“Welcome. May I have your name?”
“Kim Seong-gyeong.”
“Yes, this way, please.”
The place Kim Seong-gyeong brought me to was an upscale restaurant. He must’ve made a reservation, because the moment we stepped in, we were guided straight to our table.
Didn’t know there were places like this near the Guide Center…
The spot he’d reserved was a private dining room, quiet and comfortable. Soft music drifted through the air, and the view of the city lights outside the window gave the room a polished, elegant feel. Honestly, after enduring all the stares on our way here, it was a relief to be somewhere secluded where I didn’t have to worry about prying eyes.
“Have a seat.”
“Thank you.”
As soon as I sat down, Kim Seong-gyeong naturally handed me the menu.
“What kind of food do you like, Seol-bin?”
I skimmed the menu for a while before giving up and handing it back. There were so many items listed, but aside from the ridiculous prices, I couldn’t figure out what any of it actually was.
“Why don’t you pick? I’m good with anything.”
“Okay then… Do you prefer meat or seafood?”
“Definitely meat.”
At my confident answer, Kim Seong-gyeong chuckled and nodded. He pressed the call button and began placing an order without hesitation, calling out dishes with practiced ease. I’d assumed he was just gentle and a little naive, but from the way he handled the menu, it was obvious he’d been here more than once.
The cocktail that arrived as a starter was light and refreshing, and the dressing on the salad—whatever it was—actually made the vegetables taste good, even for someone like me who usually avoided greens.
Then came the steak.
The moment it was placed in front of me, I couldn’t look away. It was mouthwatering just to look at. At Kim Seong-gyeong’s urging, I cut a small piece and took a bite, slowly savoring the flavor.
The meat was so tender it practically melted on my tongue, and the taste was out of this world.
I should come here again with Kang Biso sometime.
The thought popped into my head and made me freeze.
Why him? Why now?
“…This is amazing.”
I quickly pulled myself together and spoke, meeting Kim Seong-gyeong’s expectant gaze. He smiled warmly.
“Right? I first came here because it’s quiet and relaxing, but the food turned out to be great too. I’ve been coming back ever since.”
That opened the door to more light conversation as we continued eating. Up until now, I’d been wondering how to even start a conversation, but Kim Seong-gyeong had a way of making things feel natural. The mood stayed comfortable throughout.
Eventually, the topic drifted toward dungeons—an opening I’d been waiting for.
Now was the perfect time to ask about the Book of Wishes.
“Hey… have you ever heard of something called the Book of Wishes?”
“The Book of Wishes?”
“Yeah. I just overheard it somewhere. Apparently, a book by that name was found in a dungeon. I was wondering if you knew anything about it.”
At that, Kim Seong-gyeong paused, his knife still in mid-air. He looked like he was thinking hard.
Does he know? And if he does… what should I do about it?
Considering how often he went into dungeons, there was a good chance he’d heard something. Hell, for all I knew, the Book of Wishes the government had might’ve originally come from him.
But to my surprise, he shook his head and spoke.
“…Doesn’t ring a bell. I don’t think I’ve heard of it.”
“Ah… I see.”
So much for my assumption that he’d definitely know. I held back a sigh of disappointment.
Now I didn’t even know who else I could ask.
ZEC had mentioned that the government was still researching the Book of Wishes, which meant only a few researchers or high-ranking officials might know about it. The number of people who were aware of it had to be extremely limited.
A handful of government officials involved in the investigation.
ZEC, who found out about it and made plans to steal it.
And Baek Beom—the one who gave me the Book of Wishes on the condition that I live with him.
With only that many people in the know… how the hell was I supposed to track them all down?
“The Book of Wishes, huh…? If that kind of book really exists, I’d love to see it sometime.”
Kim Seong-gyeong smiled gently, as if he genuinely didn’t know a thing. I gave a vague response, brushing it off as something I’d just heard in passing. There was no need to tell him any more than that.
It wasn’t that I thought he’d go around blabbing, but the fewer people who knew, the better.
Then, just as I was starting to relax—
“Um…”
“Yes?”
Kim Seong-gyeong hesitated, his voice suddenly more cautious than it had been all evening. It was clear he had something to say, but he fidgeted for a while before finally speaking up.
“Um… that person we ran into in the dungeon last time…”
“…That person? You mean Kim Yong-ha?”
Is he finally taking an interest in Kim Yong-ha?
“No… not him. I meant the one who… held you.”
“Oh. You mean Kang Biso?”
“Yes, him.”
Why’s he bringing up Kang Biso all of a sudden? Could he have figured out that Biso’s a Villain?
“Are you two… involved or something?”
“…What?”
The sudden question left me completely stunned. Why is he asking this now?
“…You two just seemed really close. He looked like an Esper too, and I was wondering… if you were, uh… dating or something…”
“D-Dating?!”
My voice shot up without thinking. The question was so out of left field I couldn’t even process it.
Me and Kang Biso? Dating? Is that seriously how it looks to other people?
I glanced at Kim Seong-gyeong, unsure how to respond. He looked genuinely nervous, waiting for my answer with a worried expression.
I could feel the heat rising in my face, but I quickly shook my head.
