“Ah…”

Ae-yeon, who had been looking up at the galaxy as if her neck would break, gently moistened her lips.

Drip-drop.

The raindrops were so thick that it was hard to keep her eyes open. However, Ae-yeon stared fixedly at the galaxy as if she were unyielding.

Between the raindrops, two gazes were entwined for a long time. Ae-yeon, who was sprawling on the ground in a messy state. This time, Verde, who had been discreetly watching her, turned her gaze towards her back, toward Behorde.

“…What? What’s with that look?”

Verde narrowed her eyes slightly, seeming a bit uncomfortable. It wouldn’t be a problem even if there were witnesses.

The Hunter Auction held every year worldwide, including Korea. In a place where numerous ability users gathered, there were inevitably incidents and accidents, big and small.

Of course, killing the arrogant Korean Hunter might cause international problems, but this level of discord would likely be acceptable. Since Carlos’s summoned creatures were guarding the surroundings, the police would be informed if they appeared. In other words.

“No need to be scared.”

Even to such an unheard-of Hunter.

“Sis, just go.”

Ae-yeon, struggling to raise her upper body, spat out a red saliva, saying so.

Galaxy, who had been staring at Verde, turned her gaze back to Ae-yeon. Galaxy didn’t say anything. However, she seemed to be asking like this.

Are you hurt?

Are you okay?

“…I told you to leave, regardless.”

Ae-yeon said again to Galaxy, who showed no signs of movement.

The abnormal status ‘Silence’ would be lifted soon.

It was now after fully understanding the opponent’s abilities. If the skill returned, Ae-yeon could easily get away from them. Revenge was possible at any time.

Just endure for a few more minutes. Yes, just a few minutes.

Moreover, being an F-rank concept Hunter, she couldn’t face them. Before Ae-yeon’s ‘Silence’ was lifted, she would suffer a worse fate than Ae-yeon.

“It’s difficult to fight while protecting this sister.”

Ae-yeon’s skills and attributes were specialized for one-on-one combat. In an unfavorable fight, the existence of this F-rank Hunter would only be a hindrance.

So…

“Just go─.”

“I told you. I came to return the pamphlet.”

“I don’t need it. You gave it to my sister.”

“I came to repay the debt.”

“…….”

Ae-yeon, whose words were cut off, stared intently at Galaxy. Expressionless. Galaxy, who had an unreadable face, folded the umbrella she was holding.

Thud.

And turned around.

“Hunters these days often use the abilities of the same Hunter, it seems.”

At Galaxy’s muttering, Verde’s face stiffened strangely. But that too, for a moment.

“Hunter? In my country, we don’t call someone who steals other people’s belongings a Hunter.”

He approached Galaxy with a shallow laugh.

“Just a thief.”

Verde added.

“A thief?”

“The girl you’re protecting stole our item.”

“How do you know that?”
“Because there’s only that kid. The one who contacted us today.”

Verde responded as if it were obvious. Galaxy’s black gaze shifted from Verde to Ae-yeon.

‘Did you hear that? In the first period of PE today, Class 2 got caught.’

‘Kang Ae-yeon. She always goes to the infirmary during PE, saying her stomach hurts. Doesn’t that make her suspicious?’

‘Ae-yeon, can you honestly tell the teacher? Why did you do that?’

When Galaxy and Ae-yeon’s eyes met, Ae-yeon just smiled faintly. She neither affirmed nor denied anything.

For a long time, Galaxy’s black eyes lingered on Ae-yeon. Eventually, Galaxy lightly moistened her lips.

“You did that?”

“No.”

Ae-yeon, shrugging her shoulders lightly as if uninterested, turned her gaze elsewhere. She didn’t offer any additional explanations. It would be useless anyway.

But.

“You didn’t, huh.”

“….”

Pause.

Ae-yeon looked at Galaxy with somewhat surprised eyes. What is this sister saying?

“Do you believe that?”

Verde asked with an incredulous expression.

“Just like we can’t believe your words about the item being stolen. The only thing I can know is that you three made this child like this.”

Having said that, Galaxy aimed the umbrella’s tip at them.

“Apologize.”

“….”

Shuaa─

The rain, static before, poured down even harder. None of them apologized to Ae-yeon.

Ae-yeon stared at Galaxy’s back as if she had been hit on the back of the head.

“Apologize.”

Galaxy said again. The sharp end of the umbrella was still pointed at them.

“…Ugh, how annoying.”

Verde let out a forced laugh.

Swoosh… Snap!

Somewhere, vines extended and coiled around Galaxy’s wrist, holding the umbrella.

“You seem to be having a misunderstanding, but this is a legitimate inquiry. And an apology? For what? What if we don’t? Are you going to report it to the police?”

“….”

“Let me tell you beforehand. Is there only one place where fights break out during the auction period? It’s normal. Isn’t it more strange for there to be no trouble where hunters gather and money accumulates?”

“Is this normal?”