“What are you talking about? You promised to go with me!”

Han Yuhyun grabbed my shoulder and spun me to face her.

“Sir, you can’t go alone! At that party, everyone but you will be S- or A-rank!”

Yerim cried in alarm. Seong Hyunjae didn’t intervene—yet with a single clamor, nearby monsters were instantly reduced to dry ashes.

“I’m doing this for you.”

I looked up at my sister, whose eyes were as sharp as blades, and spoke calmly.

“Yuhyun, if you go with me and the other S-ranks, I’ll just be an extra. No matter how much I contribute, people will notice the S-ranks first. Next to the sun, stars and moon cannot shine.”

“But to me, you’re the one who shines.”

“Thank you.”

Yuhyun’s lips trembled, unable to find words. She seemed to be desperately searching for a solution, but eventually her shoulders slumped.

“There’s… no way I can go with you, is there?”

“No. Unfortunately.”

Even if we cut the broadcast and pretended it never happened, if you were missing, rumors would start again. Some would notice your absence by watching others’ reactions. Even if you stealth-skilled yourself completely invisible, if I ended up in danger, how long could Yuhyun endure?

“We don’t know what kind of party it will be yet. If you’re clever, you might join midway.”

“I hope it’s something like a cooking contest, like the Elder said.”

Yerim murmured sadly. Liet would be the first eliminated there.

“Don’t worry so much. Worst case, I’ll lose in the first round and then watch the broadcast to cheer for you.”

“But we can’t trust Chatterbox! He’s bound to harm you!”

“That’s why we’ll draw up a thorough contract. He even agreed to send representatives.”

It wouldn’t be foolproof, but ◆ Nоvеlіgһt ◆ (Only on Nоvеlіgһt) it would at least ease their minds. I soothed my upset companions and glanced at Seong Hyunjae.

“You’re unusually quiet.”

“I’m reflecting on how hard it is to truly respect others.”

“You’re enduring well. Please continue to do so.”

Anyone around me could protect me at any moment if they wished. Even if we failed to save the world, I’d continue my everyday life, oblivious, until the very end of days.

If I were still the same as before, that’d really happen. But I must change. This time, I will meet a different ending—or rather, no ending. I will simply keep living well.

“Yerim, how about you learn some cooking, just in case?”

“I just need to bring a few packets of ramen seasoning.”

She was a genius.

“And if they say ‘Only use the given ingredients,’ you’ll protest, ‘Then we can’t even breathe! Any cooking draws in ambient air, moisture, and dust—so your dust and my ramen powder are the same!’”

“Yes, sir.”

“All rules have loopholes.”

“Should I learn some dancing too? You don’t know party dances, right?”

“I did a folk dance at a sports day.”

“I was a puppet—I barely remember it as a kid.”

She was still young, of course. Yerim cheered up, but the other two still looked unhappy with my decision—especially Yuhyun, whose expression was very dark.

“We should head out soon. I’ll go ahead and clear the way.”

Yerim fluttered up, then teleported away in an instant. The moment she left, Yuhyun opened her mouth.

“Promise me something.”

“Hm?”

“Don’t be stubborn.”

“…What do you mean?”

“You never give up easily. You said there’d be no lasting harm and you could leave anytime— but ‘anytime’ is the problem.”

“That’s… true.”

“It means you’ll endure even torture and keep going. And you’ll push through to the end.”

Yuhyun was right. The rule lets me escape at the first danger—but also lets me risk any danger indefinitely.

“Han Yujin is stubborn.”

Seong Hyunjae chimed in. Unlike Yerim, both of them still radiated displeasure—perhaps because they couldn’t stop me alone.

“I don’t intend to cling uselessly…”

“Hyung.”

“Alright, alright. Just you too, Yuhyun—don’t be stubborn.”

“If you value safety, I will too. If you leave, I can follow immediately.”

“You don’t have to—but I’ll be careful.”

Though she said ‘promise,’ Yuhyun’s eyes betrayed her doubt. Seong Hyunjae looked the same.

“Trust me sometimes. You always say you do.”

“I trust what you do. But I don’t think you’ll take care of yourself properly. That’s always been the case.”

…It was true. Yet I’d improved a lot lately.

“Anyway, if we go separately, Yuhyun, you’d rather go with Noah?”

“I’ll go alone and rejoin you.”

“But that invitation is precious. We might never meet them again. Take Peace with you. And Seong Hyunjae—have you spoken with Director Song?”

“He has prior commitments. He’s waiting for a reply.”

“When… surely not to Kiri? Stop tormenting her!”

On broadcast, Kiri would hardly speak—though they could mute her audio.

Thanks to Yerim quickly sweeping away the monsters, we exited swiftly. The three of them ate cookies again.

“I’ll bill you for the coat damage.”

I placed Seong Hyunjae in my intact pocket and cupped Yuhyun’s face in my hands.

“Cheer up, okay?”

She pouted in her small form—unfailingly adorable. I felt tempted to kiss her cheek as I did when she was tiny. Now I was an adult, but…

“Yuhyun, you seem to be doing it on purpose.”

“I broke my promise. But you’re kind, Yuhyun. Come here.”

“…Sir.”

“It’s because you seem younger now.”

“Look properly! The proportions are the same!”

“You too, Yerim.”

“…Stop looking at me like that— I’m fifteen!”

Yerim spun and shouted, and I laughed. They’d all grown up.

We boarded the waiting car and headed to the breeding facility. Reporters approached but backed off when they saw the back seat empty.

“Breaker Guild Leader just gave an interview.”

Seok Simyeong, waiting for us, said.

