Under Creature Chapter 4.1

Yigeom wriggled in bed like a caterpillar before groggily sitting up.

So this is what it means to black out.

This was a first for him, and the unfamiliarity was unsettling.

‘How did I get home?’

“You’re up?”

A familiar voice reached him.

“Did you take me home?”

“No. Someone else did.”

“Someone else? Was it Seo Dohyun?”

“His name’s Seo Dohyun?”

“He took me home, didn’t you two meet up?”

Yigeom sipped the honey water Kang Taeha handed him as he answered. Kang Taeha being at his place wasn’t unusual. They casually went back and forth to each other’s homes and even shared their passcodes.

While it was Yigeom’s apartment, it had also become Kang Taeha’s second home.

“We met, but he didn’t tell me his name.”

“Really? Is he gone?”

“He left shortly after bringing you back.”

“I see.”

That was the extent of his response. His stomach churned with a hangover.

Kang Taeha scolded Yigeom in a chiding tone.

“Who told you to drink so much that you couldn’t even punch in your own passcode?”

“I don’t remember. I just blacked out at some point. More importantly, I want ramen. My stomach hurts.”

Yigeom rubbed his stomach with a haggard face. He wasn’t about to throw up, but this was the first time he’d drunk this much, and thus his first experience with a hangover. He was bewildered and disoriented.

“I made some bean sprout soup. I’ll set the table, so go wash up.”

“Oh, thanks.”

Yigeom dragged himself out of bed and headed towards the bathroom.

Meanwhile, Kang Taeha opened the windows wide to air out the apartment. The smell of alcohol was overpowering.

Knowing how much Yoon Yigeom hated having the windows open in winter, he planned to close them again once Yigeom finished showering.

As he finished setting the table, Yigeom emerged, toweling his wet hair.

“Dry your hair with the hairdryer. You’ll catch a cold.”

“Dry it for me.”

Kang Taeha stared at Yigeom.

He used to do it often when they were younger, but it was something he hadn’t done recently. Yigeom only whined for favors when he was annoyed or frustrated about something outside, or when he felt too drained to lift a finger.

In the end, Kang Taeha dried Yigeom’s hair with the hairdryer, casually asking,

“Anything going on lately?”

“You’ve been asking that a lot recently.”

“Because you seem like something’s up. You’ve been meeting new people I don’t know. Who is this Seo Dohyun guy?”

“Just some guy I ran into.”

“And you’ll see him again?”

Yigeom shifted his eyes.

“Maybe?”

“He doesn’t seem like your type.”

Yigeom burst out laughing at that.

“I think so too.”

Someone who clashed with him on every single point. Someone whose entire personality was the opposite of his.

Perhaps that’s why he felt strangely comfortable around him.

Since they were polar opposites, there was no need to get angry over disagreements, and if they fought or things didn’t go well, they just accepted it as par for the course because they weren’t meant to get along in the first place.

Since his expectations were low from the start, some aspects of their relationship felt easy.

“Was that Cha Jewoo student you saw before also someone you met for the same reason as Seo Dohyun?”

“Yeah. But Jewoo is nice.”

As he unplugged the hairdryer, Kang Taeha muttered,

“You can’t just arbitrarily form relationships based on whether someone’s ‘nice’ or ‘not nice’.”

“Are you done?”

“Yeah. Let’s eat.”

Kang Taeha ruffled Yigeom’s hair as if fluffing it dry.

“What are you doing today?”

Yigeom answered as he picked up his spoon.

“Staying home.”

There was nothing to do outside, and he didn’t want to freeze to death.

“Let’s go buy some clothes.”

“Clothes?”

“I saw earlier that your clothes are pretty worn out. Aren’t those the clothes you bought recently?”

“Ah….”

Yigeom recalled the clothes he was wearing. The clothes he wore while hunting CAs always ended up tattered and torn before long.

At this point, it wouldn’t be bad to buy a separate set of clothes specifically for CA hunting. He’d earned plenty of money selling creatures, so he might as well go buy a few new outfits.

“Then let’s go after we eat.”

After finishing their meal, they headed straight to the department store. As Yigeom fastened his seatbelt in the passenger seat, he casually brought up a topic.

“How’s the stock market treating you these days?”

