...
Theo maintained a firm gaze, without looking away.
"What I'm about to say may sound arrogant, but... my actions are my own, and I will face the consequences that come from them."
There was no hesitation. It was a maturity that transcended his young age. He wasn't being arrogant; he was being authentic. True to his own principles, true to who he was, and to who he wanted to be.
Aileen observed him in silence for long seconds. Her large, bright eyes seemed to scrutinize every layer of the young man before her, as if trying to confirm whether that conviction was real or just youthful bravado.
But there was no challenge in his gaze, no stubbornness, just a simple and undeniable truth that everything was fine.
A light, almost imperceptible smile curved the executive's lips. She sighed, a sigh not of frustration, but of a resigned and, in a way, admiring acceptance.
"Ah, these kids nowadays..."
She murmured, more to herself than to him, in a tone that mixed surprise, affection, and a hint of nostalgia, as she remembered her own moments of rebellion and self-confidence from the past.
"When did they get so rebellious?"
She shook her head, as if surrendering to the inevitable.
"They really do grow up fast."
She didn't try to argue, didn't try to persuade him to change his mind. If Theo didn't want to hide anything, who was she to try and stop him? Aileen, with all her authority and power, respected the individuality and integrity of others. She had done her part by warning him; the choice, now, was his.
She hopped from her chair with a small jump, straightened the hem of her dress, and extended her small hand toward him, who was also standing.
"Very well, kid. So be it."
Theo shook her hand, the touch firm and respectful. The seal of sound isolation broke with a faint crackle in the air, which any normal person wouldn't notice, but was perceptible to those with keen senses. The invisible barrier that enveloped them dissipated, and the ambient sound of the hall, previously muffled, returned to fill the space.
With a final nod to Theo, Aileen walked with her characteristic lightness towards Yoo Sihyuk, who was watching her with an indecipherable expression.
She stopped beside him, and although her words were inaudible to most, Yoo Sihyuk tilted his head slightly, listening attentively to what she had to say.
A brief nod of agreement, and then, with the same naturalness with which she had appeared, Aileen moved away from the stage, disappearing into the crowd of agents and guests, her presence leaving a trail of admiration and mystery.
Yoo Sihyuk, after Aileen's departure, positioned himself in the center of the stage, a slight clearing of his throat. The buzz from the crowd gradually subsided, and everyone's attention returned to him.
The ceremony, which had been momentarily suspended by the unexpected appearance of the world's most famous dwarf, was ready to resume.
With a bored look, he prepared to finalize the commendations, the weight of the tedious tasks once again on his shoulders, but now with a new layer of complexity added to his perception.
Not even he, a master-ranked hero, could understand why Theo had agreed to have this information released to the world.
After all, doing so was the same as putting a danger sign on himself.
"Let's just get this over with."
But since it had nothing to do with him, and also because it was too tiring to think about,
Yoo Sihyuk picked up the certificate of commendation and walked over to Theo, who was back beside Nayun.
"You're really something, kid."
With all attention focused on the stage, Yoo Sihyuk began.
"By risking his life to subdue all the monsters, he has demonstrated himself to be an exemplary citizen... This commendation attests to his excellent service for the benefit of society and his exemplary behavior, which should motivate others. Cadet Theo Sagan."
With words almost identical to those spoken to Nayun, Yoo Sihyuk handed him the certificate.
As he was about to turn back, Yoo Sihyuk seemed to remember something. He stopped, turned around, and with the same naturalness as he would talk about the weather, he announced:
"Ah, I almost forgot... Besides this commendation prize, there is also a cash reward."
He looked over to where Nayun, Suho, and Hajin were.
"It's 15 million won for you... for the elimination of the Djinn."
Then he turned directly to Theo.
"And you..."
He said, in a tone that mixed recognition.
"For having eliminated more than thirty monsters... including one of intermediate-high level... your reward is 55 million won."
The silence that followed was almost uncomfortable. The audience seemed unsure whether to applaud, comment, or just process what they had just heard.
Yoo Sihyuk, on the other hand, didn't seem the least bit affected. He just gave a short nod, as if to say "That's it", and turned, walking back to the center of the stage, ready to continue with the rest of the ceremony, or perhaps, simply end it as quickly as possible.
...
After the ceremony ended, as people began to disperse, Suho turned to Theo with an expression of utter surprise on his face, as if he had suddenly connected all the pieces.
"W-what...?"
He blinked, genuinely shocked.
"So... it was you who eliminated all those monsters that day?"
His eyes widened a little more, shaking his head slightly, almost in disbelief of what he had just realized and heard.
"Wow... That's... that's very surprising."
Suho ran a hand through his hair, somewhat disconcerted.
"I never... it never crossed my mind that you were the one who did that."
Nayun, beside Theo, crossed her arms, flashing that mischievous little smile that only she could.
