Chapter 497 – Oblivion (3)

‘I must save them.’
【Please stop.】

There is no emotion as difficult to face as love.
It can be embarrassing or cringe-worthy, sometimes leading to an irreparable and petty end.

But if asked to deny that emotion itself, who would say yes?

【Se-Young.】

Especially for those who hide their emotions deep within themselves.
For those who have once escaped from a dire situation, even more so.
They would long for a day filled with pure emotions and happiness.

【Please withdraw your magic immediately. Time has been temporarily stopped.】

Sweaty hands tremble.
Se-Young turns her head away, not a hint of light visible in her eyes.

“Hey.”

Her voice, sharp and cavernous, resonates quietly.

“Release this.”

‘Because I won’t do anything.’

【 It’s best to first dispel the active recovery magic. 】
【 What has brought Se-Young to this state? 】

Now that the connection between worlds has weakened. If one can endure today, an escape route can be found. Se-Young must not be allowed to act. Baekyang, the only one with reason, assessed the situation and exclaimed.

【 Please regain your composure. 】

Within Baekyang’s spirit, the spirits of Se-Young from two worlds overlapped as though they were one person. A bright red line moved in a way that seemed to connect and disconnect, and the world urged Se-Young to save the two beings. This could be seen as the power of the tower as well.

What kind of inconceivable force could drive the strong-willed Se-Young to this point? Baekyang raised his voice.

【 What you’re feeling right now is not Se-Young’s emotions. It’s a type of mental magic. You must escape from it. 】
‘No? It must be my emotions.’

Se-Young, clutching her jaw, chuckled. The creases beneath her furrowed brow were intensely red.

“That’s it. Show me what I desired, only to ruin it and make it miserable.”
【 ……. 】
“However, this too is a reality. In a world unknown to me, she and I were meant to be connected.”

Se-Young was half outraged.
Oddly enough, she couldn’t discern the reason.

“And that future is on the verge of falling apart.”
“I wanted us to be connected like this. Not a trivial play of fate, but genuinely.”
【 There is a magic that heightens emotional sensitivity, causing one to mistake those emotions as their own. 】
“Do you think I’m saying this because I’m unaware?”
【 Don’t you love me? You must go and meet them. 】
“I do love you. I want to love you anywhere, even if it’s manifested in this world. Right? There must be a way, isn’t there? Even if I’m involved here, there has to be a way to return somehow…”

Regrettably, there was none. Se-Young closed her eyes tightly at Baekyang’s silence.

“…My head aches.”

Evidence that a mental intrusion was occurring.

However, if Se-Young possessed the willpower, she should have been able to overcome it with ease.

Deep down, she truly wished to be connected with him in any world possible.

【…I don’t quite understand.】

Baekyang had peeked into Se-Young’s memories and was aware of her experiences—her violation, and how she had slowly fallen in love with Lee Si-heon. He had intended to die in her place, had been persuaded by Si-heon, and had even attempted to revive him after his death.

What kind of help had she received from Lee Si-heon?
Where did her affection for him stem from?

In regard to her greatest hardship—her family—Lee Se-Young hadn’t received any help from Lee Si-heon. What had she done? Their relationship consisted of sexual intimacy and a small amount of warmth, but even that hadn’t unfolded in a conventional manner.

【Cases of falling in love through criminal acts aren’t completely absent from history… there are quite a few. It isn’t strange.】
‘…….’

Those words offered no comfort.

Baekyang couldn’t help but consider the peculiar aspects of the relationship between the two. Their love for one another was absolute, yet it wasn’t simply that their love was more profound than that of others; rather, the reason behind it was nebulous.

From Lee Si-heon’s memories, Azalea had her own justifications for her love, as did others. Se-Young alone possessed an ambiguous origin for her affections.

As far as Baekyang knew, destiny existed, with characters from past lives becoming entwined in future ones.

What if, then, someone had accelerated the fate of Lee Si-heon and Lee Se-Young even further?

【Were you displeased with the manner in which you and Si-heon were brought together?】

‘Of course. Who would like that? I may have imagined it, but would I have truly wished for it?’

