~Chapter 7~
As I stepped into the light, the first thing I saw was Luna, her eyes brimming with tears.
Startled, her blue pupils trembled slightly.
Was she so upset that she cried?
Because of those ridiculous things those guys said?
Lucian frowned briefly, then slowly scanned the people in front of him.
“You said you hired a famous guild, but there’s nothing special about you.”
“Wh-Who are you…?”
They were noisy. That was all Lucian felt.
The murmuring voices between them continued to grate on his ears.
Worse still, the image of Luna from earlier lingered in his mind, bothering him.
Lucian lowered his gaze to meet Luna’s and spoke.
“Luna Sterie.”
“…Yes?”
She blinked in surprise as if she hadn’t expected him to call her name.
She didn’t even seem to have the time to wipe away her tears.
Lucian turned to the man who looked like he was barely holding back his anger and curled his lips into a mocking smile.
“Instead of wasting your talents on such a useless guild, how about working with me?”
He didn’t expect a positive answer.
Back at the mansion, she hadn’t agreed either, and from her words alone, it was clear how much she cared about the guild.
She looked confused now—realizing how worthless this place really was—but still, leaving the guild entirely was a big step.
Lucian considered all this while waiting for Luna’s reply.
But it didn’t take long for him to realize he was wrong.
“…Alright.”
Her blue eyes stared straight at him, without the slightest tremble.
It must’ve been a hard decision. No one knew better than Lucian how difficult it was to leave a place you were emotionally attached to.
That’s why he hated this guild even more.
“I’m sure you’ve heard. I’d appreciate it if you removed Luna Sterie’s name from this guild. You should know that adding a member to your registry without consent is illegal. Also, your teammate’s corpse is neatly placed near the back entrance—just so you know.”
The sharpness in Lucian’s gaze made the people standing beside Alex flinch.
Alex too seemed to sense Lucian’s dangerous aura and stiffened his expression before speaking.
“You’re seriously taking Luna with you?”
“Unlike you, I’m not the type to say one thing and mean another.”
Alex’s lips trembled.
He looked ridiculous, trying to hold back his anger, but the people around him just kept reading the room.
Should I provoke him more?
Lucian, who didn’t let things that annoyed him go easily, debated for a moment and lowered his gaze again.
No… maybe I should leave it for later.
He locked eyes once more with Luna’s teary blue eyes—and changed his mind immediately.
Being here was clearly painful for her.
Hurting others just to vent his own irritation would make him no better than these scumbags.
“Let’s go. There’s nothing more to see.”
Lucian gently extended his hand to Luna.
After a brief hesitation, she took a deep breath and said:
“…Yes. Let’s go.”
And she grabbed his hand.
“Good.”
Lucian turned around slowly, feeling a strange sense of satisfaction even he couldn’t explain.
“Luna Sterie!”
Alex called out behind them, but she didn’t look back.
He should’ve realized earlier. Just how extraordinary she really was.
Lucian mocked Alex for letting her go because of such a short-sighted decision and began walking.
Thud. The door closed behind them, and Alex’s voice disappeared completely.
Alex’s betrayal. Lucian’s help.
It had all happened so quickly.
By the time I came to my senses, I had already left the guild, being led by Lucian’s hand.
I really did it.
I was so angry that I said everything I wanted to.
There was no taking it back now.
Once we reached the carriage, I quickly let go of his hand.
“Thank you so much for your help.”
“I didn’t really do it just to help you. I meant everything I said.”
Lucian shrugged lightly and continued.
“From what I see, you still haven’t made up your mind.”
I couldn’t deny it.
Because I still couldn’t accept the fact that I could see spirits.
I hadn’t seen any since I left the mansion either.
“If you need more time, I can wait. No pressure. Just think about it positively.”
It was as if he could read my mind.
Honestly, his offer was very tempting.
Good compensation and treatment. Things I desperately needed after leaving the guild with nowhere to go. But still…
“Thank you. I’ll think it over a bit more and get back to you.”
“Alright. Where’s your home? I’ll drop you off.”
“No, it’s okay. I have somewhere to stop by. Please go ahead.”
“I have to pass through the village anyway. Don’t feel burdened. You’re not feeling well either.”
“I appreciate your kindness, but I’ll be fine.”
If I stayed longer, I might really end up accepting his offer and getting in the carriage.
That thought made me quickly bow and hurry toward the village.
Thankfully, he didn’t stop me.
I reached the village, but I had nowhere to go.
I only ever came here for errands or minor guild tasks—never for fun or drinking.
I really don’t have anywhere to go now.
Even though I was the one who chose to leave the guild, I felt so heavy-hearted.
I let out a deep sigh and looked around.
A happy child buying something with their smiling parents.
Merchants shouting to sell their goods.
Couples walking hand in hand, clearly on a date.
Everyone here looked happy—everyone except me.
A bitter smile escaped me. I didn’t want to seem any more pathetic than I already did.
I took a deep breath and stepped into a quiet forest path.
I kept walking deeper in.
Eventually, a large lake appeared before my eyes. A place I knew very well.
“…Ha.”
So this is where I ended up.
A bitter taste filled my mouth.
This was the place I stumbled upon after passing the exorcist exam.
And also…
—“Luna Sterie, right?”
It was where I first met Alex.
Yeah, this is where he asked me to build a guild together.
I didn’t know his true intentions, but I was just happy someone needed me. So I said yes without thinking.
So stupid.
Anyone who heard this story would say that.
How could I have not seen through it?
Know your place.
Drip. Drip.
Raindrops began to fall from the sky.
Soon, the rain grew heavier, and the few people around all left.
Now I was the only one left, getting drenched in the pouring rain with nowhere to go.
—“We’ll definitely make it.”
I still clearly remembered how Alex smiled and offered his hand.
Even now, knowing his true self, I still couldn’t get a grip.
I looked up at the dark sky, where rain continued to fall.
—“You’ll become a great exorcist.”
Was there even a shred of sincerity in those words?
It was a question I would never get an answer to, dissolving in my head like mist.
My soaked clothes clung tightly to my body, suffocating me.
“…Hhk.”
A sob escaped my mouth. I couldn’t hold it in anymore.
Luckily, the rain was falling so hard that no one could hear me cry.
Raindrops—or maybe tears—rolled down my cheeks.
I hugged my trembling body with both arms and curled up.
I just wanted to feel some kind of warmth.
How long had I been standing there in the cold rain?
Plop.
Suddenly, the raindrops stopped falling on me.
What’s going on?
It was still raining in front of me.
So why wasn’t it hitting me?
Before I could wonder further, I sensed someone behind me and quickly turned around.
“You’ll get sicker if you stay here like this.”
Lucian stood there, holding an umbrella tilted toward me.
One of his shoulders was wet, as he couldn’t fully fit under it.
