* * *
Hearing those words from him felt like clouds parting in my mind.
It was moving.
A total shift in perspective to something positive.
I’d always thought I was good at staying optimistic, but it hit me just how weak I’d become.
For a hero, there’s nothing more important than positive thinking…
“Ugh. Thank you, sir……”
“Ah.”
While I was starting to smile again, the exact opposite happened to Taehwan.
He, who had been snickering at me the whole time, suddenly turned serious.
Not just serious—he actually looked pissed.
…I had no idea what was wrong with him today.
“Dad. You’re really killing the mood.”
“Isn’t it a good thing that Jehee’s doing well? Why are you being so bitter?”
“You know exactly why. Don’t pretend you don’t. It’s just annoying.”
One thing became crystal clear:
Watching him today, it was obvious.
Im Taehwan is just a big baby in front of his dad.
It made me feel uneasy.
I couldn’t even scold him and say, “I’ll teach him better, sir.”
“Hey, Jehee. Why didn’t you eat more? You barely touched it after I served you.”
“Because of you…”
“Me?”
“You kept laughing like you were making fun of me. It pissed me off. I lost my appetite.”
“Okay, okay. I won’t laugh or tease anymore. Come on, eat. You like shrimp, don’t you? It was really good.”
“…You mean it? You’ll really stop teasing me?”
“For real.”
He picked up a shrimp and brought it to my mouth.
His eyes, looking at me like he was urging me to eat, were so clear and sparkling like glass beads that I couldn’t refuse. I opened my mouth carefully.
As soon as I tasted it, I knew—yep, it was delicious.
Coated in a fragrant lemon cream sauce, and even though some time had passed since it was served, it was still crispy.
The shrimp meat was big and springy.
My lost appetite came back all at once and I started bringing other bites to my mouth, too.
He filled my empty water cup and smiled.
“You’re eating well.”
“…It’s delicious. There’s so much amazing food in the world, huh.”
“Totally. Let’s come again with your family next time. This place does other dishes really well too.”
“Yeah!”
I must be pretty simple.
My mood turned around so fast.
And now, even when Taehwan smiled, it didn’t feel like he was mocking me—it actually made me feel even better.
With my spirits lifted and my hunger returning, I cleared my plate in no time.
Thanks to Taehwan portioning just the right amount for me, I was full in the most satisfying way.
“…Hm? I’m going to take a quick call.”
Just as we were finishing dessert and getting ready to wrap up, his father’s phone rang.
It wasn’t a long call.
Very brief, actually—but when he returned, his expression had darkened noticeably.
“I need to leave right away. Looks like a gate just opened.”
“A gate?”
“Yes. And apparently civilians got caught up in it.”
“Ah…”
Gate. Civilians.
Two words I’d hoped never to hear together—and hearing them in succession made my heart drop.
My mind went blank.
My fingertips turned cold.
It felt like something damp was rising from under my feet, slowly swallowing me up to my waist.
This can’t be. It’s just an ordinary floor.
We’re in a Chinese restaurant having a good meal.
This isn’t inside a gate…
So why is my vision going black?
My body was freezing up like stone.
“Jehee, breathe.”
“Haa…”
Only after hearing Taehwan’s voice did my body finally loosen.
He placed his hand on mine and gently kneaded it.
Warmth returned to my fingers, and I was finally able to exhale.
I shut my eyes tight, then opened them with a deep breath.
Maybe he wanted to reassure me because I looked so tense.
His father softened his face and smiled again.
“They found the gate quickly and are already conducting a search. There’s a good chance the rescue will be on time. Our country’s hunters are quite capable, you know.”
“Yes… I hope so.”
“Dad, please don’t say useless stuff to a kid. If you have to go, just go take care of it.”
“You’re right. Ah—Jehee, would you like to come along?”
“…Me?”
“Dad!”
Taehwan suddenly yelled.
Loud enough that it rang through the entire private room.
Even his dad flinched and covered his ears with both hands.
“What’s with the shouting? I didn’t mean for him to go inside the gate. I just meant to observe. It might become his future workplace, so wouldn’t it be a good experience?”
“No, I—”
“Sir, I want to go! I know I won’t be of any help… but I still want to see the site.”
“All right. Let’s go together.”
