'Partner? What does that mean?'
Ryu Sunghyun quickly shook his head at Song Jiwoon.
"It's a misunderstanding, a misunderstanding. Cha Seohu Hunter and I aren't in that kind of relationship."
That kind of relationship?
"But yesterday—"
"Yesterday, I was too flustered to correct the misunderstanding in time."
"What do you mean by partner?"
Unable to hold it in anymore, I asked them both.
It didn't sound like a bad word. People used the word partner for lots of things—like dance partners, or sports teammates.
'But judging from the atmosphere, this clearly isn't one of the wholesome meanings.'
Wait... could he have meant sex partner? Song Jiwoon actually used a word with that kind of implication?
Completely at a loss, I looked to Ryu Sunghyun, who hesitated before explaining.
"It's... a term that referred to a romantic relationship between a dealer and a supporter. It was a trendy word back in the day, but it's not really used anymore."
"Romantic relationship?"
"An outdated term?"
Both Song Jiwoon and I were shocked—just in different ways. I turned to him in disbelief.
"We're both men. Why would you misunderstand us like that?"
"...In that context, the genders didn't matter as much. I mean, there weren't that many same-sex couples, but..."
Hearing his explanation, the memory finally clicked into place. No wonder it sounded familiar. Song Jiwoon had occasionally used that word before the regression.
It had originally started as a sports term and then morphed into this new meaning during the early transitional era when Hunter roles were being more clearly divided into dealers and supporters.
In any case, it had long since fallen out of use—didn't really vibe with modern sensibilities anymore.
"If you've been living up in the mountains all this time, no wonder you didn't know."
It really wasn't a big deal.
When I replied nonchalantly, Song Jiwoon's eyebrows drooped slightly.
"...I misunderstood. I apologize if I offended you."
"It's fine."
Really, it was. Misunderstandings between me and Ryu Sunghyun weren't new. Before the regression, they happened so often it got tiring.
Even Ryu Sunghyun's awkward expression shifted slightly at my indifferent reply. But before I could figure out what that look meant, Song Jiwoon quickly turned his back.
"Thank you for accepting my apology. I'll go tidy up the storage room."
"Oh, what I meant to ask was—"
...He fled before I could stop him.
He said he was heading outside to organize the shed, but it was clearly just an excuse to escape me.
Sure, I could chase after him if I wanted, but if I pushed that hard, we'd definitely get kicked out.
'Can't be helped. I'll give him a break.'
Clicking my tongue, I turned to Ryu Sunghyun.
"Was the caretaker this ❖ Nоvеlight ❖ (Exclusive on Nоvеlight) busy yesterday, too?"
Lost in thought, Ryu snapped to attention at my voice.
"Pretty similar. He took care of the house during the day and went out just before sunset. I think he was patrolling the mountain."
"If he goes out that late... then maybe he's searching for people stranded like us."
"That seems likely."
So meeting Song Jiwoon the other day hadn't been just chance. He must go out every day looking for people lost in the mountains.
Which probably meant he'd saved quite a few people before us. He wasn't called the caretaker for nothing.
Sting.
It happened suddenly. A sharp pain like a needle jabbed the middle of my throat.
"...?"
Sting. Sting.
It was just like swallowing a thorn. The irritation kept flaring up. Not just that—it felt like cold energy was rising from deep inside my chest.
My throat had definitely gotten worse.
'So suddenly? Why now?'
I touched my neck, trying to think. And then it hit me.
'Because I was near Song Jiwoon...?'
A chill shot up my spine. Every time I swallowed, the cold burning up my throat gave me a deep sense of unease.
"...Vice Guildmaster."
"Yes?"
I'd been wrong. If we moved at this pace, we'd be kicked out without learning anything.
Including today, we only had two days left. That wasn't enough.
'This won't do.'
We needed to investigate Song Jiwoon's condition more aggressively. And this mountain, too. It was the only lead we had.
"When the caretaker heads out to check the mountain later..."
I took a deep breath before finishing.
"Let's follow him."
"...What?"
I looked Ryu Sunghyun straight in the eyes and repeated firmly.
"Let's follow him. We need to see what's in that mountain."
Of course, Ryu Sunghyun opposed the idea.
Was I seriously suggesting going out into that snowstorm? The wind was strong enough to break windows. How could we avoid detection by the caretaker? Objections poured out.
But the biggest issue he raised was this:
"You just got better. And now you want to go hiking? Absolutely not."
"If I feel even slightly worse, I'll tell you right away. We'll just follow at a distance so we can turn back easily."
"...He's an S-rank Hunter. If we get too close, he'll notice."
"You're an S-rank too, Vice Guildmaster. Just gauge the distance right. I'll focus on the markers the caretaker left behind."
