In the long hallway, A-rank Hunters stood at intervals. A heavy tension hung in the air as the click of heels rang out brightly. The hem of her white dress, patterned like spilled ink, swayed with each step as if dancing. “My refined, mature side clearly wasn’t appealing. That’s why, even after receiving my letter, you didn’t come to see me.” “Refined... well, the Sesung Guild Master doesn’t like kids, that’s for sure. He was uncomfortable when there was that scandal with Hunter Kang Soyeong. Yet he took no action against Song Taewon, Moon Hyunah, or Evelyn—apparently he found it amusing.” According to Sesung’s informant. Park Hayul continued, “Of all of them, you said your longest-standing crush was on Director Song Taewon, so you suggested that, Mari.” “I hate that name. It’s so common and ordinary.” “My mother’s name was Mari, but still—” Her bright green eyes briefly narrowed, then she smiled again. She pressed her fingertips lightly against her brow and temple as if smoothing an invisible crease. “It’s my first time meeting him in person, so I must make a good first impression. First impressions matter.” “Honestly, you already botched your first impression by trying to kidnap him.” At Hayul’s muttered remark, Mari shot him a glower. Then she extended her hand and summoned a large mirror-like pane. She smoothed the braided portion of her hair, adjusted her outfit, then waved her hand and the mirror vanished. “Even if it’s fate, one must still observe proper etiquette.” Hayul, evidently unwilling to be involved further, halted in his tracks. Mari, conversely, continued down the corridor. “I wanted to follow the right steps too, if possible. But my polite request for partnership was flatly refused. We must marry to save °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° the world!” It couldn’t be helped. Rounding a corner, Mari’s heel-tips halted before a door. She lifted her hand and tapped lightly. “Hello, my dear groom.” The moon had told her of her destiny. Mari opened the door. Through the round glass ceiling above, moonlight poured in. Circular floor patterns and indecipherable script glowed faintly in its light. And standing there was a man. Faded hair shimmered silvery beneath the moon. A white coat, darkened by drying blood, draped long from his broad shoulders. Mari stared at him as if entranced, then quietly stepped inside and closed the door. She felt strangely intimidated. Looking up at the moon through the glass, Seong Hyunjae spoke. A faint smile graced his lips. “I suppose I will continue to live on.” Again and again—hundreds, thousands of times—as memories layered, faded, and were buried. Still, if for one moment he could glimpse something flowing into his heart... his golden eyes curved narrowly. “I think I truly love people.” And the world in which people put down roots. Some say he notices only the exceptional, approaches only those he’s interested in—but in truth he held all people within his fence. One never knows where the light of possibility will shine. He may have seemed a tyrant who acted on whim, but he did not lightly snuff out lives. He was kind to ordinary folk and even spared those insects that harmed ordinary people—if they met certain conditions. He upheld rules and helped maintain society. He was not a benevolent being who loved all things. But it would not be an exaggeration to say he loved all possibilities. His self-love for his own delight and the sensation of living formed a generous affection. “So I must refuse your proposal, whatever it is.” Without turning, Seong Hyunjae said. His gaze remained fixed on the vanished scene: on one life, and—regrettably—on the unseen hand that severed the Transcendent’s neck as he fell. Seong Hyunjae’s fingertip pressed lightly against his own chest. Emotions still raged, coloring his entire being. Like Christmas lights, they flared in myriad hues and quickened his long-wearied heart. “Alas, it is not a choice you can make.” Mari spoke with utmost courtesy. “It is already decided.” “A most tedious refrain.” “I don’t wish to hurt you.” Her voice brimmed with confidence. Seong Hyunjae still did not look at her. Beneath his feet, mana crawled up his body like iron chains. His brows briefly furrowed, yet he made no move to evade them—mana that could not be dodged, chains that had bound him since long ago. He had reached his limit. One arm would not move at all—heavy, lifeless as a log. The backlash from forcing out an old skill had thrown his inner mana into disarray. Seong Hyunjae turned his body. At last he met her gaze, and Mari blinked. She straightened her posture. “Allow me to introduce myself properly. I am—” “To my partner, please convey my congratulations.” His words faltered. Like the setting moon, his eyelids closed, and Seong Hyunjae collapsed. Mari sprang forward and caught him. “But we haven’t even begun!” Of all her preparations, she had only used the binding talisman—and it barely held at all. Mari sank to the floor, holding Seong Hyunjae’s face tenderly. “Mr. Seong Hyunjae? Are you really asleep?” Only a slightly ragged breath answered her. Mari panicked and glanced around. “Wait—this is backwards. The prince is supposed to kiss the sleeping princess! Though they say things have changed nowadays!” She’d heard tales of princesses taking the lead now. Mari frowned. “Then must I be the one to kiss him here?” Her green eyes flickered as she stared at Seong Hyunjae’s motionless lips. Mari’s pupils twirled with indecision. “We are to marry anyway.” So surely it would be acceptable. She needed to wake him first to have a wedding. Resolving at last, Mari bowed her head. But before she could lean close, a sudden gale burst through, flinging the closed door wide and echoing down the long corridor. The waiting Hunters came