The Author's POV

For a brief moment, I shut my eyes in an effort to permanently etch the scene in front of me into my memory.

I had to.

Never again did I expect to see this sight again.

An arrogant voice once again echoed out loud.

"Did you not hear me? Who are you? What are you doing here? What's your relationship with Melissa?"

My lips trembled.

I was struggling. I really was.

I found myself fighting an uphill battle to maintain my composure as I looked at the man in front of me. His glare was strong, and the arrogance in his demeanor was clear.

'It has been so long...'

…I was almost starting to get emotional.

"Are you deaf? Did you not hear me?"

He had a firm grip on the collar of my shirt. As he tightened his hold on me, his emerald eyes cast a menacing glare in my general direction.

I felt my body get lifted off the ground, but I did nothing.

"Tell me! What's your relationship with Melissa!?"

Once more, my lips were quivering, and I raised my head in an attempt to conceal the expression on my face.

'This is too much…'

I was almost starting to feel thankful for Kevin.

"Answer me!"

He raised his fist and tried to punch me.

I finally came to and cocked my head to the side just in time to avoid getting punched in the face by his fist.

"Huh?"

The fact that I was able to avoid being hit by his fist appeared to startle him, as his face went blank for a brief moment. The sight made me grin, and I pressed my hands against his forearms.

I only applied a little pressure.

"Aghh."

Instantaneously, a distorted expression appeared on his face, and I gently yanked his arms away from my collar. It was honestly effortless.

"Le-let go!"

He glared at me with a distorted look.

"Do you know who I am?"

"Yes, I do."

I nodded my head. Of course, I knew who he was.

"Then I suggest you let go and scram away from Melissa!"

"That's not possible."

I shook my head with a serious expression. His face distorted further, but I didn't mind as I simply enjoyed his reaction.

It had been so long since I had seen this version of Jin, and I just couldn't help myself.

Leaning closer, I softly whispered into his ear.

"You see, the two of us have a special relationship."

Special in the fact that we were business partners, but obviously, I omitted that part.

…and I was glad I did, as Jin's face bleached completely as horror flashed across his face.

"What did you say!?"

My lips trembled once again.

I had to take a deep breath in order to keep my composure.

"You've heard me correctly the first time."

After tapping on his chest, his entire body froze while I composed myself and adjusted my clothing. I reached out and patted Jin on the shoulder as I turned my head to look in the direction of Melissa, who was completely oblivious to what was taking place.

"I suggest you give up. It's for your own good."

She's a lost cause.

Aside from her work, I never saw her show any interest in anything romance related. The Jin in my world understood this long ago and seemed to have given up on her.

…I didn't want this version of Jin to suffer for his whole life.

"I'll kill you-huh? Hu!? W,what are you doing!?"

Thinking about how pitiful his life would be, I unknowingly found myself hugging him. I was just as startled as Jin was by my actions, but once again, thinking about his love life, I found myself hugging him even tighter.

"Let go of me! What are you doing!? I,I like Melissa. My heart is already tak-"

"Let me stop you right there."

I let go of Jin and stepped back.

Patting him on the shoulder, I seriously looked at him.

"For your information, I have a girlfriend. I was just hugging you out of pity. I have no interest in you."

***

A number of people emerged from the shadows of an impressive building to extend their greetings to a number of people coming in their direction. Both sides exuded an imposing aura that did not lose out to the other.

"Hoho, who would've thought someone as esteemed as you would contact me first."

Jerome boisterously laughed as he went to greet Edward Stern. The Guild master of the Angel Wing Guild.

He extended his hand.

"Do you know just how surprised I was by your text message? The Guild Leader of the largest Guild on earth suddenly said that he wanted to work with me… Ah, what an honor."

Hearing his words, which were obviously tinged with sarcasm, Edward's face underwent no change as he extended his hand forth and shook it.

"It is indeed your honor."

Jerome's face stiffened, but he soon smiled again.

"Not very humble, are we?"

"Why would I be?"

Edward looked at him with squinted eyes, a formless pressure coming out of his body.

"Am I supposed to pretend to be humble? I'm merely stating the facts. It is indeed your honor to meet me."

In spite of Jerome's best efforts to conceal it, the rage that was building up on his face was obvious even as he tightened his grip.

