Chapter 123: The Villain Appears

“Back already?”

“…Uh… are you in the middle of guiding right now?”

Damn… I thought a corpse had walked in, but it really is Yu Eden, barely clinging to life.

How many days has it been since I last saw him? Three…?

Judging by how he looks like he rolled around in black ash, he must have come back from a much tougher fight than usual.

“Bomyung’s being guided right now. His arm’s broken—just one, though.”

“Ah… then finish with him first and check me after. I’ve been fighting nonstop for three days, my mana’s basically empty.”

“Sit down for a second. Bomyung’s not about to die, at least.”

I’d stepped out to take a short break while guiding and treating Park Bomyung, but Eden looked far worse.

If he really hit mana depletion, he could collapse any second, so I forced him into a chair and checked his condition.

Thankfully, it wasn’t complete depletion—but he was right on the edge.

“At this point, it might’ve been better to just come back to regular duty sooner.”

That’s rare.

Yu Eden almost never complains without a clear purpose.

I get it, though. Things really are that bad right now.

Na Dongchan chose to send the rest of our team members out to fill gaps in other teams instead of assigning me elsewhere, which naturally dragged me back into active duty too.

They were all eager to get back into combat, but nonstop missions with no breathing room was bound to hit their limits.

As for Bomyung, he’s even saying nonsense like not fixing his broken arm because he wants some time off.

“Seriously. How long are we supposed to keep covering for other teams? At this rate, you guys are going to die first.”

Team recruitment was being delayed to an absurd degree.

“What’s the team leader even doing to be that busy? Every time I see him, it looks like he’s fighting with the director. You hear anything?”

“Mm… he didn’t explain in detail, but he said it was about selecting team members. He looked so busy I didn’t dare ask more.”

Jaeyul seemed to be clashing with Na Dongchan frequently, constantly going back and forth with the Support Agency to negotiate something.

I was curious too, but he didn’t seem eager to talk, so I didn’t press.

When the time comes, he’ll tell me.

He did say one thing, though.

‘The new team is going to be pretty interesting.’

He sounded like he was preparing a big reveal.

Guess I just need to be ready to be surprised.

“Still… you look better by the day.”

Yu Eden asked in a slightly sulky voice.

I immediately understood what he meant and rubbed my face, embarrassed.

“…Is it that obvious? I’ve gained some weight….”

This is all Seon Jaeyul’s fault.

I’m basically being raised like livestock—setting new personal weight records every day.

Well… I guess I’ve also started eating more on my own lately.

“It’s not just the weight. Though, with all those tonics you’ve been eating, it’d be harder not to look healthier.”

“…You knew?”

That was mortifying.

It wasn’t just dinner—Jaeyul and I had gone out for nourishing meals during lunch plenty of times too.

We’d gone quietly, without the others noticing.

And yet Eden already knew about our ‘tonic tour’?

“How could I not know? Obviously—”

Eden clicked his tongue like I was hopeless and started to speak, but another voice cut him off.

“What are you two talking about so seriously?”

Jaeyul must have just returned from the Support Agency.

He came up from across the room and casually rested a hand on Eden’s shoulder.

I hadn’t even noticed him approaching.

“…Nothing at all. I’ll be going now.”

Before I could say anything, Eden finished his sentence and left the office.

He hadn’t even finished his guiding yet.

“What was that…? He made it sound like he was about to say something important.”

I don’t get why he stopped mid-sentence.

Now I’m curious what he was going to say.

“It probably wasn’t anything important. Don’t worry about it.”

“You didn’t even hear what he was going to say.”

“Just a feeling.”

Well… if it wasn’t important, there’s no need to dwell on it.

Next time, I’ll just take Eden and Bomyung out for something good to eat.

“Did you come to have lunch together? I’ll be done treating Bomyung in a bit.”

“No. I came to tell you I can’t eat with you today.”

“Oh… really?”

I’d been secretly looking forward to the hotpot Jaeyul suggested earlier, so that was disappointing.

But if he’s busy enough to skip lunch, I shouldn’t show it.

“Sorry. But I bought this, so don’t skip lunch—eat properly.”

Jaeyul handed me a paper bag, still warm to the touch.

“You didn’t have to do this. Did you think I’d just skip meals?”

“It’s not that. When people eat alone, they tend to half-ass it. I brought this so you wouldn’t. Don’t give it to anyone else—eat it yourself.”

Judging by the weight and packaging, it looked like a Korean-style boxed meal.

It felt way too heavy for one person, though.

“…Okay. Thanks. Let’s eat something good at home tonight.”

Why does he take such thorough care of me?

This must be what it feels like to be looked after.

Somehow, lately, I’m the one being taken care of.

It’s embarrassing and kind of ridiculous to be doted on by someone younger—but at the same time, it doesn’t feel bad at all.

Because I know it comes from genuine concern and affection.

“See you later.”

He didn’t even sit down before turning and leaving again.

He really must be busy.

Moments like this remind me how lucky I am not to be a team leader.

Holding that position takes more than combat ability—and he works far too hard, probably because he’s too kind.

“Oh—and it’d be better if you’re not late coming back after lunch.”

“…Huh?”

He left behind that cryptic remark and exited the office.

What does that mean?

Whether good or bad, it sounded like something was about to happen.

I just hope it’s not bad news for me.

Turns out, my intuition was right.

“Huff… ngh….”

The lunch Jaeyul bought was definitely not for one person.

At least two servings—three, if eaten moderately.

Meat, seafood, chicken, vegetables, nuts, fruit—everything was there.

With so many restaurants shutting down lately, I have no idea where he keeps finding food like this.

There was a lot, but not a single dish tasted bad.

Sitting quietly in the lounge, eating bit by bit, I eventually finished everything—and my stomach felt like it was about to explode.

I still don’t understand how all that food fit inside me.

I was so full that even drinking coffee felt hard.

Why has my appetite grown this much lately?

I never used to eat this recklessly.

“Ah, right.”

Stuffed and comfortable, both my body and mind grew sluggish.

Normally, I would’ve curled up somewhere to rest before returning to the office, but Jaeyul’s words came back to me, and I forced myself up.

He said not to be too late after lunch.

Checking the time, I was already slightly late—but this much should be fine, right?

But something felt off on the way back.

The hallway itself was familiar, but the people weren’t.

They glanced at me, whispered to each other from afar, and hurried away when I got close.

Their looks weren’t exactly hostile—but they weren’t friendly either.

“What the hell…?”

I brushed at my clothes, wondering if something was stuck to me.

Otherwise, why would people who see me every day stare like that?

Asking outright would be awkward, so I ignored it and headed to the office.

“You’re just in time.”

Why is everyone in our office staring at me too…?

As soon as I entered, all eyes turned my way.

And among them was a face that was both familiar and unfamiliar.

“Our team’s dedicated guide, Jin Sehyun. You must’ve met him in Busan, so you already know his face—”

“He’s my friend!”

So I’m not hallucinating.

Song Jihan waved both arms over his head with a bright grin, loud as ever.

“I told you I’d be back soon! I kept my promise!”

I definitely wanted to see him—but right now, all I can focus on is Jaeyul standing behind him.

Every time Jihan opens his mouth, my heart drops.

Please. Shut up.