#71
“I really don’t want to let hyung go.”
In the deserted basement level 1, Do-hyeok’s low voice quietly echoed in the lonely and somewhat desolate atmosphere, and Ha-seong could only blink his eyes. What on earth did that mean? He was about to tell him to stop joking around, but when he saw those black eyes staring directly at him, such words didn’t come easily.
“…Why?”
“……”
Ha-seong, who had been choosing his words carefully about what would be a good response, finally demanded an answer after much deliberation. What reason could there be for not wanting to let him go? No matter how much he thought about it, no plausible reason came to mind. During his stay at Do-hyeok’s house, it wasn’t like he had paid rent, and if he had to say anything, all he did was eat, sleep, and rest – so what help could such a person be that he didn’t want to let him go? It was a little, no, very hard to understand.
Even at Ha-seong’s question, Do-hyeok remained silent for quite a long time. He had confidently said he didn’t want to let him go, but now he was keeping his mouth tightly shut again.
“…I don’t know.”
“What kind of ridiculous answer is that?”
When he waited without further urging, Do-hyeok opened his mouth. However, the words that came from his mouth weren’t particularly nutritious either. To say he didn’t want to let him go and then not know the reason – it didn’t make sense.
“I don’t really know either. Just…”
Do-hyeok frowned and looked down. Looking at him, he seemed unable to find the answer himself. It looked similar to when Ha-seong had let his guard down while recalling his relationship with Cha Do-hyeok last time and got shot. At that moment, Ha-seong himself had found it difficult to understand why he had such thoughts, why he had let his guard down.
“……”
And he still couldn’t find that answer – it was still the same story.
“Still, I can’t stay at your house forever.”
“…Yes.”
Do-hyeok let go of Ha-seong’s sleeve that he had been holding onto. The hand that fell limply was so powerless that it looked somewhat pitiful to Ha-seong’s eyes.
“I said something unnecessary. Let’s go. I’ll take you home.”
Cha Do-hyeok had quickly returned to his usual self. The dejected large dog-like appearance from a moment ago had completely disappeared, leaving only the indifferent and cold guy behind. Thinking this was interesting, Ha-seong stared intently at Do-hyeok’s back as he walked ahead.
He had no objection to what he had just said. When he had a perfectly fine house, he couldn’t just settle into Cha Do-hyeok’s house without reason. But strangely, that back kept catching his eye. Even while finding it puzzling that he said he didn’t want to let him go, he strangely found himself thinking that he didn’t dislike it either.
Had he unknowingly developed even a little affection while staying at Cha Do-hyeok’s house? Well, living closely together in the same space, they had gotten a little closer than before. They ate dinner together, went to convenience stores to buy ice cream, and drank beer while getting some fresh air.
“…Ah, come to think of it.”
Ha-seong strode up beside Do-hyeok, who was walking listlessly.
“The doctor said earlier, right? That applying the ointment regularly would help it heal completely.”
Ha-seong deliberately avoided Do-hyeok’s gaze as he recalled what Ha-jun had said earlier. He had said that recovery was going well and that if things continued as they were, it would heal without problems. But he had also added that if he consistently applied the item ointment given that day, it could heal faster, and the scars would fade too.
“Yes. So what.”
“But thinking about it, I live alone, right? I can’t ask a pig to apply it for me.”
Honestly, wasn’t that the case? After all, the reason Cha Do-hyeok had semi-forcibly kidnapped him to that house in the first place was because of this.
“As you know, I have so many scars on my body already. I’d rather not have any more big scars.”
Ha-seong was speaking in a roundabout way because he felt awkward and embarrassed for no reason. The two had reached where Do-hyeok’s car was parked. Do-hyeok just stared at Ha-seong without saying anything.
“So what are you trying to say?”
“Please apply the ointment until it’s completely healed.”
“You’re saying you want to stay at my house longer?”
Do-hyeok’s eyes widened slightly. At first, he had thought he was like an emotionless robot. Cha Do-hyeok wasn’t the type to express emotions or clearly assert his likes and dislikes. Others called him crazy, but Ha-seong now knew that this guy was just a bit clumsy at revealing his thoughts and feelings to others.
Even now was like that. When he said he would stay at Do-hyeok’s house longer, his expression changed subtly. His eyes widened like a child receiving an unexpected gift, which honestly felt a little, just a tiny bit, cute.
“…Yeah.”
Having such thoughts, Ha-seong was startled without realizing it and shook his head as he quickly approached the passenger side.
“Are you satisfied now?”
“Why? You were acting so cold just a moment ago, saying it wasn’t possible.”
When did I act cold? Even Ha-seong himself didn’t quite understand why he had changed his attitude like flipping his palm, but it couldn’t be helped. Looking at that back, he didn’t think he could go home right away and sleep peacefully with his legs stretched out.
“I don’t know, man. You said you don’t know the reason either.”
With that, Ha-seong urged him to hurry up and open the door. As soon as Do-hyeok pressed the car key, Ha-seong quickly climbed into the passenger seat. Strangely, this entire situation felt very embarrassing and awkward. Do-hyeok stood there dazed for a moment before getting into the car beside him.
“Hyung is really peculiar.”
“As if you’re not. Let me tell you in advance – I’m going back once I’m completely healed. I’m serious.”
“Yes~”
Do-hyeok playfully drew out his words. Thanks to that, he had to receive a sharp glare from Ha-seong, but there was a faint smile lingering at the corners of Do-hyeok’s mouth as he gripped the steering wheel and started the car.
* * *
Ha-seong, who had unintentionally ended up staying longer at Do-hyeok’s house, also told Dal-pyeong about it. Upon hearing the situation, Dal-pyeong just smiled meaningfully and said he understood.
