Chapter 56: Marked

A group of people, their faces hidden beneath robes, had gathered in a dark room around a round table.

Each robe was adorned with a unique brooch—bees, skulls, and others.

It was to distinguish one another, despite their concealed faces.

Currently, there were three empty seats at the round table.

Two chairs had lost their owners, and the last seat’s owner had yet to arrive.

The person with the ant brooch was the first to speak.

“Why is it taking so—”

A bluish light flickered and sealed the person’s lips.

As the light faded, another figure in a robe identical to the others appeared.

A mushroom brooch dangled from this new arrival’s robe.

Sensing the attention upon them, the figure bowed their head deeply.

“Apologies. I was delayed handling some business.”

“Mushroom rookie. Anyone would think you’re the only one here working.”

“Right. We’re all busy, yet we gathered—”

Starting with Ant, each chimed in with a remark.

The one with the skull brooch raised their hand.

At that, the mouths surrounding the table fell silent.

Though the round table appeared equal in shape, there was a clear hierarchy here.

With a tone that brooked no argument, Skull spoke.

“Next time, see that you arrive promptly.”

“Yes, I apologize.”

Mushroom lowered their head and apologized again.

The others watched the apology in silence.

Though their eyes were unseen, it was unmistakable that the gazes were not approving.

The one with the circle-shaped brooch waved their hand.

This person sat directly across from Skull.

Skull nodded and spread their hand.

A projection appeared in the center of the round table.

It showed Baek Dowoon grinning slyly.

“Has everyone seen this footage?”

Each member at the table reacted differently.

Some nodded, some shook their heads, some simply stayed still.

“For those who haven’t, let’s watch it briefly.”

In the video, there were faces they all recognized well.

Lee Taecheon and Baek Dohee.

At the sight of those faces, a few ground their teeth.

Those two had interfered in their ‘business’ more times than they could count. There was no love lost there.

Representing those at the table, Ant asked,

“Did Baek Uncheon cause trouble again?”

“He fought Kim Muyeon.”

“Kim Muyeon…? Aigaion? Wait, did the two guilds clash?”

“No, that wasn’t it.”

A smile almost appeared on their lips, but didn’t.

Skull nodded as if understanding and said,

“Seems it was a personal quarrel. Lee Taecheon insisted it was a ‘private fight.’”

“They’re not children—do they really think that excuse will fly?”

“They don’t care if it flies or not. Lee Taecheon. That guy’s got enough ‘power’ for that.”

“……”

“Wait. Did Kim Muyeon use Heart Break?”

Circle pointed at the video and asked.

The group turned to look at the footage, following Circle’s finger.

In the video, silver mana erupted violently from Kim Muyeon.

He swung his beloved sword, Calypse, at Baek Dowoon.

“That’s right. Heart Break.”

“Kim Muyeon used Heart Break?”

“He must have gained S-rank power.”

“Even so, it must’ve been only for a moment.”

“A fleeting power, pitiful really.”

Watching the footage, they mocked Kim Muyeon.

But Skull didn’t laugh with them.

Instead, they shook their head and spoke with finality.

“This is no time to laugh.”

Pointing to Baek Dowoon, who was facing off with Kim Muyeon in the video.

Blue mana, just as fierce, was radiating from Baek Dowoon.

“Heart Break?”

“What’s the big deal if that guy used Heart Break?”

“I’m telling you it wasn’t Heart Break.”

“Huh?”

At Skull’s words, they took a closer look at the footage.

Soon, they realized there was none of the ‘mana dispersal’ characteristic of Heart Break.

Baek Dowoon displayed a power similar to Heart Break—without actually using it.

In other words, he could wield that much power without staking his life as a price.

“Can you still just laugh about this? Doesn’t it raise questions?”

“……”

None at the round table could answer.

Except for one.

Seated directly opposite Skull, Circle spoke slowly.

“How much stronger will he get from here on out…?”

“Yes, that’s the question.”

“You sound uneasy, Skull. Are you afraid he’ll get as strong as us?”

With that, a murmur began among those gathered.

“No way. Impossible!”

“It can’t happen!”

“We gave up so much for this power…”

Their voices brimmed with wretchedness.

Skull and Circle shook their heads at the same time.

Circle spoke up.

“That ability is impressive, sure. But I see it—a flaw that can’t be overcome.”

Finally, the murmurs quieted.

Some even sighed in relief.

Circle continued, seemingly satisfied.

“That’s not a skill you can use whenever you want. It requires a price to be paid.”

“Right, you’re correct. His presence unsettled me, and I lost my cool.”

“……!”

“I apologize to you all.”

“He unsettled you?”

Circle posed the question, peering into the projection.

Baek Dowoon was kneeling behind Kim Muyeon, his left arm outstretched.

“He did the same thing last time, didn’t he? What is with that guy?”

“He didn’t tell us.”

“Then as loyal servants, we must anticipate our master’s intentions.”

Those to Circle’s right nodded in agreement.

A few voiced their ardent support.

“Right. Let’s decide now whether to prioritize dealing with him.”

“Yes. If we want, we can kill him any time.”

“Our master will be pleased as well.”

“If it’s because of Lee Taecheon and Baek Dohee, we’ll stir up trouble to distract them.”

How long did their chatter go on?

As Skull and Circle exchanged quiet glances, the talking gradually subsided.

Then, one person raised their hand.

It was Mushroom, who had been the last to sit at the table.

“Um, remember I said I was late handling something?”

“And?”

“It was because of this.”

At those words, everyone turned to Mushroom.

Perhaps pleased by the sudden attention, Mushroom grinned.

“I sent ‘Banum’ to Baek Dowoon.”

*****

[The World Tree Caretaker’s health has improved, so sleep mode is now disabled.]

