Episode 5
“Did you really think I’d be grateful for your sacrifice? That I’d just say, ‘Oh, thank you so much,’ and live happily ever after?”
This was the guy who had handled their parents’ funeral when she’d been too broken to move, protected the insurance money, and even taken care of Sae-jin for her.
She should’ve been grateful to him for a lifetime. But instead, she had pushed him into danger. Did she really think she could live with herself after that?
“You’re such a terrible person…” Sae-byeok whispered, tears falling.
“Me? Are you crying because of me?!” Park Woo-jun clutched his head, looking pale.
“What did I even do? Seriously, what did I do wrong?!”
“Oh wow, this is definitely because of you, Captain. You’re trash.”
“The Captain made a girl cry? The world must be ending.”
“Stop talking nonsense and do something!”
“What are we supposed to do? The Captain’s the one who made her cry.”
“Maybe if we beat him up, she’ll feel better?”
“That’s not it!! Han Sae-byeok, are you just going to stand there and let them talk to me like this?”
Woo-jun panicked, but Sae-byeok grabbed his arm tightly. Her emotions surged like waves, impossible to control. Even the silly banter among the team members… she had missed it so much. It hurt, like a phantom pain of a memory she had lost and regained.
Guilt, gratitude, longing, resentment, relief—so many emotions swirled together, stronger than ever because they were painted over the bad memories of her past life. She couldn’t stop crying, so she clenched his sleeve and leaned her forehead against his chest.
“…I missed you.”
Her voice carried every tangled emotion in her heart.
“……????”
But Woo-jun’s expression only turned more confused.
We just saw each other two days ago?
His mind was full of question marks, though he didn’t dare say them aloud. Instead, he froze with his arms raised awkwardly, unsure of what to do.
The other team members quietly stepped back, whispering things like, “Oh,” and “Wow.”
“I don’t know what I did, but… I’m sorry.”
Woo-jun spoke stiffly, like a robot reading a script.
He had only ever seen Sae-byeok cry once before—when her parents died. She was always fierce, always biting back at anything that came her way. Seeing her like this left him completely at a loss.
“I’m sorry, okay? So… please stop crying?”
He hesitantly patted her back, his movements stiff and awkward.
“Park Woo-jun…”
“Y-yeah? What is it?”
He leaned closer, ready to hear anything.
Then Sae-byeok suddenly grabbed his collar.
“If you get hurt, I’ll kill you.”
“…Huh?”
Woo-jun blinked in confusion.
“I’m a hunter, Sae-byeok. How am I supposed to not get hurt when—”
“If you throw your life away just to protect others, I’ll kill you. I’ll bring you back to life and kill you again.”
Her glare was sharp enough to shut him up. He looked at her face carefully, wondering why she was acting like this.
“Fine, fine. I get it. Just stop glaring like that. Do you know how scary you look?”
Finally, he gave in.
Sae-byeok let him go, feeling a little relieved even though his promise was only words. She wiped her tears quickly, pretending nothing had happened.
“So… why are you fully geared up?”
“Came to stop a gate break. But there’s nothing left.”
“Nothing left?”
“The Black Dragon Guild must’ve cleaned everything up. Didn’t want to leave any evidence. I checked the whole area—no monsters left. All dead.”
“…I see.”
She looked away, feeling guilty. She wasn’t ready to tell him she had awakened… or that she had saved someone she didn’t even know.
“At least there weren’t many casualties, so that’s good, I guess…” Woo-jun scratched his cheek awkwardly, then eyed her again. “You’re sure you’re not hurt?”
He looked her over, turning her around like he was inspecting her. Clearly, her tears had left a big impression on him.
“I’m fine. I was just… shocked. Seeing monsters in person for the first time.”
“You expect me to believe you cried just because of that?”
“Well… I guess seeing you fight made me realize how dangerous your life really is.”
Woo-jun’s eyes widened—then he burst out laughing.
“So you finally realized how amazing I am? Ha! Then you owe me dinner.”
He ruffled her hair playfully.
“That’s not what I meant! Stop messing up my hair!”
“Han Sae-byeok cried because she was worried about me. My life is complete!”
“I said that’s not it!”
Her face burned with embarrassment. She pushed him away and wiped her cheeks, just in case any tear marks were left.
“Are you crying again?”
“Shut up! I’m leaving!”
Woo-jun grinned as she stormed off, her ears glowing red.
‘If my heart skipped a beat because of what she said earlier… I must be crazy. Then again, maybe I’ve been crazy for a while.’
“Whoa, Captain~! Is she your girlfriend or what?”
“Did you just blush? The world really must be ending.”
“Shut up and get back to work!”
But no matter how much he denied it, the smile on his face wouldn’t fade.
Later, Before Dawn
Sae-jin shook the water from his hair and slung his bag over his shoulder. As he was about to leave, a shadow appeared behind him.
“Heading out now?”
“Holy—! You scared me!”
He jumped, clutching his chest as he glared at his sister.
“You could at least make some noise when you wake up!”
Sae-byeok just yawned widely.
“Forget it… What are you even doing up this early?”
“Seeing my beloved brother off to work.”
Sae-jin shuddered like he’d heard something horrifying. “What’s wrong with you? Did you leave your sanity somewhere yesterday?”
She only sighed deeply.
“Whatever it was, don’t get into too much trouble. We can’t afford extra expenses.”
He clicked his tongue as he pulled on his shoes. “There’s leftover kimchi stew in the fridge. Eat that.”
“Mm…”
“And I made some potato pancakes too.”
“Best little brother ever…”
“Best little servant, you mean. I’m off. Don’t make me worry.”
“…Good luck today…”
He frowned at her weak voice. “Yep. Definitely not okay.”
As he left, Sae-byeok touched her earring lightly.
“So… you really can’t see it, huh?”
If he had noticed, he would’ve teased her for sure.
Item: Safe House Key (A)
-
A master key for the Safe House of Server: Earth (S3-EH).
-
Only the Server Administrator can use it.
-
Grants access to Atlas’ Safe House.
-
Bound to the Server Administrator.
-
Can be rendered invisible.
-
Can be copied using Adamantium (0/3).
-
Registered copies: None.
