“Son of a bitch… I really won’t forgive him. Really…”

Nari sat on the villa stairs and cried for a long time. The time had already passed well beyond midnight.

She met her father. As expected, Nari was extorted for money in a pathetic manner. If it could be expressed as extortion, she wanted to say it that way.

It was always like this. One year, six months, six months to three months. After this, wouldn’t it be once a month? In the end, even family wasn’t much.

No matter how much they were family, if they weren’t around when really needed, that was it. Nari’s father was one of those types.

‘This damned Chaos Lord doesn’t even show up…’

Indirect messages also didn’t work. The Lord of Chaos always kept his mouth shut at times like this. As if watching Nari’s despair.

It feels like the whole world is watching and using her circumstances. Crying here would only make her look pitiful, so Nari pressed her sleeve firmly against her eyes and stood up.

‘I’m already used to it, so it’s fine. I need to prepare to go to work tomorrow.’

Fluttering, as she thought this and stood up, something fell from Nari’s pocket. Nari picked up the small piece of paper.

“Kang Ihyeon | Tel. 010-XXXX-XXXX”

As if possessed by something, Nari took out her phone. Dialing his number was an impulsive action.

I just want to be with someone. It’s not because you said you’d help me, that’s not why I’m calling you. I just…

After a moment of ringing, a voice was heard from the other end.

[…Hello? Nari? Where are you now?]

* * *

“Um… This is delicious. Try some.”

Nodding, nodding, Nari sat quietly in front of Ihyeon, just nodding her head.

A sizzling sound could be heard on the table. Nari picked up a piece of gopchang and put it in her mouth, chewing slowly. In the long silence, Ihyeon felt sweat running down his spine.

Nari had called Ihyeon two hours after he had given her his business card. When he was called out like that, he found Nari completely deflated, the opposite of her prickly demeanor in her studio apartment.

‘Have you eaten anything?’

To that question, Nari shook her head, and Ihyeon took her to a gopchang restaurant that was open nearby. There weren’t many choices when looking for a place open in the early morning.

And now. Shin Binnari was just nibbling on gopchang without saying anything. Kang Ihyeon didn’t know what to say and just sat quietly.

[Constellation, the Staff of Purification comforts its incarnation, saying that just being by her side will be of great help at times like this.]

‘Y-yes, I suppose so…’

Her family turning out like that, her true self being discovered, having to unwillingly reveal her family affairs to someone else.

From Nari’s perspective, it would be natural to hate him for making her do this, but the fact that she ultimately relied on him made Ihyeon unable to leave her alone.

“Should I order some, some alcohol?”

“…If you want a evil-aligned illusionist who goes around sprinkling illusions everywhere while drunk.”

“Ah, no. Um, boss, just give us a bottle of cider please!”

After quite some time had passed, as if she had calmed down, Nari looked up and stared at Ihyeon, asking in a quiet voice.

“…Why did you come?”

“Pardon?”

“It’s late, isn’t it? It’s already dawn, and I treated you so badly, and now you know who I am.”

“Well, that’s…”

The muttering voice gradually became quieter. The voice of someone who had completely lost confidence. Ihyeon looked at Nari.

“Because I was worried.”

“Liar, you also responded because you want something from me, right?”

Nari looked down, fidgeting with her hands.

Nari had learned to live alone without relying on others since 10 years ago. It was because so many people had left her.

The first rule of living alone was not to expect unconditional kindness from others.

Since 10 years ago, the only type of people who deliberately approached Nari or remained by her side were one kind.

People who sought to fulfill their desires by asking Nari for help. Whether it was sexual desire, financial desire, need for recognition, or wanting an emotional trash can.

Especially, there were so many people who tried to commercialize Nari’s fall for their business. And once their desires were moderately satisfied, they immediately left Nari’s side.

Having experienced this far too many times, Nari stopped trusting people afterward.

Even the man right in front of her might be kind now, but knowing her weakness, Nari didn’t let her guard down, not knowing what demands he might make later.

Then why did Nari call him? Why was she secretly glad that he had come running at a moment’s notice? Why did she want to keep holding onto him as he caught his breath, wondering if he had really come running?

Why did she entrust her entire well-being to his possibly empty words of concern? Why did she do that? She couldn’t understand herself.

“Um…”

Kang Ihyeon scratched the side of his head awkwardly, without answering Nari’s question. As if he had never experienced something like this, his attitude was quite flustered. After thinking for a moment, he asked slightly sheepishly.

“Then… will you grant what I want?”

Nari lowered her head again. See, he was the same as everyone else. Vain hope brings more pain when you fall. It’s better not to harbor hope at all. Just as she thought that.

The ‘Holy Fire Covenant’ contract was pushed in front of Nari.

“The content written in the contract. Will you do it if I change it to becoming friends?”

Nari looked at Kang Ihyeon with a puzzled expression. Feeling the slightly tense atmosphere, Ihyeon smiled awkwardly.

“What?”

“Friends. I want to be friends with you, Nari. I should have said that first. I was too hasty. You must have your own life too, Nari.”

“No… I, I never imagined such content. Why?”

Nari’s tears dried up as she stared at Kang Ihyeon with wide eyes. Kang Ihyeon rubbed his chin for a moment. His ears turned red as if he was a bit embarrassed, and he spoke with a sheepish expression.

