caught between these two.

So, when I politely declined, Baekseolhyang smiled regretfully.

“Yes, there will be another opportunity.”

Somehow, it sounded like she would definitely make that opportunity happen, but I chose not to hear it.

—

After Ha-chan left, refusing my offer to take him home, and Cheonma went off for Association business, Baekseolhyang fell into thought.

The reason was simple.

It was the name Ayu, which Ha-chan used to call Cheonma.

‘Ayu.’

Ha-chan didn’t realize it, but he and she were acquaintances in a game.

Though it wasn’t intentional, she was thrilled to find out that Doremipasolo, whom she had befriended in the game, was Ha-chan.

Recalling the much younger Ha-chan from her memories, she smiled faintly.

But soon, that smile turned somber.

‘Black Ayu.’

A member of the bold guild Ha-chan had created.

An acquaintance she knew and a younger brother-like figure to Ha-chan.

‘I knew she was a woman.’

From a woman’s perspective, she had seen through her identity long ago.

But Ayu didn’t seem inclined to reveal it herself, and since she was close with Ha-chan, Baekseolhyang hadn’t paid much attention.

‘And she’s Cheonma?’

Today, Cheonma and Ha-chan were talking as if they were very close.

She had expected it since hearing reports that Cheonma and Ha-chan were together during the Orzia incident.

But she never imagined Black Ayu was Cheonma.

‘This is bad.’

Baekseolhyang lightly pressed her red lips.

She had worked so hard to create coincidences to meet Ha-chan.

Her plan to reveal that she was his game acquaintance, ‘I Know (Female),’ and strengthen their bond had been derailed by Cheonma.

‘Cheonma, that woman.’

She has feelings for Ha-chan.

I’m a hundred percent sure of that.

At that thought, a silver crown began to form above Baekseolhyang’s head.

Just before it fully materialized, she clicked her tongue and brushed it away.

Using the power of the crown on the person she cares about most?

She sighed in disgust at her momentary lapse.

“…Ha-chan.”

Muttering the name she could only address formally for now.