Gio was someone who followed through when he said he would do something.

"Hunter Seo Seo-Hee."

"Ah, Hunter Sergio."

After that, he visited Justitia 21 more times.

"You don’t have to come every time like this."

All within less than a month.

"At this point, it feels like you're a member of Justitia."

"I couldn’t help it. You still seemed hungry."

"I honestly have no idea what makes you say that every time..."

"You can’t hide that from my eyes."

At first, she was startled, flustered, even uncomfortable—but Hunter Sergio’s affinity was overwhelming. In less than a month, he became friendly with every member of Justitia.

Literally every member.

"Hunter Sergio?"

"Long time no see, Hunter Kang Eun-Seong. I brought lunch."

"It already smells delicious."

Even Kang Eun-Seong, who had initially kept his distance while muttering ‘what is with this guy?’, was no different now. Without hesitation, he took his portion of the lunchbox and disappeared, leaving Seo Seo-Hee to smile awkwardly.

"You don’t even stop him anymore."

"The security scan was completed on the first floor."

"I'm the guildmaster—of course I heard about it. Still, if one day Hunter Sergio decides to poison our lunchboxes, we might really all go down without resistance..."

"I trust that won’t happen."

"Then I suppose we should reinforce our security in proportion to that trust."

Seo Seo-Hee gave a small laugh.

At least he’s not offended by any of it. What a relief.

Hunter Sergio always arrived quietly and left just as quietly. He was more cooperative than anyone when it came to mandatory security checks. Thanks to that, the Justitia guild members, who had initially been confused, had found peace.

Normally, many hunters would find such procedures offensive or rude—they'd say they were being treated poorly. But even with his frequent visits, Hunter Sergio never once showed such a reaction.

Even though he isn’t human.

Seo Seo-Hee maintained a faint smile.

"...Thank you always for the lunchboxes. Honestly, it’s getting a bit out of hand—I might turn into a pig. Though your nutritional balance is excellent and everything digests smoothly..."

"Still, you seem hungry."

"I still don’t understand what you're seeing when you say that."

And yet the moment she opened the lid, her tune changed.

"Grilled short rib patties."

"Made with pine nuts."

"How did you know I like tteok-galbi?"

"I know quite a bit about you, Hunter Seo Seo-Hee."

"And why does it smell so good..."

Today’s menu was grilled short rib patties with pine nuts, grilled pen shell scallops, and assorted side dishes. The white rice had perfectly distinct grains, a texture so exquisite it was almost euphoric.

It seemed to be made in a cauldron pot—after only a few chews, a savory sweetness bloomed. The portions were always generous, and though she tried to eat less each time...

"......"

Seo Seo-Hee gave up and surrendered to the violence of gourmet cuisine.

I’ll just extend my training hours.

Yes, that would solve it.

"...It’s delicious."

"Isn’t it?"

"To be honest, it hurts my pride a little."

"I was taught that pride has no place in front of food."

"True, what’s the point of pride in front of a meal, really... ha..."

"Just exercise."

"You’re right."

She only felt slightly hollow.

So this is the limit of my self-control.

She thought she didn’t care for gourmet food, but against Hunter Sergio’s devastating cooking, all resistance crumbled. He knew her tastes so precisely, arranged such a perfectly balanced meal—no matter how much she ate, she never grew tired of it.

Looks like Kang Eun-Seong’s situation is about the same.

He ate so heartily, so blissfully.

Today he’s got a Western-style one. Looks heavy.

Kang Eun-Seong had returned to his assistant’s seat and was having his own meal showdown with the lunchbox. He’d been like that for about a week now. After Sergio had asked about his dietary preferences, he’d begun preparing meals for him, too.

Watching his half-empty lunchbox, Seo Seo-Hee chuckled awkwardly.

"Isn’t it difficult to prepare these lunchboxes every time?"

"I believe I’ve said this each time I visit—please don’t take away my joy."

"Ah, what is this feeling of déjà vu... really, what is it..."

It felt like the joy of a grandparent doting on their grandchild in old age.

"By the way... your age, this year?"

"Does it matter?"

"Not really."

In truth, calculating his practical age had no meaning. Seo Seo-Hee quickly accepted that and finished the lunchbox. The tomato pickles in ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) the small side dish compartment whetted her appetite.

The plum aroma was strong, and a sharp alcohol note appeared just long enough to make its presence known before vanishing cleanly. Her refreshed palate demanded fatty meat and chewy seafood once again.

"......"

Seo Seo-Hee couldn’t help but think:

I wish he’d open a side dish shop.

"...You say it’s no trouble, but I wonder if that’s really true."

He gave a casual shrug.

Seo Seo-Hee was someone well-versed in origins and mysteries. She had helped develop Earth’s current system. There was no way she wouldn’t know.

Which is why she couldn’t help but worry more.

"......"

After a moment of hesitation, he finally spoke.

"I trust that you’re acting within boundaries that won’t become burdensome to yourself, Hunter Sergio."

Both Seo Seo-Hee and Sergio knew that ‘Hunter Sergio’ was a being of origin. Even so, it was the first time they’d spoken it out loud. Neither wanted to provoke a primordial being who desired to appear human.

But over the past few days, she had come to understand—this being didn’t have such ‘rules.’ He was someone who embraced all gazes, accepted all presence.

Driven by an emotion that couldn’t quite be called certainty or trust, Seo Seo-Hee said,

"And I also know that you wouldn’t do anything that would bring harm to me. Still... how should I say this..."

"And yet, I still worry you?"

"I’m not an expert in this field, so I’m not even sure how to ask the question."

Pretending to know wouldn't get her punished, thankfully. Seo Seo-Hee laughed lightly and continued.

"Hmm, aren’t you lacking in compensation? You give so much, but don’t seem to receive anything in return."

There are rare mysteries that give without receiving. But even those, in reality, always involved a balance.

So, if I’m receiving this much, surely Hunter Sergio is getting something in return. If not now, then in the future. But to take that payment without a word doesn’t fit Hunter Sergio’s nature...

That’s why she was worried. And more than that—curious.

"What is it you’re receiving from me?"

"You don’t have to give anything, Hunter Seo Seo-Hee."

"Then... are you taking from those around me?"

"No, I’m the one paying."

"......"

That was a surprising statement.

"...Is that even possible?"

"Of course it is. I’m making lunchboxes, after all."

"No, that’s not what I meant... even though you’re technically right..."

"Ah, I see what you're concerned about."

Sergio, who had been watching her eat the whole time, smiled.

"I received a wonderful gift from a friend, as compensation for previous hard work."

"That sentence begs to be dissected. Hard work? Friend? Wonderful gift?"

"Thanks to that, I can make lunchboxes for you without worry. Do you see the seal stamped on top of the lunch container?"

"Ah, yes. I’ve seen that pattern every time you’ve brought one."

"I made that seal with this stamp."

In Sergio’s hand was a seal.

When did he get that out?

It was amazing that she hadn’t noticed.

Setting aside her thoughts, Seo Seo-Hee stared at the stamp. Harmless-looking, like something that could only imprint wax. The translucent material, resembling marble, was the only unusual thing.

As she silently observed it, Sergio set the stamp on the table and asked,

"Would you like to use a skill to examine it?"

"...This isn’t really my area of expertise..."

Even so, Seo Seo-Hee blinked.

Reward: Seal

A brief and simple explanation.

"...So this is a seal given as a system reward?"

"Yes. I’ve been using it ever since I received it."

"I can’t read anything more from it."

"Is that so?"

"As I said before, this isn’t my specialty."

Among the Symbols of Eternity, she was the one most distant from mystery.

Next was President Dan Haera, then another guildmaster—Jeong Hae-Woon. Jeong Hae-Woon, in particular, was very knowledgeable in this field, given his work with origin-related matters.

"Hmm..."

Seo Seo-Hee smiled sheepishly.

"Thank you for allowing me, but I’m afraid I can’t read it."

"That’s a shame. I had hoped we could share the same vision."

"Then, could you allow me a glimpse of your perspective, even just a little?"

"But of course. Since it’s your request, Hunter Seo Seo-Hee."

Reward: Seal – “Mercy and Balance”

"...It says the seal’s alternate name is Mercy and Balance."

Clutch the small pillar and offer the price.

"It says to offer a price."

Seo Seo-Hee looked at the still-smiling Hunter Sergio.

"Are you paying the price that I should be paying?"

"To be honest, I’m a little surprised. I didn’t expect you to read that far."

"Meaning it wasn’t your intention?"

"A friend of mine must’ve played a prank."

"Now I understand who you meant by ‘friend.’"

A hollow laugh escaped.

