#Chapter 471

[everykillerbee]

[algumaideia]

Lola <3 you are great

I like how she doesn't obey orders and is always getting on assaulter guy way. I wonder if she even likes him

Assaulter guy is defeated!!!!!

The crew is back

[sscarletvenus]

how to carry your situationship

VS.

how to carry your friend who sometimes takes you on quests that involve horrors beyond the imagination of humankind

[pttucker]

AND NOW WE HAVE ANOTHER KIM NAMWOON?

The authors of ORV really said "we're going to have like 10 characters in this 5000 page novel but by golly we're going to get our money's worth out of them."

[killcount]

No <3

[every-luffy-smile]

[album-rat]

i love how nami is aware that she is weak and actually checks is she really won

sir, what man? this boy is 19

[echotunes]

oh delighted by this development. I WAS RIGHT

[everydayspamton]

day 471 of drawing spamton every day until deltarune chapter 3

[hetascanlations]

Hetalia World ☆ Stars - Chapter 471 Original

Translation: spaghettifelice // donamoeba Scanlation: donamoeba // loaf // jammerlea      

[eeunoia]

ENHYPEN Series

sinag — psh.

teaser

synopsis: waiting for a great plot twist in your life, the ruthless and powerful mafia boss park sunghoon forced his way in to it.

pairings: park sunghoon x oc

word count: 471

warnings: a contains violence, guns, killings, abuse, obsessive love & other stuff. if you can't take this stuff, feel free to scroll away. let me know if i missed some.

note📎: please let me know what you think. thank you.

When he was twelve, Sunghoon experienced losing someone very important to him. For the first time, he felt pain, anger and sorrow altogether. His tear stained eyes glued down at the gravestone beneath him as bodyguards around stood silently, watching him mourning. His muffled cries were the only thing can be heard.

“That’s enough, Sunghoon. The future leader of the Park clan should not be crying like that.” his Father's strict voice errupts from beside him. It sounded emotionless, like as if he’s talking to his business partner and not his own flesh and blood, his son.

Young Sunghoon can’t understand his father and slightly perceived of anger towards him. How can he say that when he just lost his Mom? How can his father be this calm and unbothered when he just lost his own wife? He always thought he was workaholic, but he never thought that he was this heartless. He’s never been a father to him and obviously a husband to his late mother.

Things escalated pretty quickly after that. As he grow older, the hatred inside him grew as well. He became ruthless towards other people, life became meaningless for him. He decides whether one can keep their life or not. He manipulates things that felt illegal to take control of.

He became one of the most respected, successful and feared mafia boss of his generation and yet Sunghoon felt like something’s missing. He can’t put a finger on it, but he knew at the back of his mind that he felt empty. Many concludes that having power and money will make life better, but it was never the case for him. Life has always been dull, boring and dark.

Until you happened.

You served as the beam of light that slowly shed color to his dark world. After meeting you, it was like Sunghoon was reborn. His views and opinions over this cruel world changed. Desires risen together with his unfolding feelings for you. He doesn’t understand everything at all, it was like he was experiencing things for the first time again. It was exciting, but frustrating in a good way. He wanted you for himself. He thought to himself that if he can have you, things will change for the better and that this world won’t be as cold as it is.

“Find her.” his tone cold as the vague memory of your face from that night was the only one holding him together.

The hold over his glass of liquor tightens causing to slightly drain the color of his knuckles. He cannot think of anything but you. He feels like he will go crazy if he won’t see you.

“I don’t care what it takes. If I should search every inch of this world, I will.” he uttered like a prayer and lets himself drown to his own thoughts of you.

sinag master-list

prelude › here

chapter one › here

main master-list

permanent tag-list:

@rubyanne @map-of-border @hwangjangmi @crjwon @love13tter @edensgardenn @simpforniki @classicroyalty @bridgebridgebirdiebridge @hime98 @moonsclover @ddeonubaby @yeoungie @acciomylove @mymeloem19 @jvngw0n @dreamjerky @minamoons @clar-iii @herasalvatore @nyfwyeonjun @rcveribin @yizhoutv @one16core @soobin-chois @kyutiepeachy @chareadingpurposes @hwalllllllelujah @solelyenha @90sni-ki @nourhan-8 @nikipedia07 @yangbreads @drunkjazed @kimmchijjajang @hoonbrry @axartia @all4haru @sta-rie @hiqhkey @purplepuppychild @iceeee @wtfhyuck @tobiosbbyghorl @nikililmj @moonlightisland @ayayiiie @aeyeree @bitchychildmiracle

[everykillerbee]

[k-nayee]

Phantom Code Alien Romulus | iii

wc: 1.2k a/n: Just a heads-up! This mini-series was originally a one-shot but ended up longer than expected. So once I post the final chapter (when Andy chases Navarro and Bjorn after the facehugger incident), that will be the end of the Phantom Code series. Hope you enjoy and thanks for reading!

