I went to a restaurant with Kim Suho. It was time to settle all my personal affairs and I needed to give him something.

“By the way, why haven’t you been eating with Chae Nayun lately?”

Kim Suho sat and looked around the restaurant.

“No reason. I have something to talk to you about.” [1]

“…”

Kim Suho had a mischievous expression.

“What’s up with that face?” I asked.

“Nothing. You sounded like Chae Nayun. I must be mistaken.”

“Screw off.”

I ignored his dumb comment and ordered my food. Then I placed a jar on the table.

“What’s this?”

“You forgot already? It’s the jar we got from fighting that snake.”

This Jar of Greed came with 2 uses. I thought about using both, but that would’ve been too greedy. Kim Suho should use the second. After all, an amazing greed would definitely adhere to Misteltein.

“I remember, but I said you could have it.”

“I already used it once.”

I cut him off before he could reject.

“Plus, I’m not saying I’ll give it to you for free. I found another dungeon, you see.”

“Another dungeon? Do you work part-time at an information guild?”

Kim Suho’s eyes widened as I grinned. I couldn’t clear this dungeon alone, but the artifact inside would eventually fall into the hands of djinns if we didn’t try.

“Let’s clear this dungeon together in exchange for using this jar. We’ll split the loot 7:3.”

“You’re 7?”

“Yep.”

Kim Suho silently looked at me. Then he grinned and pulled the jar closer.

“So how do you use this? Did you get it appraised?”

“Yeah, it’s called the Jar of Greed. You have Misteltein with you, right?”

“Yeah.”

“Then you just have to put it inside for 10 days.”

“That’s it?”

“This artifact strengthens whatever’s put inside. I’m sure Misteltein will receive a huge boost.”

Misteltein would undoubtedly show great synergy with any type of greed. Well, as long as it didn’t receive a charm one like aether. Kim Suho seemed satisfied. If I recalled correctly, his affection towards Misteltein should be at an all-time high. He should even be sleeping with it.

“Thanks.”

Kim Suho seemed apologetic and softly spoke, “You’ve only been helping me out recently.”

“It’s a give and take.”

“No, even in Busan. It was because of you that…”

Busan. He must be talking about Jin Sahyuk. I shook my head.

“No, you would’ve been fine without me.”

“You’re pretty stubborn, you know that?”

“Like you’re one to talk.”

“Nu-uh, you’re more stubborn.”

“No, you are.”

“No, you are!”

Kim Suho and I both frowned. Our sudden exchange of praises turned into a staring contest. Soon, we laughed and smiled.

***

That night, I went to Seoul through Cube’s portal. The weather had turned dull and unpleasant. My chest felt especially heavy.

“Hey.”

A familiar face popped out as I left the portal station like usual.

“Kim Hajin.”

Chae Nayun linked her arm with mine the moment she appeared.

“Why are you always late?”

“…”

I had dinner plans with Chae Nayun. I would say my farewell tonight.

“… Hey.”

I replied without an ounce of emotion. She slightly shrunk back, but soon smiled.

“Geez, what’s up with that reaction? Where are we going today?”

“I reserved a restaurant near Seocho District.”

Evandel and I often frequented a restaurant near the apartment.

“Oh, really?”

“Yeah, follow me.”

“Ah, wait for me.”

I walked over to the parking lot next to the portal station. I parked my bike in the best spot thanks to my 1 year VIP membership. Chae Nayun seemed overjoyed when she saw my bike. I drove much more skillfully than before (thanks to Dexterity) and arrived at the restaurant.

I felt somewhat nervous that the waiter would notice me, but I didn’t receive any strange looks since I always wore sunglasses when I came with Evandel.

Chae Nayun asked several questions from across the table as we waited for our food. However, I replied to all of them half-heartedly.

“Hmph.”

She seemed to have grown tired of it and pouted. I didn’t say anything even when the food arrived. Chae Nayun snuck glances at me as she quietly ate. We finished our dinner in complete silence.

“That will be 230,000 won.”

“Hey, I’ll pay—”

“No, I’ll pay.”

I paid and we left the restaurant. The sky looked fairly dark. I walked underneath this dreary sky as Chae Nayun followed from behind.

“Hey.”

We arrived at an empty park after a few minutes of silently strolling. She finally spoke as I stopped and turned around. I could see faint tears in the corner of her eyes.

She glared at me and clenched her fists.

“Are you tormenting me on purpose?”