“Ha…”
Taehwan sighed and rubbed his forehead, clearly annoyed.
He wasn’t even hiding how much he hated the idea.
I couldn’t understand him at all.
If even his father, who knows I can’t use my powers, was suggesting I go, then it must mean the site wasn’t dangerous.
It’s not like there’s anything urgent pulling me back home either…
Maybe thinking the same thing, his father—while grabbing his coat—turned to look at Taehwan.
“Being overprotective isn’t always the answer. Jehee is an adult now, and he’s going to be active as a Hunter. If he doesn’t have field knowledge, he’ll just be more likely to end up in dangerous situations.”
“…I know. I do know.”
“Good. I’ll go get the car ready.”
With a final smile at me, the older man left the room first.
I quickly got dressed and prepared to head out, but Taehwan was still slouched in his chair, wearing an openly dissatisfied expression.
I cautiously asked him,
“You’re not coming? It’s okay, I can go by myself.”
“No. Absolutely not! If you’re going, I’m going with you.”
“Oh, um… okay.”
His sudden outburst startled me.
Did he really have to say absolutely not?
I blinked at him, confused, waiting for him to calm down.
He grabbed my arm and took a deep breath, puffing his chest like he was trying to muster courage.
After a few deep breaths, he looked me straight in the eye and said:
“If you really want to go, then fine… but absolutely no sudden moves. Got it?”
“Sudden moves?”
“Don’t go running off alone trying to help someone.”
“I won’t. I’d just get in the way anyway…”
“…You’re sure? You’re really not going to butt in?”
“Yeah. I’ll behave. I won’t get in anyone’s way.”
“Seriously. Do not rush in first, no matter what.”
“Okay.”
“Even if someone’s being dragged off by a monster. You don’t jump in to save them. Got it?”
Oh come on. That’s such an extreme example.
“Wait, no—hang on. That’s a little…”
“What do you mean a little? You can’t even control your ability enough to demonstrate it properly. You jumping in would just make things worse.”
“But still… we’re talking about someone’s life. If I can help…”
“…”
“…Okay. I won’t. I’ll leave it to the capable Hunters on the scene.”
Even though I’d given him the answer he clearly wanted, he still didn’t look satisfied.
His eyes were glaring at me like he was furious.
He kept repeating the warning like a parent dropping off a five-year-old near a river.
But I’m not five.
Sure, I haven’t been outside much, and yeah, maybe I caused a scene in the cafeteria by threatening someone, but… I’m still an adult.
Like the old man said, this is overprotection.
It stung a little. Is that really how little they trust me?
The hurt I’d buried during our meal was starting to bubble back up.
He made fun of me for failing my ability demonstration, and now because of that, he doesn’t even trust me?
That’s not fair. I’m already feeling small—does he have to make it worse?
A little encouragement would’ve been nice…
“Fine. Let’s go.”
Just as my lips were about to pout from frustration, Taehwan finally stood up.
Since the old man had contacted us, I assumed the incident happened nearby.
But the scene was farther away than expected—we even had to get on the highway and drive for a while.
[This just in. A gate has suddenly appeared and swallowed several pedestrians. The Bureau is currently working with civilian guilds to begin a search operation…]
According to the emergency broadcast on the radio, a group of office workers heading home to their apartment complex got caught up in the gate.
Thankfully, a Hunter passing by happened to witness the event and jumped into action right away.
The report to the Bureau came fast, and the Hunter had also quickly assembled members from their well-known guild.
As soon as permission was granted, they entered the gate.
Even with their swift response, searching the interior of a gate wasn’t an easy task, so no missing persons had been found yet.
The silver lining was that most of the victims had protective gear on them.
Even basic, mass-produced gear could keep you safe for about twelve hours.
“That’s a relief. So they have mass-market protective gear now. The world’s really come a long way.”
To think we live in an era where even civilians can keep emergency gear on hand, just in case they’re pulled into a gate.
And if they say it lasts for twelve hours, it must be compact, too.
That one item alone must massively increase survival rates.
“Whoever made it deserves an award.”
“That was thanks to you.”
“…Huh?”
“After what happened to you, and when you became well-known, production guilds scrambled to create gear that civilians could use.”
“…Wait, what?”
* * *
