The last place Yeoksam headed after leaving the fire station was the daycare that Seo-woo attended.

Kang-kang!

“Huh?”

Kang!

“Yeoksam!”

Seo-woo, who had been playing in the playground, rushed over and hugged Yeoksam.

Yeoksam had an expression that suggested he found it bothersome, but perhaps that wasn’t entirely the case—he didn’t really try to wriggle out of Seo-woo’s arms.

Kang-kang!

“Did you come to see me?”

Kang-kang!

Not exactly…

“Really? You came to see me?”

Kang-kang-kang!

I was just passing by…

“Hehe. But Yeoksam, what did you eat? You’ve got stuff all over you.”

Kang-kang-kang-kang-kang!

Ugh, let’s just call it bribes from humans?

Kang-kang-kang-kang!

Humans give me food whenever they see me.

“What? You missed me that much?”

Kang-kang-kang!

That’s not it…

“Hehehehe.”

Just then.

“Seo-woo?”

Someone called out to Seo-woo.

It was Lee Ra-hee, Park Yeon’s first love.

“Oh? Teacher!”

“It’s naptime now. What are you doing over there?”

“Yeoksam came to see me because he missed me, so we were talking!”

“Yeoksam?”

“Teacher, you don’t know Yeoksam? Uncle Park Yeon told you about him.”

Ah.

Lee Ra-hee recalled the dog she had heard about from Park Yeon.

Wasn’t it said to be a hellhound, utterly incompatible with her?

Lee Ra-hee stifled a small laugh and gestured.

“Then bring Yeoksam inside with you.”

“Okay! Yeoksam… huh?”

Seo-woo tilted his head.

Just moments ago, Yeoksam had been snug in his arms, but now he had vanished without a trace.

“Did he leave already?”

Seo-woo quickly got up and went inside the daycare.

“Where’s Yeoksam?”

“He went home.”

“By himself?”

“Yeoksam is smart. He knows how to find his way home.”

“Is he smart?”

“Yeah! Uncle said Yeoksam is a mutt, so he’s smart. Mutt dogs are smart.”

Lee Ra-hee smiled and patted Seo-woo’s head.

“Then don’t worry about Yeoksam and go take a nap, okay?”

“Okay!”

Kang-kang-kang!

Yeoksam barked reflexively at the sound tickling his ears.

It felt like he had just heard something deeply offensive…

Shaking his head as if to brush away the unpleasantness, Yeoksam trotted forward on his short legs.

It was time to return to his territory. This was another beast’s domain.

Then—

Sniff sniff!

Yeoksam suddenly twitched his nose.

Something smelled delicious.

What is that?

It smelled incredibly tasty…

As if enchanted, Yeoksam dashed in the direction of the scent.

Where the smell was coming from, there were many humans gathered.

He spotted a familiar human, but he skipped any greeting. That human didn’t even give him food.

A short while later, Yeoksam arrived at a cave.

Kang-

The delicious scent wafted strongly from inside. It was a smell he had encountered a few times before.

Slurp!

Yeoksam licked his lips and leaped inside.

How much time passed?

Yeoksam stopped and tilted his head.

He saw the human who had given him food and another human wrapped in colorful fur.

The fur-covered human seemed to be injured.

Injuries were something to be feared. It meant being abandoned.

He knew this well. He had been abandoned for being born weaker than his siblings.

Then… was this human abandoned too?

“Firefighter… I’m sorry… Because of me….”

“No, it was my choice.”

“But…”

The lizardmen were closing in.

So was death.

Joon-sik scowled at the approaching lizardmen and pulled out a cigarette.

Firefighters always have to be ready for death.

And when that moment comes, they always carry at least one cigarette for their final moments.

Snap!

Joon-sik lit the cigarette and offered one to the injured man.

“Do you smoke?”

Silently, the injured man took the cigarette, exhaled a puff of smoke, and handed it back.

“My wife will scold me.”

“I’m sorry. Truly…”

“I didn’t mean it that way. She would be furious if she found out… but if I were to die, I’d want it to be in the field.”

“……”

“And I guess that’s today…”

But why did the human who gave him food look so gloomy?

Whenever he came to Yeoksam’s territory, he always seemed so confident.

Kaahhh!