“No. It’s not like that.”
“…It’s not?”
“Yeah. We’re just… close. Like brothers. Kang Biso’s an Esper, so I guide him from time to time. That’s all.”
I tried to sound firm and clear—but deep down, doubt crept in.
But we kissed. He got jealous. We went on a date… Can I really say there’s nothing between us?
Kang Biso, smiling like a happy kid while wearing the outfit I picked for him… fiercely protective during our date… glaring at me in the hotel, completely consumed by jealousy…
Every time I saw him like that, I thought he was cute. My face would heat up, and my heart would pound in a way I couldn’t explain.
…So what exactly are we, then?
I didn’t know what label to put on us. Maybe I just didn’t want to know.
It was… frustrating, in a way I couldn’t quite describe.
I was about to change the subject when I glanced up at Kim Seong-gyeong—and froze.
The sun had dipped low in the sky, casting a warm red hue across the room. Light streamed through the window, painting Kim Seong-gyeong’s gentle smile in soft gold.
He looked like he’d stepped right out of a movie.
“…I’m glad. Really glad.”
His voice was light, filled with relief. I couldn’t bring myself to say anything. All I did was fidget with the knife and fork in my hands.
***
The awkwardness faded like it was never there, and we finished dinner in comfortable conversation.
“How was everything?”
“It was amazing.”
“I’m glad. This place is a favorite of mine, so it means a lot that you liked it too.”
As Kim Seong-gyeong smiled, I suddenly remembered something.
“Oh, right—thank you. For the ring you gave me in the dungeon. I don’t think I would’ve made it out in one piece without it. Things were so hectic I never properly thanked you.”
“…I’m just happy I could help.”
He smiled brightly, like my words genuinely made him happy. Then he held out his hand.
“Um… could I see your hand for a second?”
“My hand?”
I blinked in confusion, not understanding what he meant. He looked a little embarrassed, his ears turning red like he was flustered about something.
After a moment’s hesitation, I offered him my hand.
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small box. Slowly, he opened the lid, revealing a ring—nearly identical in design to the one he gave me before.
Without a word, he took the ring and gently slid it onto my finger.
“This is…”
“You said the last one helped, right? So I got another one, just in case. If you ever get caught up in another dungeon, I want you to be safe.”
“But… this is too much…”
“Please. Don’t think of it that way. Just take it.”
Easy for you to say… how am I not supposed to feel burdened by this? But how can I refuse either…
There was no way a ring like this came cheap. If anything, it was probably priceless. And this was the second one.
“…Thank you. Really.”
That was all I could say. His gift was full of warmth and sincerity.
Maybe that’s why so many people liked Kim Seong-gyeong. Even in the original story, Kim Yong-ha—after everything—still treated him with respect. He was the only one Yong-ha never crossed.
“In that case, let me at least pay for dinner.”
It was the least I could do. Anything to ease the guilt of accepting something so expensive.
But Kim Seong-gyeong shook his head.
“No need. I already paid.”
“What? But after everything, I really wanted to treat you tonight…”
“Then treat me next time. Okay?”
His eyes were practically begging, and in the end, all I could do was nod.
“…Alright. Next time, it’s on me.”
“Deal!”
It was a bit impulsive, but I didn’t regret it. After everything he’d done for me, it was the least I could promise. And it was nice seeing how happy it made him.
“It’s getting pretty late. Let me walk you home.”
“Oh, I’m good. I’m staying at the Guide Dormitory—it’s just around the corner.”
“I still want to. It’s not far, and walking will help with digestion.”
“But it’s the opposite direction for you…”
“I don’t want to part ways just yet. Okay?”
He sounded almost like a kid begging for one more minute of playtime. I couldn’t say no.
We left the restaurant and walked side by side, chatting casually. But the night air was colder than I expected. I found myself hugging my arms for warmth, and before I could react, Kim Seong-gyeong slipped off his blazer and draped it gently over my shoulders.
“Oh—no, really, I’m fine.”
“If you catch a cold, it’ll be a problem.”
“Still, I—”
“I’m doing it because I care about you. Please, just wear it.”
“…Thanks.”
I obediently kept the jacket on, and he smiled as we kept walking. He’d been so considerate all night. It was a different kind of warmth from what I felt with Kang Biso.
Before I knew it, we were standing in front of the dorm.
“I had a really great time tonight.”
I handed his jacket back as I spoke.
“Me too. It’s chilly—hurry on inside.”
“Yeah. And you get home safe, too—”
That’s when I felt it.
A sharp, chilling wave of killing intent.
My body froze instantly.
“…Wait. Kim Seong-gyeong!”
“What’s wrong?”
Startled by the sudden surge of hostility, I instinctively grabbed his arm and pulled him behind me.
He looked confused at first, but when the tension in the air hit him, his face turned serious as he scanned the area.
I turned toward the direction it was coming from—and my heart dropped.
“…Kang Biso?”
There he was.
I had no idea how long he’d been standing there.
Expression blank. Eyes cold. His entire body practically radiating fury as he glared at Kim Seong-gyeong like he wanted to rip him apart.
What the hell… Why is he here?
