A convoy of black-painted vehicles rolled into New York’s Kennedy International Airport. Taking a smooth turn, they headed toward the spot where the Sesung Guild’s private jet stood on the tarmac. By the boarding stairs linking to the plane, Kang Soyeong was waiting. As the cars approached, she raised her eyebrows in a curious expression.

Before long, the vehicles halted. Kang Soyeong quickly surveyed the sky—no drones, no helicopters. Though only an A-rank hunter, her Dragon Rider skill gave her eyesight rivaling S-ranks. No distant camera captured anything either. Unless a specially S-rank Stealth hunter planned to infiltrate, the area was secure.

Kang Soyeong strode to the rear door of one car and opened it. Inside, a boy with pale pink hair, wearing a backpack, climbed out.

“Hello.”

Han-gyeol bowed politely. A smile formed on Kang Soyeong’s face—then vanished almost immediately.

“Hello, Mr.—”

Slah! A curved blade sliced the air and plunged into the roof of the car—precisely beside the driver’s seat and directly in front of Hwang-rim as he alighted. Kang Soyeong lifted an eyebrow and glared at Hwang-rim.

“If Chief Han were here, you’d already have a bullet in your skull. What on earth are you doing roaming around with someone else’s child?”

“The boss is our young master,” Hwang-rim replied with a wry smile, raising both hands as if to show he meant no harm.

“I was the one accompanying him.”

“That’s right, Aunt Soyeong.”

Han-gyeol nodded crisply.

“He’s just the driver—no need to worry.”

“See? He’s driver, bodyguard, guide—all unpaid!” Hwang-rim joked, praising his own volunteer spirit. Kang Soyeong, still wary, yanked the knife from the car’s roof and stowed it in her inventory. Hwang-rim grinned at her.

“You dare provoke Sesung guild members, yet you’re S-rank yourself.”

“Precisely because I’m Sesung Guild, I treat no S-rank weaker than the Guild Leader—except Director Song. This year’s penalty thresholds are lower than last year’s, so I have to watch my back.”

He was also one of the two who’d taken on the mantle of Guild Leader. As a Sesung affiliate, she owed him her utmost respect. The other, Han Yujin, needed no introduction—father of dragons, revered by Kang Soyeong too.

At Kang Soyeong’s words, Hwang-rim merely waved a hand.

“The Sesung Guild Leader does look out for his people. No one gains by giving him cause. Two years ago in Russia, some massive guild dared touch Sesung members—and was crushed and devoured. Heard it was a deliberate bait.”

“Oh, no, of course not! Why would the Guild Leader use bait? Hunters aren’t civilians—you just stomp on what irks you. And not even in Korea. You only needed to avoid Director Song’s gaze—though you got caught.”

“True, true—always on the Guild Leader’s side,” Hwang-rim teased.

“I’m not on anyone’s side—I’m just stating facts. Our Guild Leader may be foul-mouthed, but he’s no petty schemer.”

“Thanks for the compliment.”

“Ack!”

Startled by a familiar shout, Kang Soyeong jumped back as if seeing a ghost. Globally pale, she scanned her surroundings—and saw something that made her scream again.

“Aaaaah!”

She clapped her hands over her eyes, as if to erase what she’d seen.

“I saw nothing! Let’s pretend this never happened!”

“You’ve paid plenty in fines, so it’s worth it.”

“How much do you think that is? Seeing you so petty proves you’re no Guild Leader!”

“I wouldn’t mind spending a few million dollars on you, Dear Soyeong.”

“...That’s hardly any money.”

Though she protested, her voice quavered. Fines had stacked up, plus separate compensation fees—the latter far larger.

“I thought we had to keep security tight because of Han-gyeol...”

Kang Soyeong lowered her hands and blinked. On Han-gyeol’s shoulder, the tiny figure of the Guild Leader stood out clearly. Rubbing her eyes, nothing changed. Even shrunk, he was unmistakable.

“If Sister Evelyn saw that, she’d shoot an arrow straight off.”

What were those fairy wings? They suited him so well it was infuriating. Kang Soyeong rubbed the goosebumps along her arm. Seong Hyunjae flared his wings in defiance.

“Flying skills are quite convenient.”

