“Well, someone keeps being sarcastic, so I don’t feel like going around together.”

“Heh, our Sungjeon’s young master can’t just be taken by anyone. It has to be someone with the trust of most guild members, right? Like a founding member of the guild, for example.”

This middle-aged man, sarcastically sneering, was Kang Yi-hyun’s former partner, Min Jae-won. A proud A-rank hunter of South Korea and an inquisitor by profession, he was the one who desperately searched for Kang Yi-hyun in the 2nd-grade gate.

Being an initial member of Sungjeon, his words implied…

‘How dare you try to take Kang Yi-hyun from me? No matter how you manipulated him, I will not acknowledge a bone like you that rolled in!’

It was a sophisticated way of saying he couldn’t accept Lud as Kang Yi-hyun’s partner. Since Lud became Kang Yi-hyun’s partner, the antagonism had been ongoing.

Lud touched his forehead and grimaced.

‘I didn’t consider Kang Yi-hyun to be Sungjeon’s top idol…’

[Nothing provokes human emotions more than seeing someone they like with someone they don’t like, the Lord of Chaos sticks out his tongue.]

Although Narie had a history that made him unpopular, it was still disconcerting to face such openly malicious behavior in a public space.

“An evil illusionist like you trying to take our young master? Absolutely not.”

“…….”

“Evil types are all bad. Our young master is so virtuous, chosen by the four archangels. What if his holy power fades because of you…”

‘If his holy power is that fragile, he wouldn’t even make it as an A-rank. Now that I think about it, I’ve heard something like this before.’

[You’re the one I trusted and married into this place! How can you do this to me?! the Lord of Chaos explodes.]

‘Right. This is like being dragged into a family feud after getting married to a guild…!’

Realizing Min Jae-won’s scolding was similar to in-law trouble, Narie ground his teeth.

Life sure wasn’t easy!

With the tray of drinks in hand, Lud heaved a deep sigh.

“Ah…”

‘I really didn’t expect this even in the lobby. I thought it would just be subtle hints in the lounge or corridor.’
Realizing that dealing with people who justify their aggressive behavior with their own sense of justice was a headache, Lud bowed his head and pressed his temples.

‘He was responsible for Kang Yi-hyun’s childhood, right…’

Kang Yi-hyun had told him that since his parents were always busy during his childhood, Min Jae-won taught him a lot in their place.

[He became partners with that guy and learned how to utilize his skills from 1 to 100, nods the Lord of Chaos.]

‘Almost like a stepfather.’

Naturally, Sebastian, who was responsible for the young master’s childhood and assisted him as a partner in the guild, would dislike a new partner who came to replace him.

But that didn’t mean Narie had to accept that anger. After all, if the in-laws are not good, it’s advised to reconsider marriage. Observing Min Jae-won’s gaze, Lud scratched the back of his neck and said,

“So what?”

Narie had always responded with silence and non-reaction to various talks surrounding him. But he wasn’t patient enough to ignore a fight that was thrown right in front of him, especially in front of others.

“What about it? That your head decided that I am good for Kang Yi-hyun, pestering me around. Shouldn’t you be telling this to Kang Yi-hyun? Well, it wouldn’t work to tell your twenty-year-old master to avoid me because of my bad traits.”

Lud spat out the words sarcastically and looked at Min Jae-won. His polite speech slowly turned into informal speech, a sign of his growing irritation.

“That is…!”

“You know, in dramas, they usually offer some money to say, ‘Take this and leave my son alone.’ But you don’t even have that? Really poor cost-effectiveness.”

“How dare you say such things…! He is incomparable to the likes of you, possessing the key to the Sephiroth…!”

“Really can’t get it through your head, huh. Hey.”

Sighing, Lud approached Min Jae-won. Just that act alone made the surrounding holy power disappear. A being of absolute evil that even the ancestors would shun.

Despite Lud being shorter, Min Jae-won felt as if Lud’s shadow was engulfing him.

“You’ve been partners with Kang Yi-hyun for a long time, right? You tried to stop him from self-harming, from diminishing himself, but couldn’t control him, right? Why do you think that is?”

Red hellfire seemed to flicker in his black eyes. Min Jae-won, feeling as if a giant demon stood before him, held his breath in terror.

After a long silence, Lud slowly opened his mouth.

“Get a grip. You’re not cut out to handle him.”

“That is…”

“Ah, seriously. Openly harassing me in front of everyone. Is this the first or second time?!”

Finally, Lud’s shout echoed in the lobby. The employees who were watching their confrontation froze. After a long stare, Lud grimaced and turned away.

“Enough already, before I report you for workplace harassment. There’s a limit to being patient.”

Min Jae-won’s mouth only dropped open after Lud had walked away, barely maintaining a formal tone. As the holy power timidly filled the hallway again, Min Jae-won finally managed to breathe.

Far away, as Lud walked off, Min Jae-won shouted.

“What are you planning with the young master! He mustn’t be near evil! Never!”

Lud raised his middle finger high without looking back and walked away effortlessly. Min Jae-won shouted in frustration.

“Young Master Yi-hyun must always be virtuous! He will lead Sungjeon far better than his parents! To prove it! He can’t be with someone evil like you!”

“…What?”

Lud stopped and reacted only after Min Jae-won’s last comment.