“I thought I might take the stray wandering around the airport home and raise it,” the unnamed prince said, pawing at my chin in overly familiar fashion. Get your hand off me. Treating me like a cat—though I was one for now—felt distinctly unpleasant.

“That cat has an owner,” Samir said, pulling a metal neck guard from his inventory and fitting it around his throat. I recognized the piece of equipment—what was it called?

“It looks like it snuck into your car and rode all the way here. May we have it back?”

Perhaps they still believed I was an ordinary cat. The chef whose car I’d stolen could never reveal it, but several people in the kitchen had seen me. They probably thought the Guild Leader had escaped with his cat. They couldn’t guess that the cat was actually me.

“Both of them?” the prince asked.

“Yes—though they seem to have different owners,” Samir replied.

Of course. They’d deduced that the cat I was was really Seong Hyunjae’s, and the one Gyeol was mine—more precisely, Han Yujin’s. It was likely more plausible they saw us as non-feline monsters that merely resembled cats. The prince’s eyes curved into a gentle smile.

“Very well—I’ll accompany you and return them myself.”

“In that case, please take Bella,” Samir said, offering the metal glove silently. Just as the prince was about to reply, Chohwa Un stepped forward, his voice cutting the air.

“Enough pointless chatter.”

He advanced, his gaze thinning into a predator’s glare.

“There’s no reason to leave those scheming to marry Han Yujin alive. We’ll handle him here so that when Han Yuhyun arrives, he won’t be in the way.”

“If it’s Han Yuhyun, then the Haeyeon Guild Leader must be on his way here,” the prince said.

“You won’t meet him, oh blue prince,” Chohwa Un sneered.

“Cousins by marriage are family—I plan to see him often.”

Great—to see him once a year at most, perhaps. Understandable if they’d missed the wedding. Chohwa Un drew his sword; a frigid aura flowed down its blade—no ordinary chill but something denser. At once, Samir’s metal armor and gauntlet quietly merged into his skin. Beneath his collar and sleeve, the metal scales crept across his wrist and hand.

‘That—!’

I’d seen that in the ranking tournament before the regression! He must have worn metal gear under his robe on arm, leg, and torso. Now the spear he held—entirely metallic—seemed to liquefy into Samir’s palm.

In the tournament, he’d concealed his face and even used a different name—I hadn’t recognized him! Had the prince secretly joined the competition when barred from it? Regardless, he was top-tier.

Clang!

The metal-armored fist and Chohwa Un’s blade met. His speed ranked first among Hunters—so terrifyingly swift that even Delouse vision couldn’t track him. Chohwa Un barely blocked it and lifted a corner of his mouth in challenge. The chill in his sword…

Fsssssh—

It melted Samir’s scales. He swiftly withdrew the sword, spun, and something invisible whisked past Chohwa Un’s shoulder—raking the ground. Again, the sound of metal melting echoed, but I couldn’t pinpoint it. I struggled to keep my eyes wide enough to see.

“Hmph.”

The prince—who had half-carried me and Gyeol—dropped us both unceremoniously. I saw Isabella reaching for her axe. What a mess.

[Gyeol!]

We needed to get out of this. The energy from Chohwa Un was ominous—the power that melted metal unnerved me deeply.

[Dodge!]

I scooped Gyeol by the scruff and darted into the nearest gap in the rubble. As soon as we were hidden, I flicked open a drawer skill.

Splash!

A torrent of blue water surged before me. The current was too strong for a cat; I lost hold of Gyeol’s nape. Flailing, I searched for him in panic.

[Gyeol! Where are you?!]

—“I’m here, Dad! I’ll catch you!”

Out of the swirling water fluttered Gyeol in cat form, a colorful Christmas ribbon trailing from his paw—apparently snagged at Times Square. A Christmas decoration in the inventory—what luxury.

[Not too heavy?]

—“Not at all—like down!”

Flapping wings with effort, he hauled me along as I swam. Cat form proved more stable in water—four legs, perhaps. Some cats do love water.

We reached shore and I deactivated the skill. My soaked body felt heavy. Gyeol, pleased with his cat form, fluttered around me.

