Debts of Grace
I headed to the Lizardmen village in the Forest Zone.
Despite the sudden visit, the Lizardmen—including Wise Scale—welcomed me warmly.
My gloomy mood lifted a little.
[Sniff… sob…]
…Don’t cry. My head hurts.
[But… but…! Y-you bastard—! You killed her! Sob…!]
The left head sobbed pitifully.
This was rare… no, the first time I’d ever seen it cry like this.
And so heartbreakingly.
Honest to its feelings. True to form for the soft-hearted left head, the shock must have hit hard.
Did it want to save Lee Ha-na that badly?
What had it seen in her?
[Sob… She was our—my—first love… sob… you cruel bastard…]
…Was she?
Thinking back, yeah, that tracked.
Was that why my chest felt so hollow?
Suddenly, Lee Ha-na’s face flashed in my mind—smiling peacefully.
[I just did what had to be done. Tied up the bad karma from my human days. No other sentiments involved.]
[Sob… you cruel bastard! As expected, your head’s full of nothing but eating! Idiot! Idiot! Moron—!!!]
[Technically, you’re me and I’m you. We’re one.]
[…Annoying—! One with such insensitive jerks! I miss Suli—!!!]
[I miss Suli too… and I’m hu—ngry…]
I miss Suli just as much, you guys.
Anyway, revenge is done. Time to head back.
To my family.
[…By the way, random thought, but don’t we still have unfinished business?]
Sniff—the left head, tears dried up, spoke quietly.
I nodded silently in agreement.
Talking with Lee Ha-na had made it click.
My human-era ties weren’t fully settled.
Specifically, the “grace” part of grace and grudge.
Uncle Kwang-yeol… he had a son around my age, right?
That’s why he’d paid me extra attention.
I’d heard he had a pretty, innocent wife and a dutiful son who studied hard.
His son was a high schooler back then, so he’s gotta be an adult now.
Grudges settled, now it’s time for grace.
I wanted to repay his family for all that undeserved kindness.
Thoughts of my own human family flickered by, but I shook them off.
Obviously, that family—not Suli or Snow.
I didn’t want to get tangled up anymore.
My sister nagged at me a bit, though…
She’s tough as nails. She’ll manage fine on her own.
Three years gone—probably forgotten all about a loser like me and thriving.
Still, as her brother, I kinda wanted to see her once.
I crashed at the Lizardmen village for a few days.
Bade farewell to the Lizardmen, bummed I was leaving so soon.
Before heading out, I gave Wise Scale and the other three a heads-up.
About my plans going forward.
They nodded vigorously, full trust in me alone.
That bottomless faith weighed heavy.
On the way out of the labyrinth.
Ran into a big group of hunters.
The ones who’d been with Lee Ha-na.
Everyone’s vibe was heavy.
Locked eyes with the guy at the front of the party.
Lifeless face, but S-rank power rolling off him.
Casually met his gaze and let out a quiet breath.
Familiar face—then it hit me. The guy from three years ago.
Didn’t remember the face, but that unique scent? Burned in my memory.
Back in the labyrinth after all.
Packed with real power this time.
The fantasy I’d once imagined turning real.
Somehow, I was glad.
“You got your eyes fixed.”
“…Pardon?”
Passed by and tossed it out casually; the man looked my way.
His lifeless face turned blankly toward me.
“What’s your name?”
“…Yoon Myung-ho.”
“Right. Yeah, that sounds familiar.”
“…Excuse me, you need something from me?”
His gaze sharpened—not friendly.
Eyes that’d been dead a second ago turned feral, like he’d lunge any moment.
Staring me down mercilessly, almost growling.
“Nah, nothing. Just glad to see you.”
“…Have we met before?”
Showing no hostility softened his edge; Yoon Myung-ho asked.
I nodded lightly.
“About three years back.”
“Ah… so… hospital maybe? My eyes were messed up then…”
“Nope. Not a hospital.”
“……? Then…?”
Pondering how to break it to puzzled Yoon Myung-ho—
A woman watching from the side slipped between us.
“Let’s wrap up the chat.”
“Ah, Vice Guild Master… sorry.”
“No worries. Seems like someone you know…”
The woman eyed me up and down.
“Sorry, but can we end it here? We’re in a rush… more to talk about, outside the labyrinth?”
“Nah, nothing else.”
“…Really? Then we’ll be off.”
Light nod okay.
She stared silently a moment, then ushered Yoon Myung-ho away.
Departing Yoon Myung-ho gave me a slight bow.
SA-rank… damn close to SS.
Felt it before, but up close? Not some easy mark.
Lisa’s words popped up.
SS-rank showing up soon.
She’d pegged me as the star, but nah—looks like it’s her.
“This’ll be fun.”
Watched the woman’s back recede a bit.
“You, didn’t I tell you not to chat up strangers?”
Yoon Myung-ho scowled at Kwon Je-na’s sudden nagging.
“What am I, five? I’m an S-rank hunter. Should be worrying about him, not me.”
Kwon Je-na’s lips twitched at his griping.
She glanced back where the man had been.
Gone, vanished clean.
“Not some pushover.”