Traveler M.List

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ˏ⸉ˋ‿̩͙‿̩̩̥͙̽‿̩͙ˏ⸉ˋ‿̩͙‿̩̩̥͙̽‿̩͙ˏ⸉ˋ‿̩͙‿̩̩̥͙̽‿̩͙.·͙*̩̩͙˚̩̥̩̥*̩̩̥͙　✩　*̩̩̥͙˚̩̥̩̥*̩̩͙‧͙ .‿̩̥̩‿̩̩̥͙̽‿̩͙ˊ⸊ˎ‿̩̥̩‿̩̩̥͙̽‿̩͙ˊ⸊ˎ‿̩̥̩‿̩̩̥͙̽‿̩͙ˊ⸊ˎ

You were in the middle of your shift when it happened.

The hum of the machinery was a familiar comfort, the routine maintenance tasks performed almost second nature by now.

Suddenly without warning, you were called to report to a meeting. It was brief, no explanation given. Just a directive to come immediately.

And even though the abruptness of the call made you uneasy, you pushed the feeling aside. It was probably just a routine briefing, nothing more.

It wasn't until you arrived at the designated room that you realized something was very, very wrong.

Bjorn was already there, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed. You didn't say anything to him, and he didn't speak to you.

You noticed a young girl sitting off to the side, barely a teenager.

She was too young to be working in the mines, and yet, here she was: her wide eyes darting between you and Bjorn.

You recognized her—she was supposed to start her training soon, but hadn't officially begun working yet.

Why she was here only made the situation even more unsettling.

The three of you exchanged uneasy glances, wondering what was going on. Minutes passed, each one stretching longer than the last.

Until finally, an official walked in. The man's face was solemn, he didn't bother with introductions or small talk.

Eyes swept over the three of you before speaking, his voice so flat it sent chills down your spine. "There was an accident in Sector 7 today. A gas leak."

Your heart sank. Sector 7....

That was where your father had been working. The knot of dread in your stomach tightened.

You wanted to believe it wasn't as bad as it sounded, but the look on the official's face told you otherwise.

"The leak spread rapidly," the official continued, his tone grim. "The android supervisor for that division on-site—Model HY-471—made the order to seal off part of the sector to contain it. In doing so, three miners were trapped inside... and sacrificed to save the rest of the team."

The first name was your father's. It hit you like a physical blow, the breath leaving your lungs as you tried to process what you'd just heard.

The other names barely registered—Bjorn's mother, and Marcus Harland, another miner you vaguely knew.

You felt like you were floating outside of your own body, watching everything unfold from a distance.

The young girl crumpled to the floor, her uncontrollable sobs tearing through the otherwise silent room.

You saw the color drain from Bjorn's face as he stared blankly ahead. He didn't say a word, didn't move, as if the news had frozen him in place.

The rest of the meeting was a blur. You didn't remember leaving the room, didn't remember walking out of the building.

It wasn't until you stepped into the cold night air that the world started to come back into focus. The streets were in full movement, thrumming with life as if yours hadn't just ended.

You took a few steps, your body moving slow and mechanical as if on autopilot.

Shoulders of passersby bump into you, jostling your frame, but you barely feel it. You just need to keep moving, to do something...anything, other than stand there.

Staring at the ground as you walk, a pair of shoes came into view. It was Bjorn.

His face was blank, his nose raw from the cold or from holding back tears—maybe both. His steps were slow, almost mindless, like he didn't know where he was going.

When your eyes met, there was no need for words. You both understood.

You fell into sync, walking side by side in silence for what felt like eternity. It wasn't until you neared your homes did Bjorn suddenly stop.

His shoulders began to shake, his breath coming in ragged gasps as he tried to hold back.

You hesitate for a moment before stepping closer, reaching out to him. The moment your hand touched his arm, it was like something inside him broke.

Bjorn fell to his knees as he finally let go of everything he had been holding back. He buried his face into your shoulder, his body wracked with sobs as he clung to you for support.

You held him tightly as your own tears surfaced, the loss of your father hitting you with a force that left you breathless.

