The Fragment of the World. It’s like a mirror shard that shows a fragment of a world that perished when the end came.

But wasn’t the fragment something that only appeared in Yun Gaeul’s dreams? Why did a piece of the past world come from the master of a reconfigured dungeon? Gaeul put the fragment into the pocket of her pajama pants and shouted below.

“Hey, is it okay if I look around a bit more?”

A dungeon where the master has died enters a stabilization phase until a new master is regenerated, making it ideal for resource collection and investigation. So, it wouldn’t be too dangerous to explore a little more. It seemed Sayoung came to the same conclusion as he tilted his head slightly.

“Do as you like.”

“Okay! I’ll be careful!”

Gaeul disappeared back into the golem. Uijae silently stared at Sayoung, who was leaning against him. Sayoung was watching the ruins with an indifferent gaze. Soon, feeling Uijae’s stare, he turned his head.

“What?”

“No… Do you know what that thing Gaeul was holding is?”

Rankers often shared information about the apocalypse, so it was possible Sayoung knew something. Maybe he had heard more about the fragments. When Uijae asked, pretending to be ignorant, Sayoung narrowed his eyes.

“Gaeul?”

Oh no. Uijae immediately felt he had made a mistake based on Sayoung’s questioning tone. As Uijae secretly gritted his teeth, Sayoung lazily murmured.

“I didn’t even know her face or name, but you’re calling her by name. You must be close. Right?”

“We’re not close, you punk. Not close.”

“Am I supposed to believe that?”

“Yeah. I’m closer to you than to her. So shut up.”

Uijae reached out, covering Sayoung’s eyes and pushed him back. Sayoung, sliding backward, grumbled with a sulky expression.

“Why do people always flock to you, even when you’re doing nothing….”

“Anyway, do you know what that glowing thing is?”

“Huh? Oh….”

As if his eyes were rolling beneath his eyelids, Uijae could feel the subtle movement through his hand, making him almost pull it away because it tickled.

“I feel like I’ve heard of it… Nope, can’t remember.”

“…….”

“I don’t know what it is.”

For someone who remembers every little thing and holds onto grudges, how could he not remember something this important? Despite Uijae’s incredulous expression, Sayoung simply shrugged his shoulders. His shameless face made it clear that he had no intention of giving a proper answer, even if pressed.

Uijae sighed softly, resting his chin on his hand.

‘Might as well just ask Yun Gaeul directly.’

“As I said earlier…”

“Hmm?”

“You don’t need to know everything.”

At some point, Sayoung was staring straight at Uijae.

“Knowing means taking responsibility for it.”

“…….”

“I’m not sure you’re ready for that….”

Uijae, looking at Sayoung’s blood-crusted lips, suddenly asked.

“And what about you?”

“Hmm?”

“Are you ready?”

“Of course.”

Sayoung’s answer came without hesitation. He flashed a confident smile.

“I’ve been ready for a long time… just waiting for the day to take responsibility.”

“…….”

“Since long ago.”

Sayoung’s black fingers lightly scratched Uijae’s palm before slipping away. Unconsciously, Uijae flinched and clenched his hand.

“So, you can… act a little more selfishly.”

“…….”

Uijae opened his mouth slightly but then closed it again. What was the source of this deep trust, so profound that it was like the depths of the ocean? Sayoung casually touched the crust on his lips.

“Just don’t touch me like that again.”

Oh, really?

One day, Uijae swore to drink Sayoung’s blood and remain unfazed. For someone as distrustful of humanity as Sayoung, only shock therapy from extreme actions could cure his bad habits.

Grinding his teeth silently, Uijae stood up and started walking. Talking to Sayoung made him feel like his head might explode, so he decided to check on Jung Bin’s condition again.

Jung Bin lay on a silver foil mat, his hands neatly folded. His right arm was in a splint and awkwardly bandaged. Nearby, Hong Yeseong was lounging on his side like he was relaxing by the Han River. When he saw Uijae approaching, he removed his wireless earphones and looked up.

“Oh, Secretary. Done with your lovers’ quarrel?”

“I’ve got a spear.”

When Uijae pointed his spear at him, Yeseong grinned cheekily.

“Who’s the one who started bickering sweetly first? I was just being considerate.”

“Damn it, are your eyes not working… Oh, right.”

Uijae rummaged through his inventory and pulled out a round mana stone. Yeseong’s eyes widened, and he quickly sat up, kneeling with his hands outstretched.

“Mana stone!”

“Let’s end our deal with this. And don’t come knocking at dawn again.”

“What about hangover soup?”

“Get it to-go.”

“But I wanted to try it too!”

Yeseong pouted, waving his hands impatiently for the mana stone. Uijae was about to place it in Yeseong’s hands, but then he snatched it back. Yeseong’s eyes widened in shock.

“What, what the hell? Why’d you take it back?”

“Since I didn’t give it to you, it doesn’t count as taking it back. Anyway, I have one more request.”

“What is it?”

Uijae crouched in front of Yeseong and leaned in to whisper.

“Answer quietly. In exchange for this mana stone, make me a mask.”

“A mask?”

“Yeah. One that covers my entire face, alters my voice, is comfortable to breathe in, and doesn’t obstruct my vision. Keep the design simple.”

