Chapter 29: Dinner Before the Gate Opens

‘Is this a house, or a castle?’

He’d only ever seen places like this in movies, so it didn’t feel real that this was supposed to be his home.

“Staff will come three times a week,” the employee explained. “They’re all vetted personnel, so there’s no need to worry about security.”

“Pardon? Staff?” Ju-an asked back.

The employee smiled.

“They’ll help with housework and furniture maintenance.”

So this is how chaebol live…

Ju-an stood there with his mouth slightly open, taking in his surroundings, when the employee’s gaze swept over him from head to toe. His clothes weren’t old or dirty, but they weren’t luxurious either, which made the attention a bit uncomfortable.

“I heard you weren’t able to bring anything with you. As for clothes and necessities-”

The employee paused, pulled out a tablet, and brought up a shopping mall screen.

“You can purchase items through malls partnered with our center, or tell me directly and I’ll arrange them for you. And this is your key card. Key cards will be issued to you and the four S-rank Awakeners assigned to protect you.”

The employee handed one to Seong Ju-an and one to Gong Se-yoon.

Sharing the key to his home with four other men felt a little unsettling, but he quickly corrected himself.

Where else could you live in a place like this for free, forever?

Think back to when you were scraping by, paying rent fifty a month and living off cup noodles at the end of every month. This is paradise!

The moment they arrived, Gong Se-yoon headed straight for the kitchen. Ju-an plopped down on the plush sofa, idly swinging his legs, when clattering noises came from the kitchen.

Is he cooking?

What if he cuts his finger or something?

Alarmed, Ju-an hurried over, but unlike his worries, Gong Se-yoon was calmly slicing potatoes, wearing an apron and fully focused. Noticing Ju-an, Se-yoon turned his head and smiled shyly.

‘So… cute…’

Just seeing Se-yoon smile in that apron made Ju-an’s heart drop with a thud. It felt like watching a puppy trot over to him. Maybe it was because, out of all the Awakeners he’d created, Gong Se-yoon felt like the most fragile one.

“Hyung, what’s up? Are you hungry?”

Being called “hyung” out of nowhere surprised him, but he didn’t feel like correcting it.

“No, I was just wondering if there’s anything I can help with.”

Gong Se-yoon thought for a moment, then smiled again, eyes curving. He looked lively, but every time he smiled like that, Ju-an’s heart ached from how cute he was. While Ju-an stared, spellbound, Se-yoon spoke.

“Hyung, can you contact Mo Jun-young for me? Tell him we arrived safely, and that I’m sleeping with you tonight.”

“Ah… I’ll just tell him we arrived safely.”

Why say you’re sleeping together? Obviously they’d be using separate rooms. What a weird guy.

As Ju-an pulled out his phone with that thought, Gong Se-yoon set down the knife, wiped his hands on his apron, took out his own phone, and called Mo Jun-young himself.

“Mo Jun-young, we got here safely! I’m sleeping with hyung, so don’t worry. Yeah, yeah, I’m in great shape, I can beat most opponents easily. Baek Eun-hoo? He signed the non-aggression pact, so what’s the problem? Don’t worry.”

Then, after a brief pause, he added:

“Hey! Stop interrupting!”

He shouted into the phone, shoved it back into his pocket, and picked up the knife again as if nothing had happened.

Watching Se-yoon hum to himself while slicing potatoes, Ju-an couldn’t help but let out small laughs.

The party contract was done, the house was huge, and soon he’d be eating Se-yoon’s cooking.

For the first time in a while, it felt like he could truly relax.

Following Se-yoon’s instructions, Ju-an sprawled out on the sofa and stared at the ceiling. Circular, elegant lights were embedded across it, bright enough to make his eyes ache.

He covered them with his arm, and before long, sleep crept in. The tension he’d been holding must’ve finally eased.

How long had he dozed?

Just as a savory smell drifted from the kitchen, his phone vibrated in his pocket.

Only the administrator Lee Min-jae and the four S-rank Awakeners had his number, so it had to be one of them.

The message was from Baek Eun-hoo, the last person he expected to contact him.

—Have you eaten?

Ju-an flinched the moment he read it.

‘What’s his point? There’s no way he’s genuinely worried about whether I ate…’

On guard, Seong Ju-an called him.

“No. We’re cooking right now. Why?”

“Who’s cooking? Gong Se-yoon?”

“Yes.”

“R-right. Then… my condolences- no, I mean, take care. Let’s meet at the guild tomorrow.”

