“Thank you for your support this year as well! My little sister is already twenty-one. She’s overseas and hasn’t even had tteokguk.”

I pulled out the New Year’s card I’d prepared in advance. Unlike in Korea, there were no sunrises, cranes, or lucky pouches—just a Happy New Year card printed with baby Jesus and an angel on a snow-covered tree. I tucked a modest allowance inside.

“Here. You’ll get New Year’s money every year until you graduate from university.”

“Thank you, hyung. You have a happy New Year too.”

When Yuhyun handed me his card, Yerim’s eyes went wide.

“Did you buy these before we left? I should’ve gotten one too!”

“Yerim, may you have a happy New Year. And remember to study extra hard this year. Good thing it’s vacation.”

“Yes, sir! And you too. Is this Versailles? I’ve always wanted to see it.”

“We’ll swing by on our way home.”

It would feel wrong to come all the way to France without visiting Paris. Yerim happily examined the glittering teddy-bear–themed greeting card. “Maybe I should’ve brought a plush,” she mused. Then I gave cards to Yul, Peace, Noah, and Director Song as well.

“There’s only French scenery on this one—Noah, you might find it dull.”

“Not at all. I actually love it. Thank you, Yujin-ssi.”

“Director Song, thank you for all your hard work last year.”

“…I graduated long ago.”

Director Song returned the envelope I tried to hand him.

“That’s not money—look.”

I opened his envelope and pulled out a slip of paper:

[One Free Pass to Use the Dodam Breeding Facility]

“To make up for last year’s shortcomings, this is proof I’ll heed your advice this year! You can even request the contraband list from the drawers. Or just spend the day quietly. Valid for up to one week of reflection!”

“…….”

“Whoa, sir! Me too—I want the pass instead of the allowance!”

“Hyung, me too.”

“Dad, Yul wants one too!”

Sorry, kids—it’s for Director Song and him alone. I still felt guilty about last year’s contraband feast. Director Song sighed but pocketed his pass. Then one more person remained. I turned with a smile. Seonghyunje gazed down ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) at me, as though it were his turn.

“Happy ‘nine-age’! Tomorrow I’ll really be forty!”

I blurted it out and immediately felt a pang of guilt. If this had been a proper wedding, I would’ve let it go. I climbed the steps and politely offered him a card. Seonghyunje rummaged through it and then looked back at me.

“Am I the only one who received a card?”

“What can you expect at your age? And I deserve that pass.”

No wedding invitation, yet here I was handing him a card—he should be grateful. I felt like I’d spoiled him too much; next year, I’d do less.

“They say you never marry at a ‘nine-age.’ Someday you’ll meet someone—preferably someone over thirty next time!”

I leaned closer to Seonghyunje and lowered my voice.

“What happened? Surely you didn’t plan a ceremony with no purpose. Was this sabotage?”

He’d been so dignified and well dressed. He spoke quietly:

“It wasn’t without purpose. But this situation is enjoyable enough.”

He raised his voice again.

“I trust the Dodam Breeding Facility director to handle my nuptials at forty.”

“My foot! What could you expect from a 31-year-long bachelor? Anyone who’s ever been called a fiancé and actually set foot in a wedding hall is better than me!”

Seonghyunje probably never had a real romance—but he must have received plenty of proposals. To date, you need to treat others as equals to find love.

Fireworks burst overhead again, minutes passing with no wedding guests in sight. Dohamin’s rat scouts reported several high-rank hunters nearby—apparently they’d been blocked from entering.

I turned back to look at Marie standing alone at the altar. Her eyes were wide circles as our gazes met. She’d been frozen like a statue—then she furrowed her brow and ripped off her veil, casting it to the floor.

“This is a disaster!”

She sounded angry, but not desperately so—more like a child throwing a tantrum.

“Marie.”

I leapt down the steps and called her name. The instant I said “I love you,” a message flashed on my screen:

[The target is under the effect of another similar skill! Keywords cannot be applied.]

The same message I’d seen when applying “Keyword” to Bachayul. In other words, Marie wasn’t an older sister. She was one of the Awakened who’d received the “Older Sister” skill—like Bachayul and Chloe. And…

‘Something was off about both Bachayul and Chloe.’

Bachayul had always seemed slightly… unhinged. And Chloe too—though I’d only known her from broadcasts, and broadcasts often differ from reality. Even so, neither struck me as someone who’d easily sacrifice others.

‘My skill also has a side effect that makes them regard me as a guardian.’

It was entirely possible that the “Older Sister” skill included a mental aberration. But I never expected this—and meeting Marie in person only confirmed my suspicions.

Marie glared at me fiercely. I stepped closer and offered the card.

“Happy New Year.”

Her eyes widened again; her face softened, making her look even younger. Ungrateful Seonghyunje—kidnapping marriage and you just sat there until the ceremony! Even if they’d tied you up, you could’ve crawled away. I’m definitely against this wedding.

“What… what is this!”

“It’s a New Year’s card. Don’t you like doves?”

“…I love them! But you ruined my wedding! You’re shameless!”

Despite her anger, Marie accepted the card. It was a pretty one, embossed in silver foil with two white doves. She seemed quite pleased.

“Marriage should be with someone you love, right?”

