September has arrived.

If there’s anything that has changed during this time, it’s that the temperature difference has gradually increased, returning home after being discharged, and the contract with Siwoo has been terminated.

[Shinsu ‘Wandering Cat of Darkness’ suggests playing word chain with you after a long time. Will you respond?]

The recent termination of the contract seemed satisfying to the cat.

Eunha, while quietly staring at the message window in front of her, suddenly recalled memories from the past.

[Shinsu ‘Wandering Cat of Darkness’ starts trembling, saying it’s dangerous outside, too scary, and everyone seems to hate me.]

The cat’s attitude when trying to escape from the Unknown Gate. The cat didn’t want to leave, and Eunha seemed to want to stay there with it.

[It says it wanted to play a little more alone and cries, saying there’s no one else but you as a friend.]

In the end, Eunha was handed the last hidden item, but… Eunha’s gaze deepened as she stared at the yellow message window.

Enemy or ally.

For Eunha, if asked whether the cat is one of the two, it’s certainly closer to being an ally.

But even so, Eunha couldn’t erase the inexplicable uneasiness.

[Shinsu ‘Wandering Cat of Darkness’ urges, “Respond? Respond? Word chain game, will you play or not?”]

… If you just look at it quietly, it’s just a cat without anything suspicious.

An animal not included in the 12 gods, a cat.

What exactly is the identity of this fellow, and why is it so kind to Eunha? Come to think of it, Eunha didn’t know much about the cat.

[Shinsu ‘Wandering Cat of Darkness’ says, “Gotcha, it’s a feeling! If you win in the word chain, I promise a 1,000-coin sponsorship. Will you respond?”] [Keyword ▶ Love]

While Eunha was staring at the message window as if she had something to say, she swallowed the words she was about to say and lightly opened her mouth.

“Sunset.”

Ding─

[Congratulations! You’ve earned 1,000 coins!]

It seemed better to observe a little more for now.

The next day.

“Congratulations on your discharge!”

Jehwi arrived early in the morning for Eunha’s discharge party.

Actually, it had been two weeks since Eunha was discharged, but according to him, there was no need to worry about such trivial things when holding a party.

“Haven’t eaten yet? This is packed from the way here… Oh, it’s kimbap and tteokbokki. And this is secretly brought from my house by Jerim, it’s quite an expensive liquor. Yes, that’s right. Royal Charlotte.”

You need to prepare this much when the weather is nice. Jehwi’s hand, sniffing his nose, was pleasantly cool.

He had apparently fallen hard while riding a bicycle recently, leaving scattered bruises all over his body. However, Jehwi hesitated to talk about it, saying it’s nothing the Hunter needs to worry about.
“Ah, I also ordered pizza on the way, but I wasn’t sure what you’d like, so I ordered a half-and-half for now.”

“…….”

“Ah, I should tidy up the kitchen first. My goodness. How many beer cans are there? Did you drink this much again? How long has it been since you were discharged?”

Jehwi skillfully and familiarly tied the apron. Although it was an apron at Eunha’s house, she had never worn it, practically making it Jehwi’s possession.

“Like this, the manager worries… Well, whatever. Hunter, drinking beer before bedtime isn’t good.”

Whoosh.

Jehwi gathered the beer cans together and cleared them away. Watching his back silently, Eunha suddenly spoke.

“Manager.”

“Wow, where did the peanuts I kept here go… Huh?”

Jehwi’s eyes widened.

“I mentioned it last time, but you don’t have to keep coming like this.”

“…Ah.”

Jehwi subtly lowered the trash bag. Then, with a slightly embarrassed expression, he glanced at Eunha.

“Is it, perhaps, a burden…?”

“No, it’s not. But you know, your wounds haven’t completely healed yet.”

Feeling like she became a bad person for no reason, Eunha lowered her voice a bit more and continued.

“As you know, Shinsu and I terminated our contract. So, Manager, you don’t have the obligation to take care of me anymore─.”

But she couldn’t finish her sentence before closing her mouth. Jehwi, who looked pitifully down with slumped shoulders, made Eunha swallow her words.

“Hunter, I’m okay. It’s just a bit bruised to look at, thanks to the CEO… No, really, I’m fine. Trust me. Or maybe it’s because of my nagging? All for you, Hunter… No, I won’t say anything more.”

“…….”

“This is something I’m doing because I like it. Hunter, you’re my, my sister’s benefactor.”

“But you must have other things to do?”

“There are no other things…”

The way he avoided eye contact and answered slowly seemed a bit suspicious. Indeed, Jehwi had two things he hadn’t told Eunha.

First, he had already submitted his resignation.

Second, Siwoo, who had submitted the resignation, canceled it and ordered him to assist Eunha from a distance for a while.

In fact, considering the current situation, he wasn’t exactly ‘observing from a distance.’