“...You won’t keep that up when you grow back, right? I’m seriously considering retirement.”

“Gyeol gave them to me—don’t worry, Aunt.”

Han-gyeol fixed his gaze on Seong Hyunjae. The wings on Seong Hyunjae’s back gently shimmered out of existence. Kang Soyeong exhaled in relief.

“So, what’s going on, Gyeol? Why request the private jet from America all of a sudden?”

Originally, Han-gyeol and Park Yerim were to fly back from France on Haeyeon’s jet. But Yerim vanished, claiming Han Yujin had called her, and Han-gyeol said he’d stay in France for sightseeing—then went silent.

“I was running an errand for Dad.”

“Dad? Chief Han? Where is Chief Han now? Riet said he called her off somewhere too.”

“In a place much like the Chatterbox party.”

Kang Soyeong blinked. Han Yujin and his gathered hunters had disappeared together. He’d said he’d quietly handle the terrorists, so a few days of silence wasn’t odd—but it was too quiet.

“He’s fighting in a dungeon? That seems safe enough.”

“Similar. The terrorists are all there, too.”

“In that case, we should inform someone—even the French Hunter Association.”

“That’s why we’ve summoned a guest.”

Seong Hyunjae tapped Han-gyeol on the shoulder. Reluctantly, Han-gyeol allowed him to reattach his wings. The miniature Guild Leader fluttered over, prompting Kang Soyeong to wave her arms frantically.

“Don’t come near me! It’s creepy!”

“How cruel. Normally you’d say ‘Oh, such a cutie—are you a dragon?’”

“Eek! I said I don’t like it!”

Kang Soyeong covered her ears and shut her eyes. She could not bear the cute.

“Not even intimidation now. You look just like Gyeol! Ahh! Once is enough!”

The Guild Leader launched toward her with bright eyes.

“Approaching me like that—”

“Eek!”

“Please calm down, Aunt Soyeong.”

“The Sesung Guild is surprisingly fun.”

“Good thought—good thought. Our lovely Comet, splendid Riet, beloved Noah, adorable Mar...”

As Kang Soyeong drew deep breaths, Han-gyeol scooped up Seong Hyunjae, removed his wings, and placed him back on his shoulder.

“Right—where to, then?”

Soyeong’s actual self spoke in the most professional tone she could muster.

“To England.”

“Ooh, I can swing by home then.”

“We’ll welcome our guest on the plane, then depart for Korea. Han-gyeol will rest briefly since he must be tired.”

“I’m fine.”

Han-gyeol—firm—climbed the stairs. Kang Soyeong and Hwang-rim followed.

“...I hope Dad’s okay.”

Once the plane took off and landed in a plush lounge, Han-gyeol hugged a cushion and murmured,

“I think Gyeol matured far too fast.”

“Thanks to you, we could hand equipment to Han Yujin.”

Seong Hyunjae sat on the edge of the table’s fixed vase, remarking. Han-gyeol pouted.

“But still.”

“It was something only you could do.”

His golden eyes fluttered rapidly. He tried not to show it, but he clearly enjoyed the praise.

“Is there a non-alcoholic drink? Want anything, Young Master?”

Hwang-rim approached, setting down a steaming mug.

“Though you live in Dodam.”

“That’s true. But if I were you, I’d never leave the Sesung line. It’s a harsh world for a child.”

“I’m not a child.”

“Adults don’t call themselves by name.”

“Silly—you only split off recently for independence. You keep calling yourself to affirm it. Though I know you like the name I gave you.”

“Then you’re even more a child. Milk? Hot chocolate?”

“That’s annoying.”

Han-gyeol puffed out his cheeks, then said,

“Hot chocolate.”

“Certainly—right away, Young Master.”

“Though I obey orders well.”

Han-gyeol folded his arms and regarded Seong Hyunjae solemnly.

“Any news of what happened to Dad?”

“As I said, there’s little I can learn. Although we share existence, we remain separate. Only my own flesh is originally mine, so I glean a bit.”

Before regression, Seong Hyunjae could not extract any information beyond what his present self revealed. He closed his eyes briefly, then opened them.

“Time there flows faster. The sun is setting.”

“When I met Dad, it was before dawn.”

