Before they knew it, the sun had set and night had deepened. Once hailed as a promising new frontier, the city had fallen into stagnation after the conquest of the new continent, Atlanta. Visitors had all but stopped coming. It wasn’t quite a ghost town, but it was a place where no further progress could be expected. The two women wandered through the quiet, still streets, glancing around warily.

“Hmm. It’s been a while, but I can’t remember the way… Was it this turn?”

“Could it be that you’re lost?”

“No, no! It’s just that this city’s layout is so confusing and tangled… Ah, here it is!”

“Huh?”

Ansol dashed forward, her white robe billowing behind her, and forcefully flung open a firmly shut door. But a cloud of dust exploded out like a storm, hitting her square in the face and sending her sprawling to the ground. The woman, hood pulled low over her head, stepped past the coughing Ansol and quietly entered the room.

Inside, cleanliness was the last thing you could say about the place. Dust had layered thickly, untouched by human hands for a long time. Tables and chairs were scattered haphazardly here and there.

“Ugh. That musty smell… cough cough!”

Ansol, recovering and standing up, followed inside, coughing. Her complexion looked pale and unwell, but her eyes softened with a distant nostalgia as she looked around.

“This place…”

“Yes, yes. This is where we graduated from the User Academy and took our first real steps into this world. It’s an inn.”

“An inn?”

“A place to sleep and eat. I think it was called ‘The Demure Lady’… or something like that?”

The woman nodded slightly, then casually scanned the room.

“Where did he usually stay?”

“Uh, the special room at the far right end of the third floor. That’s where my brother stayed. I used to sneak in there to steal teacups… cough cough!”

Before she could finish, Ansol hurried up the stairs. After a moment of covering her mouth in frustration, she realized the woman had disappeared and let out a long sigh.

“Ugh. What is this…”

That morning, at Kim Suhyun’s request, Ansol had been tasked with guiding Gehenna. She had been filled with anticipation—not because she liked Gehenna, but hoping for some kind of reward or leftover benefit. Instead, she’d spent half a day playing the reluctant guide.

“I want to see the places he’s been through.”

Gehenna’s request was simple yet complicated: she wanted to visit the places Kim Suhyun had mainly operated in.

At first, Ansol was stunned, but she reluctantly agreed. After warping through the gate to the northern continent, they had visited Monica’s clan house, the Love House, the ancient magical city of Magia, Barbara’s User Academy, the Inn of Beginnings, and many other places. And now, they had finally arrived at Mule’s ‘Demure Lady.’

“Phew…”

With a steady stream of sighs, Ansol slowly climbed the stairs. Having come this far, she no longer hoped for any reward—she just wanted to go home.

“Hm?”

When Ansol finally entered the special room at the end of the third floor, the woman was sitting quietly at a filthy table, surveying the room. Noticing Ansol’s late arrival, she gestured lightly.

“You’re here at last. Sit down.”

Suddenly, a burst of flames flared up, illuminating the dark room. As Ansol hesitated and stepped forward, the woman pulled back her hood and smiled gently. She took something from her bosom and placed it on the table: a clean sheet of parchment and a quill.

“It’s about time. I have one last favor to ask.”

The word “last” stirred both hope and anxiety in Ansol. She worried it might mean entering the pitch-black forest. But Gehenna’s request was unexpected.

“Write something for me.”

She tapped the parchment lightly with her index finger.

“Write? What…?”

“Yes. Hmm… you could call it a letter.”

“Why me?”

“I don’t know your script. If you’re going to write it, it should be easy to read.”

Ansol immediately understood. It was a final favor—how could she refuse? She took the quill and pulled the parchment closer.

“How should I write it?”

“Hmm. What do you usually write at the beginning of a letter?”

“…We usually write something like ‘Dear so-and-so’.”

“Good. Then write it to Kim Suhyun. That would be best.”

The quiet voice filled the room. Ansol began to write diligently.

“By the time you read this letter…”

“By the time you… read this letter…”

“I will probably be gone by then.”

“I will…?”

Suddenly, the quill stopped. Ansol looked up in surprise, and Gehenna smiled softly.

“What are you staring at?”

“B-but…”

“No buts. I think you’ll actually be glad.”

“…”

“That’s enough. Just keep writing. Oh, and don’t write down what I just said.”

“I know that much.”

After a while, only Gehenna’s voice and the scratching of the quill remained in the room.

About thirty minutes later, the light shining from the third-floor window finally went out. Not long after, the loose door creaked open and the two women stepped out.

Gehenna strode off into the dark street as if her business was done, while Ansol hesitated, watching her slowly disappear. Then she hurried after her, cautiously speaking up.

“Um…”

“…”

“Excuse me…”

“…”

“Hey, wait!”

“Why?”

Raising her timid voice finally got a response. After a long pause, Ansol, still wary, asked.

“May I ask you something?”

“I permit it.”

“Did my brother… love you, Gehenna?”

