The fire was quickly extinguished. All traces of the incident were promptly cleared, and the park—once a scene of chaos—fell silent in no time.According to whispers, a machine responsible for the Comfort Zone’s skylight system had aged and fallen. It wasn’t a common occurrence. When a serious incident requiring someone to take responsibility erupted, people curiously fell silent instead of clamoring for answers.It could have been a major disaster, but fortunately it had landed on empty ground: zero fatalities, only a few minor injuries.Why the building’s fire-prevention system had failed remained unknown. Yet no one openly demanded an explanation for an accident caused by the city’s own mismanagement.Instead, as if avoiding the topic, all eyes turned to Muhae. He found himself under an impromptu shutter barrage, masking his surprise beneath a calm expression.Amid the turmoil, Muhae’s real concern was Joo-o.He kept squinting at Muhae. It wasn’t fear anymore but relief, though Muhae felt he should firmly tell him not to pretend to sleep in a place like this.“Please don’t photograph this person.”Damn it. Of all days, they had to show Joo-o’s face today. Muhae shrugged off his coat and threw it over Joo-o’s head.He found this absurd attention burdensome. Muhae knew better than anyone that even if he hadn’t intervened, the accident would have ended without major casualties.But at the same time, he recognized this as both a stroke of luck and an opportunity. As always, fortune had smiled on him again.The two were now heading to the Jaegang District Office. Muhae was well aware how arrogant officials could be, especially toward someone who’d spent his life outside formal residential zones.“I’m Jo Ga-woo, Secretary to the Jaegang District Chief.”A man in a suit extended his hand. Muhae almost raised an eyebrow in surprise.Lately he found himself shaking hands with well-dressed people more often. Though a positive development, it felt strange.“While the Central Authority is entirely responsible for the dome ceiling’s maintenance, this accident occurred in Jaegang District, so we feel obliged to cooperate for the city’s sake.”The man cast a sideways glance toward the line of reporters gathered outside the office.The moment Muhae heard that opening line, he knew they intended to cover up the park shelter’s failure—offering good compensation in exchange for his and Joo-o’s silence.Not a bad deal. At the prospect of gain, the mercenary’s sharp mind began to churn.“The sudden accident must have surprised the officials as much as anyone.”Though the citizens had suffered most, neither Muhae nor the secretary was unaware of that—and thus didn’t mention it.“But according to our records, you’re not a Jaegang District resident.”“I was just… visiting. My companion begged to see Jaegang District.”“A story of rescuing someone during an outside assignment… this isn’t your first life-saving, is it?”“……”“And no prior record of theft or assault outside formal zones.”He used a flattering style, lifting Muhae on a pedestal. By now Muhae grasped their real intention.The man studied Muhae’s face, gauging whether he understood and would cooperate.“As a citizen of Goryeo City, of course you uphold its rules and laws.”“A model young man.”“I simply behave responsibly, as I was taught in Goryeo City.”Teacher Jeong had explained the city’s workings to him countless times—never spoon-feeding him. Muhae had to think and question to learn.“Sometimes there are young people who, despite difficult circumstances from misfortune, maintain their integrity.”Satisfied, the secretary offered another insincere compliment.Then he glanced at Joo-o, who rolled his eyes theatrically.Joo-o grinned and gave a double thumbs-up in the sweetest voice.“Jin Muhae is kind. He listens. He even helps old ladies carry their bags.”He’d never done that. But the secretary showed no sign of discerning truth from falsehood.“Oh my. An urgent message has arrived. Please enjoy some refreshments while you wait. It won’t be long.”Without even pretending to check a device, the man rose. His eyes said he’d already secured everything he wanted from their brief talk.He had no doubt arranged this entire scene while Muhae walked here.Seeing no downside, Muhae silently went along.And despite the promise that it wouldn’t be long, the wait dragged on….