“…Huh? What’re you talking about? That guy I just met?”
“Yeah… him.”
Yoon Myung-ho flicked glances between the spot and Kwon Je-na.
Then snickered.
“Jokes, huh… I’m not dumb enough to buy that anymore. Felt nothing from him.”
“…Blockhead. That’s what’s weird.”
“…Ah?”
His blank stare got a short tongue-click from Kwon Je-na.
She sighed.
“Felt nothing from him either.”
“Even from you, Guild Leader—no, Vice Guild Master?”
“Yeah. Nothing… Hunters gotta have some presence.”
Her gaze swung back to the spot.
“What’s he to you? Why talk to you?”
“…Said we crossed paths three years ago. First thing: ‘Eyes fixed,’ or something.”
“…Not hospital?”
“…Yeah. Said no.”
“…….”
Kwon Je-na clamped her mouth. Her grim mood shut Yoon Myung-ho up too.
Short silence, then she spoke.
“…Remember the Surprise Bird probe three years back?”
“…Yeah. They don’t swarm much.”
“Right. Not unless someone swipes their eggs in a group.”
“Guild Leader… you don’t mean… him…?”
“Don’t jump ahead. Just a hunch. Can’t peg him as the perp from back then.”
“…….”
She soothed gently, but Yoon Myung-ho’s face was already stone-serious.
Probably dead sure in his gut: that guy endangered him and his buddies three years ago.
Kwon Je-na regretted stirring the pot.
“One more thing—don’t go near him rashly. Dangerous as hell, three years ago or not.”
“…Got it. I’ll be careful.”
He nodded, but she wasn’t buying it.
Kwon Je-na let out a low sigh.
“…Anyway, you holding up?”
“…Huh? Oh… yeah, I’ll manage.”
Blank at first, then bitter smile as it sank in.
She watched him a moment.
“…Rough? Tell me. Sis’ll comfort ya.”
“…Sis? You’re basically an auntie…”
“…Done talking?”
“…Just facts. Guild Master said it recent—might die an old maid at this rate.”
Thwack—a sharp smack rang out.
Yoon Myung-ho yelped, Kwon Je-na’s signature iron fist to his nape.
“Seriously… fix that hitting-first habit? My durability’s maxed thanks to you, Vice Guild Master!”
“Fix your trap first—my hand’ll chill. Nah, let’s fix that rude mouth now. I’ll help.”
“…Sorry.”
Tail tucked quick as ever; Kwon Je-na snorted.
Why always mouth off when he folds easy?
Clueless her antics sparked most of it, she left pouty-lipped Yoon Myung-ho behind.
Ignoring his grumbles on purpose, faint smile tugged her lips.
Good. Bouncing back fast.
Worried these past days over his near-death gloom—now safe to relax.
Now the headache’s mine, not his…
Aftermath brewing already heated her head.
Media shitstorm? Minor. Real terror: SS-rank hunter flipping out on the news.
Guild Master uncle and me hold him off?
Nope. Suicide.
SS-rank’s a walking disaster.
Numbers? Just numbers.
Even SA-rank a step down grovels flat.
Damn… pride stings.
Sorry, Lee Ha-na—but facing a calamity soon? Couldn’t help resenting a bit.
Sighs nonstop from Kwon Je-na the rest of the way out.
Stepped out—reporters jammed the entrance.
Dunno how they knew, but Na Yeon-seong waiting explained: Rose One guild master’s death blew up.
My doing.
Na Yeon-seong’s knowing glare wasn’t pretty.
Switched topics quick—how’d he know I’d emerge?
Waiting since I first entered.
Felt bad.
No need next time—he shook head firm.
Boss chewed him out.
Worse.
Met Lisa after.
Spot: meat joint again.
Not the last one.
That place’s meat was killer…
Pity.
Right head especially bummed.
Like left head when I offed Lee Ha-na.
That bummed…?
Unsure when I’d show, no cow reserved—Lisa apologized.
No biggie, but right head moping, so accepted.
Instead, pork piles to the sky—eat up.
Right head roared back to life.
Chowed down, chatted.
Main dish: Lee Ha-na fallout.
France SS-rank hunter en route, naturally.
Blasted urgent stuff few days, shelved trivia, private jet outbound.
ETA: one hour.
Departure vibe? Ominous.
Govt mulling emergency decree, evac Seoul civvies.
High-ups already bailed…
Lisa glared hard—nothing to say.
My fault?
Yup.
So don’t snatch the meat.
Hyped right head might accidentally kill you.
No desire to lose good help.
More nagging from Lisa after.
Her intensity off charts—stayed meek.
Mindspeak: left head [local wife?]—wtf?
Nah, not cheating.
Snow and me? Nothing…
Sure, she’s mom, I’m dad…
Yeah. Snow and I? Solid couple.
Left head owned me logically.
Left beat right—so my logic’s weakest of three?
Teased hard by left after.
Unfair.
Meal done, Lisa tempted per usual—stonewalled.
Now locked in on Snow thing? Ironclad wall.
Got a daughter too.
“…The married guy I suspected? Very tempting…”
Bolted from her dangerous stare.