Regression Guidelines For the Supporting Character-Chapter 105

I couldn’t manage my expression at the completely unexpected proposal. Even Ryu Sunghyun, standing behind Kwon Taehyuk, blinked in surprise as if he hadn’t anticipated this either.

“......”

“......”

As I stood there blankly without giving much of a response, an awkward silence settled over the hospital room.

“...I’m not trying to pressure you. I apologize if I’ve made you uncomfortable.”

“Huh? No, I’m just surprised.”

He was offering to let me stay in a room within the Yesung Guild? Of all people, I never thought I’d hear that from Kwon Taehyuk.

It wasn’t uncommon for guilds to have living quarters. Most guilds had rooms prepared, and the small-scale Circle Guild was no exception. Before the regression, I had relied on one of those rooms.

Hunters frequently got injured and moved around at all hours, so guilds were pretty much obligated to provide such accommodations.

A place like Yesung probably had tons of rooms, along with a separate medical wing.

‘It’s true... Staying in a room inside Yesung would be way safer than now.’

Right now, the main threats to me were the brothers who might come in place of Kwon Seoyul, and the ones connected to the research lab.

The chances were slim, but there was a possibility the lab had discovered Cha Sahyeon during the Gyeongbokgung incident. She had no choice but to use her skill to protect my unconscious body.

Considering it happened right in front of the Royal Palace and was also where we went to capture Gwak Seunggyu, a lab affiliate, it wouldn’t be strange if Sahyeon had been exposed.

If I had Kwon Taehyuk’s protection, I could be safe from those problems. However...

‘At night, I still have to sneak out as Cover. If I’m staying in the Yesung Guild building, there’ll be way more eyes around than the current office.’

Even with a hat, a mask, or a full disguise, I couldn’t become a completely different person. If sightings of Cover started circulating near the Yesung building, it could eventually lead back to me.

Thinking that far, I shifted my gaze to Cha Sahyeon. Still clinging tightly to me, she had an extremely displeased expression. It was obvious that she didn’t like Kwon Taehyuk’s suggestion.

Well, of course. She didn’t even like eating with him — there’s no way she’d be thrilled to live at the Yesung Guild.

I didn’t have much of a choice. I lifted my eyes and offered Kwon Taehyuk a faint, polite smile.

“Would it be alright if I took a little time to think it over? It’s not easy to decide quickly, since it involves moving house.”

“Ah, yes, of course.”

Momentarily flustered, Kwon Taehyuk nodded quickly.

“I was too hasty. That... offer will stay open indefinitely, so feel free to let me know later, at ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) any time.”

...What the hell is this guy’s problem, trying so hard to take care of me? It’s overwhelming.

I forced a smile through the instinctive furrowing of my brows.

“Thank you. I’ll keep it in mind.”

Well, it is what it is. To Kwon Taehyuk, I must look like a pitiful, helpless, and poor Supporter.

Ryu Sunghyun, noticing that my conversation with Kwon Taehyuk had come to an end, glanced at me and spoke up.

“Hunter Cha Seohu.”

“Yes?”

“If it’s alright... I’d like to speak with you privately for a moment.”

My heart lurched at the slightly awkward tone in Ryu Sunghyun’s voice.

What’s this about? From him, of all people? A wave of both anticipation and nervous anxiety crashed over me. Still, I didn’t want to turn him down, so I swallowed hard and quickly nodded.

“Sure.”

I answered confidently, but I was still worried about Cha Sahyeon in my arms.

She wasn’t going to step aside easily, right? And it felt weird to ask her to move when Kwon Taehyuk had just gone out of his way to be considerate.

‘I do want to talk to him...’

For him to ask something like this when we’re not even that close... it had to be important. It felt like it would be more comfortable if I just left with Ryu Sunghyun, so I tried placing Sahyeon on the bed—

“Haa.”

The child looked at my face and suddenly let out a deep sigh before hopping off the bed.

I froze, surprised — it was the first time I’d seen Cha Sahyeon sigh. She trudged toward the door and walked out of the room.

It was such a blatant display of “I’ll let it go just this once” that I found myself staring at her back in disbelief. Kwon Taehyuk also turned and followed her.

“I’ll bring the Supporter in as soon as they arrive.”

Following Sahyeon out of the room, Kwon Taehyuk even closed the door behind them himself.

