Chapter 165 : Chapter 165

Chapter 165

I ‍​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌‌​‌‍asked carefully.

“How ‍​‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍much do you know about magic tools?”

“Did ‍​‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍I not tell you? Before I joined the Special Affairs Division, I worked as a Superpowered Detective. For detectives, whose priority is gathering information, there is nothing as valuable as information about the Great Rift from eighty years ago.”

……

“Of ‍​‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍course, I only came to suspect that child’s secret on my own while exchanging information with Kim Shinwoo.”

Baek ‍​‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍Dojun’s exchanges with Kim Shinwoo were the same as in the original work.

Kim Shinwoo had been wary of Demonic Beings, and Baek Dojun had been pursuing his older brother, so it would have been easy for them to share perspectives.

Even so, it felt unfamiliar to hear Baek Dojun mention Do Minyeong.

It was likely because the situation had begun to rush forward, but it was surprising that he seemed prepared to sever ties with Kim Shinwoo.

Still, it was not an entirely wrong judgment.

No matter how one looked at it, it was the best option.

“You mean that if magic tools gather in one place, the Great Rift reopens… that is what you are saying, correct?”

“Yes.”

“Then let us pretend choosing Do Minyeong never happened.”

“Hm…? That means you have another alternative. Are you saying you will eliminate the Demonic Being Gen? Well, I will not stop you, but you must consider it carefully, if only because it could create a rift between the Bureau and the Demonic Being.”

As he said, if Gen were removed, the force that could immediately check the Bureau and Manyeong would disappear.

But that was not my intention.

“I intend to destroy a different magic tool in her place.”

A magic tool other than the Vessel of Jealousy.

If Do Minyeong was sacrificed, the vessel would lodge itself at random in another being.

Since one could not predict when that would happen, or to whom, it was suitable for checking the Great Rift.

But the problem was that it did not vanish completely in the end.

In that case, choosing a magic tool that could be physically destroyed would be the surest approach.

Baek Dojun grasped my intent quickly and responded with skepticism.

“So you mean to go to Gangwon-do. You intend to destroy the Broom of Gluttony there? …The broom’s location has never been known, even now. There are rumors that even the Demonic Beings do not know. No matter that you have the Demonic Eye, it is certain to be hidden somewhere not easily exposed. We do not even know how long it would take to find it.”

“The same applies to the Demonic Beings. In the end, there are only two options: bring the broom to Seoul, or bring Do Minyeong to Gangwon-do. If no one knows the precise location, it is all meaningless. They are probably wandering Gangwon-do even now, searching for the broom.”

“And if they do know the location?”

“If they did, they would have kidnapped Do Minyeong already.”

“It sounds like an excuse to avoid sacrificing that child.”

“I am only trying not to repeat the same tragedy. And… what I intend to speak of is not the broom.”

“Then what?”

There were other magic tools that lodged in higher races, just like Do Minyeong.

The Flame of Sloth and the Soul of Wrath.

In particular, the soul, like the vessel, was difficult to predict—when it would appear, or to whom it would attach.

Moreover, if Lee Eunho, its current owner, abandoned his revenge, the soul would transfer to someone else.

If Baek Dojun had known that the soul dwelled in Lee Eunho, he would not have mentioned Do Minyeong in the first place.

But from the standpoint of the original author, choosing to remove either of those two was not even worth considering.

Who knew what sort of calamity a main character’s absence might invite?

Therefore, the method I had in mind was…

“Instead, I will eliminate the Cone Hat of Pride.”

To eliminate the Cone Hat of Pride, which would be somewhere in Gangwon-do.

In Rachel’s memory, the hat had fallen into the hands of a Demonic Being, but there was a high probability it was still hidden in Gangwon-do.

Because as long as the broom was in Gangwon-do, they would keep the hat there as well, to prepare for contingencies.

Even if the Demonic Beings had exterminated all higher races, without the hat they could not prevent the monsters of Gangwon-do from being released in great numbers.

Whether a Demonic Being was guarding the hat, or it was held under some barrier, it was certainly a better choice than killing Lee Eunho or Do Minyeong.

“Hm. As I understand it, that already fell into the Demonic Being’s hands.”

“It fell into the Demonic Being’s hands, but it will likely still be in Gangwon-do.”

“…That is not an incorrect statement.”

“From the start, it should be a power physically stronger than any magic. Is it not strange that for thirteen years there has not even been a rumor?”

“Are you saying the Demonic Being lost it?”

“I am not sure. It is only speculation. If I were a Demonic Being, I would have already led a massive horde of monsters to break the barrier and swallow Seoul. The awakened individuals’ resistance would be strong, but the moment they plant the broom in Seoul, the battle will flow in the monsters’ favor.”

“An interesting speculation. But it is too risky to push forward without other evidence.”

“I will find the evidence. Even if the speculation is wrong, I will eliminate the hat regardless.”

“It feels as though this is the first time you have shown confidence. But why does it feel like you are writing a blank check?”

As he said, there was no easier method than choosing Do Minyeong.

So my words would sound like stubbornness.

Even I was only half convinced of my own opinion.

But if I was to get through this without sacrificing Lee Eunho and Do Minyeong, there was only this way.

Baek Dojun stared at me for a moment, then spoke at last.

“If that is your position, it cannot be helped. However, I cannot support you. You will have to move in secrecy. The moment rumors spread that you have gone to Gangwon-do, I cannot predict what measures the Demonic Beings will take. And…”

“……?”

“If you fail, I will carry out what I believe to be the best option.”

It was a firm declaration.

“I will stop the Great Rift, no matter what.”

“I hope your choice proves correct.”

Park Chaeshin suddenly cut in.

