Chapter 128: A Gift for Kang Ian

The sound of heavy rain falling outside the window overpowered all other noises in the space, but inside Kei’s small room, he seemed to be able to sense every change in sound, hearing very clearly the powerful beating of Kang Ian’s heart and his own as well.

Kei felt that he was truly ridiculous.

Sometimes Kei felt very nostalgic for Kai, longing for those golden eyes that always looked only toward him. But sometimes, after waking from a long sleep, Kei would ask himself why Kang Ian had kissed him, and get tangled up in the confusion about the relationship between him and that guy.

Kang Ian closed his eyes, feeling Kei’s fingers ruffling through his hair and sliding across his scalp.

He remembered again the battle that had lasted for days with Kang Mi So.

The relationship between him and Kang Mi So had not originally been as bad as it was now; it was just that after Kang Mi So and he awakened, everything had completely changed, no longer the same as what Kang Ian had once known.

Researchers had once pointed out that the abilities of hunters after awakening, especially those of a racial nature, would cause human temperament to mutate, with a psychological tendency to nearly become that type of creature.

After awakening as the [Angel], Kang Mi So truly was no longer the Kang Mi So that he had once known.

"So where have you been these past few days?"

Kei asked while using a clean towel to wipe the dried blood at the corner of Kang Ian’s mouth. Kang Ian opened his eyes, looked at him for a moment, then turned his face away.

"Outside."

Kang Ian said vaguely.

"Outside where?"

"Just places where you couldn’t see me, anyway I’m the guild master of a large Guild, I’m very busy."

The answer sounded rather cold, but it made Kei’s hand pause.

He looked at Kang Ian very carefully. This man was clearly hiding something, but the gloomy expression on his face made it impossible for others to guess.

"Did you get into trouble with someone again?"

"No."

Kang Ian replied flatly; he had just beaten up his foolish younger brother, which was hardly a big deal.

Kei narrowed his eyes. He did not believe it at all, but in the end he did not press further. If Kang Ian did not want to talk, asking more would not get him a truthful answer.

To break the heavy atmosphere, Kei suddenly remembered something recent.

"Ah, I made a rather interesting piece of equipment."

Kang Ian turned his head to look at him.

"What equipment?"

"Ring of Purification."

Kei took out a small box from his coat pocket. Inside was a simple silver ring, set on its face with a transparent stone that gave off a faint light.

"It can dispel many negative statuses such as poisoning, petrification, paralysis, and unconsciousness. I also published the crafting formula all across South Korea. Currently other Craftsmen are also beginning production."

Kang Ian stared at the ring in Kei’s hand.

"You published the formula?"

"Yeah. If only I made them, I couldn’t supply enough for everyone."

Kei smiled lightly.

"This is an E-rank ring. I made it for you with my own hands."

Right after crafting the first Ring of Purification, Kei had immediately made a few more for his acquaintances, like a small gift from him to them.

Kang Ian did not immediately reach out to take it.

He looked at Kei, his platinum-colored eyes slowly shifting from the ring to his face.

"For me? Why give it to me?"

"Because you need it. Just consider this my thanks for Guild Crying Ghost having helped our city so much."

Kei said as if it were a matter of course.

Kang Ian was silent for a few seconds before he finally reached out his hand. His long slender fingers carefully accepted the ring, his movements so gentle that they were completely unlike someone who had just destroyed an entire area in battle.

He put the ring on his finger. The ring was a little wide, but strangely it fit just right.

Kang Ian lowered his head and looked at it for a long time.

Kei did not know why, but such a simple ring had made the man before him fall silent to this extent.

"What is it? Do you not like it?"

Kei asked awkwardly.

For an SS-rank hunter, wouldn’t this gift be too small and insignificant?

"No, I like it."

The answer was very soft, causing Kei to be slightly taken aback, and he smiled in relief.

"Then that’s good."

"Kei."

Kang Ian called his name.

"Hmm?"

"Next time, if you make something for me, don’t give it to someone else first."

Kei blinked.

"But the recipe has already been published. Anyone can make it, right? I’m sure the Craftsmen of the Crying Ghost Guild have already started making high-grade Purification Rings exclusively for you."

"I’m talking about the items you make with your own hands."

Kang Ian looked straight at him stubbornly.

"Don’t give them to others."

Kei was silent for a moment, then burst out laughing.

"You really are strange. It’s just a ring."

"It’s not just a ring."

Kang Ian’s voice deepened.

Kei was about to ask again, but the person in front of him had already stood up. He still had many wounds, but his momentum had recovered more than before. Perhaps he didn’t intend to stay any longer.

"Aren’t you staying to rest a bit more?" Kei asked.

"No."

"Your wounds haven’t healed yet."

Kei walked over to try to pull Kang Ian back, but he had already dodged his hand.

"I’ll handle it myself."

"At least let me—"

Before Kei could finish his sentence, Kang Ian had already walked over to the window.

Outside, it was still raining heavily, but the thunder and lightning had weakened considerably. He placed one hand on the window frame and turned his head to look at Kei.

His usually cold gaze softened just a little.

Before Kei could understand what was happening, Kang Ian had stepped forward, leaned down, and placed a very light kiss on his forehead.

All the sound in the room seemed to stop.

Kei’s eyes widened.

Kang Ian stepped back, a rare smile appearing on his lips.

"Thank you for the ring."

Kei’s face burned hot.

"You... you... Why are you always..."

He raised his hand to cover his forehead, momentarily unsure whether to scold him or chase him out.

Kang Ian looked at Kei’s flustered appearance, and his mood seemed to have improved greatly. He said nothing more, only turned and jumped out the window.

Before disappearing into the rain, he turned his head to look at Kei one last time.

"See you next time, Kei."

After that, his figure quickly merged into the darkness.

Kei stood by the window, staring blankly after him.

It was a long while before he finally raised his hand to touch his forehead.

A very faint warmth still lingered there.

"He is so... Truly hopeless..."

Kei muttered, but the corners of his mouth couldn’t hide a smile.