Whoosh—

Blazing flames devour everything around them.

Collapsed buildings. Burning corpses.

—P-Please, save me!

Kyaaah!!!

People’s screams pierce the sky.

Crunch— Crack!

Keugh… huff.

Crunch—

The center of a slaughterhouse, drenched in blood and flesh.

“Mommy! Mommy!”

Young Yoo Ayoung wailed endlessly.

“Don’t come out, no matter what—just stay still!”

With her mother’s final words, Ayoung’s memory cut off.

The only thing that surfaced next was one image.

“Mom… my?”

Among the ashes of everything burnt, just her mother’s eyes, hollowly drained of light.

“Haaah!!!”

Ayoung gasped, jerking her body upright.

Thump-thump—

Her heart pounded.

It was because of a nightmare from her past, surfacing after a long time.

She’d thought she’d forgotten, but feeling that memory again terrified her—so much that her hands trembled.

Ayoung clutched her forehead, furrowing her small brows.

At that moment, a man’s voice lingered at her ear.

“Sh-Shit! You scared me…”

Ayoung slowly shifted her gaze—and found him.

“Mr. Hong?”

In Hong Seongsik’s hand was a familiar object.

The belt — the S-Rank Artifact he’d wagered in their bet.

“What do you think you’re doing?”

Yoo Ayoung took one look at the scene and understood everything in an instant.

Why she’d been lying here in this hospital room. Why that man had crept inside, moving on tiptoe like a thief.

He was stealing the belt from their bet.

Her cold voice cut through the air, ringing sharp in Hong Seongsik’s ears.

‘Damn it… Busted.’

Hong Seongsik scratched the back of his head, meeting her gaze.

To him, the belt in his hand was everything — an item that meant his entire life.

This year’s Ranking match was coming up, and he needed that Artifact to stand a chance.

And yet he’d handed over a lifeline like that over some bullshit bet.

He couldn’t just let it slide.

“What’s the big deal? I just came to pick up my stuff — I left it here.”

Hong Seongsik decided to brazen it out.

He knew Yoo Ayoung’s situation too well.

Back when they’d made that bet, she’d just lost a teammate.

She must have been at her limit — mentally and physically. Chances were she didn’t even remember it clearly.

“Put it down and leave. I won the bet.”

But her answer came back hard and unyielding.

A vein bulged across Hong Seongsik’s forehead.

“What?! Who’s gonna honor some crappy bet like that? Watch your mouth, or I’ll — I’ll tear you apart.”

Without blinking, Hong Seongsik exploded in fury and tried to bolt for the door.

But Yoo Ayoung kept her calm, reciting slowly.

“So that’s how you want to play it. I’ll make sure to inform Mr. Hong’s entire party. I’ll tell them how Hong Seongsik broke his promise and strong-armed the item away.”

“……….”

Those words made Hong Seongsik stop in his tracks, his face twisting into a scowl.

She’d struck a nerve.

The reason he’d handed over an item as precious as life to her in the first place.

It was all because of his party members — he couldn’t afford to lose face in front of them.

Hong Seongsik was the team leader of a whole group.

Someone in that position had used his party members as witnesses to challenge her to a bet.

So what would happen if he broke the bet’s outcome on a whim?

He’d lose the trust of his team in an instant.

That’s why he’d handed over the item, gritting his teeth.

Figuring he could just snatch it back behind their backs.

But Yoo Ayoung saw right through his weak spot.

‘Fucking bitch.’

Hadn’t he been kicked out of his last group because of Yoo Ayoung too? Standing in a similar situation now, the last thread of his composure snapped.

Hong Seongsik strode toward her. He grabbed her by the collar, yanking her close with terrifying force.

“You threatening me? Want me to kill you right now?”

It was a pathetic threat — toothless from the start.

They were standing in the Korea Association’s recovery facility. The moment he started a ruckus, he’d be subdued in under a minute — plain as day.

But somehow, the threat had worked.

Yoo Ayoung clamped her mouth shut under Hong Seongsik’s coercion.

‘Miserable bitch.’

Hong Seongsik stared hard at Yoo Ayoung’s face.

An unreadable expression.

Irritation flared, but Hong Seongsik didn’t have the guts to push further.

‘Fuck! Fuck!’

Suppressing his rage internally, Hong Seongsik let go of her collar and walked away.

‘Say what you want, then.’

Truth be told, Hong Seongsik was terrified.

The group he’d joined was third-rate. But not bad.

In Scenario 3, their combat power was decent enough for smooth hunting, and every single party member was a pushover.

That made them highly exploitable.

‘I thought I’d just throw my weight around a bit.’

But to tarnish his party members’ trust and his own credibility as a Player over a few measly Gold coins?

Regretting his actions, Hong Seongsik slammed the door shut — Bang!!! — and stormed out.

Yoo Ayoung watched him go and let out a deep sigh.

If she’d wanted to, she could’ve secured the Artifact.

But for Yoo Ayoung, the bet with Hong Seongsik had never been about that item.

She’d only wanted to prove something.

