Under Creature Chapter 5.1

“Ugh, seriously. You guys fought again? I’m so sick of seeing it.”

“Hyungs, at this point, it’s a love-hate relationship. Love-hate.”

“It’s not love-hate, it’s just hate. Take out the love.”

Yigeom, having pointedly corrected Jewoo’s word choice, sat down on the sofa with his legs crossed, his displeasure evident. Jewoo approached him and poked him.

“What’s the reason this time? Huh?”

“We didn’t fight.”

He replied casually while glaring at Dohyun sitting across from him.

…Did I do something wrong?

‘I always tell you, you’re the only one for me. Who else would remember my world besides you?’

‘And yet you used to get annoyed that I remembered.’

‘That was in the past.’

‘…But you.’

‘Yes, Gyeom-ah.’

‘Well. You seem like you’d live just fine without me.’

After that, Dohyun hadn’t said a single word the entire way back. Yigeom tilted his head, watching him quietly flip through the pages of his book.

‘Is he feeling guilty because it’s true?’

Just like him, attacks laced with truth always hurt the most.

No, wait, why did we even fight? They fought so often that the reason for their arguments no longer mattered much.

He was definitely sure they’d argued about Seo Dohyun using his ability. He’d been so sure that Dohyun couldn’t do anything without him, so certain that Dohyun wouldn’t go to the vigilante group. And yet, he said all that, only for Dohyun to contact the vigilantes, go watch them, then complain he was bored and start using his ability excessively.

Of course, even with the assurance that Dohyun had only gone to watch and wouldn’t completely return to them, the anxiety and unease that crept in were a different matter… Did Seo Dohyun feel insecure? That couldn’t be it. Yigeom decided to bet on the idea that he was genuinely bored.

“Hyung, hyuuung. So, what happened this time? Why did you fight?”

“…Seo Dohyun said he can’t live without me.”

Condensing and simplifying the entire situation into a short explanation made it sound strange.

“What? See, it is love-hate.”

“It’s not love-hate…”

His eyes met Seo Dohyun’s. He’d been about to retort to Jewoo, but he lost all motivation.

“No, never mind. I’m going to lie down.”

He might as well just rest. Too lazy to go to his bed, he stretched out on the sofa. His legs bumped into Jewoo, but he didn’t particularly care.

“Hey, Cha Jewoo. Let’s go shopping so these two can have round two. They said the convenience store next door has new snacks.”

“Really? What new snacks? Let’s go now!”

Jewoo, whose eyes had lit up at the mention of new snacks, quickly got ready to go out.

“Round two? What are you talking about? I said we didn’t fight. You seem like you want us to fight.”

“What good is sulking? Just fight it out and make up. We won’t be back for a few hours.”

Yigeom grumbled, but at Doa’s words, he reluctantly sat up.

‘I’m not good at fighting when someone sets the stage for it.’

Usually, he’d be the one unilaterally angry at Seo Dohyun, and Dohyun would reluctantly apologize. This time, they were both keeping their mouths shut, maintaining the status quo.

The case file he’d peeked at earlier kept flashing through his mind. It was making it hard to face Seo Doa, but even more so, Seo Dohyun.

Soon, the two students left, and Yigeom nudged Dohyun’s leg with his foot.

“Hey, are you sulking?”

“I’m a bit more… hurt than sulky.”

“Hurt? What about?”

Surprised by Seo Dohyun’s unexpectedly frank answer, Yigeom asked again.

“Don’t forget. I’m trying my best to get along with you.”

“You are? …Oh.”

Yigeom, who’d reflexively started to argue back, covered his mouth with the back of his hand.

Thinking back on past events, Dohyun had been trying in his own way. He even apologized when he thought Yigeom might get angry. Even if it only served to irritate him further.

But even besides that, Seo Dohyun had rushed over on his motorcycle for Jooseungtae’s incident, comforted him when Jooseungtae’s identity was revealed, and worked hard to make sure he could see him.