running; Park Hayul peered out from among them. “Why? You really hated marrying you, huh—ugh!” Hayul clutched the back of his head, knocked by an invisible force. Mari pursed her lips and said, “We have the Sesung Guild Master secured. Now kill Song Taewon—he’s the most dangerous. And if possible, Han Yujin too—” “I said not Yujin hyung!” Hayul leapt at her words. “If it weren’t for S-rank Hunters, I would have lived a normal life! Probably! I definitely would have! This is all because of Han Yuhyun and the other S-ranks!” “They’ll try to interfere, surely.” “What power does he have? Without that item, he’s just an average guy.” Mari shifted her gaze between Seong Hyunjae and Hayul. She remembered something of Han Yujin’s life as shown on Chatterbox’s broadcast. He had not been particularly strong—but it was undeniable that a weak F-rank had survived this long. And Chatterbox himself had been slain at his hands. “Alright, then—for now.” “You’re welcome. You are as good as family to me.” Mari smiled gently. In any case, she need not handle Han Yujin herself. Other S-rank or high-rank Hunters still retained partial memories. ‘The prophet faction won’t remain idle, surely.’ The demon who slew their savior, Chatterbox. While they tear each other apart, the wedding must still be prepared. Snow fell. White branches crisscrossed the sky, drifting like petals. Han Yuhyun opened his eyes. Though the dreamlike scene felt oddly real, he quickly forgot the silent snowfield. What mattered more was— Han Yujin was more urgent. Han Yuhyun sprang up and checked the back of his hand. No sign of scars or blood remained. A small breath of relief escaped him. Chatterbox’s broadcast had cut out the moment Han Yujin drew in the fog’s power. His brother would surely be okay. Even so, Han Yuhyun hurried off the bed. Peace solidified and approached him. The familiar hotel room where they’d stayed these past few days. Since Peace was here, perhaps everyone had returned to their own rooms. Han Yuhyun strode to the door, ignoring a Hunter in the hall who tried to speak to him. He turned toward the elevator, but seeing a crowd gathered there, he changed direction. Other floors must be the same. Stopping on each floor to search for his brother would take too long. Habitually reaching for the Overlord’s Sword, Han Yuhyun paused—his hand jerked back. Han Yujin had his sword. So Han Yuhyun drew another blade and sliced through the hotel wall. His brother’s room lay further up. Willows of blue leaves drifted in the air as Han Yuhyun leapt skyward. Memories of Han Yujin flooded before Han Yuhyun’s eyes. Although most people’s memories were stolen by the fog, Han Yuhyun had retained much—especially the life his brother had lived before regression. He exhaled sharply. His heart pounded. He felt sorrow, regret, and guilt as if his heart would shatter. Yet he could not help feeling joy—he had to feel joy. His brother had never once given up on him. The glass wall of Han Yujin’s room shattered. Han Yuhyun burst inside, calling, From start to finish. Though Han Yuhyun thought his brother had abandoned him, his brother remained steadfast. So even as he witnessed his brother’s suffering, and suffered alongside him, he was happy. “Where are you, hyung!” Anxiousness colored Han Yuhyun’s face. He sensed there was no one in the spacious room. Still, he opened the bedroom door, the bathroom door, one by one. Peace followed him in and sniffed near the bed. Han Yujin’s scent lingered, but he was nowhere to be found. Han Yuhyun turned toward the door—had his brother gone searching for him? Before his hand could reach the handle— The door burst open. Park Yerim stood there. Song Taewon and Moon Hyunah were behind her. “Sir’s not here? Of course not!” Seeing Han Yuhyun, Park Yerim said, noting that Han Yujin wasn’t by his side. Official source ıs 𝓷𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓵✦𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮✦𝓷𝓮𝓽 “He wasn’t here on the way either!” “No one could have gotten here before you. Soyeong and Rieta held the elevators.” Moon Hyunah explained that they’d stopped every elevator except the one they rode, to prevent any other Hunter from taking him or the brother elsewhere. “He’s not outside either. No one’s left the hotel.” Noah flew in through the broken wall and called out. Han Yuhyun’s expression darkened. “...It’s far more likely he never came here.” “Chatter—what was his name?” Park Yerim tilted her head. When Moon Hyunah said “Chatterbox,” she nodded. “I think even his memory of Chatterbox has blurred. Well, Rookie! Going to a nearby dungeon and asking them is fastest, right? He must be safe. Han Yuhyun, let me see your hand!” Han Yuhyun held out the back of his hand obediently, and Moon Hyunah pulled out her phone. “I’ll contact the New York Hunters’ Association to secure a dungeon. Director Song, you’re okay with that?” “Yes. And Hunter Seong Hyunjae is missing.” “Oh? Now that you mention it, Mr. Sesung has been quiet. I thought either Han Yuhyun or Mr. Sesung would arrive first.” He wasn’t here. Silence fell as Han Yuhyun frowned. “If it were Seong Hyunjae, he’d still be here. Besides, my brother wouldn’t go willingly. He’d have blown up at least one room by now.” “There’s also a possibility he was transported to the same place as Han Yujin.” “Well, that’s at least somewhat reassuring. Better than him being alone. Oh, and Gyeol’s not here either! Maybe he’s with Sir?” “There’s a dungeon nearby—let’s go!” Moon Hyunah led the way while on the phone with the New York Hunters’ Association. Han Yuhyun called Haeyeon to ask Dohamin to trace Han Yujin’s location. As they turned to leave the room, Song Taewon stared at the shards of glass scattered on the floor. A faint premonition of dread brushed his chest.