“J has returned, hasn’t he?”

The sudden directness of the question caused the Hunter to cough awkwardly. While J's survival had been rumored, only a select few within the Awakener Management Bureau knew that J had personally confirmed his return. On top of that, the news had only recently been received…

Sensing the Hunter’s doubt, Song Joheon sighed softly, as if amused by the suspicion.

“A comrade returning from the brink of death… of course, I rushed over as soon as I heard. I must be getting old, ha-ha.”

“Ha-ha…” The Hunter awkwardly followed suit with a hollow laugh, sneaking glances at Song Joheon while picking up the fallen paper cup.

‘How did he hear about this?’

Despite the Hunter’s wary gaze, Song Joheon continued to smile leisurely. With a *tap* of his cane on the floor, he added,

“That’s a good stance… fitting for a member of the Bureau. But don’t be too guarded.”

“Pardon?”

“I’ve already been briefed on everything. Hm, yes… from someone you’re quite familiar with, I believe.”

Song Joheon winked playfully, the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes deepening in a friendly manner. At the same time, the subtle pressure that had been weighing down the room ever since his arrival seemed to ease a little. The Hunter forced a smile, a bead of cold sweat running down his temple.

The Awakening Day had led to the rise of the earliest Awakeners, who were now known as the "First Generation." These individuals had awakened within the first six months after the event and fought on the front lines without proper information or preparation, risking their lives against monsters and dungeons.

Now, 11 years later, most of the First Generation had either perished or retired due to severe injuries. Only a rare few remained active.

The tiger-like man standing before him, still smiling, was part of that rare few. His voice, low and almost a whisper, carried a soothing yet unsettling tone.

“I haven’t heard all the details… but I’d like to know more.”

Song Joheon was indeed one of the exceptions. As the founder of *Samra Guild*, one of South Korea’s top three guilds, he had maintained leadership without scandal for over a decade. Even in his middle age, his rank had risen, and he remained a role model for many Hunters.

He gently rubbed the handle of his cane with his thumb.

“Now then, why don’t you take your time and tell me everything? There’s no need to worry.”

The Hunter, feeling his doubts start to fade, suddenly wondered why he had been so suspicious of Song Joheon in the first place. Hadn’t Song Joheon even spoken about J in a documentary once? If he couldn’t trust someone like Song Joheon, who could he trust? Straightening his back, the Hunter nodded slowly.

“Yes, I understand. What would you like to know?”

“Hmm…”

As the doubt disappeared from the Hunter’s eyes, Song Joheon nodded with satisfaction.

“I’d like to hear more about J’s return...”

His sharp eyes darted to the monitor.

“They say he appeared in person and announced it. Did anyone actually see him alive?”

“Yes, according to Team Leader Jung Bin, that’s what happened. However, it seems that even Jung Bin didn’t see J directly. He heard about it from Hong Yeseong, who was the one who...”

“Where is Jung Bin now?”

“He’s recovering at the Seowon Guild.”

“Could I meet with Hong Yeseong in private?”

“That might be a bit difficult…”

Before the Hunter could finish his sentence, Song Joheon’s thumb brushed over the handle of his cane again. The Hunter’s eyes glazed over for a moment. As he swallowed nervously and opened his mouth to speak again…

“It should be possib—”

*BANG—!!*

“Ah!”

A loud crash blared through the speakers, causing the Hunter to cry out in alarm. His eyes snapped back into focus as he frantically scanned the monitors.

Everything else was as it had been, except for one screen. The interrogation room where Lee Sayoung was held had changed.

Lee Sayoung had kicked the metal desk to the side and was now calmly crossing his legs. The middle of the desk had a large dent. The Hunter groaned, running his hands through his hair.

“Ugh, just when I thought it was finally quiet…”

Beside him, Song Joheon clicked his tongue in disapproval.

“Ah, it’s Lee Sayoung again. Quite the troublemaker, that one.”

The Hunter, pulling at his hair in frustration, quickly stood and grabbed a gas mask from the nearby shelf.

“I’m sorry, Hunter Song Joheon. I have to go deal with this.”

“Oh, don’t worry. Go ahead and handle it before things get worse.”

“Thank you! I appreciate your understanding!”

The Hunter gave a hurried bow before dashing out of the monitoring room. Alone now, Song Joheon casually pushed the chair aside with his cane and stood directly in front of the monitors. His expression had shifted—his face was now devoid of the smile he had shown earlier, leaving only cold, focused eyes locked onto the screen.

By now, Lee Sayoung had returned to his seat, legs crossed, his upper body leaning forward with his chin resting on his hand. Slowly, he lifted his head. His violet eyes looked directly at the CCTV camera, as if he could see through it and directly into the monitoring room. His gaze was sharp, unyielding, and precise.

His lips curled into a smooth, silent smirk. Lee Sayoung mouthed two words, though no sound came out.

‘Not a chance.’