Uijae listed the conditions, folding his fingers one by one. Yeseong scratched his head and casually responded.

“Isn’t that just a J mask? Are you planning to reveal it?”

“…Huh?”

“Hmm?”

Their eyes met. Yeseong’s clear eyes sparkled. Uijae involuntarily opened his mouth slightly.

This guy…

Yeseong blinked innocently and tilted his head.

“Wait, hold on. Is this a violation of our contract? But I didn’t pry on purpose. I just figured it out. That doesn’t count as a violation, does it? I’ve been trying so hard not to care.”

How does he know?

For a moment, the image of their hastily scribbled contract flashed in Uijae’s mind.

---

**Clause 1 of the contract between Hong Yeseong and Secretary Kim**:

The weirdo Hong Yeseong shall not be curious about nor investigate anything about Secretary Kim that he learned today. He shall not attempt to uncover anything, nor make anyone else do so.

---

Damn it. The contract was entirely designed to prevent Yeseong from digging into Uijae’s personal life. Of course, Uijae hadn’t anticipated that they would end up entering a dungeon together just hours later!

Yeseong was more perceptive than expected, and Uijae had shown too much of his abilities. Uijae clenched his fists without realizing it. Could he erase Yeseong’s memories through some physical method?

At that moment, Yeseong stretched and spoke.

“Well, making a mask won’t take long, so don’t worry. Just give me the mana stone!”

“Quickly?”

“How long do you think it takes? A week, max. I’ll have it delivered by Gyu-Gyu when it’s done.”

Yeseong winked, giving a thumbs-up, striking the same pose as the photo hanging at the Artisan Exhibition. It was a pose that somehow inspired a strange sense of trust.

Uijae handed the mana stone over to the world's greatest artisan. Yeseong let out a monkey-like squeal of excitement. As he giddily played with the mana stone, he suddenly called out to Gaeul.

“Hey, kid! Do you have any mana stones over there? I bet a dungeon like this would have some good ones!”

“Mana stones? Uh, what do they look like?”

“They’re usually round… Eh, I’ll come find it myself.”

Yeseong sprinted toward the golem and stuck to it like a frog, slowly climbing it. Watching his carefree figure, Uijae felt an inexplicable sense of unease.

Doesn’t he already know everything by now? Uijae ran his hand through his hair, wearing a confused expression. That’s when Sayoung approached from behind, speaking languidly.

“You came in here for a reason too, right?”

“Yeah? Yeah.”

It wasn’t until his excitement subsided that Uijae remembered his purpose. To investigate the Corrosion Dungeon. It resembled both the West Sea Rift and the world consumed by the apocalypse. Whichever it was, there had to be a connection.

Moreover, the master of the reconfigured dungeon reacted to Cha Uijae and possessed a fragment of the world Gaeul had seen in her dreams.

Yes, it was as if Cha Uijae himself was the trigger….

Just as Uijae was lost in thought.

“Cock-a-doodle-doo!”

“Ahhh!”

The loud cry of Gyu-Gyu echoed as it flew away from the golem. Hanging from each of Gyu-Gyu’s legs were Yeseong and Yun G

aeul.

Although it looked as if they were about to fall, the flight ended safely. Even though Yeseong ended up face-planting into the ground, Gaeul, flushed, pulled the fragment from her pocket.

“Here, take a look at the fragment!”

The white shard had black streaks swirling around it. Gaeul quickly explained.

“This is the first time I’ve found a fragment outside of a dream. None of the Corrosion Dungeons have had fragments before. The only difference with this dungeon was….”

Her gaze, which had been sweeping over the ruins, momentarily landed on Uijae before she flinched away as if burned. She seemed to have realized it too.

A reconfigured Corrosion Dungeon that reacted to Cha Uijae, an interior reminiscent of the apocalyptic world, and even the monsters.

All of it centered around Cha Uijae.

Should he talk about it? There was too much tied to the apocalypse and the West Sea Rift for him to carry on his own. Gaeul hesitantly muttered.

“Well, since it’s dangerous in here… Should we take this outside?”

Uijae gave a small nod and added.

“And once we get out of here, we’ll have to report to the officials. Let’s get our story straight. Tell Jung Bin when he wakes up.”

“What should I tell him?”

Gaeul asked nervously. Uijae pulled up the hood that had long since fallen off and turned his back to Gaeul and Yeseong. Waiting behind him was Sayoung.

Uijae looked at Sayoung quietly. The first day they met, when they made their contract, when he carried out Sayoung’s request, the Artisan Exhibition they attended together, and even the time Sayoung collapsed—all those memories flashed by. He also remembered how helpless he had been, cradling Sayoung in his arms after he collapsed.

Looking back, Sayoung had been there every moment after the West Sea Rift.

Cha Uijae knew now that when Sayoung called, he would come immediately. If Sayoung needed him, Cha Uijae would run to him. That much time had passed, and that much trust had been built. For Cha Uijae, who had lost everything and was rebuilding his life, this trust was as deep as the sea.

How wonderful it was to have someone waiting for you. Cha Uijae, knowing more than anyone else how precious that was, couldn’t turn away.

Making eye contact with Sayoung, Uijae took a step closer and said,

“J has returned.”

Sayoung smiled, as if he had been waiting for those words.