Chapter 11
Chapter 11
The inside of the infirmary looked like a storm had swept through.
Which wasn’t far from the truth.
An S-rank hunter had used his ability—even if only lightly.
“Whew… let’s get out first. Because of us, the medic got kicked out too.”
“Ah.”
Now that he thought about it, that was true.
The infirmary belonged to the medical staff.
But when Taechun told them to leave earlier, they had gone without hesitation.
Aren dusted off his clothes and headed outside.
“Ah, you’re out.”
“I thought you collapsed in there.”
The moment they stepped out into the hallway, they ran into Rua and Eric.
“What brings you two here?”
“Why even ask? Our teammate suddenly got dragged off by the chairman—we had to come check.”
“R-right! Do you know how scary the chairman’s eyes were…?!”
They had come because they were worried about their teammate.
“……”
It was nothing special, yet something in his chest felt oddly warm.
“Are you both okay…? You suddenly went into a gate, and then got dragged off right after coming out…”
Rua fidgeted anxiously.
“Aren. What the hell are you?”
Eric frowned as if facing something he genuinely couldn’t understand.
It made sense they were confused.
They didn’t know yet that Ran would be assigned to Gate Management Team 3.
To them, she was just the chairman’s daughter.
But that same person had suddenly dragged their teammate into a gate.
And not only that, they completed the mission effortlessly and then got dragged away by an angry chairman.
“Haha… sorry about that.”
Ran smiled as if nothing had happened.
“I’m just really close with Aren, and I trust his skills. My body just moved on its own.”
Eric and Rua turned their gaze to Aren.
So earlier you said you were just acquaintances?
The meaning was clear.
“I downplayed it because I didn’t want rumors spreading.”
Aren sighed and admitted they were close.
“Secret friends” was meaningless now.
They had already shown how close they were inside the gate.
There was no stopping the rumors.
“W-wow… how did you even get to know Ran?”
Rua asked awkwardly, clearly trying not to pry about what happened inside.
“Someone so high up…”
She trailed off, realizing she might have said something inappropriate.
“It’s fine. People usually think that way when they hear ‘chairman’s daughter.’”
Ran shrugged casually.
Then she stood on her tiptoes and slung an arm over Aren’s shoulder.
Her feet trembled slightly from the height difference.
“Aren and I got close while clearing a few gates together.”
Not entirely wrong.
Just that it wasn’t a few—it was dozens.
“Then… did you also work as a freelance hunter before joining? That explains why you’re so strong…”
Rua’s eyes sparkled with admiration.
But—
“You worked as a freelance hunter?”
Eric narrowed his eyes.
He had been at the company for over two years.
He had watched Aren grow from a trainee to a full agent.
Back then, Aren had seemed clumsy—almost talentless.
But now he was completely different.
Suspiciously so.
Before Eric could dig deeper, Ran clapped her hands.
“Alright! Let’s leave it at that. Can we head out now? Like I said earlier, we rushed here in the middle of a meal, so we’re starving!”
That part was completely true.
They had abandoned chicken they hadn’t eaten in years.
Right now, nothing mattered more than food.
“A-ah, of course! You’ve worked hard—please eat something good!”
“…Good work. You too, Aren.”
Both Rua and Eric stepped aside.
“See you tomorrow.”
“See you tomorrow!”
Aren bowed slightly.
Ran waved energetically as they left the hallway.
Left alone, Eric and Rua exchanged glances.
“Why did she say ‘see you tomorrow’…?”
It made sense for Aren.
But Ran?
“Something feels off.”
“I thought so too…”
For some reason, both of them were certain—
They’d be seeing Ran again tomorrow.
2
Ran and Aren walked down the hallway.
It had been a chaotic first day after returning.
But—
“Ugh… I’m starving. Is going back for chicken too much?”
“Yeah, probably.”
They had survived days without food before.
But leaving mid-meal made the hunger worse.