"Indeed, you are the Guild Master of the number one Guild. What's the point of being humble when you're merely stating the truth?"

"I'm glad you noted this."

Edward finally let go of his hand and Jerome did the same.

The two sides separated, and Edward looked around.

"Should we get down to business?"

"Please."

Jerome extended his hand and invited Edward and his entourage into the building.

"Oh?"

Just then, his eyes caught sight of a certain figure, and his smile widened.

"Could this be your daughter?"

He deeply gazed at the young girl who stood behind Edward. She was a beauty without a doubt. Jerome was not sure that he had ever seen a woman who was as beautiful as she was in his life, and he believed that his wife was the most attractive person in the world.

Furthermore, judging from her aura, she was without a doubt extremely talented.

The more he looked at her, the more he liked her.

"This is indeed my daughter."

Edward stepped forward, blocking Jerome's sight.

As he looked down on him, the intangible pressure that had been emanating from his body just a few moments earlier grew to an even greater intensity.

"Is there a problem?"

"No, no."

Jerome shook his hands.

"I was just very surprised to see how talented your daughter is. Not only is she beautiful, but she's also very talented. I'm a very envious man."

He turned around and stared at a young man who seemed utterly enthralled by the young girl's appearance.

He had long green hair and thick brows, both of which contributed to his overall attractive appearance. He had a body that was rather well built, and the most notable feature about him was the color of his eyes; they were emerald, and they seemed to sparkle alongside his hair.

"Kyle."

"Huh? Father?"

It was only after Jerome called out for him that he snapped out of it.

Jerome beckoned him with his hand.

"Come here, I'd like to introduce you to someone."

Looking at where his father was, Kyle immediately became excited and rushed forward.

After stopping next to his father, he continued to stare fixedly at the young woman who was standing behind Edward. It was a shame that she didn't pay any attention to him at all.

Jerome started to introduce him.

"This over here is my son. Kyle. He's just recently turned twenty five and is about to break through to <C> rank."

He drew out the last few words on purpose as his face flashed with pride.

It had to be known that reaching <C> rank at such an age was almost unheard of. Typically, one would be in their mid thirties before ever achieving such a rank... If they were even capable of achieving it.

It went without saying that his talent was unparalleled.

Even Edward was unable to conceal his surprise as he was forced to cast a few glances in his direction multiple times. Jerome's eyes were clearly drawn to this particular detail as he guffawed broadly.

"What do you think?"

"Pretty good."

Edward honestly said, taking his eyes away from the youth.

"It's good to know your son is this talented. I'm sure he'll make a good addition to your guild in the future. With that being said, let's get down to business. I don't have much time to spare."

He departed shortly after that, no longer paying any attention to the youth.

His daughter trailed closely behind him while maintaining her expressionless face. She didn't even give his son a sideways glance. A stark contrast to him, who couldn't stop gawking at her.

"Y,you're right."

Seeing Edward leave, Jerome's fist silently clenched, but he was able to force a smile.

"Let's get going then."

He proceeded to lead them into the building.

Coldness flashed across his eyes as he led them into the building.

'Let's see how long you can be arrogant for.'

***

"How did it go?"

"I managed to find the clue."

As I was leaving the building, I saw Matthew walking in the opposite direction. When I thought about what I had been able to piece together from Melissa's recollections, I realized that my mind wasn't exactly in the right place.

…I hoped that I was wrong.

I really did.

"Judging from your expression, it looks like you really do have an idea."

Matthew happily smiled while leaning against the side of the building. Lifting his head to stare at the sky, his gaze soon shifted toward my direction.

"Since you've found the clue, then I guess my job for now is done."

"You're leaving?"

Already? Was this all that he wanted to show me?

Matthew moved away from the wall.

"My job is done. I've done what I needed to do. Everything else is up to you. We'll meet once more later, so don't miss me too much."

My brows furrowed, but they soon relaxed.

When I considered the tidbits of information that I had been able to assemble, it really did seem like I didn't need his help anymore.

I now had a distinct clue as to what path I needed to take in order to get out of here.

"Alright, then."

I exhaled while looking up at the sky.

"Thank y-"

I wasn't even able to thank him when I realized that he was already gone.

After taking a quick glance in all directions and confirming that I was, in fact, alone, I gave a sarcastic grin and shook my head.

"How rude."