Baekyang slowly revisited the past, caressing the world and deducing its direction as if winding back time itself. A being capable of manipulating destiny to such an extent… there were only three throughout history. But there was no immediate revelation to share.

【 Even so, rather than regretting the past, isn’t it more important to focus on how to live in the present? 】
“The children don’t even have the chance to live in the present.”
【 It was always destined to be like this. 】
“I can change that.”
【 If you can change it, it’s thanks to the king’s power, not your own. That’s not a reason for you to give up, either. 】

Pull yourself together.

Se-Young furrowed her brow at Baekyang’s stern admonition.
Soon, the frozen time would resume its course. There was a moment of choice, and Se-Young intended to seize it.

“… Siheon.”

Time began to flow once more.
Se-Young’s lips parted. Her voice quivered as if she were on the verge of tears, while Siheon’s hand tenderly caressed her back.

“Hey.”

Her movements faltered as much as her weakened voice. Siheon’s hand stilled as if he had genuinely lost consciousness, and before long, the elevator was filled with the sound of Se-Young’s sobs.

In a realm just beyond their reach, Se-Young attempted to extend her hand.

【 Refrain. 】
“Release me.”

Se-Young’s movements were forcibly halted. As Baekyang and she shared an equal contractual relationship, they had the ability to significantly interfere with one another.

【 Concerning your destiny, I will divulge it to you gradually in due course. 】

It was likely that an even more formidable being was lurking behind Lee Si-heon.

‘…Hey, I said let go.’

Despite Lee Se-Young’s struggles, Baekyang continued to unleash his magic, unyielding.
He constrained her actions, forcing her to awaken from the dream.

【 What I wish to convey now is that you two are in love with each other. Regardless of the manner, there is no possibility for it to be tainted. 】
‘…….’
【 Thus, I beseech you, please remain still for the moment. 】

Lee Se-Young’s spirit still required growth.
Much like Lee Si-heon had once been.

Perhaps even Lee Si-heon, the current king, required further spiritual growth.

– Thud.

Lee Se-young’s movements ceased. Her hands trembled weakly, and with her head lowered, Se-young bit down hard. She could no longer use her hands. The condition of ‘Lee Si-heon’ was as clear as day. The death of someone who bore an uncanny resemblance to him… there was a possibility it would leave yet another trauma behind.

【…until the truth is revealed. I will cooperate.】

There was something we had forgotten. We were oblivious to something we needed to face.

Whether it’s a heroic or villainous role, the urge to speak was overwhelming. But for now, we had to take a step back.

【On the day when everything is settled, a love more ecstatic than mine awaits you.】

Baekyang’s consolation echoed, tinged with loneliness.

* * * * * * * * * * *

【 Have you calmed down? 】
‘Yes.’

My mind feels dull, as if I’ve caught a severe cold.
No matter how hard I try to stand up, my body refuses to move properly.

I never imagined the aftereffects of a dimensional breakthrough would be so intense.

【 How do you feel? 】
‘…Embarrassed beyond belief.’

I committed an utterly ineffective act.
Se-Young, who almost ruined her own life, wiped her feverish forehead with her hand.

‘Why did I do that? It’s a world completely unrelated to me.’

Perhaps there was a reason, and it was the world that the Tower showed me.

【 Doesn’t it mean you loved him that much? 】

At Baekyang’s romantically wrapped words, Se-Young chuckled.
Curiously enough, just those words seemed to stabilize her mind a bit.

– Tudadadadada!

Bang!

“Se-Young!”

The door opened, and a blonde twin-tailed woman entered, gasping for breath as she looked at Se-Young.

Cold sweat streamed down my forehead, evidence of how quickly I had run.

‘What’s going on with them?’
【It seems they’ve been asleep for quite some time.】
‘That would explain it.’

Se-Young had been asleep for a considerable while.
For Lee Se-Young, who had spent months in another world, it was a face she hadn’t seen in ages.
Moisture glistened in Byul’s eyes as they fell upon the awakened Se-Young.

“Ugh, uhh…”

Ah, the poor thing is crying.
Se-Young stretched out her arms, and Byul nestled into her embrace.