“Why, curious?”

“Of course. I keep asking you to tell me which stocks to buy.”

After graduating high school, Kang Taeha had bought a fancy car, claiming he’d made a killing in the stock market. He seemed to have continued investing since then; the apartment he currently lived in alone wasn’t bought with his parents’ money but his own. Yigeom constantly pestered him for stock tips, but Kang Taeha had never given him any. It had even gotten to the point where Yigeom wondered if he was really investing at all.

“What if you lose money after I tell you which stocks to buy?”

“I wouldn’t blame you.”

“I would feel bad though.”

“You just don’t want to tell me.”

They chatted about this and that, and before they knew it, they arrived at the department store. Time seemed to fly when he was with Kang Taeha; perhaps because it was comfortable and familiar.

“Gyeom-ah, how about this?”

Kang Taeha called out to Yigeom, who was browsing through clothes in the store. He was holding a brown turtleneck sweater.

“I don’t like sweaters because they wear out quickly, and I especially dislike high necks.”

“Then what do you like?”

“Just, you know, basic hoodies or sweatshirts.”

Kang Taeha returned the sweater to its place with a slightly disappointed air. Seeing this, Yigeom picked up another knit item and said,

“This would look good on you. I’ll buy it for you. Pick one.”

“You’ll buy it for me?”

“Why? Can’t I buy you something?”

Yigeom retorted curtly. He wondered if he had really been that stingy to warrant such a reaction. Come to think of it, he often bought things for Kang Taeha whenever they were out and about and he saw something that he thought would suit him.

“No, it’s just… I like the thought.”

Kang Taeha murmured with a gentle smile.

As they continued shopping, a familiar voice called out.

“Isn’t that Gyeom-hyung?”

“Who… Oh, it really is! Oppa! Yoon Yigeom over there!”

Doa waved enthusiastically, calling out to Yigeom.

“…Cha Jewoo? Seo Doa?”

Yigeom turned his head to confirm the two figures approaching him.

“What are you two doing here?”

“What are you doing here, Oppa?”

“I’m shopping with my friend. My friend, Kang Taeha.”

Yigeom pulled Kang Taeha over to introduce him.

“We met before. Hello. Please, speak comfortably.”

Jewoo bowed politely at the waist.

“You’ve met Jewoo before, right? And next to him is Seo Doa, the younger sister of Seo Dohyun, who came yesterday.”

“Ah, they look alike.”

“Right? They’re like two peas in a pod.”

Overhearing Yigeom and Taeha’s conversation, Doa grumbled.

“Why are you gossiping about someone right in front of them?”

“We’re complimenting you.”

“Do you really think that was a compliment?”

“…So, why are you here?”

Yigeom quickly changed the subject.

“Sanha-hyung is returning to his unit the day after tomorrow. We came to buy him a gift in advance.”

“Ah, it’s the day after tomorrow?”

“You didn’t know?”

“No. I just heard it was in a few days, but I didn’t know the exact date.”

Doa brightened up and suggested,

“Then let’s shop together!”

“Sorry, I’m going to shop separately. I came with a friend.”

“You can come with your friend! Would it be uncomfortable since you’ve just met?”

Doa rolled her eyes and looked at Taeha. He politely declined with a small, subtle curve of his lips.

“It wouldn’t be uncomfortable, but it might be awkward.”

‘Awkward’ means uncomfortable, doesn’t it? He could’ve just said he didn’t want to. He’s rejecting me in such a refined way.

Doa suppressed the simmering thoughts and replied with a pretty smile.

“Oh well! It can’t be helped. We’ll just shop on our own. Let’s go, Cha Jewoo.”

“Hmm, I want to avoid getting him the same thing. Gyeom-hyung, let us know what you decide to buy.”

“Okay. See you tomorrow.”

“Yes! See you tomorrow!”

After Doa and Jewoo left, Taeha nudged Yigeom’s shoulder.

“I’ve never seen that girl before. And the person returning to their unit, either. More people I don’t know.”

“I just introduced them. I’ll introduce you to the hyung going to the military soon. He’s a really nice guy, so I think you’ll get along well.”

Yigeom murmured, thinking of Namgoong Sanha. If someone asked him to pick the kindest person in Latter, he would choose Namgoong Sanha without hesitation.