The way the two of them stepped aside so easily was both unexpected and strangely awkward. I rubbed my cheek and turned to Ryu Sunghyun.

“Maybe we should’ve gone out instead.”

To my sheepish remark, Ryu Sunghyun smiled faintly and tapped his neck with his fingertips.

“The mark on your neck is quite visible, Hunter Cha Seohu. Until it heals, it’s probably better not to go outside. I think that’s why the two of them gave us the room.”

“Ah.”

My throat had been stinging when I talked, but I hadn’t realized the mark was still that noticeable.

‘Was I too tense because I was alone with him?’

If he knew I was nervous, it would probably make him uncomfortable too. I tried to sound casual as I asked:

“What did you want to talk about?”

“Hmm...”

Ryu Sunghyun hesitated, as if unsure how to start, then looked me in the eye and spoke.

“Actually, I’ve been waiting for you to wake up... because I wanted to apologize.”

“Apologize?”

Did he even have anything to apologize to me for? As I stared at him in confusion, he dropped his head slightly with a bitter smile, like he’d expected that reaction.

“We met before the competitive match, remember? At the time, you offered to help me.”

“Oh, back then.”

“I... reacted too harshly. I’ve been wanting to apologize ever since. You were just trying to help, but I was emotionally overwhelmed and snapped at you.”

“It’s alright.”

I answered without hesitation, and Ryu Sunghyun paused for a moment, staring at me with a curious expression. Understanding what he was thinking, I continued:

“I mean it. I had a general idea of how bad things were for Circle Guild at the time. I understand why you responded that way. Honestly, I was the one who acted rashly and put you in a difficult position.”

“No, not at all. It might be hard to believe at this point, but... I was grateful when you offered to help. Nobody thought we stood a chance.”

Having said that much, Ryu Sunghyun seemed to recall something and asked cautiously:

“Cover...”

“Sorry?”

“Did Cover participate in the match because of your request?”

His voice was rougher and lower than before. Faced with his complex expression, I felt overwhelmed again.

I had prepared myself for this the moment people started suspecting a connection between me and Cover. But even so, the words didn’t come easily.

“...No.”

I didn’t know what the right answer was, but if it was Ryu Sunghyun asking, I knew what I had to say.

“Cover acted on her own judgment.”

Because I didn’t want him to be hurt by this.

“Cover... believed in Circle Guild’s chances, and she wanted to help. I never asked her to.”

“......”

He stared at me, then slowly closed and reopened his eyes. When he looked at me again, there was a faint smile on his lips.

“I see.”

“......”

Before the regression, I’d been closer to Ryu Sunghyun than anyone. So it wasn’t hard to understand what that smile meant.

‘He doesn’t believe me.’

If I hadn’t been close to him, I might’ve missed it. That’s how perfect the smile was.

I knew the situation could easily lead to misunderstanding. Back when Cover joined the match, I hadn’t anticipated our relationship would be exposed like this.

From Ryu Sunghyun’s point of view, Cover was a mysterious Hunter who suddenly appeared in the competitive match. It was only natural for him to suspect she was acting at my request.

I understood that. Still, a dull pain throbbed in my chest. I tried to ignore the swelling disappointment and repeated myself.

“I really didn’t ask her.”

“Yes.”

“There’s... nothing between us like that.”

“Alright.”

Ryu Sunghyun smiled faintly and gently placed a hand on my shoulder.

“I believe you.”

“......”

“Thank you for explaining. And... for accepting my apology.”

His hand didn’t linger. Without another word, he stepped back and turned away.

“I’ve said what I needed to. Hunter Kwon Taehyuk will look after you, but take care of yourself too.”

“...Okay.”

“Let’s meet again sometime, if we get the chance.”

With that neat farewell, Ryu Sunghyun left the hospital room without looking back. I just stood there, watching him walk out, unable to call him back.

“...Ah.”

Click. At the sound of the door closing, I couldn’t hold it in anymore — a faint groan escaped my lips.

Alone again in the hospital room, the pain in my chest only grew worse. I clutched at it, exhaling a quiet sigh.

I’d changed the past knowing this would happen... so why did it still hurt so much every time?

The people I held dear had disappeared. I just wanted to accept that reality already. No matter how strong I was, enduring this cycle of hope and disappointment was starting to wear me down.