Raindrops began to fall, dotting the ground with tiny splashes. Though the sun still hung high in the sky, it seemed as if a sudden downpour was imminent. The earth, lightly dusted with dirt, was gradually becoming damp.

Ahn Hyun stood by a pond, watching the faint ripples spread across its surface. After being practically dragged out of the meeting room, his feet had led him here. But was he truly seeing the pond?

His gaze was unfocused, his eyes staring but not truly seeing. His mouth hung slightly open, devoid of any thought. In fact, he wasn’t even sure why he was here.

Only the raindrops, falling on his head, trickled down in a single stream past his eyes.

Yes, Ahn Hyun’s mind was clouded, his heart heavy. Yet one thought refused to leave his otherwise empty mind, echoing relentlessly.

“First, effective immediately, Ahn Hyun is no longer recognized as a member of the Mercenary Clan.”

“Second, all equipment issued to him as a clan member will be reclaimed. However, in recognition of his past contributions, he will retain ownership of the rare-class Qi Gong Spear.”

“Third, Ahn Hyun is to be transferred from the Monica branch to Princiqa.”

“As stated, no objections to this decision will be entertained. That is all.”

With those words, the four declarations were concluded. Each one was like a death sentence handed down by Kim Soo-hyun to Ahn Hyun. It wasn’t just a suspension; it was an expulsion. No longer a clan member, stripped of his gear, and banished from Monica. It was, in essence, a dismissal.

Who could have foreseen Ahn Hyun’s expulsion?

To Ahn Hyun, the announcement was unbelievable.

His journey had begun with the initiation ceremony. He had followed since the User Academy days, through the caravan era, and was there when the Mercenary Clan was founded. He had been by Kim Soo-hyun’s side longer than anyone else.

And yet.

Perhaps that was why it was even harder to believe. The realization that he had been cast aside by the person he trusted and followed the most. That he would no longer meet even a cold gaze, let alone a warm one.

Recalling the stares from the meeting room, Ahn Hyun buried his face in his hands.

It was then that he heard a voice.

“So this is where you were…”

”…?”

A low, calm voice reached his ears. For a moment, Ahn Hyun hoped it might be Kim Soo-hyun and quickly turned around. Instead, a small pouch flew towards him. He caught it reflexively, feeling its weight in his hands. He looked up, dazed.

“You were sulking here all alone, huh? You poor thing.”

But it wasn’t Kim Soo-hyun standing before him. It was Heo Jun-young, with his sharp features and neatly arranged violet hair.

Ahn Hyun opened his mouth to speak, only to realize his throat was tight. After a few attempts to clear it, he managed to speak, albeit faintly.

“Hyung… this is…”

“Some gold and a few gems. We heard you were being kicked out with nothing, so the clan members gathered this secretly from the clan lord.”

“No, I can’t accept this…”

“Then return it yourself. Anyway, I’ve delivered it.”

With that, Heo Jun-young turned sharply. But just before taking a step, he half-turned and spoke in a slightly softer voice.

”…Or just keep it. It’s not much anyway.”

”…Thank you.”

“Hmm. Well then… Oh, I almost forgot. Sang-nam and Nono are looking for you. Once you’re done sulking, you should go see them.”

“Really?”

Sang-nam and Nono were the couple who managed the Mercenary Clan’s dining hall. Known for their excellent cooking, Ahn Hyun often visited them even outside of meal times, and they had grown quite close.

Though Ahn Hyun questioned it, Heo Jun-young was already walking away, quickly putting distance between them.

Ahn Hyun watched his retreating figure for a long time. When Heo Jun-young finally disappeared from view, he tucked the pouch into his pocket and began to walk, slowly, very slowly.

“Ha, I still can’t believe it… Fired, equipment confiscated, transferred to Princiqa? There’s not even a branch there, just a few taverns and inns, right?”

“Exactly. Hyun isn’t just any user, and he doesn’t deserve this kind of treatment. It’s basically telling him to leave the Mercenary Clan.”

As he opened the door and entered the lobby, various voices reached Ahn Hyun’s ears. He looked up blankly. On the lobby bulletin board, the results of today’s meeting were posted. A few clan members stood nearby, discussing it.

