The courtyard was silent. The sound of clouds drifting by seemed to gently brush the ears. Everything—the sky, the air, all around—was dyed black, and Song Taewon stood there like an old statue. Moss clung damply to his north-facing shoulders, and unknown wild grass grew thickly at his feet.

If he thought of nothing, it would be easier. If he embraced only the tasks he had to do and threw away all thoughts of himself like a stone cast onto a forest path. Like an acorn rolling down after leaves piled up and rain fell, sprouting and forever hidden beneath the oak roots.

But he could not simply sever thoughts as if cutting off limbs.

Creak—the closed door opened. Under the faint moonlight, a blurry shadow stepped inside first. Song Taewon turned his head and looked at the visitor. Golden eyes shone clearly as if glowing on their own, piercing into his vision.

“Let’s change the location.”

“What happened?”

Song Taewon looked at the blood-soaked collar of the coat. The ears were intact, but from the traces, it seemed they had been torn quite badly. One arm also appeared injured. The coat sleeves were intact, but the shirt cuffs, which should have been faintly visible beneath, were missing. Under the dungeon item, an SS-rank coat, the clothes made from dungeon byproducts were torn off—so the wound must have been quite serious.

“Could it really be SS-rank or higher?”

“No.”

Seong Hyunjae spoke as he moved ahead.

“By raw stats, it’s S-rank. Strength is weaker than the average S-rank close-combat hunter, speed is fast, and magic control is perfect.”

“Then it shouldn’t have been hard to deal with.”

“And it can use all the skills of surrounding S-rank hunters.”

Han Yujin, whom Song Taewon had seen at Seong Hyunjae’s residence, came to his mind.

“Wasn’t the dragon asleep?”

“When called, it wakes. From as short as an hour to as long as three hours—the skill usage time limit. Maybe because it was thinking of Song Taewon, it conserved skills.”

In other words, if it found Song Taewon, it wouldn’t hold back at all. Seong Hyunjae quickly surveyed the dark street, picked a direction, and began running quietly. Despite the terrifying speed stamping the ground, hardly any sound was heard. Song Taewon also followed behind.

“So the plan was to stall as much as possible, but in the end, it took itself hostage.”

“How much of Han Yujin’s self remains?”

“Most of it.”

The influence of the Crescent Moon was clear. But Han Yujin remained himself.

“They escaped while the three blocked, but soon enough, they’ll be chased again.”

“Then wouldn’t it be better to return and rejoin them?”

Above all, there was no healer here now. Meanwhile, Han Yujin had healing skills, various resistances, poison and special attack skills. Song Taewon quickly analyzed Han Yujin’s combat capabilities.

“…As expected, it’ll be tough without a healer.”

“That’s why we’re moving locations.”

Seong Hyunjae slowed his pace sharply. Stopping on the road, he looked up at the building ahead. A large department store.

“At this point, dungeon items have become commonplace.”

Most people had at least awakened to F-rank and all carried inventories. Of course, dungeon items were still expensive. So while ordinary marts had few, luxury department stores were different. Seong Hyunjae entered the department store’s first floor and pulled out a directory.

“Second floor, Dungeon & Jewelry.”

They took the stopped escalator up. Upon arriving on the second floor, a warning sign caught their eyes.

[Inventory use prohibited on this floor. The entire second floor is under an inventory-use prohibition contract; by passing below this line, you agree to the contract. Customers with C-rank or higher curse resistance, please voluntarily report to the attendant on the left as a precaution.]

“The world has changed a lot in just a few years.”

Even now, some hunter-related shops banned inventory use. But a whole floor of a popular department store being entirely prohibited was unheard of.

They headed straight to the potion specialty store. Displayed were low, medium, and high-grade potions. High-grade potions were still rare and shown in small quantities behind special glass, but medium and low grades were plentiful. The back warehouse was stacked with boxes. Though expensive, they were popular for instantly and safely healing wounds.

“The most dangerous skill of Han Yujin is reducing stats through wounds. But if you just heal the wounds, you can remove the skill, so medium-grade potions should be enough. And antidote potions…”

Seong Hyunjae walked toward a special exhibition area in the center of the second floor. If it were during normal business—or even after hours guarded by hunters—three dungeon items were displayed there. Among them, a large sign stood in front of a bracelet: Poison Resistance S.

Crunch. Seong Hyunjae lightly broke the special glass and took out the bracelet.

“Quite a useful item.”

Poison resistance items were coveted even by non-hunters. Even now, wealthy people secretly pilfered poison and curse resistance items. Seong Hyunjae tossed the bracelet to Song Taewon.

“Han Yujin’s poison is relatively weak paralysis-type, so even if the effect doubles, S-rank should suffice. Guess we can’t take it out.”

Seong Hyunjae spoke while looking at the warning message floating before them. Aside from hunting or raid reward items, usage was only allowed inside the dungeon; they could not be taken outside.

“So use it freely. Since it’s aimed at ordinary people, there don’t seem to be combat-use items.”

They circled the second floor. Aside from potions and a few items, nothing much was useful. On one side were various famous brand accessory stores made from dungeon byproducts. Seong Hyunje picked up a foreign brand shirt.

“Your clothes will be torn in an instant; change quickly.”

“No need—”

“It helps a bit with defense. Sizes can be adjusted somewhat with granted items.”

He threw clothes to Song Taewon and changed the torn shirt on his own arm. They began preparing for the soon-to-arrive Han Yujin.

“If moonlight can’t reach, chains might be limited in use. Also, teleportation tends to be restricted with many obstacles.”

