Chapter 41

“That kind of story.”

I found an empty room in the World Returner Association and called Seo-ho to tell him everything about my conversation with Baekseolhyang.

After quietly listening to my story, Seo-ho’s laughter came through the phone.

[I think you already know what my answer will be.]

“Of course.”

As expected, the answer I anticipated came back.

“It could really be dangerous.”

[That’s right. I’ve also faced a Returner once before.]

Seo-ho had experience fighting a Returner.

It seemed like it wasn’t an easy task, as I could feel his bitter smile even through the phone.

[But Brother, Si-ho might be in more danger than me.]

“That’s…”

I couldn’t deny it.

Since Giraseong had created something like the Artificial Dimensional Gate, it was clear they would target Si-ho’s abilities.

[I want Si-ho to live comfortably. Even if she’s a bit harsh with me, she’s my only younger sister.]

What a good guy.

You deserve the Best Brother Award this year.

I sighed, praising Seo-ho in my heart.

No matter how proud I was, I couldn’t help but worry.

[Besides, even if something happens to me, you’re here now.]

“Hey, don’t say things like that. Don’t even joke about it. Nothing bad will happen. No, I won’t let it.”

[Haha, see? You’re reliable.]

Damn, he’s good with words too.

In the end, I had no choice but to give in.

“Alright. Let’s do it.”

[Yes, I’ll leave it to you.]

With that, I ended the call with Seo-ho.

Then, I let out a long sigh and held my forehead again.

It was already 11 o’clock.

It was well past quitting time.

“Tired?”

Baek-san, who had been listening next to me, asked.

Looking at him, I gazed out the window at the neon-lit streets, even though it was night.

“It would be a lie to say I’m not tired.”

I’m not a Hunter.

Nor am I a Returner.

I’m just an ordinary worker, not someone involved in these kinds of things.

Lately, with all the big events happening one after another, my neck felt stiff.

But I have a utopian dream where those suffering from Dimensional Movement, including Returners, can live comfortably.

To get closer to that dream, I’ll likely get caught up in these kinds of things in the future.

“But it’s part of the adaptation process.”

Yeah, this is part of the adaptation process.

The process of ordinary So Ha-chan becoming extraordinary Kang Ha-chan.

And it’s something I must go through to get closer to my dream.

So I can’t let myself get tired from this.

“Don’t push yourself too hard.”

At that moment, Baek-san blurted out while looking at me.

“The harder you run, the worse you’ll get hurt if you fall. There’s a reason you warm up before exercising. You’re the type who only knows how to run.”

“You can say some pretty good things.”

“Damn, what do you take me for?”

A delinquent Returner.

“You were cursing me in your head just now, weren’t you?”

“Did I get caught?”

“Yeah. Today, I’ll turn your body into an electric grill.”

After bickering with Baek-san, I felt a bit of my fatigue lift.

At least I wasn’t running alone.

“Baek-san.”

But I couldn’t keep this up forever.

Hearing my call, Baek-san turned to look at me.

I smiled at him with a determined expression.

“So, teach me how to protect others.”

If the world really is going to end, as Baek-san said.

Shouldn’t I be able to protect the people by my side?

Hearing my words, Baek-san clicked his tongue in disbelief.

“Protect yourself first, man. Who’s protecting whom?”

Ah, right.

“But still.”

Baek-san said nonchalantly.

“I’ll help you.”

As expected, the ever-reliable Returner.

“Ah, and the proper way to get revenge. I might lose it if this keeps up.”

Hearing the last part, Baek-san laughed heartily, more than he ever had before.

“I’ll teach you how to make it worse than a woman with incontinence.”

I offered my condolences to Yekaterina.

“Let’s end here for today.”

I closed my laptop, ending today’s meeting.

In front of me were Ji-eun and Si-ho.

The main topic was Ji-eun’s YouTube, but since both had recently started Hunter training, we talked about that too.

‘YouTube is finally on the rise.’

Lately, Ji-eun’s YouTube channel has been growing in subscribers and views.

At this rate, it won’t be long before it hits an average of 10,000 views.

The revenue isn’t that big yet, but with this growth, it seems like it will soon bring Ji-eun a significant income.

‘And if YouTube does well, I might get a bonus too.’

Road of Academy recently released new gacha items, and I’m starting to feel tempted.

“Brother Ha-chan.”

