‘My babies are here.’

With a

thump

, Kim Hyun-Sung entered first and stared at me with a blank expression.

What did he want to say to me? I saw him moving his lips, but he remained quiet in the end and just stared at me. His sparkling eyes had changed, and he was filled with many different emotions. The sight alone made me feel bad.

“K-Ki-Young…”

He was choking up. He couldn’t finish his sentence because the guild members came in.

“Hyung-nim? Hyung-nim… are you awake? Our hyung-nim is awake!

Keugh

… we were worried about you! How could you do that?!” Park Deok-Gu shouted.

“Sub Guild Master!” Jo Hye-Jin shouted.

“How are you feeling?”

‘They’re acting as if I’ve been unconscious for five years.’

“Hold on, sir…”

“Wait, let me check your condition.”

The word "new" was the best way to describe this situation.

I'd hear their voices often, but it had been a really long time since I saw their faces.

Perhaps it was all because I went to the social gathering, but I was so happy to see them that it felt strange.

I was relieved and worried at the same time because everyone seemed a bit too excited, but thanks to Elena and Sun Hee-Young, I managed to avoid getting buried in their hugs.

“Thankfully… you seem fine. It’s true that you still need to rest more… but more importantly, c-can all of you calm down a little? I understand that all of you are happy, but…” Elena said.

The cacophony of voices slowly went silent. It was like they had just figured out the fact that they were standing before a patient.

“Sub Guild Master? How are you feeling?”

Jo Hye-Jin was the first one to talk to me.

After seeing her worried face, I replied, “I-I’m not sure. I don’t feel

that

great… I think I feel the same as usual.”

I was not really happy because of the news I heard about you and Elias.

“I’m glad. You’re. Okay,” Kim Ye-Ri said.

I reached out and patted her head…

“W-What. Are you doing?” Kim Ye-Ri questioned me and pushed my hand away.

'Just be honest, kid. I heard you bawling.'

The original members of the Blue Guild and the other members of the Blue Guild either greeted me or tried to report the things that had happened so far. Of course, they also started asking me a bunch of questions.

It was tiring trying to answer each and every question, but I did it anyway.

I saw Kim Hyun-Sung talking to Alps in the back.

Moments later, I saw Alps bringing in some snacks.

“

Ah

, come to think of it, you haven’t eaten anything in five days. B-But this doesn’t look enough to fill you up,” Park Deok-Gu said.

“Eating any more than this will overwhelm his body. For now—”

“

Ah

, I see,” Park Deok-Gu interrupted Jo Hye-Jin.

“You should hurry and eat, sir,” Jo Hye-Jin said.

‘I feel so out of it.’

“O-O-Oppa, do you want me to feed you?” Jung Ha-Yan offered.

I felt like a monkey at a zoo. When I scooped up a spoonful of soup, I was so embarrassed to see everyone looking at me. I couldn’t help but feel self-conscious, and honestly, I didn’t really have an appetite, as I had just woken up. Ŕ

In the end, I put the spoon down after just a few spoonfuls of food.

“I-I’m

“You have to eat,” Elena interrupted me.

I really had no appetite.

“You have to eat, Mr. Ki-Young.”

“T-Then… I’ll take a few more…”

“You have to eat it all, o-o-oppa,” Jung Ha-Yan chimed in.

‘Damn it.’

I honestly didn’t want to eat.

'Do they really have to watch me eat as if I were a three-year-old?'

I had to say something to change the topic.

After quietly placing the spoon down, I looked at each and every one of them.

“The Bahamut raid… seemed to have ended well,” I said.

“...”

“Did… Templar Gen…” I added.

“Templar Gen… He’s dead,” Kim Hyun-Sung answered.

“...”

I had to look kind of sad because it was a reality I expected but couldn’t believe.

The guild members had an idea that I cherished Templar Gen, but they didn’t seem really bothered by it.

Actually, they were probably hearing the news of his death. Regardless of the reason behind his actions, it wouldn't change the fact that he had committed the worst crime ever. Templar Gen’s life or death wasn’t important to the guild members who believed I cherished him due to Stockholm Syndrome.

The Blue Guild members cared about me, not Templar Gen.

The atmosphere in the room was strange, so I couldn’t ask any questions about it, but I had an idea based on the flow of the conversation just now.

Just like the time I turned into Doom Ki-Young…

‘I don’t know what happened.’

My memories of when I was Light Ki-Young had disappeared completely.

When it was hard to fix things, pretending not to know anything was the best thing to do.

As expected, everyone was surprised. The original members managed to control their expression, but newer members like Alps and Belier were easy to read.

“Can you tell me… what happened… and how the raid went?” I asked.

“I’m writing a report right now, sir. Once it’s ready, I’ll send you the report,” Jo Hye-Jin answered.

'All right. I needed to focus on recovering anyway, and I’m sure she doesn’t want to talk about things that could give me a headache.'

“...”

“Additionally, we’re still clearing the raid—”

“I know how to clear the dungeon,” I interrupted her.

“

“You won’t understand even if I tell you because it’s something I have to do myself,” I added.

I had to go to where Altanus was locked up and release her from the iron maiden.

“Let’s go,” I said.

“How about resting a little more before moving, Mr. Ki-Young?” Kim Hyun-Sung suggested.

“I’ve rested enough. I want to head up now,” I answered.

I had too many bad memories here.

That was what I thought as I looked at Kim Hyun-Sung with a sorrowful gaze.