“…”

I didn’t reply as she continued angrily, “Or are you just ignoring me, fully aware of my feelings?”

I closed my eyes at her tearful voice. Once again, I repeated my resolve in my head.

“Do you really not know?”

“…”

The only way I could remain in her memory was as a bad person rather than someone she had to kill.

“Sorry.”

I had to end our relationship before it progressed any further.

“About what?” she asked with a trembling voice.

“What are you sorry about?”

I spoke resolutely while looking into her eyes, “I’m dropping out.”

“…!”

Chae Nayun sighed in shock. “W-Why?”

“I’m going to become a mercenary. I already received a good offer.”

“Yeah, but why?”

“I don’t want to tell you.”

Her eyebrows twitched. “Then when are you dropping out?”

“Next week at the earliest.”

Next week. Chae Nayun laughed dejectedly at those 2 words.

“And when did you decide?”

“Before the second year began.”

She clenched her teeth and forcefully smiled. “So you decided that long ago? Without telling me anything?”

“Why would I?”

“Ah… r-right, right, right…”

Unable to speak properly, Chae Nayun dropped her head and smacked herself. Her hair had grown fairly long and shook across her face. After a brief moment of silence…

“Fine, I get it.”

She wiped away her tears.

“Do whatever you want. It’s none of my business. It has nothing to do with… dammit.”

She silently cursed and turned away. Tak, tak. Only her lonely footsteps rang out in the empty park.

“… Yeah.”

I also turned around and bitterly sighed. Then I began to walk away. Beeeep— Beeep— My smartwatch suddenly buzzed like crazy. Not just mine. Chae Nayun’s watch and even from people far away began to ring. It was an emergency evacuation.

“Eh?”

Puzzled, I turned on my smartwatch. It displayed breaking news that Creator’s Sacred Grace had failed their tower campaign. I didn’t think much of it since I knew it would happen.

“Hey! Kim Hajin!”

Chae Nayun suddenly ran into me. She embraced me before I could even react and covered me with her body as though to protect me from something. In the next moment…

KOONG—!

A giant explosion swept over us. I didn’t even have time to be confused. A huge shockwave struck my body after a flash of light. Then my consciousness faded.

***

Yoo Yeonha was currently in her dorm room, which was smaller than last year’s thanks to her rank dropping.

“Hmm…”

She sighed at the report that came in.

[We looked into every known criminal, but no one had such a tattoo.] [Our newest member, Kim Hosup, contributed greatly to this investigation.]

The complete investigation only took 3 weeks to finish. She felt surprised since she expected it to take at least 3 months.

“The new recruit must be quite useful.”

Yoo Yeonha positively replied about a bonus for the new recruit’s hard work. Then she went back to looking at the tattoo. It looked ordinary, but wasn’t so common. The deep color made it quite odd, but also more natural-looking.

“Where did a tattoo like this come from?”

Another message arrived as she curiously muttered. It shocked her more than the previous one.

[Master, Creator’s Sacred Grace has failed its Tower of Miracle campaign.]

“What?”

Beeep— Beeep— A loud alarm suddenly rang from her smartwatch.

“Kyak!”

She jumped out of her seat from the emergency evacuation alarm.

“W-What is it!”

However, she soon calmed down and replied.

[Are you positive?]

[Yes. Their failure caused magic power to leak from the tower. Several magic power explosions occurred around the area.]

“…”

Yoo Yeonha made a strange face at the revelation. Failure to conquer a tower often caused its magic power to clash with the outside world, causing huge explosions. Either the tower naturally reacted like that or the guild that failed had been careless.

The Tower of Miracle was located in Umyeon Mountain in Gangnam. If explosions occurred because the guild acted carelessly…

“Hmm.”

That would be the end of Creator’s Sacred Grace. The corners of her lips subconsciously curled up. However, now wasn’t the time to celebrate. Yoo Yeonha quickly turned serious and contacted Essence of the Strait.

“Immediately deploy guild members to regions around the Tower of Miracle. Yes, as many as possible! Our foremost goal is to protect and rescue civilians.”

A competitor’s downfall served as an opportunity for growth. Yoo Yeonha would make full use of this situation.

“Whew…”

After spending about 10 minutes in her comfortable chair… Tiriri— Her smartwatch rang again. She picked up the call without much thought.

“Yes, hello?”

However, she turned grave at the contents of the call.

