“You got new glasses.”

“Yes, they were gifted to me from that side. They said it would block something out… so I can make eye contact for longer periods.”

“They suit you well. It’s nice that you can look at Rude’s face for a long time even without Kang Ihyeon.”

In the guild leader’s office at the Seongjeon, Kang Sujin blinked her eyes as she looked at Rude standing alone and well-behaved in front of the desk.

After returning from Gunshin, stylish glasses were perched on his nose.

At Kang Sujin’s words, Rude fiddled with the arms of his glasses. As he lifted the glasses to show her, the item information popped up.

[Item Information]

Name: Refractive Glasses (S)

Type: Equipment Item, Special

Effect: Energy is refracted at the lens. Energy outside the lens cannot enter, and energy inside the lens cannot exit.

Special Note: Uses special lenses. Will never break.

It was a suppression item frequently used by hunters who couldn’t control the energy coming from their eyes like Rude, but the grade attached was exceptional.

In the first place, the number of people who could create S-grade items could be counted on one hand, and lower grades would break immediately upon Rude wearing them, rendering them unusable.

Anyway, thanks to it being custom-made by the country’s top Creation hunter, after wearing these glasses, Rude could now talk to people around him and move about alone even without Kang Ihyeon.

‘…At this rate, Shin Binnari will really disappear and only Rude will remain.’

Having such a thought unintentionally, Rude wriggled his fingers for a moment. Kang Sujin flipped through some documents before looking at Rude again.

“Well, for now… you’ve worked hard, Rude. You brought back even more incredible things than expected.”

“…Is that so?”

“Yes, like the relationship with Gunshin, or the political reasons behind it.”

[The Lord of Chaos says that since you played a big role in the Owls rising again, the relationship between Gunshin and Seongjeon will grow closer in the future.]

‘I see.’

Anyhow, it seemed there were many exchanges of very political whatevers that Rude had no interest in and didn’t particularly want to know about.

“Anyway, I know you didn’t call me here to praise me for this.”

“Yes, well, that’s right.”

Usually, Rude would be called to the guild leader’s office together with Kang Ihyeon, or Kang Ihyeon would be called alone, but today, only Rude was standing here by himself.

Kang Ihyeon was in the hospital, after all.

Rude, thinking that’s why he was called, looked at Kang Sujin. Kang Sujin had both arms on the desk, propping up her chin.

“First of all, thank you for noticing Kang Ihyeon’s abnormality and reporting it. Kang Ihyeon will be unable to be active for the time being. He’ll need to receive treatment at a Foundation-owned hospital until his spiritual power returns.”

“Yes, I’m aware.”

“This is top secret. So… Rude, you’ll also need to keep Kang Ihyeon’s secret.”

The moment Rude was about to nod, thinking it was obvious, Kang Sujin held something out.

A black file, similar to when signing an employment contract. Rude received the file with a puzzled look and opened it.

It was densely filled with contents about keeping Kang Ihyeon’s secret confidential.

There was even a stamp from a law firm, indicating a lawyer had reviewed it. Rude slightly furrowed his brows.

“…To this extent? I’ll keep it anyway. I’m not the type of person to go around spreading such things carelessly.”

“I’m sorry, but the reason for having you sign this is to protect you, Rude.”

“Me?”

Kang Sujin placed a hand on her forehead. After thinking for a moment, she let out a groan and spoke again.

“Magic is a power that only excommunicated priests possess. The moment Ihyeon awakened, he used spiritual power and magic simultaneously, and due to my younger siblings, that fact had to be kept under wraps.”

It would be a disgrace for the son of two heroes to be excommunicated right after birth.

Moreover, hadn’t it been said that Kang Ihyeon’s parents and grandfather weren’t good people either?

Perhaps recalling her own family, Kang Sujin frowned and continued.

“Anyway, our family still wants to maintain the image of being good and strong elites, so Ihyeon’s constitution is considered a disgrace. They may put pressure on you too, Rude.”

“But I’m the rank 1. Who would dare when Seongjeon is backing me.”

“Ihyeon’s grandfather. In other words, our father is a politician. He intends to field our youngest in the next presidential election.”

Rude casually picked up a fountain pen.

The idea of a threat to the rank 1 might seem far-fetched, but if they cut off all surrounding relationships and socially isolate someone while tormenting them for months or years, who could properly endure it?

Violence wasn’t the only thing that could cause harm. Human beings weren’t creatures that could live alone.

And Nari knew that fact better than anyone.

“So with that contract, if Rude were to disclose the secret, they’re making a preemptive move, saying they’ll handle it on their end. It’s a contract to protect you.”

“A grandfather who frets over his own grandson becoming a disgrace, how pathetic.”

“Yes, our father is a pathetic person. So are my younger siblings.”

Rude, finished signing with a flourish, handed the contract to Kang Sujin. Kang Sujin gave a final signature below and they each took a copy.

“Don’t contact Ihyeon for the time being. Since his constitution was discovered, there’s a possibility your communications are being monitored.”

Rude, who had carefully looked at the clause stating ‘Never disclose Kang Ihyeon’s constitution to anyone unaware of it,’ put the contract into his inventory.

“Who knows about Kang Ihyeon’s constitution?”

“Among the people you know, there’s me, Min Jaewon, Min Jaeyun, these three. Ah, and the personal physician at the Foundation hospital.”

Kang Sujin put the contract in a drawer and smiled slightly as if trying to lighten the heavy atmosphere.

“Anyway, so the point is, Hunter Rude is also being given a vacation until Hunter Kang Ihyeon recovers!”

