When Han Kiseok heard my response, his expression gradually slid off his face. Jung Garam, sitting behind him, tried to hold back his laughter, cheeks twitching with mirth.

I stealthily glared at him; I couldnt understand why the Assassin looked so amused and joyful. I suspected that he was making funny faces at me, trying to get me to react and be labeled as a weirdo.

Wooow Han Kiseok-ssi How pitiful, the Alchemist said.

?

After commenting on the situation, Choi Kyung-sik gave Han Kiseok a sympathetic glance.

The Alchemist truly looked like he felt sorry for Han Kiseok, a rich and popular User and [Trap] executive. Plus, he looked alternatingly at me as well. Just what is so pitiful about him? Is he saying that its pitiful that, in the past, Han Kiseok had to deal with someone like me romantically pursuing him?

For some reason, I felt uncomfortable; my brows furrowed. Suddenly, I heard Seo Dawon and Kim Olim conversing behind me.

Theres a timing for everything. What a satisfying look on his face.

Right? Poor thing.

Han Kiseok ruined his chancesyou havent won. Your smug expression is incredibly detestable. How repulsive.

The more you say that, the more I find it enjoyable though? Seo Dawon released a low-pitched chuckle. I listened intently, unable to comprehend the flow of their conversation, but it seemed like the two had finished speaking.

Why is everyone in the Hub gay Ah, enough. Im tired. Finally, Woo Ragi muttered under his breath before snapping his mouth shut. I felt like I was the only one left in the dark.

After a long while, Han Kiseok said in a subdued tone, Then, have you beenseeing anyone lately?

Huh? AhMmph! I stuttered, deeply conscious of Seo Dawons presence behind me. The Mage didnt leave me alone and began caressing my earsmy ears!

I almost made a weird sound; I shook my head slightly to ask him to stop.

Seeing that, Han Kiseok asked, You dont have someone?

Huh? Ah Well.. Something like that? Nowadays Im a bit busy raiding dungeons Wary of his gaze, I looked around. I couldnt talk to Han Kiseok about Seo Dawon Furthermore, its still a bit vague to declare that the Mage and I are dating

However, I could feel Seo Dawon staring gloomily at me from behind after my answer. I almost turned around right then to check what expression the Mage made. What stopped me was Han Kiseoks follow-up question.

Aha What aboutKim Sangyoon is it? What about him?

What?! Hey Even if I like men, I dont like every man around me.

At my angry retort, Han Kiseok blinked before smiling again. Then, in a relaxed manner, he gently said, Ah, I didnt mean it in that way. I just wanted to know what Kim Sangyoon is like.

What? ThatUm H-Hes a good guy. Feeling awkward, I hurriedly made amends and answered his question with a blushing face.

This time, though, Seo Dawon decided to throw a tantrum. He came closealmost putting his lips directly against my earsand whispered, What do you mean you arent seeing anyone, Lee-kyung-ah?

.!

Youre too much

At that statement, I flinched my shoulders, startled. Han Kiseok stared at me with a questioning expression; I smiled clumsily at him, pretending nothing was happening.

Your ears suddenly became so red, he said.

Huh? Ah I-Its just itchy. I looked at the nearby mirror on a wall; the tops of both my ears were flaming red.

I rubbed my ears a bit futilely and smiled awkwardly. Han Kiseok stared at me as if he had more to say but eventually closed his mouth.

* * *

Afterwards, unable to resist Seo Dawons tiresome sulkiness, I stood up and told Han Kiseok I had a dinner appointment.

I became a rude person whod booked two appointments within the same day, but that couldnt be helped. The Mage kept bothering me; the other servants washed their hands of any responsibility and sat on the sidelines.

Lackey tried to bite at the Mage several times, but, as always, the skeletons weak strength couldnt disrupt the Mage.

Furthermore, due to this turn of events, Han Kiseok seemed to have another strange misunderstanding. He seemed to think that Lackey was a defiant servant who dared to nibble at its master.

I supposed his misunderstanding was understandablefrom his perspective, the skeleton suddenly clacked for no reason, threatening his master, but Seeing his worry, somehow I felt wronged on behalf of Lackey.

I wanted to show him how well I lived Its all ruined because of Seo Dawon!

I glared at Seo Dawon, leading the way, with a resentful expression.

In the end, I felt like I failed at properly conveying Im living well without you, and I dont envy your situation at all to Han Kiseok. I felt like I acted too foolishly during our meeting.

Are you sure you dont want me to take you home? Han Kiseok asked.

Mmm The place where Im going next Isnt too far from here

Really? Too bad.

Sorry This appointment is a bit important.

Well Lets just meet again another time.

Huh?

Lets meet again when youre freer. When you dont have someplace else to go.

Huh? O-Okay..

Han Kiseok didnt seem particularly offended. I felt flusteredhe really wanted to meet next time and be able to spend time leisurely with each other.

To be honest, after getting over the fact that I no longer held any feelings for Han Kiseok, it felt awkward to see him I didnt really have anything to say to him. Therefore, I had no intention of meeting him again. To be frank, I wanted to avoid meeting him again.

However, how many people could coldly reject the offer to meet again directly to a persons smiling face Eventually, I reluctantly nodded my head, SSure.

Do you have time this weekend?

Um? Who knows Ill contact you after I check my schedule at home.

Alright.

Because of all these underlying feelings, this conversation felt truly awkward. Back when we were students, I had always wanted to meet him and contacted him first while agonizing over the right words to message him. Han Kiseoks regretful and disappointed face reminded me of my past self. Did I cling to the high school Han Kiseok with that expression as well?

Why is he like that

Well then, message me when you return home, He said.

While I was seized by this strange feelingI couldnt quite name this emotionHan Kiseok finally turned around and walked away. 1 I lowered my waving hand after watching him disappear into the parking lot. Something felt out-of-sorts.

I turned my back on him. Right then, Seo Dawon suddenly grabbed my hand.

What! Startled by the suddenness of it all, I tried to shake off the Mages hand. But, when I locked gazes with the Mage, all thoughts of resisting disappeared.

Seo Dawons eyes chased Han Kiseok until he disappeared before looking down at me; my heart began to strangely pound at his chilly gaze. Like that, Seo Dawon twisted his lips and laughed. The next time?

Are you going to make me stand behind again as you meet with Han Kiseok next time?

I tried to answer, but that didnt seem to matter to Seo Dawon.

He dragged me through the alleyways between the buildings, where there was no light. I didnt resist and meekly let myself be dragged away. However, when he pressed the inscription tattooed onto my ring finger, I paused and looked up at him. Here? Why?

However, he did not say anything more, as if nothing needed to be said. In the end, I eventually called his name. [Seo Dawon].

When I summoned the Mage for the first time in a long while, I clearly felt the difference between an incorporeal vengeful ghost and someone with a body.

As a ghost, Seo Dawon was colored in a unique tone; that color visibly stood out even in the shade. However, when the Mage was summoned and his body became corporeal, that tone faded as the sun weakly shone on him. It was as if Seo Dawon had been accepted as part of the natural world

Lee-kyung-ah.

Yeah?

However, as soon as Seo Dawon was summoned, I heard a voiceone that I wasnt expecting to hear nor should have heardfrom behind.

When I whirled around in surprise, Han Kiseok, who I thought had returned home, was standing there blankly. Though he had called for me, Han Kiseok looked past me, staring straight at Seo Dawon.

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TL: As much as I want to duct-tape Woo Ragis mouth, hes hilarious. Why is everyone in the hub gay lolol.