Like a candle that had run through the wick, like a pooled liquid drying out and disappearing… the critically wavering light in Ian’s eyes quickly subsided. And after turning into a dot in an instant, it eventually disappeared altogether.

With their light extinguished, Ian’s eyes quickly grew dimmer. Seol Jihu’s heart sank.

“I…”

When Seol Jihu called Ian’s name, his head slouched down and slowly gave way. Seol Jihu reached out subconsciously and held his frail shoulders in a hurry.

He felt like this would really be the end if he let Ian fall. That this would be their farewell.

But even when he forcefully straightened his falling body, nothing changed. Ian’s head lifelessly slouched down. A faint smile was still adorning his aged face.

Smiling with his eyes half-closed, he looked comfortable and relaxed. It was almost as if he had a dream before falling asleep.

It was a short dream, but having it even for a moment made me happy— that was what his face seemed to say.

And Seol Jihu endlessly looked down at this face in a daze.

“Master Ian.”

His hoarse voice called the old man. However, he couldn’t hear Ian’s reply. Even when he shook his shoulders, only his head bobbed.

[Sorry, sorry. I got held up slightly. It’s been a while since I’ve been in Haramark, and the streets felt so refreshingly open, you see.]

“Master Ian!”

[My friend, well… by any chance… do you like titties?]

“Master Ian?”

[Aiya. So what, you’re not gonna do it?]

“Master Ian.”

[Then I will answer you. As everyone’s representative—]

“Master Ian….”

[Yes. You are certainly worth it.]

The more he talked and the more he confirmed Ian’s unresponsiveness, the more Seol Jihu’s...