Cha Uijae hesitated as he stepped into the alley. No longer the soft feel of desert sand beneath him, but the hard, rough sensation of asphalt. The air was different too—cool, yet damp with lingering moisture. He pulled off his mask and drew in a deep breath.

This place—he could never forget it. Slowly, he walked. A deserted back alley, a little away from the hangover soup restaurant. The place where he had been searching for Haeun and followed a great violet flame. Yes.

Because this was where he had first met Lee Sa-young.

Back then, Sa-young had been in a gas mask, kicking someone. Well—strictly speaking, an addict.

I really thought he was just some lunatic.

Uijae let out a faint laugh. At the time, he had sworn never to get involved with him.

“……”