He knew Seo Dohyun was trying. It was just that Dohyun’s usual tone and attitude angered him.

Right. It’s not easy to change a person’s habits. He himself reacted defensively to whatever Seo Dohyun said, no matter what it was.

“Yeah. I’m sorry about earlier.”

He couldn’t bring himself to say the rest – that he’d said that because he didn’t understand why a guy who seemed like he could live just fine without him would say something like that. He just swallowed the words down.

“You’re apologizing without sincerity.”

“Huh? Me?”

He hadn’t expected to hear those words from Dohyun. Yigeom glared sharply.

“…And you. You were so sure I wouldn’t go to the vigilantes, but why were you so insistent earlier? Telling me to come out quickly and all. Were you bored, or were you actually worried that I’d just up and leave?”

“I didn’t know then, but thinking about it now, I think so.”

“…….”

“I told you I can’t live without you too.”

Yigeom blinked dumbly. Had Dohyun eaten something strange? He reached out and put his hand on Dohyun’s forehead.

“You don’t have a fever.”

“Gyeom-ah.”

“…….”

“You won’t go. You hate achieving anything through deceiving others. You hate doing things that prick your conscience.”

It reminded him of when they sparred with Yeho. When he’d won using Seo Dohyun’s ability. He’d gotten angry then, and the situation was similar now. It was an achievement earned through Dohyun’s ability. Back then with Yeho, he’d been that angry, so he was sure that he wouldn’t use that achievement to jump ship to the vigilantes.

“You hate being sick too.”

He remembered his past self, always whining when he was sick.

“You hate this, and you hate that.”

He did use the word “hate” quite often when he was with Seo Dohyun.

Seo Dohyun continued to list the things Yigeom hated. Yigeom wondered, did I hate that many things? And conversely, had Seo Dohyun been observing him that closely?

“You hate me the most out of all of them.”

“…….”

“So. Let’s try to get along.”

Dohyun repeated.

“I’m trying. Are you trying?”

Yigeom fell into thought. Trying? Was he trying? Was he trying now? He hadn’t. He was too busy hating Seo Dohyun. Because he hated him. Because he killed him. Because hating him was natural.

But looking back, Dohyun had saved him many times too. Probably countless times. That didn’t erase the wrong of killing him, but he was tirelessly trying to get along.

Why? As the Master, as the CEO, was harmony among the members important? Because, just like every member had their role, harmony was the CEO’s ‘natural duty’?

That’s how Seo Dohyun might think. But the important thing was the fact that he was trying.

Were you trying? If he said that he hadn’t, that he was too busy expressing his hatred for Dohyun to have time to try, would Dohyun get angry?

“Yoon Yigeom, I want you to stay in Latter.”

“Why? Because there’s something I need to do here?”

“That too, but…”

That too? That’s just like Seo Dohyun. Now, he could listen to Dohyun’s answers with a certain level of composure instead of immediately getting angry. He was just that kind of person.

“I have fun hunting with you.”

“I hate creature hunting…”

Yigeom shut his mouth again. He hadn’t realized it, but now that Seo Dohyun had pointed it out, his behavior was clear. He almost said he hated it again.

“It’s hard to talk to you, and you hate a lot of things, but it’s still fun.”

“Because I’m Latter?”

He asked cautiously. He didn’t think Dohyun would consider this a negative question, did he?

“No.”

Yigeom’s eyes widened in surprise at Dohyun’s immediate answer.

“I’ve been thinking about it, and I think you’re special.”

“What?”

At first, it didn’t bother him at all when Yoon Yigeom badmouthed him, cursed at him, or said he hated him to his face. But lately, he kept getting these strange feelings.

Seo Dohyun thought hard about it. He thought and thought, and observed Yoon Yigeom.

Just how many times a day did Yoon Yigeom say the word “hate”? Why did he hate so many things? Even when he tried to get along, Yigeom always ended up getting angry.

