It had been 30 minutes since we followed the association's guidance to the headquarters of the Chinese Awakeners Association. Though the delay was inconsequential since I had to bring Pia along anyway, the attitude of the opposing guild, making us wait for 30 minutes, felt unmistakably disdainful no matter how I thought about it. I had heard that one of China's top guilds was coming to support, which perhaps explained their stiff behavior.
Sitting idly had its limits. Showing signs of boredom by stretching my neck and changing postures, Haehyuk, who had been maintaining a perfect posture on the sofa without a tremor, interlocked his fingers placed on his knee.
"We're late."
A topic no one dared to broach spilled from his lips. The association personnel opposite us glanced at Haehyuk, trying to gauge his reaction. The oldest-looking man among them smiled kindly.
"A rift opened on the way here, so it's taking some time to deal with. Please wait a little longer. After all, we're not scheduled to depart for another two hours."
"Departure and planning are separate matters."
"It'll be fine to discuss it on the way."
"Is that so?"
"Yes."
What are they planning?
That brief conversation was enough to significantly reduce the favorability towards them.
Even though I came here to obtain a weapon, Korea had clearly come to assist China in conquering their dungeon. Why then, this brazen attitude?
Kang Sihyun's eyes narrowed. The atmosphere was distinctly different from what I had seen during the dungeons in Egypt and Russia.
Tap, tap. Haehyuk tapped his knee with his fingertips, a sign of his discomfort.
Hopefully, the most senior member among us, also the head of our guild, wouldn't flip a table in anger like Hamin, but still, his actions were unsettling as Haehyuk's hand moved from his knee to the table.
Tap, tap.
The sound grew louder.
"We weren't informed about the delay due to a rift opening. It's baffling to hear it presented as a matter of fact."
"Ah, did I not mention it?"
"It was only after I brought up our tardiness that you informed us. Had we not asked, we might not have known why we were delayed. It seems the Chinese association treats representatives from all countries this way. Your lack of surprise suggests this isn't a new practice."
"Ha ha…"
The association member laughed awkwardly at the pointed remark, but the laughter vanished from his face when Haehyuk continued.
"If this is the kind of treatment we can expect, I doubt we'll feel compelled to go through the trouble of helping with China's dungeon conquest. Our guild members are quite altruistic, and as Kang Sihyun here knows, we've come to offer our assistance after conquering several dungeons ourselves, but I'm not interested in going that far."
"..."
"The guild that's supposed to come is Jincheong, I believe? Considering the tension between Redem and Jincheong, the intentions of the Chinese association in pairing us with them are suspicious."
"Intentions, you say!"
The other party scrambled to argue only after making an unfortunate remark. Kang Sihyun glanced at his guild leader, ensuring the atmosphere Haehyuk created didn't dissipate.
I was worried what would happen if he declared we wouldn't participate in the dungeon conquest and left, but seeing Haehyuk's expression, it seemed unnecessary. It was clear he had mentioned helping out just to assert dominance. Catching on a bit late, Kang Sihyun clicked his tongue as he watched the association people fumble in their attempt to appease Haehyuk.
Why keep the Chinese guild's delay a secret?
The discomfort was mutual among Kang Sihyun and the others. From the moment they received the translator device, it was apparent the Chinese association was subtly looking down on them. Being underestimated because they were young, or dismissed because they were Awakeners from a small country, didn't sit well with them. With dungeons in play, I couldn't see what pride had to do with anything.
It should have been toxic if it was.
Though not without complaints, Haehyuk seemed capable of handling the situation on his own, so I stayed quiet and observed. After a few more pathetic explanations from the association personnel, an apology finally came. Haehyuk pondered silently before nodding acceptance only after the association president bowed.
"If things are as they are, we might not feel the need to struggle with China's dungeon conquest. Despite the unfortunate incidents between our guilds, we have no intention of antagonizing the Chinese association. Guild matters are private, and nations should remain friendly. Especially in tough times, we ought to help each other."
