Myung-hwon wasn’t a good enough person to sacrifice himself and those around him just to protect others’ well-being. He stayed within the boundaries of the law only because he wanted to be in the same boundaries as Ju-eon, not because his moral conscience was higher than others’.

Myung-hwon narrowed his eyes, sizing up the people like a predator measuring prey. If he caused an explosion, one or two might survive, but ultimately, they were all weaker than him. Myung-hwon was well aware that his power far exceeded that of others. Perhaps sensing Myung-hwon’s predatory gaze, the aide closest to Ji-woong, Han-ol, and Yun-jin standing beside them all visibly tensed.

‘As long as Ju-eon doesn’t know…’

If he just covered Ju-eon’s eyes, the world would remain the same as before.

When he had clung to the slender hope that Ju-eon was alive, it was actually easier to stay within the law’s boundaries. Nothing else mattered then.

But now that Ju-eon had returned, his emotions had become more volatile. The thought that he could easily eliminate anyone who interfered was like a sweet temptation.

Creak.

Fortunately, before Myung-hwon could take any action, there was a sound of debris blocking the exit being pushed from outside. Most of the people trapped inside had sunk into despair, sitting on the ground, while a few looked at Myung-hwon with desperate hope, but they couldn’t get near him due to the sharp gazes of Ji-woong’s bodyguards.

Thinking it might be rescuers, the trapped people rushed toward the sound. When they confirmed it wasn’t the sound of the building collapsing further but someone trying to get in from outside, hope blossomed on their faces.

“Here…! I think rescue workers have arrived!”

“Let’s help push too! We might be able to create an exit!”

Crunch.

The sound of the collapsed door being pushed could be heard. As the people inside joined forces to push the door, a gap slowly began to form.

“Ugh.”

Despite their skin getting scratched from moving the building debris, no one stopped. They couldn’t miss this moment when the explosions had ceased.

Creak.

Soon the gap widened enough for one person to pass through.

People began to escape one by one.

“Oh…! Esper Yeo Myung-hwon?”

After everyone had escaped, the one who peeked his head in wasn’t a rescue worker but reporter Kwak Seong-gwan. As soon as he entered, he spotted Myung-hwon, the most noticeable person, and greeted him cheerfully.

“What did you say? No, why are you coming out of there…”

Behind him, Gu-young and Su-hui poked their heads in and entered. Seeing Myung-hwon and the others in a standoff, they rolled their eyes, trying to assess the situation.

“What’s going on here? Hey, Song Gu-young. Isn’t that person at the front the one at the top of the organization, that… politician?”

Unable to grasp the situation, Su-hui looked back and forth between the two groups and whispered in Gu-young’s ear, apparently not remembering Ji-woong’s name clearly.

“Yeo Ji-woong.”

“Ah! Right.”

“You know the surname Yeo isn’t common in Korea, right? Even if you don’t watch the news, you should pick up on that much.”

“…Ah!”

Only then did Su-hui realize the relationship between Ji-woong and Myung-hwon and let out an exclamation. Soon after, the two had no choice but to swallow dry saliva in unison at the hostile atmosphere.

“It’s so tense even without monsters…”

Su-hui and Gu-young hunched their shoulders at the atmosphere, which was even more menacing than when they faced monsters in dungeons. Reporter Kwak Seong-gwan, unaccustomed to such an atmosphere, already had his legs half-weakened.

The three moved to Myung-hwon’s side, circling around under Gu-young’s guidance. Though they knew how monstrous Myung-hwon could be, using abilities against civilians was illegal. His physical abilities were also different from ordinary people’s, but setting aside his powers, Myung-hwon could be in a dangerous situation.

‘The opponents look like they can fight well too.’

He had never fought without using his abilities, nor had he fought against people. Even if he had faced intelligent monsters, they couldn’t be compared to humans. The intelligent monsters that Gu-young and Su-hui had faced were easy to defeat once you figured out their patterns, but people weren’t that simple. Standing next to Myung-hwon and assuming a fighting stance, Gu-young moistened his lower lip before asking Myung-hwon:

“Where’s Ju-won hyung?”

“Not yet.”

“What do you mean ‘not yet’? Who should know the most…”

Gu-young’s eyes reddened with anger. The guilt that had been pricking his heart made itself known again. He had believed everything would be fine because Myung-hwon was much better than him, more reliable. Despite Gu-young’s rising voice, Myung-hwon didn’t point this out.

“Why are you all here?”