"The system, wasn’t it."

The one in front of her was a being far closer to origin than she had imagined.

"......"

A ghost bound to the system.

Ah... I knew it.

Or perhaps—

Suddenly, Seo Seo-Hee felt her stomach turn. No matter how much she tried not to think about it, the ideas kept forming. She felt a little dizzy.

Still, she smiled. Thankfully, she was good at that.

"...How can I eat in peace after reading something like that, Hunter Sergio? May I ask what price you paid for this lunchbox?"

"I believe I’ve already paid all the prices."

"What do you mean by that? You’ve paid everything already?"

"I don’t know, honestly."

"But..."

It was a baffling conversation.

"Then how do you know whether you paid a price or not?"

"There must be something I should have given. But I gave nothing. And yet I brought lunch again today. That must mean the price is already paid, doesn’t it?"

The being who was once human smiled.

"I don’t think we need to understand everything so deeply."

"You could suffer for that. If the price wasn’t already paid but is a debt you owe in the future... wouldn't that be harsh for someone like you?"

"When you live simply, the world appears beautiful."

"So you're choosing to see the world beautifully? That’s admirable."

She realized she couldn’t push any further.

...He’s unreadable.

Sergio truly had no lingering attachment, no regrets, no obsession.

He really accepts everything as it is.

He acknowledged the concept of price but had no deeper interest in it. It held no value for him to store it in memory or analyze it. So it passed by. Even Seo Seo-Hee, not the party involved, couldn’t know.

Is that a response only possible because he’s not human?

Strangely, she didn’t think so. Even before his death, Sergio couldn’t have been ordinary. With no real basis, Seo Seo-Hee smiled as she thought that.

"I wonder if I’m being a burden."

"Would you consider it a burden when your parents prepare food for you?"

"Oh, now you’re going as far as calling yourself my parent? My god..."

She had no idea how much she owed him.

In the end, she couldn’t help but ask.

"What exactly do I owe you?"

"You played with me."

"What..."

A curt voice.

"......"

It felt like the world fell silent for a moment.

She looked up at Sergio and saw a calm expression that barely counted as a face. Chilling, shadowed—but the gaze that met hers was unwavering to the point of arrogance.

It suddenly struck her—this is the face we knew.

"And I enjoyed it."

His eyes lowered, barely resembling a smile.

"It was fun."

"...Hunter Sergio?"

"I’m right here."

A familiar smile now sat on his face.

"I’ve always been right here."

"......"

And yet, she felt strange.

It was a smile she knew well, and yet—it felt unfamiliar. That expression from just moments ago, cold but honest—she found herself wanting to see it again. It was a fleeting, inexplicable urge.

"So please, accept my kindness without worry."

"...Because that’s when you’re happiest?"

"You really do know me, Hunter Seo Seo-Hee."

"Like before... you can treat me the same. Really."

"You may have forgotten, but I tend to be shy around strangers."

"Doesn’t look like it at all."

"Don’t we all need a bit of time?"

"......"

A bit late, but she nodded.

"...Yeah. Maybe so."

Seo Seo-Hee finished the rest of her rice.

"Still... it’s warm."

"It’s packed in a container filled with the Sun’s power."

"The Collector’s people were so desperate to keep you locked up in the Gallery—and now I get why. I’d want to lock you up too."

"People sure say interesting things."

"I worry that one day someone might actually kidnap you. Have you ever thought that maybe you're too generous?"

"If I want to and I can—why shouldn’t I?"

"What a perfectly sound logic."

She was helpless before it.

"What should I call you, Hunter Sergio?"

"You can keep calling me just like that."

"You make such amazing meals... I feel like I should treat you more specially."

"If that’s the price you’ve come up with, Hunter Seo Seo-Hee..."

The dead man gave his opinion.

"What about teacher?"

"...Hmm, that sounds good."

Teacher.

...That’s a little sad.

A teacher like a parent.

It must’ve been a joyful time—yet it still didn’t come back to her.

***

"......"

Looks like she accepted it in a slightly different way, but...

Well, it’s fun, so it’s fine.

Gio’s ultimate positive mindset shone again today.

She seemed to have understood the general context, so it didn’t matter much. Of course—just because a couple facts from the past were off didn’t mean the world was going to end.

Gio quietly nodded to himself.

Ta-dah.

Maybe it was time to formally ask Bisa Beul if he had adoption plans.