"Markers?"
"I noticed them when I met him—he carved marks into trees with a blade. I think they mark directions between this house and the mountain trails. If I follow those, I shouldn't get lost."
"Hm..."
I tried hard to convince him, but Ryu Sunghyun still didn't look thrilled. So I pressed on.
"Let's just go for a short while. We can't stay outside long anyway. Since we're sneaking behind him, we'll have to turn back before he does. I'll bring defensive gear too."
He looked at me with a conflicted expression.
It wasn't that he was wavering from my logic—it was more like he didn't know what to do with this reckless idiot in front of him.
'Ah, that look. I used to see that a lot before the regression.'
How nostalgic.
I was staring at him blankly, reminiscing, when he finally sighed and gave in.
"...Fine. But you have to keep your word. Tell me immediately if you feel sick."
"Of course!"
Grinning brightly at the hard-won approval, I watched him sigh again.
We decided to wait patiently until Song Jiwoon left the house. No more following him around or pestering him excessively.
My sudden change in behavior must've confused him, because Song Jiwoon kept sneaking glances at me while doing chores around the house.
'Heh. This is what they call push and pull.'
I smiled proudly and gave the fishing rod a strong flick. Eunbok leapt up in response.
Myaaak!
The rod was a handmade toy I'd made myself, with a thread tied to the end of a twig Ryu Sunghyun brought me, and a discarded prayer bead bracelet hanging from it.
"Wow, good job, Eunbok! That's it!"
How bored must she have been in this desolate mountain? Using the flashy skills I'd honed before the regression, I played with her without holding back, and Eunbok went wild with joy.
Myaaak! Mreeeow!
So excited her nose turned red, she jumped and flailed, trying to catch the bracelet. The noise finally drew Song Jiwoon over.
"That... Eunbok—is that her name?"
"I just made it up. You never told me what it was."
He coughed awkwardly.
"She doesn't have a name."
"No name?"
"She's not mine. She started following me at some point, and just showed up here on her own. She must've had a rough time in the mountains, so I didn't chase her away."
"......"
Something about that made me feel strange.
When I glanced down, Eunbok was now rolling around on the floor, having successfully caught the bracelet in her mouth.
I remembered the Song Jiwoon from before the regression—how he used to hold and pet her gently, calling out "Eunbok" with so much affection.
"...Still, don't you think she deserves a name?"
"Then we'll go with the one you used—Eunbok."
Without much hesitation, he accepted the name. My heart sank.
His attitude was so different from before the regression that a sharp ache spread through my chest. Eunbok was still happily playing, but for some reason, I felt strangely left out.
Even after he left, I sat there blankly. Eunbok trotted over and looked up at me with big round eyes, like she was begging me to play more.
I smiled bitterly and gently stroked her small face. Myaaak. A sweet, affectionate mewl echoed in the room.
After that, I had lunch, then played with Eunbok some more to kill time.
About three hours passed. Just like the day we first met him, Song Jiwoon put on his blue leather cloak and said,
"I'll be going to check the area. I'll be back before it gets too late, so rest in the meantime."
"Okay. See you later."
I waved lazily with a soft smile.
He opened his mouth like he wanted to say something else, but in the end, said nothing and walked out.
Thunk. As the front door closed, Ryu Sunghyun and I looked at each other.
"Shall we get ready?"
"Yes."
We went up to the second floor and changed clothes. I wore the same outfit I'd worn the day we came up here and threw on my defensive cloak as well.
Ten minutes later, we stepped outside.
Whooooosh!
The warmth that had been wrapping around my body was gone in an instant, replaced by sharp winter wind. The gusts were slightly calmer than in the morning, but snow still poured steadily from the sky.
"There are faint footprints."
"Then let's follow those."
With how much snow had fallen, any longer and they would've been buried. At this distance, though, the chance of him noticing us was low.
Myaaak!
As we were inspecting the prints, a soft sensation brushed against my hand.
Eunbok, with her light gray fur, had somehow joined us.
Unbothered by the cold snow, she blinked slowly and rubbed her body against my leg.
Myaa, mng, mew.
Her little cries made it feel like she wanted to come with us. We tried pushing her away and tapping her backside to send her home, but she didn't budge.
"What do we do?"
Ryu Sunghyun, noticing her stubbornness, asked with a troubled look. I crossed my arms, thought for a moment, and then nodded.
"She's used to following the caretaker around. Let's just let her come. And when I held her before, I noticed she stays warm. Unlike us, her body temperature doesn't drop. I don't know why."
We were only going nearby anyway. After I said that, Ryu Sunghyun reluctantly agreed.
And so, with Eunbok—her tail held high and proud—we followed Song Jiwoon's tracks into the mountain.

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