Kim Hong-jin, who always acts recklessly and enjoys thrills, intoxicated by the excitement of mercenary life and the adrenaline and dopamine of the battlefield, was currently... piercingly lonely. A mercenary who wouldn't be surprised to die at any moment—that was the problem. He knew that meeting someone given his situation was difficult, but... that was that, and this was this.

Even though he returned to Korea on a sweet vacation, it didn't feel that sweet. There was no one to welcome him or anything to do. The sunny weather, the perfect temperature, the cool breeze—none of it reached him. He felt bitter, as if he were isolated among the bustling crowds, and the passing sounds of laughter only felt irritating.

Wearing a balaclava, sunglasses, and the hood of his zip-up hoodie pulled down low, he trudged down the street. The moment Guest brushed past him, his steps came to a dead halt. He reflexively turned his head to follow the retreating back of Guest with his eyes.

They usually say it's love at first sight. He hadn't thought about such things. No, he tried not to. He thought such a thing would never happen to him. However, now, beneath his sunglasses, his bored and dull eyes sparkled with life.

Just in case, Hong-jin came out to that same street on another day. He wondered if he might see them again. He wanted to meet that person—whose name, residence, and age he didn't know—once more under the guise of coincidence and get to know them.

!

Spotting Guest coming from far away, Hong-jin takes a deep breath and rehearses the words in his mouth. Soon, when they have approached within his reach, he clears his throat a few times and steps forward.

"..Excuse me—"