CHAPTER 204: INFERIORITY COMPLEX

"I LOOK forward to working with you, Miss Chu."

"Likewise, President Kwon," Wonhee said, accepting President Kwon Jiwoong’s handshake. But she pulled away as soon as it was appropriate to do so. And then she quickly moved on to her next agenda. "About Lee Seojin..."

"Lee Seojin should still register as a Hunter first before leaving APA," President Kwon said cheerfully. "He will be free to go after that."

She was relieved to hear that, however...

"Is APA going to drop the case?"

"Let’s just say that Lee Seojin fought with his older brother. It’s normal between siblings anyway," President Kwon said casually. "It’s just unfortunate that Lee Seojin had just awakened. Hence, he wasn’t able to control his power. Let’s just leave it at that, Miss Chu."

She couldn’t refute because, no matter the reason, it wouldn’t change the fact that Lee Seojin attacked Lee Seodam.

But, at least, APA wouldn’t lock up Lee Seojin, anyway.

[And President Kwon has already lost interest in recruiting Seojin as Seodam-ssi’s replacement.]

It was a good choice to involve APA in her project instead of excluding them.

"Thank you, President Kwon," Wonhee said, smiling. "Can I go and see Lee Seojin now?"

***

"TSK."

Lee Seojin was a bit surprised when Hunter Kunwoo suddenly clicked his tongue while busy on his phone.

"You’re lucky, Lee Seojin."

"Huh?"

"Your savior really came and saved you."

Seojin felt so sorry and relieved at the same time.

[Wonhee Noona...]

"You’re not secretly in love with your hyung’s ex-girlfriend, are you?"

Seojin made a disgusted face— not because of the idea of falling in love with Wonhee was disgusting, but because this weirdo was tainting his pure friendship with his noona. "Wonhee Noona is my family. If I was in love with her, I would have already stolen him from my hyung a long time ago."

Because Seojin had always known that Wonhee was too good for Lee Seodam.

"I see," Kunwoo said, laughing as if he found things funny. "You think you’re better than Lee Seodam?"

"Don’t put words into my mouth, sir."

"But have you considered the fact that Lee Seodam might be feeling inferior towards you?"

Seojin scoffed at the old Hunter’s poor attempt at provoking him. "I don’t like how Hyung treated Wonhee Noona when they were dating. But that’s it. I respect Hyung as a person, as a brother, as a Hunter, and as the breadwinner of our family. He may not be a good boyfriend to Wonhee Noona, but that doesn’t change the fact that he’s good to us. Hyung could have run away and abandoned our family when he had the chance to do so, but he didn’t."

"Aww. How touching."

"You don’t have to be sarcastic, sir. Just say you didn’t grow up with decent family members."

Hunter Kunwoo burst out laughing. "You’re a funny guy, Lee Seodam. No wonder your hyung doesn’t like you."

Seojin knitted his eyebrows and was about to demand for an explanation, but they heard a knock. He immediately forgot everything because he could instinctively tell who was on the other side of the door. "Noona!"

***

"YOU’RE PRETTIER in person, Miss Chu. I’m a huge fan~"

Oh.

Wonhee was a bit startled by the cheerful greeting of the person who opened the door.

President Kwon couldn’t come with them because he received a sudden call from the country’s president.

But it didn’t matter since Wonhee and Yejun both knew their ways in the Blue House.

"Stop flirting with Wonhee, old man," Yejun said coldly. "And get out of our way, Kunwoo."

Owen wasn’t surprised because she already knew who the older Hunter was anyway.

[He’s an S-Class APA Hunter, and he’s the one in charge of keeping the Big 4 in check. Soobin Oppa and Semi Unnie hate him, though.]

"I’m just here to greet the first S-Class Guide in the world," Kunwoo said, and then he glanced at Wonhee again. "Hello, Miss Chu. I’m Kunwoo."

Wonhee smiled and bowed politely. "I’m Chu Wonhee, sir. It’s an honor to meet you."

"You don’t have to bow, Wonhee-ya."

"Yejun-ah, you outrank Hunter Kunwoo-ssi because you’re a member of the Big 4 and you awakened before him," Wonhee lightly scolded Yejun when she raised her head. "But to me, Hunter Kunwoo-ssi is an esteemed sunbae-nim. Moreover, he is Soobin Oppa’s colleague. I can’t be rude to that kind of person, can I?"

Yejun didn’t say anything, but he obviously sulked.

"The rumors I’ve heard about you are really true, Miss Chu," Kunwoo said, still smiling. "You’re really a pushover— I mean, a kind person."

Pfft.

It was obvious that Kunwoo meant to say ’pushover’ before he caught himself.

Even Yejun, despite his sulking, noticed it and immediately got annoyed on her behalf.

But Wonhee held Yejun’s hand and spoke to stop Yejun from picking a fight with Kunwoo. "Thank you for saying that, Hunter Kunwoo-ssi. I’ve also heard things about you."

Kunwoo chuckled. "If you heard them from Hwang Yejun or your older siblings, then they can’t be good."

Wonhee smiled sweetly. "I heard Hunter Kunwoo-ssi has a rotten— I mean, a complex personality. And I can see that."

It made Yejun laugh while looking at Wonhee with a proud look on his face.

[Yejun is probably enjoying the fact that I’m acting like a villainess again.]

"I guess you all roses have thorns, indeed," Kunwoo said, laughing. "See you around, Miss Chu."