As a result of his observations, he found that Yoon Yigeom used the expression “hate” especially often in front of him, hated everything when he was with him, and was always angry at him.

So, he tried to be nice. He’d rush over whenever something happened, comfort him when he was sad about his friend, help him meet his imprisoned friend, pick Yigeom up from school… He tried in many ways, but Yigeom always acted the same.

Because of that, he asked himself again and again why he was trying so hard.

Thus, his questions and answers were redefined.

Yoon Yigeom is special. Why? Because he’s Latter, but for a more unique reason, he’s the only one who remembers my world. Because it’s comfortable and fun being with him.

“…Me? Special? What about me?”

“Only the two of us can remember.”

In the forgotten world that everyone else has forgotten. Me, you, and you, me.

Each of them was proof of the other’s existence.

So how could he not be special?

At his unexpected answer, Yigeom muttered in a softer voice.

“And you’re the one who used to say I was asking for special treatment?”

‘Are you asking for special treatment?’

“Ah, that?”

Seo Dohyun said casually.

“Then let’s do it. Special treatment.”

“…Do you know what you’re saying?”

“Let’s do it. I’ll give it to you.”

Yigeom’s lips parted slightly. He said let’s do it, but could they really just do it?

“So you have to give it to me too. Special treatment.”

“…….”

“Though I think we need to get closer first.”

“No. First…. Sigh.”

Yigeom rubbed his face. He couldn’t argue back now that Seo Dohyun was being so honest. This made him have to concede.

“Yoon Yigeom. What are you going to do?”

I’ve said my piece, now it’s your turn, is that it?

Eventually, he nibbled on his lip and answered. They weren’t kindergarteners, they were grown adults. If one side showed sincerity, the other side had to respond in kind.

“Well, for now, I’ll try too. All this time… I think I’ve used the expression ‘hate’ a lot, especially towards you. I’ll try to reduce it.”

“And?”

Dohyun looked down at him, fiddling with his piercing. Having no other choice, Yigeom extended his hand first.

“Sigh… Fine. Let’s try to… get along.”

Dohyun’s lips curved into a relaxed smile, and their palms met.

Months after Yigeom joined Latter, they finally reached a dramatic reconciliation.

After their hard-won reconciliation, they spent a quiet time in the office, each doing their own thing. Doa and Jewoo were still out, wherever they had gone. Then, Yigeom called out to Dohyun, saying he remembered something.

“Ah, right.”

“Yes, Gyeom-ah.”

“You have to apologize for that too.”

Dohyun’s eyebrows furrowed.

“Is there something else I need to apologize for?”

“For the first day we met, for killing me.”

“Sorry. I won’t do it again. Not that there’s a chance I could.”

Dohyun apologized obediently, and Yigeom accepted it with satisfaction.

He’d heard an apology before while sharing gummy bears at the convenience store, but it wasn’t proper, and he’d never considered it sincere.

To truly become close, it was important to tie up loose ends from the past.

It wasn’t like they were only going to see each other for a day, and as Seo Dohyun said, it wouldn’t make sense to join the vigilantes with fake credentials. Yigeom had genuinely decided to accept his apology and try to improve their relationship. But before that…

“Hey, Seo Dohyun. There’s something I need to apologize for too.”

“Yes?”

“It’s closer to a confession than an apology, but actually, I saw the case file in the office earlier.”

“Really? What did you see?”

Yigeom looked him straight in the eyes and asked.

“April 5th, 20**.”

“…….”

Dohyun’s eyes momentarily sharpened.

“You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to. I won’t pry, and I won’t ever mention it again.”

“Is that so?”

“Yeah. For the record, I didn’t look for it on purpose. That day is my parents’ death anniversary, so my eyes went to the date first. Then I happened to see your case. I didn’t even read it all. I only read the first page, so I don’t know the details.”

He rambled on out of guilt. Seo Dohyun flipped a page and replied casually.

“Something bad happened that day. For you, Gyeom-ie, and for me.”

“Yeah, and for Doa too.”