Ju-an gave a vague response and hung up.

‘Is he insane? Who offers condolences to someone who’s about to eat? He could’ve just said “enjoy your meal.” Seriously, Baek Eun-hoo is such a weirdo.’

As he was grumbling inwardly, Gong Se-yoon emerged from the kitchen holding a ladle.

“Hyung! Come on, food’s ready!”

Ju-an stood up to head to the table, and burst out laughing the moment he saw Se-yoon’s face. Red chili paste was splattered all over his pale skin.

“Why are you laughing?” Se-yoon asked.

“Your face is all red.”

“Ah… that’s because I like you too much, hyung.”

“…What?”

‘How do you even interpret words to get an answer like that?’

Giggling, Ju-an dampened a tissue and stepped closer. Se-yoon flinched slightly but didn’t avoid his touch. Holding Se-yoon’s chin steady, Ju-an wiped his cheeks.

“You’ve got gochujang everywhere.”

“Ahh. Guess it’s because it’s been a while since I cooked. But I made it really delicious. Dakbokkeumtang. It’s going to be really, really good.”

With a now-clean face, Se-yoon tugged Ju-an toward the table. The spread laid out was impressive, dakbokkeumtang, stir-fried fish cakes, sausages, egg pancakes… all Ju-an’s favorites.

“Wow, looks great. Thanks for the meal.”

As he picked up his spoon, Gong Se-yoon placed a well-cooked drumstick and a potato onto Ju-an’s plate. The best part of dakbokkeumtang was mixing the potato with rice. Ju-an mashed it together and took a bite-

“…!”

A flavor that absolutely should not exist in dakbokkeumtang filled his mouth.

Only then did Ju-an understand why Baek Eun-hoo had offered his “condolences.”

This was food that genuinely required prayers for the deceased.

Why… why was it sour?

“Hyung, hyung, it’s good, right?”

“Well… uh… y-yeah, it’s good.”

Faced with Se-yoon’s expectant expression, Ju-an couldn’t bring himself to be honest. Se-yoon smiled brightly and took a bite of his own portion.

As Se-yoon chewed, Ju-an grimaced at the sour taste lingering in his mouth.

“What about you, Se-yoon? Is it good?”

Se-yoon’s expression twisted just as badly. No matter how much affection went into it, no one could call this delicious. As expected, he covered his mouth and spat the food into a tissue.

“…Why’d you spit it out?”

“Haha! Yeah, this is inedible.”

Gong Se-yoon laughed easily, acknowledging his lack of cooking skill. His smile was beautiful. So what if he couldn’t cook? As long as he kept smiling like that.

Se-yoon had grown up without parental care, forced to cook for himself. But with depression often weighing on him, he probably skipped meals more often than not. Even when he did eat, it was mostly instant food.

Judging by Baek Eun-hoo’s reaction earlier, he’d probably cooked for other hunters before. but none of them would’ve given him honest feedback.

Thinking that made Ju-an feel even more sorry for him.

“Se-yoon, they say what matters most in cooking is sincerity. Cooking isn’t easy, and I really appreciate you making this for me.”

Se-yoon blinked, staring at him. He looked like he might burst into tears at any moment.

“Thank you. You’re the first person who’s ever said that after eating my food. I just wanted to treat you well, hyung. I’m glad you understood.”

Wiping at the corners of his eyes, Se-yoon smiled brightly again.

“Still, we probably shouldn’t eat this. I’ll ask the administrator and order delivery.”

“Oh? Delivery’s allowed?”

“Yeah. Let’s get chicken.”

While Gong Se-yoon ordered, Ju-an cleared the table. He hesitated over the remaining side dishes, then decided to get rid of everything, he didn’t have the confidence to face that flavor again.

That was when it happened.

After hanging up with the administrator, Gong Se-yoon’s face turned serious. He approached Ju-an and said,

“Hyung… I think we’ll have to save the chicken for later.”

“Why?”

“…It looks like the Constellations suddenly opened a gate. What is it this time? What could possibly be bothering them enough to pull this crap?”

A gate? Suddenly?

“How do you know it was the Constellations?”

“Who else in this world could open a gate outside a dungeon zone? They’re bastards, all of them. Why today of all days? Just when I was finally going to sleep with you, hyung, why today?!”

Gong Se-yoon clutched his hair in frustration, but Ju-an barely heard him. His ears rang, nausea rising in his throat.