“…”

Gehenna’s confident stride faltered and she stopped. If Ansol had asked whether she loved Kim Suhyun, she might have been embarrassed but not hesitant. But this question was the opposite.

“That is…”

She swept her thick, lava-colored wavy hair back with both hands and slowly shook her head.

“I don’t know.”

But as if trying to shake something off, she pulled her hood down tightly and continued.

“However, if by chance…”

Her voice grew faint, hinting at a twist.

“If by some miracle, the day comes when fate brings us together again…”

Gehenna tilted her head back and gazed at the night sky with eyes tinged with loneliness.

“Then, I will definitely ask.”

She said this almost in a whisper.

After a moment passed.

“Then why not ask now?”

“Heh. Of course, I could… but…”

Gehenna smiled faintly, sadly.

“If I did, the fragile feelings I’ve barely held onto might be shaken.”

No matter where Ansol looked, Gehenna was nowhere to be found. Truly nowhere. It took a long time to accept that Gehenna had left. But regardless, she couldn’t just stand still. She didn’t know how much time had passed, but she had to follow. She had to think of where Gehenna might have gone.

With that thought, she stormed into Jegal Haesol’s lodging.

“Whoa! You scared me!”

Jegal Haesol, awake even at dawn, jumped up. Coincidentally, he was in the middle of changing his pants. His startled gaze slowly twisted into a scowl.

“Hah. I knew this would happen someday. You couldn’t resist and came to get me drunk after all.”

“User Jegal Haesol.”

“Shut up, you virgin hunter. Just so you know, I’ll resist as best I can. And even if you conquer me, it means I won.”

“Jegal Haesol.”

Ignoring her, he boldly dropped his pants.

I immediately lunged forward.

“See? If you want to watch, then watch! Help! Kim Suhyun is assaulting me!”

I covered his mouth and leaned close. His eyes, filled with fear as if he never expected this, stared back. Realizing his mistake, he lowered his hands, revealing trembling lips.

“I’m sorry… I won’t mess around again, please forgive me… I-Isn’t it a bit early for this stage?”

Even now, he joked.

I felt a little sorry, but this wasn’t the time for jokes.

“Transport ability.”

“…What?”

“Half a day’s travel toward the North Gate. The signpost pointing to Atlanta. You know the coordinates, right?”

“Ah, I do know them.”

“Use your transport ability to get us there. Please.”

“…”

For a brief moment, Jegal Haesol stared at me silently. Then, realizing I was serious, he nodded slightly.

“…Can I keep my pants on?”

I said nothing and waited.

Soon, chanting filled the air, and round, blue lights began to gather from all around. Inside, a wild tension built rapidly. I prayed, over and over, hoping Gehenna was still there… please, please!

Thunk!

A familiar noise struck my ears, accompanied by a sudden, stomach-dropping sensation. At the same moment, my vision shifted.

A cold wind brushed against my skin. Before I knew it, we were standing in the middle of a crimson wasteland. Jegal Haesol’s transportation ability had kicked in perfectly.

My chest burned with tension and anxiety. I immediately turned my eyes to find the Royal Tower. To the left, a towering black spire pierced the sky.

And there, at that place—

No one was there.

“Ah…”

A flood of thoughts raced through my mind.

Could Gehenna be playing a trick on me? Had I failed to find her? Had I misjudged the location? Had she not arrived yet? Or… had she already left?

In that instant, a sudden idea struck me. As long as it wasn’t the last case, there was still a chance to meet her. In other words, I just needed to prove that Gehenna hadn’t come here.

There was a way.

The Third Eye. Using the Third Eye to see the past.

I had used it only once before, long ago. Curious about what had happened to the kids during the rite of passage, I activated it—but just one second of viewing nearly shattered my eyes. Since then, I vowed never to use it again. But now, I couldn’t afford to be picky.

Without hesitation, I activated the Third Eye and focused all my attention on the lonely Royal Tower.

After a moment, a scene suddenly began to seep into my vision.

—Wooooooosh!

What appeared first wasn’t the black tower I had just seen, but a glowing Royal Tower, shining so brightly it lit up the sky. Then, standing before the tower, a woman came into view—and my heart dropped.

“I’m sorry… I’m so sorry…”

Gehenna, soothing someone in her arms with sorrowful eyes.

“Waaaaaah!”

And then, a cry I had never heard since birth—Suna, wailing with all her might.

“P-please…”

“Eek! Eeeek! Abbaaa!”

“Suna, Suna. That’s enough now…”

“Waaah! Waaah! Abba, Abbaaa…!”

Suna struggled desperately, trying to break free from Gehenna’s embrace. She waved her hands wildly, as if searching for someone. Gehenna’s face was troubled, but she held Suna tightly and stood firm before the tower.

Just before a dazzling light enveloped them both—

—……

“!”

Gehenna glanced back for a brief moment.

Though it was fleeting and blurred by the light, her tender eyes clearly met mine.

