I was a bit taken aback when, of all people, Hyun mentioned that name. It wasn't that I disliked it—just that I felt somewhat uneasy, as I mentioned earlier.

Han Yeong-Seok—that bastard's first conversation with me had been about the Elixir.

He said something about how it could heal my body, but honestly, I can barely remember the details now.

Nor do I particularly want to.

"I know about it. But why bring that up suddenly?"

"Because we can make it again now."

"Even if you can make it again, isn't it something the government keeps and controls? So I can't use it, right?"

I tilted my head questioningly, and Hyun blinked at me.

"Who told you that?"

"That bastard told me before. And when I searched online, I found similar information, so I just accepted it."

For reference, "that bastard" refers to Han Yeong-Seok.

He was such an asshole that just saying his name makes my stomach churn, so I call him "that bastard."

Hyun knew well that Han Yeong-Seok was the only person I referred to so harshly, so he just nodded in understanding.

What was it he said? Something about how powerful people were diverting and hiding it for their own use? Something like that, probably?

This might sound like I believed what Han Yeong-Seok said, but that's absolutely not the case.

I learned about it by researching the Elixir myself. And similar claims kept appearing.

Of course, most of them were basically conspiracy theories.

What nonsense about diverting the Elixir to live forever...

Seeing my skeptical expression, Hyun chuckled, put my feet down, and sat beside me.

"Hey, you actually believe that?"

"Well, hearing about a potion so amazing it could make someone on their deathbed jump right up—of course I had to look into it. But everything I found was pretty much the same. So..."

It would have been fine if I had other sources of information, but the only information channel available to me was the internet, so I gave up.

I couldn't blindly trust unverified internet rumors.

"You could have just asked me, and I would have told you."

"I thought it was classified, so I didn't ask. Don't you remember getting in huge trouble for leaking classified information before?"

"Of course I remember. Even now, thinking about Big Sis's face back then gives me goosebumps."

With a grimace, Hyun rubbed his arms and sighed lightly, leaning back against the sofa.

"Anyway, what you know is just rumors. The real reason the Elixir isn't used is simply because there aren't materials to make it."

"I thought it would be politically complicated, but the reason is surprisingly simple. Then what about all those internet rumors?"

"The reason is so simple that people don't believe it. They think it's a lie to keep it for themselves, and as that story spread, it evolved into what you heard."

Now that I heard it, it made sense.

Even I would be suspicious if told there was a cure-all medicine but it couldn't be made due to lack of materials.

But thinking about it, there's also the general negative perception of those so-called "higher-ups," so...

Whether they're honest or lying, people would be suspicious either way.

"What kind of materials are needed that they're so hard to find?"

"Pretty much everything you'd imagine from fantasy stories. I don't know the details—I'm not the one who makes the medicine."

"That makes sense. But why bring up the Elixir suddenly?"

"We found the last open Gate. Well, technically the last Gate open in Korea."

For a moment, I stared blankly at Hyun, wondering if I'd heard correctly.

Judging by his serious expression, he wasn't joking.

"So what Ha-Young Noona said before was true."

"I was shocked when we found it too. I have no idea how Noona knew about it... Anyway, that's the situation. So, interested?"

"It would be a lie to say I'm not. But what are you planning? You're not suggesting we go into the Gate, are you?"

"That's exactly what I'm suggesting."

What a blunt answer. I nearly fell over.

With a skeptical expression, I stared at Hyun for a moment before lying down with my head on his lap.

"Ouch... Hey, move forward a bit, your horns are pressing into my leg."

"You could just turn over."

At his suggestion, I adjusted my position to lie straight.

This put me in a position looking up at Hyun, but I was so used to it now that it didn't feel strange anymore.

"It won't be dangerous, right?"

"It will be dangerous. We're entering a place where monsters used to emerge, after all."

"Then shouldn't we not go? Besides, has anyone ever gone in there?"

"People have gone in—that's how they closed the Gate."

"Ah, that makes sense. Then has anyone gone in and come back out?"

"Yes. Right in front of your eyes."

When I stared blankly at Hyun's face after hearing that, he pressed his index finger against my forehead.

