That Face Is the Problem - vanish into fiction

It sounded like comfort at first, but in reality, it was a warning. It meant that if anyone harmed Da-sol, they would not let it slide.

“Yes, I would never do that.”

However, for Jae-gyeong, who had no such intention, it did not matter whether it was a threat or not. He felt reassured that his team members were stepping up to protect Da-sol.

“I really want to apologize, but is that alright…?”

When Jae-gyeong asked, Jin Jeong-eon nodded as if it were obvious. Hee-ro, who was standing beside him with his arms crossed, quietly watched Jae-gyeong for a long time.

Jae-gyeong greeted the two of them and dashed out without even changing out of his combat suit. He was anxious to catch up with Da-sol.

“I hope Seo Da-sol will accept your apology.”

Jin Jeong-eon muttered worriedly as he watched Jae-gyeong’s back. Hee-ro straightened his posture and said,

“I think Da-sol will like him.”

“Really? I think he’ll be fine as long as he doesn’t hit him.”

Jin Jeong-eon looked puzzled, but Hee-ro answered firmly,

“No, I can feel it. Da-sol is weak against that kind of person.”

“That kind of person…?”

“Weak and kind?”

Hee-ro smiled before giving Jin Jeong-eon a quick peck on the lips.

***

Jae-gyeong first went up to the first floor. He looked around the spacious lobby to see if Da-sol was there, then went outside to check the streets. However, there was no sign of Da-sol.

Did he miss him? Probably. He must have left in anger.

Feeling depressed, Jae-gyeong returned to the guild building. Ye-jin and Ri-na had gone to the cafeteria, and he considered going too, but quickly gave up. With the guilt he felt now, he could not bring himself to eat.

Staring blankly at the floor-by-floor directory on the lobby wall, he noticed that the basement had a gym for physical training.

‘I should do some penance with strength training…’

Strength training was a form of torture, making it the perfect solution for him at that moment. He could exercise while letting his emotions dissipate.

He went down the stairs to the basement. The gym was very well equipped, even several times larger and better than the one at the JK Guild. Even for a large guild, it seemed that wealth and high rank made a significant difference.

Jae-gyeong hesitated before entering the gym. There were machines he had never seen, and expensive equipment usually limited to one or two in a typical guild were lined up in rows. As he muttered in admiration, he heard the clanging sound of a barbell being dropped in the distance. It sounded incredibly heavy.

His eyes followed the sound, and what he saw was Da-sol, in a white T-shirt with his combat suit top off, lifting the barbell once again.

“Uh…!”

Jae-gyeong was so surprised that he called out without thinking. Da-sol’s eyes met his through the mirror. Jae-gyeong held his breath like a fool.

However, Da-sol did not seem very surprised. He lifted the barbell, loaded with multiple large plates, and lowered it quietly. Jae-gyeong saw him remove his workout gloves. Da-sol must have realized he came in, so he was probably about to stop exercising and leave.

“Uh, um…!”

Jae-gyeong ran quickly toward Da-sol. He noticed hair clinging to his sweat-dampened skin. Da-sol looked striking, the moisture in his hair making his features stand out even more.

“Um, I… Da-sol, I am really sorry about earlier.”

“Ah, really.”

“I didn’t mean to… it was just a physiological reaction… you healed so well that…”

“Ah, really.”

Surprisingly, Da-sol responded each time, even if his tone was flat. Encouraged, Jae-gyeong bent his waist to a ninety-degree angle.

“I know it must have been unpleasant. I truly, sincerely apologize. I am very sorry…”

This time, Da-sol did not answer.

Of course, his anger would not be soothed so easily. Understandable. If it were him and someone had seen him use his ‘Angel’s Judgment’ skill, admired his wings, and gotten aroused, he would feel disgusted. Jae-gyeong felt tears pricking his eyes at his own pathetic self.

He thought that kneeling might show his sincerity. Acting on that thought, Jae-gyeong quickly knelt, pressing his forehead to the ground.

“I am truly sorry!!”

“Enough.”

Da-sol and Jae-gyeong’s voices overlapped by pure coincidence. Jae-gyeong, still bent over, could not see Da-sol’s expression, and anyone would have been startled to see someone suddenly kneel and press their forehead to the floor.

At that moment, the voice of another hunter who seemed to have come to work out came from above.

“Seo Da-sol, what are you doing? Are you seriously picking on a rookie hunter?”