Chapter 152 : Chapter 152

Chapter 152

The ‍​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌‌​‌‍meaning of the two worlds merging.

Put ‍​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​‍simply, it meant that Earth would become like Gangwon-do.

A ‍​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​‍world where environmental mana thickened everywhere and monsters roamed in abundance.

Of ‍​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​‍course, an increase in monsters would be good news for Seoul.

It ‍​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​‍would mean more byproducts to harvest.

The ‍​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​‍problem was that the overwhelming majority of this world were non-awakened.

If Earth transformed into something like Gangwon-do, the frequency of awakenings would increase proportionally. Even so, billions of casualties would be inevitable.

An event certain to wipe out more than half of humanity.

─If the two worlds connect, the foundations of Earth will convulse violently. Habitable lands will be contaminated, and society’s values will be judged solely by ability.

“Even the conveniences of civilization would be denied. Smartphones, vehicles—unless they are complete items, they do not function in Gangwon-do.”

─In the end, it would mark a decline of civilization. A return to a primitive era where monsters are slain and humans are slain by monsters. Of course, if humanity manages to seize dominance, it could usher in an era more radiant than the present…

It was obvious that such an age would overwhelmingly favor the Demonic Beings.

─We have hidden the magic artifacts from the eyes of the Demonic Beings. In that process, Hyun Yuyeol’s assistance was significant. He oversaw two of the artifacts in Gangwon-do.

“You mean the Broom of Gluttony and the Cone Hat of Pride?”

─Yes. From what I hear, they have already fallen into the hands of a Demonic Being.

Demonic Being Gen.

He had certainly burned Gangneung to obtain those two artifacts.

Judging by the fact that the monsters in Gangwon-do remained quiet, it seemed he had not yet pulled the Broom of Gluttony from that land.

─How many artifacts are known so far?

“By my reckoning, five. The Shard of the Mirror of Greed, the Cone Hat of Pride, the Ring of Illusions, the Broom of Gluttony, and lastly…”

─The Vessel of Jealousy possessed by that child, Do Minyeong.

I nodded.

─Who else knows the child’s secret?

“Among humans, likely only me. I confirmed the secret hidden within her through my Demonic Eye.”

─If you are the only human who knows, that means the Demonic Beings have caught on…

“Yes. Most likely.”

Cha Jaehee pressed his temple and let out a low groan.

His expression was troubled.

─The Vessel of Jealousy is not an artifact that exists as an object. Throughout history, it has always parasitized a higher species. In this generation, its host is Do Minyeong.

“And its ability?”

─Amplification. The power to multiply ability several times over. It is indispensable when casting large-scale magic such as the Great Rift. Of course, its power is single-use. The moment it is activated, the host dies.

“……”

─If the Demonic Beings have learned of the Vessel’s location, it means the same crisis is approaching this world. …You said you promised Shinwoo to protect that child? You understand what that truly means, do you not?

I did not answer.

I understood all too well.

─If, by some chance, the Vessel of Jealousy is used by the Demonic Beings, it means you must kill its host.

“……”

─With Hyun Yuyeol’s ability, you should be able to interfere with the Vessel’s mana.

Once the Vessel of Jealousy was used, its host, Do Minyeong, would die, and the Vessel would vanish in search of another host.

After the “someone” sacrificed during the Great Rift eighty years ago, the Sword Saint had pursued the Vessel’s whereabouts for decades and found Do Minyeong before the Demonic Beings did.

Through Kim Shinwoo and Aileen, they had hidden her until now. Yet despite their efforts, the Demonic Beings had caught the scent.

Of course, I had accepted Kim Shinwoo’s request.

But not to kill Do Minyeong.

To protect her.

Even if it meant pouring every last effort I had into doing so.

“That method would be a last resort. The Demonic Beings would collect the Vessel only at the final stage.”

─Perhaps. That is how it was before.

“The remaining two artifacts are the key. I intend to prevent them from being taken at any cost. Where are they?”

─I see Yuseong in you. He too was an idealist. Though in the end, he faced the very worst outcome.

“Where are they?”

At my insistence, Cha Jaehee gave a wry smile.

─One is the Flame of Sloth. A fire that only the greatest blacksmith in existence can kindle. Until now, it was managed by the Dwarves. But now that their kind has been exterminated, perhaps its power has passed to a human blacksmith. If memory serves… it would likely be that fellow from Ironflame.

The master of Ironflame, Jang Incheol.

It had to be him.

The recent terrorist attack targeting Jang Incheol must have been because of the Flame of Sloth.

A stubborn man who could not be persuaded by words—eliminating him when the opportunity arose would be their strategy.

After all, even if he died, another greatest blacksmith would inevitably emerge from District 7.

Turning him into a Ghoul was out of the question.

A Ghoul was bound to a Demonic Being and could not wield mana independently.

Well, as long as the Dwarf I had met at the outpost remained alive beyond the Rift, it was still premature for Jang Incheol to ignite that flame.

Though how long the Dwarf could survive beyond the Rift was uncertain.

─The Flame of Sloth rewards those who endure long years of perseverance. Items forged in that flame become peerless masterpieces. But if someone inadequate stands before it, they will collapse from a sense of powerlessness. It is as though their soul dries up.

That explained why Cha Yeri had collapsed upon meeting the Dwarf.

I continued.

“And the last one?”

─I do not know.

“……”

─I cannot lie to you. The remaining artifact, the Soul of Wrath, has no physical form. In that sense, it resembles the Vessel of Jealousy. Only, it moves between hosts more fluidly, parasitizing them.

“So it moves regardless of the host’s death.”

─Yes. It is an artifact with its own agency, you might say. As someone once put it, it is the wrath of a witch unjustly burned at the stake, moving in pursuit of revenge.

