"Don't start a fight and just come out," Sihyun whispered tersely, poking Hamin's back who was blocking his view, despite having his foot stepped on. He dug his nails in a few times, but Hamin only flinched and refused to move. It seemed his pride wouldn't allow him to back down after instigating.
Sihyun chuckled inwardly at the absurdity and tugged at Hamin's clothes.
"Lee Hamin."
He called out quietly, pulling enough to stretch the fabric, making Hamin step back with a grimace.
"Why do you keep interfering?"
"Should we fight them then?"
"Isn't that what being in the 'domain of the strong' implies? Are you suggesting we fight?"
"……"
"Why are you looking at me like that again?"
Hamin complained when Sihyun looked at him disdainfully. Sihyun, pitying the sight of someone so willing to leap without looking, shook his head and turned to Seowoo.
Unlike Hamin, who couldn't hold back, thankfully, there was no sign of wanting to fight on this side. Maybe it was because of watching Hamin provoke a fight, but Seowoo, looking down at him calmly, asking what to do, seemed relatively like a gentle lamb.
This is why being smart is important, Sihyun muttered, to which Hamin, blessed with unnecessary sharp ears, demanded clarification. Sihyun casually passed the boy off to Haru and took a deep breath before stepping towards the Muam guild members.
"Hello."
He nodded as a greeting, and someone from their side also nodded back, acknowledging the gesture. Although the atmosphere didn’t completely thaw, it didn’t worsen either, so it was a small victory for Sihyun, who then hid the instigator behind him.
"There's someone here who’s been a bit harsh with his words. If you felt offended, I apologize."
"Ah, yes."
"We’d like to get shown to our lodgings. As you've heard, Dal is supposed to guide us. We can’t stand here forever."
"……"
"Thanks for the welcome."
Not that it felt like a genuine welcome.
He added the last part silently in his mind. Considering Taekju’s bulldozing nature, they’d probably have to team up and head out tomorrow, so Sihyun didn’t want to stir up any unnecessary trouble from the start.
It's better to avoid needless confrontations. After all, if it's truly a 'domain of the strong,' then they could prove themselves during the fissure clearances.
Softening his approach, the mention of "Dal-hyung" made the Muam guild members' eyebrows twitch slightly.
As expected.
Staring daggers all day long isn’t as effective as taking a more direct approach.
Though it had been half a year since they last met, and they hadn’t communicated separately, making them more strangers than friends, still, deliberately calling him 'Dal-hyung' as if they were close paid off.
The ones selected for the Titan extermination team were recognized by Muam for their abilities. Being seen as close to one of them caused the Muam guild members to hesitate, unsure of how to react. Sihyun grabbed Dal’s wrist.
"Let’s go then, hyung."
"……"
Match my pace, please.
It would be pointless if Dal didn’t play along after Sihyun had gone to the effort of acting close. Not only pointless, but if Dal showed even the slightest sign of awkwardness, the Muam guild members might think, 'Ah, so the Redem guy was just pretending to be close,' and look down on them even more.
Since Dal had mouthed 'cooperate' earlier, implying he remembered Sihyun fondly, Sihyun looked at him pleadingly. After a moment of thought, Dal nodded.
"Let’s move on then."
He spoke without breaking eye contact, as if to say, 'This situation is unfair to you, and your actions are amusing, so I'll cooperate this time.' Sihyun smiled back.
Thank you.
That was the gist of their smiling exchange.
As they smiled at each other in a business-like manner, the Muam guild members hesitated before sighing and making way. They kept glancing back and forth between Sihyun and Dal as if witnessing the parting of the Red Sea, and together with Dal, Sihyun moved forward. With his free hand, he pulled along Hamin, who stood there dazed.
It was likely known among them that Hamin was aiming for Sihyun, given his status as the Redem guild leader's younger brother and as IRS guild leader, which had seemingly solidified his standing within Muam. With no more provocations, walking with Dal, who seemed to have a certain standing within Muam, ensured no further challenges were thrown their way.
Exhausted from the constant scrutiny of numerous gazes, S
ihyun quickened his pace, prompting Hamin to complain about the haste.
"I just want to get inside and rest. Cooperate, will you?"
"I am cooperating, aren’t I?"
"Just follow quietly. Don’t you want them to like you too?"
"……"
"Look at Seowoo and Haru, behaving so calmly. With such docile behavior from them and you just picking fights, how do you expect anyone to like you unless you act a bit more endearing?"
This level of conversation seemed acceptable. Even though Dal looked puzzled, it was unlikely a few words exchanged would reveal that Hamin had confessed to Sihyun or that he harbored feelings for him. Encouraging Hamin to come closer and continue talking, Hamin grimaced slightly.
Finally, some peace.
When Hamin behaved like this, he usually couldn't stand the embarrassment and would either shout out or quiet down to cool off. In the current situation, shouting wasn't an option, so he chose the latter.
As expected, Hamin quickly calmed down, and Sihyun briefly wore a resigned expression while looking at the boy.
Had I known this method was so effective, I would have used it sooner.
Until now, Sihyun had refrained from manipulating Hamin, not wanting to dominate or be dominated. But upon reflection, it wasn’t him who should be concerned about their dynamic; it was Hamin who should strive to make a good impression.
It was Hamin who should be eager to appear favorable, not Sihyun discarding the influence willingly handed to him by Hamin.
