Chapter 19: 1.5 Billion won, an S-Rank, and a Bathroom Stall

Taking the money he had received as a subsidy, 1.5 billion won, it was such an astronomical sum that it could all be wiped out before he even bought potions.

He had never even seen money like this before, yet Gong Se-yoon was handing it over without hesitation, and that was impossible to believe.

“Why are you paying for this? I also received a subsidy. Sure, I’d become a beggar if I bought all of this, but I can’t just burden you like this. Cancel it right now.”

This was the right thing to do.

No matter how desperate things got, he couldn’t scam a character he himself had created.

The money was painful to give up, but swallowing back tears, he chose his conscience instead.

At that, Gong Se-yoon looked at him with a puzzled expression.

“Is this… expensive enough to count as a burden?”

“…Of course it is. No, even if it weren’t expensive, why would you pay for my equipment? What kind of relationship do we even have?”

He was just stating facts, but Gong Seyoon’s face flushed red, then drained pale.

He began to stammer.

“A-Are you angry?” I just… wanted to get closer to you…”

Ah. I messed up again.

Gong Se-yoon, who longed to be acknowledged by others, must have tried to buy affection by giving things to people who avoided him.

And the cunning ones probably saw him as an easy mark.

That must have been why he believed that unless he gave something first, he would never receive affection or interest in return.

Giving, getting hurt, and giving again.

How hard must it have been for him, slowly shutting himself inside his home like that?

Seong Ju-an looked at Gong Se-yoon with pity and corrected himself.

“Seyoon, it’s true that we’re… special friends. But no matter how close we are, you can’t just impulsively buy someone equipment worth billions.”

“S-Sp-special friends?”

Gong Se-yoon stuttered.

Ju-an thought he was moved again, but the half-lidded eyes staring back at him were full of suspicion.

This is awkward.

‘What did I say to screw up this time?’

“Why? Did what I said upset you?”

“Seong Ju-an… you really don’t know the Creator of Sacrifice, do you?”

This was absolutely not the timing for that kind of question, and Ju-an panicked, fumbling his reply.

“I told you I don’t. Why are you bringing that up now?”

“Because the Creator of Sacrifice said something similar. That contracts aren’t necessary between… special relationships.”

“Th-That’s…”

Just then, the employee who had finished the payment handed Gong Se-yoon his card back.

If not for that interruption, Ju-an would have been drenched in cold sweat trying to come up with an answer.

As Ju-an silently thanked his luck, Gong Se-yoon clutched the card tightly, as if determined not to let it be taken away.

“Anyway, I’m buying it. It’s mine.”

“What? What are you going to do with buffer equipment?”

“No, it’s not mine, but it’s already paid for, so it’s done.”

As he said that, Gong Se-yoon hooked his arm through Ju-an’s.

Just minutes ago, he had to be dragged along, and now he walked as if he had no intention of letting go.

An odd sense of pride welled up, completely out of place.

But still… was it really okay to accept this much?

Even if he was an S-rank swimming in money.

“Se-yoon. Don’t just give everything away to anyone. If someone tries to sell you a jade mat, don’t follow them. Got it?”

There might not even be jade mats in this world, but still, he could never stand by and watch the precious character he had painstakingly created get scammed somewhere.

At Ju-an’s words, Gong Se-yoon nodded enthusiastically.

“Okay. Only to you, Seong Ju-an- …Huh?”

Suddenly, Gong Se-yoon stopped short and jerked away, startled.

For some reason, Ju-an felt oddly disappointed.

Like a cat that had eaten its treat and run away.

“N-No… why did I do that? I belong to the Creator of Sacrifice. So if you keep getting close to me, it’s a problem.”

Ah. So it was about staying loyal.

Ju-an let out a hollow laugh.

“Fine. Then we’ll just walk without linking arms.”

When Ju-an put a bit of distance between them, Gong Se-yoon subtly edged closer again, as if that wasn’t quite right either.

They had just exited the S-rank section and were heading toward the escalator when-

BOOM!
CRASH! BOOM!

A thunderous explosion shook the entire shopping mall.

Ever since awakening, all his senses had become hypersensitive, and his legs nearly gave out.

Ju-an dropped to one knee, clutching his head.

Gong Se-yoon hurried over.

“Are you okay? Ah… what just happened? I’m in a Depressed state right now, so my stats are low.”

His head felt like it was about to split, nausea churning in his stomach.

Was this an awakening side effect?

Buffers weren’t even characters he’d created properly, he had no information at all, and that terrified him even more.

―Ah, mic test.

…What?

Everyone froze, listening to the announcement.

And strangely enough, the voice sounded familiar.

―Awakeners, this is Mo Jun-young, S-rank tanker and Director of the Awakener Management Center. A search operation will commence here shortly, so please evacuate the mall under the guidance of security personnel.

A search operation?

All of a sudden, why-

Ju-an’s eyes widened as he looked around, and it finally hit him.

