“Um, Team Leader.”
“Yes.”
“Could I… skip sparring today?”
“Yes.”
Kim Taeyang asked, just in case. The answer that came back was unexpected.
“Team Leader. Would it be okay if I left early today?”
“Yes, go ahead.”
The Team Leader readily accepted Kim Inho’s request. Something was definitely different. The two Kims felt their hearts pounding.
The Black Cow’s Hat.
The description written on it was exactly as they suspected. Whoever wears the hat becomes a Hogu. Literally, it meant they became a pushover. Lee Hyunbin had turned into a perfect “Yes-man.”
“Oh, Team Leader. What’s with that hat? It’s a total eyesore.”
Senior Staff Lee Ah-reum from the Support Office spoke up while the team was moving through the office.
Kim Taeyang quickly whispered into her ear.
Lee Ah-reum’s face turned into a mask of disbelief. However, her mischievous streak took over, and she spoke exactly as Kim Taeyang suggested.
“Team Leader. Don’t you feel like giving me chocolate?”
“Yes.”
At her words, the Team Leader nodded and pulled chocolate from his Inventory. It was a deep, sweet abyss wrapped in gold foil. Lee Ah-reum popped it into her mouth and wore a happy smile.
“Team Leader. Are you seriously only giving me one? You said you’d give me a whole box before.”
Of course, he had never said that. But Team Leader Lee Hyunbin pulled a whole box of chocolates from his Inventory and handed it over.
“Kyaaa, I love it! My sugar levels are rising! They’re rising!”
Excitedly making high-pitched dolphin-like noises, Senior Staff Lee Ah-reum vanished toward the Support Office. Seeing this, the two Kims were certain. The Black Cow’s Hat was working. In the literal sense, the current Team Leader was a perfect “Yes-man.”
Only then did Kim Taeyang lower his guard and flash a relaxed smile.
“Team Leader. No, honestly, can’t we just talk casually now, Brother?”
” “
At Kim Taeyang’s words, Kim Inho’s eyes widened in shock.
‘Is he crazy?’
Normally, if you said something like that to the Team Leader, a fiery sparring session would begin immediately. However, Lee Hyunbin replied with a broad smile.
“Sure.”
“Oh, really?”
“Of course.”
“Oh yeah!”
Kim Taeyang led the way into the office, visibly excited. Kim Inho, however, spent a long time cautiously watching Lee Hyunbin.
“Why?”
“Oh, it’s nothing.”
The fear etched into his brain was not easily erased.
“Seriously?”
“I’m serious. I really didn’t know this Item was so good!”
As soon as he entered the office, Kim Taeyang began bragging to the team members. How many years had they endured all sorts of insults from the Team Leader? The team members looked on with suspicious eyes, but the Team Leader’s gaze was exceptionally gentle today.
“Um, Team Leader.”
“Yes.”
Seo Hyeonji cleared her throat and spoke awkwardly.
“Be honest. Which female celebrity’s autograph do you want the most?”
“Seo Hyeonji’s.”
Seo Hyeonji flinched at his words. It was something she wanted to hear, but also something she never thought she would hear from him. On one hand, it even felt a bit creepy.
“What the heck. Is this Coach setting a trap?”
“I told you he isn’t. Look, the Item analysis sheet is right here.”
“It’s true…. Team Leader, do you really want my autograph that much?”
At Seo Hyeonji’s playful question, Team Leader Lee Hyunbin nodded with a bright smile.
“I really want it.”
“Well, I guess I have no choice.”
Seo Hyeonji rolled up her sleeves and took out a sheet of A4 paper. Then, she signed it with a marker in her usual practiced way and handed it to the Team Leader.
“Do you like it?”
“Yes, I like it.”
“Are you happy?”
“Yes, I am happy.”
Lee Hyunbin spoke with a gentle smile. For her, it was the first time seeing such kindness from him.
“Uh, Hyeonji’s face turned red.”
“What are you saying?”
“It really did! Oh, this is legendary. I have to film this!”
“Do you think just anyone can take my photo? Just try holding that camera. I’ll melt you. I’m only like this because it’s hot, okay? Ugh, it’s so hot.”
At Seo Hyeonji’s threat, Kim Taeyang put down his phone.
“The Boss?”
Even the Three Foreign Brothers tilted their heads after hearing the rumors. They couldn’t understand how the Boss they knew could be taken down by such a pathetic hat.
“No way. Boss, stop joking. Whoosh, whoosh-whoosh.”
Blondie, also known as Lee Jeon-guk, spoke as he swung his fists through the air. The Team Leader gave Lee Jeon-guk a broad smile.
