The Saint Wants to Rest - vanish into fiction

As the time for the Gate to open drew near, Choi Jae-heon called Ian incessantly. However, Ian’s phone seemed to be turned off, as he could not be reached. While he was agonizing over this, he ran into Hong Seo-yun and Yoon Tae-gyeom in the conference room. He informed the two that Ian had disappeared, but unlike Yoon Tae-gyeom, Hong Seo-yun’s face looked strangely sleek and satisfied.

Looking at that face, Choi Jae-heon realized exactly where Ian was.

“Hong Seo-yun.”

As Choi Jae-heon approached while grinding his teeth, Hong Seo-yun waved his hand cheerfully.

“Yo!”

However, what followed the welcoming greeting was a grab by the collar.

“You know where Ian is, don’t you.”

At the growled words, Hong Seo-yun whistled while purposely looking elsewhere.

“I asked where Ian is!”

“Hey, wait a minute. Calm down, calm down.”

“Do I look like I can be calm? That fragile kid is in a dangerous place!”

“Jae-heon. It’s true Ian is the youngest, but he is an adult now, you know?”

Furthermore, Ian had fallen alone into another world and experienced far more gruesome situations. It wasn’t that he intended to belittle the efforts Choi Jae-heon had made all this time. It was natural for him to be anxious, having finally embraced the person he had been searching for so desperately. Nevertheless, Ian was an adult capable of taking responsibility for his own decisions.

“If he says he wants to do it, we shouldn’t just oppose him blindly.”

“Hong Seo-yun.”

“No, seriously, think rationally. The three of us can just protect him. And Ian promised he wouldn’t step forward into anything dangerous. He’s always been a kid who listens well.”

“Even so!”

Choi Jae-heon released Hong Seo-yun’s collar and held his head.

“Even so…”

His voice grew smaller and smaller. He knew Hong Seo-yun wasn’t wrong, but he was uneasy. What if Ian disappeared again or got hurt like before? Shackled by his imagination, his anxiety continued to grow in size.

“Let’s trust him.”

While the two were talking, the Guild Master of Haetae entered the empty conference room.

“What’s this? Are you two fighting?”

Jeong Yeon-hwa asked, looking back and forth between the two.

“No. Fighting? We’re always on good terms, really!”

At Hong Seo-yun’s sly remark, Jeong Yeon-hwa furrowed her brow and headed to her seat.

“Let’s talk more later.”

With that, the conversation between the two reached a temporary lull.

***

Ian was standing next to a container brought in for meetings, staring up at the sky. He wanted to catch a demon and hear what it had to say. How they got to Earth, what they intended to do here. There were many things he wanted to know.

Catching a single demon shouldn’t be difficult.

The problem was what came next. Ian was not skilled in torturing demons. At most, he only knew how to sear wounds with holy power. Vermouth was the expert in this field. Just as he was thinking that and lowered his gaze, he saw shimmering blonde hair in the distance. Having stepped off a helicopter, Vermouth walked this way without sparing a glance for the swarming crowd.

Was I caught!?

Terrified, he tried to run away, but strangely his body would not move. He felt as if he were held in place, captivated by those violet eyes.

“Greetings.”

Vermouth casually offered a greeting to Ian. Ian nodded appropriately and slowly pulled his body back now that it had finally started moving. However, Vermouth stepped forward just as much as Ian retreated.

Did he notice? Goosebumps erupted along his spine. He had always acted tough in front of Vermouth, but the man was by no means an easy opponent. It was natural for Ian to be tense. Sweat soaked into his tightly clenched fists.

“Why are you so nervous?”

Vermouth continued speaking while standing close as if they were the most intimate of acquaintances. The moment felt infinitely long.

No, let’s not worry. Vermouth cannot take me back to Lancia right now.

Hadn’t he already expected to run into Vermouth? Just as Ian was about to lift his head confidently and open his mouth, Choi Jae-heon blocked his path.

“What is the matter?”

At the cold voice, Vermouth curved his eyes into crescents. However, his mouth was not smiling in the slightest.

“Indeed. What exactly is going on? This person is my secretary.”

Hong Seo-yun joined in as well. Yoon Tae-gyeom was still just watching, but he looked ready to intervene if necessary.

“Ah, secretary?”

Vermouth twisted his lips.

“It is because I happen to be acquainted with that secretary.”

“Acquainted? Is that true?”

Hong Seo-yun tossed the question to Ian, pretending to know nothing. For now, Ian quickly shook his head. He was prepared to meet Vermouth, but it would be better to delay that moment if possible.