In terms of appearance, Jewoo looked kind with his small build and puppy-like face, but he had a somewhat reckless streak. Conversely, Sanha, with his burly physique, was timid, considerate of others, and kind to everyone.

“And there’s nothing else you’re hiding from me?”

“Hiding?”

Yigeom hesitated for a moment. Jooseungtae suddenly came to mind.

“…Are you in contact with Jooseungtae these days?”

“I don’t initiate contact, but why?”

He answered Yigeom’s cautious question.

“Just… let me know if he contacts you.”

“Why? Did you two fight?”

“Not exactly.”

It’s something bigger than that.

Yigeom looked up at Kang Taeha.

‘A friend who’s only worth your sadness when they’re gone means they were only ever worth that much, right?’

Is that really true?

What if it hadn’t been Jooseungtae, but Kang Taeha who was the Blood Hunter and had deceived and kidnapped him? If that were the case, Yigeom wouldn’t be leisurely shopping right now.

‘A friend who’ll go to hell with you.’

If it were Kang Taeha…. Well, maybe he would.

Yigeom asked in an anxious tone,

“What if… I deceived you. Deceived you and put you in danger. And your friends were also put in danger. What would you do?”

“Yoon Yigeom, something’s going on.”

“Answer me. What would you do? Would you forgive me?”

Kang Taeha hesitated before answering,

“I would forgive you.”

There must have been a reason.

🦅࿐

Today, Yigeom visited the Association for the first time in a while.

As usual, after class, he got a ride from Seo Dohyun to the office, but Seo Dohyun briefly detoured to the Association.

He said he had something to discuss with Mr. Bae Sangwoo whom he had met last time, so Yigeom was waiting for him at the Association’s in-house cafe.

“Hello. We meet again.”

Yigeom looked up at the greeting to see Noh Jeonggyu, whom he had briefly met during the test, smiling amiably.

“Yes, hello.”

“Do you remember me?”

“Yes. You were Yeho’s…”

He was a prospective Yeho recruit. He must be a member of Yeho now.

“Oh! You remember. I thought you wouldn’t.”

“…Me?”

Yigeom’s mood dampened. Was he implying that his memory was bad?

“No, no. I’m just really grateful that you remember me.”

“It’s nothing to be grateful for.”

“Why? Mr. Yigeom, you’re a celebrity.”

At first, he was known as the newbie who joined Latter, a guild he wouldn’t have joined even if offered a truckload of money. Later, during the Association attack, despite having just finished the test, he made a significant contribution to defeating the mutant creature.

After that, he won a sparring match against Yeho’s 2nd team, and recently, there were even rumors that he had fought and won against a Blood Hunter, causing quite a stir within the Association.

“With such a brilliant track record, how could you not be famous?”

“…Those kinds of things become rumors too?”

“This field is so small. There are no secrets. Everyone knows everyone else through someone they know.”

Noh Jeonggyu, who had been explaining kindly with a smile, scratched his head awkwardly.

“Did I sound like a know-it-all again?”

“Huh?”

“If I had known you were such an amazing person, Mr. Yigeom, I wouldn’t have said those things during the test. I was worried I might have come across as arrogant and presumptuous. I felt embarrassed every time I heard rumors about you, Mr. Yigeom, remembering that incident. It’s kind of a dark past for me.”

“Not at all. Your advice during the test was helpful. I’m still grateful for it.”

He smiled sheepishly and sat down across from Yigeom.

“I’m so relieved to hear you say that. Oh, do you mind if I join you?”

‘You’re already sitting down.’

“Sure. You’re already sitting.”

“Since we’ve met again like this, let’s be friends.”

He said everyone knows everyone in this field.

Noh Jeonggyu held out his phone.

“Can I get your number? It wouldn’t be bad to stay in touch. We’re technically colleagues, test-taking colleagues, after all.”

“I guess so.”

Yigeom readily entered his number.

“Oh, right. Mr. Yigeom, have you heard the rumor?”

“You really like rumors, don’t you, Mr. Noh Jeonggyu?”

“Oh, you remembered my name too.”

“…Yes.”

