The Trail Begins

Kang Yujun looked relieved at Park Deokpal’s words, while Kang Jungbae looked disappointed.

“You’d risk your life for a friend.”

“Why wouldn’t I?”

“Enough. Whatever.”

Kang Jungbae looked at Kang Yujun.

“May I meet Lee Jaehun?”

When he asked again, Kang Yujun’s expression turned annoyed.

Just as he was about to answer, Lee Jaehun’s voice was heard.

“What is it?”

“Nothing at all.”

As Kang Yujun answered calmly, Park Deokpal cut in.

“Where’s Garam?”

“Garam? Isn’t that a little too friendly for someone else’s lover?”

“You sure he’s really your lover?”

At the sarcastic remark, Lee Jaehun frowned. But Park Deokpal didn’t back down.

“You’re quite the nuisance.”

Lee Jaehun glared fiercely at him. It felt like he could be torn to shreds at any moment, but he still refused to retreat.

“Fine. If you’re that curious, I’ll tell you. You come too.”

Leaving those words behind, Lee Jaehun walked ahead. He was heading to the executive meeting room of the Haechi Guild. A few people were already seated inside.

“Stand somewhere appropriate.”

Kang Yujun said that and sat near the head seat. He wanted to shout something, but held it in. If he was kicked out, he wouldn’t be able to learn where Garam was.

“Wow, look at these people. Making someone with broken ribs stand.”

It seemed Kang Jungbae’s muttering was heard. Kang Yujun sighed and brought him a chair.

“Oh my, thank you. At least someone here has a heart.”

His attitude was unbearably annoying, but Kang Yujun didn’t rise to the provocation.

Once enough people gathered, Lee Jaehun was the first to speak.

“So, did they make contact?”

“Yes, they sent a letter today.”

“A letter? How old-fashioned.”

Someone clicked their tongue.

“But if they can sneak it in, it is the hardest to trace.”

“What does it say?”

“Do you remember the man we captured before the tower climb? Bae Hyunseong, the leader of the Awakener Liberation Army. They want that man released.”

“If it’s that guy, I thought we already handed him to the city guard.”

“They want us to bring him back.”

“He’s alive?”

The woman giving the report answered.

“He’s been tortured, but he’s still alive.”

“Seems he has loyalty to his comrades.”

“Yes, that’s probably why he’s still breathing. The mayor hates leaving unknowns unresolved.”

“And the hostage?”

“Still safe for now. If they have any sense, they won’t kill him immediately. He may get injured, but that can’t be helped.”

Hearing that, Park Deokpal wanted to scream.

What do you mean it can’t be helped!

This whole situation was Lee Jaehun’s fault to begin with.

Yet no one blamed him.

They almost seemed to comfort him—as if he were a pitiful man who lost his lover.

Fury boiled inside him. Lee Jaehun glanced at him briefly, then looked away.

“We’ll start tracking by releasing bait.”

“Bait?”

“Yes. First secure Bae Hyunseong, then prolong negotiations as much as possible. Meanwhile, the other team will begin tracking. The goal is to retrieve Park Garam and the flowerpot safely.”

“Understood. I’ll contact city hall right away.”

The meeting was one-sided. Lee Jaehun spoke, and the others added details. He was practically a king here.

“I’ll join the tracking team.”

“Guildmaster?”

“Yes.”

“I know it’s frustrating, but it may be best to avoid acting directly. There could be traps.”

“If I could die from a trap set by people like that, I wouldn’t be here.”

Everyone fell silent.

“Me too!”

Park Deokpal yelled.

“I—I’ll come too!”

Everyone looked at him at once.

“That’s difficult.”

Kang Yoosung spoke first.

“The rescue and tracking team requires B-rank or higher Awakeners.”

“I won’t get in the way.”

“Even so…”

Kang Yoosung looked troubled. Then Lee Jaehun spoke.

“Let him come.”

“That’s too dangerous.”

“If he dies, that’s his fate. Give him a healer first—he doesn’t seem to be in proper condition.”

It could be seen as help, but the tone was infuriating.

So this is the annoyance Garam always felt.

Park Deokpal clenched his fists, glaring at Lee Jaehun.

“I won’t die.”

Right. Why would he die? He would rescue Garam and return.

He repeated the vow again and again.

Annoying.

Lee Jaehun clenched his fists tightly.

Ever since the flowerpot disappeared, an uneasy feeling tormented him.

What if something happened to it?

No. I’ve protected it all this time.

He couldn’t lose it now.

First, retrieve the flowerpot.

Park Garam came after.

It would be nice to save him, but if he couldn’t—then so be it.

He had to think that way.

He had placed multiple skills on the flowerpot.

It wouldn’t be destroyed easily.

As long as it wasn’t taken too far, he could retrieve it.

Calm down.

He told himself it would be fine.

But the unease didn’t fade.

Was something happening to the flowerpot?

Or maybe…

He shook his head. No. He hadn’t formed attachments to people in a long time.

Even if he had been sticking close to Park Garam lately, he was no different from anyone else.

I’m only using him for the flowerpot.

The unease was entirely because of the flowerpot.

He had to remember his priorities.

That was what he believed.

“We’ve secured Bae Hyunseong.”

Kang Yujun delivered the report.

“Good. The tracking team moves out.”

Lee Jaehun changed clothes and headed underground.

Several people were gathered there, all wearing unusual outfits—like assassins.

Their clothes looked intimidating, but they didn’t give off threatening energy.

They were all skilled at suppressing their presence.

If one didn’t focus, they slipped out of sight.

“It’s simple stealth magic.”

The team leader explained to Park Deokpal and Kang Jungbae.

“But since you two can’t use it, you’ll use items instead.”

She gave them each a badge and a short cloak.

“Wearing this will suppress your presence and erase your aura. Please try not to be a burden.”

Her gentle tone carried thorns. Understandable—two unqualified people suddenly joined her team.

“Now that everyone’s here, shall we depart?”

The team leader led the way.

“She’s skilled at tracking. Not as good as the Guildmaster, though.”

A nearby member explained like a babysitter.

Park Deokpal felt embarrassed, but pushed it down.

Finding Park Garam came first.

“Move out.”

At Lee Jaehun’s voice, everyone moved swiftly.

They started from the stadium. Long ago, CCTV covered every street, making tracking easy.

But now, only wealthy districts had them.

So Awakeners with the right skills were essential.

“This way.”

The team leader navigated smoothly.

When her skills weren’t enough, a spirit-user assisted. They worked together until they reached the outskirts of the city.

“Zone 5.”

The workers’ district. Leeyuna looked at Lee Jaehun.

“Continue?”

“Split up. We’ll track in two teams.”

“Yes.”

The team divided. Park Deokpal followed Lee Jaehun, while Kang Jungbae joined the leader’s group.