Ah, ah. Eun Ha vaguely understood at that moment.

The cat had said to Eun Ha, ‘You are my only friend.’ Upon reflection, this also meant that Eun Ha was the cat’s only contractor.

“……So what can you do with the coins?”

“The uses are varied, but the most representative one is the Hunter Auction held once a year.”

Hunter Auction. A private auction where hunters trade precious resources or equipment obtained from gates. The currency used there was the coin.

Although it was impossible to exchange coins for cash, it was a currency that was more valuable in some ways.

Xiu, who had spoken up to there, looked at Eun Ha with a strange gaze.

“Are you interested in the contract? Well, it’s only a matter of time before a senior like you makes a contract with a Shinsoo.”

It was rather more unusual that he had not made a contract yet.

“……Not really.”

Eun Ha brushed past Xiu and walked forward. In the head of Eun Ha, who was walking so calmly, only the numbers 300 billion, 300 billion…… were deeply ingrained.

Eun Ha and Xiu finally left the shopping center as the sun set.

Xiu, who said he could buy at least one pair of shoes, somehow didn’t stop there, and even gave her a hat, bag, and even a phone case.

Eun Ha stared at Xiu’s hands with a stunned face. The paper bags filled both hands were a full testament to their extravagant shopping. She hadn’t enjoyed such fiery shopping in a day, even 30 years ago.

“If I had known that there would be so much luggage, I would have parked nearby.”

Xiu didn’t seem to be bothered at all.

“It’s getting later than I expected. Are you okay?”

He was carrying both hands full of luggage at this moment, but Eun Ha knew well that he was not a leisurely person.

“Yes, well…….”

Xiu shrugged his shoulders once, and then checked the time sneakily.

It was well past 7 p.m. Since he planned to visit a patient at 6 p.m., it was quite late.

Brrr, brrr…….

Even now, the mobile phone was vibrating like crazy. 23 missed calls. All from the guild side.

“It doesn’t matter. I didn’t have any important schedule today anyway.”

He turned off his cell phone and said succinctly,

“By the way, you look like a different person, senior.”

The appearance of Eun Ha, who turned her back to the twilight, had changed somewhat from when she left the house.
Cha Eun Ha, not in a dress but in casual clothes, was seen for the first time. It was thought to be quite unfamiliar, but surprisingly, it wasn’t so. She was blended into the present without any discomfort, enough to completely forget that she was a person from 30 years ago, a firstgeneration hunter.

“It’s hard to believe you’re really 53 years old.”

“Me too.”

Eun Ha agreed with a calm face. Somehow, it was amusing, and Siwoo faintly burst into laughter.

They left the shopping center and slowly started walking towards the parking area. Looking at the weekend streets, it seemed like watching a boiling anthill of black dots.

“Oh, that woman… I think I’ve seen her somewhere.”

“Where, where?”

Suddenly, Eun Ha stopped walking.

She had been oblivious because she was only staying in the VIP exclusive shopping center. Considering the current controversy over the “Princess of Black Flame” in the media, it was only natural that someone would recognize her face.

Despite changing her clothes, people were recognizing her face, showing that it had become quite famous.

Would she ever have imagined that she, not even a celebrity, would face such an event?

The sudden, haillike pouring of people’s attention and glances did not feel pleasing.

Just as she was hastening her halted steps to get out of there quickly.

Thunk─

A shadow loomed in her sight.

Suddenly, she raised her head, and Siwoo’s chin was fixed in front of her.

“You did well buying a hat.”

Without responding to Siwoo’s words, Eun Ha slowly raised her hand and stroked her head.

“Right?”

Her eyes, clear as a lake, folded into a crescent moon shape.

Eun Ha, belatedly realizing that the shadow cast above her head was lacking, opened her mouth in surprise.

“……Thank you.”

Meanwhile, the crowd following them was still there.

“Ah, where did I see her?”

“Isn’t that the woman? The… Black Flame Dragon, or something.”

“Was that her image?”

Despite hiding her face under the hat’s shadow, the pedestrians’ glances were persistently sticking to Eun Ha. Whether they knew it was rude or not, they lingered around Eun Ha.

Whoosh.

Then Siwoo stood by Eun Ha’s side as if to block them.

“Let’s go back to the car quickly.”

Normally, he didn’t think much of it, but looking at him so closely, Siwoo was taller than she thought.

Siwoo quickened his pace as if to envelop Eun Ha.

Since the distance was so close, Eun Ha’s shoulder accidentally touched Siwoo.

“Sorry.”

Peek, Eun Ha looked up at Siwoo and apologized briefly. Siwoo didn’t even look at Eun Ha, but fixed his gaze in the opposite direction and opened his mouth.

“No, it’s okay.”

At that moment, Siwoo realized something.

‘It’s strange.’

It was a very strange thing.

Siwoo looked at her as if sneaking a peek.

Eun Ha always had a strong scent of blood.

But why?

Now it seemed that there was no scent of blood on her.

Rather, it was a bit cooler, and somehow comfortable. A scent he had never smelled or known before.

“Why?”

“……No.”

─It seemed like a notsobad fragrance was coming from her.