Dohyun closed the book he was reading.

“Should I tell you?”

“…….”

“What happened that day?”

Yigeom’s lips parted.

“No, I’m okay…”

“It’s hard to explain. I’ll ask Mr. Sangwoo. Do you want to read it yourself?”

“No, it’s okay, I don’t need to…”

“Do you want to see it tomorrow?”

Seo Dohyun cut him off and contacted Sangwoo. Yigeom gave up and closed his mouth.

They were already in the same boat, but was he giving him a heads-up to be careful in the future, since they’d be in the same boat going forward? He wasn’t going to mention it in front of the two of them, and he wasn’t going to tell anyone else, so it didn’t really matter.

“We’re back—!”

“Did you two make up? We bought ice cream, do you want some?”

“Idiot Cha Jewoo. The strawberry flavor is mine, so put it aside.”

“There’s no ‘yours’ or ‘mine.’ Finders keepers.”

“Fine. You said you like red bean, right? How old-fashioned… Where’s the red bean flavor? I have to grab it first.”

“Ah, wait…!”

The office became lively with just the addition of two people. Yigeom stretched out his arm and shouted.

“Chocolate is mine. If you bought chocolate, hand it over.”

“Doesn’t Gyeom-hyung usually prefer strawberry?”

“Today, I’m team chocolate.”

He said as he caught the chocolate ice cream Jewoo tossed to him.

“Seo Dohyun, you?”

“Me?”

“What flavor do you want?”

At Yigeom’s question, Dohyun froze.

“Huh?”

Doa and Jewoo, who had been bickering, also fell silent.

“…I’m asking what flavor you like. What, can’t I even ask?”

Embarrassed by the silence, he grumbled, and Dohyun answered.

“I don’t really like ice cream.”

“…Really?”

Ice cream was one of the foods they often ate at the office.

But thinking back, Dohyun always only ate a few spoonfuls of the ice cream from Baskin-Robbins, and he’d never seen him eat a popsicle.

“Gyeom-oppa, you’re just realizing that now?”

“…….”

He had nothing to say in his defense.

Did he need to know in the first place? What Dohyun liked and disliked? No, wait. Yoon Yigeom. You decided to try to get along. Seo Dohyun even knew what kind of cup meals he liked…

Yigeom corrected his instinctively defensive thoughts and patted Dohyun’s shoulder.

“Um… sorry? You don’t like ice cream? Okay… I’ll remember that from now on.”

“…Oh my.”

Doa dropped the plastic bag of ice cream. Jewoo, who would normally have caught any falling food with his quick reflexes, was also staring blankly with his mouth agape, surprised by Yigeom’s attitude.

“Did they make up? Make up? Did Gyeom-oppa make up? Make up? He made up? With who? With our oppa? Really?”

Seo Doa muttered as if chanting a prayer.

“What’s with you guys? Did you see a ghost or something? Why are you reacting like this?”

“They’re surprised that you’re being nice to me.”

“…This much?”

He just asked what flavor he liked. Yigeom frowned. How had he treated Dohyun all this time for them to react like this?

“Company dinner! What day is it today? Anniversary! It’s an anniversary! We’re having a company dinner today!”

Jewoo, whose every thought process concluded with food, exclaimed, raising both hands in the air.

“Company dinner!”

He looked like he was about to start playing celebratory music.

“…….”

He approached Yigeom, who had a sullen look on his face, examined him closely, and even checked his forehead for a fever.

“What is it? Is Gyeom-hyung sick? No, he’s not. Anyway! Hyung, is there anything you want to eat today? Company dinner! Gyeom-hyung, today is your day! Company dinner! Let’s have a company dinner every year on this day!”

What kind of employee loved company dinners more than the CEO?

Dohyun responded with a smile playing on his lips.

“Should we? Gyeom-ah, is there anything you want to eat?”

“…Let’s stop with the company dinners. I’m sick of them. I’ll pass.”

