“For A-rank accessories, they’re stored separately in the back. Right this way.”

“Seunghyuk, let’s just go with the other one...!”

“Come.”

Joo Seunghyuk tugged me by the waist with a smile tugging at the corner of his lips. He was smiling, but the pressure he radiated made it clear he was not someone you could say no to.

“...Okay.”

I had no choice but to follow.

The A-rank accessories were displayed inside a special glass cabinet in the back.

Just at a glance, they looked far more luxurious than what we’d seen earlier. The mana stones were larger, and even to an untrained eye like mine, it was clear how much effort had gone into the craftsmanship. That meant they’d be higher-performing—and more expensive.

In the original novel, Lee Yeonsu had collected accessory-type equipment under the excuse that it helped with guiding.

At first, it was within his salary range, but gradually his spending got out of hand, and he started dipping into Sungan Guild funds.

When Joo Seunghyuk blocked him from using the guild’s corporate card, he went so far as to take out private loans. He thought Sungan would cover it, but instead, Seunghyuk served him a notice terminating their exclusive Guide contract.

In the end, Yeonsu’s life fell apart thanks to that private loan debt...

Looking at the dazzling rings in front of me, I was reminded of the A-rank ring Lee Yeonsu bought in the original story—the one that ruined him.

They said it was 700 million won...

I clearly remember the scene where Yeonsu lamented that his entire life was ruined over a cheap ring.

These rings were probably around the same price. If they’re cheap, maybe they’re only 700 million.

At that price, it’s not a couple ring—it’s a damn wedding ring. No way I could accept one.

And remembering how the original Yeonsu’s life was destroyed by an A-rank ring made it even more repulsive. No matter how scary the yandere was, this wasn’t it.

I can’t let him buy an A-rank ring.

With that firm resolve, I opened my mouth.

“They look a bit too flashy...”

It was a weak voice for such a strong conviction, but I couldn’t help it.

I was scared...

I didn’t want to go against the yandere lord’s mood.

“You don’t like them?”

“Yeah. I think the earlier one is fine...”

A 56-million-won ring is better than a 700-million one. Sure, it’s expensive by my standards, but to Seunghyuk, that’s probably pocket change. If we have to buy one, let’s go with the pocket change.

But Seunghyuk ignored me and asked the clerk,

“There’s a special auction today, right?”

“Yes, it begins at 8 p.m.”

A special auction?

S-rank items or rare treasures dropped from boss monsters were only sold through these special auctions at the Ability User Department Store. I remembered they happened about once every two weeks or monthly. And it just had to be today?

First the fan signing, now this—why is my luck this awful today?

“We’ll make it if we go after dinner,” Seunghyuk said after checking his watch.

“Seunghyuk, are you really going to the special auction?”

I’d heard that astronomical sums were exchanged at those auctions. Even the extravagantly wasteful Lee Yeonsu from the novel never even considered attending.

“Yeah. You might find something you like there.”

There’s no way!

“Seunghyuk, can’t we just choose one here...!”

I blurted out, panicking. But Seunghyuk ruthlessly cut me off.

“Let’s go.”

“But—”

“Get up.”

It was a command. The yandere switch was about to flip again.

“Yessir.”

I hurried to comply.

***

We went to a Korean fine-dining restaurant on the 9th floor. The auction was held on the top floor, the 10th.

Throughout the meal, Joo Seunghyuk didn’t say a word. Cold mana filled the private room.

It was scarier than when he got outright angry. He was probably holding it in because of the auction—if he exploded here, he wouldn’t be able to attend.

I had to calm him down before 8 p.m. If not, who knows what might happen.

“Seunghyuk!”

“Hold on.”

He answered a call.

Of course the phone would ring just as I opened my mouth. Today was really cursed.

“Yeah. I did it. They were being annoying.”

Was he talking about smashing the building?

“Handle that bastard. I was going to let it go quietly, but he pulled some disgusting stunt.”

I froze mid-bite, pretending not to hear. No way... was he talking about burying someone?

“He brought it on himself. If he resists, kill him. Why do you need to ask?”

His voice was cold. That wasn’t a joke or exaggeration—he meant it literally.

“Him too. He’s annoying.”

He was talking about killing people because they were annoying? Actually, I shouldn’t be surprised. Joo Seunghyuk had always been like this. The original Yeonsu even ended up killing someone with his own hands.

Lately, I’d gotten used to Seunghyuk pretending to be sweet. I’d forgotten what he really was.

“Sorry for taking a call during dinner,” he said, ending the call with a bright smile. He didn’t look like someone who’d just plotted a murder.

“O-oh, no. It’s fine.”

“Did you want to say something?”

“Seunghyuk... If I ever become a bother, or annoy you, please tell me. I’ll correct it immediately.”

I’d forgotten the situation for a moment. The price of the ring didn’t matter. What mattered was surviving the yandere.

“You’re not a bother.”

“Th-thank you for saying that...”

“Ah, but trying to get out of buying the ring? That’s a bit annoying.”

“....”