“Gehen…!”

Then—

Crackle!

My vision distorted like a broken TV screen, and a sharp pain suddenly stabbed my eyes. A momentary burst of static passed through, followed by a burning heat, as if scorched by fire. The duration was already over. A mysterious wave of exhaustion swept over me, and I clutched my eyes, collapsing heavily.

“Clan Lord!”

Jegal Haesol tried to support me, but I just lay there, completely spent.

I had seen the worst past I never wanted to face.

No thoughts came. None at all.

“Hah, haha…”

Only a hollow laugh escaped.

How much time had passed?

“C-Clan Lord. We’re back at the castle. We’ve returned.”

When I came to, I was back in the city. I had no idea how I got here. Jegal Haesol had dragged me along, and I managed to walk somehow, but my mind was so full I couldn’t focus on anything else.

I couldn’t understand it.

No matter how much I thought about it, I couldn’t understand.

I knew Gehenna would leave when I spoke in the meeting. She never said it outright, but the implication was clear. And I was prepared to let her go. But this… this wasn’t it.

At least I thought she’d say something before leaving. That she’d say goodbye, or at least a word. I thought there’d be time to prepare for the farewell. But no one could have expected she’d forcefully cast a suggestion and leave like that.

Why did Gehenna do that?

Thinking of Suna crying and searching for me made my heart heavy again. Gehenna’s eyes, looking back one last time, haunted me. This was nothing like the farewell I had imagined.

Returning to the fourth-floor office, reality finally sank in. The bed where Gehenna had lain just last night, whispering and joking before sleep, was now completely empty.

It felt like a dream. Honestly, I wished it was all a dream. That when I opened my eyes, I’d find her peacefully sleeping, or smiling sweetly as she held Suna and saw me off.

My head spun. A dull dizziness pressed against my forehead. Glancing toward the terrace, I staggered over and collapsed into the chair at my desk.

After sitting still for a long while, a sudden thought struck me—I opened a drawer. Inside lay two necklaces, gleaming gold, neatly arranged. I bit my lower lip without realizing it. The necklaces I had planned to give as farewell gifts. Not much, but I had secretly commissioned them.

“Those were for Gehenna?”

Suddenly, my body froze. I instinctively looked to the side. My older brother was leaning against the wall, watching me. I hadn’t noticed him come in—either he had been waiting or had just arrived. Either way, I hadn’t sensed his presence.

“Hyung?”

My voice was hoarse even to my own ears.

“Looks like you didn’t get to meet her.”

He sighed and slowly walked over.

“So, did you enjoy your vacation?”

“Vacation?”

“You little devil. Didn’t you even think of me?”

“Hyung?”

A strange feeling washed over me. I had completely forgotten about him until now. But his tone was as if he knew everything. What was going on?

“How do you know…?”

“I met you briefly while you were unconscious after returning from the expedition. The Shadow Queen asked me to help.”

“What?”

“Didn’t you notice anything strange while you were with Gehenna? Like the atmosphere or something?”

He spoke softly, beginning to explain.

After some time, his explanation ended, leaving me with a sinking feeling.

“So, she wasn’t really close to you. She was just pretending?”

“Yeah. I asked her to do that. To let you rest until you returned.”

“Why…?”

“It was unavoidable. Everyone was just trying to look out for you. Though, you’ll have to deal with the aftermath.”

Feeling unsettled, I pulled out a cigarette, but it slipped away as usual. Just as I was about to say I wasn’t in the mood for jokes, he snatched it from me, put it in his mouth, and lit it. I’d never seen him light a cigarette before.

“Phew… Well, I understand.”

“Understand?”

He inhaled deeply and nodded.

“Fifteen years, right?”

“Fifteen years?”

“You’ve been running nonstop all this time. Not just a year or two, but a full fifteen years. Taking a few days off is only natural. Isn’t it?”

“That’s…”

“Anyone who knows the situation wouldn’t blame you.”

His comforting voice made me bow my head. A gentle hand ruffled my hair.

“Let me ask you one thing.”

His voice suddenly dropped. I felt his gaze fixed on me, but I deliberately kept my eyes down.

“Is your plan… still valid?”

“Plan? …Ah.”

I gasped reflexively. Amid the fog in my mind, a cold thread of reason surfaced.

The plan meant returning home. Of course, it was still valid. It felt almost laughable to say so, but the desire to go back hadn’t disappeared. It was definitely alive.

I muttered softly.

“I see. Then…”

Suddenly—

“Suhyun. It’s time to stop…”

I felt like I knew what he was about to say.

“…It’s better to wake up from this dream.”

His low whisper pierced my ears sharply. The breath I’d been holding burst out, and half-burned tobacco slipped from my slightly parted lips. Only then could I finally lift my eyes.

His face was—

“Now, it’s time to return to reality.”

Like a ship lost at sea finally spotting a lighthouse through the storm, his face was bathed in bright sunlight.