"I-I don't know what to do," Bjorn choked out, his voice barely audible between his tears. "She's gone... m-my m-mom's gone..."

"I know," you whispered, your own voice trembling as you try to stay calm. "I know, Bjorn. I'm so sorry."

The two of you stayed like that for what felt like hours, your arms wrapped around him as he poured out his heart.

It was a sight to many who considered it a regular day; no one stopped to console or empathize, instead just continuing with their own lives.

When Bjorn's sobs finally began to quiet, you gently pulled back with comforting hand on his shoulder.

"You'll get through this," you said softly, though the words felt hollow in your mouth. "I know you will..."

Bjorn nodded, though his eyes were still filled with a sadness that seemed too deep for words. He didn't say anything, just looked at you with a mixture of gratitude and something else—something you couldn't quite place.

The rest of the walk home was quiet, both of you lost in thought. When you finally reached your door, you hesitated, turning to Bjorn one last time.

"If you ever need to talk..." you began, but he cut you off with a nod.

"I know," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "Thank you." With that, he turned and walked away, his figure blending into the crowded street.

In the days and weeks that followed, you found yourself slipping deep into a depression you couldn't seem to escape from.

It was a struggle to get out of bed each morning, to find the energy to face the world. You rarely went out unless you had to.

Work had became your only salvation; a place where you could lose yourself in the monotony of tasks that required no thought—no emotion.

The grief was always there. It lurked at the edges of your mind, threatening to pull you under if you let your guard down.

What happened that night was never brought up, the vulnerability that had been shared left unspoken.

But even so, something shifted between you and Bjorn. He seemed to act...differently.

He wasn't as brash with you, not as quick with his teasing. There was a gentleness inn the way he spoke to you, something that hadn't been there before.

Still the same impulsive and headstrong person, there was now an undertone of care in his actions toward you.

Yeah he still teased you, but it was different—less biting, more affectionate, almost protective.

And the way he looked at you; at times where no one paid attention, the softest lidded eyes would stare your way.

Bjorn (unbeknownst to you) had even began to badger Rain with questions about you, trying to learn more about the person who had comforted him in his darkest hour.

He may not fully understand these feelings: the grief of losing a parent, a newfound hatred for synthetics, the hope and excitement at getting out of this mining hellhole.

But one thing he did know for sure...there, in that whirlpool of emotions, was a budding crush for you.

[sscarletvenus]

gay people making me cry at 7 in the evening istg

[pttucker]

Forged steel broke out from the ship's deck and extended in the blink to protect both me and our Lee Jihye. It was Lee Hyunsung's doing. However, I sensed that something was different about the Story's aura coming from the steel barrier. I shifted my gaze towards him. Lee Hyunsung was there, but it was not him. Someone had borrowed his body to unleash his powers. [Incarnation 'Lee Hyunsung's' Sponsor is protecting you!] This Status was strong enough to evenly match the 'Master of the Sunken Island'. The steel wall was ripped apart with loud tearing noises and the 999th turn's Lee Jihye poked her head through. As if she had been doused by cold water, her expression was hardened to a frightening degree. The first one to open his lips was Lee Hyunsung's Sponsor. 【Jihye-yah. Our story had come to an end a long time ago already.】 That was the true voice of an Outer God. And I realized whose it was instantly.

Okay, so Hyunsung's sponsor is literally himself from the other worldline. I thought that's what they were trying to say when they said his sponsor was different and talked about how everything was from the 999th turn but Dokja didn't explicitly say so I thought I was misunderstanding. Guess it was purposefully meant to be vague so it could be a big reveal later lol.

And now we have our second 100% confirmed instance of one of the characters being sponsored by a different version of someone from another worldline. (Well, technically Secretive Plotter didn't sponsor anyone but he tried to sponsor Dokja.) Meaning Joonghyuk's sponsor is looking more and more like an alternate version of somebody.

I've been thinking Oldest Dream is another Dokja, as I've said multiple times before, since that matches the theme of them being a pair and I could see Dokja "granting" him Regression out of mistaken love, not wanting to see Joonghyuk ever die, not realizing he's actually tormenting him. Heck, even Life and Death Companions could literally be referring to Joonghyuk's repeated lifes and deaths, now that I think about it. And Regression could vaguely be related to re-reading a novel over and over...

Also, yeah, this whole world was definitely created specifically for Dokja right? (By Dokja? Not as the author, but as the reader?) Or something like that. Because all these "repeat" characters are from Dokja's favorite turn, the 999th. That can't be a coincidence.