Noh Jeonggyu looked around and then cupped a hand over his mouth as if to tell Yigeom a secret, whispering softly,

“I heard this from a Yeho senior…”

“Yes.”

“After the Association attack, the Association kind of swept it under the rug…”

“That’s true.”

It was a fact that the Association’s response had been inadequate. They hadn’t conducted a proper investigation of the incident and had simply concluded the matter by repairing the damaged building.

“I heard someone broke into the blood storage room back then.”

“…Why there?”

Regular Hunters underwent monthly blood tests at the Association or their guilds. It was a precautionary measure to catch Blood Hunters.

“And they deleted the entire database that had been kept until then.”

“Deleted?”

“Yes. They say the reason the Association is now actively encouraging blood tests is to gather data again.”

“…But why is that a secret?”

Wouldn’t it be better to be honest and re-examine the blood of all Hunters? Why keep it a secret?

“It’s something everyone knows but keeps quiet about. They’re trying to resolve it quietly. Imagine if there’s a Blood Hunter hiding among us.”

Lately, the topic of Blood Hunters seemed to come up a lot, and every time it did, a certain person kept flashing through Yigeom’s mind, driving him crazy.

‘Jooseungtae.’

Did he become a Blood Hunter without even registering as a Hunter? How?

As Yigeom’s mind raced with these thoughts, Noh Jeonggyu spoke casually.

“And it could be me.”

“….”

He had spoken in a spooky tone jokingly, but seeing Yigeom’s unfavorable reaction, he exclaimed with a bright smile,

“Or it could be you, Mr. Yigeom!”

“Ah, yes.”

Just then, Seo Dohyun approached.

“Yoon Yigeom.”

“Oh, are you done talking?”

“Yeah. Who’s this?”

“Mr. Noh Jeonggyu. He took the test with me.”

Dohyun gave Noh Jeonggyu a once-over.

“Hello! I’m Noh Jeonggyu from Yeho.”

“Ah, Yeho.”

“Yes! I was just chatting with Mr. Yigeom. If you’re in a hurry, I can leave.”

Dohyun’s lips curled into a smirk.

“You make it sound like you had a prior engagement with Gyeom.”

“Hey, let’s just go.”

“Well, isn’t it true? You were originally waiting for me, and now that I’m here, you’re acting like you’re doing me a favor by offering to leave.”

Yigeom grabbed Dohyun’s arm. He seemed determined to pick a fight with Yeho whenever he saw them.

“I… I apologize if it sounded that way. Then I’ll excuse myself. Mr. Yigeom, I’ll contact you later.”

Noh Jeonggyu left hurriedly, dropping a bombshell on Yigeom as he went.

“Contact? You exchanged numbers with him?”

“Why are you making such a big deal out of it?”

Yigeom pushed Dohyun forward, urging him to leave since they were finished.

“Don’t get close to Yeho.”

“Are other guilds okay?”

“Do you think they’re okay? They’re all suspicious. I’m sure some of them are in cahoots with the Blood Hunters.”

Yeah, yeah. Whatever.

🦅࿐

“To Namgoong Sanha’s!!”

“Return to his unit!”

“Sincerely.”

“….”

When the chant faltered, Jewoo urged Dohyun,

“What are you doing, Dohyun-hyung? It’s your turn. Congratulations!”

“Oh, is it my turn? Congratulations.”

Finally, the cake was presented to Sanha, and he blew out the candles.

Even as Yigeom popped the confetti popper, he couldn’t shake the feeling that this was wrong. Congratulating someone on returning to their unit? Instead of comforting him.

Putting aside Seo Dohyun, who seemed oblivious, Doa and Jewoo were probably maintaining their cheerful spirits because military service was a distant concept to them.

Since Hunters are exempt from military service, I guess I’m exempt too.

“Thank you! Thank you so much, everyone! I’ll serve diligently for the remaining four months! Be well while I’m gone! Stay healthy always!”

“Hyung-nim! I’ll always be cheering you on during your military service!”

“Thanks, Jewoo. You should work hard at school too! Doa, you too!”

“Tell Gyeom-oppa to pay attention in his university classes too.”

Doa tugged on Sanha’s sleeve, pointing at Yigeom.

“Uh… I think Yigeom will do well on his own.”

“Tsk.”