“…You’re not telling me to use my annual leave early, are you?”

“…”

“Excuse me?!”

As Kang Sujin averted her gaze, Rude shouted in alarm. Kang Sujin laughed again, saying it was a joke, and placed her interlocked hands on the desk.

“No, there’s no need for that. It’s December now. Seongjeon rests in early December, leaving only essential personnel.”

“December…?”

“There are also year-end party preparations, and other teams are so busy during this period that they can’t properly support the hunters. We might as well rest. There will be justification anyway due to the state funeral in early December.”

“Ah.”

Rude’s expression, which had been puzzled as to why, rapidly stiffened at the mention of the state funeral. Early December. It was the month a grade 1 gate appeared in the East Sea.

The month when many people died, and Ihyeon’s parents and Nari’s mother fell in battle.

“Kang Ihyeon probably won’t be able to properly work as a hunter even if he participates in the state funeral. Rude, you should also rest well during this time. It’s paid leave, so don’t worry.”

“He’s going to participate in the state funeral when he’s injured like that?”

“His spiritual power will probably return by then. It always has.”

That day was designated as a public holiday, and a state funeral was always held.

People would raise the national flag and various TV stations would commemorate those who were sacrificed that day and Seongjeon’s former guild leader couple.

Nari had also seen Kang Ihyeon in a black mourning outfit on TV a few times.

Even the president and politicians would participate and constantly shake hands with Kang Ihyeon.

‘…It must be hard on him too in his own way.’

In the past, seeing that sight only filled him with jealousy and inexplicable feelings of being wronged, but now, thinking that it probably wasn’t a comfortable feeling for Kang Ihyeon either, pity was added.

As winter approached, he always felt a tightening in his chest, but not this year, so Rude unconsciously pressed down on his chest.

“So anyway, you can rest for about a week.”

“That’s quite long.”

“Right? Be careful not to lose your touch. Ah, by any chance, did Rude also have someone close who was sacrificed that day?”

“Pardon? Ah…”

“Ah, sorry. I’m not prying, it’s just that Seongjeon has something they give to employees like that.”

Kang Sujin opened a drawer and rummaged for a while before taking out a small box. It contained a small memorial monument model and a marker.

It seemed to be a model of the memorial monument erected after the East Sea gate 10 years ago.

As if entranced, Rude approached the desk and picked up the box.

On the front of the tombstone, there was a space to write a name with the pen, and on the back, there was a memorial inscription along with Seongjeon’s name.

“Usually a commemorative cross is included, but there aren’t any now. I’m sorry.”

“…Ah, no. It’s fine. The person wasn’t someone of faith. I’m happy with just this.”

Rude stared intently at the memorial for a moment before lifting his head with a start. Kang Sujin was looking at him with a small smile.

“I’m glad if it was helpful.”

“Ah, um. No, that… Thank you.”

“Not at all. Go on then. Rest well. See you in a week.”

“Yes, see you in a week.”

“Ah, right.”

Kang Sujin made an ‘oops’ expression and smiled benevolently.

“Thank you for not hurting Ihyeon.”

Kang Sujin’s face was bright.

Rude could tell that it wasn’t a smile as a guild leader, but a benevolence toward a friend who took care of her nephew.

After becoming an adult, Nari had never seen such a smile except from the store manager.

If his mother was still alive, she probably would have smiled like that at Kang Ihyeon, thanking him for being close with her daughter. Having such thoughts, Rude shook his head to clear them.

“Yes, then I’ll really get going.”

With a final farewell saying they’d see each other in a week, Rude bowed his head and left the guild leader’s office.

[The Lord of Chaos just looks at you with sparkling eyes, asking how you’ll spend your week-long vacation.]

“…Hmm, I wonder.”

As soon as he left the guild leader’s office, a black indirect message popped up. Rude stroked his chin, falling into thought for a moment.

Around this time, Nari always worked full-time.

He didn’t particularly want to see people’s reactions through the internet or TV, and there weren’t many customers during this period as people went to hold memorial services, so it was killing two birds with one stone.

After getting off work, he would watch backed-up movies or dramas at home, read books, or sleep. But now, he had a full week.

“How should I spend it…”

Rude put his hand inside his trench coat and took out the box.

The tombstone model. The pen, the memorial inscription on the back. ‘May the deceased rest in peace.’ And Seongjeon’s mark.

“…I wonder if Mom would like it.”

[The Lord of Chaos looks at you with wide eyes, asking ‘Mom?’]

“Yeah, she might scold me. Asking why I joined Seongjeon.”

[The Lord of Chaos looks at you with worried eyes, asking ‘Will it be okay?’]

Seeing the indirect message, Rude wore a faint smile.

Will it be okay? With that thought, Nari put the box back into his coat pocket.

“Well, I’m not sure. But Jeong Suho turned out fine too. And it’s been 10 years.”

Since it had been 10 years. Unexpectedly, maybe really no one would recognize Shin Binnari.

Or maybe Nari had grown to the point where he could accept it now.

Looking back on the past might not be as terrible a memory as he thought.

It would be perfect to go on a solo trip while he was at it.

[The Lord of Chaos still looks at you with worried eyes.]

“It’s okay, you really don’t need to worry. Even if I get depressed, I have you, Kang Ihyeon, and Jeong Suho, so what’s there to worry about.”

Having appropriately soothed his constellation, Rude opened a dimensional rift. He was a guy who endlessly looked out for him, even if there were suspicious aspects.

Rude opened a dimensional rift. Entering Nari’s room located in Yongin City, he took out his cell phone.

“It’s been 10 years, Busan.”