---
The helicopter landed fifteen minutes later.
The moment I stepped out, I realized my grandfather's definition of "home" and my definition of "home" were two completely different things.
This wasn't a house.
It was a small country with landscaping.
[Even I am shocked.]
[30 days and 3 hours remaining, Host~]
'Damn it. Must you remind me of the incoming calamity?'
[Yes, Host. It is my purpose.]
'Ya, I gae–'
"Hanseong."
I nearly jumped out of my skin. Grandfather was staring at me, his expression unreadable.
A butler stood by the grand entrance and bowed deeply as we approached. The moment we stepped inside, a wave of nostalgia hit me like a truck.
The grand staircase. The massive crystal chandelier. Polished marble floors.
My steps faltered.
I unconsciously raised my left arm. A long, faded scar ran across my wrist.
'T-this…'
[Damn. The original Hanseong tried to kill himself?]
'Can you not say that so casually?!'
My chest tightened painfully.
A rush of complicated emotions I couldn't fully process flooded through me.
Loneliness, resentment, deep self-loathing that didn't entirely feel like mine.
'Hanseong… what the hell…'
Grandfather noticed where my gaze had lingered. He placed a steady hand on my shoulder, warm and surprisingly gentle.
"Let's eat first."
Growwwl.
My stomach betrayed me instantly.
---
The table was ridiculous
[I think grandpa went overboard]
'This food is enough to feed a small village for a month!'
[Tsk, rich people.]
I stared at the long table in disbelief.
"There are only two of us grandpa"
"Eat" he said simply, already motioning for the servants to start serving.
[Host, remember you might be S-class but your stomach isn't.]
'Just shut up'
I picked up my chopsticks, hesitated, then just grabbed a bowl of rice.
Grandfather ate in silence. He wasn't looking at me but I could feel his attention.
[Host, your grandfather is obviously preparing to say something serious.]
'Thanks, Captain Obvious.'
[Captain Obvious is not my name. I am a Guide Navigation Assistant System 2.0]
'And you have been useless since you appeared'
[Host—]
Finally he spoke.
"I was thinking of reassigning you to Esper Kai"
"Absolutely not"
Grandfather raised his eyebrow.
"I mean... he already has a guide grandpa"
Grandfather stroked his chin. His expression unchanging "I don't think he'll reject the offer of an S-class guide"
"I don't– can I just eat?"
Grandfather studied me for a long moment. Then he sighed and picked up his own chopsticks.
"Fine. Eat."
'I think I may have lost my appetite'
[Very Understandable, Host isn't with his boyfriend.]
'I hate you'
I pushed the rice around my bowl for another few minutes. Grandfather didn't push. He just ate in silence, watching me from the corner of his eye.
When I finally set down my chopsticks, he nodded toward the butler.
"Show him to his room."
"We'll talk when you're well rested tomorrow."
I stood up, bowed slightly, and followed the butler up the grand staircase.
---
[Wow]
'NO!' I nearly ran out of the room.
'Why the fuck is my room filled with posters of Taehyun?!'
I stared at the walls.
Posters of Taehyun. Dozens of them. Magazine cuts, official portraits, even a grainy candid shot.
'This was my room.'
The realization hit like a cold wave.
[Correction Host. This is a shrine.]
I stumbled back against the door frame.
Mismatched eyes bore into mine through the posters.
Heat rushed to my face.
My hands flew to my cheeks.
'Am I... blushing?'
[Host is as red as a strawberry]
A weird warmth spread through my chest.
'This isn't me!'
'Why am I feeling this way?!'
I rubbed my face in annoyance.
'Love?'
[Obsession. There's a difference.]
'Why are you so blunt?'
[Someone has to be the only sensible one]
My eye twitched. Did this thing just roast me?
[I prefer to call it 'constructive feedback.']
'...I'm going to sleep.'
[Host is still in his boyfriend's pyjamas.]
I looked down and a vein popped out of my forehead.
[Your blood pressure is concerning.]
'Whose fault is that?'
[I'm just the messenger.]
'I've been through a lot today so let me have some peace.'
[Never!]
'Fuck y—'
[DING! New Quest Initiated! Try to survive being assassinated in 3... 2... 1.]
'The fuck?'
---
Taehyun stood alone on the balcony of his penthouse. Wind whipping through his dark hair. His mismatched eyes glowed faintly in the night.
Shadows stirred violently around his feet.
"...Troublesome."
His voice was barely above a whisper.
Then his gaze shifted toward the dark horizon.
His instincts had been screaming for the last twenty minutes.
Something was wrong.
Very wrong.
---