“I cannot know details, but before sunrise, he was preparing battle with the sub-team in the fortress. It should end soon.”

“At sunset?”

“Most likely.”

Han-gyeol squeezed the cushion tightly.

“If unimpeded, Han Yujin’s victory is assured.”

“Shall we preemptively toast?”

Hwang-rim placed the hot chocolate before Han-gyeol. Seong Hyunjae shook his head slightly.

The plane crossed the Atlantic toward England. Han-gyeol, battling exhaustion, dozed off and eventually slept. Hwang-rim closed her eyes too, while Seong Hyunjae leaned back on cushions, eyes shut.

His body, once his own, now felt faintly distant. Having been wrenched away, I ought to feel disgust—but oddly, I did not mind. Reduced to a tiny fragment of barely one-hundredth of my original strength, I felt as though on a brief holiday.

At least this fragment was momentarily free from the long-woven layers of our contract.

Of course, holidays end, and we must return.

“....”

Seong Hyunjae’s eyes opened. His brow furrowed lightly. A short sigh escaped him, then he quieted.

“Well then, I shall depart!”

Suddenly, Kang Soyeong leapt from the plane. Han-gyeol washed up, brushed his teeth, changed clothes, and carefully combed his hair with a comb far too large for his hand.

“Ah, you’ve returned.”

Seong Hyunjae, gazing out the window, spoke as three cars drove up to the plane. Hwang-rim peered through her window too. The cars stopped, and people stepped out.

“Oh, two S-ranks. Impressive.”

A senior hunter politely opened a car door. A white-hatted elderly lady stepped out. One of the two S-rank hunters climbed the boarding stairs.

“Mr. Hwang. You’ll disembark here.”

“Please, call me Richard.”

“And the same for °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° other hunters of mid-rank or above.”

“Gyeol’s stats are F-rank, though.”

Han-gyeol raised his hand. The S-rank’s gaze swept him up and down—but failed to notice Seong Hyunjae harmonized with him, hidden to the senses.

“The engines must be fully shut down.”

“Is that enough? There are traditional weapons too. With F-rank stats, he’s no different from a civilian.”

“You underestimate him.”

The S-rank hunter sneered at Hwang-rim’s comment.

“A mid-rank barrier skill item can stop even firearm rounds.”

“True enough. Well then, Young Master, we’ll await you outside.”

Hwang-rim and the Sesung hunters deplaned. Remaining alone, Han-gyeol swallowed nervously. Soon footsteps climbed the stairs. The elderly lady entered, and Han-gyeol jumped up to bow.

“Pleased to meet you. I am Han-gyeol, adopted son of Dodam Riding Ranch Director Han Yujin.”

“Hello.”

The elderly lady smiled kindly.

“I am A-rank hunter Emily Spencer.”

Known by her title “Saintess” for her SS-rank healing skill. Emily moved to a sofa and sat. When she removed her hat, her lime-tinted hair appeared—darker green toward the twisted knot at the back.

“These are items for you—ta-da.”

Tapping an earring lightly, Emily’s hair shifted to blue—then red—then back to lime. Han-gyeol stared, a little startled.

“It’s been a while.”

At that moment, Seong Hyunjae appeared on Han-gyeol’s shoulder. Emily’s eyes widened.

“You startled me. You’ve grown so cute.”

Seong Hyunjae asked Han-gyeol for wings again, and Emily applauded and laughed.

“If not for being the Sesung Guild Leader, I’d slip you into my pocket and take you home.”

“Oh my, I never realized my reputation was that poor.”

“They say age brings courage, but responsibility tempers that. One must be careful not to recklessly scatter what’s entrusted.”

Emily gazed gently at Han-gyeol.

“So, what brings us here?”

“Ah—Hunter Emily.”

“You may call me Granny.”

“...Do you remember Dad, Director Han Yujin’s work?”

Her wrinkled eyes crinkled in a faint smile.

“Somewhat. It seems only high-rank hunters retain memories, perhaps thanks to my SS-rank skill.”

“If you’d awakened young, you’d have been at least mid-rank.”

“I cannot turn back time—”

Emily paused mid-sentence. She had already returned once, if Han Yujin’s memory was accurate. Han-gyeol continued.

“I need your help with something.”