“Well… Actually, 6 years ago when I was trapped in a gate. You saved me, Nari… So I’ve wanted to become close to you since then. It’s no exaggeration to say I became rank 2 thanks to you, so I wanted to stand right next to you!”

“Huh?”

Nari fidgeted with her fingers, seemingly flustered. After pondering deeply about something, she quietly opened her mouth. Her attitude was much more subdued than before.

“I don’t remember”

“Of course. That was 6 years ago, and the me then and the me now are very different.”

Nari shook her head at his words. Her expression seemed to indicate that she couldn’t accept it.

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

“Just that?! You’re my hero, Nari!”

At Kang Ihyeon’s shy smile, Nari looked at her fidgeting fingers. Something felt… strange.

“Me…?”

Nari was an ‘invisible’ existence in society. Or rather, she seemed like an existence that ‘shouldn’t be seen’. That’s how she had to live.

She didn’t dislike her alternate persona. Because even that was herself. But, paradoxically, all her actions as a hunter belonged to Rude, not Nari.

Nari could only appear in front of people after putting on Rude’s avatar.

Nari looked at the man in front of her. Kang Ihyeon was so big. His height, his presence. Compared to him, Nari was so small.

But he says I’m his hero. Not Rude, but me.

As their eyes met while Nari was lost in thought, he smiled brightly.

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

“I’m not that good of a person. I, I did it for money. I probably didn’t intend to save you specifically…”

“It doesn’t matter. You came, and that’s why I’m alive!”

Kang Ihyeon smiled brightly. In 10 years, except for her manager, Nari had never met someone who treated her this positively.

To think that the person I saved became S-rank. Nari felt like she had contributed to the world turning in the right direction.

After being silent for a while, Nari finally spoke in a tiny voice, unable to meet Ihyeon’s eyes.

“…I haven’t had any friends since middle school, so I don’t know what to do.”

“Just eat together like now, contact each other occasionally. Ask how the other is doing.”

“I don’t have money.”

“It’s okay. Just being by my side is enough.”

“I’m not handsome like you.”

“Thank you. But you’re cute too, Nari.”

“W-why me in the first place?”

“Because you’re my hero. I climbed up to second place just to get close to you in the first place.”

Every statement seems to knock out the listener.

Nari’s face turned bright red at the praise she heard for the first time in 10 years. Meanwhile, the Lord of Chaos was teasing her mercilessly with status messages.

Frantically waving away the message window, Nari clutched her head. This is why straightforward people were troublesome. This is why insiders were dangerous. This is why really…

“Ah, whatever. Do as you like!”

“Really?! I’m so excited~ Then shall we make the contract like this?”

Whoosh, a fountain pen and contract were pushed in front of Nari. The conditions were neatly written in beautiful handwriting, though it was unclear when he had written it.

“The second party (Kang Ihyeon) will never disclose the secrets of the first party (Shin Binnari).

In return, the first party (Shin Binnari) maintains a friendship with the second party (Kang Ihyeon).

Also, as long as the effect of this contract is maintained, neither party shall harm or deceive the other with malicious intent.

If this is violated, the violating party will immediately fall into hell, and this is guaranteed by the Archangel Staff of Purification.

This contract can be terminated or modified by mutual consent.”

Is it really okay to have conditions like this? She glanced at Kang Ihyeon. He was just grinning, seemingly pleased about something.

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

Really. After hesitating a bit, Nari reluctantly signed. A golden status message appeared in front of Nari.

[You have concluded the Holy Fire Covenant.] [Awakened Shin Binnari – Kang Ihyeon / Duration – Unlimited] [The violating party will immediately fall into hell.]

“Ah, hot…!”

The fountain pen transformed into holy fire and flowed into Nari’s palm. She could feel Kang Ihyeon’s holy power entering her heart.

The intense sensation made it feel real. Nari, who had been rolling her eyes, spoke to Ihyeon with a slightly dejected attitude.

“You’ll regret it. I’m not lying, really.”

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

“I…”

Nari rolled her eyes hard, feeling definitely better than before. To be honest, she was a little happy… but her pride wouldn’t allow her to say it.

Could I have felt better like this without trying so hard? With a confused feeling, Nari, who had been just rolling her eyes, jumped up from her seat and strode towards the door.

“Nari! Let’s go together. Why are you trying to go alone…”

“Shut up! I’m going home!”

“Ah, wait a moment! We didn’t eat much of this. Is it really okay to just leave?”

Whoa, Nari, who had been striding towards the door, glanced at the grill.

‘Come to think of it, that gopchang was delicious… It was fully stuffed too… It wasn’t too tough either… And there was no smell…’

Glaring, Nari looked at Ihyeon, feeling awkward for no reason. Kang Ihyeon was smiling brightly. For some reason, it made her feel extremely awkward and annoyed. That guy was really skilled at handling people.

It felt like losing somehow to go back to the seat and eat more before leaving.

But… Growl, a sound echoed from Nari’s stomach as she was thinking. Kang Ihyeon’s eyes widened, then he smiled and said,

“Shall we ask them to pack the leftovers?”

“Yeah.”

‘Damn, damn, damn…! But if I have a chance to eat gopchang again, I should come here again…’

Nari closed her eyes tightly, her ears turning red. Unfortunately, one of Nari’s favorite foods was gopchang.

Originally, there was no business in front of food.