[lalune9x]

SCTIR Translation - Chapter 471: Letter (2)

Sung Hyunje was a bit, no, quite annoying, inscrutable, wayward, and ridiculously perfect a person, so honestly, I was jealous and had plenty of other complaints. But he was still one of the people precious to me.

Chapter translation under the cut.

---

Chapter 471: Letter (2)

"I can kind of understand it, but it seems off."

"Well, it's a free translation app."

After the usual greetings, there was some nonsense about congratulating me on getting back safely.

"What? He was worried? After disappearing without a word of warning? 'I won't forget the joyful time we spent together'… Is the translation app broken?"

Creaaak, the fork in Yoohyun's hand bent under the pressure. Noah furrowed his brows, and even Myungwoo frowned.

"What a son of a bitch."

"Yerim-ah, don't say that. It’s an insult to dogs."

Dogs were far more lovable.

"And then, 'I'll love you more when we meet again'... What the hell? The translation can’t be right."

"Hmm, it looks like he's saying he wants to dote on you," Noah said, peering at the letter.

"You know Chinese too?"

"Just a little. It's similar to what my sister wrote when we went to a dungeon in China..."

Ah. But what exactly was this jerk Huang Lin trying to pull? Even if we accounted for the translation app having major issues, this wasn’t a normal message.

"Chu Huoyun is… doing fine, it says. And he wants to… oh, Yerim, don't read this part."

That son of a bitch—sorry to dogs—apparently wanted to cut off my legs. He must've been really mad. Though it had been Yoohyun who'd sliced him up, so why did he have an issue with me? Was he pissed about getting shot?

"I should've killed him back then," Yoohyun said in a low voice, his expression chillingly cold. If Chu Huoyun were in front of him right now, Yoohyun would probably cut off his head without hesitation.

"I wasn't planning on letting him live, either," I said. "I doubt Huang Lin is holding a grudge, but Chu Huoyun must be."

He was a truly nasty piece of work from the start. And after the humiliation he'd gone through, he was surely grinding his teeth right now. The next time we met, one of us wouldn't be walking away unscathed. Given that, of course it'd be better to cut off Mr. Chu's head.

"Well, on its face… it's just a friendly letter," I remarked.

There was nothing special about the letter's contents, the stationary or the envelope. All he'd written was nonsense like, 'we had fun together back then, Chu Huoyun is trying to catch and kill you, he's doing okay though, let's meet again, you've been through a lot~.' Though I should ask Dr Hao Yuan to double-check just in case. The translation wasn't perfect, and there could be hidden messages.

"So, Hunter Chloe was in league with the people who kidnapped Ajussi, and those people were working with Huang Lin. Is that right?" Yerim asked, twisting her eyebrows exaggeratedly as she spoke.

"Yeah, pretty much. To be exact, the King of the Mist Sea helped China's military capture the Dokkaebi King. Huang Lin felt that the Dokkaebi King posed a danger, and asked Park Hayul's noonim for help. That noonim then ordered Park Hayul to kidnap me. And Chloe is connected with Park Hayul's faction."

As a result, the military had suffered a huge blow. Huang Lin played a role in that, but what was going on with Chu Huoyun? I didn't think someone with his personality would just sit still. Was Huang Lin deceiving him?

I decided to give Yoon Yoon a call.

[Hello, Captain Kim!]

"Hey, how's it going? Everything okay?" I asked.

[Of course! We've got a few more kids now!]

[Your Majesty! I'm a Mr. Kim too!]

[I miss the cat!]

[I know how to make video calls now too!]

[Captain Kim! Thanks for the food!]

[It was delicious!]

[I like jajangmyeon! And tteokbokki!]

[I didn't like the buckwheat jelly though...]

[Yeah, I thought it'd be really tasty, but it was a letdown!]

My ears hurt. When I had returned to Korea, I'd kept my promise and bought the dokkaebis all the food they wanted. To be more specific, I just provided them with money.

Yoon Yoon initiated a video call, and the screen showed a bunch of dokkaebis crowded together. Most looked like children, but there were a few adults mixed in. They had all transformed well, so they appeared to be regular humans. Well, except for the one who was too round. He looked like he had jumped right out of a drawing.

[Quiet down! Shush! I'm on the phone!]

At Yoon Yoon's shout, the dokkaebis abruptly shut their mouths, but only for a moment. It seemed Yoon Yoon was having a hard time, too.

