* * *

He glanced at his reflection in the mirror, relieved to see his face looked normal.

‘He’s trying to flatter me even though I’m clearly more capable.’

Grumbling internally, Doyoung blocked Beom Sinje from entering the elevator.

“Go on, get back to work.”

Even after telling him to leave, Beom Sinje didn’t move.

Instead, he calmly held the open button and kept staring.

“Aren’t you leaving?”

“I’m going to grab a glass of water.”

I could tell him to buy bottled water from a convenience store, but it’s his place, and I’m just the tenant.

I can’t really complain.

“Fine, do whatever you want.”

When Doyoung stepped aside, Beom Sinje casually joined him.

The elevator finally started moving up.

How could it have only been a few minutes? I already feel drained.

‘This body is such a mess.’

What kind of diet or workout do I need to get this frail body back to functioning normally?

Even Sarah had remarked coldly on his poor condition, doubting whether he could ever return to his previous state.

‘I should at least start jogging daily. No, running is too much. I’ll start by walking for an hour each day.’

Massaging his stiff neck, Doyoung walked down the corridor.

Beom Sinje, already ahead, held the front door open without a word, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

Doyoung didn’t refuse and went straight past him.

He felt so worn out that even reaching the bed seemed exhausting, so he slumped onto the living room sofa.

He felt like a wet towel, completely drained.

‘I can’t fall asleep…’

I need to at least see Beom Sinje out, but despite his intentions, sleep was quickly pulling him under.

Not long after, Beom Sinje returned with a fragrant coffee in one hand and a fatigue-relieving tea for Doyoung in the other.

He froze when he saw Doyoung slumped against the sofa, head drooping.

“Na Doyoung!”

Crash!

The cups slipped from his hands, shattering on the floor.

Ignoring the mess, Beom Sinje rushed over.

He was about to lift Doyoung up when he heard the sound of steady breathing.

“Hah…”

Beom Sinje let out a long sigh, running a hand through his hair.

He’d genuinely thought something was wrong.

“Take better care of yourself.”

He blamed this situation on Doyoung’s lack of self-care, playfully tapping his nose with a finger.

Realizing what he’d just done, Beom Sinje’s eyes widened.

He looked back and forth between his hand and Doyoung’s sleeping face, hesitating before quickly shaking his head to clear his thoughts.

“You’ll be uncomfortable like this. I’ll move you to bed.”

Muttering an excuse he knew Doyoung couldn’t hear, he carefully lifted him up.

Despite feeding him regularly, the weight in his arms hadn’t changed.

Frowning at that fact, Beom Sinje quietly carried Doyoung to the bedroom.

“Mmm…”

As soon as he laid him down, Doyoung curled up like a shrimp.

Thinking he might be cold, Beom Sinje pulled the blanket up, but Doyoung kicked it away.

“For crying out loud.”

“He’s not a kid, so why is he fussing about sleep like that?”

Beom Sinje chuckled helplessly as he tried to move away.

But something at his feet caught his attention, making him look down.

On the floor beside the bed was a small doll, no bigger than his palm.

“A doll?”

He bent down to pick it up and examined it. It was dressed in something like a uniform.

He couldn’t imagine why Doyoung would have something like this.

Beom Sinje paused as he noticed a familiar emblem on the doll’s clothing.

“That looks a lot like our guild’s logo.”

He hadn’t expected there to be merchandise inspired by his own guild, so he tilted his head in confusion.

Then he dismissed it, thinking there’s no way his guild’s mark would actually be on a doll.

Strangely enough, the combination of the doll and Doyoung seemed oddly fitting.

With that thought, he placed the small doll on the shelf and turned his attention to the sleeping Doyoung.

A moment later, he remembered what happened before they came home.

The determined voice that told him to secure the job at all costs, and the confident way he handled negotiations with government officials.

“He’s a fascinating person.”

The more Beom Sinje got to know Doyoung, the more he realized he possessed an irresistible, unique charm.

Maybe that’s why he had made the decision to keep him close, no matter what.

Unfortunately, his thoughts were interrupted by the vibration of his phone in his pocket.

He took it out and checked the screen.

It was a message from the guild.

[Guild Leader, here is the list for the raid team. There are ten members, including Hunter Jang Jihye. Once you approve, they’ll be dispatched immediately.]

The list had all the right names for this mission.

Since it was only a C-rank dungeon, this team should be sufficient.

Just as he was about to send his approval, Beom Sinje hesitated, recalling Doyoung’s advice before they left.

“Try adding a special-type Hunter who’s good at terrain analysis.”

He quickly edited the message.

[Include Hunters Song Ji-hee and Lee Jihoon for the dispatch.]

Both were well-known in the guild for their skills in analyzing monster habitats and dungeon terrains.

[Understood. Will you be joining us on-site, Guild Leader?]

[I’ll be there in about thirty minutes.]

Beom Sinje wanted to wait until Doyoung woke up, but once the raid team entered the dungeon, he needed to be nearby to set up a situation room and coordinate the operation in real time.

“I’m heading out,” he whispered quietly before turning to leave.

As he glanced back, his eyes fell on the small doll sitting adorably on the shelf.

“It kind of looks like him, doesn’t it?” he mused.

The sharp eyes and stubborn lips—it was cute to imagine a resemblance to Doyoung.

With a small chuckle, Beom Sinje left the bedroom.

Shortly after, Doyoung suddenly opened his eyes wide.

He stared blankly at the ceiling for a moment before realizing he was lying in bed.

“Did I really fall asleep just like that?”

He knew his body felt heavy, but he hadn’t expected to knock out so quickly.

Muttering in disbelief, he slowly sat up.

The room was dark since he hadn’t turned on any lights, making it hard to tell the time.

As he climbed out of bed, he started looking for his phone.

It wasn’t anywhere nearby. Giving up, Doyoung made his way to the living room.

He sighed when he saw the sky through the large window, painted red by the setting sun.

“I really slept like a log. I’m going to go crazy. Has Beom Sinje not come back yet?”

As he glanced around, he noticed his phone lying quietly on the side table.

He picked it up and tapped the screen, only to click his tongue.

There was a message from Beom Sinje, sent about an hour ago:

[There’s an issue with the dungeon we checked earlier. I might be back late. Don’t forget to have dinner.]

Doyoung didn’t like the sound of that message.

“An issue, huh?”

He had hoped that the Cheonho Guild could handle it before things escalated, but it seemed that wasn’t the case.

Ignoring Beom Sinje’s advice, Doyoung headed out of the house without hesitation.

* * *