I extended the allowance envelope. She looked younger than me—maybe Yuhyun or Noah’s age. Ungrateful Seonghyunje—I’m opposed.

“Marie, do you truly like Guildmaster Seong?”

“I do. Of course.”

“Honestly, his personality isn’t great.”

Marie closed her lips tightly as she took the envelope. Right, I thought so. We’d spent nearly a month together… hmm.

“If you had to stay with someone forever… someone you want by your side.”

Her pupils rolled as she glanced at me and the others. She slightly crumpled the card’s corner, then she spoke:

“I want someone who’s kind.”

Personality matters. I moved closer; Yuhyun reflexively stepped forward, but I raised a hand to stop him. We outnumbered her, and she seemed to want privacy. I bowed my head. Marie whispered:

“Actually, Seonghyunje is too much. I like someone over there on the right.”

“Noah? He’s like a prince in a fairy tale.”

“And that one too.”

Yerim was exactly the heroine type.

“But I…”

Marie stepped back. The hem of her long dress whispered across the red floor.

“I must reach the ending.”

The dove card fluttered from her hand and slid between the lace hems. A powerful maelstrom of magic swirled around Marie. I stumbled back, and Yuhyun and Director Song rushed to shield me. Peace approached, padding forward cautiously.

Crystal bead garlands shook in unison; candles flickered and dimmed. Moonlight flooded the suddenly darkened hall.

“Marie, you have no chance of winning.”

Even if she were born S-rank, our combined strength was enough to subdue her. I worried for her safety—and I needed to learn more about the “Older Sister” skill—but she hadn’t stopped. Her magic only grew stronger.

ZZZZR!

My phone buzzed. I reflexively checked it—it was an alarm. The midnight alarm I’d set… wait.

‘Is it midnight now?’

We’d jumped down about ten minutes ago; the fireworks had only just ended five minutes back. But in any case, the wedding was—

Moonlight deepened. Everything went black. I squeezed my eyes shut—and when I opened them again…

“…Where am I?”

I floated in darkness streaked with stars. As I looked around in shock, a huge hand scooped me up.

First, Seonghyunje sensed it. The relaxed smile in his golden eyes froze as he turned to Han Yujin’s back. Han Yuhyun spun around too—but he could do nothing. After all, it was his brother.

Song Taewon was the same. Instead of countering the sudden threat, he reached out toward the boy hanging in midair. At the same instant, he snatched Park Yerim with his other arm and leaped forward.

“Sir!”

“Father!”

Yerim and Han-gyul cried out. Han Yuhyun’s hand latched onto Peace’s nape a split second too late. Noah activated healing and reinforcement skills simultaneously.

VROOM─

Air rippled around Han Yujin. Invisible forces overwhelmed the S-rank hunters. Thud! Song Taewon’s body was flung against a wall as if struck. Han Yuhyun and Noah suffered the same fate. Down the long corridor, Marie tumbled and collapsed in a heap of white.

Where she’d stood lay her veil, bouquet, and New Year’s card strewn across the floor.

“…Hyung!”

Han Yuhyun shouted and tried to rise—but collapsed again. His knee bent too easily, burying him in petals. Red roses crushed into crimson stains and exhaled a scream of fragrance. Peace snarled among the hydrangeas, but he couldn’t phase through or break free.

“Magic… this.”

Noah wheezed, half-deploying his wings. He’d cast his healing skill in time, but nothing beyond that moved. It felt like he’d been cocooned in dense liquid, pressed and bound. Song Taewon, protecting Yerim and Han-gyul, had also toppled amid the hydrangeas; wisteria petals drifted onto him. Yerim and Han-gyul remained trapped, tinted lilac and pale blue, in the flowers.

Han Yujin’s eyes narrowed into a smile. His irises gleamed silver. With a soft footstep, he descended the steps and extended a hand. He lifted the fallen veil, then turned his body.

“Hello.”

His snow-white shoes echoed on the stairs. At the end of the dais, Seonghyunje knelt, toes slipping into the marble. A translucent veil was draped over his head.

“My little moon.”

Marie whispered. Silver light shimmered through her dark hair as moonlight pouring through the shattered dome turned metallic. Seonghyunje’s hand twitched on the floor; between his long white fingers, something faint and black stirred. The crescent moon stepped back.

“You are clever, so you must seize this opportunity.”

Han Yujin’s voice filled the air. Seonghyunje exhaled deeply.

“Fragments of the power from before the cycle, scattered within you. Especially the Shadow of the Eclipse. You’ve been quietly seeking it all this time.”

The same power in the dungeon that had driven the moon away. Outside the dungeon, in the body of an S-rank hunter, even a fragment of that strength could banish her again. Seonghyunje’s lips curved.

“I merely thought I’d offer my greetings. How should I address you?”

Seonghyunje rose to his feet. The veil streamed down his back to the floor. Though the moon’s magic was deep, he seemed accustomed to it. Unlike the others, who felt suddenly immersed in water, he moved as if he’d breathed underwater long ago.

His gaze met Han Yujin’s—met the Crescent Moon. As he acclimated to the changed atmosphere, her presence no longer felt overwhelmingly powerful. Constrained by myriad bindings—and his original body only F-rank—he stepped forward.

“If you do not return with me…”

A giant hand seized the Crescent Moon itself—Han Yujin’s throat.

“Then kill this child.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep