Ki Yuhun made an appointment to meet Lee Eul, intending to reveal his true identity. Ironically, despite his nervousness, his heart began to soar. Perhaps it was because this meeting was different from their usual casual encounters, with the sole purpose of seeing her.
He reserved a restaurant that served food she would likely enjoy. The atmosphere was calm, making it perfect for a quiet conversation after the meal.
However, the moment Lee Eul greeted him with a bright smile, his mind went blank.
As Ki Yuhun opened his mouth, he couldn't imagine how her expression would change.
Would she get angry for being lied to? If so, it would still be okay. He would apologize until she calmed down.
But...
What if she became wary of him? If he couldn't see her comfortable smile again, if she looked at him as if he were a stranger. The mere thought of it made his chest tighten with overwhelming tension.
He finally steeled his resolve and was about to speak when a staff member knocked on the door, announcing the dessert service.
He sensed Han Isung's presence not far away on the other side of the wall. Knowing that Han Isung couldn't deceive his senses, he wondered if this was a protest to make him understand his intentions.
Han Isung strongly opposed Ki Yuhun revealing his true identity to Lee Eul. He understood the reasons for his opposition; he was worried that their carefully built casual relationship would be ruined.
Ki Yuhun admitted to himself that he felt a strange relief at Han Isung's interference.
This is not the right environment to have a serious conversation with interference around.
Using this as an excuse, he drove toward a darkened overlook. He was confident that this time he would speak. At least until the light from the fireworks reflected on Lee Eul's white cheeks.
Her dark brown hair slowly fluttered in the wind. Her large eyes slowly blinked as they looked at him. She rubbed a cold drink with her chilled fingers and exhaled a white breath. Every detail was etched clearly in his mind.
After a few minutes of urging his lips to move, Ki Yuhun admitted defeat. He had never felt so indecisive, lacking the courage to speak.
Yes, next time. I'll tell her the next time we meet.
He didn't want to ruin this gentle atmosphere with unnecessary words. He didn't want to see her eyes, filled with fireworks, turn wary.
So, they enjoyed a normal outing.
Just as he was about to suggest they return because it was getting cold, Lee Eul suddenly spoke.
"Are you trying to tell me some secret? For example... that you're the top-ranked Muwon, Yuhun?"
Ki Yuhun stared blankly at the woman in front of him. The only word he managed to utter was:
"...What?"
* * *
It's not something to be proud of, but I'm really not good at picking up on things.
So, I didn't guess Ki Yuhun's true identity from the beginning.
At first, I really thought he was just a weak, low-level hunter. Even when the fire broke out at Grandma Kim Deok's workshop, I only thought he was a surprisingly strong and free hunter.
But soon, I noticed something strange.
Ki Yuhun's skill, which used white light to manipulate space, was both powerful and versatile.
With such abilities, he should be famous, yet almost no one knew about Ki Yuhun.
The twin hunters of the Cheongra Guild followed Ki Yuhun closely. Even Han Isung treated Ki Yuhun with a certain respect, which was not how he treated a low-level hunter.
Moreover, could a low-level hunter of the Cheongra Guild, not just any small guild, have so much free time? Isn't being a hunter a form of employment contract?
The decisive moment came when the Dungeon Management Chief moved during the crisis at the Baegun Guild, when Kwon Jiwoon was in danger.
A hunter capable of moving the Chief, who was staying in Jeju for some dungeon development issues...
Think about it. There is only one hunter in the Cheongra Guild who is strong but whose identity is unknown.
The trendsetter of the current craze, the top-ranked Muwon.
Moreover, the significant words and the way he tried to avoid the topic...
Once I formed this hypothesis, all the evidence became clear.
The first and greatest S-rank, who has always held the top position, a Muwon straight out of a fantasy novel.
The gentle man, Ki Yuhun, who often visited the café.
It just took a while to connect the dots because their images were so different.
Ki Yuhun either lacked the talent to hide his identity or didn't really want to hide it. Otherwise, how could he be so obvious?
When I recited my thoughts, Ki Yuhun sighed and rubbed his forehead with his fingertips. The tension that had lingered was now gone. His expression was a mix of relief and resignation.
"Lee Eul."
