* * *

Given the context of this conversation, I could already guess what it was, but I didn’t want to believe it, so I asked again.

“What’s that?”

“A tracking device.”

Of course. I scowled at the piercing in his hand.

Simple design or not, to someone who’s never worn jewelry, it seemed excessively flashy.

“I don’t have a piercing.”

“Then get one.”

“Are you crazy?”

“Why?”

Why?! Isn’t it obvious?

The idea of putting a hole in my body was disturbing, but I doubted Baek Gunho would understand even if I explained, so I pointed out something else instead.

“It’s too conspicuous.”

“Then pierce somewhere less noticeable.”

“Like where?”

“The nipple?”

I couldn’t believe my ears.

I seriously questioned whether he was in his right mind.

Piercing my ear would’ve been shocking enough, but this?

“Are you out of your mind? You do it.”

“I think it’d look good on you though…”

That?

I couldn’t comprehend his taste.

If I’d known how bizarre it was, could I have given up on him earlier?

Probably not.

If anything, my younger, more impressionable self might’ve tried to match his preferences.

The thought sent a chill down my spine.

Grumbling, Baek Gunho put the piercing away and took out something else.

It was a tiny artificial nail.

“Just wear this. It’ll stay in place and won’t be noticeable.”

“This isn’t some nail art…”

Everything he suggested was annoying.

Seeing my discontent, he took the piercing back out.

“Then do you want to pierce it?”

“I’ll stick with the nail.”

It was an unreasonable choice with only one acceptable option.

No room for debate.

The artificial nail, which matched the size of my real nails, melted slightly around the edges as soon as I applied it and adhered seamlessly.

It looked incredibly natural, but…

“Now I can’t take it off.”

It had merged with my nail, making removal impossible. Baek Gunho looked pleased.

“That’s the point. If you could take it off, it wouldn’t work as a tracking device anymore.”

“…”

Was the piercing just a ploy to steer me toward this alternative?

“Although you’d look nice with a piercing too, so I wouldn’t have minded.”

Never mind.

I decided to appreciate the substitute.

Anything was better than piercing that.

---

After work, I headed to a meeting place instead of going home.

Once I arrived and mentioned Kwon Sahyeok’s name, I was shown into a private room.

Just then, my phone rang—Baek Gunho.

— Where are you?

“I have plans tonight.”

— Why didn’t you tell me?

Because I knew you’d act like this…

— Who are you meeting?

“Kwon Sahyeok.”

— What?

Baek Gunho’s voice rose sharply.

— Why are you meeting that guy?!

“To talk about something.”

— That guy has feelings for you.

“Got it. Stop now.”

— You ‘get it,’ but you’re still meeting him?

Before he could go on, I ended the call. Right on cue, the door opened, and Kwon Sahyeok walked in.

“Your boyfriend’s still as suspicious as ever.”

It had been a while since we’d met in person, though we exchanged messages occasionally.

Yet his first words managed to irritate me.

“Don’t eavesdrop.”

“It’s not my fault I overheard. But hey, did you know he’s right? That guy does have feelings for you.”

“Forget it.”

“That’s harsh.”

Ignoring his playful tone, I sent a quick text to Baek Gunho, saying I’d explain later, and flipped my phone to silent, pushing it aside.

As always, the food Kwon Sahyeok treated me to was expensive and delicious.

He seemed in an exceptionally good mood today.

“I’ve been getting a lot of help from you lately. I don’t know how to thank you.”

“You’re already buying me dinner.”

“That’s hardly enough.”

“I only did it because I had to.”

I hadn’t done it out of goodwill but out of a desire to sever this annoying connection once and for all.

This level of gratitude was more than sufficient.

But Kwon Sahyeok didn’t seem to take my words seriously.

“Should I buy you a car or something?”

Why did everyone around me always disregard what I said?

“Just buy me some green tea.”

He laughed out loud, finding something amusing in my plain answer.

“We’ll probably get some with dessert.”

“Then you’ve already bought it.”

“You’re so unassuming…”

“Actually, I’m pretty ambitious. I buy lottery tickets every week.”