“In that case…”

Cha Jaehee nodded.

─At this very moment, it is likely parasitizing someone who yearns for revenge. The Soul grants power in proportion to the depth of one’s wrath. Power strong enough to reach the limits of humanity.

“That makes it simple. We only need to find the troublemaker stirring up Seoul.”

─Hmm. You sound as though you already know whom it inhabits.

I gave a faint, bitter smile in affirmation.

Nine times out of ten, it was parasitizing Lee Eunho.

More precisely, it would have done so according to the designs of Demonic Being Gen.

With that, I could now estimate the whereabouts of every artifact.

And I had once again confirmed that the Demonic Beings would relentlessly target Do Minyeong and Jang Incheol.

Before asking Cha Jaehee, I had secretly worried that perhaps one of the artifacts might be hidden somewhere like the Labyrinth.

The 1st Underground District, created in the aftermath of the Great Rift.

The Labyrinth had originally been a high-level dungeon constructed for Lee Eunho, who was meant to become a Hunter.

A so-called “training ground” prepared for the protagonist, as in so many fantasy worlds.

If an artifact had been hidden in such a place, both I and the Demonic Beings would have faced a considerable headache.

─It seems you have obtained all the answers you desired.

“Thanks to you.”

─I am glad to have been of help. Though when I consider what lies ahead, I cannot help but wish you good fortune in battle.

“That sounds rather ominous.”

─Heh. If things grow dire, you can always abandon it all. After all, even if the Great Rift opens again, you would not suffer greatly as an awakened.

That was true.

Though the problem would be the billions who would die.

As Cha Jaehee had implied, there were even human groups who sought that outcome and cooperated with the Demonic Beings.

Manyeong.

─My mana is nearly exhausted. Before I fade, there is one last thing I wish to ask.

“What is it?”

─You did not tell Yeri that I was the Phantom Thief, did you?

“No. I did not see the need.”

─That is a relief. I would rather not earn my great-granddaughter’s resentment even in death.

His form was already scattering into translucence.

The mana that had lingered was returning to the environment.

This would likely be the last time I saw him.

─Ah, come to think of it, I never heard your name.

“Ji Seokhyeon.”

─Ji? W-wait, then are you the son of that fellow who was said to have fallen in love with Hyun Jaejun’s granddaughter…?

“……?”

He vanished before finishing his sentence.

As if I had completed a mission, my status changed.

[Durability 13.3] [Strength 14.0(+8.7)] [Stamina 3.2]

[Agility 20.0] [Intelligence 18.6] [Mana 8.4]

My Intelligence, once 16.6, had increased by 2 to 18.6.

It had now reached the highest tier.

“Still, what did he mean by that last remark…?”

The nuance suggested there was yet another secret to my birth.

This time, not my mother of the Hyun Clan, but my father of the Ji Clan.

The Ji surname held no influence in this world…

Would Kim Shinwoo know?

No, when we spoke privately before, he seemed unaware.

“Damn it, this is seriously bothering me.”

***

There were two ways to distinguish Seoul’s ashen sky.

A comparatively bright sky, and a dreadfully dark one.

Though the citizens themselves could scarcely tell the clouds apart, wind-attribute awakened could discern the weather by sensing the wind.

‘A pleasant breeze… It feels as though my heart is at peace.’

Cha Yeri, a wind-attribute awakened, opened her eyes beneath the night sky.

She was lying on the rooftop of one of Hyeonseong’s buildings.

A man’s jacket covered her body, and her head rested upon someone’s lap.

‘Ji Seokhyeon….’

The owner of that lap, Ji Seokhyeon, noticed she had awakened and immediately began to fuss.

“Oh, you are awake? Are you all right? Not dizzy or anything?”

He looked down at her with a guilty expression.

He was clearly afraid of retaliation for having knocked her unconscious in Cha Jaehee’s study.

‘It seems he managed to take care of his business and slip away safely.’

She did not know why he had entered the study, but at this moment, Cha Yeri did not wish to think about complicated matters.

She simply wanted to savor this situation—resting on his lap—for as long as possible.

His familiar scent, the summer breeze brushing past them.

And the peculiar atmosphere of sharing time alone, undisturbed by anyone else.

Meeting his gaze, she spoke abruptly.

“Hey, Ji Seokhyeon.”

He did not answer.

Instead, he wore a flustered expression at her uncharacteristically informal tone.

“Do you want to go out with me?”

“……”

“I will do whatever you want.”

“What is with that stance? You are not drunk, and it is not as though you are half-asleep.”

“Just say the word. I truly can do anything. If I set my mind to it, I could conquer the world. Do you want me to prove it?”

Ji Seokhyeon scoffed lightly.

“If I ask, you will really do anything?”

“Of course. As long as you do not tell me to stop liking you.”

“Fine. Then send me home.”

Was it a double meaning?

She hesitated briefly, then took it to mean that he wished to return to Hero Prep.

“That is all? That is rather modest.”

“Modest? I debated between that and world domination.”

“Very well. If that is what you want, I will grant it. Though it feels as if you are running away from me. That annoys me.”

“Oh, does it? Then you could follow me. It is quite an interesting world—”

Before he could finish, Cha Yeri tugged his face downward.

“……!”

Still lying in his lap, she pulled his lips to hers.

A completely one-sided gesture, entirely in Cha Yeri’s fashion.

Yet only for a moment.

Ji Seokhyeon jerked his head up in shock.

“W-what are you doing?”

She sat up and replied coolly.

“Do not misunderstand. I was simply punishing you for being irritating. Though, in truth, it was my first kiss. Judging by your reaction, it must have been yours as well… was it not?”

“……”

“……”

Neither affirmation nor denial.

In the peculiar silence between them, Cha Yeri spoke sweetly.

“Which woman is it? I will kill her.”