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“I could have at least said a word before leaving…”

I heard the word “leave,” but I had no idea it would be a farewell. I didn’t think Alpha would stick around forever, but I certainly didn’t expect it to happen this suddenly.

“Seriously, what’s the deal? You’ve left, so why are you whining?”

Just as I was about to dodge a snap on the head, Euna flinched and ducked, while the corners of Hong Yu-ri’s eyes twitched slightly.

“Oh, you dodged that?”

“No, that’s not it!”

As Euna was about to stand up in panic, Hong Yu-ri raised her hand with three fingers extended.

“Three.”

“……!”

“Two.”

With each finger folding down, Euna pressed her lips shut and sat back down. It was clear that no matter how much she argued, she’d only get hit more. Expecting a severe pain to come, Euna flinched, but for some reason, it didn’t hurt…?! The moment she opened her eyes slightly, the pain hit her forehead.

“Don’t be a wuss. You won’t grow any taller.”

How could it not hurt?! I wanted to scream, but I managed to hold it in as Baek So-yul brought over a teapot. Soon, the three of us sat around our pots and cups.

“So-yul, are you feeling okay?”

“Huh?”

Euna squinted suspiciously at So-yul, who looked confused. It had already been two days since Alpha left. At first, it didn’t feel real, but then the silence of the departure began to sting. Couldn’t he have at least said goodbye? Or was that vague statement at the dungeon a farewell? I wondered how So-yul felt, who probably felt the same way. If anything, she must have felt it even more. But So-yul just tilted her head.

“I don’t know…?”

It seemed she didn’t care as much as I expected… The thought left So-yul puzzled, tilting her head.

“Maybe it’s because it doesn’t feel like he left?”

What in the world does that mean? Pouring tea, Euna sighed heavily. Am I just wallowing in something trivial? Although there were many in the clan lamenting Alpha’s disappearance…

“Ugh, that stings.”

“Dumbass. You’ve turned into quite the drama queen. Why don’t you just go do a performative play or something?”

Euna pouted at that sharp comment and picked up her cup to cover her face. Just then, Hong Yu-ri received a call and frowned.

“…Yes? Alright.”

She seemed quite displeased… No, it was more like she looked awkward. When Euna and Baek So-yul exchanged puzzled glances, Hong Yu-ri ended the call and shot a sharp glare at Euna.

“What’s up with you?”

Seeing her in a bad mood made Euna roll her eyes, wondering if she had done something wrong, but she couldn’t think of anything.

“I have a call. I’ll be back soon, so reheat my tea.”

“Oh, sure.”

As Hong Yu-ri stepped out, Euna lifted the teapot and set it on the stove.

***

“Came back a bit too soon, didn’t I?”

Kang Tae-jun chuckled as the Wolf scratched behind its ear with a long tentacle. The intention was to come back quick, but having to meet the system made me wonder if it would take longer. Though we cleared one dungeon, I didn’t expect to be back after almost two days. Maybe the passage of time works differently.

“So, what’s the reason for coming back?”

“I want to bring someone back.”

“…Someone?”

The Wolf nodded at the puzzling question.

“I want to bring Baek So-yul back.”

“…Baek So-yul?”

Kang Tae-jun furrowed his brow for a moment, then as if it clicked, added.

“Right, the student from the Academy, wasn’t she?”

The Academy was still under reconstruction, but that didn’t matter for So-yul, who would graduate in February. There shouldn’t be any scheduling issues, but…

“She’s not a Hunter. Are you aware of that?”

He meant you can’t just take a student who isn’t a Hunter, especially one who is under probation. The Wolf nodded again.

“…I understand.”

Still, it must mean he feels it’s necessary. Soon, Kang Tae-jun made a call, and before long, Ha Yeon came to inform him that someone had arrived.

“You called for me…”

Someone entered the room— Hong Yu-ri stiffened. The Wolf casually waved its tentacle in greeting, but she deliberately looked away and swallowed hard. It was probably only with Kang Tae-jun that she managed to hold herself together.

“Hong Yu-ri. I understand you have Baek So-yul with you.”

“Yes. That’s correct.”

“It’s necessary.”

“I can, but…”

Even though she cut the sentence short, Hong Yu-ri quickly grasped the meaning. The reason Alpha, who’d left, was still here, and why Kang Tae-jun called her… It was to ensure that Baek So-yul’s absence isn’t noticed. That led Hong Yu-ri to ask.

“Where does So-yul need to go?”

Kang Tae-jun gestured, and Hong Yu-ri trembled before turning to face me with a deep breath, meeting my red eyes.

“It’s hard to say. But it won’t cause harm.”

There was still hesitation about revealing the existence of the Fantasy World. I heard it was fine with the Queen, but something could change because of that. I wanted to leave the least number of people in the know.

“Hah, is that the best you can do?”

With a glance that seemed to slip past me, Hong Yu-ri scoffed.

“Would you willingly send her off like that…?!”

