* * *
He’s always been a secretive loner, so it made sense he wouldn’t be mingling with the crowd… but still, isn’t it strange?
There are so many people here, yet no one’s reacting to the ‘gray coat’ at all.
I was just starting to wonder how that was possible when the noise around me seemed to fade, and I picked up the faintest sound.
‘Zzt, crackle…’
The sound of sparks.
It was subtle—so quiet that even I, an awakened, might’ve missed it.
Once I noticed it, I became aware of a thin membrane-like layer wrapping around my skin.
Could it be… this is hiding us from view?
While I was staring down at my hand in bewilderment, the ‘gray coat’ was already sprinting out of the chaotic scene at an unbelievable speed.
‘So this is how he hides…’
Using his abilities to go completely unnoticed—it made sense that there was so little info about him.
Honestly, it was surprising there was any at all.
While I was still deep in thought, the ‘gray coat’ reached a quiet, deserted walking trail.
Only then did he finally set me down onto a bench.
He was gentle, as if handling fragile glassware.
My eyes widened instinctively.
This wasn’t like him.
Why… why didn’t he hand me over to the rescue teams?
Even more baffling, while I was still out of it, he kneeled in front of me and started examining my body.
Just like Cha Taeyang had done, he lifted my shirt again—and I was suddenly half-naked.
I knew he was just checking for injuries… but still, with him being who he was, it was kind of embarrassing.
He was a head taller than me, broad-shouldered and solidly built—while I looked like a bare winter tree branch.
No matter how you looked at it, I had the body of a civilian, not a hunter.
‘Wait… no way!’
Did he… think I was just a civilian?
I did look pretty weak and worn out.
He’d only just rescued me from the hospital too, so maybe it was an easy mistake.
Maybe he was trying to avoid drawing attention by carrying me out himself.
I needed to correct this misunderstanding. I raised my wrist.
“I’m not a civilian! I’m an awakened! I even passed my grading exam—though my license hasn’t been issued yet, so I’m kind of unofficial. But look!”
I tried to show him my watch—but it must’ve been badly damaged.
It didn’t even function as an ID now. I forced an awkward smile.
“Still, thank you for saving me. Thanks to you, I made it out safely.”
I took a deep breath.
The air outside was completely different.
No strange discomfort, no heavy atmosphere—just clean, fresh air filling my lungs.
It was much brighter too.
The sun had started to set, painting the sky red—but compared to the inside of the dungeon, it was practically daylight.
I could finally relax.
I was safe. I could go back to my normal life.
I’d return to the home I shared with Taehwan, eat meals with him like always, talk with him… see my family again.
But… not everyone would be returning.
“Ah… ugh. I’m sorry…”
A tear suddenly slipped down my cheek.
I wiped it away quickly, but it was too late.
The dam had already broken.
Someone had died. Right in front of my eyes.
Crushed beneath the body of a monster the size of a house, devoured by a gaping maw lined with enormous fangs.
“People only see the successful dungeon raids. They don’t know what really happens inside—or they only see heavily edited videos. The truth is… it’s hell in there. People die. A lot of them. They die horribly. Their families can’t even come to see their bodies.”
What Taehwan once said was true.
Of course their families couldn’t be allowed to see those corpses.
People like to say that death is the one thing equally fair to everyone…
But it’s not.
I realized then that the way someone dies can weigh completely differently.
And that—was undeniably the worst kind of death.
For the person who died, for those left behind. And for me, who witnessed it.
I never saw my father’s body.
I used to think it was because I was too young back then.
But now… I’m not so sure that’s the only reason.
“I, I’m not…hur-hurt, sniff, anywhere…”
The “Grey Coat” was the person who helped me survive my darkest times.
Someone I’d admired for a long time.
And just now, he was the one who had fought and defeated that monster himself.
I didn’t want to show him how miserable I looked.
I wanted him to see me smiling, to remember me at my best.
But… the tears wouldn’t stop.