Doa, with narrowed eyes, nudged Yigeom’s elbow, her eyes full of mischief.

“We’re having a company dinner because of you, oppa. What do you mean you’ll pass? But how did you two make up?”

‘These siblings, really…’

Cha Jewoo chimed in, nodding in agreement.

“Yeah. You’re always fighting, what’s gotten into you today? Anyway, it’s good to see you getting along!”

“…….”

Yigeom stared blankly at the two students. They seemed very happy about their reconciliation, somehow looking relieved.

It must have been awkward for them, seeing grown adults constantly bickering in the office, even if they didn’t say anything. A wave of regret washed over him as he thought, had he been fighting with Dohyun too much in front of the kids?

“But it’s a bit of a shame.”

“I know, right? It was fun watching them fight.”

“If Sanha-hyung were here, we would have formed a reconciliation expedition and gone to Gyeom-hyung’s house.”

…Reconciliation expedition? Yigeom immediately retracted all the thoughts he’d just had. These guys were enjoying their fights.

Just as he was about to scold them, Dohyun grabbed his wrist.

“Let’s stop this and go eat.”

“…Sigh, you students over there. Stop chattering and get ready. We’re going to have a company dinner.”

Doa and Jewoo’s eyes sparkled.

“Okay!”

Even at the restaurant, Yigeom treated Doa as he always did. There was no reason to change his behavior after learning about the past.

Still, that incident must have been traumatizing for Doa, but she seemed very bright now.

‘That’s good.’

Yigeom, feeling proud, picked up some meat and placed it on Doa’s plate.

“Huh? Why all of a sudden?”

“Eat a lot and grow up big and strong.”

“I’m almost as tall as Cha Jewoo. I might even grow taller.”

Cha Jewoo, who was shoving meat into his mouth without even cutting it, grumbled.

“What? Why are you dragging me into this?”

“Eat slowly. How fast were you eating that oppa gave the meat to me?”

“…I’m eating slowly.”

He decided not to ask just how much faster Jewoo would eat if he ate really fast.

They finished the company dinner like that.

🦅࿐

The next morning, Yigeom and Dohyun headed back to the vigilante headquarters they had visited the day before. Sangwoo was there to greet them. Seo Dohyun rolled down the car window.

“Hey, Seo Dohyun.”

“Hello.”

“You coming in too?”

Dohyun stared silently at Yigeom in the passenger seat without answering. Yigeom, who was about to get out, hesitated and asked.

“Why?”

Dohyun smiled sweetly.

“I’ll be bored waiting, so hurry up and come back.”

“Whatever.”

Yigeom replied curtly.

‘Hmm, is he really trying? He’s still prickly.’

As he was thinking that, Yigeom got out of the car, closed the door, and muttered through the open window.

“I’ll be back soon, so buy yourself a snack or something.”

“…….”

Dohyun blinked.

It seemed like he was trying to be nice, but his methods were a bit… like he was dealing with a child, weren’t they?

They were the kind of things he would say to Doa and Jewoo.

“So why does that Dohyun kid want me to show you this? Not that it matters. Actually, it does matter. It’s not supposed to be disclosed to outsiders.”

Sangwoo muttered to himself as he led him to his office. Yigeom, following behind, asked.

“So, can I see it or not?”

“Ahem! Since that kid agreed, I’m making a special exception, so don’t you go around blabbing about seeing this.”

“Yes, sir. I don’t have anyone to tell anyway.”

Arriving at his office, Sangwoo immediately pulled out the April 5th case file and placed it on the table.

Yigeom hesitantly reached for the file.

‘I never thought I’d see this again.’

Especially with Dohyun’s permission.

“Coffee? Tea?”

“Coffee today.”

“Your tastes… never consistent. I want tea today.”

“Tea is fine too. I drink anything, so whatever you prefer.”

Sangwoo ignored him and made coffee. If he was going to make coffee anyway, why did he even grumble? Despite all that, he was a kind-hearted person.

