Holy B-Class Life

#095

“……”

Dan Joo-hyuk, who had been bombarding questions earlier, suddenly fell silent. He had been acting very strangely since earlier.

Anyway, the hand that had been holding Yoon Pa-ran slipped away. With his now free hand, Yoon Pa-ran immediately answered the phone.

“Yes.”

—Ah, can you talk?

“Yes.”

Since saying it was unavoidable didn’t mean he was willing, Yoon Pa-ran answered rather bluntly.

True to his good nature, Hunter Heo Sang-yeon asked right away, disregarding Yoon Pa-ran’s tone.

—I’m sorry for the sudden call, but are you free tonight?

“Ah… Yes. I guess.”

—Great. Um… It’s about a matter that requires confidentiality, so could you come to the office I’ll tell you about? I’m sorry for suddenly calling you out and deciding the place on my own.

Although it was quite a one-sided request, Heo Sang-yeon asked in a relatively polite manner. Inwardly swallowing a sigh, Yoon Pa-ran gently scratched his eyebrow and suddenly glanced at Dan Joo-hyuk.

He had a similar expression as before. Strangely feeling conscious of him, Yoon Pa-ran frowned.

Then he answered reluctantly.

“I’ll go.”

Seemingly busy, Heo Sang-yeon said he would send the address by text and quickly ended the call.

Yoon Pa-ran couldn’t quite grasp what this was about. Considering that he had asked about Lim Hyun-sung during their last call, it might have something to do with his attempt to acquire the orphanage land.

Dan Joo-hyuk, who was sitting next to him, suddenly asked,

“You’re going to meet Heo Sang-yeon at this hour?”

“That’s how it turned out.”

Since Yoon Pa-ran wasn’t particularly thrilled about it either, he answered with a sigh in his voice.

However, what came next was an absurd question.

“Did you meet like this even when I wasn’t around?”

“…No?”

Only then did Yoon Pa-ran realize that Dan Joo-hyuk’s aura had subtly intensified. He had become so accustomed to it that he hadn’t noticed it all day.

Something was definitely off. Since Dan Joo-hyuk was close to Heo Sang-yeon, did he know something about this situation?

But why has he been showing signs of displeasure since earlier?

“What’s wrong with you?”

“I wonder.”

Unable to understand the situation, Yoon Pa-ran looked at him quizzically. Dan Joo-hyuk covered his mouth with an expression that was hard to read – whether he was troubled or annoyed.

Determined to get an answer, Yoon Pa-ran stared at him intently. However, the response that came was as nonsensical as expected, living up to his expectations.

“I didn’t realize it since I’ve never made one before, but I’m realizing that I don’t have a hobby of sharing partners.”

“Partners?”

“What else would you call us?”

Dan Joo-hyuk, having lowered his hand, was now smiling quite broadly, all signs of his previous displeasure gone. Unable to follow the thought process of this madman, Yoon Pa-ran looked at him with a strange gaze.

Dan Joo-hyuk even slowly stroked Yoon Pa-ran’s forearm with his palm. He indeed had a bad habit of gently touching people.

By the way, partners? Surely he doesn’t mean something like sex partners?

Yoon Pa-ran unknowingly looked at Dan Joo-hyuk with a pitiful gaze. He couldn’t understand how the call with Heo Sang-yeon connected to this at all.

However, he didn’t bother to ask for clarification. He figured it would likely lead to some perverted statement he couldn’t even imagine.

In the end, Yoon Pa-ran pushed away Dan Joo-hyuk’s hand that kept tickling him and said,

“We’re just strangers once the contract ends.”

“……”

Hearing those words, Dan Joo-hyuk smiled crookedly.

His heart twisted in a shape similar to his smile. Dan Joo-hyuk struggled to suppress the sharp temper that was trying to surface. After all, he wasn’t exactly angry.

Well, this was an issue that could be persuaded slowly.

The immediate problem was Heo Sang-yeon. His intervention allowed Dan Joo-hyuk to understand his impulses more clearly.

He already had a great interest in Yoon Pa-ran’s body. In that state, it was natural to be constantly concerned about monopolizing information related to the gates as well.

Moreover, Hunter Heo Sang-yeon had a personality that clung annoyingly to capable individuals. Although it certainly wasn’t romantic interest, sometimes that made it even more bothersome.

If he knew Yoon Pa-ran’s true abilities, he would surely try to hold onto him. After all, Yoon Pa-ran was a skilled hunter even without items.

Therefore, he absolutely couldn’t let him go alone to where Heo Sang-yeon was.

“Anyway, let’s go together.”

“Huh?”

“There’s not a single sane bastard among S-ranks, where do you think you’re going alone? Especially this late at night.”

“……”

At Dan Joo-hyuk’s serious words, Yoon Pa-ran couldn’t hide his reluctant expression.

First of all, it wasn’t that late at night right now. And the person in front of him was the most insane S-rank of all.

But still, he’s the crazy guy I know.

Faced with this unexpected proposal, Yoon Pa-ran fell into deep contemplation. He already had an uneasy feeling that wouldn’t go away, but if Dan Joo-hyuk went with him, at least it wouldn’t be dangerous.

Ah. He’s making this offer because he needs to protect me due to the contract.

Having understood his intention, Yoon Pa-ran nodded. If he’s coming along, well, it might be helpful.

…Right?

“Okay.”

