“Yun-jae…?”

Ju-eon’s voice vanished into thin air before reaching Yun-jae.

**

Yeo Han-ol fled the moment he heard Kang Yun-jae’s words. He acted reflexively rather than making a calculated decision. Myung-hwon chased after him. Being inside the building made attacking difficult, so he could only close the gap by increasing his speed.

“Stop following me.”

“Surrendering now might actually be better for you.”

“You don’t understand.”

Myung-hwon frowned at the voice filled with resentment. The reason he hadn’t done anything to Yeo Han-ol until now wasn’t because of family affection or brotherly love. When Han-ol was adopted, Myung-hwon was still too young to do anything, but he felt a trace of guilt for essentially turning a blind eye to Han-ol’s situation, knowing Yeo Ji-woong was exploiting him.

“I won’t deny that you were unhappy, but that doesn’t erase the harm you’ve caused to others.”

Han-ol’s expression twisted at Myung-hwon’s words.

“You, who could easily give up what you naturally had from the beginning, will never understand me.”

He knew he had made mistakes. But from Han-ol’s perspective, it felt unfair. The world had been unkind to him, so he decided to be unkind in return. All he wanted was to create relationships where people wouldn’t abandon each other.

At first, he just wanted to hear some explanation. That he had no choice because Yeo Ji-woong had leverage over him. That he was sorry. Even without sincerity, hearing those words would have made everything feel like it could return to normal.

He knew it was stubbornness. None of the people who had regained their senses looked at him anymore. He didn’t want to admit it, but reality was cold.

Yeo Ji-woong was the massive reef blocking his path. No matter how large the ship, it would break if it didn’t avoid the reef. But even reefs that seemed indestructible eventually disappear. And Han-ol learned today that such moments can come unexpectedly sudden.

“Ah…”

He stood frozen like a taxidermied person. Myung-hwon approached within arm’s reach but didn’t grab Han-ol, pausing briefly. Before them lay the pathetic, sprawled form of Yeo Ji-woong.

“…Haha…”

Yeo Han-ol let out a dry laugh. It felt like he had gathered people and built strength for a long time to overcome the reef, only to lose everything just before crossing it. He was about to give up when miraculously the reef disappeared, allowing him to pass through.

He felt both emptiness and the sudden realization that there had been other paths beside the reef all along.

“Ugh…”

Yeo Ji-woong, whom he thought was dead, let out a faint groan.

Flinch.

Yeo Han-ol approached Ji-woong.

“Can I take him with me?”

It was an odd question to ask someone who had come to capture him.

Having fought countless battles, both men knew. The scars on Ji-woong’s body weren’t from an accident or random incident, but from someone who had stabbed him with clear k*lling intent.

Myung-hwon nodded faintly. He absolutely didn’t want Ji-woong’s death becoming an issue. It would be best if he simply disappeared without causing any stir and was forgotten.

**

“This person isn’t dead.”

For a moment, his heart sank. But Seo Yun-jin quickly checked Kang Yun-jae’s pulse and reassured Ju-eon.

“He just fainted from shock. He won’t die from this. If he loses more blood here, I can’t guarantee anything though.”

Ju-eon collapsed at Yun-jin’s cool-headed response.

“Hey, the people having seizures have stopped, right?”

Gu-young, who had been dealing with the seizing people until the end, approached Ju-eon while wiping away sweat mixed with dust.

Yun-jae was right. The espers who seemed to worsen after taking the suppressant gradually returned to their normal complexion.

“Aagh!”

“My arm!”

Some who had been unconscious now regained consciousness, screaming in pain as sensation returned.

The world seemed to move slowly. What had appeared to be an endless hellscape ended in an instant.

“Over here!”

Su-hui, who hadn’t been seen for a while, appeared with rescue workers in tow, having apparently gone outside. Soon after, helicopters circled overhead with loud noise to facilitate the smooth transportation of the injured.

“Ju-eon.”

Myung-hwon, who had returned, cupped Ju-eon’s cheek. Something hot seemed to burst from his chest. He had a vague feeling that this was the end. He could sense that Myung-hwon felt the same way.

Myung-hwon looked at Ju-eon with an expectant expression, seemingly hoping to hear something, but Ju-eon hadn’t come looking for Myung-hwon to say sweet words.

He had been pondering all along. Where exactly did their relationship stand?