“Wait. So you are saying Seokhyeon is going to Gangwon-do alone?”

“That is right.”

“Then I am going too.”

Baek Dojun made a puzzled face.

“I told you there would be no support from the Special Affairs Division.”

“If the Special Affairs Division is the issue, I will quit. I was here in the first place because of Seokhyeon. He is my lifesaver. So whether he walks into a fire or down a thorny path, I will follow wherever he goes. I am saying this to you as well. Do not leave alone with some excuse that I would only get in the way.”

Park Chaeshin…

For a moment, I nearly corrected him, thinking that while I had saved him, Baek Dojun had been the one who truly kept him alive.

Well, it was not that important.

As if conceding to his resolve, Baek Dojun sighed.

“Haa… Do as you please.”

“But are we really only going with the two of us?”

I shook my head.

Then I casually let my gaze drift to the footage of the territory war.

“There is one more person I have in mind. I do not know whether he will agree, but if he joins us, he will be a tremendous help.”

***

As soon as I returned to Hero Prep, I headed for the Main Building.

With matters unfolding like this, it would be better to put my studies on hold.

I could not estimate how long I would have to wander Gangwon-do searching for the hat.

Still, there was a time limit.

Until Jang Incheol ignited the Flame of Sloth.

“If it is tight, it is tight. If it is generous, it is generous. An ambiguous span.”

Either way, it was clear I had to move diligently.

I entered the Main Building and went up to the floor where the principal’s office was.

But it seemed someone had arrived before me.

A familiar presence I could recognize without seeing or hearing.

Just as I reached the door, it swung open from within.

“Ji… Seokhyeon…”

It was Do Minyeong.

Her face was flushed, as if she might burst into tears at any moment.

Over her shoulder, I saw Kim Shinwoo.

The instant our eyes met, I understood what had happened.

“What do I do now? Aileen…! They said Aileen sacrificed herself because of me…! Because I have a magic tool! Because I… because I stayed alive like this!”

……

What I had feared had come to pass.

Rachel had indeed spewed needless words.

Do Minyeong had come to Kim Shinwoo to confirm the truth, and Kim Shinwoo had ended up telling her.

That was the full story of the current situation.

Kim Shinwoo’s choice was regrettable, but it had likely been the best option.

Even if he had lied past the immediate crisis, the moment Manyeong and the Demonic Being approached Do Minyeong, matters would have become irreversible.

In other words, it could not be helped.

I took Do Minyeong with me and led her out of the Main Building.

Only after we reached a nearby forest did I speak.

“Calm down, Do Minyeong.”

“Sob… If it were not for me, Aileen would not have suffered like that! If I did not have a magic tool…!”

Once we were outside and away from others’ eyes, her tears poured without end.

“Do not blame yourself.”

“Did you know too?”

“…I did. Because I am Special Affairs Division.”

“Th-Then from the beginning, you approached me on purpose…”

“You mean I approached you deliberately? No. Do I look like someone that sociable? And I did not even learn that fact long ago.”

“Hic… sob…”

How was I supposed to comfort her at times like this?

No, no matter how I comforted her, the world that had already shattered for her would not return to what it was.

Then…

“Even if you cry like that, Aileen will not come back.”

“…What?”

“I am not telling you to face reality. I am only saying you should distinguish things properly.”

Do Minyeong stopped crying.

“What do you mean…?”

“Do you truly think Aileen sacrificed herself to protect a magic tool? If you judge it that way, you are insulting her death.”

“Insulting it?”

“Aileen did not protect a magic tool. She protected you. The magic tool did not matter at all. At least, the Aileen I met was like that. She treasured the memories she made with you. You and Aileen met because of the magic tool, but the relationship you built was made by you alone.”

“By me…”

“So do not insult Aileen’s sacrifice.”

“But what if the Great Rift opens because of me? Then I will truly be hurting innocent people.”

“The ones who hurt them will not be you. It will be the ones who use you. Besides, has the Great Rift opened right now?”

She bit her lip and shook her head.

“Do not suffer over something that has not happened. The Great Rift will not open. They will not even be able to approach you.”

“How… how can you be sure?”

“Because I will not allow it. Because I will not let meaningless sacrifices happen anymore.”

“Ji Seokhyeon…”

It was not something I could guarantee.

Neither Kim Yuseong nor Cha Jaehee had managed it. How could I?

Yet for the sake of her stability, it felt as though I could do anything.

I slipped the ring from my finger and handed it to Do Minyeong.

“Take it. It is a ring made of Platium. Magic tools have the power of a dark attribute, so even if the worst happens, it will be the minimum insurance.”

“Why would you give me something this precious…?”

“It is a promise that I will protect you in any situation. At least to me, you are more precious than this ring.”

……!

Do Minyeong’s eyes widened.

I corrected myself immediately, as if to set things straight.

“Do not misunderstand. It is not like that. You are just so anxious, so I am letting you hold it for a while.”

“I-I did not misunderstand!”

“Then that is good. Ah, and could you stop crying as though you have no one at your side? You have Instructor Kim Seulhee, you have the principal… and you have me.”

She nodded silently.

So we managed to get past it, somehow.

It was fortunate that I had not mentioned the request Kim Shinwoo made of me.

The promise to protect Do Minyeong.

But though it was a relief that she had stopped crying, for some reason she kept tugging at my sleeve.

She hesitated.

Then, with eyes still red, she looked up at me and spoke.

“Um.”

“What is it?”

“Could you… put the ring on me yourself?”

With those words, Do Minyeong extended her left hand.

I answered teasingly.

“You are going to wear it? You should keep it on you, not out in the open. What if they cut off your finger while it is on display?”