Regression Guidelines For the Supporting Character

‘Didn’t something like this… happen before too?’

That thought suddenly crossed Ryu Sunghyun’s mind, and he recalled Cover. Back then, he’d felt a similar kind of awkward tension—just like now.
He found himself wondering whether the “hyung” that Cover had called out to in the competition waiting room was the same person Cha Seohu had just whispered “hyung” to.
“…Ah, Vice Guildmaster.”

Cha Seohu, who had been blinking repeatedly, finally seemed to come to his senses. He straightened up and called out to Ryu Sunghyun with a clearer tone than before.
“Good morning.”
“Ah, yes. [N O V E L I G H T] Good morning.”

It was the same greeting that he and Song Jiwoon had exchanged. As Seohu noticed the blanket slipping off his lap, he tilted his head slightly in confusion.
Judging by his puzzled expression, someone else must’ve put the blanket over him.
‘Did the Guildmaster cover him up?’

Since they’d apparently been together until morning, it was likely Song Jiwoon who’d done it.
That part also struck Ryu Sunghyun as odd.
Though Song Jiwoon always had a friendly smile, he wasn’t the type to show that kind of delicate care. Despite his gentle image, he was hard to approach—and many guild members were afraid of him because of that.

Ryu Sunghyun glanced back and forth between Cha Seohu and Song Jiwoon, his thoughts becoming increasingly tangled.
He had already thought it strange when Cover came looking for Song Jiwoon at the guild—twice, no less. And now even Cha Seohu was here? Since when had Song Jiwoon gotten close to either of them?
“Now that you're awake, shall we talk business?”

At Song Jiwoon’s prompt, Seohu brushed back his bangs with still-sleepy eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose.
“Let me just wash up first. I’ll use the bathroom.”
As Song Jiwoon shrugged like he didn’t mind, Seohu headed toward the small bathroom in the corner of the office.

It was partially hidden behind a coat rack, so anyone visiting for the first time probably wouldn’t even notice it existed. Yet Seohu moved toward it with clear familiarity. That made Ryu Sunghyun even more confused.
***
After washing his face and neatly using a towel from the shelf, Cha Seohu returned with slightly damp hair.
His complexion was still pale—enough to cause concern—but he calmly sat down on the sofa without a word.

“We seem to have a lot to talk about. Let’s take our time and have some warm tea while we do.”
Song Jiwoon sat across from him and, while lifting the teapot, signaled to Ryu Sunghyun with a glance.
Ryu Sunghyun, who had been about to sit beside Song Jiwoon, changed course instinctively and sat next to Cha Seohu instead.

As Seohu sneaked a side glance at him and gave a small bow of the head, Ryu Sunghyun could clearly sense his nervous energy.
Usually, Ryu Sunghyun would have stayed quiet to avoid putting pressure on Seohu, but this wasn’t the time for that. He cleared his throat briefly and spoke.
“Hunter Cha Seohu. Did you come here last night?”

“Huh? Ah, yes.”
Seohu blinked wide-eyed, seemingly not expecting Ryu Sunghyun to address him directly, and nodded. The fact that Seohu didn’t grasp the intent behind the question made Ryu let out a soft sigh.
“Hunter Kwon Taehyuk was looking for you. I heard your office was destroyed and you weren’t answering your phone. What happened?”

“Ah…!”
Only then did Seohu seem to register the situation, his face lighting up in shock. It was clearly the reaction of someone who had completely forgotten.
“Hunter Cha Seohu, I heard you were staying with the Yesung Guild. But you suddenly disappeared, your office was trashed, and there were bloodstains. Hunter Kwon was very worried.”

“I-I didn’t mean to ignore anyone. My phone got broken…”
Seohu flailed a little while trying to explain.
It wasn’t guilt toward Kwon Taehyuk that showed, but rather anxiety that Ryu Sunghyun might be disappointed in him for messing up and forgetting.

“Yes, I heard. They found the shattered remains of your phone on the office floor. So.”
Ryu wasn’t sure why Seohu was so anxious around him—but that wasn’t the issue right now.
“Call Hunter Kwon Taehyuk right away.”

Ryu pulled out his own phone and handed it over. Seohu hesitated, then muttered a thanks and took the phone, quickly dialing Kwon Taehyuk.
Since Kwon had already asked Ryu to inform him the moment he heard anything, the call connected almost instantly.
As expected, when Kwon heard Seohu’s awkward voice, he all but shouted.

– “Hunter Cha Seohu?! Is that you?!”
“Yes. Um… Good morning.”
– “Good morning—what? Where are you? Are you hurt?”