‘Why does she sound disappointed?’

Yigeom looked at Doa, who clicked her tongue, with a bewildered expression. Then, he offered Sanha some words of encouragement.

“Hyung, finish your military service well. It seems like you haven’t had much rest even though you’re on leave. Go home early today and get some rest.”

“Seeing you guys is restful enough. I can be with you even if it’s just a few minutes before I have to return!”

“Still, how about spending time with your family? Here’s a gift.”

Yigeom replied calmly and casually as he handed over the gift he had bought with Kang Taeha at the department store yesterday.

“Wow, I wasn’t expecting a gift! Thank you!”

“Hyung-nim, we also prepared a gift. Here’s mine.”

“Here. This is from me. And this is from my brother. For the record, I chose both of them, and my brother just paid.”

Sanha received the pile of gifts and his eyes welled up.

“Thank you, everyone. Paying for gifts requires such generosity! Thank you, Dohyun too! Yigeom, Jewoo, Doa, thank you all so much!”

He said “thank you” so many times that Yigeom felt like he’d heard half of all the “thank yous” he would hear in his lifetime from Namgoong Sanha alone.

“I’ll definitely open the gifts when I get home. I’ll use them all well.”

“Huh? The gift-giving experience isn’t complete until you see the recipient’s reaction! Open them now!”

“Oh, r-really? Should I open them now?”

At Jewoo’s urging, Sanha looked at everyone for their reaction. They all seemed indifferent, so he carefully unwrapped the gifts.

They were all thoughtful and valuable gifts.

Things that weren’t allowed in the military.

“I’ll! I’ll definitely use them well when I’m discharged! Thank you all so much!”

Whether it was due to the joy of the gifts or the sadness of returning tomorrow, tears started to well up in Sanha’s eyes.

Doa and Jewoo murmured excitedly.

“Now that the gift exchange is over…”

“Let’s have a party! A party! Let’s eat cake and have a snack party!”

‘They sure love parties.’

They were so excited about a simple snack party, just like the students they were. Yigeom called out to them.

“Instead of a snack party, let’s have a dinner party.”

“…A dinner party?”

Jewoo asked, his eyes wide.

“Oh, a dinner party is good too! Since I received gifts, I’ll pay for the dinner!”

“No, hyung.”

Yigeom took out his wallet. He recalled the incident where the atmosphere had turned sour after their sparring match with Yeho because he and Seo Dohyun had gotten into a huge fight.

“I’ll pay. Last time, I ruined the mood and everyone couldn’t eat properly.”

“You mean that omakase place?”

“Yes.”

Jewoo shook his head.

“No, Gyeom-hyung. Back then, I ate all three servings – yours, mine, and even the master’s – so it was actually great for me.”

…You ate it all? You could have shared some with Sanha-hyung and Doa. Sanha-hyung especially needs to maintain his muscles.

Cha Jewoo was even more of a big eater than Namgoong Sanha. Despite his small frame, his stomach seemed to be a black hole, constantly taking in food.

“What about you?”

Yigeom turned his gaze from Jewoo to Dohyun. Dohyun, who was picking at the fruit on the cake, smiled, his eyes crinkling.

“Sounds perfect.”

“Then let’s go.”

“Yay! Dinner party! And Gyeom-hyung is treating!”

“Oppa, Gyeom-oppa, I have a restaurant in mind, how about this place? It looks delicious, right? Right?”

Jewoo cheered, quickly grabbing his coat, while Doa tried to persuade Yigeom by showing him saved pictures of food.

Meanwhile, Sanha timidly tugged on Yigeom’s sleeve.

“Um, Gyeom, Yigeom-ah.”

“Yes, hyung?”

He mumbled in a barely audible voice, as if embarrassed.

“Can I, can I also call you Gyeom? It’s just… everyone calls you that, and if I’m the only one calling you Yigeom-ah, it seems like we’re distant, and not close. Of course, if you don’t like it, it’s okay, so don’t hesitate to refuse.”

It seemed like he had rehearsed the sentence, as there was no hesitation in his speech. Yigeom expressed genuine confusion.

“What were you waiting for all this time?”

“Huh? Uh? Hmm? Ah?”

Sanha blinked, flustered.

“C-Could I have been calling you that?”

