Just then, before either of them could react, the hand that had been lifting Cheon Areum into the air was violently thrown off. His body jerked midair, but he didn't fall. Instead, he felt a steady grip catch the back of his shirt, holding him up effortlessly. The woman stumbled a step back, momentarily off balance, her arm swinging uselessly from the force of the interference. Her eyes snapped toward the source. Yoon Seoyul stood between them, his expression unreadable, eyes sharp like glass about to crack. Without a word, he gently lowered Cheon Areum to the ground.
"Ha!"
The woman scoffed dramatically, pressing a hand to her head in disbelief.
"To think you could seduce the Yoon Seoyul with your pretty little facade... No wonder your head's been in the clouds. Must be nice having someone of his status supporting you from behind. Even if I report him to the police for injuring my employees and kidnapping—nothing will happen, is that it? If you say you want to kill me and take Rian's custody that way, will he do that for you too? Murder."
She leaned forward slightly, emphasizing her final word in a trenchant, high whisper—each syllable like a dagger cloaked in velvet. Cheon Areum's fists clenched at his sides, trembling not from fear but from restraint. Thin traces of dark energy seeped out between his fingers before he quickly curled them tighter, hiding the ominous mist beneath his sleeves. His eyes, undiluted, revealed the purple hue usually buried deep in his irises, now fully surfaced—vivid and unfiltered—as he looked up at Yoon Seoyul.
Yoon Seoyul's eyes had widened slightly as he stared at her. He wanted to avoid being seen as a potential threat to humanity—for now, at least. For the protagonist, the need to save the world came before anything else. If he considered something a hazard endangering the human population, he would go after it without a second thought. That was how he was wired, and for someone who had yet to reawaken as an S-Class, making enemies of the same level wasn't ideal.
"Cheon Areum..."
Yoon Seoyul spoke, regaining his full attention.
"Cheon Areum is not dating me. I had a debt to settle with him. We're even now, so I won't be doing any more favors for him."
He's way too pure for this world. She clearly meant we were having a fling, but that possibility didn't even occur to him. Wait, no—that's not the important part here. What do you mean you won't do anything for me now?! Have I already been thrown to the deranged and unsavable lot??
Yoon Seoyul's gaze flickered downward, caught off guard by the gentle tug. Cheon Areum's hand gripped his sleeve—not tightly, but enough to anchor him. He pleaded with his eyes, blinking repeatedly and forcing his lips into a downward smile to garner whatever sympathy he could.
Pity me, you jerk!! I can still be saved!
The reaction he got was completely unexpected. Yoon Seoyul's eyes widened even more, as if he'd just seen a ghost. He quickly turned away, offering him a cold shoulder.
".....?"
Was it that bad?
"Is that how you bewitched him? One hell of a kind debt you got there, Mr. Yoon Seoyul-ssi."
The woman chided in a soft, cutting tone.
"He's just like his mother, no doubt."
Cheon Areum's brows furrowed at the last remark. She hadn't actually meant his real mother, but the mention maddened him all the same. He reached for her throat in that instant, but his wrist was immediately caught by Yoon Seoyul.
"Leave. If you think you or the people waiting downstairs can go against me, then be my guest. If not, leave right now."
Yoon Seoyul warned. The woman rolled her eyes, departing with the hard sound of her heels hitting across the floor.
"Have you calmed down now?"
After a few minutes, Yoon Seoyul asked in a cautious tone. Cheon Areum took a deep breath and freed his wrist from the now-loosened clasp.
"Can you do me a favor?"
"What is it?"
"Go to the convenience store down the street and bring a bag full of ice cream."
"That's all?"
Cheon Areum nodded imperceptibly. Yoon Seoyul didn't question it and went on his way. Cheon Areum chuckled as he watched his back fade from the entrance.
He said it himself—we're even now, and he has nothing more to do with me. But he still ran off to get me ice cream. That's actually hilarious. Maybe he doesn't see me as a threat yet because of my class and non-destructive abilities.
In the same position he'd left him in, Rian was sleeping without a care in the world. Cheon Areum placed his fingers under his nose suspiciously. Good, still breathing.
***
"Should you be eating this many?"
"This is my first meal of the day."
"...."
Cheon Areum ripped open another popsicle, already halfway through the bag of ice cream.
"It's a twin bar. Do you want one?"
He offered generously, snapping the two sticks apart with ease. Yoon Seoyul shook his head with his usual expression. Shrugging, Cheon Areum shoved both halves into his mouth, devouring them in seconds before tearing open another wrapper.
"Can I ask you something?"
"If it's about joining—"
"No, it's not. I just wanted to know why you came in between us earlier. Were you trying to protect me?"
Yoon Seoyul stared at the dining table in silence, his gaze unmoving, as if the grain of the wood had the answer written in it. Cheon Areum, unfazed by the silence, unwrapped another popsicle and took a bite, the crackle of the ice softly abrupting the stillness. He waited patiently, giving the other man time to speak.
"Yes. It was partially my fault for taking Rian away. You didn't ask for that."
"Hmm, I guess you can look at it that way... another question."
"What is it?"
Cheon Areum finished the last of the popsicle in his hand, its lingering sweetness still cooling his tongue. This time, he didn't reach for another. Instead, he rested his forearms on the table, the cold from the surface seeping faintly into his skin as he leaned forward, eyes fixed on Yoon Seoyul.
"If you ever saw me in danger, would you still protect me—without needing a reason?"
"Yes."
The reply came without hesitation, so swift and sure it startled Cheon Areum. He stilled, blinking at the confidence in Yoon Seoyul's tone. Last time, he'd taken forever to speak up—turning over each word like it weighed a ton. But now? Now, he didn't even need to think?
Cheon Areum, having read the book, should've known the main character like the back of his hand. But he couldn't detect his true intentions, no matter how much he contemplated it. What was Yoon Seoyul truly thinking?
"Then let me join your guild."
"No."
Cheon Areum sighed, resigning to his decision.
"I need to earn money, and you know S-Class gates pay the most. Can't you at least let me join one with you? You said you'd protect me! Just this once—please!"
Begging with his eyes and every softened feature, he looked at Yoon Seoyul tenderly. He might not be able to pinpoint the reasons behind the man's behavior, but he knew one thing—his weakness was still the same. And as he guessed, the words came just as predicted.
"All right. I'll take you to an S-Class gate."