“I can see right through you, you know.”

“....”

Every word he said dripped with chill. I had a hunch from the moment he ordered me to get up—he knew what I was thinking.

At this rate, I might actually get “taken care of.”

“Th-that’s not it. I want to wear a couple ring with you. I was just... shocked by the price.”

“Really?”

“Yeah.”

“You know I hate lies, right?”

“I mean it! I even wanted to buy the couple ring myself!”

“Why?”

“Huh? Why? Well...”

I needed a good excuse. But when I met his pitch-black stare, my mind went blank.

“Because I’m... I’m your hyung.”

“So?”

“So, as your hyung, I should be the one buying it.”

Seunghyuk tilted his head. He clearly didn’t find my excuse convincing. And really, even I thought it was absurd.

I was about to get on my knees and beg forgiveness for offending the yandere, but then he asked,

“You’re going to buy it?”

“Well... usually the older one buys it, right? I’ve never dated before, but that’s what I heard...”

“Who told you that?”

Gunwoo hyung...

But saying that would absolutely get me imprisoned.

In the novel, Kim Jun sided with the sub-seme and got horrifically punished...

“I just read it online. It used to be that Espers or Alphas paid, but these days the older or higher-ranked one pays, apparently.”

“So you wanted to buy it for me?”

His expression softened slightly. Thank god—maybe my answer wasn’t that bad.

“Yeah.”

“How much were you thinking?”

“Like... a hundred thousand won?”

“A hundred?”

“...Three hundred thousand.”

I quickly raised the price, reading his expression. I was planning to argue that since I’d just turned twenty, we should start with something modest—but that clearly wasn’t going to fly.

“Three hundred?”

He still didn’t seem pleased.

“...One million.”

If I suddenly dropped a million won, my bank account would be in danger. I was barely scraping by after cashing out my savings. I couldn’t ask my parents for money again, either. But upsetting the yandere would cost me way more.

“You should spend at least ten.”

“Ten?!” (meaning 10 million)

I knew that to Joo Seunghyuk, a million won was pocket change. But I thought he’d at least make a show of being considerate if I said I wanted to pay... guess not.

Trying to soothe the yandere had just landed me a loan-sized debt. Seunghyuk glanced at my shocked face and fiddled with his smartphone.

Ten? Did he really expect me to buy a ten-million-won ring? I was panicking when my phone buzzed in my pocket.

I looked at the screen—and my eyes widened.

It was a bank deposit notification. The sender: Joo Seunghyuk. The amount:

Deposit: ₩100,000,000

How much is that...?! One hundred million won?!

“Seunghyuk!”

He must’ve made the transfer just now while glancing at his phone. Unlike me, who was panicking, his expression was completely calm.

“You can spend even a hundred million now. Right?”

I’d been shocked at the mention of ten million, but he meant for me to use this money?

So far, he hadn’t said much, so I thought we’d dropped the topic—but apparently not.

“At first, I only sent a little because I thought you’d feel burdened. But I guess it was too little—you haven’t touched it at all.”

“Seunghyuk, I—it’s not that.”

“Do you need more?”

“No!!”

I quickly shook my head.

“That’s not it—if I use that, it’s the same as you buying it. It only means something if I pay for it myself.”

“We’re practically married already. What’s the point in separating yours and mine?”

“Still, it’s a couple ring. It’s not a wedding ring, so I’d really like to buy it myself...”

“You really want to buy it that badly?”

“Yeah. I’m your hyung. I feel bad always receiving everything from you. I at least want to handle the couple ring.”

Seunghyuk didn’t say anything. His expression wasn’t as angry as before, but it wasn’t exactly cheerful either.

“Seunghyuk, this is good. Try it.”

I pushed the dish of braised short ribs toward him. When we ordered our set meals, I chose the short ribs, and Seunghyuk chose the grilled sirloin.

It only came with mine, so I was offering it to him—but his face hardened instead.

Maybe the yandere doesn’t like sweet dishes like short ribs?

Just as I was about to retract it, sensing the shift in his mood, I heard his voice.

“You have to feed me.”

“Ah, right. Haha. Sorry, that was thoughtless of me.”

I laughed awkwardly and stood up. ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) The table was large, so I had to move to his side to feed him. I picked up a neatly cut piece of short rib and held it to his mouth.

“How is it?”

“Tastes great because you’re feeding me.”

“Really? That’s a relief.”

“Do you like galbijjim?”

“Yeah.”

Thankfully, we’d returned to a normal conversation. Maybe his anger was finally subsiding...

“What else do you like?”

“I like everything. I’m not picky. What about you?”

“Lee Yeonsu.”

“...Huh?”

“I like Lee Yeonsu.”

“I-I’m not food!”

Startled, I tried to back away, but he grabbed my wrist. That tug sent me straight into his lap.

I tried to get up, but he wrapped his arms tightly around my waist and wouldn’t let me move.

“Not food?”

“No.”

“Can’t I eat you?”

He bit down on my earlobe.

Wait... is he really about to do this here?

My blood ran cold.