“What?”
Why do bad premonitions always come true? Iberis’s eyes hardened as Brenda announced the arrival of an unwelcome visitor. He had heard that the Mars Guild, led by Livio, had been assigned to the northern defense zone, but he didn’t expect them to visit the unit so soon.
“Why did they come?”
“Well… they said it’s a courtesy visit. Seems they’ve been making rounds to other units too.”
“Ha, I knew he was shameless, but…”
Iberis let out a hollow laugh, twisting his lips. A flash of killing intent appeared and disappeared in his darkened eyes.
“What should we do…?”
Brenda watched Iberis carefully. While she also had grievances against Livio, it was nothing compared to Iberis. Having witnessed him struggling with guilt over his dead comrades for the past few years, she couldn’t help but worry.
“What else can we do? We have to go out and meet them.”
Iberis took a short deep breath and grabbed his uniform jacket from the coat hanger. Despite his annoyance, he was still the commander of the N-0 unit. Turning away the leader of a cooperating guild at the door would surely give them something to hold against him later.
“Let’s go.”
“Yes.”
Brenda followed Iberis with a stern expression. As they went downstairs, other unit members who had heard about Livio’s visit began to appear. Lucas was among them.
“Major.”
“Luke?”
Lucas approached Iberis as soon as he spotted him. He quickly scanned Iberis’s face. At a glance, Iberis seemed to maintain his composure, but he couldn’t hide from Lucas’s eyes. His cheeks were paler than usual and his expression subtly stiff, indicating that Iberis was unsettled by Livio’s visit.
“What’s wrong?”
Iberis tilted his head towards Lucas, who was staring at him intently.
“If you don’t want to meet him, I can take care of sending him away.”
“Huh?”
“It’s clearly rude to visit without an appointment, even for the head of a cooperating guild. There’s no need to deal with someone who makes you uncomfortable. You don’t have to step up, Major. I can…”
“No.”
Iberis cut off Lucas’s words, forcing an awkward smile. While he felt embarrassed that his distress was noticeable to others, he also felt grateful for Lucas’s willingness to step in for him.
“Thank you for your concern. But it’s okay.”
“You don’t have to push yourself…”
“We’ll have to see his face for a while anyway. It might be better to get the greetings over with today.”
Iberis smiled faintly, as if telling himself not to worry too much.
“I understand. But if Guild Leader Logan acts disrespectfully towards you, is it alright if I intervene to some extent?”
“…Sure.”
Iberis replied a half-beat late, feeling a lump in his throat. The emotion in those golden eyes fixed on him was clear concern. He set his jaw and walked out of the building.
“Oh, Major Hyun.”
Livio was talking with someone who looked like his secretary right in front of the main building. Sensing their presence, he turned his head and smiled at Iberis with a friendly face. His attitude was warm, as if meeting an old friend.
“…It’s been a while, Guild Leader Logan.”
After a moment’s hesitation, Iberis greeted him first. It was the first time he had directly faced Livio since the day of the final trial. Back then, Livio had shouted with a face contorted with rage, loud enough to bring down the courtroom.
‘This is a false accusation! Everyone makes mistakes at work, don’t they? I’m innocent! I was just working for the Defense Force!’
‘Do you think I’ll go down like this? Just watch! I’ll definitely be back!’
Iberis was equally frustrated with the trial results. He knew the situation was favorable to Livio, but he had still held onto a sliver of hope, which was now shattered. Livio received a lighter sentence than his crimes warranted, and the honor of their dead comrades was tarnished.
‘Damn it! I’ll kill you, Iberis Hyun! How dare you, after all I’ve done for you…!’
In his despair, Iberis had almost wished Livio would attack him. Then he could have killed him in self-defense and, while at it, blown away the entire corrupt courtroom.
But Iberis’s wish was not to be granted. People who sensed the dangerous atmosphere quickly separated Livio and him. That was the end of it.
Afterwards, Iberis was demoted to Zone N, while Livio naturalized to Japan and established the Mars Guild. With different affiliations and areas of activity, there was no reason for them to meet.