"Someone linked with the Chinese side came to Korea," I said.

The dokkaebis were still chattering, but Yoon Yoon's expression instantly turned cold. He let out a long sigh, his shoulders rising and falling, and muttered, [Don't get angry, don't get angry.]

"I'm just giving you a heads-up to be careful, so don't worry too much. I'll send you a picture of the person too."

Although Chloe was on the side that had tried to stop the military, it didn't hurt to be cautious given her connection to Huang Lin. She wasn't the type to use the dokkaebis, but… hmm.

'…She did turn a blind eye to my kidnapping, after all.'

I still found it hard to think of her as a bad person. However, as Director Song and others had pointed out, she couldn't be called a good person at least when it came to me. If it was for the greater good, she might also take a similar attitude towards the dokkaebis.

"There haven't been any problems so far, right?" I asked.

Yoon Yoon grinned. There was no way there hadn't been any. Judging by the dokkaebis running around noisily now, they had probably caused a few incidents.

"Just keep the trouble to a level that can be resolved with money."

[Got it! And I've got lots of money too.]

"There's a limit, you know. And don't go stealing if you're short."

I could always help out, and so could the major guilds. The dokkaebis couldn't fight, but they were more than capable as supports. High-level dokkaebis could even teleport, which would be useful both inside and outside dungeons.

[Not even in other countries?]

"No."

[What about sunken treasure? They say there's a lot of sunken treasure ships!]

"Uh… maybe that's okay?"

I wasn't sure. Where had they heard about that? Anyway, I told him to behave for now and ended the call. Then, I dialed Director Song. The phone didn't ring long before he picked up.

"Director Song, did anything come up overnight?"

Like maybe any word from Sung Hyunje.

[No, nothing. All the Burn Cave Guild members have returned to their lodgings, and Hunter Chloe Alger only submitted a report to the Association about her solo activities. I don't know her current whereabouts, but it seems she did not engage in any problematic behavior.]

Chloe was probably just waiting for a reply from Sung Hyunje before leaving the country. So far, she hadn't done anything overtly wrong. Other than confessing her involvement with the kidnappers, there weren't any grounds to arrest her.

[Are you alright, Han Yoojin-ssi?]

Director Song's voice was calm, but I could tell he was genuinely concerned.

"Yes, I'm fine. I'm feeling better now."

[That's a relief. Then, about the Sesung Guildmaster─]

"I'll go see him myself."

I needed to have a proper conversation with him. I wasn't sure if he'd agree to meet me. However…

'…Will I be okay going alone?'

Just yesterday afternoon, I would've gone to meet Sung Hyunje alone at his home or guild without a second thought. Because I wouldn't have even dreamed he’d do something to harm me.

'Considering everything that’s happened so far, I’ve been far too complacent.'

Even so, I mean... even so. I couldn’t help having trusted him. Because he'd been treating me really well recently. And even now.

[Allow me to accompany you,] Director Song offered. 

I swallowed before answering.

"It's okay. Honestly, I'm fine now. I think it's better if I meet him alone," I declined his offer and ended the call.

Sung Hyunje was a bit, no, quite annoying, inscrutable, wayward, and ridiculously perfect a person, so honestly, I was jealous and had plenty of other complaints. But he was still one of the people precious to me. Just like the others, I liked Sung Hyunje too. If he were to suddenly leave, I'd feel really lonely.

So I still wanted to believe in him. That was how I felt, regardless of the outcome. Even if he really had become my enemy, I didn't think he'd go so far as to threaten my life. So it should be okay, right?

"Chloe came to Korea to deliver a message to Sung Hyunje. She'll come to get his reply, so if we want to catch her, that would be our best chance," I explained.

The four people who had been watching me nodded in unison. Even Gyeol wagged his tail. Gyeol, you should stay home with me. And Myungwoo, it'd be a big problem if you got hurt, too.

"I'll go meet with Sung Hyunje first," I said.

"Are you really going alone?" Yoohyun asked with concern. "If Chloe's coming to get his reply, doesn't that mean the Sesung Guildmaster might be involved with her group? Director Song offering to go with you means he thinks the same."

I had spoken vaguely on purpose, but it seemed Yoohyun had caught on.

"It's not certain," I said.

"But that means it's possible. You can't go alone.”

"He's right, Yoojin-ssi," Noah said. "Should I accompany you? I can use my stealth skill. If I hide in a corner of the meeting place ahead of time, even the Sesung Guildmaster would have a hard time noticing."

