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“Zion… sir?”

As always, Serin visited Zion’s hospital room with freshly baked morning bread.

And what caught Serin’s eye was that Zion’s appearance was clearly not normal.

“Is that you, Serin? Thanks for today, as well.”

Normally, Zion would greet Serin while lying comfortably against the bed’s backrest, but today, he sat huddled on the bed, trembling while tightly hugging a ladybug-shaped cushion, not even looking at Serin but staring straight ahead as he offered only verbal greetings.

It seemed he hadn’t slept properly, as dark circles were gathered under his eyes, and they appeared somewhat bloodshot.

“Are you okay? Should I call a doctor?”

“I’m fine, I don’t really need a doctor… but could you bring Mirae? I have something to ask her before the workday starts.”

“Mirae? Understood.”

Serin immediately complied with Zion’s request.

Not long after Serin exited Room 104, Mirae soon appeared before Zion.

“Hero? Are you okay?”

Mirae’s reaction upon seeing Zion wasn’t much different from Serin’s.

Zion took a few deep breaths with eyes closed, calming his breathing and trembling before finally turning to face Mirae, who wore a worried expression.

“Yes, I’m okay. But I have one question.”

“Go ahead.”

“Is there something that Mr. Hop likes? I want to give him a gift.”

“Something Mr. Hop likes?”

After pondering all night about who might know Mr. Hop best in this world, Zion concluded it was none other than the nurse maid Mirae.

She was the head nurse maid of the Kingdom Rehabilitation Medicine Center and also served as Mr. Hop’s right-hand assistant.

Most likely, she would be the one who spent the most time with him.

“Um… you might know better, Hero, but Mr. Hop doesn’t really show interest in things, you know?”

“That’s true.”

Zion had struggled all night trying to figure out a 100-day gift for Mr. Hop upon his return from a business trip.

And after many sleepless nights, the fact he realized was that he didn’t even know what Mr. Hop liked.

He wanted to know more about Mr. Hop.

He wanted to see and do more things with Mr. Hop.

Eventually, Zion was consumed by these desires and couldn’t sleep a wink, drowning in a growing sense of anxiety.

Could Mirae possibly know the answer?

“But I do know one thing. I’m not sure if he likes it, but he shows interest in one thing.”

“What is that?”

“Antiques.”

“Antiques?”

“Yes. Especially those used by adventurers.”

Antiques used by adventurers, you say?

Mirae’s answer was something Zion had never expected.

“I’m not sure why, but Mr. Hop collects broken equipment or weapons that patients have used on their adventures, which can no longer be repaired or used. He probably keeps some of those personally.”

So he collects items that are completely unusable from adventurers? But why?

No matter how hard Zion thought, he couldn’t understand the reason. However, he was relieved to receive a hint about his gift.

“I see… so they’re broken antiques?”

“That’s right. Did that help?”

“Yes, immensely. Thank you, Mirae.”

“Then I’m glad to hear that. I’ll return to prepare for work now.”

Once Mirae left, Zion took a moment to think.

Antiques… especially items used by adventurers.

If that’s the case, he had plenty of those.

Zion Laurel was the strongest and finest adventurer, after all.

Today was a day without training scheduled. A hero’s decision is always immediate and swift.

“Serin.”

“Yes, Zion sir.”

“I’m going to the Empire today. I’ll prepare and set out, so you go to the Magic Tower right now and send a message to Now in my name, okay?”

“…Huh?”

Serin hesitated for a moment due to the unexpected urgency, but since she had just heard the conversation, she quickly grasped what Zion intended to do.

“Understood.”

Once again without delay, Serin left the room and headed towards the Magic Tower.

“Alright. Go and bring back a bunch of my precious items.”

With a clear task now, Zion found himself feeling calm once more.

Taking a moment to collect his thoughts, he began preparing to meet Now, envisioning her familiar face.

 

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