That the comrade inside the Gate was still alive — and that she believed it.

So rather than owning the Artifact, Yoo Ayoung was more curious about something else.

To satisfy that curiosity, she picked up her phone and started dialing someone.

‘It can’t be a dream.’

Thump-thump—

After seeing Hong Seongsik’s behavior, she knew well enough that the scene she’d witnessed before passing out wasn’t a dream.

But anxiety made her heart race wildly.

Brrrring—

Nervous, Yoo Ayoung listened to the sound from the receiver — and in that moment.

Whirr~!!!!

A phone vibration came from outside the door.

“Huh?!”

Yoo Ayoung realized it instantly.

That the man she was most curious about was right beyond that door.

***

Whirr—

[Yoo Ayoung]

Ha Gangwoo glanced at the phone in his hand, then shoved it back into his pocket.

After all, the person who’d called would be right in front of him in a second. He didn’t see the point in answering.

Just as Ha Gangwoo headed toward the hospital room where Yoo Ayoung was.

“?”

He ran into a man.

The man’s fierce expression, the Artifact in his hand.

The moment he saw it, an ominous feeling prickled his instincts.

‘Nothing seems wrong though.’

After confirming Yoo Ayoung’s safety with his Sense, Ha Gangwoo blocked the man’s path.

“Hold on a moment.”

“What now? You again!”

Hong Seongsik scowled irritably and glared at Ha Gangwoo.

“Oh? It’s that lucky bastard. Ha… Because of you, I… Let’s not even talk about it.”

Hong Seongsik’s face flushed with anger. He started to raise his voice, then let out a deep sigh and tried to step away.

Ha Gangwoo blocked his path again.

“Isn’t that item Ms. Yoo’s?” he asked.

“What?!”

Was it because he’d been blocked twice in a row? A vein bulged on Hong Seongsik’s forehead. He looked ready to explode, but then—

“Mind your own business. You’ll get hurt sticking your nose where it doesn’t belong.”

Stifling his rage, Hong Seongsik gave Gangwoo’s shoulder a hard shove and pushed past him.

Gangwoo narrowed his eyes, glaring at the man’s retreating back.

‘What do I do?’

For a moment, he hesitated.

‘Take the item? Had she and he already talked privately?’

Thoughts swirled in his mind, but he settled on one conclusion.

‘Don’t meddle.’

The man’s behavior grated on him, but Yoo Ayoung hadn’t asked for help. It was none of his business.

But just then—

“Master! You gotta take this!”

Mimic came sprinting from the end of the corridor and slammed headlong into Hong Seongsik. Thud!!!!

Hong Seongsik’s knee collided squarely with Mimic’s face.

Hong Seongsik was max level. If she’d been an ordinary child, that impact alone might have killed her instantly.

“Agh!!!”

But it was Hong Seongsik who screamed.

“Ah! Fuck!!! Goddamn it!”

His knee clearly hurt; he limped toward Mimic, menace in his step.

Then—*whoosh*—he swung his belt-laden right hand high into the air.

A motion like he was about to bring it down like a whip.

“Looks like something’s going on.”

“Isn’t that a Player?”

But as if sensing the eyes on him, he lowered his hand, spat on the floor, and limped away.

“Watch yourself, kid.”

Hong Seongsik forced down his anger, hobbling off until he disappeared.

Mimic tilted her head, watching him go. Ha Gangwoo stared after the man with cold eyes.

Then he sent a message.

-Remember that guy.

Ding-

[Message delivered to Mimic.]

“Yes!!!!”

Mimic, oblivious to the threat she’d just faced, beamed at Gangwoo’s command.

Ha Gangwoo and Mimic left Hong Seongsik behind and entered Yoo Ayoung’s hospital room.

The private room was as luxurious as you’d expect.

“Hello~!”

Mimic hopped in, carrying a fruit basket, and bounded toward Yoo Ayoung.

When Yoo Ayoung saw Mimic and Ha Gangwoo, the corners of her mouth lifted.

Looking at those two, a warmth settled in a corner of her heart.

Ha Gangwoo sat on the chair next to Yoo Ayoung and opened his mouth to break the awkward silence.

“Three years as a Player, and you pass out over something like that?”

At those words, Yoo Ayoung’s brow twitched.

Right. She’d spent three years living in the Player world.

She’d been confident in her mental fortitude.

After all, Scenario 3 was a wilderness where you had to watch out not just for monster threats but for fellow Players, too.

But the psychological burden she’d felt lately was beyond imagination.

The death of Ha Jiyeon, whom she’d thought of as her only family.

And on top of that, facing the possibility of losing Jiyeon’s oppa too — her stress had hit its peak.

“Seriously! What were you thinking, accepting that?!”

And so Yoo Ayoung exploded.

“Uh…?”

Ha Gangwoo scratched his cheek, caught off guard by her sudden outburst. Yoo Ayoung let out a deep sigh.

“Don’t do that again. You’ll actually die, you know.”

“……”

She’d thrown out a worried remark, but no answer came back.

Still, Yoo Ayoung couldn’t bring herself to say anything more to Ha Gangwoo.

