“Explain yourself. What the hell do you think you’re doing?”
“C-Captain…”
The moment Kang Biso spoke, his sharp gaze cut through the room like a blade, and the atmosphere turned suffocatingly heavy. The members, pale as ghosts, could only glance nervously at him, and even the once-cocky Kim Jin-dae stood frozen, his face contorted with fear.
I couldn’t help but be impressed. This wasn’t the Kang Biso I usually saw. That warm, playful demeanor he wore around me was nowhere to be found—in its place was a lethal edge, the kind of expression that said he wouldn’t hesitate to kill.
The tension was so thick you could hear a pin drop. Finally, Kim Jin-dae gathered what little courage he had and opened his mouth.
“C-Captain, this is, um…”
“Start talking. Don’t leave out a single detail.”
Kang Biso gave a small nod, and Kim Jin-dae seemed to latch onto it, putting on a face like he’d been deeply wronged.
“That Guide was the one who interfered with us first!”
“What?”
“He barged in while we were training and started causing trouble! When I told him, fine, you’re a Guide, so at least do some Guiding—he refused! I mean, all those Guides are good for is spreading their legs and—!”
“Shut your damn mouth.”
The quiet, deadly voice made Kim Jin-dae flinch and snap his mouth shut.
“And who do you think you are, talking like that?”
“W-What…?”
“Everyone here better brace yourselves. I’m not letting this slide.”
There was a steel-cold conviction in his voice, and it wasn’t lost on anyone. The members, faces pale, lowered their heads in silence. But Kim Jin-dae… he still didn’t get it.
“A-Are you really doing all this over some low-level Guide? What the hell is so special about him that you’d defend him like this? Or is he just that good in bed, huh? Ngh—!”
In the blink of an eye, Kang Biso closed the distance and punched Kim Jin-dae square in the face. A solid, heavy hit. Kim Jin-dae collapsed to the floor, groaning in pain.
Kang Biso loomed over him, eyes blazing with fury like he could tear him apart at any second.
“And you? Who the fuck are you to question me?”
“I-It’s not—ugh…!”
Kang Biso kicked him hard, a violent burst of rage and bloodlust erupting from him. He looked colder, more brutal than I’d ever seen. Kim Jin-dae curled into himself like a pill bug, body twitching from the blows.
Face bloodied and swollen, he tried to explain himself, but the weight of Kang Biso’s killing intent was too much. He couldn’t get another word out. And just like that, the entire room turned frigid, as if someone had poured ice water over everything.
“I’m honestly disappointed. To think I’ve been working with people who can’t even read the room. Straighten up—there won’t be a next time.”
Having issued his final warning, Kang Biso turned his back on them and walked toward me.
“…Hyung, are you okay? Did they hurt you anywhere?”
His voice was gentle, laced with worry—so different from how he’d just been. The warmth in his eyes caught me off guard, and I felt my body slowly relax. I wasn’t shaken by the violence itself, but seeing that unfamiliar side of him had thrown me off more than I expected.
But now that he was back to his usual self—affectionate and caring—I couldn’t help but laugh under my breath. Yeah. This was the Kang Biso I knew.
“I’m fine.”
“I’m so sorry. I didn’t think something like this would happen. I’ll make sure it never happens again.”
“Thanks… for looking out for me.”
“We should move. This place must be too chaotic for you right now.”
As if nothing had happened, Kang Biso casually draped his arm over my shoulder and led me out of the training room. I caught a glimpse of the stunned expressions left behind, but I didn’t worry. He’d handle it. I let him lead me back to our room.
***
“…Hyung, really. Are you okay?”
“Yeah. I’m really fine.”
As soon as we returned, Kang Biso started checking me over, inspecting every inch with careful hands.
“This was my fault. I should’ve warned them properly. I guess I got too comfortable… I was just happy being with you, and I let my guard down. But I promise—it won’t happen again. I swear.”
His voice was quieter than usual, almost solemn, as he pulled me gently into his arms. He really was feeling guilty. I could tell.
Well, it’s not like he could’ve predicted someone would pick a fight out of nowhere. Besides, I’d already dealt with this kind of passive aggression back at the Guide Center. Honestly, it barely fazed me—it was more amusing than anything.
I chuckled softly and gave his back a reassuring pat.
“I’ll be more careful too, next time.”
“No, hyung. You don’t need to be careful. You don’t have to hold back. Just do whatever you want.”
“…What if I start causing trouble everywhere?”
“I don’t care. If it’s you, then whatever you do… I’ll still like it.”
I’d only been joking, but Kang Biso answered with more seriousness than ever before—not even a trace of a smile. His tone caught me off guard, and I wasn’t sure how to respond. After a moment’s hesitation, I leaned in and whispered softly near his ear.
“…Thanks.”
God, every single word out of his mouth was heart-melting.
As if my reaction drove him wild, he suddenly cupped my face like I was the cutest thing alive and brushed a light kiss on my cheek.
The soft, lingering warmth of his lips made the corners of my mouth curl into an uncontrollable smile.
And with just one lingering look between us, that kiss on the cheek started to shift—morphing into something more. His head tilted slightly, lips parting as he leaned in. I could feel it coming. I was ready, eyes fluttering closed, waiting for the kiss to land—
“Hyung!”
The door slammed open with a loud bang, and Kang Bijun rushed in.
“…!”