Suddenly, a thought struck me. As I came into Hong Yu-ri’s field of view, she flinched and stepped back, falling over and landing on her rear.

“Y…!”

Her face turned as red as a tomato in anger, but it swiftly drained of color, and Kang Tae-jun sighed.

“You’re still not ready.”

Before Hong Yu-ri could say anything, Kang Tae-jun continued.

“Alpha, I get what you want to say. I don’t know what you’re planning, but I don’t think it’s wasted effort.”

“……”

“However, she’s not one of the Dawn’s members. While she’s under our protection, we can’t force anything on her.”

Kang Tae-jun nodded in my direction.

“Of course, Baek So-yul owes you, so she might oblige. But doing that makes our situation awkward. It’s ridiculous that we don’t know what the person we’re safeguarding is up to.”

He meant the evidence needed to justify it, and the Wolf nodded.

“So bring Hong Yu-ri along.”

“Clan Leader?! “

As Hong Yu-ri panicked, Kang Tae-jun maintained a neutral expression. He didn’t even look at her.

“When will you suffer from this phobia? You’re the one in charge of Baek So-yul. If you go together and return safely, maybe your fear will fade away.”

“Clan Leader! I…!”

“Hong Yu-ri. Have you forgotten that you were barred from participating in Neverland because of your impulsive behavior?”

Hong Yu-ri suddenly fell silent.

“The fact that no one said anything until now was just kindness.”

She chewed her lips. Kang Tae-jun had previously urged her to overcome it as soon as possible, even saying he’d give her a break if needed. She had refused, so there was no ground for complaint. Although she hadn’t neglected to try, that couldn’t be an excuse…

“I… understand.”

“Did you hear? If you’re going to take Baek So-yul, then take Hong Yu-ri along. Is that acceptable?”

The Wolf contemplated briefly but soon nodded.

‘Sounds good.’

Though Baek So-yul’s presence was essential, having Hong Yu-ri wouldn’t hurt. In fact, with her being an exceptional mage, she could absorb the magic of the Fantasy World, making her invaluable in the dungeon as well. Besides, like Kang Tae-jun said, it was time to confront her phobia, especially with plans to go to the Square later.

‘And…’

With Hong Yu-ri by my side, we might be able to defeat the Volcano Ceratops. If learning about the Fantasy World couldn’t be avoided, I’d have to spin it to make it worth it… Hong Yu-ri, who had been avoiding my gaze, suddenly felt the weight of my stare and swallowed hard.

***

“…So, I really need your help.”

I explained the situation to Baek So-yul, who was sitting where Hong Yu-ri could see her. The world that Fairy briefly took Baek So-yul to was the Fantasy World. It was filled with dense Fantasy Magic, and it was likely they would absorb even more power from the dungeon. I thought she might refuse, but Baek So-yul nodded brightly.

“Got it.”

“……”

Hong Yu-ri frowned at her, but said nothing.

“…I wanted to go too.”

Suddenly, I recalled our conversation on the clan rooftop with Baek So-yul. She had mentioned dreaming of the Fantasy World. Perhaps she genuinely wanted to go there.

“When are we leaving?”

“Right away is fine.”

“…Wait, I need to prepare.”

As Hong Yu-ri sighed in resignation, Baek So-yul seemed apologetic, lowering her gaze.

“I’m sorry, teacher. Still, I…”

“I know.”

“…Thank you.”

***

“……Really?”

With wide eyes, Euna asked, and Baek So-yul pressed her finger to her lips.

“It’s a secret.”

As Euna nodded with a gulp, she nearly tripped on the stairs, making Baek So-yul smile wryly.

“Seriously, that flake. When will she get a grip?”

“Teacher…”

“Well, it’s not wrong. Anything else you need?”

“I’m good. This is enough.”

Hong Yu-ri nodded firmly. The preparations were thorough. She didn’t mind the fact that the world seemed mirrored—she was just hesitant because she’d be with Alpha in the Fantasy World, but she was intrigued by the place itself. Hong Yu-ri lifted her backpack.

***

As the door burst open with a bang, I instantly recognized who it was. Euna hurriedly opened the door, startling Fairy awake.

“Oh, sorry.”

“Kyyuuu~!”

“Sorry… You’re really back?”

It looked like someone had tripped while coming over. As Fairy chided her, she glanced at me.

“Couldn’t at least say goodbye before you left…”

Didn’t she say she was leaving? Staring at her, Euna shook her head.

“What’s this about leaving an Elixir behind? But you were back quickly, huh?”

“Not really, but…”

She seemed fidgety, wiggling her fingers restlessly. Was she upset because I didn’t properly say goodbye?

“I’m going again soon. If you have anything to say…”

“…Where to?”

“To the dungeon.”

Short and sweet, I replied, and Euna pondered for a moment, finally nodding.

“You’ll be back, right?”

“Probably.”

Not long after Euna left, the two of us, prepared, returned to the room and moved to the Fantasy World.

 

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