He had disobeyed Mo Jun-young’s order to wait and followed Gong Se-yoon instead.

He should’ve contacted him.

‘No way… surely they didn’t deploy a search team just because I disappeared…?’

―The individual we are searching for is a man in his twenties. Seong Ju-an. Seong Ju-an.

‘Oh shit. That’s me.’

“Why is Mo Jun-young looking for you?”

“Ah, well… after registering as a buffer and receiving the subsidy, he told me to wait, but I followed you instead.”

At that, the sharp edge of Gong Se-yoon’s eyes softened.

A faint dimple appeared, and he looked oddly pleased.

“So because you followed me, Mo Jun-young deployed a search team?”

“Y-Yeah… probably…”

As they pieced things together, uniformed search agents flooded the third floor, guiding awakeners and employees outside.

At this rate, he’d be caught any second.

Ju-an quickly grabbed Gong Se-yoon’s hand and bolted toward the restroom.

“W-Why are we running?”

“I don’t think I should get caught.”

“What? Do you not trust me just because I’m weak right now?”

“That’s not it! There are too many of them. And you’re-”

In a Depressed state.

Before he could finish, Gong Se-yoon suddenly broke into a grin.

Ju-an had sensed something off earlier, and now he knew why.

He’s in a Lively state now.

If that was the case, there was no need to worry about him spiraling into self-destructive behavior. It was a relief.

“Don’t worry. As long as you stay right next to me, nothing bad will happen.”

“I’m allowed to stay next to you? You said earlier only the Creator of Sacrifice should be by your side.”

“Th-That’s-!”

Gong Se-yoon’s pupils shook violently.

His reactions were always so immediate that teasing him was actually fun.

“Anyway,” he said shyly, “Stay close.”

Ju-an smiled and nodded.

Just then, another announcement rang out, and this time, it was unexpected.

―Attention, awakeners currently inside the shopping mall. An emergency dungeon has opened at the main entrance. We request assistance from all awakeners of A-rank or higher to minimize civilian casualties.

Not only were they searching for him, a dungeon had opened too?

Gong Se-yoon flinched.

Ju-an had thought Se-yoon wouldn’t care where a dungeon appeared, but seeing him shaken, it seemed he still had a hunter’s sense of duty.

But now wasn’t the time.

They were fugitives.

Ju-an grabbed Se-yoon’s shoulders.

“I can’t go out. If I do, I’ll get caught, what then? I broke my promise, what would become of me?”

“Ah… you’re right.”

Just then, a voice he really didn’t want to hear came from outside the restroom.

“If he’s not anywhere else, he’ll be here.”

That was Baek Eun-hoo’s voice.

There was no way Mo Jun-young would have brought him along, given how much he hated him.

Which meant Baek Eun-hoo had come here on his own.

Outside stood an enraged Mo Jun-young.

Inside was Baek Eun-hoo, hell-bent on finding him.

Truly a dead end.

At the thought of Baek Eun-hoo being right outside, Ju-an’s body began to tremble.

His shoulders hunched instinctively.

Gong Se-yoon stared at him, eyes wide.

“What’s wrong? Are you hurt?”

“Shh-”

Ju-an quickly covered Gong Se-yoon’s mouth and dragged him into the very last stall.

In the cramped space, two large men pressed together in an awkward position, half back hug, half piggyback.

Gong Se-yoon squirmed, ticklish.

“I know you don’t like it, but bear with it.”

Even hiding like this wouldn’t last long.

But if he had to be caught, it was better by the slightly saner Mo Jun-young than by Baek Eun-hoo.

Who knew what Baek Eun-hoo would do to him?

Gong Se-yoon tried to pull Ju-an’s hand away, muffled.

Ju-an grabbed his wrist firmly and warned him in a low voice.

“If it gets hard, I’ll let go. But please stay quiet. Baek Eun-hoo might try to kidnap me.”

Seeing Ju-an’s face pale blue with fear, Gong Se-yoon nodded silently.

‘Thank god At least he wasn’t trying to fight.’

Tap. Tap.

Footsteps were getting closer.

Creak. Thunk.

Stall doors opened and closed one by one.

Ju-an’s heart pounded like it would explode.

Gong Se-yoon leaned close and whispered into his ear.

“Your heartbeat is really loud.”

Now is that what matters?! There’s a starving beast opening bathroom doors one by one!

Ju-an stared at the closed door, saying nothing.

Gong Se-yoon pouted.

“What? You’re not nervous because of me- it’s because of Baek Eun-hoo?”

‘What kind of conclusion is that? Se-yoon, please, can you think normally for once? Now is not the time—’

“Because of you, Se-yoon. So please be quiet- Ah!”

Before he could finish, the stall door flew open.

Baek Eun-hoo stood there, grinning.

Arms crossed.

Eyes gleaming.

Only his mouth smiled, which somehow made it even more terrifying.

From his lips came a greeting that didn’t suit him at all.

“Hi.”