“From being with Mr. Rude, I felt that he was hesitating to live or die, but eventually, he would buy it! You will eventually, right?!”

“Well, I guess.”

After all, Nari was the type to hesitate about what to buy and eventually buy it.

Ironically, a few days ago, Kang Ihyun would have said, ‘Just delay the delivery period and buy it right away.’

“No, but it’s still annoying. I hope he suffers more. I want him to suffer as much as I did. Besides, there were many good memories.”

Most of the abnormalities caused by the gates disappear when the gates are cleared. Rude and Kang Ihyun have a record of clearing 2nd-grade gates together.

Honestly, if they join forces, it’s simple. If Rude says, ‘I will clear it,’ Rude could save Suhnari and Jeong Suhwa.

That’s why there was more hesitation.

“Save him? The one who left me in the past? Or should I just let it go, considering that it’s his own business?”
Kang Ihyun, who was staring at himself hesitating, clenched his fist and let out a deep sigh.

“Then let’s think about it the other way around. If Mr. Jeong Suhwa can’t resolve the issue here and goes down below, can Mr. Rude endure that discomfort? If you leave here now, you’ll never see him again. Isn’t that right?”

“…No.”

With a triumphant look, Kang Ihyun looked down at Rude as if he were showing off, causing a confused Rude to blink his eyes.

“But why do you seem so annoyed?”

“What? I’m not annoyed. Didn’t you know that?”

“What, you’re clearly angry right now. What did I do wrong?”

“Huh? I’m not angry. It’s just that Mr. Rude is so indifferent that it’s frustrating.”

As they continued their childish argument, pretending to be angry or not, Kang Ihyun smiled at Rude and said, “Just kidding. A little bit. I’m more nervous than usual. But when you think about it, we’re together because of the contract anyway.”

“Oh, sorry. I’m tired.”

Not realizing the slightly bitter tone in the last words, Rude sincerely apologized.

Looking at him directly again, Kang Ihyun was reaching out towards him with a smile, as always.
“It’s okay. How could I reject you? Do as you wish. And personally, I prefer a spirited attitude from Mr. Rude rather than seeing him groaning. Really?”

“…Really?”

“Yes, of course! How refreshing Mr. Rude is.”

With a strange feeling due to the expression “prefer,” Rude, avoiding eye contact, took Kang Ihyun’s outstretched hand.

After both of them got up from their seats, Rude casually brushed off his trench coat.

He had said he liked his spirited and refreshing appearance.

With that reminder, Rude, his face coming to mind again, cleared his throat with a loud cough and then spoke quite loudly.

“Yeah, groaning because of him doesn’t suit my personality! Solve it quickly, wait if you have to, or don’t if you don’t. Let’s think about the rest after that!”

“That’s right! I really like Mr. Rude’s spirited appearance. Now, let’s think about what to do. Together!”

At Rude’s words, Kang Ihyun clapped his hands. Becoming more confident with this action, Rude clenched his fist and smiled.

“For now, I!”

“Yes!”

“I have to return to my room before lights out.”

“Ah.”

Kang Ihyun glanced at the clock.

Come to think of it, lights out time was approaching. Rude, who had opened a dimensional gap, turned around to look at Kang Ihyun.

“…Thank you for counseling me today.”

“No problem. It was nothing. Now, go and rest.”
“Um, well. Sometimes, it feels like you know me better than I know myself. If it weren’t for you, I would have just groaned alone.”

Uncharacteristically expressing gratitude quietly, Rude glanced at Kang Ihyun before entering the dimensional gap. Kang Ihyun had his eyes closed and was smiling.

As they exchanged night greetings and crossed over the dimensional gap, Kang Ihyun’s last words were faintly heard.

“You understand well. Well, that’s natural…….”

“I must have clearly mentioned that I would enter the gate alone, right?”

“What? Honestly, I don’t care whether Korea collapses or not. I’m helping to save Korea out of goodwill, so I can make this kind of request, can’t I?”

And the next day in the meeting room. Lee Jiseong, Kang Ihyun, and Rude, wearing sunglasses, sat together with clenched fists.

The strangely tense atmosphere from yesterday seemed to have disappeared, and both Rude and Kang Ihyun maintained a confident attitude.

‘…Well, that’s how his personality was originally.’

Lee Jiseong sighed as he recalled Rude’s personality from the YouTube videos he had watched.

“No matter how you put it, Kang Ihyun shouldn’t have known. Moreover, what? Is Kang Ihyun not enough, so three people have to go to the gate together?”

“That Mi-geumyeok Gate, Kang Ihyun cleared it with me. Without him, I couldn’t clear it alone.”

“I won’t tell Grandpa under any circumstances. I promise. I’m past the age of being controlled even to that extent.”
“Then why bring Jung Suho?! The two of you should be enough.”

“Oh, he’s the hostage.”

“What…!”

In response to Lee Jiseong’s sharp words, Kang Ihyun smiled, put his arms on the table, and tapped his fingers.

“That’s not the only reason, right?”

Kang Ihyun had a face that was smiling just as he looked at Lee Jiseong.

While lifting his sunglasses, Lee Jiseong’s expression momentarily stiffened. Kang Ihyun chuckled and continued.

“Lee Jiseong is right. I have a broad network. And I know about your work too.”

Rude stared intently at Kang Ihyun. After that conversation where he said, ‘Call Lee Jiseong and let’s have a three-way discussion. I’ll take care of everything,’ it seemed like he knew something.

Kang Ihyun grinned.

“Lee Jiseong, before becoming an A-rank production class hunter and joining the guild ‘Gunshin,’ he was quite famous. But since joining Gunshin, he has become quiet.”

Lee Jiseong twitched and fidgeted with his sunglasses. Kang Ihyun smiled but then turned serious again.

And in a calm tone, he continued.

“I carefully observed the people on the ‘Owls’ side. They were all famous before the establishment of Gunshin, but were forgotten after enlistment. Do you know the reason for that?”