Ah…

It was because of the food. He was reluctant to give it up.

But no way.

That food…

Kang-kang-kang!

It’s mine!

At that moment.

Yeoksam breathed fire from his mouth.

It was a tiny flame. But as soon as it touched the food—

Kaah! Kaah!

The food flailed, desperately trying to put out the fire, but it was pointless. The more they struggled, the fiercer the flames grew.

Kaak! Kahaah!

The food hesitated.

Did they catch my scent?

Tatatat!

The food was running away. That wouldn’t do.

Yeoksam left the struggling food behind and lunged at the fleeing ones.

At that moment, his tiny paws sprouted claws.

They were small—about 5 cm long.

But to the food, they were lethal.

Kaahhh!

The food screeched as his claw pierced its nape.

Kang-kang-kang-kang-kang!

Two isn’t enough!

Kang-kang-kang-kang!

I need at least three!

Yeoksam approached another frozen food source. It trembled violently, even wetting itself.

Kang.

Hmm.

Yeoksam tilted his head.

Then, after smacking his lips, he turned away.

Smelly food was no good.

Two would have to do.

Yeoksam approached the dead food and began eating contentedly.

Meanwhile.

“Wh-what just happened?”

“I—I don’t know… Suddenly, fire appeared… and the lizardmen ran away.”

“Did you see anything?”

“…No.”

Joon-sik couldn’t comprehend the situation.

They had been completely at the mercy of the lizardmen.

But suddenly, an eerie flame had erupted from somewhere, engulfing one of the lizardmen.

The fire wasn’t normal. The more the lizardman struggled, the fiercer it burned. Then the others fled.

Strangely, though, no monster was visible.

Since awakening his abilities, Joon-sik could see clearly even in darkness.

But perhaps the adrenaline rush from facing death had clouded his judgment.

Had he been calmer, he might have noticed Yeoksam’s small form.

“L-let’s get out of here.”

Joon-sik hoisted the injured man onto his back and hurriedly exited the dungeon.

Whoosh!

Yeoksam turned his head to watch them leave, then tilted it slightly.

Was he giving up his food?

“…This abnormal phenomenon occurring in the public dungeon has never been reported before. Authorities have urged people to refrain from using the public dungeon until the cause of this phenomenon is identified.”

“It's noisy. Turn off the TV.”

At Hwang Tae-su's words, as he held his forehead, Go Hyung-geon quickly turned off the TV.

“How many hours now?”

“It's been five hours, sir.”

“Five hours… Not one or two, but five…”

“Yes. I think it's about time you gave him a stern warning, boss.”

“…A warning?”

“Yes. No matter what, behaving like that repeatedly is just bad manners.”

At Go Hyung-geon’s words, everyone present nodded in agreement.

“Hyung-geon hyung is right. The electricity bill this month is double compared to last month.”

“And customers are only using the stairs now.”

“So… You want me to say something?”

This time, Kim Si-hyun spoke.

“If you say something, won’t he stop? You have an imposing presence, boss…”

“Si-hyun is right. Besides, showing that kind of behavior in front of customers isn’t good for your reputation.”

Reputation… Reputation was important.

But not as important as his life. Reputation could be salvaged anytime, but life couldn't.

Still, Hwang Tae-su decided he would protect both.

He cleared his throat and, lighting a cigarette, crossed his legs.

“Do you really want me to do this?”

The big men all shouted in unison.

“Yes!”

“Alright, fine. I'll say a few words and kick him out. You guys wait here.”

“Let’s go together, boss.”

“No need. That… idiot…”

Hwang Tae-su lowered his voice so that Monster 2 wouldn’t hear.

“That idiot is someone I can handle alone. If you guys step in, it’ll only make me look weaker.”

“Then we'll wait here!”

Nodding, Hwang Tae-su stubbed out his cigarette.

“By the way, do we have any fabric deodorizer?”

“Fabric deodorizer?”

“I smell like smoke.”

“What does that matter?”

“Well, the idiot outside…”

For a moment, Hwang Tae-su shut his mouth.

He couldn't bring himself to say that he was looking for fabric deodorizer because the idiot outside hated the smell of smoke.

He flapped his collar.

“It just smells bad since I haven't washed this. Don't you guys smell it?”

“Ah… Now that you mention it, a little bit. Here you go.”

