* * *

“Then you must know how many coveted items there are here.

Honestly, it’s more surprising that they were just left untouched.

Don’t the guild members have anything to say about it?”

If the Chunho Guild started using this place, they must have assessed the treasury’s weapons.

Naturally, they’d understand the value of the items inside, so their silence was peculiar.

“They’re not the type to voice opinions about what I do.”

Or maybe it was because Beom Sinje kept his mouth shut, and they decided not to get involved.

After all, the guild had taken over a building previously used by a criminal organization without any complaints from the members.

‘It’s because they respect and fear Beom Sinje, even while trusting him.’

That also meant Beom Sinje’s authority was unshakable.

“Still, it’s a waste not to use such resources. You really are something.”

Instead of outright saying, ‘This was all saved for you to use someday,’ Doyoung jerked his chin toward the door—a clear signal to open it.

Beom Sinje silently obeyed.

“I was curious,” he said as the sealed space began to open.

Doyoung watched the process when suddenly Beom Sinje spoke again, drawing his attention.

“How could you so easily give up on such incredible things?”

What was he on about? Ah, of course. He was bringing up Doyoung’s disappearance.

‘He never misses a chance, does he?’

Doyoung considered explaining honestly— ‘This place was prepared for your future as a hunter’—but decided against it once again.

“I didn’t have the luxury of thinking about that.”

Doyoung responded curtly and stepped inside the treasury first.

The long-neglected space carried a faint smell of dust and heavy air, and the dim lighting made the atmosphere feel oppressive.

“This way.”

Yet, Doyoung navigated the tightly packed shelves with ease.

The shelves were lined with various weapons—swords, blades, spears, bows, guns, and even defensive gear.

It was truly a treasure trove of items.

However, neither of them paid any attention to the weapons as they moved further into the room.

They finally stopped in front of a glass-covered display case, similar to those used for showcasing artifacts in a museum.

Inside was a massive sword, nearly two meters long, resting undisturbed.

Its aura alone screamed it wasn’t an ordinary weapon.

“You didn’t touch this either?”

Doyoung turned to Beom Sinje, who merely shrugged.

“Is it expensive?”

Somehow, Beom Sinje still looked indifferent.

“If nothing else, you should’ve at least been interested in that weapon.”

Doesn’t it look like it’s made just for you?

Any swordsman would drool over a weapon like that.

Doyoung glanced at the sword casually strapped to Beom Sinje’s back.

It looked like something cheaply bought without much thought.

‘Wait… why does it look familiar?’

Doyoung tilted his head in mild confusion but quickly brushed it off.

Whatever it was, it couldn’t compare to what he was about to give him.

“Still, as a guild leader, you should wield something better.”

“Anything will do. It’ll just get discarded when it breaks anyway.”

“That’s why I’m saying you should use something sturdier.”

Despite the scolding, Beom Sinje’s expression didn’t change.

That unbothered attitude was probably why it took him until the second part of his career to meet ‘Levatein.’

‘Which is why he suffered so much.’

For hunters, having the right weapon—something that matched their unique abilities—could make or break their performance.

‘Though, since he’s the protagonist, he’d manage regardless.’

Still, what good was a weapon if it couldn’t fully support its wielder?

“Do you even know why your swords keep breaking?”

“I’ve never switched swords.”

Doyoung paused, taken aback.

“Never?”

“Not once.”

“Then when did you get that sword?”

He asked, suddenly more curious about the blade.

Until now, he’d assumed Beom Sinje had just picked it up from some random hunter’s marketplace.

“Hand it over.”

Beom Sinje calmly removed the sword from his back but hesitated before unsheathing it to show Doyoung.

“It’s heavy. Just look at it like this.”

“What the…?”

This kid was treating him like he was weak again.

Irritated but resigned, Doyoung examined the sword from a distance.

Despite its age, it was well-maintained, polished from years of use, though the scabbard showed scratches and dents.

“Don’t you recognize it?”

Beom Sinje’s question left Doyoung puzzled.

Recognize it? Did he?

As he scrutinized it further, Beom Sinje unstrapped the weapon entirely and held it out.

“Oh…”

As the blade slid free, Doyoung’s mouth fell open.

The dark steel glinted ominously in the dim light, its appearance unmistakably familiar.

“Well, it’s gotten a bit worn, so I understand why you wouldn’t recognize it.”

“You’ve been using this all this time?”

“Yes.”

Doyoung couldn’t believe it.

The sword before him was the very same one he’d gifted Beom Sinje before he joined the Hunter Training Academy.

“I thought you’d replaced it ages ago…”

Being an A-grade weapon, it was definitely functional, and Doyoung had chosen it carefully.

He’d even brought it along when fetching Beom Sinje, making sure it was prepared for him.

Still…

“Why would I? It hasn’t broken. And I’ve grown used to it. It handles most of my skills well enough.”

“Even so…”

“I don’t easily part with things once I’ve given them my heart.”

Doyoung flinched at the sharp, unwavering gaze that accompanied those words.

He knew exactly who that was directed at.

‘It’s not like I betrayed you on purpose.’

The circumstances left him no choice.

It wasn’t intentional, and he never planned to stab him in the back.

Even so, there were things he could never say aloud.

“Fine. But considering your abilities, you need something like this.”

Clearing his throat, Doyoung approached the display case. The sensor scanned his face and iris.

[Authentication complete.]

With a click, the lock disengaged, and Doyoung retrieved the massive sword.

The weight and fiery energy it radiated made it clear why it was called the Flame Blade.

“Here.”

At last, Levatein was in its rightful owner’s hands.

“What is this?”

Beom Sinje examined the weapon carefully.

“Your current sword isn’t bad,” Doyoung admitted, though he couldn’t bring himself to say, ‘It’s time to retire the gift I gave you.’

“But with your abilities, you deserve a blade like this. Use it in the dungeon later—you’ll see.”

Doyoung didn’t mention that it was an S-grade weapon or that he’d traversed to the ends of the earth to acquire it.

Beom Sinje would realize its worth soon enough.

‘Well, I finally gave it to him.’

Feeling oddly satisfied, Doyoung lightly tapped Beom Sinje on the arm and walked past him.

“Hyung;”

Beom Sinje suddenly called his name.

Doyoung turned his head slightly, his gaze asking, ‘What’s wrong?’

“Thank you. I’ll use it well.”

“…Sure.”

Answering curtly, Doyoung’s lips curled slightly as he continued toward the entrance.

Without delay, the two left the guild and headed back to the dungeon.

* * *