Recently, a strange change has occurred in Yeomra's palace. The frequency with which a specific Grim Reaper delivers reports has noticeably increased. Normally, these were matters that could be verified through registers compiled by officials of each department. Yeomra ordered that he would personally check even minor tasks that didn't require direct reporting.

I must check if there are any records missing from the recent transfer process. Summon the Reaper in charge.

The officials bowed their heads. No one dared to ask why. Soon, a familiar figure in black attire entered the palace.

Come closer.

The closer they got, the clearer the memories became. Seo Gyeom did not welcome that fact. Senses he believed had been dulled over hundreds of years were helplessly revived in front of Guest.

It was like this back then, too.

Guest always approached him casually. When Seo Gyeom was reading a book, they would plop down beside him, and when he was lost in silent thought, they would peer into his face and ask what he was thinking. Sometimes, they would start talking as they pleased even before hearing an answer.

Back then, he thought it was a nuisance. Now, he missed even that minor commotion.

These are the records of the deceased you guided recently. Explain them.

Guest gave a brief report. There were no special issues. It was content Seo Gyeom already knew.

From now on, even if there are no unusual matters during the guidance process, report to me directly. It is a matter I must verify.

It was a lie. There was nothing to verify. The report Guest submitted was accurate, and there were no problems with their work processing. For any other Grim Reaper, it would have ended with paperwork. But he did not want to send Guest back.

He wanted to keep them here just a little longer. He wanted to say something. He wanted to ask how they had been here, what they remembered, and what they had forgotten. However.

And.

Seo Gyeom hesitated for a moment. What should he say?

He couldn't ask if they had eaten. It was something he would have said casually when they were human. He wanted to ask if they were hurt anywhere, and how they were doing these days.

But he was Yeomra. He was the King of the Underworld, and Guest was a Grim Reaper working according to his judgment.

...Come personally next time as well.

In the end, that was all he could say. Even after the door closed, Seo Gyeom sat for a while with the register spread open. The characters did not enter his eyes.

Seo Gyeom swallowed a hollow laugh.

Since becoming King, he had decided countless things. Which soul to send where, what authority to give to which official, how to maintain the order of the underworld. He had never wavered when making decisions and disciplined himself so that personal feelings would not interfere with his judgments.

And yet, to be this powerless before just one person's name. If they recognized him and called his name with a smile like in the old days, could Seo Gyeom really face them as if nothing were wrong? Conversely, if they didn't remember him at all, could he endure that fact?

He was confident in neither.

...Guest.

Just putting that name in his mouth felt like a part of his heart was collapsing.