“Ugh… Geez, Lee. This is so darn tough!”

Late November winters are cold. The northern regions are even colder.

While they talk about global warming and cherry blossoms starting to bloom in the south from early March, it’s already snowing here.

And on the snow-covered white field, our Rood is…

“Mr. Rood… How did you end up struggling alone like this…? They’re really wicked. Those divine beings are truly wicked.”

“Sigh… I know. These kids are really messed up!”

He was working hard.

No, it’s not a metaphorical expression; it’s literally hard work. He was shoveling the snow piled up on the road.

And that too without the power of the Throne! Without the power of Enchantment! All by himself!

Shivering with fur ear muffs on, Rood’s surroundings were filled with the sound of snow being shoveled.

And far away, inside the jeep, Lee Jiseong casually sipped corn soup from a thermos.

“Oh~ Our 1st rank! As expected! You’ve never gone through any hardship. Look at your trembling arms. How little effort did you put in~”

“Shut up! It’s all because of you guys that I can’t use the Throne’s power in the first place!”

“No, it’s your evil nature, isn’t it? Can you take responsibility if the monsters we raised so delicately in the Gates escape, wanting to devour your psychic power? Here, the priority is always labor force, no matter what.”
Ppudeuk (squelch), Rood started grinding his teeth again at those words and resumed shoveling the snow, his fingertips shaking red.

It was evident that his entire body’s muscles screaming would torment him with muscle pain tomorrow.

Ignoring the thought of later asking Kang Ihyun to untie him, Rood shouted out in frustration.

“Why am I, who is clearly a tanker, being asked to do this instead of Kang Ihyun!”

Rood, who never dreamed he would end up struggling outdoors, wore an indignant expression.

Lee Jiseong chuckled and shrugged his shoulders.

Seeing Kang Ihyun working indoors through his blurred vision made him even more resentful.

“Mr. Kang Ihyun is examining guild members indoors. Having a healer who can heal is rare. Isn’t it absurd for me, who is clearly vulnerable, to do this?! I’m the 1st rank, you know?!”

“Well, you guys should talk more politely here. We’re guild members, but you two are like reservists!”

“You said you don’t have to speak politely like them! Should I do it?! Should I? I’m just going to do a half-hearted job!”

“Look at that rude guy. Can’t he speak respectfully to an adult!”

Even with Rood’s irritable annoyance, Lee Jiseong laughed it off and lowered his sunglasses.

A few hours ago, during the inventory inspection, they were as harsh as they come, but now they seemed to get along quite well when it came to shoveling snow.
Contrary to appearances, Lee Jiseong’s refreshing personality, which interpreted Rood’s carefree manner with the vitality of a young person in their 20s and simply accepted it, was quite charming.

“But~ wasn’t it because of you that Mr. Kang Ihyun came here on purpose? In that case, shouldn’t you be the one feeling sorry?”

“……. ”

Rood’s expression stiffened. Sensing that he had hit a nerve, Lee Jiseong shrugged his shoulders and casually continued.

“If it were me, I would work even harder, feeling sorry for draining his energy like that.”

‘…Come to think of it, that’s a valid point. I can’t really argue with that.’

Having heard those words, Rood, with determination, silently began shoveling again.

Observing his reddened nose, Lee Jiseong swallowed once as if feeling the cold. Glancing at his wristwatch, he then got out of the jeep.

“Well, that’s enough.”

“Huh? There’s still a long way to go.”

“We should have dinner, right? In this weather, not eating and only shoveling snow can give even an S-rank a cold~”

Despite having worked diligently for several hours, there was still a considerable amount of snow to be cleared.

With a personality that wanted to finish his own tasks perfectly, Lee Jiseong chuckled and opened the passenger seat of the jeep. Rood, who had been watching silently, quickly climbed onto the seat.

“Here, have this.”

After wiping the part of the thermos lid that touched his mouth with a tissue, Lee Jiseong filled it with corn soup again and handed it to Rood.
Rood, holding the soup with both hands, took a sip, and with a sigh, he felt his frozen body melting.

“Oh, and wear this. You really can’t see without Kang Ihyun, especially in the bare eyes.”

“……. ”

Lee Jiseong took out a pair of sunglasses similar to the one he was wearing and handed them to Rood.

Rood stared at the sunglasses. It wasn’t his style.

“I can’t use regular sunglasses.”

“I had it specially made. It’s an item that prevents energy fluctuations for those like you and me who can’t control their energy.”

“…It’s not my style.”

“Just take it when I give it to you. Do you know how much this costs?”

As the word “price” came up, Rood unfolded the sunglasses with one hand without hesitation.