"Why are you looking at me like I'm some kind of curiosity?"

"Well... I've never seen a Gate in person, so it's hard to imagine. Considering that the Berserk Dragon came from a Gate, it seems extremely dangerous, but then here you are, someone who went in and came back, acting so casual about it..."

At my words, Hyun grinned and said:

"Want to go see for yourself?"

"You're talking about the Gate like it's a neighborhood stroll. And is it even okay for an outsider like me to enter?"

"There's no reason why not. You received an Honorary Hero Name, even if it doesn't mean much now, and you're also affiliated with my office."

"Huh? I'm affiliated with your office? That's the first I'm hearing of this."

"If it weren't for me, you'd be getting tons of calls from other offices trying to recruit you. I thought ahead and registered you with mine."

He was so confident that I couldn't argue.

Or maybe I didn't argue because it was actually beneficial for me.

"Fine. If you're okay with it, I'm good. But are you sure it's really okay? If it's a hidden Gate, shouldn't you report it or something?"

"I would have reported it if I were still a Hero. But I'm not anymore, so it's fine."

"Didn't you open a Hero office?"

"Yes, but I'm the owner, not a Hero."

"That's just wordplay."

"I'm a former Hero since I retired. That's also why I rarely go out in the field."

Looking at Hyun shrugging smugly, I gave a wry smile.

Now that he's let everything go, he's really become quite the sly fox.

Should I curse him as crazy or praise him for being impressive...

"Anyway, it's something the former chairman hid, so it's fine as long as we don't get caught."

I was about to nod and say "I see," but I stopped and reconsidered what I'd just heard.

"It's not a crime if you don't get caught!" The face of someone saying that flashed through my mind.

Ah, I guess "impressively crazy" is the right description.

I sat up abruptly and pushed Hyun's side with my foot, shouting:

"That's a crime, you lunatic!"

"Ow, ow! But I just told you! It's fine if we don't get caught! Besides, I'm not even a Hero anymore, so what does it matter?"

"What do you mean 'what does it matter'?! What if the Gate goes berserk and explodes?!"

"Gate explosion? Oh, from the internet? Ha, don't worry. That absolutely won't happen. I'm here, Ha-Young Noona is here, and Ryu Hwa Noona is here too, so the Gate won't explode. Besides, this Gate has been hidden for years. If it was going to explode, it would have done so already."

It really is safe, right...?

I stared at Hyun with suspicious eyes before letting out a deep sigh.

"Fine. Let's go. If you're so confident it's safe, you must have thought this through."

"Great. Then let's go right now. I have a car waiting outside."

As if he'd been waiting for my answer, Hyun jumped up and started preparing busily as soon as I nodded.

So he came home early today not because he had no work, but because he was planning to take me into the Gate.

He'd been determined to bring me along from the start.

I sighed deeply to myself and got ready to follow Hyun.

Though "getting ready" just meant putting on a coat.

Am I not cold in winter? Since becoming like this, thanks to my Ignition Organ, summers feel cool and winters feel warm.

"Aren't you cold?"

"Not really. If I feel a bit chilly, I just warm up my body with the Ignition Organ."

When I shrugged nonchalantly, Hyun chuckled.

"Must be nice not having to pay for heating in winter."

"Instead, I spend a lot on food."

"If you know that, eat in moderation. Didn't you spend 13 million won just on food last month?"

"Um..."

Not 1.3 million, but 13 million won.

Hearing the specific number made all the food I'd eaten feel stuck in my throat.

I guess... my food intake has increased with each molting as my body grew larger. I have been eating a lot lately.

Not working and just eating food like a parasite... thinking about it this way, I really do seem like a freeloader.

"If that's the case, you might as well record mukbang videos and upload them. You'd get a lot of views."

"Hmm... yeah, that might not be a bad idea."

"I'm joking. I have enough money, so eat comfortably."

Hyun said he was joking, but in good conscience, I couldn't just say "If you insist" and let it go.

I should think about it seriously after we visit the Gate.

No, I shouldn't just think about it—I should try recording right away.

With that thought, I headed outside.

It was my first outing in three weeks.