“Is there anything you need…?”

Peace tilted his head in puzzlement. The staff, slightly embarrassed, tried again politely.

“We can prepare something to drink and eat for you.”

“…He doesn’t understand, it seems.”

“Ah… right. Meal! Food, please.”

The staff said clearly in Korean, “food.” At that, Peace whipped his head around, making it obvious he disliked the suggestion, and the staff bowed.

“Hunter Han Yuhyun, your teammate, will be coming this way.”

“And Hunter Han Yujin, your companion, as well.”

Peace gently wagged his tail. Quickly, the staff brought a large cushion.

“Please rest here until Hunter Han Yujin arrives.”

The Flame Horn Lion obediently climbed onto the cushion and lay down, showing no intention of leaving. The staff relaxed; it would be troublesome if Peace slipped away to find his party while all Korean hunters were absent.

Shortly after, a hunter defeated by Peace grumbled into the lounge. The staff tensed a bit and swiftly explained the lounge’s amenities. After a while, Han Yuhyun appeared. His gaze and Peace’s met briefly, then both looked away and scanned for Han Yujin. Peace lowered his head between his forelegs, and Han Yuhyun asked a staff member,

“Has Hunter Han Yujin not come yet?”

“No. Hunter Han Yuhyun finished the match second.”

Han Yuhyun nodded silently and sat in a nearby chair. Soon after, Riet arrived.

“Chief of Police, let’s have a real match next time~”

Han Yuhyun neither responded nor even glanced at her. Though cleanly ignored, Riet cheerfully declared she was a bit peckish, and headed to the table laden with food. Indifference to those two was natural—they were beings who didn’t need to live in groups, and thus had no obligation to respond politely to matters they found uninteresting. They simply accepted that no response meant no interest. Living among humans, they showed some social courtesy, but no more.

Time passed again as hunters trickled in.

Fairy Dragon appeared. Before he could speak, Hangeol wailed urgently, mimicking Peace’s cry. He glanced around for Han Yujin, then once at Han Yuhyun, and then curled up beside Peace.

“Still as filthy as before. Where’s the bathroom here?”

Moon Hyunah, covered in dirt and bearing battle scars that hadn’t healed, frowned slightly and asked a staff member. From the look of things, she had lost her match. She glanced around and left immediately to wash up. Evelyn appeared next, only her shoe soles slightly soiled, and sipped wine with a faint smile—it was courtesy from Moon Hyunah.

“Sister! Did you win? You won, right?!”

Kang Soyeong bounced over to Riet.

“No, I lost~”

“Oh? Really? Then our guild leader wasn’t here. Oh, Haeyeon’s guild leader?”

“Right!”

“That sounded fun!”

“I wanted to see it,” Soyeong lamented.

“I fought Mr. Noah! But I don’t see him.”

“The victor exits directly through the door. If they leave immediately, they’ll appear sooner than the loser; otherwise, it could be later.”

A staff member explained. Riet handed Soyeong a sugar-coated cherry, asking with interest,

“Did Noah really fight?”

“He hesitated at first. Honestly, I couldn’t match him alone! So it took longer to start. He kept suggesting I concede and dodged until I finally began—and it was over immediately!”

“He’s soft on those he cares about~”

At Riet’s words, Soyeong shrieked in delight.

“Really? As expected! There’s a saying in Korea: ‘No tree survives ten strikes.’ Oh, Mr. Noah!”

Noah, having just entered the lounge, flinched and looked at Soyeong with a slightly awkward expression.

“Thank you!”

“…Eh? I—I was the winner, though.”

“Noah, want a cherry?”

“No, I’m fine.”

“I love you!”

“…Yes.”

“I’m interested in you!”

“Yes.”

“Not my brother, but in you!”

Riet sang out. Noah blinked.

“Come to think of it, I barely know anyone besides my brother. So I wanted to get to know you. I’m curious.”

“…Do as you wish.”

Noah replied without enthusiasm and turned away. She harbored no real expectations. Though Riet’s attitude had shifted a bit, she’d long since given up on hoping. Her sister’s change wasn’t unwelcome, but that was all.

Han Yujin still hadn’t appeared. Park Yerim was also absent, and only Han Yuhyun was here. Just as Noah thought to sit and wait, she noticed a faint worry on Han Yuhyun’s face and approached him.

“Is something wrong?”

Han Yuhyun glanced up.

“Brother hasn’t come out yet.”

“That can take time.”

“Few remain.”

“More than half….”

Noah’s words faltered. Many hunters remained—but Han Yuhyun meant those who knew Han Yujin. It would be fine if she had faced her companions, but if any other hunter—unfortunately, one who harbored ill will toward her—had been her opponent, trouble loomed. Both Han Yuhyun and Noah knew well Han Yujin’s stubbornness. She wouldn’t concede easily. If her opponent ended the match swiftly, fine—but already plenty of time had passed.

In their anxiety, Evelyn’s teammate Vanessa arrived, and Song Taewon emerged into the lounge with his coat off. Han Yuhyun’s expression darkened further. Noah approached Song Taewon.

“Have you seen Ms. Yujin?”

“No. A hunter I met earlier—”

Song Taewon quickly scanned the hunters assembled. When Noah mentioned that Moon Hyunah had already arrived, concern flickered across Taewon’s face.

More hunters trickled in and out. When fewer than ten remained, Seong Hyunjae appeared. Surveys of all eyes turned to him, and he looked puzzled, then mumbled,

“Han Yujin hasn’t arrived, it seems.”

“She hasn’t, Hunter Seong.”

Taewon asked, and Seong Hyunjae shook his head briefly.

“I—”

“Oh, she conceded!”