They could have met if they wanted to, but both Iberis and Livio avoided each other. Neither trusted themselves to control their murderous intent upon meeting. If the Mars Guild hadn’t been selected as a cooperating guild for the Defense Force, the reunion of these two would probably have happened much later.
“It’s been about three years, hasn’t it? Since we last met like this?”
“…That’s right.”
Iberis clenched his fist so hard that his nails left marks on his palm, careful not to let his expression crumple. He thought he had gotten a little better, but he was wrong. Despite the considerable time that had passed, his anger towards Livio hadn’t diminished at all. If anything, it had deepened.
I want to kill him.
Iberis gritted his molars at the sudden surge of impulse. Over the past few years, he had imagined meeting Livio again hundreds of times. Each time, the conclusion was the same: killing Livio.
Glaring at his enemy before him, Iberis wondered if he could kill him right now. When he received his terminal diagnosis, Livio was the first person that came to mind. He had no regrets about anything else, but not having taken revenge on him weighed on his mind.
The thought of Livio living comfortably even after his death filled him with rage. He had even considered seeking out Livio when death was imminent, to die together.
“What’s your business?”
“Ho ho, straight to the point, are we?”
“We’re not on friendly terms to engage in pleasant conversation.”
“Even so, to keep someone standing like this… The N-0 unit’s hospitality is terrible.”
“That’s because someone showed up unannounced, leaving us unprepared. Since you brought it up, let me ask: what kind of situation is this?”
Iberis snapped sharply, barely suppressing the murderous intent boiling inside him.
“Oh my, if I’ve offended you, I apologize. This was the only unit in Zone N I hadn’t greeted yet, so I came… I didn’t intend to upset you, Major Hyun.”
“Did you visit other units without notice like this too? And you’re no longer my superior. Mind your manners.”
“Ah, this is… I thought I was being sufficiently polite. Perhaps you were bothered by me calling you ‘Major Hyun’?”
“You catch on quick. Our positions have changed now, so please use the proper form of address.”
“Then shall I call you Unit Commander from now on? Or Major?”
Livio sneered with obvious displeasure at being told to mind his manners. As if he wanted to meet Iberis. Livio had come to the N-0 unit to see Iberis’s condition with his own eyes. He visited unexpectedly because he knew Iberis would prepare if an appointment was made.
As the air between the two grew hostile, people exchanged glances. Everyone in the N-0 unit knew about their bad blood. That’s why both unit members and Mars Guild members listened intently to Livio and Iberis’s conversation with tense faces.
“Either is fine. As long as you mind your manners.”
“Hmm, then I’ll call you Major. By the way, you seem to look better than before?”
Livio took a step closer to Iberis, looking intrigued. Unlike the photos his informant had sent, Iberis’s complexion was much brighter. He inwardly clicked his tongue at Iberis’s healthy appearance. Just by looking at his face, not only did he not seem ill, he looked healthier than before.
“I heard you got an exclusive guide… Seems like it’s been quite effective. I’m truly glad.”
“I don’t see why the Guild Leader should concern himself with my guiding situation.”
“You’ve been quite prickly from the start. We’re going to be working together from now on. Of course I’m concerned. Is this the rumored guide? Major Luke Illum, right?”
Livio’s gaze shifted behind Iberis. Luke Illum, known as Winfried’s successor. He had been keeping an eye on him for the past few years too, so he recognized him at a glance.
“Pleased to meet you, I’m Livio Logan.”
“Luke Illum.”
Lucas shook hands with his characteristic stoic expression when Livio extended his hand. Though he didn’t show it outwardly, he was actually as shaken as Iberis. After all, Livio was a suspect in his parents’ murder.
“I know many people in the military, and they all speak highly of you, Major. They say you should be called S+ class, not just S class.”
“Is that so.”
“Our guild doesn’t spare investment for talented individuals. Our benefits are much better than the Defense Force’s too. If you’re interested, please contact me.”
Instead of taking the business card Livio offered, Lucas just stared at it blankly. Even though he knew he shouldn’t show hostility without solid evidence, actually facing Livio made his stomach churn.
“Major?”
“Ah, I apologize. I was a bit taken aback by the unexpected offer. I appreciate the offer, but I won’t be taking your card.”