“Uwaaah! Se-Young! I thought you fucking died! I was so worried!”
“Either curse or cry, not both.”
“Hic, hic, hic.”

Glancing behind her, Se-Young noticed the ‘hunter’ as well. The ‘hunter’ nodded slightly before carefully setting down the bowl he had brought.
The bowl contained tteokbokki. Was it meant to replace a fruit basket? An odd preference, as always.

– Pinch.

“Hehehe!”

The weeping Star suddenly grasped Lee Se-Young’s breast, tugging at it as if kneading dough.

“It really is the Se-Young I knew!”

Crying as she fondled the breast, Star was in tears. In disbelief, Se-Young flicked her forehead with a finger, causing Star to topple backward. Se-Young sighed, covering her chest with her hand.

“Why don’t you ever change?”

Both in that world’s internet broadcasts and now, the awkwardness never seemed to change. However, in this world, there were Azalea and Shiba.

“…”

With a faint smile, Se-Young lifted her languid body. Seeing Star’s face after such a long time brought a smile to her face. She wiped Star’s tear-streaked philtrum with her sleeve and spoke.

“We’ll have to strategize again.”

“Yep, I’ve prepared everything. I’ve asked the guild leader and the knights to lend us some people.”

“Good job, you.”

Now, the next step was meeting the king. Fleeting memories of the other world surfaced in her mind, but

Se-Young shook her head to forget, clenched her fists, and ignited her resolve.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

“Big brother~!!”

With sweetness akin to cotton candy and a lively, unique personality, Zodiac bounced toward him, her large breasts jiggling as she jumped.

“Wow~!”

As if she knew he wouldn’t fall no matter how quickly she rushed in, Zodiac leaped and pressed her cheek against his chest.

“Let’s hurry and buy the latest edition of Heart’s Desire!”

The weapon that only Zodiac possessed was incredibly effective against men. It wasn’t just one or two people in Do-won who desperately wanted to exchange even a single word with her.

After all, such things did exist.

A flower as mysterious as White Peach, entirely unattainable, satisfies merely by being gazed upon. But Zodiac is different.

She is kind and adorable, fawning like a young wildcat whenever someone speaks to her… It’s no exaggeration to call her Do-won’s top idol.

‘…An idol in the martial arts world?’

The terms seem mismatched.

In reality, Zodiac juggles her duties as a dancer, so the concepts share similarities.

I shrugged my shoulders and asked Baekyang.

‘Still, it’s nice, isn’t it?’

No response.

Oh right, there isn’t one.

Perhaps it’s because we’re in Do-won. I had assumed I’d receive an answer.

Then how am I here?

“Older brother? Older brother!”

“…Why?”

“I was wondering why you suddenly spaced out.”

Giggling, Zodiac presses her chest closer and beams brightly.

I shook my head and grasped her nape.

“Hehe. Let’s go~ I want to see your heart and mind. You’ll read it to me, right?”

“…Do I have to read it aloud for you?”
“You always have!”

It always had been like that.
Had it?

Come to think of it, it wasn’t just once or twice that I had struggled because of Zodiac, who would subtly attempt to initiate sexual contact every time I read to her.

“I see.”

Just as I was about to channel magic through my hand to proceed,

– Fuss.

Nearby bushes rustled, and a strange girl with a bunch of leaves on her head emerged.

“Haah, haah.”

The girl, panting with exhaustion, walked towards me. Zodiac, startled, asked her,

“…Who are you?”
“……”

The girl remained silent, just staring at me intently.

“Brother, she seems like a child from a merchant… She’s not from Do-won. Could she be lost?”

Zodiac, saying this, grabbed my sleeve and pulled me. I stopped channeling magic and locked eyes with the girl.

Before long, the girl spoke.

“…Mister.”

Goosebumps prickled all over my body.
I couldn’t pinpoint the reason, but it was likely due to this girl.

I decided to wait for Ebony’s words. Wait, Ebony?
Why do I know her name?

“Sir, you shouldn’t be here.”

In that instant, Zodiac’s eyebrows beside me furrowed momentarily.