Myung-hwon’s side was the most anxious. He had been enduring, believing only that no news was good news. Seeing Myung-hwon’s reticence, Gu-young suddenly came to his senses.

“We evacuated the other civilians as we came. Rescue workers seem to have arrived outside… but since it would take time for them to get here, we decided to come in and check.”

The building was constructed in a square shape, with the plaza where Myung-hwon had given his speech in the middle. With all four sides enclosed by partially collapsed buildings, considering potential injured victims that Gu-young and Su-hui might have missed in the damaged structures, it would take considerable time to reach the center from outside.

“Well done.”

Myung-hwon said, lightly patting Gu-young’s shoulder. Gu-young’s presence, connected to Ju-eon, refreshed Myung-hwon’s increasingly stagnant thoughts.

Click.

At the unexpected shutter sound, everyone’s gaze turned in one direction.

“Oh. Haha… the flash sound is particularly loud. Maybe I should change cameras.”

Seong-gwan, sensing something ominous about the confrontation between Ji-woong and Myung-hwon, had apparently pressed his phone camera button without thinking. Only after all eyes turned to him did he seem to sense danger, awkwardly laughing before hiding behind Myung-hwon.

“Why is every one of you so useless?”

“I’ll end my usefulness by k*lling you here.”

Ji-woong clicked his tongue in annoyance. He was already at ease. His expression clearly showed contempt, seemingly thinking, “What can you possibly do to me?” Han-ol stood at a midpoint between Ji-woong and Myung-hwon, who remained in a standoff. The image of Han-ol standing alone in the middle made a strong impression on some.

It was the same for Myung-hwon. For the first time, he thought Han-ol’s back looked lonely. It was too late for any pretense of friendship between the two, with the urgent situation right in front of them.

Rumble. Dark clouds growled, foretelling an imminent downpour.

“Myung-hwon.”

“…What?”

“You’re really scary when you get fierce.”

“……”

“I’ll eliminate one person who’s bothering you. Let’s consider that payment for your advice.”

“Fine. You go first.”

It was a strange calculation. Myung-hwon didn’t respond, and Han-ol removed the safety pin from a bomb with his mouth and threw it behind Ji-woong.

Boom.

With a heavy explosion, fragments of the precariously balanced building debris flew in all directions like weap*ns.

Thud.

“Ugh.”

“Block it!”

“Congressman!”

Several bodyguards standing behind were severely injured, judging by their groans.

Crash.

The aide embraced Ji-woong and rolled once on the ground. As if not wanting to give them a moment’s respite, Han-ol pulled out a dagger from his coat and began attacking relentlessly.

Swish.

Thwack!

The massive explosion earlier had been caused by pre-installed bombs; now only smaller bombs remained. To properly kill someone, he needed to get close.

“Let’s go.”

Myung-hwon glanced at Han-ol, who was in a standoff with Ji-woong’s people, then turned away without hesitation.

“…Don’t we need to help him?”

Gu-young hesitated, looking back. He frowned at the brutal scene of blood splattering and flesh being torn away. Though the sides seemed evenly matched now, it was clear which side would soon gain the upper hand.

“We’re just caught up in this, so we should quickly get to a safe place.”

It was Seong-gwan, not Myung-hwon, who answered Gu-young. Seong-gwan made a fuss, saying civilians like him felt like their hearts would stop from fear.

“For someone who’s trembling, you sure took a lot of secret photos with your phone, mister.”

Su-hui, who had somehow positioned herself behind Seong-gwan, pointed this out. Seong-gwan, apparently realizing that denying it wouldn’t work, jumped up instead of denying it.

“I don’t want to go through all this trouble again and not get a single photo!”

“Look who’s getting angry after farting.”

The three, who had become somewhat closer while coming here together, bickered. They had reached the spot where the civilians had just escaped.

“Should we confiscate this person’s camera and phone?”

When Gu-young asked, glancing at Myung-hwon who hadn’t said anything, Seong-gwan’s eyes bulged. Clutching his phone and camera as preciously as a starving person would hold a piece of bread, Seong-gwan raised his voice.

“Hey-! I’m employed by Esper Yeo Myung-hwon. If you want to help, you two baby hunters can go. Myung-hwon and I are leaving.”

“…Is that true?”

They had thought he was just a reporter. As Gu-young and Su-hui looked at him with disbelief, Seong-gwan gazed hopefully at Myung-hwon, wanting him to confirm. But Myung-hwon’s gaze was fixed on something behind them.