S-Rank is My Side Character (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 10

“You bastard… I really won’t forgive you. Seriously…”

Na Ri sat on the villa stairs and cried for a long time. It was already well past midnight.

She’d met her dad. As expected, he’d shaken her down for money in his usual sleazy way—or at least, that’s how she wanted to describe it.

It was always like this. Once a year, then every six months, then every three months. From now on, would it be once a month? In the end, family didn’t mean much at all.

No matter how much they were family, if they weren’t there when you truly needed them, that was it. Na Ri’s father was exactly that kind of person.

‘Damn it, Chaos won’t even show up…’

Even indirect messages went unanswered. The Ruler of Chaos always stayed silent at times like this—almost as if he were watching Na Ri’s despair for entertainment.

It felt like the whole world was gawking at her troubles and using them to their advantage. Crying here would only make her look pitiful, so Na Ri wiped her eyes fiercely with her sleeve and stood up.

‘It’s fine—I’m already used to it. I should get ready for work tomorrow.’

Flick. As Na Ri stood up with that thought, something fell from her pocket. She picked up a small slip of paper.

「Kang I Hyeon | Tel. 010-XXXX-XXXX」

As if under a spell, Na Ri took out her phone. Dialing his number was an impulsive act.

I just… want to be with someone. It’s definitely not because I think you’ll help me—that’s not why I’m calling you. I just…

After a brief ring, a voice came from the other end.

[…Hello? Ms. Na Ri? Where are you right now?] [This is the timeline separator]

“Um… this is really good. Try some.”

Nod nod. Na Ri, sitting silently in front of Lee Hyeon, simply nodded her head.

A sizzling sound rose from the table. Na Ri picked up a piece of grilled tripe and chewed it slowly. The long silence made Lee Hyeon feel sweat trickling down his back.

Na Ri had called Lee Hyeon just two hours after he’d given her his business card. When he showed up, he found her completely deflated—nothing like the prickly, defensive girl he’d seen in her apartment.

‘Have you eaten anything?’

When she shook her head no, Lee Hyeon immediately took her to the nearest tripe restaurant still open. There hadn’t been many options, given that it was already past dawn.

And now, Shin Bit Na Ri kept quietly nibbling on tripe without saying a word. Kang I Hyeon sat still, unsure what to say.

[The Constellation gently comforts its avatar, saying that simply being nearby at times like this is already a great help.]

‘Y-yeah… I guess so.’

Her family had failed her again; she’d been exposed in her rawest state; she’d unwillingly revealed her private life to someone else.

From Na Ri’s perspective, she should hate herself for putting Lee Hyeon in this position—yet she’d still ended up leaning on him. That’s why Lee Hyeon couldn’t possibly leave her alone.

“Sh-should I order some alcohol?”

“…Unless you want an evil-aligned illusionist who gets drunk and casts illusions everywhere.”

“Oh, no! Um, boss, just one bottle of cider, please!”

After a long while, as if she’d finally calmed down, Na Ri looked up and stared intently at Lee Hyeon before quietly asking,

“…Why did you come?”

“Huh?”

“It’s so late—it’s already dawn. And I treated you terribly before. Plus, now you know who I really am.”

“Well… um…”

His murmuring voice grew quieter, sounding utterly devoid of confidence. Lee Hyeon looked directly at Na Ri.

“Because I was worried about you.”

“That’s a lie. You must want something from me—that’s why you answered.”

Na Ri fidgeted with her hands and looked down.

Ever since ten years ago, Na Ri had taught herself how to live alone without depending on others—because so many people had abandoned her.

The first rule of living alone was never expecting kindness from others without expecting something in return.

Ever since then, the only people who deliberately approached Na Ri or stayed by her side belonged to one category:

Those who sought to fulfill their desires through her—whether sexual, financial, seeking validation, or just dumping their emotional burdens on her.

Especially numerous were those who tried to monetize her downfall, packaging her misery into content. Once their desires were satisfied, they’d immediately leave her side.

Having experienced this far too often, Na Ri no longer trusted people.

Even the man right in front of her—though kind now—made her wary. Now that he knew her weakness, she couldn’t rule out him making demands later.

Then why had she called him? Why had she secretly been glad he rushed over? Why did she want to keep holding onto him, who stood there panting as if he’d truly run all the way?

Why had she entrusted her entire well-being to his possibly empty words of concern? She didn’t even understand herself.

“Uh…”

Kang I Hyeon scratched the side of his head awkwardly, offering no answer to Na Ri’s question. He looked genuinely flustered, as if he’d never dealt with a situation like this before. After a brief pause, he asked timidly,

“Then… will you give me what I want?”

Na Ri lowered her head again. See? He was just like all the others. False hope only made the fall more painful. It was better not to hope at all. Just as she thought that—

A contract titled “Oath of Holy Flame” was thrust before her.

“If I change what’s written on this contract to ‘Let’s be friends,’ will you agree?”

Na Ri stared at Kang I Hyeon with a puzzled expression. The tense atmosphere made Lee Hyeon give an awkward smile.

“What?”

“Friends. I want to be friends with you, Ms. Na Ri. I should’ve said that first. I got ahead of myself—of course you have your own life.”

“No… I never imagined something like that. Why?”

Her tears completely dried up, Na Ri’s eyes widened as she stared at Kang I Hyeon. He briefly touched his chin, his ears turning slightly red in embarrassment, and continued shyly,

“Well… actually, six years ago, when I was trapped inside the Gate—you saved me. Ever since then, I’ve wanted to get close to you. It’s no exaggeration to say that because of you, I became Rank 2—I wanted to stand right next to you!”