Feeling somewhat triumphant about the effective outcome and not as embarrassed or cheesy as he thought to regularly employ this tactic, Sihyun continued following Dal’s lead. He consciously ignored the curious glances that seemed to question their conversation.
Fortunately, the lodging wasn’t far, and Dal soon stopped in front of a large door.
"This is where you'll be staying."
"Thanks, hyung. Sorry for suddenly acting close earlier. It seemed necessary at the moment."
"What…."
Dal scanned their faces, taking a closer look at Sihyun, Haru, Seowoo, and Hamin. After thoroughly inspecting them, he let out a small laugh.
"No need to apologize. It's not like I was harmed. You guys stick together all the way here, huh?"
His voice carried a subtly pleasant tone. Remembering the unnamed friend who had complained to Haewoon about adapting to Muam being difficult, Sihyun examined Dal’s face.
Had he also struggled here?
Compared to their meeting at Choi-gang High, there seemed to be a more authoritative stance, or perhaps his aura had dimmed slightly. It wasn’t appropriate to ask Dal directly if he had found it tough, so Sihyun nonchalantly shrugged.
"Our relationship is indeed close."
"I might understand that since I know a bit about you, but not everyone in Muam will."
"I get it. But can you tell me what Muam guild thinks of us right now?"
"Muam guild?"
"Yes."
"……"
"Haha."
Laughing awkwardly at the direct request for information, Sihyun rubbed his cheek as if begging. Despite his narrowed eyes showing no signs of softening, Sihyun, in a moment of inspiration, pulled Seowoo closer. Prodding his side as a signal, Seowoo reflexively smiled warmly.
"Please, senior."
Despite having faced Dal as an opponent during the sports festival, Seowoo didn’t seem bothered, appealing with his naturally gentle voice. Internally applauding for doing well, Sihyun, feeling their appeal wasn't strong enough, added Haru’s face to the plea.
Regretting not bringing a 'face talent' to Muam and staring earnestly, Dal turned away under the pressure of their blatantly clear desire, then sighed.
"You have a strange talent."
"If a face can be considered a talent, then yes. And you, senior, have quite a bit of that talent yourself."
Sihyun didn’t miss the chance to flatter as Dal let out a scoff of laughter.
Done.
The laugh, signaling a disarmament, made Sihyun clench his fist in a small victory. Whether Dal found his reaction admirable or pitiful, he briefly met Sihyun’s eyes before gently placing a hand on his head.
Gently.
Accepting the awkward hair ruffling as the cost for the information, Sihyun joked about it, causing Dal to speak up.
***
"Doesn’t it just baffle you?"
Inside the lodging, Hamin’s succinct voice echoed. Lying on the sofa with a shocked expression, Sihyun blankly stared at the ceiling.
"…Crazy rumors."
It was the sixth time he had mulled over it. Since Dal left, Sihyun had been stuck in that state, with Hamin looking at him with a mix of worry and mischief.
"Hey, Kang Sihyun
, are you alright?"
"…Crazy people."
"Are you okay?"
"What kind of rumor is…"
He's lost it.
Ignoring the boys, Sihyun abruptly stood up.
"Is this really not insane?"
Jumping up, Sihyun tugged at his hair.
"I just can’t… I’m at a loss for words…"
Muttering like a sigh, he continued to pull at his hair, prompting Hamin to smirk mischievously.
"Can’t do much about the rumor. Hang in there, the jewel of the Redem Guild Leader."
"You really…!"
Shouting at Hamin, who was blissfully unaware of his distress, Sihyun clutched his neck. His usually pale complexion had turned even whiter from frustration.
Me.
…I’m the Redem Guild Leader's jewel?
'Did you hear? They say you're, like, the Redem Guild Leader's jewel? And not just any jewel, but one he's dying for. Even the brother and the IRS Guild Leader are eyeing you, they say.'
Dal’s words echoed in his ears like an endless loop, sending his blood pressure soaring.
How could a rumor about me being the Redem Guild Leader's jewel even start? And it wasn’t just any rumor; it was detailed and absurdly elaborate, suggesting not only that I was dearly beloved by the Guild Leader but also coveted by his brother and the IRS Guild Leader.
The only truth was that Hamin was after me, leading Sihyun to a moment of realization.
So that's why the Muam members were looking at me so strangely. Their gazes were wary yet curious, and even slightly repulsed, but I thought it was because I was a Quadruple. Little did I know it was due to such a ludicrous rumor.
Truly, it was a breath-takingly absurd rumor.
Thank you for reading this far! You can access more chapters from HERE by joining my Patreon community. You'll gain exclusive early access to the COMPLETE NOVEL.
As a member of my Patreon community, here is what you'll get:
For $5
- Early access to 100s of chapters before they go public.
- You also get access to all the novels I'm translating, you can find them here HERE.
- Your name will be featured on the "Wall of Gratitude".
- The power to vote on which novel I translate next.
- You Get Ad-free Chapters.
For $10
- You get to suggest a Novel for me to translate.
- You get access to Digital art.
- Your name featured on the "Wall of Gratitude" (in gold).
For $20
- You get to recommend a Novel and I will immediately start translating it.
- Your name featured on the "Wall of Gratitude" (in blue).
Plus, you can Cancel your membership at any time.
Don't let this amazing opportunity slip through your fingers!
