I Don’t Want This Reincarnation

The Gureopdo Island gate, which caused a stir in Korea and abroad, was under Incheon’s jurisdiction, but because of how special the incident was, its gate information was disclosed to all guild masters.

After collecting information on the gate for the past ten days, the owner of the gate and master of the IMS Guild, Kim Yeong-seok (김영석), entered the conference room of the Seoul management headquarters for a scheduled briefing.

The only people who were attending the meeting were Choi Mi-jin, the head of the gate management centre, the Seoul guild masters who dealt with the S+-rank monster or remained until the end, and a few staff members from the management headquarters.

“Let’s get started.”

Seeing that the projector screen was set and the laptop was on, Choi Mi-jin gestured to Kim Yeong-seok and sat down on the seat closest to him.

“Ahem, hm.”

Standing in front of the screen, Kim Yeong-seok started the briefing. Participants of the meeting listened to the presented information, ranging from the exact coordinates of the gate to its size and the discovered plant-type materials, with a bored look.

“This is the information we have been able to find so far. After that, additional aggregated data will be officially reported to the management headquarters…”

“Master Kim Yeong-seok.”

“Y-yes?”

When the briefing was over, Kim Yeong-seok, who had a somewhat relieved expression, looked up at the sudden call. The one who called out his name was Cheon Sa-yeon, who was resting his chin on his hand.

“There seems to be a lack of information on monsters. Is that all there is?”

Kim Yeong-seok swallowed at Cheon Sa-yeon’s pointed words, which were delivered in a relaxed tone.

‘Calm down. I expected this.’

Though he had goosebumps on his back, Kim Yeong-seok answered with an indifferent expression.

“Yes. We didn’t have enough time, so it’s difficult to get more than this.”

“Not enough time, you say.”

Before he could finish his words, Cheon Sa-yeon raised one corner of his mouth and laughed. The atmosphere inside the conference room became cold, like a splash of cold water.

“Three days ago… I heard rumours that the IMS Guild’s research team took the monster corpses to make items.”

“Pardon? W-we didn’t…”

Kim Yeong-seok was greatly embarrassed and broke into a cold sweat. He couldn’t even guess how Cheon Sa-yeon knew information that only the guild’s leaders, including himself, knew.

‘Shit, what the fuck! Who snitched? Was it someone from the research team?’

Kim Yeong-seok clenched his teeth as he recalled the face of the research team’s leader, who smiled nastily as he reassured him that no one would know that he provided the monster corpse to them. Calm down. There was still a sticky situation to get out of.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Master Cheon Sa-yeon. Isn’t that kind of rumour going around all the time? There’ll be trouble if you’re just saying this based on a rumour.”

As Kim Yeong-seok spoke angrily, Cheon Sa-yeon muttered in a dull voice, “Really doesn’t deviate even an inch…”

He tapped the centre of the watch on his wrist. Everyone’s attention focused on the documents fluttering in the air.

Cheon Sa-yeon, looking bored as he placed his chin on his hand, turned the first page of the document.

“Master Kim Yeong-seok, you’re right. You really can’t accuse someone based on only rumours.”

Fwip.

“So I looked into it. I wanted to know if the materials really were being stolen and consumed before they were registered.”

“W-what does that…!”

“Tentacle cells. Tentacle fluid. Monster skin. Monster blood. The part of the sword that was lodged in its internal organs. You’ve consumed quite the variety. Would you like for me to continue reading?”

Kim Yeong-seok’s face turned pale, sweat pouring down like rain. Listening to Cheon Sa-yeon’s words, Choi Mi-jin frowned, and Hong Si-ah and Lee Joo-ha sighed.

“Please wait! This is, you know…”

“The research has been dragging on for over a week on a gate that wasn’t even all that large, so I also prepared in advance. It was rather disappointing to find that it was only petty theft though.”

At the harsh criticism, Kim Yeong-seok shouted, with his neck and face dyed red, “Petty theft! Now you see here, Master Cheon Sa-yeon!”

“There was nothing on the monster’s debuff ability or regeneration ability, nor was there analysis on the difference between those who were trapped in the eggs and those who weren’t. I understand. You must’ve been too busy stealing the monster parts.”

As Cheon Sa-yeon pointed out each unpleasant truth with a soft voice, Kim Yeong-seok could only take a step back, unable to make an excuse.

Cheon Sa-yeon smiled at Kim Yeong-seok, who was shivering like a cornered rat. However, though his mouth was curved into a smile, contempt and ridicule were apparent in his eyes as he stared straight at him.

“It’s amazing that despite the many victims from the incident, you would do such a thing, Master Kim Yeong-seok. Wouldn’t it have been nice if you did it right the first time so you wouldn’t have been caught? Then there wouldn’t have been a situation like this.”

“Let’s stop there, Master Cheon Sa-yeon.” Choi Mi-jin interrupted in a tired voice. With a furrow in her brow, she hurriedly started to clear up the mess. “Master Cheon Sa-yeon. First, give me the data, and Master Kim Yeong-seok, please talk to me separately. Today’s meeting ends here.”

“Yeah~ thank you, thank you.”

“Thank you for your hard work.”

As soon as Choi Mi-jin finished talking, Hong Si-ah and Lee Joo-ha got up from their seats without hesitation. Kim Yeong-seok, who was suspected of committing an illegal act, was called over by Choi Mi-jin and apprehended by an employee.

