"Mom."

Until the start of his third year, her son Kang Junu had still called her Mother.

Coming so late from a grown son, 'Mom' sounded easy and natural.

It was the 'Mom' she'd stopped hearing as he grew up, and missed.

After dinner Go Mihui was peeling an apple for dessert, and she looked at her son with eyes full of love.

The national exam was only a few days away. Her son, her pride, would have no trouble getting into the business school at Seoguk University.

"What is it? Something you want to say?"

"Um, is it okay if I go to Switzerland at the end of the year?"

"Switzerland?"

"Yes."

"By yourself? Or with someone?"

"Tae-ung and a few friends from school are going together."

"Tae-ung too?"

"Yes."

"Can I ask what the plan is?"

Kang Junu, spearing a slice of apple with his fork, hesitated for a moment.

"It's a trip Tae-ung is leading. He says he's recruiting mercenaries and wants us to come."

"M-mercenaries?"

Go Mihui didn't quite catch his meaning and asked again. A trip to Switzerland, and mercenaries?

"He says he got an invitation……. I think it's probably the Atlas invitation you told me about."

"Atlas??"

Go Mihui stopped peeling the apple. She was genuinely surprised.

"Where is it?"

"All I heard was Switzerland."

"You don't know exactly where?"

"There should be something posted in the group chat."

Kang Junu checked his phone, then held out the screen. Go Mihui took it from him and looked over the messages for a moment. For a while she said nothing.

"……So it's here."

"You know the place?"

"I've been there once."

"You have, Mom?"

"A few years ago, with your uncle."

Kang Junu's face turned serious. Go Mihui handed the phone back and spoke slowly.

"Junu-ya."

"Yes."

"Go."

"Will you be all right on your own?"

"If anything, it would be strange if you didn't go."

Kang Junu stared at his mother, Go Mihui, who hadn't reacted at all the way he'd expected.

"Is it that big a deal?"

"That big a deal? That doesn't…