The group moved through the bustling streets once more, the noise of sirens and roaring mana fading behind them. But even as the crowd thinned, Hyunjae's gaze never left Jaehyuk's back.
Jaehyuk walked with his hands in his pockets, shoulders relaxed, as if nothing unusual had happened at all. His expression was unreadable calm, detached, and almost too composed for what had just unfolded.
Hyunjae leaned toward Kyun, voice dropping into a whisper.
"Hey, Kyun… don't you think it's weird?"
Kyun blinked, half distracted by a vendor frying skewers nearby.
"Huh? What is?"
Hyunjae's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Sir Jaehyuk didn't even flinch back there. Not once. A monster escaping the dungeon portal that's something that never happens. It's supposed to be impossible, but he just…"
He trailed off, watching Jaehyuk's figure up ahead.
"…it's like he's seen it before."
Before he could say anything more, Kyun's hand shot out and clamped over his mouth.
"Hey, hey! Are you crazy?" Kyun hissed under his breath, his voice sharp but hushed.
"What are you even talking about? Can't you already read the atmosphere? Stop saying weird sh*t, man."
Hyunjae frowned, muffled words escaping from behind Kyun's hand until the latter finally let go.
"I'm serious. Didn't you feel it? The way he scanned that thing like he already knew it was weak before even looking at the data window."
Kyun sighed, scratching his head.
"Yeah, but that's Jaehyuk. Guy's built different. He probably just has better instincts."
"Instincts?" Hyunjae muttered. His eyes flickered once more toward Jaehyuk, who was now walking beside Nayeon, speaking in his usual calm tone.
Something about the way Jaehyuk moved unsettled him the confidence in his steps, the weight in his silence. It wasn't arrogance.
It was familiarity.
Like a man who'd walked these same streets before.
"Still," Hyunjae whispered, almost to himself now, "sometimes I feel like he's already lived through all of this…"
Kyun gave him a small shove, trying to lighten the mood.
"You've been reading too many conspiracy forums, bro."
Hyunjae chuckled weakly but didn't answer. He just kept his eyes on Jaehyuk's back tall, unwavering, unshaken by chaos and the faintest chill crept down his spine.
Whatever kind of man Lee Jaehyuk was…
He wasn't ordinary.
– At the Guild Association –
"Uh, hi! We're here to get an official guild card registration," Nayeon said, stepping up to the counter.
The old man behind the desk looked up, smiling kindly.
"Of course, of course! Just sign this form and we'll get you processed."
Nayeon skimmed through the paper quickly. "Members, guild name…" She filled it in and handed it back.
"Well now," the old man said, adjusting his glasses as he read the list. "Quite a group you've got here! Friends, I take it?"
Nayeon tilted her head. "Wait, aren't six members required to make a guild official?"
The old man blinked. "Six? Who told you that nonsense? You can start a guild with just two or three people if you want!"
Nayeon's jaw dropped. "What?! The lady who works here told us that last week!"
The old man sighed heavily. "Ahh, her. She's been fired. Caused trouble by making up rules and turning hunters away just to mock their ranks. Forget everything she said."
"I knew it!" Nayeon groaned, throwing her hands in the air. "We literally spent days finding people just because of her lie!"
Minjae stretched and laughed tiredly. "Well hey, at least we're complete now. All that cleaning wasn't for nothing."
The old man chuckled, reaching for a mana-powered engraving device.
"Alright then, what'll be your guild's name?"
Jaehyuk stepped forward, tone calm and certain.
"Guild name: Zero."
The old man raised an eyebrow. "Zero, huh? Interesting choice. Meaning?"
Jaehyuk's lips curved slightly.
"Because that's where we started from, nothing."
A moment of silence passed before Kyun smirked. "Kinda dramatic, but it fits."
Johee nodded softly. "I like it. It sounds… humble, in a way."
"Or dangerous," Hyunjae muttered with a grin. "Like, the calm before something big."
The old man laughed and pressed the device against a set of blank black cards. Mana flared, etching glowing lines and names across their surfaces.
He handed them over one by one.
> Guild Name: ZERO
Guild Leader: LEE JAEHYUK
Members: NAYEON, JOHEE, KYUN, MINJAE, HYUNJAE
"Congratulations," the old man said warmly. "From this moment on, you're officially registered under the Hunter Association. Welcome to the ranks, Guild Zero."
The six of them stood there for a second, looking at their cards in quiet awe.
Minjae grinned first. "So this means we're official now? People gotta respect us?"
Hyunjae snorted. "Respect? Bro, we haven't even done a raid yet."
Kyun bumped shoulders with him. "Still counts. We're legit now, baby."
Nayeon smiled, turning her card between her fingers. "Zero, huh? It suits us more than I thought."
Jaehyuk tucked his into his coat, the faintest smirk crossing his face.
"Then let's make sure the name means something."
The group stepped out of the guild hall, sunlight washing over them,
the dawn of Guild Zero had officially begun.