[Did you get home safely, Mr. Elias?]


    [Yes, did you, Miss Ki-Yeon?]


    [That’s why I’m sending you this message. You even walked me back to my place, . I had a lot of fun today. I didn’t think we would continue our relationship like this. It’s really interesting.]


    [You’re right.]


    [Actually, I thought our meeting yesterday was going to be the last, but… I didn’t think you’d hug me so affectionately…]


    [I’m sorry about yesterday. I made a really big mistake, Miss Ki-Yeon.]


    [And you made up for that mistake today.]


    [I’m glad you think that way.]


    [Anyway, you don’t need to think too deeply or worry yourself over it. You don’t have to tell the press… Actually, to be honest, I hope you don’t tell them. It’s a little burdensome… ]


    He wasn''t replying. Perhaps he had yet to realize the fact that we were already dating.


    [I might be getting worried for no reason… since we’re not in a serious relationship yet, but there are various issues to handle, such as the successor of Everia. Of course, I’d be happy if you’ve already thought that far… b-but I still need time to think… I want to take my time rather than rushing into it.]


    He had to be startled by that message.


    [I didn’t insult you, did I? ?]


    He had to be really flustered. He had seen my message, but he had yet to reply. There could have been some kind of misunderstanding, as it was not like Elias had confessed to me. However, relationships weren''t necessarily formed through words alone.


    He hugged me, and he took me back to my place quietly while we held hands, so it was more than a simple date. Our relationship was formed through our actions and emotions alone. I was not sure about the elf, but from innocent Lee Ki-Yeon’s point of view, it was enough to consider it a confession.


    It was an exchange of souls—both Elias and I knew that. No one would think that our soul exchange was an ordinary one.


    We were clearly… riding the great wave of destiny. On that day, Elias and I looked at the sky after the rain and confirmed that there was a red thread around our finger, connecting us together.


    Twenty minutes later, I finally got a reply.


    [I wasn''t… insulted…]


    I used my Telescope and saw Elias with a hand on his forehead. He placed his Goddess’ Hand Mirror on the desk.


    [I think there was a bit of a misunderstanding…]


    [What?]


    [We shouldn’t be talking about this through messages. How about we meet tomorrow and talk?]


    [… sure. Should I look forward to it?]


    [No… it’s nothing to look forward to.]


    I felt like he wanted to pretend that the exchange of souls never happened. He was tapping his hand mirror while sighing, and his face was filled with worry. If Jo Hye-Jin hadn''t existed, he would have picked Lee Ki-Yeon''s route.


    However, Jo Hye-Jin was here, so he was hesitating between the two women.


    Jo Hye-Jin had always been in his heart, and he had always looked up to her. She had also changed his opinion on humans. When he felt that perhaps it was a love that would come only once in a lifetime, another woman he liked suddenly appeared in his life.


    He was just worried about me for some reason. Of course, if one were to look at it from the outside, one would see that Lee Ki-Yeon was more than someone he was worried about. Elune had picked me as his partner, and I was a woman connected to him through the red thread of destiny.


    He could not just abandon Lee Ki-Yeon.


    According to Ji-Hye noona’s lore, Lee Ki-Yeon''s mental state was extremely unstable, so she could collapse at any moment. In addition to losing everything, she was betrayed by the person she thought was her true love. She was pretending to be fine, strong, and confident, but Elias saw the scar deep in her soul.


    Elias was the first person to confront her directly about her scar.


    — I’m Lee Ji-Hoo right now. And I’m texting Hye-Jin right now, so let’s talk later.


    —...


    — No, we should still do it. Human or elf, their true nature comes out during the worst-case scenario. You can’t even say for sure that Ki-Yeon has completely fallen for him. More importantly, we need to end this soon.


    — This story. I wasn’t going to take this seriously, but I don’t know when I’ll get another opportunity like this. We need to end this one way or another. I’m glad we’re on vacation. This is the kind of vacation I was expecting.


    — You really think I would do that? I’m just setting the mood. Did you see the new script I sent you? Let’s talk again after you’ve reviewed it.


    — Let’s end things here today. You have work to do as well. It’s your favorite hobby.


    "What is it?" I asked.


    — Using your telescope to watch people and taking an interest in other people’s lives.


    But she wasn’t wrong.


    At first, I was honestly upset that I had to spend money on it, but then I thought it was worth spending money on the Telescope.


    — Give me another!


    — You’re drunk, Miss Ye-Ri.


    — But what are Ki-Young oppa and Hyun-Sung oppa doing?


    — I think hyung-nim is playing with the kids… and Hyun-Sung bro said he was preparing for an important event… Sear?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    — So we can hang out once that’s done, right?


