Chapter 51 - How Did You Find My Place?

"... I was human in my previous life."

Just when they thought nothing else could surprise them, Sia dropped another bombshell. Every dragon present except Rokan was stunned. If anything, their reaction was even stronger than when she had said she intended to enter the Pact of Eternity with a human man.

"I was an ordinary human, just like him. I lived here for a little over twenty years."

Her voice trembled, and her words came haltingly. She remembered the first time she had told her family she was reincarnated. Back then, she had confessed to close family, who had understood and embraced her warmly. But the dragons here were not her family. Most of the people she was revealing her secret to now harbored ill feelings toward her. Her heart had felt ready to burst from nerves even then. How much worse was it now?

"In my previous life, I loved a man, and he..."

Every glare directed at her stung, and her breathing grew ragged. With Rokan supporting her, Sia paused to catch her breath before continuing.

"... I couldn't forget him, so I came back here. And—"

"You came back to pick up where your love story left off. Is that it?"

Evan cut her off. He clicked his tongue at what he called a tired romance-novel cliché, then began rousing the other dragons.

"And for that reason alone, she's trying to justify her foolish actions."

"Evan!"

Rokan roared at Evan for continuing to torment his granddaughter with sharp words. But even Rokan's raised voice did not make Evan back down.

"Lord Rokan! Wrong is still wrong!"

"How dare you."

Rokan bared his teeth and growled. It was only because he managed to keep his temper that he did not unleash Dragon Fear and start a fight even the dragons present could not contain.

"Perhaps it would be better to eliminate the cause of the problem. Killing that human is one option."

"Shut up!"

At the mention of killing Minjun, Sia shouted so loudly the lair rang with her voice, all trace of her earlier trembling gone.

"Just try killing my Oppa, you hear me? Then it'll be a fight to the death, yours or mine."

"Whoa, whoa. I wasn't talking about actually killing him. Even if we don't kill him, we can break his will."

Evan gave a cold smile.

He did not care that the dragon had been human in a previous life. He had no intention of looking down on her for it; in fact, as someone who had never encountered a reincarnated person before, he found it intriguing. But once she became a dragon, she should have forgotten her previous life and lived as a dragon. Why insist on living a human life? And why did that human, Minjun, have the audacity to love her even knowing she was a dragon?

Dragons generally did not interfere in one another's affairs. This time, however, Evan believed he had to intervene. And no small number of dragons agreed with him.

'As long as I don't kill him.'

He had meant it when he said he would break Minjun's will. Whether he offered a sweet reward or inflicted pain so severe the man would wish he were dead, he would use whatever means it took to make him give up on love between a human and a dragon.

And what was that about becoming a dragon? Evan knew it was impossible, but if it ever showed signs of becoming reality, he would have to do something about it.

The gathering that had always seemed so steadfast began, little by little, to fracture.

* * *

The brief gathering that had been a nightmare for Sia came to an end. Worried about his granddaughter, Rokan stayed at her lair while she wept without restraint.

"Hic... hic..."

"Shasha."

What could he say? How should he comfort her? Perhaps the best thing was to say nothing, hold her warmly, and listen when she was ready to talk.

Rokan held her tight until her tears subsided, and Sia did not pull away. As though she were a little girl again, she cried endlessly in his arms, just as she had after telling her family in this life that she was reincarnated. It was a long time before her sobs quieted.

Only after she had calmed down a little did she pick up her phone with trembling hands and send Minjun a KakaoTalk message.

[Oppa.]

She wanted to call and hear his warm voice at once, yet, paradoxically, she could not bring herself to call him now. She had no idea how completely she might fall apart if she heard his voice.

She had meant to talk to him, however briefly, by message. But the moment she sent it, Minjun started a video call. She did not want him to see her like this, so she let it ring. Instead, after a moment's hesitation, she summoned her courage and called him back by voice.

"... Oppa."

["What happened? Hm? Tell me, one thing at a time."]

The moment Minjun's warm voice came through the phone, she began to fall apart, making her decision not to video call seem pointless.

"What are we supposed to do now...?"

She was frustrated that she could not tell Minjun anything about what had happened that day. Without mentioning any of it, she broke down sobbing again. Minjun listened quietly until she ended the call, sharing in her sorrow.

The next day, Minjun called Sia as soon as he woke up, still worried about her. He wanted to ask what had happened yesterday and whether there was anything he could do to help, but for some reason she did not answer.

*'Does she need time alone to sort out her thoughts?'

He had never heard her cry so bitterly before. He had no idea what had happened yesterday; she had not told him a thing, only cried and cried. He considered asking Rokan if he knew why, but decided to do nothing. He thought what Sia needed right now was time. Leaving her a text asking her to call whenever she felt calmer, Minjun began his day with his mind in turmoil.

As he ate a simple breakfast, Minjun began planning his day. Now that he was B-rank, he could look for a new team clearing B-rank gates. After a clear, he could buy Sia a present to cheer her up and send it through Rokan. Or perhaps it would be wiser to leave the whole day free in case she called.

He was still weighing his options when someone knocked on his front door.

Knock, knock, knock!

*'Who could that be?'