The sound of screaming, the smell of blood, the red scattered beneath the massive body of that monster.
People who had been someone’s precious family, friend, neighbor, comrade—were killed so easily, so cruelly, as if they meant nothing.
Every sight, every sound, every sensation from that moment soaked into my mind like venom.
Trying to stain me.
Trying to leave a wound.
It was already done.
I knew I couldn’t undo it.
I wanted to stop thinking about it, knowing how much it hurt—but I couldn’t.
The tears just fell faster.
And all the while, “Grey Coat” just silently stood beside me.
That silence, that calm presence… it made me feel oddly safe.
Maybe that’s why I allowed myself to fall apart like this.
“I… it’s the first time I’ve seen someone die…”
His presence was a huge comfort.
Enough to clear my head a little.
And with it came the awkward awareness that all I’d done was cry, without saying a word.
I forced myself to speak, stumbling through it.
I lifted my head, carefully, wanting to meet his eyes.
“But I’m okay now. Thanks to you… I feel a little better. Thank you…”
I hadn’t shaken off the nightmare.
I could still feel tears sitting just beneath my chin.
Maybe today’s memories would haunt me for the rest of my life.
But at least—I now had enough strength to give a small smile.
To the hero who had quietly stayed by my side.
Maybe my face looked awful, all puffy and soaked with tears.
I reached up to wipe my cheeks in a panic—only for my wrist to be caught.
“…Ah.”
It was the firmest grip “Grey Coat” had ever given me.
Startled, I looked at him—and for some reason, all I could see was his white mask filling my view.
And then, the cold touch of metal on my lips.
My body flinched.
“…?”
“I’m sorry.”
Before I could process what was happening, it was over.
“Grey Coat” let me go and stepped back.
Only then did I realize… the place that had touched me—was his lips.
That meant… “Grey Coat” had just tried to kiss me.
If he hadn’t been wearing a mask… our lips would’ve touched.
“I’m truly sorry.”
“W-Wait…!”
Was it just a moment of impulse?
He stammered out his apology, backing away quickly—clearly trying to flee. But I was faster.
I don’t even know why I stopped him.
“I just… I had… so many awful memories today… ones I’ll never forget for the rest of my life… I mean, that is to say…”
What am I even trying to say?
Why did I grab him?
I didn’t understand myself.
Still, I kept holding onto his coat, babbling nonsense, staring at his face.
Well—at his mask. It covered everything. But still, I thought—
Maybe I met his eyes through it.
He seemed ready to run again, but instead, he took a large step toward me.
He was so tall that one step brought him close enough to tower over me.
I looked up to see his face, desperate not to break that gaze—even through the mask.
Then, his large hand gently covered my eyes.
The sudden darkness startled me—just for a moment.
And then, something warm and soft touched my lips again.
This time, it wasn’t the cold, hard mask.
It was lips.
“Nn…”
They trembled faintly—he was just as nervous as I was.
I could feel his breath, slightly warmer than mine, brushing against my skin.
Our lips were barely touching, and yet it felt like I was doing something terribly wrong.
My hands were shaking, my head spinning.
Should I pull away?
Should I tell him no?
I took a half-step back—but then something wet brushed across my lips.
I gasped in shock, mouth parting—and “Grey Coat” was not the kind of person to miss an opening like that.
He tilted his head, and something thick and damp slipped inside my mouth.
The unfamiliar sensation of soft, sensitive tissue pressing against mine made my waist tremble and legs buckle, as if I might collapse.
But strong arms caught me before I fell.
My fingers clenched tightly around his coat.
I was dazed—lips opening wider—and a soft moan slipped out from deep in my throat.
“Mnnh…”
That vague, dreamy thought I’d once had—“Will I ever kiss someone I love?”—was granted far sooner than I’d ever expected.
And with a person I never imagined.
I had admired him, sure—but I never loved him.
This kiss was far too sudden.
And yet, despite all that—I could say it without hesitation.
My first kiss… was incredibly sweet.
* * *