This was possible because I was actually wounded emotionally.

The guild members had no idea what I had gone through in the past, what happened between Bahamut and me, just what kind of individual Draktaris was, and the type of bond Templar Gen and I had built with each other.

In the eyes of other people, this expedition was just a bit more difficult than usual, but this was more than an expedition for me. I had created connections with many people in the distant past, and I lost them in an instant, and so easily at that.

I was sure… I was sure I’d never forget them, and they’d always remain in my heart.

I still couldn’t forget how Templar Gen followed me around while calling me Father.

I still couldn't forget Bahamut’s kindness as well.

“...”

“...”

No one was insensitive enough to point out the suddenly heavy atmosphere.

“Mr. Ki-Young, w-what… on earth… happened there?” Kim Hyun-Sung asked.

“I’ll make sure to tell you once I’m ready, Mr. Hyun-Sung. But… I’m not sure when that will be. I want to get out of here for now, so please… stand,” I told him.

I couldn't hear any answers, nor did I ask for any more opinions.

No one would be able to say anything else since I was feeling so depressed to the extent that I wanted to get out of here as soon as possible.

It was such an overwhelming atmosphere that no one could even suggest having a meal today. As someone who had looked into the Underground Temple’s past, my eyes were filled with a hodgepodge of complicated emotions.

‘It’s kind of hard to move.’

I had to change my clothes.

“Can you summon the priests of the temple for me? I think it’s best if I change into my formal outfit,” I requested.

“...”

“...”

“Yes, sir,” Jo Hye-Jin answered.

“

Ah

, I want you to stay behind Miss Hye-Jin. There’s something I want to discuss with you,” I ordered.

“Okay.”

The guild members understood what I was trying to say and left the room one by one.

Kim Hyun-Sung seemed dissatisfied, but he didn’t say anything. He bowed quietly and left.

Jung Ha-Yan seemed like she was sending me signals, so after signaling her to come closer, I hugged her tight. She seemed to be feeling relieved because she did not kick up a fuss and left the room quietly.

Soon, the priests of the temple entered with my uniform. Normally, they’d help me get dressed, but they left the room quietly after giving them a signal. I started changing into my formal clothes, but…

‘It’s hard to get dressed alone.’

“Hye-Jin, help me with this. Tie the back, help me with the sleeves, and put on any accessory,” I instructed her.

I decided to make Hye-Jin take care of the rest.

“...”

“You know how to do it, right?” I asked.

“I do,” Jo Hye-Jin answered.

“...”

“...”

“Are you upset?” I asked.

“Why would I be upset?” Jo Hye-Jin questioned.

“So you are upset,” I argued.

“...”

“You look angry.” I pointed out.

“...”

“It’s pretty obvious,” I said.

“...”

“You’re clearly angry,” I said.

“That’s enough,” Jo Hye-Jin mumbled.

“You’re angry,” I said.

“...”

“Just say that you’re angry,” I teased her.

“That’s right, you jerk. While we’re on the subject, let me ask you something. What the hell were you thinking?” Jo Hye-Jin questioned.

“...”

“...”

“It won’t happen again,” I reassured her.

“I-I should’ve just stayed quiet,” Jo Hye-Jin stuttered.

An awkward silence filled the room.

Jo Hye-Jin, who was kneeling to help me with my outfit, started sobbing.

Her faint sobs sounded really sad.

‘Yeah, she

did

suffer a lot.’

I was sure it was the same for the others, but Jo Hye-Jin was the type to hold it all in, so it seemed like all of her emotions had just exploded at once.

Just like the time I heard her talk while I was "asleep," the fear of losing memories of me was traumatic for her. If I were in her shoes, I'd also be scared to know that I was losing memories of one person.

‘I’m sure she was really scared since she’s really fond of me.’

I wouldn’t be surprised if she needed someone to lean on, but the problem was that she relied on Elias.

“Are you crying, Hye-Jin?” I asked.

“Shut up,” Jo Hye-Jin mumbled.

“Are you crying?” I repeated.

“You jerk. I’m not crying.

Heuk… heuuuk…

” Jo Hye-Jin sobbed.

𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

“Hye-Jin.”

It was a bit sudden, but I needed to say it now to get her to stop crying.

“...”

“You can’t be with Elias. Not on my watch,” I told her.

“What?”

“I don’t approve of that old elf,” I said.

“...”

“H-How did you know?” Jo Hye-Jin asked.

“Did you agree to go out with him?” I questioned.

“No, it’s not like that… It’s just… W-What does that have to do with you? Actually, I don’t know how you found out… but we’re not dating… we’re more than friends but not lovers… I decided to give it a chance.

"Dating and marriage won’t happen anytime soon… we’re just… no, it’s not even that… We’re just getting to know each other…” Jo Hye-Jin explained.

‘She really doesn’t know how scary elves can get. Damn it. What if he’s a person who just really likes humans? What are you going to do once you see his true colors?’

Jo Hye-Jin was still innocent. She was so innocent that she didn’t know how the world worked. Elias was trying to crawl into her world by taking advantage of that weakness.

Actually, I wouldn't stop her if she truly wanted to date someone, but they had to pass my personality test, at the very least.

My personality test was simple.

I would surely be able to see the purity of his love for Jo Hye-Jin by stumbling upon him as Lee Ki-Yeon. I was sure that guys like him would fall for me in just three days. It'd take only three days to seduce him and about a month for us to hold an engagement ceremony.

In other words, all I needed was one month.