Song Joheon’s lips twisted into a sneer.

“Cheeky brat…”

The two continued to glare at each other for a long moment. Eventually, the monitor showed the Hunter bursting into Lee Sayoung’s interrogation room, panting heavily from running. Lee Sayoung nonchalantly turned his attention away from the camera and toward the Hunter.

Song Joheon, having seen enough, pulled out his phone. After a brief ringing tone, someone answered.

“This is Song Joheon.”

His voice had turned icy, the warmth from earlier completely gone.

“We should meet soon.”

He took one last sweeping glance at the monitors before turning and walking out of the room without hesitation. The sound of his footsteps echoed, growing fainter with each step.

The streets were shrouded in darkness, with only the dim streetlights flickering faintly. It wasn’t usually a busy alley, but tonight, it was especially quiet.

Uijae turned up the TV’s volume a little more, playing an ASMR video of chopping green onions on his phone, which he left on the counter. The ambient sounds filled the restaurant, making the silence a bit more bearable.

After a while, Uijae peeled off his wet rubber gloves, hanging them up with the tongs, and cast a quick glance toward the door. It had been several days since Minggijeok had visited, but there had been no word from the others who had gone into the Corrosion Dungeon with him.

Jung Bin might not have known his identity, so that was understandable. But Hong Yeseong? Well, maybe he was too busy, or perhaps it was better he didn’t show up. After all, Uijae still had something to collect from him. He scowled at the ceiling.

“He said it’d only take a week, but what a liar…”

“That won’t take long to make. A week tops. Once it’s done, I’ll have Kkoko deliver it to you.”

He was talking about the mask.

What was the point of announcing J’s return so grandly when the Awakener Management Bureau had no intention of revealing his comeback? Even if he wanted to start acting on his own, he was stuck without the mask. As Uijae dusted off his apron, he gritted his teeth.

“And why hasn’t Lee Sayoung contacted me?”

Maybe the Bureau had detained him, or perhaps something else had come up. Uijae sighed, untying the apron he had tied so tightly.

He was also curious about the fragment Yun Gaeul had found, but she hadn’t come by either. Though he knew which school she attended, it was an all-girls’ high school, so showing up there wasn’t an option.

Just then, Uijae’s head snapped up. He sensed a familiar presence near the door. Without a second thought, he dashed from the kitchen, across the hall, and flung the door open.

“Hey, you—!”

But the alley was as empty as ever. Uijae glanced around before lowering his gaze. He remembered the last time Kkoko had been delivered in a cardboard box, and it struck him how he had almost missed it.

Right there, by the door, was a large black figure.

It was Lee Sayoung.

He was hunched down, sitting in front of the door, wearing his gas mask and a black coat. He looked pitiful, an unusual sight for someone like him. Uijae found himself at a loss for words, his mouth moving silently as he looked up at the sky, then back at Sayoung. Sayoung remained crouched in place.

Cautiously, Uijae stepped outside into the crisp night air that brushed his cheeks and hair. He gazed at Sayoung’s curly hair and the top of his head before sitting down beside him.

“……”

“……”

Somewhere in the distance, the chirping of an insect broke the silence. It was still chilly, yet there were already insects around. Uijae glanced around before sneaking a look at Sayoung. Still no words from him. The night sky, devoid of the moon and stars, swirled with black clouds. Between the cracks in the pavement, where a few tufts of grass had sprouted, a plump ant scurried along.

The “Congratulations to our new part-timer” banner, worn and weathered by wind and rain, flapped gently in the breeze. As Uijae watched the familiar, ordinary scene, he muttered.

“What’s up with you? Why are you sitting out here?”

“Just ‘cause.”

The answer came swiftly, much faster than he had expected given the prolonged silence earlier. Just ‘cause? Uijae groaned as he stood up, then lightly kicked the tip of Sayoung’s black combat boots with his sneaker.

Sayoung slowly lifted his head.

With one hand in his apron pocket, Uijae extended the other toward him.

“Come on, get up. Your knees will give out.”

“……”

The lenses of Sayoung’s gas mask fixated on the outstretched hand. Golden chains shimmered faintly over the thin scars that remained on Uijae’s firm palm. Uijae gave his hand a small shake.

“Hurry up and grab it. I’ve got to close the shop.”

Yet, instead of getting up, Sayoung sat even more firmly on the ground. Was he refusing to move? Just as Uijae was about to retract his hand, a cold, gloved hand suddenly grabbed hold of his.

Before Uijae could brace himself, the black-clad hand yanked him forward with surprising force.

Uijae’s eyes widened as he lost his balance and stumbled forward. The iron door rushed toward him.

‘Is this bastard paying me back with betrayal?’

Before he could fully process his indignation, and just as he was about to brace himself against the door with his free hand, something wrapped firmly around his waist and pulled him back.

In the next moment…

“……”

Uijae found himself enveloped in a familiar, solid embrace.