“Going to work?”
The next morning, Ha-seong woke up early and prepared for work.
“Yeah. I think it’s okay to go to work now.”
There was no discomfort in moving his arm. Of course, it wasn’t completely healed and he felt a little pain, but this much was no problem. When he told Do-hyeok about it, the guy showed a somewhat sullen expression, as if something didn’t sit right with him.
“I have to catch the culprit. I can’t just keep playing around forever.”
While it was understandable that he couldn’t move his right arm before it healed, now that he had almost fully recovered, staying cooped up in this luxurious house didn’t suit his temperament. The culprit hadn’t stopped their crimes yet either.
“If that’s what hyung thinks.”
Do-hyeok seemed to agree with those words and nodded lightly.
“Then let’s go.”
Do-hyeok slowly picked up his car keys.
“I’m going to take the bus. If we go to work together, it’ll be like advertising that we live together.”
What if Kang Won-hyeok saw that? He would obviously interrogate them, asking how they came together. Ha-seong wasn’t particularly close to Won-hyeok and hadn’t talked with him very often, but he had pretty much figured out what kind of personality he had.
“We can just say we live nearby. We’re living together anyway, so why stick to the inefficient method of going separately? And buses don’t run well in this area.”
Cha Do-hyeok was eloquent only when refuting others’ words. Ha-seong earnestly searched for something to counter that argument but soon gave up.
“If you’re done, let’s go quickly.”
Ha-seong followed behind Do-hyeok with an expression that still showed his displeasure. Strangely, lately he felt like he was always being defeated by that guy.
Ha-seong, who had been grumbling the entire way, finally quieted down when they arrived at the guild parking lot. Even as Do-hyeok smoothly parked and they got out together, Ha-seong didn’t forget to look around. By nature, Ha-seong detested getting involved in gossip or rumors more than anyone.
“Hyung.”
“What.”
Do-hyeok stared at Ha-seong, who was thoroughly checking left, right, and behind without missing anything.
“Are we having some secret affair?”
“…What nonsense.”
Ha-seong, who had been constantly looking around, turned to Do-hyeok and twisted his face in disgust.
“That’s exactly how hyung looks. Well then, see you later.”
Do-hyeok chuckled and walked away with his long legs. At those words, Ha-seong wondered if he had been a bit excessive. Come to think of it, Ha-seong was on the guild leader’s direct team. Everyone would know that fact, so there probably wouldn’t be anyone who would find it strange for them to go around together.
“……”
It felt like he alone had been overly conscious for no reason. Wondering why he had done that, Ha-seong headed toward the purifier office. He went up to the third floor and was about to enter the office when he saw someone ahead struggling with several stacks of boxes.
There were so many boxes being carried that he couldn’t see the person’s face from the opposite side. Moreover, the whole thing looked precarious, as if it would spill at any moment.
“Oh!”
And just as Ha-seong expected, the boxes were about to tumble forward. Ha-seong ran at tremendous speed and caught the boxes from the opposite side.
“Phew, saved.”
A sigh of relief came from the other side.
“Ah, thank you.”
A somewhat familiar person set down the boxes he had been carrying to one side and bowed to Ha-seong in greeting.
“You saved me.”
When the other person smiled brightly, Ha-seong immediately remembered who he was.
Lee Seung-woo.
One of the team members Ha-seong had saved in the dungeon he had accidentally entered last time due to someone’s delinquent behavior. He was definitely the hunter who had been in a crisis situation with the team leader until the very end.
“Where are you taking these? I’ll help you carry them.”
Perhaps some internal sense of familiarity had unknowingly welled up? Ha-seong picked up several boxes. Seung-woo waved his hands saying it was fine, but since Ha-seong had already started walking first, he had no choice. The two walked down the corridor side by side, carrying boxes.
“You’re a purifier. Ah, I’m Lee Seung-woo, a hunter from Team 7.”
Seung-woo smiled brightly. He looked young at first glance, and just by smiling, his youthful appearance was clearly evident.
“But are you moving all this by yourself, Seung-woo-ssi?”
The boxes contained various supplies used within the guild. They probably ordered them all at once and distributed them to each team.
“I have to do it alone! I’m the youngest in this Nameless guild, and I’m also the youngest member.”
Even though he had come to a better world to live in, this kind of age-based unfairness seemed to exist everywhere. Other hunters would have perfectly functioning limbs too, but they let the youngest do it alone just because he was the youngest.
“In case you misunderstand, let me tell you that I’m doing this because I want to! Originally, other seniors do it together, but I felt awkward for no reason.”
“Ah, yes.”
As if reading Ha-seong’s thoughts, Seung-woo glanced around and added. Did it show on his expression? Ha-seong felt a bit embarrassed and readjusted his grip on the box.
“I haven’t been in Nameless for very long, so I’m still just causing accidents. I should at least work hard at things like this.”
“It’s natural to cause accidents when you don’t have experience. If there are seniors who can’t accept that, that’s more of a problem.”
At Ha-seong’s gentle words, he could feel Seung-woo looking at him with moved eyes from beside him. Oh no. He had unknowingly spoken as a hunter senior. He hoped he wouldn’t think it was strange. Ha-seong smiled awkwardly.
At that moment, a thought flashed through Ha-seong’s mind.
“But Seung-woo-ssi, are you the youngest in this Nameless?”
“Yes. I haven’t even been here for a year yet. Both in terms of experience and in this guild, I’m the youngest.”
“Ah, I see.”
At those words, Ha-seong fell deep in thought.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