“And Ha-yeon is being transferred too… At least Han-gyeol is just suspended. Isn’t the clan lord being too harsh? I know he has his reasons, but still…”

“Seriously, Dong-seok oppa is so funny. He said he’d be disappointed if nothing happened this morning.”

“Who knew it would be this severe? Sure, the incident was annoying, but I didn’t dislike Hyun. I actually liked him.”

“True. Now that it’s come to this, I feel so sorry for him. I mean, Hyun is… Oh? Oppa, oppa!”

Finally noticing Ahn Hyun’s presence, the woman speaking abruptly stopped.

Ahn Hyun immediately turned his head and, without looking back, quickly walked down the right corridor. Behind him, he heard his name being called and faint coughs, but he didn’t stop until he reached the dining hall.

The dining tables were empty. Though it wasn’t mealtime, there were usually one or two people around, but today, no one was there.

Only a couple stood near the kitchen, gesturing for Ahn Hyun to come over. Drawn by their gestures, he approached them in a daze. When he saw the table laden with food, a flicker of emotion crossed his eyes.

Ahn Hyun struggled to maintain his composure. The man with the gentle eyes and the woman with the intelligent, slightly aloof appearance smiled warmly at him.

The man’s name was Sang-nam, and the woman was called Nono. Of course, her real name wasn’t Nono, but she preferred to be called that, so everyone obliged.

Nono twirled a knife with a rose pattern etched into it and spoke.

“We heard the news. You’re leaving, right?”

“Hey, honey.”

Sang-nam chuckled and gently admonished her, but Nono blinked innocently, as if she didn’t understand what she’d said wrong. When Sang-nam gave her a pointed look, she shrugged and licked her lips.

“Anyway, it seems Jun-young explained things well. We called you over to have a good meal before you go. You’ve been one of our best customers after Vivian, so we wanted to do this much for you. Hehe.”

Ahn Hyun managed a faint smile at her cheerful words.

“Thank you… By the way, where’s Ye-rin…?”

“She’s sleeping soundly. But really, cheer up, man. You sound so lifeless…”

“Haha…”

“Ugh. How did it come to this, anyway? You…”

Nono started to ask, her face full of curiosity, but stopped herself. Sang-nam had gently taken her arm again. Shaking his head slightly, Sang-nam spoke in a deep, steady voice.

“We made your favorites. I hope you can eat and regain some strength.”

”…”

“If you ever think of us, don’t hesitate to reach out. Whether you come in person or need to know when the clan lord is away, we’ll let you know. Haha…”

”…”

Ahn Hyun couldn’t find any words in response to their warmth. Or perhaps he simply couldn’t speak.

As Sang-nam led Nono away, the dining hall was left completely empty. Ahn Hyun was alone in the vast space, staring at the table piled high with food. He sank into a chair, feeling as if he might collapse, and stared blankly at the table.

How much time passed, he couldn’t tell.

Eventually, Ahn Hyun’s hands began to move slowly, reaching for the familiar dishes he used to enjoy. As he ate, bit by bit, he started to grasp the reality of his situation.

Tomorrow, he would leave for Princiqa. He was no longer a clan member, had no equipment, and no one to look after him. The thought left him feeling hollow and distant.

One spoonful, two spoonfuls, three, four.

He ate mechanically, but tasted nothing. The food was the same as always, but savoring each bite was impossible with the turmoil in his heart. The weight of his situation pressed down on him, numbing his senses.

As he forced more food into his mouth, he suddenly realized he couldn’t swallow any more. His mouth was full, and his throat felt tight.

When he tried to push another spoonful in, his throat closed up, and tears welled in his eyes. The tears he’d held back finally spilled over, not raindrops, but his own.

Ahn Hyun waved his hand dismissively and took a long gulp from his cup. After his throat bobbed a few times, he exhaled a rough breath and slumped back. Even then, the tears streaming down his cheeks left a trail behind.

Was he crying because he was sad, or was it the burning in his throat?

He asked himself this as he stared blankly at the ceiling. The light above flickered softly, casting a dim glow. When he closed his eyes, a flurry of thoughts raced through his mind.

The meeting had started without giving him a moment to collect himself. Kim Soo-hyun’s gaze. The relentless declarations. The eyes of the clan members. The myriad stories surrounding him. All these thoughts surged through Ahn Hyun’s mind, only to sink back down again.

