LTTH C66

Chapter 66

To Hansol, Kassie was a man of strength. Though he had only known him for a handful of days, surviving in this hell called England was proof enough. Not once had Hansol seen him show fear or hesitation. And yet, the thought of not being able to see Hansol again—that was what frightened him.

“So let’s just go to Korea together. As for your people, tell them to meet you there, isn’t that simpler?”

With a sudden shift in tone, Kassie flashed a bright smile, offering what he thought was an easy solution.

It made sense, perhaps. But would those two, stranded in the original Britain, even have the means to return to Korea? Hansol was no mage, but even he knew teleportation arrays were not conjured on a whim.

Perhaps I should at least try to contact them first.

Meeting Kassie’s gaze, Hansol reached into his robes and clasped the necklace he had hidden away. Following the Tower Master’s instructions, he focused with all his heart upon him. Not long after, the man’s voice resonated at his ear.

— …Hansol-nim?

“Tower Master! Both of you are safe, aren’t you?”

— Good heavens! Hansol-nim, I was about to reach out to you. Where in the world are you?

“Well… it’s Britain. But—”

How could he explain it? It was Britain, yes, but another Britain. Another dimension, perhaps.

“Hansol, remember—we agreed on Korea. Korea!”

Kassie, watching Hansol falter, leaned in close and whispered by his ear. Perhaps, for now, that was the wiser answer.

— Hansol-nim, is someone with you? I hear another voice.

Wait—wasn’t this supposed to be a one-on-one link?

Hansol shot Kassie a startled glance. Kassie, realizing as much, quickly stepped back, silently shaping the words with his lips: Sorry.

Indeed, it was not entirely his fault.

“There are people here who’ve helped me. Truly, I owe them my survival.”

— …I see.

“In any case, if I can return to Korea, perhaps we could meet there instead?”

— Fortunately, things here have quieted down somewhat. That should be possible. Do you intend to move immediately?

“Hmm.”

Hansol instinctively turned to Kassie.

Leaving right this moment—is that possible?

If you do, half the people here will be clinging to you in tears.

Kassie’s playful smile and the gesture he made toward the crowd said it all. Though many were drinking and making merry, few were so deep in their cups as to be oblivious. To slip away unseen—not to mention deceiving Isaac as well—would be no simple feat.

— Hansol-nim?

“Ah, just a moment.”

The Tower Master’s query pressed him. Hansol and Kassie hastily exchanged words with their lips.

When would be best?

Tomorrow, or the day after, perhaps. What do you think?

Tomorrow, or the day after. Agreed.

Their swift agreement became Hansol’s reply.

“At the earliest tomorrow, at the latest the day after, we’ll come.”

— Understood. James and I shall time our return accordingly.

“Very well, then. We’ll meet in Korea.”

— Yes. Please, Hansol-nim, come back safely.

With those words, the voice faded, and Hansol tucked the necklace away once more.

“Then tonight we celebrate, and tomorrow we prepare to leave, yes?”

“It seems so.”

Kassie placed a portion of the cooling food upon a smaller plate for him, as if to seal the plan. Much as Hansol might have wished to stay longer, those two in the original Britain still weighed upon his heart. It was time to return.

“Good! Then tonight, we feast and drink! Isaac, you too!”

“…Yes.”

Kassie leapt up, one hand raising a foaming mug, the other clutching a pizza-like dish. His cry was echoed at once by the crowd, their own shouts of “cheers!” resounding.

Even Isaac, half-dazed, lifted his empty mug in solidarity, and Hansol could only watch with faint concern. Perhaps someone ought to forbid him another drink.

Yet before Hansol could act, a server had already placed a fresh, frothing mug in Isaac’s hand.

He’ll manage. Stronger than I, after all.

Hansol shook his head with a wry smile, lifted his own half-flat beer, and clinked glasses with Isaac and Kassie.

“Cheers!”

Eat, drink, sing—Hansol could not recall the last time he had let himself revel so. Perhaps never. Yet when morning came, regret gnawed at him.

“Ugh… my head.”

His skull throbbed as though splitting apart. So this was a hangover. He had never drunk much before, and most hunters claimed immunity to alcohol. Likely, he had underestimated even beer.

“Hansol, you’re awake?”

“…Kassie. Good morning.”

“You don’t look like it’s a good morning at all. Here—drink this.”

Whether he had anticipated it or had prepared just in case, Kassie entered swiftly, offering a glass with ice floating upon golden liquid. Honey-water.

Hansol murmured his thanks and drained it. Relief was faint, but welcome.

“If you wish it, we could leave today.”

“Already?”

So soon. Preparations were already complete. Yesterday, Hansol had bid farewell to the villagers—some with tears, others with weary sighs. Yet with repeated promises to return, they had finally relented.

Perhaps it was Kassie’s words that reassured them. I saw Isaac and others grasp his hand, begging him to return with me.

Still… it feels bittersweet.

Though Korea was the land of his birth, Hansol’s heart found these people strangely dear.

“If you wished, Hansol, we could stay not just a day, but a month, a year. Would you?”

Kassie’s teasing offer struck a dangerous chord. One day becomes two, two become twenty. No.

“…We must go.”

“Ah, such a pity~.”

With a playful wave, Kassie drifted out, bidding Hansol to follow him downstairs.

The sun already stood high—past noon. Hansol tidied himself and descended, finding the first floor arranged like a modest dining hall. Upon the table, a meal was laid—warm and abundant.

“Yesterday I noticed you favored fish and vegetables over meat, so I arranged for this. Eat well, then we’ll depart.”

“…Did you make this yourself?”

“Me? Ha, hardly. I asked Emily—the chef at the inn.”

That sounded more believable.

Between chatter and bites, the meal passed swiftly. Afterwards, Hansol made his rounds—bidding the villagers farewell, checking on Isaac, even sparing a word for poor Rachel, wounded yet again. Only then did he step upon the magic circle beside Kassie.

“Hansol, may I borrow the watch for a moment?”

“…Here.”

Startled by the sudden request, Hansol nonetheless handed it over. After all, the item had already been in Kassie’s hands before.

Wait—what about the safeguard enchantment?

But nothing happened. Perhaps Kassie had attuned it properly when he had inscribed it. At least he remained unharmed.

“Since no coordinates are registered, we’ll follow the imprint in this watch. That will guide our destination.”

Holding the watch aloft, Kassie poured mana into the array as he explained.

Hansol understood enough from Kassie’s earlier lessons: the watch bore the Association’s coordinates. Their starting point, the Hunter Association’s C-wing—the place he had first taken a dimensional array.

Which meant…

“Wait! Kassie, no—!”

“What? I already entered it.”

Damnation.

As the blinding light engulfed him, Hansol clenched his eyes shut and cursed inwardly.

We’re doomed.