Chapter 132: The Scent One Cannot Let Go Of

Hwang Do-Hyun had been back at the Zootopia Guild for several days now.

Yet that scent refused to fade from his memory.

He sat alone on a sprawling sofa, his head tilted back, his blue eyes fixed squarely on the ceiling. His tongue unconsciously brushed against his sharp canines, where an uncomfortable itch still lingered, as though something was caught right between them.

Every single time he thought of that young Craftsman, that sensation returned.

A sweet, refreshing fragrance, reminiscent of herbs yet distinctively different from anything else. It bore no resemblance to any scent Hwang Do-Hyun had ever encountered on a human body.

He frowned.

He was merely a Craftsman, and a low-rank, newly awakened one at that. There was nothing particularly different about him aside from a somewhat pretty, delicate face.

Why did his instincts keep incessantly telling him that this person was exceptional?

*Clack.*

The door to the office swung open. Lucas stepped inside, cradling a thick stack of documents in his arms.

"Guild Leader."

Hwang Do-Hyun didn’t respond.

Noticing his absent-minded state, Lucas slowly approached and placed the documents down on the desk.

"These are the pieces of information I managed to gather regarding Kim Kei and his shop, just as you requested."

Hearing that name, Hwang Do-Hyun’s blue eyes instantly shifted.

He picked up the file.

*Kim Kei.*

An F-rank Craftsman who had only recently awakened. He currently lived and operated an item shop catering to hunters in Dong-San City. He maintained close ties with high-ranking hunters from the Black Rose Guild, the Crying Ghost Guild, the Black Dragon Guild, and it even seemed like the Angel’s Kiss Guild?

He had risen to fame by upgrading an F-rank spatial ring, saving the Black Rose Guild from a total wipeout inside a dungeon break.

Kei had also successfully crafted the Purification Ring, freely publishing its crafting recipe for all other Craftsmen across South Korea.

He possessed the ability to brew potions with effectiveness far exceeding their rated grade, and there were even suspicions that he could cultivate herbs on a massive scale.

And notably, Kim Kei was acquainted with quite a few powerful SS-rank hunters, accompanied by photographs of him being escorted by the Black Dragon Kai and Do Ae-Young.

The more Hwang Do-Hyun read, the tighter his brows knitted together.

"Why on earth does he know so many people?"

Standing nearby, Lucas felt a sudden spike of tension. Here it comes, Hwang Do-Hyun is about to start trouble!

"Perhaps Kei-nim’s talents have simply earned widespread recognition."

"He is just an F-rank Craftsman."

Faced with Hwang Do-Hyun’s harsh tone, Lucas couldn’t help pushing back slightly: "But that’s only his current rank. Thunder also places immense value on Kei’s abilities and future; before long, Kei won’t lose to any renowned Craftsman!"

Hwang Do-Hyun raised his head to stare at Lucas.

Lucas instantly zipped his lips.

He had originally intended to persuade his Guild Leader to drop any thoughts of pulling Kei into the Zootopia Guild. Only now, looking at Hwang Do-Hyun’s expression, Lucas abruptly realized that such a notion was no longer feasible.

Kei had clearly decided to put down roots in Dong-San City, and trying to force a Craftsman protected by major Guilds to leave would be tantamount to declaring war on all of them single-handedly.

"Guild Leader," Lucas ventured cautiously. "Perhaps we should respect Kei-nim’s choice. If he has no desire to join Zootopia—"

"Then we’ll build an office in Dong-San City."

Lucas froze.

"Huh?"

"Go establish an office there," Hwang Do-Hyun said, setting the file down. "I want to keep a close eye on the situation in that city."

Lucas stared at him with an expression of sheer disbelief.

"But the Black Dragon Guild already has an office there. And the Angel’s Kiss Guild just decided to build a new branch, too. If we also—"

"So what?"

"Dong-San City is just a small municipality. There’s no need for three SS-rank Guilds to be stationed there all at once."

Hwang Do-Hyun offered no reply.

The instincts of an ancient Lycan were telling him that he couldn’t simply let this human go.

It wasn’t because of some Purification Ring, nor was it solely due to his peculiar scent. It was because, for the very first time in many years, he had encountered someone who made him want to step closer and explore.

"I want to see him again as soon as possible. I’m done waiting!" Hwang Do-Hyun stated flatly.

Lucas massaged his temples in a mounting wave of a headache.

"That is precisely what worries me the most..."

"What did you say?"

Lucas hurriedly lowered his head. "Nothing at all."

Hwang Do-Hyun picked up the document once more, his gaze resting on the very last line.

*Kei is currently researching a novel piece of gear tailored for beast-transformation hunters per Hwang Do-Hyun’s request, and has remained holed up inside his home for two days straight.*

The corners of his lips curved upward.

"Three days is the deadline he gave."

"Yes."

Lucas watched his Guild Leader, an ominous premonition suddenly rising in his chest. He was entirely certain that the saga between Hwang Do-Hyun and this fellow named Kim Kei was far from over.

Three days later, true to their word, Hwang Do-Hyun and Lucas materialized right outside Kei’s shop.

Kim Sora stood behind the counter. The moment she caught sight of the two of them, her body stiffened, pasting a strained smile across her face.

"You two again?"

Lucas offered an awkward, apologetic smile as well.

Hwang Do-Hyun paid no mind to her wary gaze. He pushed the door open and stepped inside, his blue eyes immediately scanning the room for that familiar silhouette.

Kei walked out from the back of the shop.

He was still wearing a simple button-down shirt, his dark hair slightly messy from just stepping out of the research room. In his hand, he held a peculiar-looking item.

It was a silver choker necklace. A transparent stone was embedded right in the center, surrounded by intricate floral patterns so tiny they were nearly invisible to the naked eye.