At Park Yerim’s sudden arrival, Han Yuhyun sprang to his feet and asked the nearest staff,

“Give me the remaining hunters’ list.”

“Excuse me? I’d have to check, but likely not. Personal data is under contract—”

“Hey now! Han—uncle! You still haven’t come out?”

Han Yuhyun scanned beside him. Han Yujin was absent. Park Yerim stared around in dismay. Hangeol hopped onto Park Yerim’s shoulder and whispered,

Park Yerim’s face turned grave. Gritting her teeth, she raised the corners of her eyes fiercely.

“Whatever happened, something’s wrong with uncle.”

As the number of hunters dwindled to fewer than a handful, Han Yujin finally appeared. He looked perfectly fine.

“Brother!”

Han Yuhyun hurried over and examined him closely. All eyes fell on Han Yujin, who looked flustered and said,

“I just conceded.”

“Why did it take so long? You don’t look hurt….”

“All wounds were healed, you know? Uncle, you’re really okay?”

“Your clothes are intact.”

Han Yuhyun circled behind to confirm. Chatterbox healed only battle injuries, not clothing. Han Yujin was largely unscathed.

“Remarkably clean.”

“No traces of battle.”

Song Taewon agreed with Seong Hyunjae. Han Yujin lowered his gaze, avoiding the others, and looked at Peace, who leaned his cheek against his leg.

“I said I conceded. I couldn’t compete physically, so I tried to resolve it verbally… Peace, are you all right? No hunter charged you?”

Han Yujin scooped up Peace, stroking his soft fur, still focused only on him.

“I’m fine. I wasn’t completely unhurt, but no serious injuries. You can ask Chatterbox—I’m fine.”

Han Yuhyun noticed Han Yujin wasn’t looking at him, but remained silent. Park Yerim found it odd that Han Yujin didn’t ask about her or Han Yuhyun’s fights, or about the opponents—but she too stayed silent. And so did the others.

A brief silence settled.

Peace was warm and soft.

“You’re all right.”

His voice didn’t tremble. He seemed fine.

“…Brother, let’s go inside and rest.”

“No, I’m fine.”

Was it obvious? He stood untouched.

“Oh, uncle. Would you like something to drink?”

“No, thanks, Yerim.”

He wasn’t hungry.

“All matches are complete. Awards based on rankings will follow.”

A staff voice reached them. This time they would proceed swiftly without a broadcast; only awardees were required.

“Can Peace send a proxy?”

Han Yuhyun asked. It appeared Peace ranked.

“I’ll check.”

“No, Yuhyun. Let’s go together. You’re also in the rankings, right?”

“…Yes.”

“Then we must go. It’s an award, after all.”

They moved. Though described as modest, the venue was not large. Chatterbox was absent. They sat and placed Peace on a chair. Peace had won first place.

“Brother?”

Moon Hyunah asked if he was okay. He said yes. Second-place Yuhyun went up with Peace to receive their award.

“As for the prize—”

“I’d like a special privilege instead. Peace would want the same as me.”

“Pardon?”

“I request we share lodging with Hunter Han Yujin. Family—and above all, Peace is anxious being apart from his father.”

Han Yuhyun said. Though it seemed a shame to forgo the prize, the words “please don’t” lingered unspoken. The awards officer, flustered, asked them to wait as they stepped aside to make a call. After a short conversation, they responded,

“This was a light-hearted event. We can adjust the prize, but since the prize isn’t significant and it breaks party rules, sharing with another team is allowed for only one night.”

“Understood.”

Yuhyun and Peace received their gold coins and returned. Yuhyun placed Peace on Han Yujin’s lap.

“…Almost.”

“A minor award means about A-rank level. More than that, I just want to be with you. Peace would too.”

Han Yujin petted Peace. Third place went to a hunter he didn’t know. Gyeol was fourth, and Hyunah fifth.

“Uncle, I fought the Sesung Guild Leader!”

“Oh? Really?”

“Yes! I lost, though.”

Yerim beamed.

“You’re ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) still young, Yerim. It’s fine.”

“Not much time left, really.”

Yerim whispered to him.

“I planned to concede, so Guild Leader Seong wouldn’t try to kill me. But I made a mistake at the end!”

“Oh, Yerim, maybe you fought so well it—”

“Exactly! I think he’ll be done within a year.”

Han Yujin smiled involuntarily. He could laugh.

“Yes, our Yerim is the best.”

“Brother, I won too. I fought Hunter Riet.”

“Really? Impressive. She’s no pushover.”

“And look at this. Peace was streaming, it seems.”

Yuhyun held out his phone. In the video, Peace tilted his head before a hunter.

“Why are you trying to touch someone’s kid without permission….”

Oops. The hunter’s head was chomped.

“Serves him right. Well done, Peace.”

Gyeol whispered in his ear.

“That’s fine, Gyeol. Well done. Being cute is a skill.”

He exhaled deeply, tension loosening. He glanced sideways. Noah caught his eye and smiled. He avoided eye contact with Seong Hyunjae—and with Song Taewon as well.

They must have sensed something odd. If they asked, he wasn’t ready to answer.

“Brother, shall we go up to the room? Order room service and sleep early.”

“…Okay.”

Though it seemed early, nothing more came to mind. No other schedule awaited, so a day’s rest seemed fine.

They had a simple meal, then relaxed. Yuhyun stayed by his side. Yerim visited with bath salts and snacks. She insisted on a half-body soak, so he did as told. The bath salts seemed her pick; the snacks, Seong Hyunjae’s—definitely not Yerim’s taste.

After washing, he lay down and fell asleep. In his dream, a large hand reached for him; he reflexively tried to block it.

“I don’t intend to scold you.”

Tsk, the Young Chaos clicked its tongue and patted his head.