Chapter 55: Leaving

Kei did not answer right away.

Kai blinked at him, then gently tugged at his sleeve like a child asking for attention. Kei looked down, slowly placing his hand on Kai’s black hair and ruffling his soft locks, making Kai squint his eyes with delight.

"It’s okay." He said softly. "I won’t tell this secret to anyone."

Kai immediately beamed a bright smile at Kei, perhaps feeling happy because he was being cared for and noticed by Kei.

Do Ae Young watched the scene before her, and a strange feeling suddenly welled up in her heart.

She did not know why Kei had earned such affection from the Black Dragon.

But from this moment on, she understood that the Black Dragon might soon no longer belong solely to Guild Black Dragon.

Could it be that the Black Dragon Kai suddenly awakened in this world because he was waiting for the appearance of this beautiful youth?

Dusk had fallen.

The last glimmer of sunset withdrew from the sky, leaving faint red streaks of light on the buildings in Dong-San city. Mrs. Kim’s store was also about to close. Sora had nearly finished tidying up the goods, while Do Ae Young stood beside Kai, patiently wanting to take him back.

"Alright, Kai. We have to go now."

Kai did not answer.

He only gripped Kei’s sleeve tightly, his fingers clenching so hard that the fabric of his shirt wrinkled. His gleaming golden eyes looked at Kei, filled with a reluctance and loneliness so evident that even others could not bear to hurt him.

"Kei... I don’t want to go anywhere!" Kai said sadly.

Do Ae Young stood nearby, her expression stiffening.

Ever since meeting Kei, this Black Dragon had been talking more and more, and even knew how to act spoiled now.

Where was the image of the man who always sat silently in a corner, cold and aloof?

"Kai, you have to return to your Guild."

Kei sighed, reaching out to stroke Kai’s cheek.

Ever since he realized that Kai was indeed his little black dragon, Kei simply could not bear the lonely and pleading look in his eyes when he stared at him like this.

"You’re the Guild Master now, you can’t just leave as you please. You need to be responsible for the people waiting for you."

Kai blinked at him, his hand still refusing to let go of Kei’s sleeve.

Do Ae Young had just secretly told Kei that Guild Black Dragon had to immediately return to the city where their headquarters was located. An SS-rank Dungeon had just appeared in the city, and in the current situation, only Kai was powerful enough to handle it.

"Come find me after you’re done." Kei smiled, his voice softening. "I’ll wait for you."

"Really?"

"Really."

Kai looked at him for a long while, as if wanting to confirm that Kei was not lying. Only when Kei nodded did his expression ease slightly.

Kei took a small box out of his pocket.

Kai immediately followed his movements with curiosity and excitement.

"What is this?"

"A gift for you."

Kei opened the lid of the box. Inside was a newly crafted F-rank spatial ring, with a simple silver band set with a small transparent stone like a drop of water, colored gold just like Kai’s eyes.

He took Kai’s hand and gently slipped the ring onto his finger.

"It’s a little gift from me, don’t mind it, okay?"

Kai lowered his head to look at the ring, his golden eyes lighting up.

"Kei gave it..."

"Yeah, I gave it."

Kai immediately hugged Kei tightly.

His strength was so great that Kei was almost lifted off the ground. Luckily, Kai quickly realized it, hastily setting him down and looking around in a fluster.

"Sorry, Kei. Does... does it hurt?"

"It’s fine."

Kei placed his hand on Kai’s head and gently patted it twice.

After a while of coaxing, Kai finally agreed to follow Do Ae Young. However, before leaving the store, he still turned his head back to stare at Kei.

"As long as this city belongs to the Black Dragon Guild..." Kai said, his voice full of anticipation, "then I can come see Kei every day!"

Do Ae Young almost tripped over her own feet and had to shout:

"Don’t just arbitrarily take over someone else’s city! We need to follow procedure, procedure!"

Kai paid no attention to her words, still staring at Kei.

Kei smiled gently. The Black Dragon really was too clingy,But deep down, he also felt a hint of anticipation.

He hoped to be by Kai’s side more often.

For the most part, Kei had already settled on the answer that Kai was his little dragon.

The black dragon had once used his massive body to protect him, had held him with claws stained in blood, and had shattered his dragon core just to get him out of the Mist Forest. Even though Kai’s memories had vanished, even though his form had changed, those eyes remained exactly as they were in Kei’s memories.

Filled with trust and reliance, that was the purest emotion the little dragon had toward him.

"Maybe Kai’s condition isn’t very good."

Kei watched the two figures gradually disappear around the corner of the street and thought to himself.

His little dragon was still alive, but his mind seemed to have been severely damaged. He didn’t understand how this world worked, couldn’t remember the past, and sometimes even acted like a child.

Kei clenched his hand lightly.

He needed to find out what had happened to Kai after the dragon core shattered. So he needed Kai to stay by his side often to observe his condition.

Not just to confirm his speculation. But also because Kei couldn’t bear the thought of losing his little dragon one more time.

At the end of the road, Kai suddenly turned his head back.

The distance was already very far, but those golden eyes still found Kei among the city lights.

Kei raised his hand and waved. Kai immediately waved back vigorously, nearly pulling Do Ae Young, who was clinging tightly to his sleeve to drag him along, down with him.

"Let’s go, president!" Do Ae Young said through gritted teeth.

"Kei will wait for me."

Kai obediently continued walking, but his face still held that innocent smile, happily looking forward to the day he would see Kei again.

Kei stood in front of the shop, watching that figure disappear into the night.

His heart ached and softened at the same time.

The little dragon had returned, and this time, Kei would never let him die again!