“Five hours until our flight arrives. Let’s rest here until then.”

No need to risk more. Better to relax and depart on time.

“It’s dark and you must be tired.”

—“I’m fine… but a little nap sounds nice.”

“There’s a bedroom here. Let’s go sleep.”

—“Okay. Oh—Dad, look, Christmas decorations!”

A wreath and garlands hung from the main gates. Puzzling… Inside the building, waiting as if on cue, stood No. 71.

—“Uncle!”

Seeming like Yuhyun, No. 71 wore a tuxedo and Santa hat, a poinsettia in his breast pocket. Christmas was still far off—but only Christmas decorations were permissible, apparently. A Christmas party could happen here.

“Welcome, Master,” he intoned.

“Well… not Master, more like system. I suppose the person closest to me appears.”

No grand entrance with people in tow—canceled. Not until he stops calling me Master.

I almost went straight to the bedroom, but hearing there was a Christmas tree led me to the parlor. A broad fireplace dominated one wall, beside an enormous tree. A golden star glittered atop, with red and white candy canes, Rudolph figures, Santa, and colored baubles shimmering among branches—tiny lights without visible wires, mere glowing orbs dangling everywhere.

A soft white carpet lay like snow, and two snowmen in Santa hats smiled beside the hearth. Jingle bells tinkled, red stockings and pinecone wreaths and mistletoe adorned the room. I thought of Yuhyun in the dungeon—hoping he was well.

“Dad—can I sleep here?”

Gyeol, in child form, curled into a cushion on the sofa.

“Of course. But wash up and brush your teeth first. You’re covered in dust.”

I had No. 71 fetch warm water and bathe Gyeol. In pajamas, he nestled under a blanket, his golden eyes fluttering as sleep fought him. He must be reluctant to sleep because the day had been so exciting. A light pat sent him into deep slumber at once.

Watching him, I rose from the sofa. My whole body ached—as though twisted inside.

‘My condition really is bad.’

Ruga’s warning about physiology hadn’t been baseless. If I told him to rest, he could at least teach me how. When I see Yuhyun, I’ll head into the nearest dungeon first. The elders may scold, but this time it can’t be helped. At least I’m alive.

I deactivated poison resistance and took a painkiller from my inventory. Eunye appeared, gazing at me in concern. I didn’t want Myungwoo catching sight of me like this.

“No. 71: wake me in four hours thirty minutes. My world time. Understood?”

“Yes, Master.”

I lay down on the sofa opposite sleeping Gyeol. It was as comfortable as a bed; the blanket No. 71 provided was soft, and the crackling fire lulled me. Though weary, my mind remained clear.

‘I’ll vanish meaninglessly,’ the Chatterbox curse murmured.

I didn’t believe I’d fade away, but it wasn’t impossible—perhaps I’d groan until I decided to slip away somewhere alone, quietly die. My old self might’ve done that. Even now, I hesitated. I didn’t want loved ones to see me weak or dying. But that can’t happen. If a final, unstoppable moment arrives, they’ll want to stay by my side—just as I would for them.

It might comfort those left behind. Painful in the moment, but they’d have stayed with me to the end, bidding farewell. If I can spend my last moments with loved ones, I’ll still smile. I must.

‘Did Yuhyun feel that way too?’

Was he glad I was there at the end? I pictured my brother’s smiling face. Better than crying—or suffering. Yes, smiling gave me even a sliver of breath to hold. Thank you for that smile.

People asked how I could smile then—how could I. But I did. And I will.

‘I miss Yuhyun.’

Though only a day felt like a month apart. I shifted, seeing two white doves perched on a fir branch, fluttering against the dawn. Christmas decorations must be up in Korea by now—did the ranch set up a tree? Not just buildings but the ranch everywhere. Surrounding them in decorations.

If I can’t return on time, perhaps I could bring them all into the drawer… but No. 71 would… Though it’s embarrassing, I’d love to spend the season together.

“No. 71—can you wear a Santa mask? Or a full outfit?”

“Yes, it’s possible.”

“Then next year, when I visit, dress as Santa. I’ve grown to love seeing Yuhyun as Santa.”