“Then what should we eat? It’s late, so something simple.”
“How about ramen? Cup ramen.”
Aren blurted it out impulsively.
Artificial, salty instant noodles—
Something no natural food could replicate.
“Ramen at this hour? You want to wake up with a swollen face?”
“Wipe your drool before you talk.”
“Slurp… ahem. Still, it does sound good.”
Ran wiped her mouth with the back of her hand.
Her body had already decided.
“Wait, convenience stores are still operating normally at this time, right? Triangle kimbap and cup ramen… Let’s go. Now.”
She grabbed Aren’s hand and dragged him along.
He let out a dry laugh and matched her pace.
“For a rich girl, your taste is pretty low-class.”
“Hey. After living on canned food for over a year, even rocks taste good.”
Fair point.
No matter how refined someone was—
Surviving a ruined world changed everything.
They headed to a nearby convenience store.
“Wow… everything looks so good. What should I get? What about you?”
Ran stared at the instant food like she was at a luxury buffet.
Without her reputation, no one would guess she was the chairman’s daughter.
“I can’t eat all this alone. Let’s share.”
“Pick whatever you want.”
“You’re buying?”
“……”
“I’m kidding! Of course I’m paying!”
She piled up ramen, hot bars, and rice balls without checking prices.
They sat at an outdoor table.
To them, it was a feast.
“Let’s eat!”
“Let’s eat.”
Slurp.
Even after all that time—
They hadn’t forgotten the taste.
If anything, it was overwhelming.
They finished everything in no time.
“Ahh… that was so good, right?”
“You were worried about your face swelling.”
“Who cares? It’s not like my eyes are bursting or I’m coughing blood.”
“…True.”
They had experienced far worse before death.
“Let’s head back.”
“Yeah. Sleeping alone in my room again… it’s been a while.”
Ran stood up lightly and waved.
“See you tomorrow, Aren!”
“From tomorrow, I’ll call you Team Leader. And I’ll use formal speech at the office.”
“Ah! Then at least say goodbye casually now!”
She puffed her cheeks slightly and grabbed his sleeve.
He sighed and gave in.
“See you tomorrow, Ran.”
“Hehe, get home safe!”
She bounced away happily.
Aren turned around, swallowing the strange feeling in his chest.
For four years—
They had never been apart.
If you woke up and the other person wasn’t there—
It meant they were dead, or about to be.
Saying “see you tomorrow” felt unnatural.
3
The next morning.
Aren arrived at Gate Management Team 3’s office.
“Good morning.”
“Ah, Aren! You’re here!”
Rua jumped up to greet him.
Eric glanced up and nodded.
It was just a normal greeting—
Yet it felt strange.
Maybe because these were people who had died yesterday.
‘I really changed the past.’
As he sat down, his eyes drifted to the empty team leader’s seat.
‘That was fast.’
Arthur’s belongings were already gone.
The company might be slow in some things—
But not when it came to personnel changes.
“A new team leader is coming today. I wonder who it’ll be?”
Rua asked curiously.
“No one obvious comes to mind. Maybe that hunter who transferred from Valkyrie?”
Eric joined in.
Aren hesitated.
He already knew.
But after yesterday—
There was a chance it might’ve changed.
Just as he considered whether to say something—
Bang.
“Hello everyone! Good morning!”
Ran walked in, carrying a box of her belongings.
Rua and Eric froze.
Their brains stopped.
Could it be…?
No way.
Why is she here?
Ran smiled brightly.
“Starting today, I’ve been assigned as the Team Leader of Gate Management Team 3. Nice to meet you all!”
That confirmed it.
Only then did they realize what she meant by “see you tomorrow.”
“Um… sorry to say this right away, but GT-078 and GT-257 observation have been assigned to Team 3. So could you all come with me now? Hehe…”
The new team leader of Gate Management Team 3—
Made a flashy entrance.
By immediately bringing two assignments with her.