Chapter 866

EP.866 [Light Novel Side Story] The Death Dinass of the Created Heavens 1-013

Park Ra-on.

The top ace dealer of the Hero Guild <Heaven's Army>. Below the guild leader, the S-Rank Hero <Grand Master>, Park Ra-on was known as one of the three great masters, the <Cloud Master>, for his incredible combat sense and unique special abilities. Despite having a growth cap at the beginning of A-Rank, he grew with the endless support of the guild.

“But now it’s all meaningless past.”

Ra-on lay on the office couch, staring at the stains on the ceiling while killing time. After doing something incredibly embarrassing at the cafe earlier, sleep wouldn’t come. To think there were so few times in life when emotions were laid bare like this—Ra-on had cried their eyes out.

“Thank goodness I wasn’t kicked out.”

Even though they were practically useless with their special ability, the guild leader Xian had given Ra-on an office. If Ra-on wanted, Xian seemed ready to help find a place nearby too, but Ra-on couldn’t bring themselves to ask for that much.

“I can’t do ranged attacks either.”

That statement from Xian at the cafe was nothing short of a fact bomb, and Ra-on took a direct hit, suffering critical damage. Though it was better than being called washed-up or told to just quit heroing and find another job, the thought of possibly being kicked out of what felt like their final resting place left Ra-on speechless, tears streaming down their face.

Xian’s only mistake was bad timing.

‘There’s no use as a front-line tank either, and my dealing isn’t even up to Nuri’s level. In D-Rank dungeons, my body will freeze up again.’

Though their rational mind was sharp, their body always tensed up from the stress of combat. Wrapped in a chick-patterned blanket, Ra-on lost themselves in thought.

‘Should I leave tomorrow?’

They were receiving food and lodging for now, but Ra-on knew shame. They’d subtly appealed to pity by hinting at their homelessness, but now they felt self-loathing over their own behavior.

Should they beg to be taken on as a receptionist? Or maybe grovel to old acquaintances for shelter?

As night deepened, Ra-on’s thoughts spiraled further.

Creak—

“……!”

Ra-on stilled. Though their magic power didn’t flow well, their senses were razor-sharp. That sound was definitely the door to the first-floor staircase opening.

Thud, thud, thud.

Footsteps approached. Clenching their fists, Ra-on slowly gathered magic power. It was faint but enough to subdue a normal person.

‘One person.’

Click, click, creak—

“……?”

Key sounds? Ra-on blinked at the metallic clink of a lock turning. Instinctively, they sat up.

Creak.

“……You weren’t sleeping?”

“Guild Leader?”

At 11 PM, Xian returned to the office laden with various heating supplies. Ra-on quickly straightened the chick-patterned blanket and bowed deeply upon standing.

“You’ve arrived.”

“Did I disturb your sleep?”

“No, I wasn’t asleep yet.”

“That’s good.”

Xian placed the shopping basket in the corner and turned on the indirect lighting. The soft orange glow illuminated the office. Ra-on frowned slightly at the items spilling out of the tilted basket—seemingly every toiletry imaginable swept up from a convenience store.

“Guild Leader, is this…?”

“Until we find you a place, it’s uncertain how long it’ll take. Ideally, I’d send you to a hotel, but you refused that, right? For now—”

“Guild Leader, I apologize.”

Ra-on interrupted. Their bowed head wouldn’t rise.

“I regret having to say this, but I must thank you for your consideration. However, I believe I can no longer remain in this guild.”

Gulp. The paper cup Xian had been about to fill with instant coffee fell to the floor. Even in the dim light, their wide blue eyes gleamed owl-like. Xian’s lips trembled.

“W-Why suddenly?”

“…I also have a sense of shame.”

“Ah, is it because you cried at the cafe earlier? I apologize. That was thoughtless of me. I sincerely regret those words.”

“No, it’s not that.”

Ra-on raised their head and stood at attention.