And every week, I faced crushing disappointment.

Hearing that, Kwon Sahyeok’s eyes sparkled.

“Should I just give you the equivalent of a jackpot?”

“I don’t need it.”

“How about a trip to Macau? I’ll win big for you.”

So confident. I shot him a skeptical look.

“Can you even win?”

“I’ve got a few tricks.”

“…I’d prefer legally-earned money in my bank account.”

“You’re so picky. Fine, I’ll just give you cash.”

I decided it wasn’t worth continuing this conversation.

After feigning disappointment for a moment, Kwon Sahyeok resumed eating with a smug expression.

I expected him to launch into talk about Baekmyeon Sect, but he stuck to casual chatter until the end of the meal.

Only then did the topic finally surface.

“Thanks to Lee Kanghoon, we’ve identified a Baekmyeon Sect member who’s also part of the Pasa Guild. Apparently, they hold high positions in both groups. So now there’s talk about possible connections between Baekmyeon Sect and the guild.”

“But no solid proof yet?”

“Not yet, but it’s worth keeping in mind. My guess is they’re working together. The guild leader is an absolute piece of work.”

Though it was just his personal opinion, I nodded in agreement.

“Yeah, Oh Mingyu does seem like a bit of a jerk.”

“You’ve met him?”

“Once. He took out his anger at Baek Gunho on me.”

“What a psycho. Want me to take care of him?”

“No need.”

It wasn’t anything grand in the name of reconciliation. If anything, it was a bit childish.

“If you ever need anything, just tell me. Big bro will take care of it.”

I doubted there would ever be anything that needed him to step in because of me… Instead of saying that, I just let out a small laugh.

Kwon Sahyeok was passionately badmouthing Oh Mingyu.

“Even if Baek Gunho is annoying, at least he’s transparent—though I don’t know why Baek Gunho is being dragged into this—but Oh Mingyu? That guy’s just nasty in a sneaky way. And the Pasa Guild? They’re all about image-building on the surface, but behind the scenes, they’re just a scourge, lowering the standards of the hunter industry.”

Come to think of it, Jung Eunji also got really heated whenever the Pasa Guild came up.

Must be a guild with a bad reputation in the industry.

I figured it was something to be wary of.

By the time the conversation tapered off, we’d finished eating. I got up from my seat.

“I need to use the restroom real quick.”

“Got it, I’ll settle the bill.”

I headed toward the bathroom at the back of the restaurant.

The place may have been pricey, but the restroom interior alone seemed worth the cost.

Except… the luxurious ambiance was accompanied by some inappropriate sounds.

I ignored the strange noises as I did my business and washed my hands.

But the moans only grew louder and harder to ignore.

“Ah… huff… haah…”

What the hell was going on in the back of the restroom?

Anyone making those kinds of noises in a public restroom had to be out of their mind.

My curiosity flared, but it’s best to avoid lunatics rather than get intrigued by them.

I was about to leave, not even bothering to dry my hands.

BANG!

The restroom door flew open violently, and someone rushed out.

Startled, I turned to see a man with unfocused eyes standing hunched over.

His attire was tidy, but something about him screamed trouble.

I instinctively stepped back, like I’d encountered a bear.

Before I could flee, the man lunged at me.

Should I use a skill?

I hesitated for a moment, but in that time, the man grabbed me and shoved me.

I fell hard onto the ground.

“What the hell are you doing?!”

I tried to push him off, but his strength was unnatural.

It felt like he could snap my body in half.

His eyes gleamed unsettlingly as he pinned me down.

Then, without warning, his hands wrapped around my neck.

Alarms blared in my head.

I managed to pull a gun from my inventory with my free hand and shot him.

“Guh…”

I fired again at the groaning man and simultaneously used a skill to throw him off me.

He tumbled to the far end of the restroom but got up almost immediately, rushing toward me again.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

I didn’t hold back this time and fired several rounds.

But even the gunshots didn’t seem to faze him.

The restroom door slammed open.

Of course, it wasn’t Baek Gunho who appeared… It was Kwon Sahyeok.

* * *