“I could eat this every day.”Joo-o hummed as he devoured the refreshments, not a crumb on his lips.Only then did Muhae return to himself. He pressed his thumbs against his temples. He could hardly believe how he kept getting embroiled in these incidents.He was tired even of asking Joo-o why he knew so much. Since Joo-o had stuck by him, Muhae had been caught up in every conceivable crisis.He turned to look at Joo-o, who paused mid–crunch and met his gaze.Perhaps sensing the odd atmosphere, Joo-o stopped chewing.“It was really loud, you know.”He started explaining without being asked.“And, uh, you could save them. So….”“You just did it on a whim?”“Because I promised. I said I’d help you, Jin Muhae.”His hesitant voice trembled with a faint confidence. Hearing it gave Muhae a slight headache.Since when had Joo-o involved himself in others’ affairs for this purpose? To what extent had he intervened?Muhae clenched his teeth and felt a snap as Joo-o dropped his snack on the floor.His gaze drifted nervously back to Muhae’s face.“Why do you think it helped me?”“But Gureum…”Joo-o’s words trailed off, conflicted.Instinctively, Muhae grasped where the conversation was headed. Gureum had said {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} they’d be spending time in the Jaegang hideout—Joo-o had sat nearby and heard it too.It was a major accident—one the entire city would learn of. Remarkably, no lives were lost, and no aftermath ensued, but numerous agencies’ failures intertwined to create an incident ripe for a hero to emerge and divert attention.Joo-o evidently thought Gureum had orchestrated the accident.“So you understand now?”Muhae tapped Joo-o’s temple. Joo-o lowered his eyes completely. He wasn’t being scolded, yet even his lively hair looked wilted.“If you don’t want to, I won’t do it. I can stop talking about it.”“……”“It’s hard for me to say it straight.”His red lips trembled as though he’d made an effort to converse.He’d meant to help earnestly—his disappointment was clear when Muhae’s reaction was cool.Only then did Muhae realize the chill in his gaze. He’d been staring at Joo-o intently for some time.Had he been wary of Joo-o acting alone? And yet he was the one who’d hauled Joo-o into the Return mission.“Jin Muhae.”“……”“You can’t leave me behind.”Joo-o looked at Muhae with slightly vacant eyes, as he had when tearing at another’s boots in haste.Back then his clinginess had merely annoyed Muhae. Now the same words left a strange ache in his chest.“You mustn’t hate me.”“I never have.”“I like you, Jin Muhae.”He’d even let go of his beloved snack, so desperate was his plea. Muhae finally laid a hand on Joo-o’s head.He ruffled Joo-o’s hair a few times, and Joo-o visibly relaxed. His lips curved into a soft smile that made Muhae want to press them.Faced with doubts and questions, Muhae turned away again. Somehow, having Joo-o around had never led to loss.As always, the pressing situation outweighed any unsettling theories about Joo-o. His mystery would wait—he wouldn’t run off.“Just keep eating your snacks.”He uttered it as if throwing the words away, yet he continued smoothing Joo-o’s glossy black hair.No particular reason—he simply liked seeing him smile so innocently.A person’s reputation is fickle, swinging wildly on a single rumor.If even a small article appears in a reputable Goryeo City outlet, previous judgments vanish, and one’s image is completely transformed.“Dependable young man. Jin Muhae.”“Shut up.”Overnight, Muhae became the clever, promising youth who’d overcome poverty in the slums and saved lives.His old reputation—as a huge, brutal, money-obsessed lowlife mercenary—was now utterly meaningless.Thanks to the panicked Jaegang officials, he’d become the very ideal Goryeo City wanted. Compensation arrived in an unexpected form.[ Jin Muhae / “Park Fire” Rescued Citizen: I knew it would be dangerous. But I moved first. Goryeo City is the precious home for me and my people. ]When news of his courageous rescue spread, Jaegang citizens rushed to petition for him to be rewarded.(…omitted…)On the 31st of this month, Jin Muhae will be granted formal residency in Jaegang District, guaranteed by the District Chief.“Fuck.”Recalling Boss Gil’s laughter over an interview he never gave, Muhae quietly cursed.

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