Just as I was thinking about how I might end up buying gacha items again despite the low odds.

I looked up at Ji-eun’s voice calling me.

She was staring at my hand and asked.

“Did you get hurt again?”

The moment Ji-eun asked, Si-ho also looked at me with concern.

Lately, I’ve been coming in with bandages on my hand every day, so Ji-eun and Si-ho have been worried whenever they see my hand.

So much so that Si-ho even forced me to go to the hospital.

“Well, I’ve been doing some work.”

“What kind of work makes you get hurt like this? I’m worried too.”

“It’s really nothing. You two don’t need to worry.”

Despite my excuses, Ji-eun didn’t seem convinced.

“Fine. If you don’t want to talk about it, that’s that.”

Ji-eun pouted, looking upset.

She’s been taking care of me and worrying about me, but I’ve been acting like this, so she’s hurt.

But this isn’t something I can explain, so I’m just at a loss.

Should I buy her something sweet to cheer her up?

Even if it’s with the company card.

“I’ll go first today.”

“Ji-eun.”

Despite my call, Ji-eun had already gotten up.

She looked at me for a moment, pouted her lips as if she was upset, and then left the café.

As I followed her gaze, I saw her sitting outside the window, covering her face.

I thought about following her, but by then, Ji-eun had already gotten up and left.

She’s tough.

Is this what it feels like to have a teenage younger sister?

Feeling sorry and bitter, I heard Si-ho sipping her juice.

Si-ho, who had been sipping her juice with pursed lips, looked at me and then stopped.

“Si-ho roughly knows.”

“Right.”

Si-ho knows why I keep getting hurt.

She saw me possessed by Baek-san that day.

“Manager and that person from back then are different, right?”

There’s no point hiding it from Si-ho, who already knows everything.

As I nodded, Si-ho started fiddling with her juice cup.

Then she glanced at me and quietly said.

“Are you trying to get stronger to protect Si-ho?”

It’s not entirely wrong.

This matter involves Seo-ho, but Si-ho is also part of it.

Moreover, while it’s about protecting the world against Giraseong, that’s the World Returner Association’s job.

I just need Seo-ho and Si-ho to be safe.

Taking my silence as an answer, Si-ho seemed to be in a good mood, her lips curving up.

“Si-ho really likes fairy tale princes.”

“Huh?”

Certainly, given Si-ho’s size, it suits her.

“So lately, I’ve been thinking that maybe Manager is a prince.”

“What kind of prince is an old man like me?”

“You’re only 26.”

I don’t think I’m that old to a 19-year-old.

Anyway, Si-ho didn’t seem as upset as Ji-eun, so I decided to let it go.

Baek-san was giving me a look like I was an idiot, though.

What, what’s your problem now?

Meanwhile, Si-ho gently grabbed the end of my sleeve.

“Don’t overdo it. Lately, Ha Seo-ho has been doing something too. It seems related to you, Manager.”

Si-ho was sharper than I thought.

Maybe all S-class ability users have good insight.

Combat is important, so maybe that’s really the case.

“Si-ho will go now.”

“Okay, good work.”

After Si-ho let go of my sleeve and left, I was left alone to clean up.

As I was packing my bag, I looked at my ringing phone.

It feels ominous.

Sure enough, it was Baekseolhyang.

[Mr. Ha-chan, Ha Seo-ho has been safely kidnapped.]

As soon as I answered the call, the news was about Seo-ho’s kidnapping.

[Let me say this in advance, this area is the World Returner Association’s jurisdiction. You’re not registered as a Returner or a Hunter, so it’s legally dangerous for you.]

And the following text contained Baekseolhyang’s consideration for me.

Don’t get involved, it’s dangerous.

That’s what it meant.

[But if you’re planning to come, please let me know first. I sent this text thinking you might act alone.]

Baekseolhyang seemed to understand me better than I thought.

I was the one who asked Seo-ho for help.

I also felt a sense of responsibility.

‘And even if it’s not me.’

Baek-san’s knowledge from before his regression would definitely be helpful.

Just passing on that information through me would make it easier to achieve victory.

[I’ll go.]

After I sent the text, Baekseolhyang said she would send a car.

She really is the most reliable person in the world.

“Going?”

“Have to.”

Answering Baek-san’s question, I put my laptop in my bag.

It’s finally time to deal with Gwak Sa-yeon and Giraseong.