Startled, I shoved Kang Biso away instinctively. He stumbled back, visibly surprised. I turned to face Kang Bijun, trying to act as if nothing had happened. But it was already too late—he stood there frozen, jaw slack, clearly having taken in the entire scene.
“Hey! Ever heard of knocking?!”
Kang Biso’s face twisted in annoyance as he snapped at him. Kang Bijun, however, looked completely flustered as he fired back.
“How the hell was I supposed to know you’d be making out in the middle of the day?!”
“Learn to read the room.”
“Read the—?! Who’s more hyper-aware than me? You think I wanted to see that? I do not need to know what goes on in your love life, thanks. I’m leaving! Happy now? I’m out!”
Kang Biso nodded, clearly ready to throw him out without a second thought, but I quickly stepped in to stop him. Clearing my throat awkwardly, I tried to change the subject.
“Ahem… Kang Bijun. You came in like it was urgent. What’s going on?”
“Oh—right! Crap, this really isn’t the time for that. Hyung, turn on the news. Now!”
“…The news?”
Still sulking, Kang Biso puffed out his cheeks—but at Kang Bijun’s serious tone, he quickly picked up the remote and switched on the TV.
[“…The artifact discovered inside the dungeon is confirmed to be a book labeled Book of Wishes. Experts are currently decoding its contents, but so far, it appears to match the previously uncovered specimen…”]
Wait. Why is that book on the news?
The moment I saw it, my heart dropped. My gaze shot to the screen—and the book shown there was identical to the one I had.
Are you kidding me? How the hell did the second copy end up with them?
Both volumes of the Book of Wishes—the very ones I’d been desperately searching for—were now in the hands of the government. I felt the color drain from my face.
Of all people, it had to be them. The hardest target imaginable.
…How the hell am I supposed to get my hands on that now?
There was no way I could pull it off alone. Even with help, it might be impossible. I’d need Kang Biso. No, even with him—it would still be a long shot.
My thoughts spiraled. I glanced over at Kang Biso, who looked just as caught off guard by the broadcast, eyes glued to the screen.
Unable to say anything, I just kept watching him, gauging his reaction. That’s when Kang Bijun, still standing nearby, spoke up in a low, cautious voice.
“…Mr. Hwang Seol-bin, you don’t look too good. Are you okay?”
“Huh? Oh—yeah. I’m fine. I was just surprised. I didn’t think the Book of Wishes was real.”
“Really? Well, I guess I’m surprised too. But… something feels off, doesn’t it? There’s no way they’d go public with something still under research like this unless they’d discovered something big.”
His words made my throat dry. I swallowed hard.
I didn’t know exactly what the government was planning, but releasing this kind of information on national TV would send shockwaves everywhere. People would be drawn to it like moths to a flame. It wouldn’t matter if the book was real or not—just the idea of it was enough.
And if someone found out I had a copy?
There’d be people trying to take it from me. And worse, if anyone figured out the name written inside the book was mine… they’d come for me, no matter what.
I instinctively thought of the Book of Wishes hidden inside Kang Biso’s room. The security there was tight, sure—but even so, I couldn’t shake this prickling sense of unease.
Kang Bijun, who had been watching my face carefully, suddenly gave a low hum and spoke again, a bit too probing this time.
“…Mr. Hwang Seol-bin, you really don’t look good. Are you sure nothing’s wrong?”
“N-No, nothing at all…”
“Really? Because your whole face changed the second that news came on. Are you sure you’re not hiding something?”
“I-I swear! I don’t know anything!”
I tried to sound casual, but my voice came out shakier than I wanted. Not good. Kang Bijun clearly wasn’t convinced—his gaze locked onto me, sharp with suspicion.
And just like that, an unspoken tension sparked between us.
Thankfully, Kang Biso stepped in. Smooth as ever, he shifted in front of me and redirected the conversation like nothing had happened.
“Can we cut the unnecessary staring contest? What matters now is figuring out how to get the book away from the government. Try reaching out to the guys we had on the inside.”
“It wasn’t entirely unnecessary, but… fine. I’ll handle it. But seriously, why do I always get stuck doing the hard stuff…”
Grumbling, Kang Bijun shrugged and turned to leave. But just as he reached the door, he paused, like something had just occurred to him.
“Hyung. I need to talk to you about something else. Come out here for a sec.”
“Just say it here.”
Kang Biso refused with a shake of his head, leaning close to me and grabbing my hand. He gripped it tightly, like he had no intention of letting go. Kang Bijun glared at him like he was watching something grotesque.
“…Get your clingy ass out here. Now.”
“Tch. So annoying… Hyung, I’ll be right back, okay?”
He clearly didn’t want to go, dragging his feet like a sulking kid. But after one more push from Kang Bijun, he finally—reluctantly—let go of my hand and followed him out the door.
…What are they going to talk about?
As soon as they left, my nerves started buzzing. Considering how hard Kang Bijun had been watching me earlier, I couldn’t help but wonder what he was going to say to Kang Biso.
He’d claimed it was about something else, but it had to be related to the Book of Wishes. There was no doubt in my mind.
He looked way too interested in it, too…
I turned back to the TV.
The report about the Book of Wishes was still playing. One revelation after another. And here I was, dealing with this mess before I even had the chance to get my revenge on the Guide Center.
Now, not only did I have to protect my copy… I had to figure out how to steal the one the government had.
…Can I really collect both?
No matter how I looked at it, there was no way I could do it on my own.
Which meant there was only one option left:
I’d have to ask for help.
With a heavy sigh, I tore my gaze away from the TV.