Stepping out into the hallway with Lee Joo-ha, Hong Si-ah pressed the elevator button and sighed. “Ugh, I’m so exhausted.”

Lee Joo-ha nodded with a tired look on her face. “Master Kim Yeong-seok did something stupid, but Master Cheon Sa-yeon was no joke either. I know he isn’t usually interested in things like this.”

“Yeah. He seemed pretty sensitive today.”

“His scumminess isn’t a surprise, but it did seem a bit more obvious today*.”

After thinking for a while, Lee Joo-ha rolled her eyes about in thought as she said, “Come to think of it, when we ran into each other a few days ago, he seemed to be in a bad mood. He didn’t even smile… I wonder why.”

“Isn’t it because of the Gureopdo Island Gate? When he was listing everything Master Kim Yeong-seok committed, he was looking straight at him. Why, that A-rank mercenary. Was it Ability User Han Yi-gyeol? He worked really hard to kill the monster, but Kim Yeong-seok was trying to reap the benefits without even a word of thanks.”

“Could it be that…?”

Ability User Han Yi-gyeol. When Lee Joo-ha heard his name, soft brown hair came to mind—the man with a slim body wrapped in bandages, who had a sly personality yet exuded an anxious atmosphere.

“I guess if he got that angry, he must really care about Ability User Han Yi-gyeol. Is that why there’s that rumour going around?”

“Rumour?”

Confirming that no one was around, Hong Si-ah said quietly, “The Requiem Guild’s deputy master position is vacant.”

“Mmh hmm.”

“Reporters were talking about how Ability User Han Yi-gyeol would take that position. Rumours have already spread.”

“Ability User Han Yi-gyeol in the position of Deputy Master?”

If so, that would be huge news.

Hong Si-ah shook her head at the surprised Lee Joo-ha, saying, “It’s still just a rumour, so I’m not sure… But looking at the current situation, I don’t think it’s impossible. Master Cheon Sa-yeon has never liked someone so much before.”

At that, Lee Joo-ha nodded. Actually… he did seem pretty close to Master Cheon Sa-yeon. When Han Yi-gyeol was being treated by the healer, Cheon Sa-yeon stuck close to him and showed no signs of leaving him alone.

“But why does he let him wander around as a mercenary instead of having him join the guild? If he’s really planning on making him the deputy master, it’d be more convenient to bring him in as soon as possible.”

“Um…”

“I’ve been thinking this for a long time, but it’s really hard to understand Master Cheon Sa-yeon. Just what is going on in his head?”

Looking about, Lee Joo-ha, with a vague expression on her face, hinted, “Isn’t it that Ability User Han Yi-gyeol doesn’t want to join?”

“Ehh, why wouldn’t he want to join? I don’t know about other guilds, but it’s Requiem. Anyway, it’s entertaining.”

Lee Joo-ha was silenced by her complicated feelings. From the very beginning to now, Han Yi-gyeol was an incomprehensible opponent.

He was someone who approached the wary Ha Tae-heon and offered up all the help he could give with a brazen smile. It was understandable that Ha Tae-heon’s emotional stability and focus was always shaken when faced with Han Yi-gyeol.

“Master Hong Si-ah.”

Tti-ring, at the same time as they heard the elevator arrive, they heard a voice from behind them. Turning around with puzzled faces, they saw Cheon Sa-yeon standing there.

“Hm?”

“Let’s talk for a second.”

“Talk? With me?”

She had known Cheon Sa-yeon for several years, but this was the first time this had happened, so not just Hong Si-ah, but Lee Joo-ha was also surprised. Looking at the two of them, Cheon Sa-yeon's smile looked as if it was painted on.

“Oh, then… I’ll get going first. Master Cheon Sa-yeon, see you next time.”

“Of course.”

Lee Joo-ha, looking at them hesitatingly, got on the elevator and left. With only the two of them left, Hong Si-ah’s eyes sparkled with interest as she asked Cheon Sa-yeon, “What is it? What did you need that you’d ask so seriously?”

“I have a favour to ask.”

A favour to ask? At Hong Si-ah’s interest, Cheon Sa-yeon’s eyes curved as he smiled at her.

* * *

After meeting Ha Tae-heon, the uncomfortable feelings that tormented me for a week had been sorted out to some extent.

To be honest, I felt proud. Not only was I invited to Ha Tae-heon’s house, which no one had ever been to, but I also had a glass of wine with him. It wasn’t a bad experience.

I probably cleared up the misunderstandings and became closer to Ha Tae-heon. Lying on the sofa with a more relaxed mind, I read the new data that Kim Woo-jin brought.

The mission to clear half of Seoul’s gates, which started two months ago, seemed to be coming to an end. When the remaining half of the gates were also cleared, we’d be able to classify which gates were abnormal and which weren’t.

‘If that’s the case, things’ll be much more stable than they are now.’

Tch, in other words, I only had to work harder than I already have.

Was it worth it? If the gate problem was solved, I’d have more room to learn about Han Yi-gyeol’s past, which I’ve been putting off for a while.

“That’s not bad.”

Closing the data I’d been reading, I shut my eyes. A still silence fell upon the room.

From noon to evening, Kim Woo-jin went to the training room, so it was the only time I had for myself. As I enjoyed the rarely found peace**, someone knocked on the door.