“‘We took a bit of a loss. Two of our trade vehicles were nearly wrecked in just under a fortnight.’The first Company liaison they met in Seogyeong City was surprisingly cordial. No sooner had Muhae replied to the notice and sent his coordinates than the official flew in personally, handled the damaged bike, and even whipped up a temporary city access badge.Ridiculously generous for someone who’d brought them trouble. Normally Central residents wouldn’t even acknowledge outsiders beyond the residential zones.“‘If you intend to stay in Seogyeong City, we can offer you lodging as a token of our gratitude for your swift resolution.’”Letting a mercenary from another city into Central—ridiculous hassle. Just thinking of the permits required gave Muhae a headache.“I’m hungry.”He had no intention of turning it down. Both he and Joo-o were exhausted and starving. Muhae accepted the voucher keycode from the suspiciously friendly liaison and boarded his small craft.By the time they arrived at the official Seogyeong City gate and reached the lodging, they stood in the dazzling city center.“I’ve never been here.”Joo-o whispered in excited tones. Muhae, too, had never ventured inside the formal residential area. He’d passed through Seogyeong’s outskirts a few times, but had neither reason nor right to enter further.“Don’t stare around.”Lowering Joo-o’s cap, Muhae cautioned quietly. Among the neatly dressed locals, the two rain-soaked mercenaries looked conspicuous and ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) dangerous.Why they were given lodging here was beyond him. As the mapped coordinates led them deeper, the roads and buildings grew more ostentatious. Even Muhae felt a flicker of awkwardness.Their “lodging” turned out to be a business hotel in the heart of Central. Entering the lobby, the uncomfortable glances ceased the instant Muhae produced the keycode on his watch.“Wash up.”“Why is the bed different?”“When was it ever the same? Stop whining and wash.”“Fine.”Muhae cut off further protest and sent Joo-o to the bathroom. After feeding him at the makeshift stop, Joo-o had seemed perfectly normal again.Now alone in the quiet hotel room, Muhae sat on the edge of the bed, pressing his eyes with both hands. Every muscle ached from all the running around. He felt oddly uneasy and filthy tired—but honestly satisfied. Whatever the process, he’d secured a large sum.His ruined bike would be repaired somehow, and above all, he was right in Seogyeong City’s center. With this money, he could finally get high-quality hide before leaving Central. Mission complete.They’d taken down a Grade-1 Anomaly together the moment the notice went up. They’d no doubt draw attention for a while—then again, when had Muhae cared what others thought? He massaged his bruised limbs and flopped onto the bed in his grimy clothes.“Is ‘Gureum’ still out of contact?”He’d hoped for any progress before the next Company contract. After all the effort to get here, the Return faction’s former members seemed to have found their own futures—unlike those locked away in cells.Muhae tapped his watch. Normally he wouldn’t meddle with its comm functions outside a secure area, but leaving Goryeo City had given him a sense of freedom.[>>>][>>>][Target not found.]The endless connection attempts that worked in Goryeo City now cut off abruptly. No surprise—at this distance, he couldn’t reach anyone.He drew in a deep breath and blinked at the ceiling. He’d cut down on personal gigs long ago… but ever since bagging that Thorn Wolf, he’d been racing nonstop. Always tackling whatever came without question—his mind clear, just getting it done.Now, removed from his home turf, even his steady head felt unmoored. He idly input a number he’d tried—and failed—before, more out of habit than hope. To ward off confusion, he supposed.Beep—beep—!“…?”What was that? A signal tone he shouldn’t have heard. Two minutes after dialing Gureum’s digits, he’d actually connected—and then—[Connection terminated.]Muhae bolted upright. His foggy mind snapped awake and recalled the moment.“Fuck.”[>>>][>>>][>>>]He dialed the same number again to no avail. Endless attempts, like Gureum’s unreachable line.His heart sank. Apparently there were still living people tied up in this business. Isolated in a strange city center, an uncanny familiarity of helplessness washed over him.Splash—sploosh—.From the bathroom, he heard Joo-o at play—giggling as he splashed in the tub.“Quit messing around and come out after you’re done.”Even in his low spirits, Muhae’s shout stopped the splashing instantly.After a moment of silence, Joo-o grumbled from behind the door.“Why are you listening?”“Was I not? Obviously I heard.”“I’m not listening!”His protest buzzed back muffled. Not listening—how could he stop hearing? Suddenly the absurdity of it lifted Muhae’s mood. As he closed his eyes, a chilling thought flickered across his mind.‘Come to think of it… that guy—’Had Joo-o’s senses become abnormally keen?“…!”He snapped his eyes open as a sudden chill drained the blood from his temples.Beep-Beep.The alarm seeped into his groggy mind. His wrist vibrated, signaling time to rise.Still dead tired from yesterday’s ordeal, Muhae twitched his fingertips and roused himself. The light blanket over him felt unexpectedly heavy and warm.A familiar sweet scent brushed his nose, and warmth spread through the side pressed against him.‘….’His foggy head pieced together events before sleep. Yes, yesterday he’d taken down a Grade-1 Anomaly. Though wounded, it’d been a hell of a fight. Then he’d come to Seogyeong City, rested in lodgings he’d normally never set foot in.“I’m really not listening!”“How can you not listen if you hear it?”“Just don’t listen, okay?”Yes—a memory of arguing with Joo-o surfaced. He should’ve ignored it, but for some reason he got riled up. Joo-o’s indignant nod was etched in his mind. He’d ruffled Joo-o’s hairs with a towel until they puffed soft as clouds.“I did great.”He’d demanded praise, and Muhae, too tired to argue, patted his head twice. Then—he must’ve fallen asleep with the TV on. Unusual for Muhae, ever restless when away from home.He’d lain alone in the single bed that felt a bit small—no clutter, a decent blanket draped over him.So what was the bulky weight breathing against his arm now?Suddenly blinking awake, Muhae saw a glossy black head in his sight. As feared, someone familiar was curled in his arms, asleep.“That bastard.”Muhae muttered, grinding his molars. Joo-o’s body clung tightly to him, the loosely tied gown spread over bare skin.‘Damn it…’He’d slept on the separate bed beside him—but when had Joo-o migrated here? No doubt while Muhae was dead to the world; Joo-o must’ve crept over and clung to him without his knowledge.That faint sweet scent he always detected in his study lingered now. Muhae recalled Joo-o’s happily sleeping expression. He’d brushed Joo-o’s face before—his smooth, pliant cheeks and plump lips.And now that was resting against his collarbone, rising and falling in steady breaths.Just waking, his still-dull body fizzed with awareness.“…Hey.”Something was stirring inside him. He called softly, forcing down his voice.“Hey.”But Joo-o, normally springing up at his slightest cue, remained deep in sleep.Muhae’s brow furrowed further. He’d slept soundly—fully rested. His morning stiffness crept through his lower body as usual.As he shivered and moved, he realized one more startling thing—sighing inwardly. Joo-o’s leg was slung between his. Soft, smooth flesh pressed tight against his inner thigh.“….”An involuntary stirring flooded below his waist. Muhae squeezed his eyes shut, then took a deep breath. It backfired—Joo-o’s scent flooded his lungs, and the memory of yesterday flashed through his mind: nuzzling his head with bloodied hands, nibbling soft flesh with that wet, pliant tongue.Fuck. Something was wrong. His lower abdomen clenched fiercely.

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