Taking the fabric deodorizer, Hwang Tae-su sprayed it almost excessively.

“No matter what happens, don’t come out. I’ll make sure to discipline him properly today.”

“Yes, boss.”

Hands stuffed in his pockets, Hwang Tae-su walked out of the office with confidence.

And then he shouted.

“Hey!”

At the perfect moment, as the idiot turned his head, Hwang Tae-su shut the office door.

“…Do you know?”

“Know what?”

“About the royal physician. Haha.”

“Ah… The royal physician. You mean Heo Jun?”

“You've watched it, huh.”

“Of course. Heo Jun was an amazing figure. He overcame adversity and became the king’s physician.”

“Exactly. Haha.”

“But why bring up the royal physician all of a sudden?”

“Since you like dramas, I wondered if you had watched Heo Jun.”

“I watched Jang-geum, so of course, I watched Heo Jun.”

“Oh… As expected. But, Mr. Park…”

“Hmm?”

The door closed.

Just as the door was about to shut completely, Hwang Tae-su quickly slipped inside the elevator.

“What’s the matter?”

“Aren’t you using the elevator too much?”

“Really? It doesn’t feel like I’ve used it that often.”

“You’ve been riding it for five hours.”

“Already? I hadn’t realized… Ah, but… Is me using the elevator so often causing trouble for you, Boss Hwang? If so, I’ll stop.”

Hwang Tae-su waved his hand as if to say that wasn’t the case.

“It’s not that… It’s just that it’s getting late, so wouldn’t it be better if you went home? Mr. Lee is probably waiting for you…”

Park Yeon frowned.

“I am not that man's subordinate.”

“Yes, yes, of course. You’re not. Absolutely not. But you know, Mr. Lee is a man who secretly cares about people. If you come home late, he might worry…”

At those words, Park Yeon recalled what Seo-jun had said a few days ago.

– It would be troublesome if you caused any incidents.

“That’s true.”

“Exactly.”

“But just for tonight, it’s fine.”

“…What?”

“Tonight is a sad night.”

Park Yeon pressed the button for the first floor.

The elevator began descending.

– This is the first floor. The doors are opening.

“Please step out. I’d like to be alone.”

Hwang Tae-su thought about the underlings waiting for him back in the office. If he walked in now, how would he explain this?

Hyung-geon had kept asking why he was so wary of Monster 1 and Monster 2, so he had vaguely said that his father owed their parents a huge debt. That’s why he was overly generous with them.

But this time, hadn’t he stormed out of the office with grand confidence?

‘If I go back like this…’

He could save his life, but he wouldn’t be able to save his pride.

Since he was already the boss of District 12, he wanted to maintain his dignity too. So, he racked his brain.

For the first time since elementary school, he strained his brain to think.

Then, an idea came to him.

“Uh, Mr. Park.”

“What is it?”

“Have you ever watched a movie?”

“A movie? I’ve seen them in dramas.”

“Not in dramas. I mean in an actual theater.”

“No, I haven’t.”

Internally, Hwang Tae-su rejoiced.

Perfect! Just perfect!

“Then I’d like to show you one. Would you like to go now?”

“Right now?”

“Yes, yes.”

Staring at the elevator buttons, Park Yeon shrugged.

“Alright, let’s go.”

With a sigh of relief, Hwang Tae-su glanced at Park Yeon and called Go Hyung-geon.

– Yes, boss?

“Hey, it’s me. You know what I said earlier?”

– Yes?

“Just like you guys wanted, I disciplined him properly, so don’t worry anymore.”

– Really?

“Yeah. Ha… I hope I didn’t traumatize him. I should’ve been gentler.”

– Aren’t you coming back up?

“Ah… Actually, I just got a call from Boss Kwak. I’m heading to meet him now. You guys can clock out.”

– Oh… Understood. See you tomorrow, boss.

“Alright.”

After hanging up, Park Yeon asked.

“So, is it just the two of us going to the movies?”

“Yes.”

“Hmm.”

“Why?”

“In dramas, it’s usually a date when a man and a woman go to the movies.”

“That’s just in dramas. In reality, guys go together too.”

“Ah, I see.”

As Park Yeon nodded, Hwang Tae-su sighed.

Damn it.