“To be sure, it’s embarrassing, but my decision to withdraw from the guild is entirely due to my incompetence.”

“Wait. Could it be because of the earlier tank comment?”

“That’s part of it, but ultimately, I suppose I’m irreversibly washed-up. You already know my situation, don’t you? My core is broken beyond repair, I quake in fear at the sight of monsters…it’s time for me to retire.”

“That’s not true. Haven’t you been trying hard to restore your core?”

At Xian’s words, Ra-on’s shoulders slumped.

“I’m tired now. Do you know…”

Ra-on pointed to where their core once resided.

“My core isn’t even storing magic power anymore—it’s deteriorating bit by bit. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t mend the cracks. Do you know where all the money I earned as a hero went?”

“…To rehabilitation.”

“Yes, exactly. After getting injured, I probably visited specialized clinics for specials more than a hundred times.”

Ra-on recounted their hardships with a heavy heart.

“At first, <Heaven's Army> tried hard to get me back into action. But then a whole team was wiped out, and I was the sole survivor. I left the guild voluntarily to focus on treatment, but it was futile.”

“There hasn’t been a single case of someone with a broken core recovering worldwide.”

“Yes. If there had been any promising developments overseas, I would’ve boarded a plane long ago. None of us specials with broken cores have managed to regain our abilities. Some live ordinary lives, others—”

“Despair over changed circumstances and take their own lives.”

Xian cut in with a hardened expression. The gravity in their voice betrayed suspicion. Ra-on smiled faintly and shook their head.

“I won’t go that far…though I admit I’ve thought about it, I lack the courage.”

“That’s not courage. That’s giving up.”

Xian’s unexpectedly firm words left Ra-on momentarily speechless. But Xian too hesitated to continue.

A moment of silence passed before Ra-on bowed again.

“Nevertheless, thank you. I was glad to re-enter dungeons, even if just briefly.”

“Then what are you planning to do now, Ra-on?”

“…Can I ask one last favor?”

Ra-on knelt almost fully, beseeching Xian.

“Please let me stay here just for tonight. I need some time to think about what to do next.”

Xian smiled gently at Ra-on’s earnest plea.

“No.”

“…….”

Ra-on was struck speechless. So decisive, so cutting. Xian snapped their fingers.

“It seems there’s been a misunderstanding. I don’t want you to leave. Where else am I going to find a veteran like you?”

“Guild Leader, allow me to clarify—I—”

“If there was a way to rebuild your magic power, what would you do?”

Xian leaned close to Ra-on’s face. Unable to help it, Ra-on shuffled backward until their back hit the wall.

Thud. Xian pressed a hand against the wall, locking eyes with Ra-on under the soft lighting. The fine tendons in Xian’s arm caught Ra-on’s eye, making them unconsciously gulp.

“Let me ask again. Even if not at your previous level, if there was a way to restore you to B-Rank, what would you do?”

Ra-on wasn’t stupid. They immediately understood Xian’s intentions.

“If such a method existed…”

Looking up at Xian, Ra-on showed resolve.

“I’d make a deal with the devil itself.”

“Would you? Then…”

Bathed in shadow, Xian grinned predatorily.

“Shall we start by taking off your clothes?”

“Understood. Is this acceptable?”

“…! Wait! KYAAAAAA!!”

* * *

<February 6th, 9:40 AM. New Seoul>

Yuna stopped by a nearby bakery before heading to the office, buying three sandwiches. It was quite an expense for someone still living off allowance, but she remembered how impressive Ra-on’s appetite had been during their first post-dungeon celebration.

‘But how does she maintain that body?’

Recalling Ra-on’s physique from the bathhouse, Yuna marveled. Athlete-level muscle definition like that wasn’t common even among specials.

‘Compared to her…’

Checking her reflection in Huan’s cafe window, Yuna couldn’t gauge her own figure beneath the oversized beige coat.

‘Meh. Knowing won’t change anything.’