With a fake beard, they wouldn’t recognize him. Though odd to call Santa ‘Master.’ Christmas will come next year and the year after—but who knows what will happen then? We must seize whatever we can. Oh—cake. Perhaps I’ll hop over to France for pastry—France is known for confectionery. If I can pick up the watch in Switzerland then cross to France for cake, perfection.

Of course, returning directly to Korea unharmed would be best. I turned in the sofa, counted sheep, and drifted to sleep.

Flutter—

A willow leaf drifted down onto the ashes. As it touched, it vanished like melting snow, then another descended, dancing in the dawn air. In that stillness…

Thud!

A large bike landed, sending faded ash billowing. A small red-furred beast dismounted—Peace, wings folded. Beside him, Han Yuhyun stepped on a willow leaf, arriving at the ruined airport.

“You’re rough with them—if they break, no rides!”

Another bike landed gently. Park Yerim frowned as she looked around.

“They really did this to stop us from coming? I wrecked the airport a bit, but this is too much.”

She tugged at her veil in frustration. Both wore Arab attire—body and face fully concealed, no need for additional disguise.

Despite news of the airport’s destruction, their flight hadn’t diverted to Cairo—they came straight to Aswan. Only Chief Song was officially onboard as an S-rank; Yuhyun and Yerim disembarked here. They could borrow bikes because it was the Guild’s plane. Kang Soyeong had ordered about fifty percent dungeon debris and magic-stone engines for these bikes. Such vehicles exist in only a few countries, including the U.S., so they’d bought them while here.

“I don’t see ahjussi—maybe he went to a nearby village?”

Yerim fished her phone to find directions just as Peace leapt from his saddle. Sniffing the air, he dashed toward rubble.

“Peace!”

Yerim lifted her bike with one hand and chased after him—Yuhyun did the same. Peace nosed into the debris, then flicked his tail and ran on. Outside the airport, he skidded to a stop.

“What is that? Looks like someone fought here.”

Circular pits dotted the ground around a compressed, flattened car. Power residue in faint arcane traces made Yuhyun’s eyebrows flick. Too subtle to be sure, but unmistakably a familiar mana.

“An S-rank Hunter I’ve crossed blades with,” he said.

“In Africa? You’ve never been abroad except for hyung’s case.”

“I haven’t. If it feels that familiar, they must have clashed often—or fought directly.”

“Was there an African S-rank at the party?”

Peace, who had been scouring around, abruptly stopped.

—“Kyang!”

At his welcoming cry, Yuhyun rushed to Peace. The cat pressed against ➤ NоvеⅠight ➤ (Read more on our source) a wide fragment of building. A tuft of black fur caught Yuhyun’s eye.

“…Hyung.”

“What? Ahjussi?”

Yerim’s eyes rounded at the black fur.

“Ahjussi was here? Ahjussi! I brought snacks!”

Yerim waved cat treats plucked from her shirttail. Peace turned circles around the fur, then at last, the trail ended here.

“Hyung wasn’t alone.”

“Well, given this shambles, other Hunters must’ve been here too. Did they take hyung with them?”

“This fur isn’t his.”

Yuhyun held up a white tuft of fur. Yerim cocked her head.

“He had some white fur, too.”

“This is different. Not the same white—another cat or furred beast was here.”

“…A white cat? Hyung made a new kitty friend? A girlfriend, perhaps?”

“Not sure—but these white fur traces end here as well?”

Yuhyun offered the white fur to Peace. He sniffed, circled, then sat back down. Both cats—Peace and the mysterious white one—had vanished.

“If they took two cats together…”

“Seems hyung eluded capture. What now? We still need to find Gyeol. Could he still be at the villa?”

“I’ll follow the trail. Yerim, contact Isabella to secure the fairy dragon. The SNS photos showed a friendly atmosphere.”

“Got it. And Peace?”

“You take him. If hyung’s near the fairy dragon, it’ll help you locate him.”

“Be careful, though I doubt you’ll need it.”

Yuhyun mounted his bike and followed the tire tracks away. Yerim hesitated, then sent “Hi” to Isabella on SNS.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep