After landing, the private jet—nicknamed Sky Palace—came to a smooth stop.
Jinhyuk stretched as he stepped off the plane.
Cool, refreshing air filled his lungs.
So this really is a country close to the Arctic.
He looked around.
They said Iceland didn't have many tall buildings, and it was true. With nothing blocking his view, the scenery felt wide open and refreshing.
"Thank you for flying with us. We hope you had a pleasant journey."
The crew bowed in perfect unison.
Jinhyuk instinctively bowed back.
"Oh, no. I just sat there the whole time. Thanks to you, it was really comfortable."
"Thank you for saying so. This is what you requested before landing."
"Oh!"
He received two huge packages.
He'd been about to order extra in-flight meals when the plane landed, and he never got the chance. His friends had been visibly disappointed about missing out on lobster—especially Momo, who'd practically collapsed in despair.
Feeling bad, Jinhyuk had shamelessly asked if he could take the leftovers.
"Everything that was left has been packed, but it still might not be enough," the crew said anxiously.
Among the Black Wings staff, it was an open secret that VIP Yoo Jinhyuk had an absurd appetite. On days he flew, checking whether the food storage was fully stocked took priority over everything else.
Gulp.
Jinhyuk looked back and forth between the two bundles.
They gave him this much and were still worried?
Did they think he was some kind of human pig?
"No, no, this is more than enough! Thank you so much!"
He gave them a thumbs-up.
Just then, Captain Dominic approached, having finished the remaining procedures.
Slim build. Thin gold-rimmed glasses.
He looked intelligent at a glance.
"Thank you for your hard work, Captain."
"It's my duty to deliver our VIP safely to his destination. However… today, I'm afraid I couldn't fully complete my mission."
Dominic smiled awkwardly.
"As I mentioned before departure, we planned to head to Greenland after receiving clearance in Reykjavik. But our request to use the route was denied."
"Is it a difficult route to get approval for?"
"Not usually. I've flown it several times before. They didn't give us a clear reason, so headquarters is investigating. Unless there's a war, our requests are rarely rejected."
The remaining distance was about 1,400 kilometers.
Far too long to run.
"I sincerely apologize. We'll take action as soon as we understand the situation. Also, there's one more thing. We just received a notice from Black Wings headquarters."
Dominic hesitated slightly.
"VIPs located near Greenland are being advised to return home or relocate to nearby countries. You're included in that notice, Mr. Yoo."
"Is something happening out there?"
"Yes. We don't have full details yet, but there's a high probability of an incident comparable to war or terrorism."
"Oh… that sounds scary."
Dominic broke into a sweat.
Anyone could tell.
Despite his words, Jinhyuk didn't look scared at all.
"We've been ordered to return as well. Once we refuel, we'll be heading to London Heathrow. We strongly recommend that you come with us."
"Thank you for your concern, but I'll be fine."
"We don't know when we'll be able to take you to Greenland again."
"That's okay. You got me this far already. I'll take it from here."
Dominic smiled faintly.
Jinhyuk was too firm. Persuading him further would be pointless.
He handed over some prepared documents.
"Black Wings has arranged a hotel for you. We booked a week, just in case. If you decide to leave Iceland, please contact us immediately. We can reach you within two hours. If the notice is lifted, we'll return and wait here."
"Thank you!"
They bowed deeply to each other.
Jinhyuk grinned.
Not only had they given him all the lobster, they even booked him a hotel.
Black Wings was the best. Queen Sophia was the best.
"Then I'll be off! Have a safe flight to England!"
He waved cheerfully and walked away.
Dominic and the crew silently watched his back.
"Captain… is it really okay to leave him here? I feel like we should've tried harder to convince him."
Dominic let out a quiet sigh.
Their concern was understandable.
Black Wings had detected something dangerous in Greenland and Iceland.
There was a possibility that the Russian special forces unit, Valikitz, had landed.
Since the appearance of the Tower of Despair, the name Valikitz had begun resurfacing.
They were called demons.
Harbingers of war, death, and disaster.
No one knew how many of them there were or what abilities they possessed. Everything about them was shrouded in mystery.
Wherever they appeared, devastation followed.
That was why agencies worldwide classified them as top-level threats.
"Should we go back and bring him with us?"
Dominic shook his head.
"You know his contract conditions. We're forbidden from interfering with or even showing interest in his decisions, except for transportation. Warning him earlier was the limit. Anything more would be a violation."
The crew lowered their heads.
With other clients, they wouldn't worry this much.
But Yoo Jinhyuk was different.
Polite, bright, like a younger brother.
Someone who made you want to take extra care of him.
Still, Black Wings' rules were absolute.
Since he'd refused the recommendation, there was nothing more they could do.
"We'll depart for England as soon as preparations are complete. Take a short break, then return to your stations."
"Yes, sir."
Walking back to the cockpit, Dominic sighed.
Please… let nothing happen.
Jinhyuk strolled through the streets, taking in the scenery.
Honestly, he was surprised.
He'd expected everything to be covered in snow, but instead, there was more greenery than white.
"I'm hottttt!"
Kancho, invisible and perched on his shoulder, complained.
Jinhyuk took out a handheld fan and turned it on.
"This temperature is perfect!"
"Camelia and Elia would love this weather too."
"They can't form a duo today. Their bones are all messed up, so they'll complain it's cold."
That was a relief.
Good thing they couldn't hear.
"What if Camelia sticks a sleep talisman on you again?"
"I'll just dodge. That old shaman is slow."
It was true. Her hit rate had dropped recently.
Camelia Sirin—shaman, pilgrim, high priestess.
As her titles suggested, she was talented in many areas.
But movement wasn't one of them.
She loved lying down.
So despite being two thousand years younger than Elia, she was even more physically inactive.
"I'll make her exercise after we move."
"I'll supervise!"
Jinhyuk imagined them swinging slingshots and pipes at each other.
"There it is! Resid Hilt!"
He checked Dominic's documents again.
They'd arrived.
Their accommodation for the week.
"Let's shower, rest a bit, eat lobster, then do the tower."
"Let's eat inside the tower. We can't stink up the hotel."
"As expected of the boss! So smart!"
Kancho gave him a thumbs-up.
Today's plan: Mythic Tower, Floor 15, and Despair Tower, Floor 71.
They'd hold an outdoor lobster party in one of them.
They entered the hotel.
"Whoa…"
From the entrance to the front desk, a red carpet stretched out.
Golden lion statues lined both sides.
It was dazzling.
"Welcome to Resid Hilt."
"Hello."
He handed over the documents.
"You booked under a VIP corporate account. Welcome. Your Oriental Suite is confirmed."
They hadn't even checked in yet, but he knew.
This room was going to be insane.
With a name like that, it had to be.
"We'll carry your luggage."
"It's just a small bag. I'll take it myself."
"Understood. The Oriental Suite is all-inclusive. If you need meals or snacks, please call anytime."
All-inclusive?
That was tempting. Dangerously tempting.
But he'd restrain himself.
He didn't want to burden Black Wings.
"The private elevator is next to the central one. It will activate when you scan your key card. Please enjoy your stay."
"Thank you."
Humming happily, he headed for the elevator.
Maybe I'll start with beer and fruit snacks…
Just then, he sensed someone.
Footsteps approaching.
They didn't stop.
One step away.
Then a hand reached out.
It brushed his shoulder.
A finger poked his cheek.
A childish prank he used to play in elementary school.
He first noticed the pale, slender fingers.
Then he looked up.
Short black hair neatly cut at neck length.
Half-lidded eyes.
No—actually, very unfocused.
One hundred percent.
She'd been drinking.
He took out a hangover remedy and handed it to her.
She stepped back and stared at it.
"Do I look drunk?"
"Totally."
"I didn't drink."
"That's even more surprising."
Some people were like that.
Naturally high.
Since she wasn't drunk, he put the medicine away.
Ding!
The elevator arrived.
He hurried inside.
"I should get away fast."
"Where are you going? We haven't talked yet."
"The door's still open."
"Pfft."
She laughed.
Weird woman.
"Judging by this elevator… you're in the Oriental Suite, right?"
"Yeah."
"That was supposed to be my room."
"Oh… I see."
"When I checked in, they said it was taken. Apparently, there's a clause saying VIP reservations get priority, even after confirmation. Tiny print. Like dust."
"I… see."
He quietly pressed the close button.
The doors slid shut.
Thump.
A hand slipped in.
The doors reopened.
She leaned her face through.
"So? I really want to sleep in that room."
She smiled strangely.
"How about we share?"
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T/N:
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