Chapter 56

At the same time, on the top floor of Hotel M in Seoul.

"The message from the chairman is as above. You can hear the details at tomorrow's meeting."

Gwanghyeon handed over the neatly organized documents to Joon and cautiously observed his reaction.

Joon, sitting on the sofa with one leg crossed, wasn't looking this way. However, the fact that he extended his hand, gloved in black leather, indicated that he had been listening.

"Well, then I'll see you tomorrow."

Gwanghyeon quickly gathered his things and left the room. Joon merely nodded slightly but didn't get up.

Click.

After closing the door, Gwanghyeon leaned his forehead against the doorknob.

"Phew…"

He exhaled a long breath, as if he had been holding it for a long time.

Maestro Baek Joon.

His signing an exclusive contract with the Korean Hunter Association was a great honor for the association.

Despite being with the association for less than a month, he had already achieved remarkable results.

However, while Joon was a very valuable asset to the association, Gwanghyeon found him somewhat… no, very uncomfortable. Perhaps even more so than the chairman.

'When I talk to him, goosebumps keep forming on my arms.'

Even if it was just a feeling, according to what he had heard, Joon could turn someone into a slave just by whispering in their ear.

Perhaps that was why Gwanghyeon felt a bit hesitant about making eye contact with Joon.

Meanwhile, about five minutes after Gwanghyeon left, Joon glanced at Catherine.

"Where's David?"

David Moore.

He had been Joon's bodyguard for a long time. Like Catherine, he was American but had entered Korea 14 years ago on Joon's secret orders and had been living there ever since.

In response to Joon's question, Catherine checked her wristwatch and replied sharply.

"He should have just arrived in the lobby. I'll bring him right away."

"There's no need."

Joon got up and picked up his suit jacket. Before Catherine could say anything, he draped the jacket over his shoulder and turned the doorknob.

As he descended to the hotel lobby, he saw David holding a large bouquet of flowers.

"Ah, Hunter Baek."

"It's been a while."

Joon stopped in front of David, who bowed deeply to him.

He had recently started a YouTube channel and was trying to gain subscribers, and his appearance was much cleaner and more model-like than when he was in the U.S.

"It seems you've adapted well to life in Korea."

"Thanks to you."

David replied respectfully. Joon smiled slightly at this and then turned around.

"Let's go."

"Excuse me? Are you coming with us?"

"Yes."

At Joon's answer, Catherine and David exchanged glances.

In the end, they got into the car with Joon and headed to their destination, which was about a 30-minute drive from the hotel.

After parking, they walked up a quiet hillside path. They finally stopped in front of someone's grave.

"Here it is."

David carefully handed the bouquet he was carrying to Joon. Joon hesitated for a moment but then took it and slowly placed it in front of the tombstone.

"……"

The three of them stood silently in front of the tombstone for a while. Finally, Joon spoke first.

"The grave is very clean."

"I did my best as instructed."

When Joon suddenly ordered him to come to Korea, David was very surprised.

It was understandable. After graduating from a prestigious university and being on the verge of a promotion within the management, he was asked to take care of a stranger's grave in Korea.

'I'll offer you a salary of $200,000 a year.'

But he had no choice.

"Have you ever met her?"

After staring at the tombstone for a long time, Joon suddenly asked. David immediately understood who 'her' was.

"No. Not even once. No one else has visited this tombstone in the past 14 years."

"In the past 14 years." Joon looked up at the last words.

"Recently, there were signs that someone had visited the grave."

"Is that so."

Joon only replied briefly, without adding any more words, and turned his gaze back to the tombstone. This time, David looked up.

"Should I not investigate further?"

"No, it's fine."

Joon nodded.

"You don't need to come here anymore."

"Excuse me?"

"You can return to the U.S."

"Did I do something wrong…?"

"No, it's not that."

Joon slowly raised his head and looked up at the sky.

Clouds dyed by the sunset were gradually moving. As if drawn by a breeze from somewhere, he closed his eyes, and a person's face naturally came to mind.

"Now that someone has returned to take care of this tombstone."

And I have returned too. Joon slowly opened his eyes, which he had closed.

"Is that really true? Has that person really returned?"

David approached Joon, excited. Although he had been taking care of the grave for a long time, he still didn't know who the tombstone's owner was or why Joon had ordered him to take care of it.

He had thought about secretly investigating, but he didn't dare to for fear of upsetting Joon. For the past 14 years.

Now, perhaps it was okay to ask. David cautiously observed Joon's reaction and then subtly moved his lips.

"By any chance, who is it? The owner of this tombstone—."

"David."

Catherine, who had been silently standing by, gave him a warning cough. She knew how cautious Joon was about matters related to 'her.'

However, for some reason, today's Joon answered without hesitation.

"Let's see. A person with a strong sense of responsibility?"

Chasing the setting sun beyond the mountains, Joon let out a small laugh.

"No, just a strong person."

David became even more curious. Who was 'her'? Who could make Joon smile so genuinely?

***

Whoosh!

With a sound slicing through the air, Eunha dashed at the creature at lightning speed.

Lv.??? 'Benevolent Enchanter' is startled.

Lv.??? 'Benevolent Enchanter' uses a skill. ▶Song of Temptation