Chapter 139: An Elite Lineup

"I disagree!"

Do Ae-Young stepped in front of Kei, blocking Moon So-Yeon’s line of sight. Her naturally cold features hardened into an expression of unyielding resolve.

"No one is permitted to bring Kei into that Dungeon. Kei possesses absolutely no combat capabilities whatsoever!"

Moon So-Yeon clasped her hands tightly together, struggling to keep her composure as she explained: "Sister Do Ae-Young, I understand your concern for Kei, but Kang Ian is still trapped inside. We cannot simply stand here waiting indefinitely. I firmly believe Kei can assist us in locating him."

"Worry is not a valid excuse to put Kei in danger."

Do Ae-Young’s voice turned icy. "That Dungeon managed to make an SS-rank hunter vanish without a trace. We have no idea what took Kang Ian away, nor do we know what will happen if Kei steps inside. He lacks any offensive power. Leading him down there is no different from marching an ordinary civilian straight into a death trap."

"There are no monsters inside that Dungeon, though, Sister Do Ae-Young." Kei chimed in.

Do Ae-Young whipped her head around to glare at him. "On what grounds are you making such a claim?"

"The reconnaissance team spent three full hours there without encountering a single monster. Even right up until Kang Ian vanished, they detected no signs of an attack."

Kei continued calmly, "If monsters were truly present, the hunters accompanying him wouldn’t have made it back intact. I don’t believe that place is dangerous in the conventional sense."

As of now, the only confirmed facts were that Kang Ian had gone missing and was potentially facing peril.

"Not dangerous in a conventional sense does not equate to safe."

Do Ae-Young refused to yield an inch. "Unless an additional SS-rank hunter accompanies him, I will not approve of your entry into the Dungeon."

Moon So-Yeon pressed her lips together. "However, we cannot simply summon another SS-rank hunter at a moment’s notice. The ones capable of arriving here are already—"

"If Kei still insists on being stubborn, I will contact Kai." Do Ae-Young cut her off. "I’ll have him come down here personally to drag Kei away."

Moon So-Yeon’s complexion turned instantly desperate. If Kai genuinely caught wind of this, let alone bringing Kei into a Dungeon, they probably wouldn’t even be allowed to let him stand anywhere near the gate.

Kei let out a soft sigh. "Sister Do Ae-Young, I appreciate your good intentions. But Kang Ian might be trapped inside right now. I cannot simply stand idly by on the outside."

"Then wait until another person capable of protecting you arrives." Do Ae-Young stood her ground, unmoving.

Just as the atmosphere in the room neared a dead-end impasse, the grand double doors abruptly swung open.

A group of individuals filed inside.

Leading the party was an extraordinarily stunning young woman. Brilliant golden hair cascaded down both shoulders, and her crystal-clear, golden eyes reflected the gleaming lights of the lobby. Her gentle visage left Kei momentarily struck dumb.

*Kang Narim.*

No, that wasn’t right.

The person standing before him carried a slightly more mature air, and her temperament was entirely different. Yet, her facial features bore such a striking resemblance to Kang Narim that mistaking her for someone else was impossible.

The young woman smiled, stepping right up to Kei.

"Hello, Kei."

Her voice was soft and warm. "I am Kang Mi-So, the Guild Leader of the Angel’s Kiss Guild. Also known as the SS-rank hunter who bears the title of the Angel, Kang Mi-So."

Kei’s eyes widened slightly. "Kang Mi-So?"

He hadn’t expected that the girl he’d crossed paths with back in Dong-San City was not only a high-ranking hunter, but also the Guild Leader of one of South Korea’s five major Guilds.

Kang Mi-So burst into a light laugh. "It seems you’ve figured it out."

She tilted her head, her gaze swimming with visible amusement. "My vacation in Dong-San City allowed me to make the acquaintance of such a wonderful new friend like Kei. I am truly delighted. Traveling between the two cities will be far more convenient from now on. When that time comes, I’ll come visit you every single day."

Kei blinked. "Every single day?"

"That’s right."

Kang Mi-So replied as naturally as though stating an absolute truth.

Do Ae-Young could no longer contain herself. She glided right up to Kei’s side, lowering her voice as she demanded, "How on earth do you even know Kang Mi-So?"

Kei chuckled softly. "I’m not entirely sure myself. We simply bumped into each other by chance and ended up becoming friends."

Do Ae-Young narrowed her eyes.

*Bumped into each other by chance, and ended up becoming friends with the Guild Leader of the Angel’s Kiss Guild.* Furthermore, the other party had just boldly declared her intention to visit Kei daily.

Could this really be chalked up to mere coincidence?

Trailing closely behind the Angel’s Kiss contingent were Lucas and Kim Woo-Jin.

Lucas surveyed the lobby before offering Moon So-Yeon a nod. "Guild Leader Hwang Do-Hyun was tied up dealing with internal affairs at the Zootopia Guild headquarters, so he couldn’t make it here in person. I am here to represent him."

Kim Woo-Jin slowly chimed in, as well. "Daniel is currently out of South Korea. I will be assisting this time on behalf of the Dream Garden Guild Leader."

The consecutive arrival of these heavy-hitting hunters plunged the lobby into a stunned silence.

Kang Mi-So.

Kim Woo-Jin.

Lucas.

Do Ae-Young.

Moon So-Yeon.

Five SS-rank hunters had converged upon the exact same spot, every single one of them standing among South Korea’s most formidable elites.

Kei surveyed the lineup assembled before him, then turned his gaze toward Do-Young. "With a team like this, my safety is guaranteed beyond a shadow of a doubt. You really don’t need to worry so much."

Do Ae-Young’s brows knitted together instantly. "Even so—"

Kang Mi-So had closed the distance to Kei’s side at some point. She gently took his hand, lifting their interlocked fingers to wave them playfully toward Do Ae-Young with a sweet, radiant smile.