“Huh?”

Flustered, Na Ri fidgeted with her fingers. After deep thought, she spoke quietly, her tone much softer than before.

“I don’t remember that.”

“Of course not. That was six years ago, and I was very different back then.”

At his words, Na Ri shook her head, as if refusing to accept it.

“No, just for that? I’d understand if you asked for money instead…”

“‘Just’? Ms. Na Ri, you’re my hero!”

At Kang I Hyeon’s shy smile, Na Ri stared at her wriggling fingers. Something about it felt… strange.

“Me…?”

In society, Na Ri was an “invisible” existence—or rather, one that “shouldn’t be seen.” That was the only way she could survive.

She didn’t hate her alternate identity; it was still part of herself. But paradoxically, all of her achievements as a Hunter belonged to Rude, not Na Ri.

Only by wearing Rude’s avatar could Na Ri step into the public eye.

She looked at the man before her. Kang I Hyeon was so big—both in height and presence—while she felt tiny in comparison.

Yet he called her his hero—not Rude, but her.

When their eyes met, he beamed brightly.

“That’s why I wanted to get close to you.”

“I’m not a good person. I only did it for money. I probably didn’t even intend to save you…”

“It doesn’t matter. Because you came, I survived!”

Kang I Hyeon grinned. Aside from the shop owner, Na Ri hadn’t met anyone who treated her this positively in ten years.

The person I saved became S-rank… She felt as though she’d contributed something meaningful to the world.

After a long silence, Na Ri finally spoke in a small voice, unable to meet Lee Hyeon’s eyes.

“…I haven’t had a friend since middle school. I don’t even know how to do this.”

“Just eat together like this, contact each other sometimes, and check in on one another.”

“I don’t even have money.”

“That’s fine. Just being nearby is enough.”

“I’m not even as good-looking as you.”

“Thank you. But Ms. Na Ri is cute too.”

“W-wait, why me in the first place?”

“Because you’re my hero. I climbed to Rank 2 precisely because I wanted to be friends with you.”

Every word he spoke could instantly knock someone out from sheer sincerity.

Hearing genuine praise for the first time in ten years left Na Ri speechless, her face bright red. Meanwhile, the Ruler of Chaos kept teasing her mercilessly through status messages.

She swiped away the message window with frantic hand gestures and covered her face with her hands. This was exactly why straightforward people were so troublesome—and why extroverts were dangerous. Seriously…

“Ugh, whatever! Do what you want!”

“Really?! Awesome~ Then shall we sign the contract like this?”

Whoosh—a fountain pen and contract were shoved in front of Na Ri. Neat handwriting, clearly prepared beforehand, detailed the terms:

「Party B (Kang I Hyeon) shall never reveal Party A’s (Shin Bit Na Ri) secrets.

In return, Party A (Shin Bit Na Ri) agrees to maintain a friendship with Party B (Kang I Hyeon).

Furthermore, for as long as this contract remains active, neither party shall harm the other or act deceitfully with malicious intent.

Should either party violate these terms, they shall immediately be cast into hell, as guaranteed by Archangel Staff of Purification.

This contract may be terminated or modified only with mutual consent.」

Was this really okay? She glanced sideways at Kang I Hyeon—he was just grinning happily for no apparent reason.

Honestly, Na Ri couldn’t understand him. But… he didn’t seem like a bad person.

Really. After hesitating for a moment, Na Ri reluctantly signed. A golden status message appeared before her:

[Oath of Holy Flame has been established.] [Ascendant Shin Bit Na Ri – Kang I Hyeon / Duration: Unlimited] [Violators of this contract shall be immediately cast into hell.]

“Ah! Hot…!”

The fountain pen transformed into holy flame and flowed into Na Ri’s palm. She could feel Kang I Hyeon’s holy energy entering near her heart.

Only now, overwhelmed by the intense sensation, did it feel real. Rolling only her eyes, Na Ri spoke to Lee Hyeon in a slightly deflated tone,

“You’ll regret this. Seriously, I’m not kidding.”

“We’ll think about that when the time comes. Right now, I’m just happy! Aren’t you, Ms. Na Ri?”

“I’m…”

Definitely feeling better than before, Na Ri rolled her eyes vigorously. Honestly, she did feel a little happy—but her pride wouldn’t let her say it out loud.

Was it really possible to feel better without trying so hard? Confused, Na Ri kept spinning her eyes in circles before abruptly standing up and stomping toward the door.

“Ms. Na Ri! Let’s go together. Why go alone…”

“Shut up! I’m going home!”

“Oh, wait! You barely ate anything. Are you sure you can just leave like this?”

Stopping abruptly mid-stride toward the door, Na Ri glanced back at the grill.

‘Now that I think about it… that tripe was really good… full of fat… not chewy at all… and no smell either…’

Zap—suddenly embarrassed, Na Ri glared at Lee Hyeon. He was beaming again. Somehow, it made her both flustered and annoyed. That kid was way too good with people.

Going back to the table to eat more now would feel like admitting defeat.

But… gurgle. Just then, a loud sound echoed from Na Ri’s stomach. Kang I Hyeon’s eyes widened, then he smiled again and said,

“Should I ask them to pack up the leftovers?”

“Yeah.”

‘Damn it, damn it, damn it…! But next time I eat tripe, I’ll have to come back here again…’

Her ears burning red, Na Ri squeezed her eyes shut. Unfortunately, tripe happened to be one of her favorite foods.

After all, when it came to food, nothing else mattered.