[The World Tree Sapling asks if the caretaker is alright.]

[Further recovery is recommended; please take care.]

I read the bluish messages as I sat up.

Just as the sapling said, it seemed my body still needed more time to recover.

Rising slowly was painful enough to make me groan.

Just one use left me like this.

I should heed Dohee’s advice and avoid using Photosynthesis Mode unless absolutely necessary.

Well, I’d need to gather light energy first to use it anyway.

But how am I supposed to gather that?

Do I need to keep asking Dohee to shine some light on me?

“Oh, finally awake, are you?”

Taecheon’s voice rang out, and I turned my head.

He was sprawled on a luxury sofa.

Looks like he rented a VIP hospital suite.

Do these guys have money to burn?

“How long was I out?”

“Three days. It’s Wednesday night now.”

“Ugh. Dohee must have been worried.”

“Of course. She clung to your bedside the whole time after you collapsed. I had to practically force her to go home.”

“She’s probably going to be mad.”

“Tell me about it. You could’ve woken up just two hours sooner.”

Taecheon sighed briefly.

He got up from the sofa and sat down beside me.

Then he handed me a notepad and some items.

Fruit juice, a premium fruit set, healing potions, and more.

“What’s all this?”

“Gifts from people who came to visit you while you were out for three days.”

“Hospital visits?”

I glanced at the notepad and recognized several names.

Yoo Jaei, Kim Jiyeon, Shim Yunjin, Woo Chaeyeon, Oh Juhan, ‘Claudia Choi’, Lee Sunghoon, Choi Kiwoo.

Claudia Choi was the nun who ran the orphanage we’d supported.

Choi Kiwoo, sure, he was a Hunter Association team leader, but how did the others even know I was hospitalized?

“Auntie came?”

“She was really worried. Make sure you contact her.”

“I should go visit. But how did she know? Did you call her?”

“Are you crazy? She’d just worry if I called.”

“Then how?”

“Seeing is believing.”

With a smirk, Taecheon picked up the remote and turned on the TV.

He flipped straight to the Hunter channels.

A male reporter gestured to something behind him.

He was pointing to Seoul World Cup Stadium.

It had been reduced to rubble, barely recognizable.

[As you can see, this place is utter chaos.]

[The stadium is completely destroyed, and the lush trees are nowhere to be found.]

[It looks as if a war broke out here.]

[But can you believe this devastation was caused by four A-rank Hunters—]

Taecheon flipped the channel.

Four A-rank Hunters? But I’m just a B-rank.

The next channel showed a female reporter at what looked like the same location.

[It’s been revealed that A-rank Hunter Kim used Heart Break in this incident.]

[The impact was so great it drew everyone’s attention.]

[One expert even measured the output, and our station—]

Taecheon changed the channel again.

The third channel didn’t show a reporter’s face—it showed mine.

Why am I on there?

Across the TV screen was my face and the caption, ‘Baek Dowoon, Who Is He Really?’

[Baek Dowoon returned as a B-rank Hunter five days ago.]

[He’s known for handling the darker side of Baek Uncheon’s business.]

[He was also the one who stopped the ‘Baek Uncheon Demolition Contractor Assassination Attempt’ fifteen days ago.]

[After two years away from the spotlight, he’s finally—]

I snatched the remote from Taecheon and turned off the TV.

I was too embarrassed to watch.

What the hell is all that nonsense?

What exactly did I do at Baek Uncheon?

What’s this about the dark side?

Taecheon, barely holding back his laughter, said,

Might as well just laugh already.

“With all that talk, how could she not find out?”

“Sigh, what’s going on here?”

“They caught our fight with Kim Muyeon on film. It’s been blowing up on ‘Watcher Cast’ lately.”

“The whole thing? All of it?”

“Yeah. Or, well, from when Dohee used Sanctuary of Light? I guess that drew everyone’s attention.”

Well, I suppose that makes sense.

The Sanctuary of Light was bright enough to banish the night’s darkness completely.

There’s no way that wouldn’t attract attention.

If they filmed after Dohee used her Sanctuary, then they must have caught me finishing him off with the pinecone, too.

So…

“What about Baek Uncheon? Any pressure from them?”

“No worries. Not like they could do anything.”

“You sound confident.”

“I have every reason to be. After all, Baek Dowoon is my friend.”

Taecheon flashed a grin.

No doubt there’d be plenty of pressure after what happened.

I appreciated that he was trying not to show any concern.

So, does that mean I only have to worry about myself now?

Regardless of the reason, the footage of me killing someone was recorded…

Whether it’s the Association or the government, they’ll probably throw a fit.

“Oh, right. I couldn’t bring your sword or that giant pinecone.”

“What? Why not?”

“I couldn’t pick them up.”

“You couldn’t?”

“Yeah. I tried to grab them after you collapsed, but they just wouldn’t budge. So I left them.”

That was odd.

I was sure Taecheon had carried Arca and the pinecone before.

He’d even swung Arca, with the pinecone slung over his shoulder.

So why suddenly couldn’t he?

The sapling cleared up my confusion.

[The sapling says it’s because the inventory has an anti-theft system.]

[It explains that the system activates to prevent others from taking items when the caretaker is in sleep mode.]

Oh, so that’s what it was?

Guess I can go pick them up after I’m discharged.

[The sapling advises the caretaker to focus on recovering instead of thinking about other things.]

It seemed the sapling thought I’d run out to get them right away.

There was no need to worry.

Moving even a little was still painful—how was I supposed to go anywhere?

[The sapling says, based on the caretaker’s past behavior, it doesn’t believe that.]

“……”

A smile crept onto my lips.

Whose instincts did my sapling inherit to be this sharp?