Because she knew, too.

In the Player’s world, safety meant low rewards — that fact.

If you didn’t take risks, you’d fall behind and disappear.

That was a Player’s fate.

In the quiet hospital room, a trickle of saliva —

As a stifling silence settled in, broken only by Mimic drooling at the fruit, Ha Gangwoo shifted the topic.

“By the way, what was up with that person who just left? Wasn’t that belt yours?”

“Ah… that. They came as the person in charge of Gate Rampage…”

Their brief conversation continued like that, until about ten minutes had passed.

*Ziiing-*

A single phone call ended it.

“I’m going. Take care of yourself.”

“Sure! I’m not even in pain anywhere! Take care. Bye, Mik.”

“Goodbye!”

Ha Gangwoo stepped out of Yoo Ayoung’s hospital room, clicked the door shut, and let his gaze harden.

‘So that’s how it is.’

The conversation itself had been trivial.

Yoo Ayoung asked him what he planned to do next.

He said he was heading to Scenario 2. She offered to help.

Ha Gangwoo flatly refused her help.

Having personally seen his abilities, Yoo Ayoung just nodded without another word.

But that conversation wasn’t why Gangwoo felt this pissed off.

The bet between Yoo Ayoung and Hong Seongsik.

It was because he’d found out about that.

Ha Gangwoo was furious.

Using someone’s vulnerable heart to play games.

Ha Gangwoo knew that feeling all too well — back when Jiyeon was sick, with no money and no one to turn to.

And on top of that, the way that man had treated Mimic and him so rudely. This wasn’t something to just let slide.

But his opponent was a Player whose personal info was exposed. No need to rush.

Ha Gangwoo’s expression hardened dangerously as he picked up the still-ringing phone.

“I’ve already arrived. Where should I go?”

And so Ha Gangwoo trudged down the endless corridor, his footsteps echoing dully, to meet the woman he was already committed to seeing.

***

The meeting room breathed stillness.

A dedicated room for senior executives, its decor old-world elegant and its security airtight.

At its center, a woman let out a long sigh, sinking back into the sofa.

“Hmm… I’ve been getting a lot of rejections lately. Normally everyone’s clamoring to join me… Has my reputation taken a hit?”

The woman was Emily Nancy, alone in the meeting room and voicing her complaints.

Just then, a man’s voice answered her grumbling.

“The player Chae Seohyun looks persuadable, given the right approach.”

The man was Madre Silvio. He had appeared at her side without a sound, handing over a stack of documents.

“Chae Seohyun’s personal file.”

“As fast as ever. Thank you.”

Emily Nancy skimmed the dossier, her red lips pursing thoughtfully. Then, as if she’d spotted something intriguing, the corner of her mouth curled upward.

[Eleven Years Ago: The Pro-Hunter Assassination…]

It was an old news article.

A famously powerful player couple, brutally murdered in their own home.

“So that’s what she’s digging for.”

But Emily Nancy smacked her lips as if she’d found a useful clue in that article, then handed the papers back to Madre.

“Gather as much intel as you can on ■■.”

***

A low buzz filled the Association lobby, crowded with people.

The Association lobby was thick with a considerable crowd.

A sharp tingle—

“Huh?!”

Hong Seongsik felt a chilling murderous intent twist through him, and whipped his head around.

“……”

But all he saw was an empty pillar.

“What the hell?”

Still unsettled by that inexplicable killing intent, Seongsik limped toward the Association exit, his leg still throbbing.

A soft hiss of air—

Just then, Mimic poked her small head out from behind the pillar, watching Seongsik’s retreating figure.

‘Should I follow?’

Mimic hesitated, torn.

Her Master had given her two orders.

1. Remember that man.

So Mimic had kept her eyes on him in the Association lobby.

2. Wait here until I come back.

But the second order meant staying in this spot. She turned her head back.

*—I’ll buy it for you right after I’m done.*

Because when this wait was over, a huge reward was coming.

“What’s that?”

Mimic stared at the rectangular box people were carrying around.

She had no idea what it was for, but she wanted it badly.

And once this wait was over, it would be hers.

‘Let’s wait!’

Mimic made up her mind to just sit on the chair.

Just as she was about to move her small body forward, taking a step—

A low rumble—

A hunger pang echoed from her belly.

Mimic fumbled in her pockets, trying to check how much money she had.

At that moment—

“Hungry?”

A clear voice came from above Mimic’s head.

“?”

Mimic tilted her head, shifting her gaze—and found her.

A low hum—

A beautiful woman with a golden ring hovering above her head.

“Ah?! Hello!”

Mimic’s face split into a toothy grin, as if greeting an old friend.

The woman met Mimic’s eyes and broke into a gentle smile.

“I’m glad you’re alive. I was so worried. Unni will buy you dinner—let’s go!”

Mimic’s pupils trembled.

Hadn’t Master told her to wait here? So she couldn’t go.

But there wasn’t a single trace of hesitation in her answer.

“Yes!”

And so, Mimic and Chae Seohyun’s second meeting began.