“I’m at Circle Guild. I’m fine.”
– “You’re at Circle Guild… Wait—never mind. Hunter Ryu Sunghyun is there. That’s good, at least.”
“Right.”

Though his tone remained flat, Seohu was starting to feel a creeping sense of unease.
‘I’ll wrap this up quickly.’
Now wasn’t the time to be explaining himself in detail. There were more urgent matters. He felt bad about how things had turned out after asking Kwon for a room in the guild, but really—none of this was his fault. All of it was because of those damn cult bastards.

So he kept a polite tone as he responded to Kwon. He figured he’d give short answers for five more minutes and then hang up. But—
– “I’ll come right away.”
“…Excuse me?”

Kwon was far more proactive than Seohu had expected.
“Where are you going…?”
– “To Circle Guild, of course. We’ll talk more in person.”

Excuse you? Since when do you decide things like that? I have nothing to say to you in person!
‘Aren’t you busy…?’
Was it really so easy for Korea’s top guildmaster to drop everything and decide where he was going?

Flustered, Seohu reflexively turned to look at Ryu Sunghyun. It wasn’t a conscious move—more like a habit. Whenever something unexpected happened, his first instinct was to look to Ryu.
“…?”
Ryu, for his part, was equally confused to find Seohu staring at him like a lost child.

With both Circle’s vice guildmaster and the secret guildmaster Cha Seohu dumbfounded by the Yesung Guildmaster’s declaration, Song Jiwoon finally stepped in.
“Let him come.”
Clink. With the sound of a teacup being set down, an elegant decree was made.

‘Damn it. That fake bastard.’
Seohu grit his teeth. He refused to acknowledge the transcendent in front of him as Circle Guild’s leader—but what could he do?
“…He says you may come. But—”

– “Excellent. I’m on my way.”
Kwon ended the call right after replying, as if he knew Seohu would try to stop him.
‘Unbelievable.’

Seohu exhaled deeply and handed the phone back to Ryu Sunghyun. As he did, Song Jiwoon looked at him with a smile and spoke.
“Perfect timing. Once the Yesung Guildmaster arrives, we can all have a proper talk. Hunter Cha Seohu, you can rest and recover for the day.”
“What? What are you…!”

Seohu tried to protest, but Song Jiwoon cut him off.
“Sunghyun. Message the Yesung Guildmaster and tell him to bring a healer. We can’t have Hunter Cha Seohu working with us while he’s injured.”
“…So you are hurt, Hunter Cha Seohu.”

“N-no, not badly enough to need healing!”
Seohu shook his head frantically, but Ryu was already pulling out his phone again. Seeing that, Seohu bit his lip and glared at the fake Song Jiwoon.
‘That bastard!’

As if dealing with Kwon Taehyuk wasn’t trouble enough, now he had to be treated?
Song Jiwoon chuckled, and Ryu Sunghyun let out a sigh as the two continued the conversation.
“If your office was wrecked that badly, of course you’re hurt.”

“Right. I took a look yesterday. No major injuries, but a healer’s attention is still needed. It’s good the Yesung Guildmaster is coming.”
That explained Seohu’s ghostly pale complexion. Ryu finally understood what had been bothering him about Seohu’s appearance all this time.
“You’re… going a bit too far.”

Seohu clenched both fists and snapped at Song Jiwoon with a choppy voice. He had been so gentle with Ryu—but toward Song Jiwoon, his tone was completely different.
Song Jiwoon ignored it and turned to Ryu Sunghyun again.
“It’ll take about an hour for the Yesung Guildmaster to arrive. Until then, I’ll explain what we need to do. I already spoke with Hunter Cha Seohu last night. But you’re the Vice Guildmaster, so you’ll need to be properly briefed.”

Ryu looked puzzled. What sort of task required invoking his position title?
Meeting Seohu’s bitter glare head-on, Song Jiwoon continued, calm as ever.
“What I need you to do is convince someone and bring them here.”

“A person…?”
“It won’t be easy. He’s the same age as me but has lived a much more secluded life. And he’s extremely powerful.”
By now, all traces of a smile had vanished from his face.

It was the first time Ryu Sunghyun had ever seen him speak so seriously. Somewhat taken aback, Ryu asked cautiously,
“…Who is he?”
There was a long pause.

In the chill silence, Song Jiwoon slowly closed his eyes… and then opened them again. After what felt like ages, he answered:
“He’s the one who will become the new Guildmaster of Circle.”
“…!”

Ryu Sunghyun’s eyes widened. As his face stiffened in disbelief, Song Jiwoon spoke again.
“Go to Mount Taebaek. Find the mountain warden living there—and persuade him. He will inherit my name and this position. That’s the task I’m entrusting to you and Hunter Cha Seohu.”