    — We have the group schedule. It was canceled because of Miss Dialuria and Max, but once this is over, I’m sure we’ll get together again. Miss Belier, Miss Alps! Over here!


    — Hello, everyone.


    — What’s with that formal greeting? Just relax.


    — They should still show respect. If they don’t, they’ll start acting up, Mister Deok-Gu. This is unimaginable back in my day… It seems times have truly changed.


    The Park-Ki-Ri siblings and the rookies were having a small get-together.


    — No, Miss Jung Ha-Yan. Only children are allowed to participate in Find Dad.


    — I-I-I want to participate as well. Oppa said he''d give a reward.


    — Then why don’t you ask Sera? I’m sure Sera will find him.


    — S-Should I? I’m allowed to do that, right?


    — Yes, of course. Let’s go to sleep now.


    Jung Ha-Yan and Han Sora were getting ready for bed.


    — It’s peaceful.


    — You’re right.


    — I hope it remains peaceful…


    Elena looked up at the sky with a worried gaze while Sun Hee-Young drank tea with a relaxed face. It wasn’t that late, but I was happy to see everyone enjoy life in their own way.


    Park Lian seemed to be unhappy with her equipment, as she was spending a long time in the item shop. Meanwhile, Yoo Ah-Young and Lee Chang-Ryeol were on a date late at night.


    Rafael’s party arrived late, so they were still looking around the city.


    Hee-Ra noona was sitting with Kasugano Yuno, and the former was drinking brewed alcohol from a large bowl. Colonel Smith was sitting on a boulder by himself, trying to establish a serene mood.


    Some of those invited were people familiar to me but were not necessarily close to me.


    I looked around the city with my Telescope and was about to go to sleep when I realized that I hadn''t seen the children yet.


    I looked around frantically, but I couldn''t see them. Dialugia was missing as well. As if zooming into the Laves Desert wasn’t enough, I looked around for a while and finally found the children.


    — Are you ready?


    — Yes, noonim.


    — Yes, unni!


    — You’re doing great getting its attention! Cheru! Thro! Get a hold of yourselves!


    — I’m sorry.


    — Sena! Sena! Sena[1]! Answer me!


    — O-Okay, n-n-noonim!


    — Follow Max’s instructions! He’ll give us the coordinates! You won’t get hurt as long as you follow his instructions. It’s only a Legendary dungeon. It''s Legendary dungeon! You useless kids! Move! It’s going to transform!


    — Watch out, Cheru!


    - Noonim! Don’t shoot yet! Ch-Cheru… Cheru!


    — Cherubim has already moved out of the way! Right, Domi?


    — Yes, unni!


    It had been a while since I saw Dialuria in her giant dragon form. Her Breath was similar to Dialugia''s back when she was still in her prime. The mysterious monster that was struck by her Breath roared before flying into a wall.


    Thronus picked up his sword and jumped into the air to cut off its head.


    — Assist Thro! This is just the first boss! What the hell did you learn?! You said you’ve been in dungeons and have completed many tasks!


    — Th-They’re kind of different, unni. I don’t know why… but these monsters…


    — Damn it! Max! Change formations! This won’t work! It’s time for tactical Dialuria!


    — Okay, noona!


    Numerous screens appeared above Max, who was being protected by golems.


    Dialugia transformed into her human form and grabbed a sword before pushing Thronus away.


    — I’ll take care of it! Back me up!


    — O-Okay!


    I thought the dungeons in Laves Desert had already been cleared?


    — I knew it the moment I saw this dungeon. The Red Mercenary Guild has already cleared this area, so why do you think there’s still a dungeon here?


    — That’s…


    — Yeah. It’s highly likely that Dad created this dungeon.


    — He was probably trying to test us. It’s probably like a coming-of-age ceremony.


    — You think so? You think Father…


    — You dummy! Do you know why we still haven’t received the Blue Guild’s official badge yet? It means we’re not qualified yet! We''ve grown physically, but we haven’t grown mentally!


    For some reason, I had a sense of foreboding.


    I took my eyes off the kids and turned to find Kim Hyun-Sung looking like an evil spirit.


    — Damn it. Why can’t you finish it…


    — Please spare me. P-Please…spare me, God of Sunset.


    — I don’t have a lot of time left. Mr. Ki-Young is really looking forward to it… Do you know what the problem is?


    — I-I don’t have enough catalysts. Chanelia Hermes'' strength is higher than we thought…


    — everything has to be perfect…


    — So what do you need?


    — We need at least… a Mythic… catalyst.


    1. not a typo. ?