After a few moments, Ki Yuhun continued.
"If you knew... why didn't you say anything?"
"It's a matter of personal privacy, right?"
"..."
His bewildered gaze fell on my cheek.
Why, in this world, can't people recognize the same person just by changing their hairstyle or wearing glasses?
Seeing that no one noticed Ki Yuhun was Muwon despite his obviousness, I thought it was an unspoken rule not to mention it.
"...I thought you would dislike me for lying."
"Of course not."
I also have things I haven't told him. It's strange to reveal all your secrets to someone you've only known for a short time.
Besides, once I knew, it wasn't that shocking.
He was still strong, helpful, and would suddenly appear and disappear. His true identity didn't change much.
Well, I thought I would reveal it when the time was right, and until then...
"Social consideration for a sensitive top-ranked Muwon who wants to avoid attention."
"Treating people like a goldfish..."
Ki Yuhun muttered with a troubled expression.
"But why did you decide to reveal it suddenly?"
The night air was quite cold. The warmth of the barley tea can had long since dissipated.
As we walked toward the parked car, Ki Yuhun handed me his gloves. I accepted them without refusal, but they were too big, leaving extra space. I fiddled with the extra part of the glove and added:
"Was there a reason you were trying to hide it?"
"Actually, I traveled back in time."
"Ah, cough! Cough, cough!"
"Are you okay?"
This time, I was genuinely surprised.
So surprised that Ki Yuhun handed me his share of the barley tea can and a handkerchief. I accepted and took a sip, feeling like I was about to die.
Ki Yuhun is also a regressive?
Ki Yuhun opened the car door for me, and I got in, but my mind was spinning.
"So... you mean Yuhun is a regressive?"
"You believe me. I thought you would think it was absurd."
"Well..."
I know best that regressions exist.
The possibility that Ki Yuhun suddenly became obsessed with a fantasy novel and adopted the regressive concept is lower than the possibility that he, like me, remembers his past before regression.
"I didn't plan to reveal this fact, but..."
When I unexpectedly and calmly accepted his true identity, he decided to reveal that he was a regressive.
The story that followed was chilling even with the heater on.
Three years later, the Great Dungeon, Abyss, revives a god.
Ki Yuhun, trying to stop the god, returned to the past the moment he reached the final floor, The Ultimate Gate.
"When was that? What date was it?"
I was surprised when I heard the date Ki Yuhun mentioned.
'It's the same as me.'
The same day I died before my regression.
Did my regression cause Ki Yuhun's regression? Or did the Holy Maiden also intervene for Ki Yuhun?
I don't know, but...
I felt the urge to reveal that I am also a regressive.
"..."
But as soon as I thought about it, my lips wouldn't move. I immediately realized that the system was stopping me. I felt both uneasy and frustrated.
Why only me!
Is the law of causality discriminatory? Is it because I'm F-rank?
"Because of the law of causality, I can't reveal everything about the future, but..."
Ki Yuhun continued.
The revival of the god was orchestrated by a crazy religious group called the Order of the Wisdom of the Stars. They are still plotting the god's revival.
Isn't the world expanding too much all of a sudden?
"Lee Eul, you've already been involved in many incidents. I think the Order is behind them. I wanted to warn you to be careful."
"I see..."
Three years from now, such a big event will happen. And Ki Yuhun is trying to stop the god's revival.
It feels distant, yet unsettling. I nodded.
"And one more thing."
"Yes?"
"Earlier, you asked if I couldn't taste things."
"I'm sorry. It was an unnecessary question."
Because my cat at home made that sound. Feeling embarrassed, I waved my hands, but Ki Yuhun added:
"Indeed, my sense of taste is fine... but when I reached the god's gate, The Ultimate Gate, I felt a part of me flow into the other side."
"..."
"When I sealed the god's gate, my memory was incomplete. I became a different person from before my awakening, and I couldn't return to my original self no matter what. It's a kind of loss, I guess."
Why? As I listened to Ki Yuhun's serious words, I suddenly remembered the satisfaction bar when he drank coffee.
The bar that never reached 100% and stopped at 98%.
It might be a far-fetched thought, but... the 2% that never filled might be the part he's talking about.