HBWnovel Chapter 40
Chapter 40
The abduction of Lee Ha-yeon, the heir of the Angel Guild and a prodigy widely regarded as a genius, sent shockwaves throughout South Korea.
"She was kidnapped on the way from Incheon to Seoul?"
"An SSS-class villain moving again? This is a disaster!"
The attack by Gye Un-jik, an SSS-class villain, was nothing short of a calamity for South Korea. It had been nearly nine years since an SSS-class villain dared to act in the southern regions of the country, and the populace had grown accustomed to peace.
The fact that the heir of the Angel Guild could be abducted so brazenly planted a deep fear throughout the nation—fear that SSS-class villains might resurface.
But that fear did not last long.
In less than an hour, another piece of news made headlines:
[SSS-Class Villain Gye Un-jik Defeated! Angel Guild's Heir, Lee Ha-yeon, Safely Rescued!]
[Healer Han Se-hee Rescued Alongside Lee Ha-yeon]
[Gye Un-jik Taken Down by SSS-Class Hunter Kim Ho-jun in Collaboration with Seomun Ye-jin!]
[SSS-Class Villain Subdued in Under an Hour! South Korea's Security is Unshakable!]
The nation quickly transitioned from panic to jubilation, the defeat of the villain reaffirming their confidence.
"I knew it! Nothing to worry about!"
"Not even an SSS-class villain can last an hour here!"
"Unless they have a death wish, they better stay away! Ha-ha!"
Amid the public celebration, Lee Ha-yeon and Han Se-hee, officially said to be under the protection of the Kangin Guild, were quietly staying at Baek Seo-jun's home.
"Thank you so much for saving me," Lee Ha-yeon said, bowing her head deeply as soon as they arrived.
"Enough with the thanks for now," Baek Seo-jun replied nonchalantly. "Get some rest and recover your composure before you step out again. If the heir of the Angel Guild appears disheveled, the rumors will be endless."
"Yes..."
Though Gye Un-jik had not physically harmed her, society's watchful eyes were a different beast. Speculation and rumors about her ordeal would swirl if she showed any sign of weakness or distress.
"I'll prepare tea," Baek Seo-jun said, brushing off Seomun Ye-jin's protests to do it herself.
"But I'm not even tired..." she muttered, puffing out her cheeks as she watched him.
Soon, he returned with three teacups. One was placed in front of Seomun Ye-jin, while the other two went to Han Se-hee and Lee Ha-yeon.
"Thank you," they both said politely.
"One cup for the two of us, hmm?" Seomun Ye-jin teased, scooting closer to Baek Seo-jun with a mischievous smile. She leaned into him, pressing herself against his side, her casual affection on full display.
Even though Han Se-hee had seen such displays before, her face still reddened as she looked away. Lee Ha-yeon, on the other hand...
‘This feels... irritating.’
It wasn’t jealousy, exactly, but the sight annoyed her, as if Seomun Ye-jin were flaunting something she didn’t have.
Lee Ha-yeon sipped her tea to distract herself, her eyes widening slightly.
‘Is this... medicinal tea?’
It wasn’t a high-grade elixir, but the tea had a calming and restorative effect.
"Is this medicinal tea?" she asked.
"Nothing fancy," Baek Seo-jun replied. "Don’t think too much about it."
But she couldn’t help thinking about it.
‘We just met today...’
"Good. That settles it."
"Do you only teach talented people?" she asked hesitantly.
"Yes. Aside from Ye-jin, there are just the two of you here."
His response reminded her of another person—someone her own age who had also reached S-class Hunter status.
"Would you consider teaching someone like Baek Seo-jin, if they’re talented?"
The air in the room shifted instantly.
Seomun Ye-jin’s smile froze, and Han Se-hee’s expression grew tense. Lee Ha-yeon glanced around, realizing she had touched a nerve.
Baek Seo-jun’s voice broke the heavy silence.
"You can call me Ha-yeon, right?"
"Y-yes... of course."
"Then let me show you something."
Before her eyes, his appearance began to change.
The black-haired young man transformed, his hair turning a striking blue and his eyes a piercing red.
It was a face that looked eerily like an older version of Baek Seo-jin’s.
"My real name is Baek Seo-jun."
***
"Baek Seo-jun..."
Baek Seo-jun hadn't revealed much to her. All he had shared was his name and the fact that he harbored deep hatred for the Baekho Guild.
But for Lee Ha-yeon, heir to the Angel Guild, those small pieces of information were more than enough to start an investigation.
After returning to the Angel Guild headquarters and briefly assuring the press of her well-being, she began considering her next steps. Her thoughts revolved around looking into the Baekho Guild—an organization she hadn’t given much thought to until now.
"Ha-yeon! I’m so relieved you’re safe!"
Her father, Lee Jung-cheon, the guild master of the Angel Guild, greeted her warmly, his face lighting up with visible joy.
Yet, her emotions were conflicted. She couldn’t return his enthusiasm immediately, instead hesitating to respond with a smile.
"Hmm, is something wrong? Could it be... did that villain do something horrible to you...?"
"No, nothing like that! I was just... thinking about the person who saved me."
"Ah, you mean Kim Ho-jun. Wait... don’t tell me that guy tried to..."
"Dad!"
Lee Ha-yeon’s voice rose sharply, interrupting her father’s increasingly wild assumptions, his complexion pale with worry.
She had no intention of mentioning Baek Seo-jun to her father—or anyone else for that matter.
Because she had promised.