* * *

Seo Woohyun soon realized that even being unemployed for an extended period required a certain talent.

Wandering aimlessly around the temple grounds, doing nothing, was bearable for a day or two.

But as the days dragged on, he hit his limit.

“Wow… I’m bored to death.”

Back in the 21st century, he’d read articles about the so-called information flood of modern society, though he’d never related much.

Now, however, after spending months in a world without smartphones or the internet, the lack of stimulation began taking its toll.

Before, his obsessive need to adapt quickly and blend into the group had kept him too preoccupied to notice.

Since returning to the temple, the most “exciting” incident he’d experienced was being smacked in the face by Malrang’s paw during a nap.

“Hyung… I’m sorry. Does it hurt a lot?”

Malrang nervously poked Seo Woohyun’s thigh with his claws retracted.

“It doesn’t hurt at all if you don’t press on it.”

“Should I call Sihero or Giselle? Or maybe Caro or Tia? I’ll ask them to heal you!”

“Sihero will be coming for dinner soon. I’ll just ask him then—it’s no big deal.”

“Hmm…”

After all, the high priest and senior clergy were busy people.

Summoning them for a mere bruise caused during a nap with a hatchling seemed excessive.

Bruises healed on their own anyway, given time.

“So, Francis, what should we do for fun today?”

“Hmm…”

They’d already exhausted nearly all their options.

They’d played endless games of hide-and-seek in the vast temple grounds, explored every nook and cranny of the temple until they could navigate it without a map.

Even though Seo Woohyun prayed to Eridian at the same time as the other clergy each day…

“It’s been a while since I last heard Eridian-nim’s voice…”

Having spent so much time together on their journey and before that, when Eridian would always respond just by clasping hands, his absence now felt even heavier.

Though Seo Woohyun knew Eridian was likely busy and that hearing his voice had been an exceptional occurrence, it didn’t make the void any less palpable.

He knew better than to voice such thoughts aloud, as it would surely draw criticism.

He was lost in thought, pondering what to do next, when a voice interrupted him.

“Saint, it’s Raullet.”

“Oh, come in!”

At Seo Woohyun’s reply, the door opened, and Raullet entered in full knightly regalia, greeting him with crisp formality.

“There are guests here to see you.”

“Guests? Who?”

In all his time at the temple, Seo Woohyun hadn’t had a single visitor outside the clergy.

“Cecily and Tartaros.”

“What?! Mom and Dad?”

Malrang, mid-bite of a cookie, froze.

Today, Malrang wore the same-colored attire as Seo Woohyun, styled with small ribbons and decorations, a gift from Sihero to fulfill Malrang’s wish to match Seo Woohyun.

“Please escort them in.”

“Shall I also prepare some refreshments?”

“Yes, please. You should join us for tea, too.”

Raullet bowed and left briefly before returning with the guests.

Rising from his seat, Seo Woohyun greeted them.

“Welcome, both of you.”

“Apologies for dropping by unannounced,” Cecily said with a graceful smile.

Recalling how Cecily had once offered him two names to choose from during their first meeting, Seo Woohyun opted for a more formal response this time.

“Ah, now that I’m no longer traveling, please call me Seo Woohyun.”

His practiced smile seemed to satisfy Cecily, who nodded.

As tea and snacks were served, the conversation turned to Malrang.

“Thank you for taking care of our little one,” Tartaros remarked after a glance at the scattered signs of Malrang’s presence in the room.

“It’s no trouble. I’ve enjoyed spending time with Francis. He’s been good company.”

“To be honest, we thought he’d return home soon. We didn’t expect him to settle here at the temple…”

Cecily and Tartaros noted the traces of their youngest son all over the temple.

Clearly, he’d made himself at home.

“Can’t I just live here instead?” Malrang asked boldly, clinging to Seo Woohyun’s arm.

“No. You’re coming home today,” Cecily said firmly, frowning.

“Hyung, tell her! I can stay here, right?”

Malrang pleaded, clutching Seo Woohyun’s arm.

Seo Woohyun wanted to agree, but as the child’s guardians were present, he couldn’t justify keeping him.

“Wouldn’t it be better for you to live with your parents? You can always visit here and play. After all, we’re friends, right?”

At the word ‘friends,’ Malrang hesitated, his nostrils flaring slightly.

He was unusually weak to that term.

Seo Woohyun felt a twinge of guilt for exploiting this vulnerability but knew it was the best approach.

“Yes, we’re friends…”

“And if you want to hunt better, you need to learn other types of magic. That’s not something I can teach you, so you’ll have to learn it from them. Don’t you want to get better at hunting?”

Quoting the child’s earlier words, he coaxed him gently.

The child, whose mind was easily swayed, nodded in agreement.

Then, stealing a glance, he hesitantly asked Seo Woohyun:

“Then, if I come to visit, will you let me stay and play with you?”

“Of course. If you’re bored, come by anytime. Malrang and I are friends, aren’t we?”

He wasn’t just any ordinary child; he was the youngest son of the dragon clan leader.

There was still so much he needed to learn.

As much as it was bittersweet to part ways, it was better for Malrang’s future for him to grow up in his parents’ care.

Just as everyone felt reassured by the child’s seemingly willing acceptance, Cecily casually inquired about Erdian’s well-being.

“Lord Erdian seems very busy these days. Even when I pray, there’s no response.”

Though it wasn’t strange, given Cecily and Erdian’s long-standing relationship, her tone came across as if she had sent him a private message and was left on read without a reply.

“Ah, yes. He mentioned that he’d be too busy to descend for the time being.”

Seo Woohyun wasn’t sure if it was appropriate to reveal such details about the god’s affairs so casually, but Cecily was one of Erdian’s few remaining ancient companions.

Considering how effortlessly they conversed in the past, this much disclosure seemed harmless.

“If he said that to you, Woohyun, then he must be incredibly busy. At the very least, he used to respond with something, even if it was just telling me to stop praying so much or to handle things on my own.”

“When his work is done, perhaps…”

Seo Woohyun trailed off mid-sentence.

Even if Erdian’s tasks came to an end, would they ever see him as often as they used to?

“…he might respond to you, Cecily.”

His voice had dropped slightly, tinged with melancholy.

Cecily instinctively sensed that something had changed between them after their parting.

Instead of prying, she resolved to take her unruly youngest son—who had already caused enough trouble for the weary saint—away and let Seo Woohyun rest.

After exchanging a bit more small talk, Cecily and Tartalos took Malrang’s hands and left the temple.

Watching the harmonious dragon family depart, Seo Woohyun returned to the palace alone, gazing around at the unusually empty, vast room.

“Children need to grow up with their families. Besides, Malrang and I only planned to travel together temporarily…”

He didn’t regret sending Malrang back, but the sudden emptiness gnawed at him.

Seo Woohyun lay down on the large bed where the child used to bounce around and tried to sleep.

Throughout his life, Seo Woohyun had spent most nights alone.

It was only recently, by some twist of fate, that he’d grown used to sharing his nights with someone else.

“Well, at least I won’t have to deal with Malrang smacking me in the face with his paws anymore.”

With that thought, he drifted off to sleep.

Yet, the following days and even the ones after that saw little change.

He barely ate, let alone ventured outside, sinking deeper into inactivity.

By the tenth day of Seo Woohyun’s self-imposed isolation, Sihero cautiously approached him for a conversation.

* * *