And then, it hit him.

“Ha-yeon is being transferred… and Han-gyeol is just on probation. Isn’t the clan leader being too harsh? No matter the circumstances…”

The words he overheard in the lobby came rushing back, and Ahn Hyun’s eyes flew open.

“Ha-yeon is being transferred…?”

He wasn’t alone in the meeting room. Ha-yeon and Han-gyeol had been there with him. But from the moment the announcement was made, his mind had gone blank, and he hadn’t even realized how he left the room. He hadn’t been able to pay attention to the two of them.

Though his thoughts were scattered, his actions were swift. Ahn Hyun quickly got to his feet and, without a moment’s hesitation, headed out of the dining hall. Ha-yeon usually spent her time in either her private lab on the third floor or her quarters. Ahn Hyun chose the lab.

Panting heavily, he raced up the stairs, reaching the third floor in no time. As he opened the door to Ha-yeon’s lab, he came to an abrupt halt, as if frozen in place.

Ha-yeon was there, alone. Her face was as calm as ever, but her delicate hands held a rather large bag. The neatly arranged magic books and research equipment were all packed away.

The lab, always so meticulously organized, was now eerily empty.

“Oh my, Hyun, you’re here?”

When Ha-yeon turned and smiled warmly, Ahn Hyun felt his heart stop. The reality he had dreaded was unfolding before him. A wave of inexplicable guilt and self-loathing crashed over him.

For a moment, he just stood there, then stumbled forward, his voice trembling.

“Sister, why…?”

“Hmm? Oh, I received a transfer order too. So I was just packing up. Haha. There’s quite a lot, isn’t there? Did you come to help…?”

“But… you shouldn’t be the one…”

”…”

Ha-yeon continued speaking nonchalantly, but Ahn Hyun’s desperate cry made her pause. She looked at him directly with clear eyes.

Ahn Hyun shouted, his voice filled with anguish.

“It’s my fault. It’s all my fault! So why are you…?”

“No, I share some of the blame too.”

“Sister!”

“Hyun.”

Ha-yeon cut him off gently but firmly, a faint smile on her lips.

“Stop being so childish. I took over Soo-hyun’s position and approved your request. Once the seal was stamped on the request form, it became an undeniable fact, regardless of the circumstances.”

“But…”

“What’s done is done. Don’t worry about me, worry about yourself. I’m still a clan member, and I have my equipment. I’m better off than you, at least. Haha.”

“Ha…”

Ha-yeon spoke as if it were nothing, then resumed packing. Ahn Hyun looked around helplessly, biting his lip. Suddenly, he remembered the other person involved and asked, his voice filled with dread.

“What about Han-gyeol? What happened to him?”

“Han-gyeol? He’s on probation. But unlike you, it’s just probation. Though they say he needs to recuperate. His mental state is quite unstable. If the aftereffects are severe, it could lead to a mental breakdown…”

“W-what? Aftereffects? A mental breakdown?”

“Yes. From what I heard, his soul was pulled out and somehow put back in. It’s worrying. If things go wrong, he might need a long recovery… But you didn’t know?”

He hadn’t known the full details. When he came to his senses, he was already in the city, and as soon as he returned, he received the expulsion order.

Ha-yeon finished packing her bag and placed it lightly on the desk. When Ahn Hyun didn’t respond, she tilted her head and glanced toward the door.

And then, she saw it.

Ha-yeon reached out slowly, a look of mild surprise on her face.

“Hyun, are you… crying?”

Indeed, Ahn Hyun was crying. Though his lips were tightly shut, tears streamed down his face. The tears that had welled up in his eyes now flowed freely, triggered by the shocking news he had just heard. As someone who had always looked up to An Sol as a younger sibling, the impact on Ahn Hyun was indescribable.

And finally, a thought began to surface within him.

It wasn’t denial of reality. It wasn’t resentment toward Kim Soo-hyun. It wasn’t trivial worries about the future.

It was simply this:

“Why did I…?”

Why did I do it?

“What have I done…?”

What have I done?

For the first time, Ahn Hyun began to confront the essence of the problem.

It was no longer about individual concerns.

What had he done? And what consequences had his actions brought?

Ahn Hyun finally understood.