Only then did Dan Joo-hyuk’s aura, which had been slightly stinging Yoon Pa-ran’s skin, subside.

With an expression like a satisfied fox, Dan Joo-hyuk kindly urged,

“Finish eating.”

“But we agreed to go right away…”

“Tell them to wait. They set up the appointment on their own terms.”

“Still…”

“Setting up schedules without any regard for our plans. Hunter Heo Sang-yeon is really quite rude.”

“……”

Didn’t Dan Joo-hyuk also arbitrarily set up Yoon Pa-ran’s gate schedule for tomorrow earlier?

“Come on, say ‘ah’.”

Dan Joo-hyuk went as far as to pretend to feed Yoon Pa-ran, picking up the remaining meat with a fork. Slightly disgusted, Yoon Pa-ran snatched it and put it in his mouth himself.

Well, it would be a shame to waste the meat, so finishing it before leaving should be fine.

Ridiculously, knowing that Dan Joo-hyuk was coming along made Yoon Pa-ran feel a bit more reassured, which was troubling.

❖ ❖ ❖

A while later, Yoon Pa-ran headed to the address Heo Sang-yeon had sent, with Dan Joo-hyuk tagging along behind him like a goldfish’s poop.

The destination was a building in front of a local courthouse, its exterior covered with law firm signs. Being close to nighttime on a weekday, there was no one in the building.

Throughout the journey here, he had felt oddly uneasy. It was strange, considering he had just eaten a delicious meal.

At the very top of this quiet place was the address Heo Sang-yeon had mentioned. It was a small office with “Lawyer Heo Ji-yeon” written on it.

“Oh, you’re here?”

Heo Sang-yeon, sitting on the sofa inside, greeted Yoon Pa-ran warmly. Next to Heo Sang-yeon sat a woman in a suit.

Instead of responding, Yoon Pa-ran just bowed his head slightly.

Soon, Heo Sang-yeon’s gaze shifted behind Yoon Pa-ran, and his face contorted.

“Why are you here?”

“We happened to meet in front of this place.”

“What nonsense are you…”

Despite Heo Sang-yeon’s voice filled with disbelief, Dan Joo-hyuk brazenly entered the office.

Unlike when only Yoon Pa-ran had entered, the office now felt cramped.

“Just sit over there for now.”

“You called people to such a shabby place.”

“……”

Dan Joo-hyuk spoke unpleasantly and didn’t move from the entrance. Yoon Pa-ran quickly sat on the sofa opposite to where Heo Sang-yeon had indicated, while slightly glancing at the woman who seemed to be the owner of this office.

“This is my cousin sister I mentioned. She’s a lawyer.”

The two of them, unlike Yoon Pa-ran, didn’t pay any attention to Dan Joo-hyuk’s harsh words. Especially the lawyer in the suit, who introduced herself without changing her expression at all.

“I’m Heo Ji-yeon.”

Yoon Pa-ran awkwardly bowed his head again.

When he raised his head, his eyes met directly with the introduced lawyer.

“I mentioned during our last call that one of my sister’s clients was Lim Hyun-sung, right?”

“Yes.”

“……”

Dan Joo-hyuk, who had seemed like he would stand forever, suddenly strode over. Then he plopped down next to Yoon Pa-ran.

Whether the sofa was small or Dan Joo-hyuk’s thighs were too big, it was uncomfortable how closely they were pressed together.

“My client instructed that if he goes missing, this person should be reported to the police as a prime suspect.”

Lawyer Heo Ji-yeon pushed a business card and a photo towards Yoon Pa-ran. The name on the business card he reflexively picked up was unfamiliar, but he could clearly recognize the person in the photo.

Isn’t this the guy who followed me at the market recently?

Yoon Pa-ran tried his best to maintain a neutral expression. Dan Joo-hyuk, who was looking at the photo next to him, spoke as if he recognized the person.

“Ah.”

“You know him too, right?”

“It’s Congressman Kim Tae-jun’s aide.”

Who’s Kim Tae-jun? Although he didn’t know exactly what an aide was, the identity was quite unexpected.

Isn’t it that guy? But looking again, this was definitely the pervert who had followed him at the market and spouted nonsense.

“So? Why did you call Yoon Pa-ran out?”

Dan Joo-hyuk asked while slightly pulling the photo from Yoon Pa-ran’s hand and tossing it onto the table.

The photo flew accurately and stopped right in front of Heo Sang-yeon. Heo Sang-yeon, who had been quiet, looked at Dan Joo-hyuk with a disgruntled face before finally speaking.

“Well, normally I would investigate the aide’s side first, but…”

Heo Sang-yeon hesitated and looked at his sister beside him. The lawyer nodded slightly as if to say it was okay.

Only then did Heo Sang-yeon sigh deeply and say,

“That aide died recently.”

He died?

At this unexpected news, Yoon Pa-ran’s expression subtly hardened.

Either not noticing his reaction or ignoring it, Heo Sang-yeon tossed a document that had been on one side towards the two of them. Seeing names written next to ranks, it seemed to be a list of hunters.

Dan Joo-hyuk, who didn’t even pick it up, crossed his legs arrogantly and asked,

“What is this?”

“It’s a list of hunters that the aide had been meeting.”

Heo Sang-yeon, continuing his explanation, then looked directly at Yoon Pa-ran with a serious expression and said,

“And it’s also a list of hunters who suddenly had seizures due to gate aftereffects.”