“A grandfather who is nervous about whether his own grandson might become a flaw is quite pathetic.”

“Yes, our father is a pathetic person. So is my brother’s couple.”

Rood finished signing with a sharp sound and handed the contract to Kang Soojin. She signed the final part and divided the copies one by one.

“For now, don’t contact Ihyun. Now that we know his condition, there’s a possibility of eavesdropping on Mr. Rood.”

Reading the section “Never disclose Ihyun’s condition to anyone who doesn’t know,” Rood carefully put the contract into his inventory.

“Who knows about Ihyun’s condition?”
“Among the people Mr. Rood knows, it’s just the three of us: me, Hunter Min Jaewon, and Hunter Min Jaeyoon. Oh, and the personal attending physician at the Foundation Hospital, too.”

Kang Soojin put the contract in the drawer, and with a smile that seemed to lighten the heavy atmosphere, she chuckled.

“Anyway, the main point is, until Hunter Kang Ihyun recovers, Mr. Rood Hunter is also granted a vacation!”

“…You’re not telling me to take my leave in advance, right?”

“….”

“Excuse me?!”

When Kang Soojin turned her gaze, Rood shouted in surprise. Smiling again, Soojin placed both hands on the table, crossing her fingers.

“No, there’s no need for that. It’s already December now. For the Holy War, only essential personnel are left in early December.”

“December…?”

“Preparing for the year-end party, during this time, other teams are too busy, and they can’t properly assist the hunters. It’s better to take a break. Besides, in early December, there’s a national funeral, so there’s a legitimate reason.”

“Oh.”

Rood’s expression, which had been puzzling, quickly solidified at the mention of a national funeral. Early December. The month when a Grade 1 gate appeared in the East Sea.

Many people died, and Hyun’s parents and Nari’s mother perished that month.

“Maybe Hunter Kang Ihyun will also have to participate in the national funeral, so he won’t be able to do his hunter duties properly. Mr. Rood, take a good rest during this time. Don’t worry; it’s a paid vacation.”

“Participating in a national funeral despite being so injured?”

“By then, his strength will probably return. It’s always been like that.”
That day was designated as a public holiday, always spent in the national funeral. People waved the national flag, and various TV channels mourned those who sacrificed their lives that day and the former guild leader couple of the Holy War.

Nari had seen Kang Ihyun in a black mourning suit on TV several times. Even the president and politicians participated, shaking hands with Kang Ihyun.

“…He must be going through his own kind of torment.”

In the past, watching that scene brought only jealousy and an inexplicable sense of injustice, but now, thinking that Kang Ihyun wouldn’t feel that comfortable either, it added to the pity.

As winter approached, there was usually a feeling of pressure on the chest, but it wasn’t the case this year. Rood absentmindedly squeezed my chest.

“So, anyway, take about a week off.”

“That’s quite a lot.”

“Right? Be careful not to lose your touch. Oh, by the way, does Mr. Rood have anyone close who sacrificed that day?”

“Yes? Uh…”

“Oh, I’m sorry. I’m not investigating. In the Holy War, they give something to those employees who lost someone during that time.”

Kang Soojin opened the drawer and, after rummaging for a while, took out a small box. Inside were a small memorial model and a meteor pen.

It seemed to be modeled after the memorial erected ten years ago after the East Sea Gate. As if possessed, Rood approached the desk and picked up the box.

On the front of the memorial, there was a space to write names with a pen, and on the back, along with the name of the Holy War, a commemorative inscription was written.
“Originally, they used to include a memorial cross, but now it’s not there. I’m sorry.”

“…Ah, no. It’s okay. He wasn’t a religious person. I’m grateful for this.”

Rood stared at the memorial for a moment and then suddenly looked up. Kang Soojin was looking at him with a slight smile.

“If it helped, I’m glad.”

“Ah, um. No, thank you.”

“No need to thank me. Go on then. Rest well. See you in a week.”

“Yes, see you in a week.”

“Oh, right.”

Kang Soojin made a surprised expression and then smiled kindly.

“Thank you for not hurting Ihyun.”

Kang Soojin’s expression was bright.

Rood could tell that it wasn’t a guild leader’s smile but rather kindness towards a friend he gave to his nephew.

After becoming an adult, Rood had never seen such a smile unless it was from the store owner.

If his mother were alive, would she have smiled like that, grateful that her daughter was getting along with Kang Ihyun? Having such thoughts, Rood shook his head and dismissed the sentiment.

“Yes, then I’ll really go out.”

With a farewell for a meeting in a week, Rood nodded, bowed slightly, and left the guild leader’s office.

[How will you spend your vacation for a week? The ruler of chaos twinkles his eyes as he looks at you.]

“…Hmm.”

As soon as he left the guild leader’s office, a black indirect message popped up. Rood touched his chin and fell into thought for a moment.
Around this time, Nari always worked full-time. She didn’t want to check people’s reactions on the internet or TV, and during this period, people were busy with ancestral rites, so there were no guests, making it a win-win situation. After work, she spent her time at home catching up on movies or dramas, reading books, or sleeping. But now, a whole week was given.

“How should I spend it…”

Rood put his hands into the trench coat and took out a box. A memorial model, a pen, commemorative characters on the back. ‘May the deceased rest in peace.’ And the mark of the guild.

“…I wonder if Mom would like it.”

[Mom? The ruler of chaos raises his eyebrows and looks at you.]

“Yeah, she might be upset. Why did you enter the guild?”

[Are you sure it’s okay? The ruler of chaos looks at you with concern.]

Seeing the indirect message, Rood smiled faintly. Will it be okay? Nari, who had that thought, put the box back into the coat pocket.

“Well, I don’t know. But Jungsuh also got better. And it’s been 10 years.”

It’s been 10 years. Surprisingly, no one might recognize Shining Nari now. Or maybe Nari has grown enough to accept that. Looking back on the past might not be as horrific as expected. Perhaps it’s time for a solo trip.
[The ruler of chaos still looks at you with concern.]

“It’s okay, you really don’t have to worry. If I get depressed, I have you, Kang Ihyun, and Jungsuh. What’s there to worry about.”

Rood, who appropriately tamed his sacred throne, opened a rift in dimensions. Nevertheless, he was a guy who, despite having some suspicious aspects, endlessly gave himself for others.

Rood opened a rift in dimensions. Entering Nari’s room in Yongin, he took out his phone.

“It’s been ten years, in Busan.”