Regression Guidelines for the Supporting Character

Chapter 14

“Guild Master.”

Following a crisp knock, the secretary who entered the representative’s office handed a tablet PC to Kwon Tae-hyuk and said,

“I’ve looked into it as you ordered. However, there wasn’t much useful information.”

Kwon Tae-hyuk received the tablet PC and checked the data while scrolling through the screen. The image attached in the middle of the data was a photo of the research facility they had raided last week.

“What about the person referred to as the director?”

“About that… there’s nothing substantial. I’m sorry.”

In the research facility raid led by Kwon Tae-hyuk, they rescued dozens of awakened individuals. However, the testimonies obtained from the victims weren’t very extensive.

There was a woman who was the director, and she was researching drugs that induced pain. Other than testimonies that she had been conducting human experiments on them for this research, there wasn’t much useful information.

But no matter how much they searched the facility, they couldn’t find anyone who looked like the director. It seemed she had luckily escaped in the chaos.

Having missed the most influential person in the facility, the amount of information they could obtain was also reduced.

Kwon Tae-hyuk rubbed his eyes and sighed.

‘I thought we’d finally get decisive evidence this time.’

Would things have been different if they hadn’t missed that director? Kwon Tae-hyuk clicked his tongue in irritation at the thought.

More than the director, the biggest problem was the Management Bureau, which had taken away all the apprehended personnel.

The Management Bureau, belatedly learning that he had discovered an illegally operated research facility and raided it with the combined force of guilds, had taken away all the facility personnel under the pretext of helping.

Their hasty attempt to get involved was ridiculous, but Kwon Tae-hyuk understood to some extent, given the long-standing tension between the Hunter Guilds and the Management Bureau. They were in a position to be wary of the government as well.

However, their removal of the personnel in the process was far from helpful and only ruined things. As a result, the Yeseong Guild couldn’t interrogate the personnel, and they only got hollow information from the victims.

Missing the director who was essentially the core of the facility. Losing the captured personnel to the Management Bureau. And lastly, one more thing.

‘That man who was with a child…’

The image of the man who awkwardly smiled and avoided him particularly stuck in his memory.

Thinking about it now, there were many strange points.

Unlike other victims who were frightened or anxious, that man was excessively calm. He could have been mistaken for a hunter from another guild rather than a victim trapped in the facility.

The man’s behavior of subtly shielding the child from his view lingered in his mind.

‘I looked into it just in case, but he wasn’t on the victim list, as if he had escaped.’

Kwon Tae-hyuk stroked his mouth with a downcast gaze. After being lost in thought for a moment, he soon ordered,

“I believe there were experimental subject files found in the facility.”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“Compile those along with the victim list. As detailed as possible.”

“Understood.”

The secretary, who hadn’t left the office even after answering, hesitated before speaking again.

“Um, Guild Master. There’s one more piece of news that came in.”

“What is it?”

“A ranking match application has been received.”

A ranking match? At this timing? Kwon Tae-hyuk frowned with displeasure.

“Didn’t I say not to accept any for the time being?”

“That’s why we were going to reject this one too, but…”

The secretary, having been scolded, continued with a troubled expression.

“Somehow, the application came in anonymously.”

“Anonymously?”

“Yes. There’s no information about which guild or what kind of hunter it is. Only the date and location are written. It doesn’t seem to be an official application through the association.”

“…”

So it was an application that came through professional channels? If so, the target was Kwon Tae-hyuk.

‘Are they trying to use the ranking match to deal with me?’

Having smashed a facility that had been conducting extensive human experiments, Kwon Tae-hyuk had anticipated that they would target him, who led the raid.

But he never expected them to approach like this. Kwon Tae-hyuk twisted his lips into a sneer.

“What should we do? Should I reject it?”

“No. Accept it.”

“What? Really?”

“Yes. Bring the application along with the files I just asked for. I need to check the date and location.”

“Ah, um… Yes. Understood.”