Taking a deep breath of cold air, Yuna opened the iron gate leading to the office. The old-fashioned bell-like sound always lifted her mood.

“Hmph, hahaha~♪♬”

Climbing the stairs was enjoyable too. Since joining the guild on Lunar New Year’s Day, every trip to the office felt fresh and exciting. Though today both Xian and Ra-on would likely be there—

Kech. Yuna wrinkled her nose at an unfamiliar, unpleasant smell.

‘What is this?’

It reminded her of the squid monster corpse she’d encountered during field training in Namhae. The sour, damp odor grew stronger as she ascended, clearly originating from within the office.

‘What did she do in there?’

Time was running short—Xian would arrive in five minutes. Checking if there was any air freshener in the office, Yuna pushed the door open slightly.

Creak. Half-opening the door, Yana froze at the sight of a black coat sprawled across the entrance.

It was Xian’s—yesterday’s outfit, to be precise.

Kech. Sniffing again, Yuna detected traces of Xian’s perfume amidst the overwhelming stench.

‘Could it be…?’

In her early thirties, a young man and woman. Yuna wondered if this was the intense adult world she hadn’t yet experienced. Apparently, people from abroad tended to be quite open-minded about such matters.

Gulp. The paper bag holding her sandwiches crumpled. Yuna couldn’t understand why she felt a lump in her throat.

Suddenly, Ra-on’s physique from the bathhouse came to mind.

Creeeeak. Without hesitation, Yuna flung the door wide open. Cold air rushed out from the office where windows were likely open.

Gulp. Yuna swallowed hard at the scene before her. The floor was littered with plastic bags containing wet tissues and used towels, piled high with the foul-smelling residue.

And then she saw it.

On the small sofa, under a yellow chick-patterned blanket, Xian and Ra-on slept soundly together. Ra-on lay atop Xian in reverse position, while Xian hugged Ra-on tightly despite visibly shivering. Ra-on’s head rested on Xian’s chest, facing toward Yuna, breathing steadily.

Snore, snore.

Unaware of Yuna’s presence, they slept deeply.

Thud.

The paper bag slipped from Yuna’s hands. The sound woke Ra-on.

“…….”

“…….”

Their eyes met in silence. Ra-on’s calm voice startled Yuna instead.

“Have you come?”

“A-Ah, yes. Yes.”

Unperturbed, Ra-on asked about breakfast as Yuna floundered like a goldfish. Rising from Xian, Ra-on tidied their disheveled pajamas and slipped into slippers.

“Ah yawn.”

Stretching after a yawn, Ra-on checked the clock with nonchalant ease, unlike the red-eyed emotional wreck from yesterday.

“It’s already this late? I was awake until 5 AM…”

‘Five in the morning?!’

“Wake up, Xian. It’s ten o’clock.”

‘Calling each other by first names!’

“That’s impressive. They must have been very tired after cleaning so thoroughly…”

‘Cleaning?!’

“Hey, Sister!”

Yuna shouted, stopping Ra-on who was heading toward the fridge. Her face flushed crimson.

“What…what exactly did you two do in here?”

“…….”

Ra-on pulled out a plastic cup from the fridge, sipped some murky Americano, and flashed a meaningful smile at Yuna.

“We had a heated night.”

“…….”

Yuna’s expression vanished. As Ra-on casually approached, gesturing toward Xian with their eyes, they chuckled inwardly.

“He was truly remarkable.”

Resting their hands on their lower abdomen, Ra-on smiled sweetly, their cheeks tinged pink. Yuna snorted.

“Hmph.”

Then Yuna collapsed. Just as Ra-on turned away, they exclaimed.

“He gave me a new core…Wait, Senior Yuna?!”

Startled, Ra-on caught Yuna before she hit the ground, while the commotion woke Xian, who tumbled off the sofa in surprise.

One unconscious, one moaning in pain from falling off the sofa, and one panicking awkwardly.

Thus began the morning of February 4th.