Regression Guidelines For the Supporting Character-Chapter 42

It wasn't that there was anything wrong with being protected. Knowing when to step forward and when to hold back was basic for a Hunter participating in battle.

But that no longer applied to me.

"Eun Woojeong."

I raised the corner of my mouth in a faint smile and grabbed Eun Woojeong by the collar with the hand opposite to the one he was holding.

I yanked him toward me. His face was pulled in an instant, and his eyes widened slightly in surprise.

"It seems you’re the one who doesn’t know your place, Eun Woojeong."

"What?"

"No matter if I'm B-rank, I’m here because I received an official cooperation offer from the Yesung Guildmaster. And you? You’re just a non-Awakener who came here to play, aren’t you?"

"......."

"I’m the representative of a guild. I’m cooperating with the Yesung Guildmaster as an equal. I’m not in any position to be lectured by a tourist like you."

Taking advantage of his momentary weakening grip, I roughly pulled my arm free and let go of his collar.

"Thank you for your concern. Please return safely with the support team."

Since he was still playing the part of a civilian perfectly, he wouldn’t dare grab me again now.

Tch, what a waste of time.

Grumbling inwardly, I sprinted toward where the battle with the monsters was taking place.

As I emerged from the tent area and looked up, I could see the rift had split even wider than before, and swarms of monsters were pouring out of it.

Screeeeech!

A monster resembling a giant eel screamed as it soared through the air.

Viscous liquid splattered from the monster’s body, staining the ground black and sending up white smoke.

It was highly poisonous.

The monsters pouring from the rift came in all shapes and sizes, and many carried dangerous debuffs.

That’s why I had hurried to send Cha Sahyeon away before returning.

It was still early in the fight, so things weren’t too bad yet. But soon, as the monsters poured out endlessly and the Hunters fought in the chaos, the surroundings would collapse, and it would become far more dangerous to move around safely.

Before that happened, I needed to find Kwon Taehyuk, use my skill, and then pull back.

I had other work to do.

"Watch out! Move to the side!"

"Where’s the Guildmaster?"

"Uh, what?"

I rushed up to a nearby Hunter giving frantic orders and asked. He turned to me in shock.

"The Guildmaster? Over there—wait, who are you?"

"Thanks."

"Hey, wait! You can't just run in here!"

Ignoring his panic, I strode in the direction he pointed.

Luckily, it wasn’t long before I spotted a familiar figure through the dust and dirt clouds thrown up by the explosions.

Pushing forward through the haze, I headed straight toward Kwon Taehyuk.

"Guildmaster! Currently, nine monsters have revealed themselves!"

"More are still coming."

"We'll send a signal once the support team is in place. After one hour, we’ll rotate positions. Any injured should immediately report to the support team for treatment and then return."

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"Understood, sir!"

At Kwon Taehyuk’s calm commands, the Hunters moved in perfect sync.

In that short span, several monsters had already been dealt with—blades floating nearby were dripping thickly with monster blood.

'Seriously, what a workaholic.'

He had clearly taken the lead fighting the first monsters pouring out of the rift.

As the head of a major guild, he could have just stood back and given orders.

Taking advantage of a brief moment when the Hunters around him dispersed, I moved closer and reached out to grab his arm.

Tap!

"Ugh...!"

In a blur, Kwon Taehyuk grabbed my wrist and spun around sharply, eyes widening in surprise when he recognized me.

"Hunter Cha Seohu?"

"Ouch, that hurts."

Maybe he hadn't realized it was me. As soon as he saw my face, the pressure on my wrist immediately lessened.

"How did you get here? I told you to evacuate with the support team."

"I sent my sibling and Eun Woojeong safely with the support team, so don't worry."

"That’s not what I meant! Why is a supporter even—wait, what are you doing?"

That endless nagging.

Sorry, but I didn’t have time for a leisurely conversation.

Instead of letting go, I grabbed his wrist with my free hand and grinned sharply.

Meeting Kwon Taehyuk’s confused gaze, I activated my skill.

《Skill: Bond of the Guardian (S-rank) Activated!》

《Primary skill damage increased. (Target: Kwon Taehyuk) (Duration: 4 minutes 59 seconds)》

《Base speed increased. (Target: Kwon Taehyuk) (Duration: 4 minutes 59 seconds)》

《Stabilization effect applied. (Target: Kwon Taehyuk) (Duration: 4 minutes 59 seconds)》

"......!"

Receiving the support, Kwon Taehyuk flinched, his shoulders twitching slightly as his brows knit together. His narrowed eyes turned faintly red.

"I came to give you this."

"Are you insane...?! Don’t you see the monsters pouring out right above us?"

"I see. That’s why I came."

"It’s dangerous. What if a monster the dealers missed attacked you while you were on your way?"

"I trusted the Guildmaster would save me."

"This isn't the time for jokes."

"Exactly. It's not."

Smiling, I released his hand.

"You already know my supporting isn't unlimited, right? You should know better than anyone.

You really think you have time to worry about me when monsters are still flooding out of the rift?"

Kwon Taehyuk opened his mouth to retort but ended up clamping it shut.

"I’ve recharged you as much as I could. Pace yourself. You don't know how long this will drag on."

"...Fine. Now get back immediately."

"I was going to leave anyway. I care about my life, too."

"Wait. I'll assign a guild member to escort you somewhere safe—Hunter Cha Seohu!"

Pretending not to hear his shout, I bolted in the opposite direction.

Assign a guild member? Absolutely not.

It would ruin not only my plans but also put civilians at risk.

Just in case he sent someone after me, I made sure to widen the distance, then slipped into the woods at a moment when no one was looking.

Conveniently, someone’s attack skill hit nearby, raising another thick cloud of dust to cover my escape.

"Haah..."

As I headed toward my real destination, I lifted my gaze.

The crimson sunset had already deepened into a dark blue sky, and the surroundings rapidly darkened.

Night was falling.

I slipped deeper into the forest, unseen, and pulled an item from my inventory.

It was the black mask I had used when tracking down the ‘Spiderweb’ member who had been surveilling the office.

Since I would have to fight countless monsters while blocking the second rift, I chose a mask that didn’t obstruct my vision instead of a cumbersome full-face mask.

After putting on the mask, I waited quietly until full darkness settled in.

Hidden amidst the dense brush, I activated my skill.

"Activate."

Crackle!

At my quiet command, a sharp sensation ripped through my body like an electric shock.

Biting back a groan, I bent over, bracing my hands on my knees, watching as my hands grew larger and stronger.

Ding!

《Hidden Skill: Silverlight’s Blessing (S-rank) [Activated]》

Within seconds, the pain subsided and the system window confirming skill activation appeared.

Panting, I checked my condition.

The black turtleneck I wore was stretchy enough to handle the change, but my pants had pulled up noticeably tighter and higher.

'Getting stronger is great, but this part’s inconvenient.'

I had purposely worn slightly loose clothing in preparation, but even so, it was a tight fit.

Pulling a cap and a denim jacket from my inventory, I finished gearing up and gripped my sword firmly.