“He said you, Director Han Yujin, were the first to be contacted by the party’s organizer, and that through your arrangement, most Korean S-rank hunters received invitations.”

“And the reaction?”

“Not bad.”

“And Haeyeon Guild has called the facility several times.”

Suh Kyunghun, standing slightly behind Seok as if an apprentice, added. He looked at Seong Hyunjae as if to ask why he wasn’t going. Seong Hyunjae reached out and patted my shoulder.

“Then, Director Han, please don’t overdo it. We await your contact.”

“Thank you. Please be careful. If you hear any important news, let me know.”

“Of course.”

Seong Hyunjae turned and left with a courteous smile. Yerim muttered that our ‘fathers’ were awkward together. But they looked normal to me.

“Various broadcasters worldwide are scrambling to contact Channel Chatterbox. For the broadcast rights.”

“Ratings are guaranteed. What about ABC in the U.S.? They said they received the footage.”

“They only received the video; they’re tight-lipped. Some say they might stream it online too.”

“Any new news from Chatterbox or the prophet?”

“No. And I think Haeyeon and Dodam should show their faces too.”

Seok handed Yuhyun and me the compiled materials. Yerim quietly sidestepped his gaze.

“Is there barley tea here?”

“There’s brown rice tea. Yuhyun, you can be interviewed right away, right?”

“Yes. Since the Breaker Guild Leader spoke first, we should make it clear you didn’t steal the invitation.”

“Haeyeon will probably cooperate.”

“They know the guild leader’s at the breeding facility. We’ve arranged a space there—contacted friendly reporters in advance.”

Seok raised his phone and called as he looked at me.

“Director Han, what will you do?”

“I’ll hold a press conference—tomorrow.”

Not another brief interview. At my words, Seok and Kyunghun both wore worried expressions.

“If you don’t filter the reporters, you’ll get aggressive questions.”

“But if you filter them, they’ll criticize you for that.”

“Are you… really thinking of attending the party?”

Seok asked, incredulous; Kyunghun looked stunned too.

“Yes. Safety is guaranteed.”

Both were left speechless. It must have sounded absurd to those unfamiliar with the situation. I’d postpone mention of attending alone—don’t want to look crazy.

“That… may not be the best choice.”

“Indeed. Director Han, you’re not a combat specialist.”

“But it’s a party—there’s no rule we must fight.”

“…I recall you did join a prelim round.”

Seok diplomatically skirted the fact I’d fought—and gotten on today’s broadcast. It had been my suggestion.

“Let’s wait a day. If the press conference goes poorly, I’ll apologize and keep a low profile.”

If this blows up, I won’t be able to step forward publicly again. I’d revert to the protected F-rank I pretended to be so far—sending loved ones to the Chatterbox party while I sat back and watched on TV.

My chest tightened. Yuhyun reached out and held my hand. Yerim quickly joined, taking my other hand. Though worried, Seok and Kyunghun assured we’d prepare everything I needed.

“I should sleep early tonight.”

“Shall I give you a face mask?”

“No masks. Last time, Peace freaked out at that dark stuff.”

“He hated the smell, too.”

Yuhyun left for her interview. While I reviewed the materials, Yerim went home and returned with Peace, Kiri, and Ppiyak.

—Ciiuung.

“Here, sir. Hold Peace, and Kiri, and Ppiyak on your head.”

—Ppiyak.

Kiri nestled against my cheek and whispered “Papa.” Peace on my knee licked my finger. Ppiyak toppled off Peace and rolled again. So cute. I realized I’d neglected my SNS updates lately—posting this would look odd.

“Peace, stay fluffy~”

—Kiiang!

I knew I shouldn’t, but even if things go wrong, I felt it wouldn’t be the worst. This time, so many would stay by my side. I could stand up again—no matter how many times.

I tried not to think and just relax—but the day dragged, and the night even more so. Even the meal Myeong-woo thoughtfully prepared wouldn’t go down. I didn’t want to worry anyone, but my body rebelled.

“Any dungeon?”

“Yeah. But you don’t have to go if you don’t want.”

Seeing I couldn’t eat, Myeong-woo offered to cook porridge.

“I’m quite interested in creating the world inside a dungeon.”

“But you said it was exhausting?”

“It far exceeded my current level. But he offered to teach me, so I won’t refuse.”

Excitement flickered across Myeong-woo’s face.

“I like seeing things work—seeing varied motions. The more diverse the results, the better.”

Perhaps that’s why he preferred crafting non-weapon items; weapons are for killing—simple by nature.

“I’m glad you like it, but don’t overdo it.”

“You, too, Yujin. I’m healthier than before.”

Myeong-woo frowned, and I automatically shrugged. We both were overworked—why only me suffered? It felt unfair.

The conference venue was set at the Hunter Association, not the breeding facility or Haeyeon— to project neutrality. Noah and Kyunghun accompanied me en route; others went ahead. We timed our arrival in the parking lot, where association staff blocked unwanted approaches. Cameras, however, relentlessly filmed me.

I smiled at the lenses and entered the building. In the lobby, I saw Song Taewon.

“Hello, Director Song.”

He gave a slight nod of greeting, concern evident in his eyes.

“Have you received clearance upstairs?”

“No reply yet, but it seems I may attend.”

People worried I’d tie up precious S-rank hunters. Now that Korea was stable, it’d be hard to block a well-rewarded party invitation. Before my return, some complained I skipped ranking matches—but then Korea wasn’t this safe.

“Han Yujin…”

“I’ll be fine.”

Reassuring them, I walked to the waiting room. Familiar faces greeted me warmly. Shortly after, I stepped out alone and opened the door.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep