"It's a natural item, not something crafted. Once it's complete, could you spare just one drop, 0.4 grams?"
The leader of the potion-making team was extremely interested. They had been researching a status-removing potion for years with no results, and progress had stalled.
"It might only work if you drink all of it, so no."
Kwon Jihan firmly declined, but Yoon Seo left some room.
"I'll ask the gods when we enter the dungeon. If they give the okay, I'll spare a bit."
"Thank you. But do blessing gods even answer questions like that?"
"They will. They're quite chatty."
"That's incredible…"
In reality, Yoon Seo and Kwon Jihan were exceptions. Most Awakened people found the blessing gods to be taciturn since their messages were rare. Normally, to receive answers, one had to perform certain rituals, like Grace Elysia dressing up and immersing herself in a lake.
"In any case, the elixir will be completed by 2 a.m. the day after tomorrow. Congratulations, Seo Chaeyoon Hunter."
Starting with Yoo Juncheol, everyone offered their congratulations. Yoon Seo awkwardly accepted the well-wishes.
He had mixed feelings about removing his status effects.
He had lived thinking of them as a gift from the former Revengers.
Now, with the thought of them disappearing, Yoon Seo felt a bit of regret, though he didn't show it to Kwon Jihan.
Still, he welcomed the idea of breaking free from the perception that he was like a newborn fawn, a kitten, or the last leaf in The Last Leaf—the one that, once fallen, signaled his death. The notion of being the hero who saves the world but dies, or the dewdrop precariously hanging on the edge of a roof… escaping that image was a relief.
While Yoon Seo was lost in thought, the team leaders were in a frenzy.
"If you announce that the status effects are gone, the entire world will unite—regardless of race, religion, or politics. And July 19th will become 'Seo Chaeyoon's Status Recovery Day,' a global holiday. Calendar companies will start by marking July 19th first!"
"Every time Seo Chaeyoon Hunter entered a dungeon, I'd be so anxious I could hardly focus on daily life. But now, knowing a potion works on him… I'm already overwhelmed with emotion."
"Hey, be careful! Haven't you read item 16 and 17? 'No subtle pressure to create holidays related to Seo Chaeyoon,' and 'No comments about worrying over his health!'"
"You broke item 23 too, 'No expressing concern when Seo Chaeyoon enters a dungeon!'"
"And right now, you're violating item 45, 'No stating any precautionary warnings in front of Seo Chaeyoon!'"
"How could I make such a mistake!"
Since when did it get up to 45 rules?
Yoon Seo calmed the chaotic team leaders. They needed to catch up on what had happened on Earth, but there were also plenty of stories to share from his and Kwon Jihan's side.
Experiences from space travel… the non-Awakened ark, the Awakened elevated to being divine patrons, the outskirts of the cosmic expressways, labyrinth dungeons, Black Kalia, new dungeons and skills, and items…
Just as Riceball was nodding off inside Kwon Jihan's large hands, which he had cupped into a cave-like shape.
Beep.
Do Deungsoo's U-pad chimed.
"Ah, time's up. I'll be off now."
"Where are you going? You're acting busy when we've got AiAi right here."
"Where am I going? I'm heading to a dungeon. Busan's B-rank Green Dungeon! Only 10 minutes left now."
"What? Busan? And there are only 10 minutes left? Did you forget we're in Seoul?"
"No, but I think Director Tae Jaesik forgot that I have
"Oh, right, I forgot about that."
"If I didn't have a teleportation skill, I could have left here an hour ago… But thanks to it, I'm stuck working till the very end before heading into a dungeon… What a miserable working man I am… sigh…"
Do Deungsoo cast a weary glance at Yoon Seo.
"Just shaking hands with Seo Chaeyoon Hunter would give me a boost of energy…"
Kwon Jihan glared at him sharply. Yoon Seo calmed Kwon Jihan down and indulged Do Deungsoo's passive request.
Once Do Deungsoo left, the meeting came to an end.
"Jihan, are you heading home now?"
"Yeah. What about you, hyung?"
"I'm going too. This is the first time I'm going home in 50 hours."
"You should quit being a guild leader."
"I'd love to."
As the three of them, including Yoo Juncheol, stepped into the elevator, Tae Jaesik ran over and grabbed the closing door.
Watching him twitch his mustache, Yoon Seo wanted to kick him out, but had no choice but to let him in.
"Hey, hey. Wanna see our princess after all this time?"
"Yes. Is she adjusting to school well?"
"She's doing so well that yesterday she complained about making twice as many friends after transferring and said it's tough managing them all."
Yoon Seo indulged in all the photos Tae Jaesik showed of his princess. It was hard to believe this adorable and lovely girl was related to this mustachioed man. He really should meet her one day.
"By the way, Yoon Seo. I saw you do the heart thing earlier."
He was talking about when they stood at the photo line. Yoon Seo had already expected Tae Jaesik would tease him about doing the heart gesture.
"It looked so natural, like you'd practiced it. But you can't fool the 'Eyes of Tae Jaesik.' Did you and Kwon Jihan have a fight?"
Tae Jaesik whispered very quietly. Kwon Jihan and Yoo Juncheol stopped their conversation.
"I thought you said you saw us doing the heart thing earlier."
"When I saw that, I could tell. You guys were making eye contact just fine, but something felt off about the physical touch. As soon as your arms brushed, both of you flinched."
"..."
"Am I right?"
Kwon Jihan openly gave Yoon Seo a curious look.
"We didn't fight."
"Well, if you had, there would've been an awkward atmosphere, but there wasn't any of that. That's what makes it stranger. So, what happened?"
"Go ask Kwon Jihan. He's listening to everything anyway."
"Oh, you don't want to answer? Fine, fine."
Even if it weren't Tae Jaesik, it was a question Yoon Seo couldn't answer.
Last night, Yoon Seo had been staring blankly at the broken remains of the bed's headboard when Kwon Jihan slid his hands under Yoon Seo's armpits and effortlessly lifted him out. As his body left the bed, Yoon Seo's shoulders tensed, feeling like the tight knot in his chest was finally loosening. Kwon Jihan gently laid him down and covered his hunched shoulders with a blanket.
'Hyung, let's stop for tonight.'
'What?'
'Once you've taken the elixir, you can do as much as you want.'
'Are you kidding me?'
I'm not joking. I'm really scared. I don't trust myself to control my strength. What if your bones crack and snap, just like this wooden headboard?'
Sigh.
Yoon Seo was so dumbfounded that instead of comforting Jihan, he gave him an ultimatum.
'Fine, if you're that scared, don't even touch me until the day after tomorrow. Two days of no contact.'
Who could he even share a story like this with?
As he furrowed his brows and turned his head, he made eye contact with Kwon Jihan.
This is your fault.
He shot Kwon Jihan a glare, but Jihan, understanding perfectly, just smiled brightly in response. That smile was so sweet, Yoon Seo didn't even have the energy to be angry.
"Hyung, I'll go get the car. Wait up front."
"Okay."
Kwon Jihan, Yoo Juncheol, and Tae Jaesik went down to the underground parking lot, while Yoon Seo stepped out into the lobby.
As soon as he arrived, the lobby buzzed with activity.
Among the guidelines for encountering Seo Chaeyoon of the Seokyoung Guild was 'Don't acknowledge him unless you know him personally,' so no one tried to start a conversation. However, he couldn't escape the sidelong glances from people.
Peep.
Amid the attention, Riceball was the only one excited. Yoon Seo paused as he crossed the lobby.
"Gasp!"
"Oh!"
He had run into former members of the Guild of Leaves, Park Youngbum and Goh Heewon. Startled, they gave small bows, pretending nothing had happened.
Yoon Seo returned the bow and passed by.
"I ran into Seo Chaeyoon, and I'm regaining my composure quicker than I expected."
Surprised by how calm he felt, he exited the lobby. Waiting for Kwon Jihan to bring the car, he couldn't help but smirk.
"Those two must be up to something."
They had seemed to be heading toward the elevator, but now they were hovering inside the lobby, glancing in his direction and tapping away at their phones.
Yoon Seo took out his phone.
Upon seeing the 999+ notifications, he had avoided the group chat. But, as expected, when he entered:
Park Youngbum
I can't believe I ran into Seo Chaeyoon this close!
Goh Heewon
Smaller than I thought, and it's crazy.
Park Youngbum
I even chipped in for that mask.
Goh Heewon
Isn't it the mask made by For The Seo? Me too, lolololol.
Park Youngbum
Seriously though, he's small, but look at that posture!
Goh Heewon
FR, you can tell there's not an ounce of excess fat.
Park Youngbum
Look at that butt! How do you even get a butt that tight?
Goh Heewon
Yoon Seo oppa finally saw the messages.
Park Youngbum
Oh my god, Yoon Seo, where are you? Seo Chaeyoon is in Seokyoung's main lobby right now! You have to see this!
Goh Heewon
He's alone in the lobby right now. Hurry and come to see Seo Chaeyoon!!
Park Youngbum
Come quick, or you'll miss out on this rare experience.
They were acting like I was some kind of rare dolphin species.
When Yoon Seo didn't respond, they even called him. After some hesitation, he answered the phone.
– Oh my gosh, Seo Chaeyoon is on a call with someone. Unbelievable.
– Could it be Kwon Jihan? Oh wait, Yoon Seo oppa answered! Where are you right now? Hurry to the lobby. Seo Chaeyoon is here!
– Wow, I wish I could be someone who talks to Seo Chaeyoon on the phone.
– Seo Chaeyoon is tiny, cute, and just insane!
– Hey, hey, he's looking this way.
– Oppa, hurry! Where are you? Come quickly! You don't know when you'll get another chance like this.
"Calm down. Can you all just be quiet for a second?"
– What's with that calm voice? Oh, right, you already know Seo Chaeyoon, so it's no big deal for you, huh? Nothing special for you anymore?
– Ugh, I'm jealous.
"It's been three years since the merger, so when are you guys going to stop treating him like a saint?"
– 300 years?
"..."
– Earlier, I was eating at the cafeteria, and right behind me were Yoo Juncheol, the guild leader, and Do Deungsoo, the vice guild leader. This is the kind of conversation they were having.