The secretary, who had expected Kwon Tae-hyuk to reject it, quickly composed himself and answered.

“Then I’ll bring them as soon as the data is organized.”

The secretary bowed and left the office. Left alone, Kwon Tae-hyuk lowered his head to look at the photo of the facility displayed on the tablet PC again.

‘A ranking match, huh.’

He didn’t know what underhanded method they were planning to use, but the winner would still be him.

Rather, this was an opportunity.

Since it was an official ranking match with him, the top-ranked hunter participating, it was natural that broadcasting stations would rush in with cameras, and there would be a crowd of spectators.

If the opponent tried to do something to kill him, it would be captured on video, and furthermore, if he subdued the opponent, he could obtain a new witness that the Management Bureau couldn’t touch.

‘What fools.’

How lightly did they view him to dare challenge him to a ranking match?

Kwon Tae-hyuk lifted the corner of his mouth. Thinking how much he looked forward to the upcoming ranking match.

* * *

I put on a cap and layered a hoodie over it. On top of that, I wore a denim jacket.

It was clothes I had bought in a loose size deliberately in case I needed to use my hidden skill.

I had the robe I brought from the research facility, but it was such a conspicuous outfit that I put it away for now. I decided to wear the robe later and just use the long sword this time.

“Kid.”

Having finished preparing to go out, I called Cha Sahyun, who was staring intently at me from the sofa.

“I’m going out for a bit, so you need to stay here quietly.”

“…”

“Understand? Don’t wander around anywhere, just stay put. I’ll be back soon.”

“…”

The child just blinked without any response. He seemed to be responding well these days, but why is he like this now?

It bothered me to leave without a response. Inevitably, I approached the child and bent my knees to meet his gaze.

“I’m really coming back soon, so don’t go outside on your own. I’ll check when I return if you’ve behaved well.”

“…”

“If you’re curious about outside, let’s go for a walk together later. It’s dangerous at night.”

As I added this, Cha Sahyun finally nodded slightly. Hmm, I wondered what he was unhappy about, but was it because only I was going out?

Well, it must be frustrating to be cooped up here all the time. Having finally gotten a response, I stood up.

It suddenly struck me how trashy I was for keeping a child that young locked up at home, but I had no intention of compromising. I didn’t bring him here with the intention of raising him while considering his emotions or feelings.

If Cha Sahyun becomes dissatisfied with his current life and the seed’s progress increases, I might consider changing the environment, but if not, there’s no need to change anything.

‘What can I do? Unfortunately, he ended up with a messed-up person like me. He’ll have to accept it as fate.’

Muttering words I couldn’t say to the child, I opened the window and put my foot on the windowsill.

“Don’t close this window, leave it open. And I’ll say it one more time, absolutely don’t go out, just wait.”

“…”

“I’ll be back.”

I bent my waist and jumped out of the window.

With a light thud, I landed on the ground and looked around. I could have gone out through the building’s main entrance, but this way was relatively darker and being an alley, there were fewer people passing by.

‘I’ve already confirmed there are no CCTVs nearby.’

I planned to use this window to go out in my changed appearance from now on.

Pulling my cap down even more, I started walking. The destination was the empty lot where the ranking match would take place. It wasn’t too far, about a 30-minute walk away.

‘I can’t believe Kwon Tae-hyuk accepted the ranking match application.’

It was to my advantage, but I wondered what he was thinking to accept such a suspicious application. Is he confident in his skills regardless of who comes?

It’s annoying, but understandable. Even I didn’t apply for the ranking match with the intention of winning. Since it was a match to determine the number one rank, there would surely be broadcasting stations and many spectators. It would be fortunate if I didn’t get utterly defeated and humiliated.

‘My fate…’

Looking up at the sky while lamenting my now-familiar circumstances, the crescent moon peeking through the clouds seemed particularly bright tonight.

[Main Quest: Defeat the current rank 1 hunter ‘Kwon Tae-hyuk’ and claim the rank 1 position (Time remaining: 2 hours 15 minutes)]