“!”
“He’s smiling at us?”
“I am very scared. He does not make that kind of smile.”
The Three Foreign Brothers backed away, unable to believe it.
“Boss. There is something I have always wanted to ask. Who among the knights do you trust the most?”
“Me, right?”
“It’s probably me.”
At the questions from the Three Foreign Brothers, the Team Leader replied with a gentle smile.
“All three of you are precious comrades.”
“Whoa… it’s a textbook answer, but hearing it come from the Boss’s mouth is fascinating.”
Kim Taeyang’s shoulders puffed up with arrogance.
Everyone was currently feeling a sense of satisfaction. Normally, it would be an afternoon where they were rolling on the ground until they were half-dead because of their vicious Team Leader.
Yet, everyone was resting comfortably.
Kim Taeyang sat with his legs crossed, savoring the break. Seo Hyeonji played around on her phone, searching for articles about herself, while the Three Foreign Brothers turned on the TV and opened a bag of popcorn.
Kim Inho, who normally trained hard every day, felt awkward not doing it today. He kept glancing around while training by himself.
“Hey, hey, Inho. Just rest today.”
“It’s part of my daily routine, so it feels weird if I don’t.”
“You have to work when it’s time to work and rest when it’s time to rest. Right, Brother Bin?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
Team Leader Lee Hyunbin was busily cleaning various spots in the Training Room. He already liked tidiness, but he seemed even more obsessed today.
“Wow, our Brother Bin. You’re incredibly good at cleaning.”
“Thank you.”
“Don’t mention it. Hahaha!”
Looking at the triumphant Kim Taeyang, Kim Inho’s eyes began to shake. It was true that the Team Leader was currently a pushover, but he wouldn’t be wearing that hat forever. Once he took the hat off…
Kim Inho shuddered, not even wanting to think about it. It seemed like no one else was considering that. Just then, the door to the Training Room opened, and Assistant Manager Kim Min-ah from the aide’s office entered. She looked around breathlessly as if she were in a hurry.
“Hello.”
“Are the rumors true?”
‘Rumors?’
Kim Inho tilted his head at her question. Assistant Manager Kim Min-ah went over to Team Leader Lee Hyunbin, who was cleaning.
“Team Leader?”
“Yes?”
Kim Min-ah looked Lee Hyunbin up and down. After examining him for a while, she spoke.
“I heard a rumor that you became a Hogu.”
“Me?”
“It’s not true, right?”
“It’s not.”
“I knew it.”
Kim Min-ah started to turn away as if she had wasted her time.
“Why is helping everyone being a Hogu?”
“…Excuse me?”
“The world is just so full of light….”
A halo seemed to shine behind the gently smiling Team Leader Lee Hyunbin. Kim Min-ah twitched as if she had heard something unbelievable.
“Oh, so you’re playing that kind of role. Who is the prettiest person in the world?”
“That would be you, of course.”
Hearing that, Kim Min-ah clenched her fists. After a brief moment of silent cheering, she continued.
“Talk about me. Tell me honestly for once.”
“You are very beautiful, wise, and have such a sweet voice that I often feel the urge to keep you by my side.”
“Phew… Do you think anyone would be happy to hear that? How ridiculous. That kind of role-play doesn’t make me happy at all.”
Kim Min-ah was laughing while huffing out hot air through her nose. Then, she saw someone else entering the Training Room.
“President?”
“Hm, you were already here. Assistant Manager Kim?”
The one laughing awkwardly was the Guild Union Chief, Im Jaejoon. He glanced at Team Leader Lee Hyunbin.
“What brings you here?”
“Hm. I have some business to attend to.”
“Business?”
“Shall we say I have something to discuss with Team Leader Lee Hyunbin?”
“Ah….”
Kim Min-ah’s eyes curved into crescents. Im Jaejoon cleared his throat and asked Lee Hyunbin something. Then, he covered his face, soaked in ecstasy. He looked like a devout believer receiving a divine calling.
‘Should I call this the completion of a world where no one gets hurt?’
Kim Taeyang sipped his sparkling water leisurely, watching Team Leader Lee Hyunbin move exactly as everyone desired. In truth, Kim Taeyang knew it too. Once Team Leader Lee Hyunbin took off the Black Cow’s Hat, he would return to his original self. If his memories didn’t fade, he would certainly retaliate against the one who started this.
Kim Taeyang now intended to prepare a safety measure.
“Brother Bin. Come here for a second.”
“Yes, Taeyang.”