"No, it's fine. And I don't believe the Sesung Guildmaster would harm me. If I happen to be wrong about that…"

I hoped I wasn't, but…

"If I'm wrong, please help me then. Yoohyun, Yerim, I'll be counting on you. Myungwoo, you too. If we happen to end up facing the entire Sesung Guild, help me out."

"Of course I'll help," Myungwoo replied.

"Don't push yourself. Think only about your safety, hyung."

"I've been wanting to test myself anyway. I welcome the challenge!" Yerim added.

"I'm just saying it hypothetically. It's not very likely," I replied.

Don't go brandishing your spear, Yerim. Although Yoohyun and the others were still worried, I persuaded them to let me handle it this one time. Actually, it hadn't seemed that Sung Hyunje would act rashly anyway. They all listened to me, but…

— 'I hate you, Dad!'

In the end, Han Gyeol was the one who got really upset.

— 'I don't actually hate you, but this is too much!'

"Hey, I'll be fine. Stay with your aunt and uncle. Be good."

— '…But it really could be dangerous. I'll hide well, so take me with you. I won't say a word.'

Since throwing a tantrum like a little kid hadn't worked, he now tried to calmly reason with me. But I didn't trust that he'd really stay quiet.

"How about I order you some ice cream? You said it was tasty before."

— 'I won't fall for food.'

"Hotel ice cream is probably even more delicious."

Do they even have ice cream on the room service menu? Yerim picked up the pouting fairy dragon.

"Say, 'Be careful and come back safely,'" she suggested to Gyeol.

— 'Ughhhhhh.'

Oh my, it was going to take a while to calm him down.

After apologizing to Gyeol, I headed toward the bathroom and called Sung Hyunje. I thought he might not answer, but to my surprise, he picked up quickly.

"Are you still at the hotel?" I asked. "Let's meet for a bit. I'll come alone."

[Not even giving me time to emotionally prepare? How heartless.]

"You've had a whole night. Besides, I'm the one who needs emotional preparation, not you."

What was he talking about when he was the one who blindsided me? Sure, he said he'd also found out late, but still. It wasn't like he hadn't had time to warn me.

[How about breakfast?]

"I already ate, a little while ago."

[Then let's have tea.]

The memory of the tea table under the wisteria tree suddenly came to mind. Back then, in that place, Sung Hyunje had watched over me and helped me all along. I had gotten so many points, too.

"Alright, that sounds good. When and where?"

[At this hotel. I'll text you when it's ready.]

"Okay."

I hung up the phone and picked up my toothbrush. In the mirror, a man with disheveled hair was reflected back. Maybe because the lighting was good, his face itself didn't look bad.

"…Ah, whatever."

I'd just approach this with a light heart. Whatever happened with Sung Hyunje wouldn't change the things we had experienced together. Even if he truly betrayed me, it would be less shocking than when Yoohyun left home. That had nearly driven me insane. This time, I would at least hear the reason first.

And no matter what happened, it wouldn't change what I wanted to do. It might just make it a little harder. Actually no, it might not be as hard as I thought. After all, I wasn't alone anymore. I'd get consoled by the people around me, pull myself together, and drag Sung Hyunje back by the collar.

I dressed up a bit, though in a more casual outfit than yesterday, before leaving the room.

Yoohyun followed me, saying he would escort me there. Let's not even talk about the rock-paper-scissors game that happened before that. There was nothing to be done about their difference in stats. Yerim had been understandably upset, saying they should draw lots instead. Yoohyun never lost once.

"Don't worry too much about the Sesung Guildmaster."

Yoohyun spoke as we stood in front of the elevator.

"I don't like it, but I do know that you rely on him, hyung. Even so, you'll be okay without him. You have me, and other people too… If you feel like it's not enough, I'll try harder."

"What do you mean, not enough? I don't feel that way at all."

I tapped my little brother's arm and smiled.

"I trust you, all of you, as well. Especially you, Yoohyun. I know you'll always be on my side, no matter what. So I'll also be fine, no matter what. Things might get hard for a bit, but that's all."

I could get back on my feet however many times I had to. Even when my little brother had left me, I hadn't given up. Something like this wasn't enough to knock me down in the first place.

"I'll be fine," I said. "I'm more worried about Sung Hyunje." 

What was going through his head?

We took the elevator down and arrived at the meeting place. My brother said he'd wait outside, but I reassured him that I'd be back before lunch and sent him away. I took a deep breath and stepped inside.