***

Yoo Yeonha ran to the Gangnam Severance Hospital where Chae Nayun and Kim Hajin had been hospitalized. Kim Suho and Shin Jonghak hadn’t arrived yet because of the slow news. The hospital was in a state of chaos. Patients arrived by the minute and most suffered from severe injuries.

“Yoo Yeonha, over here.”

The hospital’s chief resident greeted her.

“Um, where are the 2 patients you mentioned?”

“Ah, neither are seriously injured, so don’t worry too much. They’re currently in the VIP rooms.”

She breathed a sigh of relief, but also couldn’t help but wonder why such things always happened to them?

“What about other civilians?”

“We’ve yet to grasp the total damage, but several mana barriers reduced the impact from the explosions in Gangnam. The damages should be within a moderate range.”

“Ah… then can you take me to my friends?”

“Yes, follow me.”

She followed her contact and visited Chae Nayun first.

“It’s here.”

“Thank you.”

[VIP – Chae Nayun] The nameplate indicated only one person inside. Yoo Yeonha opened the door and walked in.

“Eh?”

Chae Nayun was still unconscious. Her hair also seemed much shorter than earlier in the day.

“Her hair is… practically a short cut.”

“Her hair was burnt from protecting the other person, so we had no choice but to cut it.”

“Ah…”

Yoo Yeonha immediately knew that Chae Nayun had protected Kim Hajin.

“You know, he would’ve been fine even if you hadn’t protected him.”

“Hm?”

Chae Nayun slowly opened her eyes when Yoo Yeonha murmured. Startled, Yoo Yeonha quickly walked up to her.

“Nayun!”

“… Eh?”

Chae Nayun blankly muttered after seeing the hospital ceiling. Then she suddenly shot up. Her hands trembled uncontrollably and her eyes filled with terror.

“Nayun, everything’s okay.”

“W-What, what just, uu, uaaah…”

Despite Yoo Yeonha’s reassurance, Chae Nayun began to tear up. Yoo Yeonha couldn’t help but pity her struggle with unspeakable terror.

“Nayun, calm down.”

“Ah, uu, Hajin. What happened to Hajin?”

“Patient Kim Hajin is fine. He’s sleeping next door. He’s in much better condition than you.”

“Really?”

“Yes, really.”

Only then did Chae Nayun stop trembling. Then she began to hyperventilate and fainted.

“Ah! Is she okay?” Yoo Yeonha shouted in shock.

“Yes, as I said, she has no physical injury, but she keeps showing signs of a panic attack. This is already the third time.”

“Third time?”

“Yes, I believe she’s suffering from PTSD.”

“T-That’s…”

Yoo Yeonha quietly placed her hand on Chae Nayun’s forehead. It felt burning hot.

“Oh right, what about the other patient?”

“Patient Kim Hajin is next door.”

Yoo Yeonha left Chae Nayun and went next door. Kim Hajin slept on the hospital bed with no noticeable injuries like the doctor said.

“He suffered light burns to his legs and arms, but is completely fine otherwise.”

“That’s great to hear.”

Yoo Yeonha stared at him in a patient gown. He seemed relaxed and at peace, almost as if he had fallen asleep instead of fainting. Yoo Yeonha smiled at him sleeping like a child. She had an urge to poke his puffy cheeks. By pure coincidence, something suddenly caught her attention.

“Hm?”

Below his right sleeve, a black line peeked out from his upper arm. It looked strangely familiar and ominous. An image in Yoo Yeonha’s head overlapped with the line in front of her.

“What’s… this…?”

She softly murmured and reached out. Her instincts roared when her fingers almost reached his sleeve. It told her to stop, to step back, and not go any further.

“This…”

However, her hand continued and pulled up Kim Hajin’s sleeve. Regret only came after. His sleeve still covered half the tattoo. However, Yoo Yeonha didn’t need to see the full thing. Half a cross and half a crescent moon. Exactly like the picture of the tattoo.

“E-Eh?”

She murmured and let go. The sleeve fell back and covered his arm.

“T-This…”

She couldn’t find the words to speak. She couldn’t think. Only her head hurt. Her train of thought cut off to protect herself from the stress she couldn’t handle. Her brain stopped functioning and she could only breathe.

Yoo Yeonha clenched her head in a daze. She seemed to be burning up. Her hair tangled up from cold sweat.

“Ah…”

It hurt.

“Auuk…”

Her head felt like it would explode.

1. He talks like Chae Nayun here. ☜