He couldn’t know that, but he knew something else. Wherever they stood, they couldn’t remain in the same place anymore. They needed to move forward. He had learned that when you don’t know which way to go, you need to cut the rope.

“Let’s take some time apart.”

Ju-eon’s words came as a cold announcement. Myung-hwon’s eyes widened at the unexpected statement.

“What?”

“I need time to think.”

And so Ju-eon, who had just barely entered Myung-hwon’s embrace, now fled of his own volition.

**

“Young man. I usually don’t serve single portions, but I’ll make an exception for you.”

“Thank you.”

The restaurant owner grumbled about having no customers in this cold weather before finally leaving Ju-eon alone.

Though inside the restaurant, the cold wind chilled his nose tip whenever it blew through the open window. The sea breeze was quite cold. Ju-eon gulped down the soup in front of him.

“Finally taking that trip.”

It was a trip he had wanted to take together so badly, but coming alone like this had its own charm.

After scraping his bowl clean with more appetite than usual, Ju-eon patted his rounded belly.

The problem was that while traveling alone wasn’t bad, he didn’t truly feel alone.

Wherever he went, news of Yeo Myung-hwon constantly reached him. Seo Yun-jin had messaged that Myung-hwon had worked hard for a long time for this moment. Adding that it was all for him.

Ju-eon silently stared at the TV screen visible over the restaurant owner’s shoulder. Neatly dressed, Yeo Myung-hwon looked impressive to anyone.

“As of today, the legalization of private guilds will be implemented…”

Yeo Ji-woong was missing, and most people believed Yeo Myung-hwon would take over running the agency after him. Otherwise, there was speculation he might join a new private guild created by L Corporation, given their close relationship that had led to an engagement.

Though young, his innate abilities were sufficient to quell any concerns about his age.

Since the engagement hadn’t been officially announced yet, opinions were evenly split between Myung-hwon joining a major corporation’s guild or staying with the agency. But Myung-hwon surprised everyone with a bold declaration.

Defying all expectations, Yeo Myung-hwon decided to forge his own path. His eyes were filled with certainty as he announced his intention to create his own domain, free from anyone’s influence. A strong certainty that would never waver.

Myung-hwon’s gaze seemed to pierce through the screen at Ju-eon.

“…And as the leader of the new guild, I will continue my activities as an esper.”

For some reason, Ju-eon left the restaurant feeling like he was fleeing. Everywhere he went, people talked about Yeo Myung-hwon. He eventually ended up at the beach. Standing with his hands in his pockets, feeling the salty sea breeze.

It had been a week since he started traveling alone. The world continued turning as if nothing major had happened. This vacation spot was even more peaceful. Being a weekday, very few people were around. The couple who had just passed Ju-eon became tiny dots in the distance, and he hadn’t encountered anyone new since.

Bzzzz.

He hurriedly checked his phone at the vibration. It was Gu-young.

—Aren’t you coming back?

Both Gu-young and Su-hui had received their hunter licenses earlier than their peers in recognition of their contributions, and now worked busily under Myung-hwon.

Ju-eon considered replying but soon stuffed the phone back in his pocket. It wasn’t the message he had been hoping for.

‘After saying I didn’t expect anything…’

It seemed he had been expecting something after all. Though Ju-eon was the one who suggested taking time apart, he was waiting for Myung-hwon. It wasn’t about pride.

For them to be together, they couldn’t operate on the premise that they should naturally be in each other’s futures simply because they had always been together.

As his cheeks turned red from the cold wind, he felt someone’s warmth quietly touch his back. He could feel a heartbeat against his back.

“Ju-eon. Are you planning to stay here forever?”

“……”

Myung-hwon whispered in an affectionate voice. The warmth of his breath made Ju-eon’s hair stand on end.

“Let’s go back. Together.”

Though the sea breeze was biting, Ju-eon felt unbearably hot. Heat rushed from his head to his toes in an instant.

Like a fish that had been unable to breathe in air finally returning to water, he felt warmth properly flowing through his body again.

There was a time when Ju-eon thought Myung-hwon was perfect. He remembered trying to look better himself, showing only his good side. Back then, he thought such effort was natural. He never thought that both he and Myung-hwon would grow tired of his behavior.

If Ju-eon wanted, Myung-hwon would probably accept him as before.