While Sangwoo was making coffee, Yigeom flipped through the pages. He reread the first page, even though he’d seen it yesterday.

“…….”

He felt conflicted, half wondering if he should even be looking at this, and half thinking that it was okay since Seo Dohyun had given him permission.

He also worried, was it really okay to look at this without Doa’s permission, since she was the biggest victim? But his hand was already turning to the next page.

The only sound in the office was the rustling of paper.

Yigeom exited the building and got into Seo Dohyun’s car.

“You’re back quickly.”

“I read it quickly.”

“What are your thoughts?”

“Why should I give my thoughts on something like that?”

Dohyun tapped the steering wheel with his index finger and began to speak.

“Doa doesn’t remember that incident because of the shock.”

“I see.”

It was also recorded in the case file. That further investigation was impossible due to the victim’s unstable mental state.

He’d thought she was so cheerful because she’d overcome it, but she’d completely erased the incident from her memory.

“…That vigilante, was he caught?”

“I killed him.”

That vigilante, unable to control his greed, had received blood from a Blood Hunter and tried to sell Seo Doa in exchange for collaborating with him.

They were siblings who grew up together after losing their parents early on, so his rage was understandable.

‘I would have done the same.’

Yigeom nodded silently.

“I see. You’ve been through a lot.”

“It’s a bit anticlimactic since Doa doesn’t remember anything, but at least I got revenge.”

According to the case file, all the vigilantes mobilized, not only to eliminate the guy who kidnapped Doa, but also to wipe out an entire group of Blood Hunters called “Delos” who had helped him.

Also, that day was the day that “A,” who had only been a name, giving orders through Sangwoo, actually took action.

🦅࿐

“Yes. Yes, I’m sorry. You even showed me around. Yes, thank you.”

He hung up after declining the offer to join the vigilantes.

“Who was that?”

“Someone I know.”

“What are you sorry about?”

“Just… various reasons.”

He vaguely explained and flopped down on Kang Taeha’s bed. It had been a while since he’d visited Taeha’s place, and it felt as cozy and comfortable as his own home.

“Get up. We’re going out.”

Yigeom glanced at Taeha as he changed clothes. They used to shower together when they were younger, so he was used to seeing Taeha’s naked body.

But familiarity and novelty were two different things.

Yigeom admired the subtle movements of Taeha’s back muscles until he pulled on a sweater.

‘How much does he work out?’

“Where are we going?”

“To work on an assignment.”

“You can do it at home.”

He grumbled and rolled around on the bed, but Kang Taeha grabbed his wrist and pulled him up.

“It’s a group project for a liberal arts class. We’re supposed to meet today.”

It seemed to be a group project for one of Taeha’s liberal arts classes.

“Then you should go alone. You should have taken the same liberal arts class as me. That one doesn’t have many assignments.”

“It was full.”

They always matched their schedules every semester, but this semester, while Yigeom was momentarily distracted, the class filled up, and only he managed to register.

Kang Taeha, who had to take a different class, suggested that Yigeom switch to his, but since that professor was known for assigning group projects, the ever-lazy Yigeom refused.

“We’re meeting at a cafe. I’ll be done soon, so just have a drink there. I’ll buy you one.”

“Can’t I just wait here?”

He didn’t want to go out in the cold, and it was warm and cozy here.

“What would you do alone at ho… Gyeom-ah, your phone. Is it your uncle?”

“…Hold on.”

Yigeom, who had been lazily lying back down despite Kang Taeha pulling him up, abruptly sat up and answered the phone.

“Yes, Uncle.”

Seven years ago, his parents died in a car accident, and he grew up in his uncle’s house, treated like their own child, even though they were married but didn’t have children.

His uncle and aunt were his benefactors, like second parents to him.

“Yes. I’m doing well. Yes, I’m fine. I’ll visit you after the semester ends.”

After he finished the call, sitting up straight, Taeha asked,

“What did he say?”

“The usual. Asking if I’m running low on side dishes, if I need more allowance, if I’m doing well.”