"Yes, yes, of course
."
The association personnel, now visibly sweating, quickly shook the hand Haehyuk extended with his ever-so-gracious smile. The empty threat of leaving with his team to Korea had drained him of all color.
Finding the situation amusing, I shared a smile with Hamin. After another 20 minutes of waiting, the doors of the association headquarters finally opened.
After an hour's wait, we stood up and turned towards the door as the Chinese Awakeners entered. The first to enter was a man so tall he seemed to surpass 190cm.
He appeared even larger than Ruth, almost eliciting a gasp from me before I composed myself. With thick eyebrows and a slightly raised arch, he had a fierce look, almost reminiscent of a leopard. Dressed in a dark navy coat, he bowed slightly to the association president before extending his hand to Haehyuk.
"It's been a while, Haehyuk."
"Half a year, Laochen."
As Haehyuk shook his hand, Kang Sihyun learned the name of the man who easily towered over 190cm. Following him, the Chinese named Luo Xiang, Wu Wujin, and Song Zan entered. Hearing that all but Song Zan were S-class was quite surprising. They all belonged to the same guild, housing three S-class members within one guild was remarkable.
There could be more. They wouldn't have brought their entire elite force.
The vast land indeed seemed to house a wealth of talents.
"I didn't expect Mr. Laochen to come personally. Things must be going well with Jincheong."
"Nothing could possibly go wrong. Everything's proceeding smoothly."
Haehyuk and Laochen continued their conversation without letting go of each other's hands, an invisible tension rising between them. Witnessing their immediate confrontation, it was evident how strained the relationship between Redem and Jincheong was.
So, he's the head of Jincheong.
Kang Sihyun glanced at Laochen, remembering hearing about Jincheong being implicated in an incident involving the Shadow World. As I tried to recall the details, Haehyuk saved me the effort.
"It's fortunate everything's going well for you. We're still tracking down who exposed one of our Awakener training facility students to a trap six months ago, short on manpower as we are."
Unabashed by Haehyuk's bold statement, Laochen's brazenness seemed to outmatch even Haehyuk's.
"That's truly unfortunate. We know nothing about it."
"Is that so?"
"It was a case closed half a year ago."
Laochen's eyes curled into a smile, a grin more eerie and profound than any I'd seen before. Despite his handsome features, the intensity of his presence made it all the more chilling.
His polite tone caused Kang Sihyun to frown unconsciously, then stiffen as Laochen turned to meet his gaze.
"So, you must be the famous Quadruple."
"...I'm Kang Sihyun."
"Laochen."
He extended his hand, which I reluctantly shook. The calluses felt familiar, reminiscent of the ones I felt when shaking hands with Haehyuk or Haru, yet his were more pronounced.
A hand accustomed to wielding a blade.
From before his awakening.
I understood Haehyuk's warning; before his strength as an Awakener, the man himself was sinister. Laochen's eyes gleamed amicably, yet while Haehyuk's smile inspired trust, Laochen's invoked caution.
Kang Sihyun quickly withdrew his hand, ending their interaction with a slight bow. Laochen seemed about to speak further, but Haehyuk took the initiative.
"Shall we proceed to the meeting then? Given the delay, we should hurry."
"I thought it was Redem that suggested delaying for a bird's arrival."
"That bird is en route and will arrive in 30 minutes. Let's aim to conclude the meeting by then."
"Hmm."
Instead of a direct response, Laochen hummed, his authority over the Chinese presence seemingly unchallenged as he casually took the association president's seat on the sofa. His gaze swept from Haehyuk to Kang Sihyun, then Hamin and Haru, before settling back on Haehyuk.
Smirking, he spoke again.
"Let's see what you have to say about dealing with these floating anomalies."
The man straightened, leaning slightly towards the table to continue.
Silence.
Kang Sihyun exchanged looks with Hamin and Haru, all seemingly sharing the same uneasy sentiment.
This was, by far, the most uncomfortable meeting yet.
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