Puzzled, Minjun opened the door.

"Hi!"

Go Yuna stood there, smiling brightly, oblivious to what was going through his mind. Already troubled by the situation with Sia since yesterday, Minjun felt his thoughts grow even more tangled at the sight of her. He had given her his phone number, but not his address. How had she found out where he lived, and why had she come? Her cheerful smile only made his head ache more.

He was not in the mood to see anyone right now, least of all Go Yuna. But he could hardly send her away with a harsh demand to know how she had found his place. He had no grounds for that. Swallowing the sigh rising in his throat, he asked as calmly as he could,

"... How did you find out where I live?"

"I asked your mom! She sent me some kimchi recently, so I made a few things to take her as a thank-you. But she said she lives in Yangpyeong and told me not to come all that way. So I told her I'd send it through you."

Yuna held out the food packages she had carried over.

"So, Minjun, could you give these to her next time you see her?"

"..."

If her goal was to send food to his mother, who lived far away, she could have used a courier or found any number of other ways. Why go to the trouble of sending it through him? And there was no telling how Sia would react if she found out. Minjun looked between Yuna and the bundle in her hands, bewildered.

"But! I brought plenty for you, too. How about it? That makes it okay, right?"

"Well... thanks. I'll enjoy it."

He took the packages and was about to tell her to get home safely when she spoke again.

"Oh, Minjun, sorry, but can I use your bathroom? I really need to go."

Before he could answer, Go Yuna walked straight into his apartment as though it were the most natural thing in the world. He wanted to stop her, but could not bring himself to say anything. How could he tell someone desperate for the bathroom to leave? All he could do was stare ruefully at the bathroom she had just entered.

A little later, she asked, "Minjun, I'm really sorry, but could I have a glass of water before I go?"

"... Sure."

Ordinarily, letting Yuna into his apartment would not have looked good at all. Yet every turn of events seemed to leave him no choice. His head began to ache. He was no fool; it would be a lie to say he sensed no ulterior motive in her behavior. But one situation after another had made it impossible to throw her out without making a scene.

While Minjun poured her some water, Yuna took a quick look around his apartment. Her eyes came to rest on the clothes Sia had left hanging on the drying rack.

"Looks like you live with your girlfriend. I don't think you mentioned that last time."

"Yeah. She's just gone out for a bit."

It was a lie, of course. Even if they wanted to live together, those damned restrictions made it impossible. But saying so might make Yuna uncomfortable staying and prompt her to leave sooner.

Go Yuna, however, knew from the start that he was lying. There was only one toothbrush and one rinsing cup in the bathroom, and no makeup, feminine products, or other signs that a woman lived there. She figured Sia had left the clothes behind for some reason and they just happened to be hanging up.

'He's lying.'

She could easily tell that Minjun was uncomfortable with her there. But she smiled to herself. She had only brought food for the mother of a younger friend she was close to. The fact that he was reading so much into it showed he had an unexpectedly cute side.

"Here's your water."

"Thanks."

Yuna settled in as comfortably as if she had been invited over, sipping her water at her leisure. Then she opened the bundle and went through everything she had brought, one item at a time.

"There's jajang sauce in the silver container. I used the same recipe as we do at the restaurant, so it should be good. And this kimchi came from the restaurant, too. It's not factory-made; the ladies who work there made it themselves."

"I'm not a kid. Anyone listening would think you were my mom, not someone older I know."

She did not need to explain every little thing.

"Just tell me which is mine and which is for my mother."

He did not even know whether he would eat his share.

"What a shame. My little Minjun used to be so cute."

Sounding disappointed, she resumed explaining the food. Eventually, she finished.

"But aren't you busy? Shouldn't you be going soon?"

She had finished her water, and he had accepted the food. It was time for her to leave. Minjun tried to convey that indirectly, but either Yuna missed the hint or she chose to ignore it.

"Oh, today's my day off. I'm usually a busy woman, sure, but I'm not such a workaholic that I never take a day off. I think I'll have a little breathing room for a while."

She smiled, subtly letting him know she had plenty of time.

"Oh, since I'm off today, want to spar with me? I'm retired, but I used to be an A-rank hunter. I bet it'd help you."

"I appreciate the offer, but I'm good."

Yuna wanted to stretch out their time together however she could, but Minjun had no reason to accept.

"Come on, I'm sure it'd help. You don't have to feel obligated."

"I'm really fine. You don't have to keep trying to do things for me. Thanks for the food."

By now she ought to have taken the hint and left, but Yuna persisted.

"What about your girlfriend, then?"

"Sia wouldn't need your help either."

"Can't be helped, I guess."

Still reluctant to give up, she rested a hand lightly on his shoulder and asked, "Well, it's almost lunchtime. Want to eat together? Eating with someone is better than eating alone."

"Sorry, I have plans."

That, too, was a lie.

"Then I guess it can't be helped. Let's eat together sometime soon."

Yuna looked disappointed to the very end. Her reaction made Minjun realize she would probably keep showing up at his place with one excuse or another. If she did, things could spiral out of control. He did not want the problem with Yuna to keep upsetting him and Sia.

"Yuna."

Today, Minjun decided to be direct.