"Heh. That's right. I was a little surprised at first too..."
"Huh?"
Suho blinked, tilting his head slightly.
"You... already knew?"
Nayun looked at him, arching an eyebrow as if the answer was obvious.
"Of course. It's normal for me, his girlfriend, to know about it, right?"
Suho blinked, a slightly awkward smile appearing on his face.
"Eh... I guess so. Right, Hajin?"
Hajin, who until then had just been observing in silence, shrugged, looking away.
"...I don't know anything..."
Suho, who was already beginning to get suspicious, narrowed his eyes.
"Wait..."
He pointed a finger at Hajin.
"You don't even seem very surprised... Don't tell me..."
Hajin turned his face to the side, whistling softly, pretending to be looking at anything other than them.
"..."
Suho stared at him for a few seconds, then turned his gaze back to Theo.
"Dude... since when are you this kind of person?! Where's the friendship?"
Theo let out a heavy sigh, scratching his cheek, a half-smile on his face.
"Hah... I swear... this was never intentional."
Nayun laughed, lightly hitting his arm.
"I think someone's hurt about being left in the dark."
Theo shook his head, a smirk on his face, and quickly changed the subject.
"Since things are over here..."
He took Nayun's hand and asked.
"Do you two want a ride back to Cube?"
Hajin held up his hands, refusing immediately.
"I'll pass. I'm going to stay around here."
Hajin refused; he wanted to use the free time he got from this ceremony to go make some more money at the Hunting Ground. After all, you can never have too much money.
"I'm going to stay behind too."
Suho added, adjusting the smartwatch on his wrist.
"I need to take care of some things at my old apartment."
He looked to the side, seeing Nayun stretching her arms, as if shaking off her fatigue.
"Want to go anywhere before we head back?"
Nayun shook her head, letting out a soft yawn.
"Mm... No... I'm still a little tired, so... I was hoping to get some sleep."
She ran her free hand over her eyes, sighing.
If she had known she would be called so early today, she definitely wouldn't have stayed up late playing games with Theo, Cappie, and Yeonha yesterday.
Just thinking about it brought an almost involuntary smile to her lips. Even if she regretted it a little now, she couldn't deny it... yesterday was fun.
A lot of fun, actually. Especially considering how much she made a point of crushing Yeonha in every match.
Theo, noticing the expression on her face, arched an eyebrow.
"What are you smiling about?"
Nayun blinked, as if she had been pulled back to reality.
"Hm? Oh, nothing..."
Theo narrowed his eyes but decided not to press it. He already had a good idea of the reason.
"Alright..."
Theo nodded, saying goodbye to Hajin and Suho.
"Then I'll see you guys around Cube."
Hajin waved a hand lazily.
"Later."
Suho also waved.
"See you."
Without much ceremony, Theo activated his teleportation magic.
In the blink of an eye, both of them disappeared, leaving Hajin and Suho behind, who stared at the spot where they had been just seconds before.
"The more I find out about him, the more absurd it gets, huh?"
Suho let out a sigh, shaking his head.
"Welcome to the club."
Hajin just shrugged as he started to walk away.
...
With a soft glow, Theo and Nayun appeared directly in the dorm's living room.
The first thing Theo saw was Cappie, sitting on the couch, focused on a helmet with some wires, while a holographic interface floated beside it.
Nayun stretched her arms, letting out a lazy yawn.
"I'm heading to my room... gonna try to get some sleep."
Theo nodded, throwing himself onto the back of the couch.
"Okay... when lunch is ready, I'll call you."
"Mm."
Nayun replied, already heading down the hall.
Cappie glanced over.
"Welcome back."
Without taking her eyes off the interface she was manipulating, she asked Theo:
"How was it?"
Theo sighed, running a hand through his hair.
"Long and boring... But I made it out alive. And you? Did you do what I asked?"
He replied, tilting his head back on the couch.
Cappie smirked, pressing one last command on the interface before turning it off.
"Hehe. Of course, I did."
Then, in her own unique way, which mixed confidence, provocation, and a certain abuse of freedom, she adjusted herself on the couch, stretching her legs out and lying down. Without any ceremony, she rested her head on Theo's lap, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
Theo glanced at her from the side but said nothing; he was already used to her quirks.
Cappie, with her hands crossed over her chest, looked up at him.
"You're strange, host."
She commented.
"Why save people who have nothing to do with you? Whether they die or not..."
Her fingers tapped lightly on her own arm.
"It shouldn't matter to you, right?"
Her voice carried no judgment, no disapproval. It was pure curiosity...
A genuine curiosity. The kind that only someone like her, who still didn't completely understand humans, their contradictions, their feelings, and their impulses, could express so honestly.
...
Note: I got sick on Thursday... That's why I didn't post any chapters yesterday. I'm feeling much better now... Sorry for the delay.