hotmtlnovel Chapter 89
Chapter 89
"Ha... sss..."
Lee Soo-ah was pacing back and forth in her office, her restless energy making even those watching her feel uneasy.
"Ha... What do I do? What should I do? Why did I act like that?"
She seemed on the verge of losing her mind, her expression increasingly reflecting the realization that she had made a serious mistake.
‘I messed up... I should have been more considerate... Why did I do that?’
Her face twisted in distress.
‘Surely... there won’t be a flood of S-rank Hunters rushing to our guild, right?’
What had started as a joke was now beginning to feel like a frightening possibility. After all, this had been the Guild Master’s plan all along.
"Our goal is to gather all the S-rank Hunters in the Blue Guild. Then, we’ll be the envy of everyone."
Even Chief Cha had echoed this sentiment.
"If we can bring in all the S-rank Hunters, then the game is over, isn’t it? We can just sit back, click-click, and support them from behind while they handle everything."
‘Is it really going to happen? No, it can’t...’
A deep sense of unease settled in her heart. She realized that the competition for Baek Ji-hoon’s attention was growing fiercer.
‘Ah... damn... Yoo Hana...’
The biggest problem for her was Yoo Hana, who had immediately positioned herself as Baek Ji-hoon’s assistant, practically throwing herself at him.
She felt as if her position was being usurped.
‘Ha... Why did I do that...’
Memories of the surveillance cameras she’d set up, the times she had followed Baek Ji-hoon to and from work despite his objections, all came flooding back.
‘I... I’m sorry, Ji-hoon... I thought I was above you...’
Lee Soo-ah stood there, trembling, not knowing what to do next. She glanced out the window towards Baek Ji-hoon.@@@@
He and Yoo Hana were intently focused on something, clearly deep in thought.
‘Ha... So it’s true, he’s already been boosted to S-rank... His stats are already at that level...’
Her shaky eyes betrayed her growing anxiety.
‘Hmm... No... This won’t do...’
She began to feel that she needed to take drastic action.
"Um, unni? What’s going on?"
S-rank Hunter Chae Soo-hyun looked at Lee Soo-ah with wide eyes, waiting for her to speak.
"Uh, yeah. I wanted to talk more about what you mentioned earlier."
Lee Soo-ah sat down, her voice trembling slightly.
"About what?"
"That guy, Baek Ji-hoon."
"Oh, right."
"What’s the deal with him?"
"Well, this is supposed to be a secret, so you need to keep it quiet. According to Hunter Lee Ye-ji, that Baek Ji-hoon guy is apparently really rich in points? And it seems like he can invest points in other people? Maybe even remove status ailments?"
"What...? R-really?"
Lee Soo-ah’s expression grew more anxious.
"But isn’t Baek Ji-hoon part of your team? That’s what I heard."
"Yeah, that’s right."
"So, how is he? Is he a good guy? Should I try to get closer to him?"
"NO!!!"
Suddenly, Lee Soo-ah slammed her hand on the table, startling Chae Soo-hyun, who flinched and pulled back.
"Oh... okay... unni... Why are you acting like this?"
Chae Soo-hyun seemed genuinely shocked by the twisted expression on Lee Soo-ah’s face. It was as if she had never seen her like this before.
"Calm down."
"Uh, what I mean is..."
Lee Soo-ah herself seemed surprised by her own reaction, her eyes darting nervously.
"Uh... well... he’s... he’s gay!"
"No, please! It’s really not what you think."
"Then what is it? Why did you connect him with Hunter Lee Ye-ji? Explain yourself."
"Ha... sss..."
Park Hyung-seok hesitated. If he told her, it would inevitably bring up information about Chae Soo-hyun, something he knew Baek Ji-hoon wouldn’t want to be exposed.
"Ha... It’s nothing major. Ji-hoon hyung was just curious about S-rank Hunters, so I introduced him."
"But I’m an S-rank Hunter too. Why didn’t he ask me?"
Park Hyung-seok suddenly realized that the tables had turned on him.
"Hunter Lee Soo-ah."
"Yes?"
"Do you think a guy would want to ask you anything when you act like this?"
"What?"
"Do you think a guy would want to confide in someone who behaves so forcefully? Do you think a woman like that would be popular with men? Yes or no?"
Park Hyung-seok stepped closer, pressing his advantage. The dynamic in the room shifted.
"What... what are you saying..."
"S-rank or not, if you act like this, of course he’s going to seek advice from another S-rank Hunter."
Park Hyung-seok was now almost nose-to-nose with Lee Soo-ah.
"Th-th-that’s..."
Lee Soo-ah was so flustered that she seemed to have lost her words.
"Ha. Hunter Lee Soo-ah?"
"Y-Yes...?"
"This won’t do. I think I need to tell Ji-hoon hyung about what just happened."
Lee Soo-ah’s face paled.
"N-No!!!!"
She suddenly dropped to the floor, clinging to him.
"Hyung... Hyung-seok, I’m... I’m sorry. Please forgive me."
‘What? Why is she reacting so strongly?’
Park Hyung-seok was surprised. He hadn’t expected this kind of reaction.
‘Is S-rank Hunter Lee Soo-ah really begging me...? Could this be a green light?’
He began to entertain a very pleasant thought.
"Ha. Move aside. I’m going to Ji-hoon hyung right now."
"Noooo!!! Please don’t go!!!!"
She reacted even more desperately.
‘Wha...? Is Lee Soo-ah really clinging to me? Wow...’
Park Hyung-seok started to get the wrong idea.
"So... then..."
"Yes..."
Lee Soo-ah had turned into a meek, compliant figure.
"What do you want?"
Park Hyung-seok had quickly assumed the upper hand.
"Uh... well... I want to... be the woman closest to Baek Ji-hoon... as a member of Team A..."
"What is it that you want, exactly?"
He slammed his hand on the desk for emphasis.
"I want to be the woman closest to Baek Ji-hoon!!!!"
Park Hyung-seok was momentarily taken aback by her sudden boldness.
‘Ha... Why is Ji-hoon hyung so popular... Damn, I’m jealous.’