Could he have been calling him that? Wasn’t it obvious? Had he been worried about that all this time? Yigeom replied, slightly dumbfounded,

“As you please.”

“Oh, okay! I will!”

Sanha beamed.

Before they left for the dinner party, Jewoo grabbed a handful of cake and mumbled,

“See? I told you you could just call him that.”

“Yeah, but it’s good to be sure.”

“If hyung-nim says so.”

Doa snatched a tissue and smacked it against Jewoo’s face.

“You’re not a child, wipe your face before eating.”

“I can wipe it all at once after I’m done.”

“That means stop eating. How long are you going to keep eating? Aren’t you coming to the dinner party?”

“I’m going! I’m going now!”

Jewoo hurriedly packed the leftover cake into a box and put on his coat.

Dohyun, with his hands in his coat pockets, called out to Yigeom.

“What are you going to do if they eat a lot?”

“Then I’ll have to pay a lot.”

“Are you sure you’re okay with that?”

“I wouldn’t have suggested it if I wasn’t.”

Dohyun’s hand suddenly slipped into Yigeom’s pocket. He felt the texture of a card against his skin. He blinked and looked up at Dohyun.

“Use this if it gets out of hand.”

Yigeom looked at him for a moment and then nodded. He probably wouldn’t need to use the card Dohyun gave him, but he had permission, and there was no harm in keeping it. You never know what might happen.

“Gyeom-oppa, try this too. Today is your day, so you have to eat delicious food!”

“Why is it my day? It’s Sanha-hyung’s return party.”

“Sanha-oppa is just the titular host of the party! You’re the real deal. You’re the one paying!”

‘She’s already learned the taste of money.’

He chewed his food slowly, listening to the boisterous conversation. He felt comfortable even without saying much.

They all had fiery personalities and a reckless streak. Except for Namgoong Sanha, of course.

And Yigeom got along well with these personalities. If everyone was reckless, then adding one more wouldn’t make a difference, and he could act even more freely than usual.

“Hyung-nim, don’t forget about us when you’re in the military!”

“Of course! I’ll call every night!”

“Woohoo! Come back safe and sound!”

And so, they concluded their tearful farewell.

The next day, he received a message from Sanha saying he had returned to his unit.

Perhaps because one person was missing, the chatroom felt quiet and unfamiliar.

Yigeom flung open the door at the sound of the doorbell.

“Good afternoon.”

“What are you doing here?”

“Just visiting.”

Dohyun habitually nudged his shoes into the space between the door and the frame.

“…What are you doing?”

Yigeom asked, furrowing his brows.

“Just… the door isn’t closing.”

“Should I close it for you?”

“That would be sad.”

“Come in then.”

Dohyun entered with a smile.

“Have you eaten?”

“I was just about to.”

“Let’s eat together.”

“I just put the rice on. Wait a bit.”

Dohyun poked Yigeom, who was lying back on the bed, scrolling through his phone.

“What?”

“I’m bored. You’re going to ignore your guest and just play on your phone?”

“Entertain yourself. And are you a guest? You’re an uninvited guest.”

Yigeom spoke indifferently, then as if remembering something, he rummaged through his coat pocket.

“Here.”

It was the card Seo Dohyun had slipped into his pocket yesterday.

“Why didn’t you use it?”

“There was no need.”

Dohyun took the card and placed it carelessly somewhere, then asked,

“There was a guy I’d never seen before at your place last time, who was he?”

“Oh, Kang Taeha? My friend.”

The corners of Dohyun’s eyes twitched subtly.

“Does he come over often?”

“Yeah. Why, are you jealous?”

Yigeom asked playfully. He remembered the time they had a huge fight over the so-called “special treatment,” so he teased Dohyun as a sort of revenge.

Would he be offended?

He observed Dohyun’s reaction. As expected, he seemed displeased. Better stop teasing him now…

“If I say I’m jealous…”

“What?”

“If I say I’m jealous, will you stop him from coming here?”

Yigeom blinked, dumbfounded.

“No?”

What nonsense was he talking about?

“Then I’m not jealous.”

Dohyun said with a bright smile, but Yigeom felt like he was the one being teased.

“Gyeom-ah, I have a question.”

“What is it?”