“He must miss you.”

“Yeah. I’ll visit them after the semester ends.”

Thanks to the money he was making from Latter, his life had become much easier.

No matter how many part-time jobs he worked, after paying rent, tuition, and living expenses, he always had to rely on his uncle.

Of course, his uncle deposited a large sum of money as an allowance every month, but he always felt both sorry and grateful. He couldn’t bring himself to spend the money, so he saved it all and only withdrew it when he absolutely needed it.

But now that he was earning a significant amount, he could afford to spend a little more and still have plenty left over.

“Anyway, get up. We’re supposed to meet by 4. Let’s have dinner after the project is done.”

At Kang Taeha’s urging, Yigeom slowly got dressed.

He had no CA Area today, and it was a rare day off, so he had planned to stay home, but his friend had messed up his plans.

“How long will the project take?”

“I’ll finish it within two hours.”

Thinking he might as well work on his own assignments rather than just sitting at a cafe, he rummaged through his backpack. The deadline hadn’t arrived yet, but it wouldn’t hurt to get it done early.

After entering the cafe with Kang Taeha and ordering drinks, Yigeom took a seat at a table away from him. Kang Taeha headed towards his group members to work on the project.

After being out in the cold, the warmth of the cafe made him feel drowsy, and he couldn’t help but yawn.

Think about what you want to eat; I’ll be done soon.

It was a text from Kang Taeha. Could a group project really be over just because he wanted it to be? It depended on the group’s cooperation.

He opened his book without replying to the text.

“Oh? It’s Yigeom.”

He looked up at the voice calling him. His face instinctively scrunched up.

“Hello. I’ve been trying to contact you, why haven’t you been responding? It’s embarrassing to just be talking to myself through texts.”

He didn’t look embarrassed at all.

“I’ve been busy.”

“Are you busy now?”

“Yes, as you can see.”

Yigeom showed Noh Jeonggyu the book he was studying. Noh Jeonggyu smiled amiably and sat down across from him.

“Ah, I’m here to run a quick errand nearby.”

He hadn’t asked. And he’d said he was busy, so why was Jeonggyu sitting in front of him? Without permission? And with a drink and dessert in hand.

“Oh, right. I recently had my second awakening.”

Noh Jeonggyu declared confidently.

“Congratulations.”

“Aren’t you curious about what it is?”

“I’m a bit busy.”

“Ah, I should ask for another fork. Have some, Yigeom.”

“…….”

Even after he mentioned again that he was busy, Noh Jeonggyu didn’t seem to hear him. Instead, he pushed the dessert towards him and went to get another fork from the staff.

‘What? Is this how you join someone else’s table?’

He glanced at Kang Taeha’s table. They seemed to be discussing the group project.

He thought about calling Kang Taeha over, saying he had company, but he didn’t want to interrupt their work, and it would definitely be awkward to join their table.

“Yigeom, here’s a fork.”

“Thank you. But I don’t really feel like dessert right now…”

“Here, let’s split it half and half. Eat up.”

No, it’s really okay. But Noh Jeonggyu insisted on being kind, even splitting the dessert for him.

He had no choice but to pick up the fork.

“How is it? Delicious, right?”

“…Yes.”

It was delicious.

“What have you been up to, Yigeom? I haven’t heard from you, you must have been very busy.”

“Cough!”

Was he being subtly guilt-tripped for being ignored?

Yigeom had been keeping in touch, albeit slowly, at first. But it felt weird to be contacted several times a day for no particular reason. Even Kang Taeha didn’t do that.

Eventually, after repeatedly ignoring him, it had become a one-sided conversation with Noh Jeonggyu just talking to himself.

“Haha, it’s okay. You must have been busy.”

“Yes. …Sorry.”

Even though he was a chatterbox, he wasn’t a bad person. He’d shared his dessert, and Yigeom felt a little guilty for ignoring him.

It wasn’t like Taeha would be working on the project for the entire two hours, and a short conversation should be fine.