Wonhee smiled and nodded politely. "Take care, Hunter Kunwoo-ssi."

And, just like that, the sketchy APA Hunter finally left.

"Noona!"

Wonhee smiled when she saw Lee Seojin running towards her like a puppy. "Jin-ah, are you alright? They didn’t say or do anything weird to you, did they?"

"That old Hunter said a lot of weird things to make me confess that I hurt Hyung on purpose. But, other than that, I’m fine," Lee Seojin assured her. "Noona, thank you for coming to save me. And I’m sorry for calling you. I just knew you could help me because of your status. In a way, I used you because of your connections. I’m sorry about that."

"You don’t have to say ’sorry’ for that, Jin-ah. I’m glad that you asked for my help."

"Thank you for saying that, Noona."

Wonhee smiled and shuffled Seojin’s hair. "You’re welcome, Jin-ah."

"Noona, I know this is awkward to ask, but do you know if my Hyung is alright?"

"I heard from President Kwon that Seodam-ssi is resting in one of the guest rooms here with Ruda-ssi," Wonhee said. "You can visit your brother later."

"Later?"

"You need to register first as a Hunter."

"Oh..."

Wonhee smiled when she noticed that Lee Seojin looked scared. "Don’t worry, Jin-ah. Do you know Hunter Lee Cheongsan?"

Seojin nodded eagerly. "Hunter Lee Cheongsan is an A-Class Hunter."

"Right. He’s also my brother’s chief secretary," she said, patting Seojin’s arm. "Cheongsan Oppa will assist you."

"Noona, does it mean Vice President Yeon will take me under his wing?"

"For now, yes."

Seojin suddenly looked disappointed. "It’s only temporary?"

Wonhee laughed softly at Seojin’s reaction. "Yes, because I want to recruit you later. But if you want to stay under my brother’s wing, then—"

"No, I want to be with Noona!"

"Crazy kid," Yejun said coldly while glaring at Lee Seojin. "You look so much like your hyung so it irritates me when you say stuff like that to Wonhee. Know your place before I put you there."

"I-I don’t mean it that way, Hunter Hwang Frost-ssi," Seojin said, hiding behind Wonhee. "Noona, you’re going to recruit me as your bodyguard? I’d love that."

"I’ll tell you about the job later, Jin-ah," Wonhee said, patting Seojin’s head. "Let’s get you registered as a Hunter first."

"Okay, Noona."

"Oh, right. Can I ask you something personal, Jin-ah?"

"Of course, Noona."

"What happened?" Wonhee asked carefully. "Did you lose control of your power and accidentally hit Seodam-ssi? Did you have a fight with your hyung?"

"Noona..."

"Yes?"

"Hyung hit me several times."

"What?" Wonhee asked in disbelief. "Seodam-ssi hit you? But he never laid a hand on you before..."

"That’s why I’m also in shock, Noona," Seojin said, sighing. And then he paused for a moment before he added something in an awkward voice. "And, to be honest, I don’t remember attacking Hyung. I do remember my skill got activated to protect me, but I don’t recall how Hyung ended up hurt because of me. Maybe I blacked out after using my skill for the first time?"

Hmm?

"Nah, that can’t be," Yejun said while shaking his head. "But, then again, your awakening is special, so..."

Wonhee nudged Yejun before he accidentally said something he shouldn’t. "Jin-ah, let’s meet Cheongsan Oppa first."

***

"I ALLOWED you to go home to receive Advanced Treatment from Park Ruda before we confine you again."

Lee Seodam could only lower his head while Vice President Yeon Soobin was giving him a lecture.

He woke up already patched up in one of the guest rooms in the Blue House.

Park Ruda was there with him, but his Guide stepped out when the Vice President arrived.

"Had I known you’d have a fight with your younger brother, then I would have just summoned Park Ruda to my office instead of sending you home," Vice President Yeon said. "How are you feeling now, Hunter Lee Seodam?"

Seodam raised his head and answered politely. "I’m feeling better now, sir."

"Good. You need to be confined again," the Vice President said. "We already contacted your family. Your mother and sister will be here soon. I’ll give you time to say goodbye to them since we don’t know how long you need to be observed."

Oh, right.

His mother and older sister weren’t home when his fight with Lee Seojin happened.

"Sir, may I know what happened to my brother?" Seodam asked worriedly. "Is he alright?"

He was worried that President Kwon Jiwoong might punish Lee Seojin.

"Lee Seojin will be fine."

"Really, sir?"

"Hee-ya..." Vice President Yeon said, and then he trailed off and corrected himself. "My sister, Chu Wonhee, came here to stop President Kwon from punishing Lee Seojin."

Oh.

"Miss Chu did that?"

"Don’t misunderstand— she didn’t do it for you," Vice President Yeon said sternly. "Chu Wonhee saved Lee Seojin because she wants to recruit your brother. I can’t tell you the details yet, but your dongsaeng’s future as a Hunter is bright."

That was supposed to be good news.

[And I’ve always known that Wonhee is fond of my brother, so I’m not surprised that she’s taking care of him even now.]

Seodam wanted to be happy for Lee Seojin.

He really did.

But...

[Why can’t I be happy for my younger brother?]

Seodam felt like Lee Seojin was stealing everything he had away from him.

***

Please ADD MY LIFE AS THE FIRST S-CLASS GUIDE to your LIBRARY to be notified when an update is posted. Thank you! :