Seeing him run over like a squirrel because Taeyang called him was so bizarre.
“Brother. Can you sign this for me?”
“What is it?”
“It’s nothing much. Just something like a Written Oath.”
Team Leader Lee Hyunbin always kept his word. He hated it when a man went back on what he said. The Written Oath contained a vow that he wouldn’t bully Kim Taeyang. It also included a clause saying he wouldn’t seek revenge for what happened while wearing the Black Cow’s Hat.
“Brother Bin. You’re not going to hit me, right?”
“Why would I hit you? Between you and me.”
At Lee Hyunbin’s words, Kim Taeyang felt a tingling sensation throughout his body. ‘So this is how Assistant Manager Kim or the President felt earlier.’ He understood now. He even wished he could see this gentle side of him forever.
“If you’re not going to hit me, please sign this.”
“Shall I?”
Team Leader Lee Hyunbin signed his name clearly.
“Brother, the date too.”
“Okay.”
Scribble.
Watching him write the Written Oath without a second thought, Kim Taeyang let out a laugh.
Today, he would spend the day being exceptionally close to the Team Leader without any burden.
Just then, he saw Lee Seoyeon enter the Training Room after school. Kim Taeyang raised his hand to quickly break the happy news to her.
“Seoyeon! Seoyeon, come over here!”
“Huh? Why, Brother?”
As Lee Seoyeon trotted over, Kim Taeyang put his arm around Team Leader Lee Hyunbin’s shoulder.
“Our Brother Bin will listen to anything today. Ask him for a favor.”
“Bin? Are you talking about the Coach?”
Lee Seoyeon had a look of disbelief on her face. Kim Taeyang felt a sense of catharsis at her natural reaction. He explained the details to Lee Seoyeon, who was unaware of the situation. After listening, Lee Seoyeon tilted her head.
“Of course you can’t believe it.”
Perhaps her reaction was natural. But the words that came out of Seoyeon’s mouth were unexpected.
“Aren’t you misunderstanding something? The Coach should have Curse Immunity.”
“Curse Immunity?”
“Yeah. Items like that usually fall under the curse category. But the Coach I know is immune to curses.”
There was someone immune to curses? Kim Taeyang felt puzzled by Lee Seoyeon’s words. It was at that moment Lee Hyunbin took off the ridiculous cow-head hat. He did it of his own free will.
“See? You misunderstood something.”
After saying that, Lee Seoyeon went into the locker room to change into her training gear.
Kim Taeyang stared at Lee Hyunbin. Lee Hyunbin smiled, but it was a suppressed, fishy sneer. Kim Taeyang cautiously picked up Lee Hyunbin’s calf hat and put it on his own head.
“Team Leader. Do you know that you are the best?”
Lee Hyunbin matched his eye level with Kim Taeyang, who looked ready to crawl on the floor.
“Why are you calling me that?”
Lee Hyunbin gave him a kind smile.
“You should be calling me Brother Bin.”
“…!”
Kim Taeyang cautiously held up the signed Written Oath on the table. Soon, he saw Lee Hyunbin’s fist punching right through the paper.
—
A city where no humans lived.
The City of Demonic Magnetic Field was closed off, preventing any human access. It was difficult for modern people to live there, but it was the optimal city for those avoiding public eyes.
“Kay.”
In this deserted place, someone called out to a man named Kay.
“A large number of our comrades in the Capital Area have been captured.”
“Other regions are fine, but the Capital Area is especially chaotic.”
“It’s because of that guy.”
Villains standing on the cursed land voiced their complaints. Hunter Lee Hyunbin of the Hanul Guild. The number of comrades captured by the hands of that S-rank Hunter was not just one or two.
“Are we just going to keep taking this?”
The Villain Organization was still like a sandcastle.
They had a central figure, but there had been no significant action since the Agency terror attack.
They were all excited when they heard an organization had been formed, but things were the same now as they were then. They were just hiding like cockroaches.
“Comrades,” Kay spoke. “I know what your grievances are.”
He was an unremarkable person with no distinctive features. He had the kind of appearance that would make anyone walk right past him on the street. No one would ever think a man like him was the leader of a Villain Organization.
“Delivery Man.”
The number of Villains captured by that one Delivery Man alone exceeded double digits. Once they crossed paths, they had to assume they would be caught.
“You want to hunt him—the man who has become the symbol of a Hero.”
At Kay’s words, the Villain members broke into unpleasant grins. They had been frustrated with living quietly despite possessing power. The first target they chose was Lee Hyunbin of the Hanul Guild.
“I always love a majority vote,” Kay said as he smiled.