“What errand did you have nearby, Noh Jeonggyu?”

“Ah, I’m here with my Master.”

“Your Master?”

If it was Yeho’s Master… Was it Kim Yiseong?

Yigeom looked around. If he was here with his Master, why was he alone?

“My Master is working around here for a bit.”

“…Aren’t you working, Noh Jeonggyu?”

Could a subordinate rest while their boss was working? He had a fundamental question.

And it was strange that a Master would be working with a new guild member. Of course, he and Seo Dohyun had done that too, but Yeho wasn’t a small, haphazard guild like Latter. They had a proper system and rules.

“I am working. I’m not good at combat yet, so I’m mainly doing reconnaissance.”

Jeonggyu quickly turned his head, scanning the surroundings.

Yigeom frowned. Was he serious? Then he thought, well, it’s none of his business, and quietly ate his dessert.

Just then, Kang Taeha approached.

“Yigeom, who is this?”

“Ah, someone I happen to know.”

Noh Jeonggyu also looked at him with a curious expression.

“Yigeom, who is this?”

“My friend. How’s the project going?”

“Just came back from the restroom.”

Noh Jeonggyu suddenly asked,

“What’s your name? I’m Noh Jeonggyu.”

“I’m… I should get going, you should get back to the project.”

Kang Taeha, who seemed like he was about to tell him his name, simply nodded and returned to his group’s table.

After years of being together, it was hard not to know Kang Taeha’s habits. The way he’d changed the subject and left…

‘He must not have wanted to tell him.’

“Hmm, I didn’t catch your name. Are you a civilian? Not a Hunter.”

He asked, stirring the ice in his cup with a straw.

“Yes. I don’t want him to get involved in anything strange, so if you could, please avoid him, Noh Jeonggyu…”

“Yes, yes. I understand. Of course. I wasn’t planning on getting close to him anyway.”

He didn’t want Kang Taeha to be put in danger by getting involved with a Hunter.

Of course, he himself was a Hunter, and Jooseungtae was even a Blood Hunter… but still, he wanted Kang Taeha, as a civilian, to keep his distance from the creature world.

Even if creatures and civilians didn’t affect each other, he couldn’t help but worry.

‘Do you know why Adrell ordered me to become friends with Kang Taeha?’

‘Do you know what Kang Taeha is up to?’

Jooseungtae’s words bothered him, but it wasn’t like he was going to stop seeing Kang Taeha…

Fortunately, Noh Jeonggyu seemed to understand.

“You two seem close.”

“We get along.”

He answered, flipping through his textbook, when a vibration on the table drew his attention to Noh Jeonggyu’s phone.

“Oh, excuse me. It’s my Master.”

“Sure, go ahead. Or should I give you some privacy?”

“No! It’s okay.”

Noh Jeonggyu answered the phone in front of Yigeom.

“Yes, hello? Ah, I’m at ×× Cafe right now. Yes, yes. I’ll be right there.”

After hanging up, he gave an awkward smile.

“What should I do? I need to go now.”

“It seems urgent, you should hurry.”

Thinking, ‘This is perfect! Finally, some peace to work on my assignments,’ he readily agreed.

“Okay, then I’ll be going. Yigeom, fighting with your studies!”

“Thank you.”

Noh Jeonggyu returned his drink to the counter and left.

‘Finally, some peace and quiet.’

Yigeom spun his pen and focused on his assignment, feeling relieved.

🦅࿐

“How did it go?”

“I lost him.”

Kim Yiseong, Yeho’s Master, muttered in response to Noh Jeonggyu’s question, wiping the blood off his face. Despite the blood, his unique recovery ability left him without a scratch.

“Oh, you lost him? Then what should we do now… What’s that weapon?”

Kim Yiseong was holding a small weapon. It was engraved with the Chinese characters [利練]. It was a product from “Ireon,” a weapons manufacturing company in Busan.

“I guess I’ll have to go to Busan.”