Before, they couldn’t pull Han Yujin indoors because they had to block him. Now, Han Yujin had to chase Song Taewon.

“So move indoors as much as possible. If necessary, move locations via subway. Heal wounds immediately. Avoid the Han River or large bodies of water.”

Lastly.

“How about wearing earplugs?”

“Cutting off senses lowers combat ability.”

“Or just shut Han Yujin’s mouth.”

Seong Hyunjae, sitting on the escalator handrail, frowned slightly. As he fixed the SS-rank handcuffs received from Han Yujin, Song Taewon looked at him.

“Is it that bad?”

“Actually, that was more a problem than self-harm threats. With a first-priority goal to kill Song Taewon, Han Yujin can hardly self-harm enough to restrict his own actions. Though some aftereffects appear slowly.”

But the tongue could definitely injure Han Yujin. Knowing how much he cherished his “children,” it was all the more dangerous. Seong Hyunjae choosing to break away and join Song Taewon was partly because of that.

These two here were adults compared to Han Yujin.

“I miss Hunter Moon Hyun.”

“If she were here, things would be better.”

Song Taewon agreed with Seong Hyunjae’s words. She could easily deflect Han Yujin’s words, even while protecting others.

“But right now, I’m most worried about Song Taewon. Better block your ears.”

“I’m fine.”

“I think it’s good to protect yourself and entrust the rest to me.”

Those golden eyes narrowed with faint excitement. A fragment of feeling hard to recognize by others, but Song Taewon immediately noticed.

“Are you looking forward to it?”

“Separate from worries about Han Yujin.”

Seong Hyunjae’s index and middle fingers lightly pressed his lips.

“Can’t help but get excited. Instinctively.”

Those silver eyes. At the moment of meeting them, a strong unpleasant feeling and heartbeat came. The Crescent Moon. The existence forged by her power, impossible not to be drawn to.

If it were the Crescent Moon’s power itself, he might have felt only hostility. But the one who accepted that power was none other than Han Yujin. A weak, ordinary human who also wanted to stand by his side.

And with the Crescent Moon’s power, he stood by him—even a step above.

“I’m holding on hard.”

It felt similar to reaching the end after a long time and many worlds. Or meeting the only kin. Maybe because he was deeply connected to the Crescent Moon, even knowing it, he could not help but be excited.

“Good that there are no physical problems.”

So violently, wanting to tear apart into pieces. Slowly ❖ Nоvеl𝚒ght ❖ (Exclusive on Nоvеl𝚒ght) dissecting and dismantling one by one. Seong Hyunjae bent one knee atop the other and hunched, resting his chin.

“Maybe if you like something too much, you want to break it.”

“…What nonsense is that?”

“When you don’t remove it, it threatens your own life. Whether positive or negative. Similar to wanting to kill someone you intensely hate.”

Song Taewon frowned slightly. Then—

Thump. Footsteps intentionally made loud echoed.

“Where are you?”

A humming-like voice came from the first floor.

“Hide well so your hair doesn’t show.”

Again, thump—heavy sound echoed up to the high ceiling.

“Seong Hyunjae—Director Song.”

Seong Hyunjae took a hunter painkiller from his inventory and handed it silently to Song Taewon. For skill-use countermeasures.

“You talked so much about aquariums, so why a department store? You planning to check out the seafood section? Is there even a seafood section in food stores? Or a fish restaurant’s tank?”

Han Yujin slowly crossed the first floor store, looking around. Jewelry glittered, reflecting the moonlight floating near him. Han Yujin picked up a perfume bottle, lightly shook it, then hurled it. Crash! Glass shattered and a strong scent spread up to the second floor.

“Director Song, this place really doesn’t suit you. You’re not skipping joining us, right?”

Again, crash—the perfume bottle broke. A soft sound of wet footsteps echoed.

“Where are you hiding? Let’s see your faces.”

Whoosh—a wire swung wide. Glass shattered, sweeping not only the display outside but also inside; cosmetics fell, broke, and spilled fragrant liquids that floated droplet by droplet into the air.

Then swish, spreading widely. After surveying the entire first floor, Han Yujin tilted his head.

“Food stores are usually basement level one, right? Then basement? Is it connected to the subway? I think Director Song is underground, and Seong Hyunjae is upstairs.”

The tracking item disappeared at the department store entrance. Up or down? Han Yujin reached out. Droplets brought a department store directory into his hand. Opening the booklet, he tilted his head up.

“Dungeon & Jewelry.”

Crack. A crack appeared on the glossy floor beneath Han Yujin’s foot. At the same time, drawing his sword, he leapt powerfully upward. Passing through the open center, he quickly rose to the second floor and spread the droplets widely. The sticky scent filled the second floor as Seong Hyunjae and Song Taewon began moving.

Hearing footsteps, Han Yujin’s lips curled slightly.

“You’re both here.”

Sliding across the marble floor elegantly, Han Yujin shouted at them.

“Were you two leisurely shopping? Next, the food court? Café?”

With a creak, the two stopped. Han Yujin slowly approached them, silver eyes scanning Seong Hyunjae and then Song Taewon.

“You even changed clothes. Must be expensive.”

“Han Yujin.”

Song Taewon quietly called Han Yujin’s eyes. Han Yujin smiled faintly.

“Dear Director Song. Would you kindly kill yourself for me?”

“I refuse.”

“Then I guess I have no choice.”

Flames burst around Han Yujin’s body, and the sword in his hand longly sliced across his own arm.

“I have no choice but to cut your throat myself.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep