I Killed an Academy Player — Chapter 287: Park Sirin (4)

Chapter 287: Park Sirin (4)

Her‌‌ whole body protested⁠ with a sharp pain, and the⁠‌ blood in her⁠⁠ veins throbbed as‍‌ if it had‌ dried up completely.⁠

“It‍ hurts…”

The⁠‍⁠ soft texture beneath‍‌ her back made⁠⁠ her realize she⁠ was on a bed.

“Op…‍ pa?”

And‌⁠ right in front‍‍ of her, Corin‌‌ was sitting, looking‌‌‍ at the coastal⁠⁠ scenery while fiddling⁠⁠ with his phone.‌

“….”‍⁠

“Ehm,⁠ hey…”

“Shut‌⁠ up for a moment. I’m thinking.”‌

“Yes…”‌

Sirin‍‍‍ shrank slightly while‍ carefully observing Corin’s‌ expression.

‘I‍ lost.’

The⁠ Sun of Clau‌ Solas.

Against⁠ that colossal power,‍‌ she couldn’t win.⁠⁠

In‌ the past life,⁠ she had not‍ been chosen by‌ Clau Solas. Among⁠ all the party‌‍ members, Clau Solas‍ had only recognized‍‍ Corin.

But‌ he didn’t have enough mana to‍‍‌ handle it.

Instead,‌⁠ now—now Corin used‌⁠ the Sun with‌‌‍ even greater mastery‌ than Ohad Breath.‍‍‌

‘No…⁠‌‌ that wasn’t even‍‍ the real problem.’⁠

The‍⁠ Sun was just‍ a colossal distraction.⁠‌‍

The⁠⁠ truth was the⁠‌ tip of the‍ spear that pierced‌‍ even the fissure⁠‍ of the prison‌‍‍ that could petrify‌‌⁠ the entire sea,⁠‍ destroying all absurd magic.

Tates‍⁠ Valtazar.

Just‍ like him, Corin‍⁠ now possessed a talent that manifested⁠ no matter the‍ magnitude of the‌ power.

‘I…⁠‍ will never be‍ able to beat⁠⁠ him.’

Sirin‍ understood it again.‍‌

When‌ had he become this strong?

“Hey.”⁠

“Huh?⁠ Y-yes, oppa…”

“Haa…”‌

A small sigh, but to Sirin’s ears it thundered like⁠ a storm.

Every‌⁠ one of his‍‌ gestures left her‍ breathless, her heart⁠‌‌ pounding hard.

From‍ the beginning until‍⁠‌ this very moment,⁠⁠⁠ Corin had always‌‍‌ held far too⁠ great a presence in her life.‌‌

“You’re still a disgrace.”‌

“Uu…”‍‍

The⁠⁠‍ reproachful words made‍‍‍ her shrink. Fear dominated her to‌ the point she⁠‌⁠ couldn’t resist it.‍⁠

And⁠ she ended up⁠ crying.

Even‍ as she fell‌ into regret and‌ self-loathing, even as‍‍ she was unable‍ to receive approval‌ from him—she wanted‍⁠‌ to beg.

But‍ if she begged,‍‍ if she crawled—Corin might grow tired‍ of her.

So⁠‌‍ she could only bite her lips⁠ and avert her‌ gaze.

Even‍ so, the agony,‌ that miserable emotion,⁠ was painfully evident.⁠

“I…‌ I’m sorry. I was wrong…”

She‍‍ had thought he‍‌ was just an‌‍ NPC.

She‍‍ did it for‌⁠ efficiency.

Didn’t‌‍⁠ saving the world‌ justify those things?⁠

But‍ no excuse came to her mind‍ now.

In‌ the end, the‍‍‍ only thing she‍‍⁠ could spill out‍ were apologies and‌⁠⁠ regret.

“I⁠ was wrong… I’m‍‍ sorry… please, please…”‌⁠

Forgive‍‍ me.

That⁠‌ miserable plea was‌ the only thing⁠ she couldn’t bring‌ herself to say.

What‍‍ if she disappointed‍ him?

What if he despised‍‍ her and cast‌ her out?

What‍ if it backfired?⁠

She couldn’t afford to⁠ beg him directly‍⁠ for forgiveness.

Her⁠‌ pride—her shame—the terror‌ of losing him⁠‍‌ were too great.‍

She‍‍ knew very well‌‍‌ she was a selfish woman.

And‌‌ she knew someone⁠⁠ like her would‌ never be accepted‌ by someone as⁠ good as him.⁠‌

“Ugh…‌⁠‌ uhh… sniff…”

Clenching⁠ her teeth, she⁠‌ let tears fall.‌‌

She‍‌ couldn’t ask for‍‌ forgiveness. She couldn’t‌ ask for understanding.‌‌⁠

It‍‌ would be like‍⁠‌ expecting water and⁠‌‌ oil to mix.

She⁠ cried again and‌‌ again. Because she⁠‍‍ had no words.‌‍ Because she couldn’t‌ say what she‍ truly wanted.

For‍ hours, Corin simply‍ watched her in‌ silence.

“Hayeon.”‍‍⁠

Immediately, the tears stopped.‌‌

Her‍‍ heart, however, began‍ trembling uncontrollably.

Of course. There was‌‌‌ something else she needed to beg‍ for.

She‍‍‍ crawled toward him,‍‌ knelt, and grabbed Corin’s pants.

“H-Hayeon… our daughter… she‍‍ didn’t do anything⁠⁠ wrong. So… please… please, don’t take‌ her away…”

Tears‌‍ fell to the⁠ ground without stopping.‌‍

The‌‌ woman who once‍ was cold and⁠ cruel now had‍ a second spark of warmth in‌ her life—her daughter.‍‌

Even‌ if she couldn’t‌ protect her with‍⁠‌ strength or arguments,‍⁠‍ the only thing‍ she could do⁠‌⁠ was beg.

“…”⁠

Corin⁠⁠ watched her.

The‌⁠ great archmage, cruel‍‌ and proud, crying‌ and begging so⁠ miserably and desperately.‍⁠

And⁠‌ he understood that this wasn’t for‍ her own benefit, but from pure⁠⁠ devotion—motherly love.

The‍⁠⁠ woman who had‌⁠‌ been a player,‌‌⁠ an archmage, a Demon God, a supreme ruler—was now⁠‌‌ simply Sirin, the‌ mother.

That human contrast, that‍‍ emotional contradiction, was‍‍ almost moving.

Three‌‍ years since their‌‌ return.

And⁠‍ his hatred—his resentment—was‍ beginning to cool.‍

“…You’re‍ also a daughter‍ of men, in‍ the end.”

He‌‌‌ had always considered‍‍‍ her a monster.‍

He⁠‌‌ thought her love was fake, like‌⁠ crocodile tears.

But no—Sirin was also‍⁠ a real person.‌‌‌

With‌ emotions. Capable of‌⁠ crawling, of humiliating‍‌ herself, of loving desperately.

“I’ll ask you only‌⁠ one question.”

She‍‍ lifted her head. Her face was‌ dirty with tears‌ and sand.

Corin wiped it gently.‍

“Why‌ do you love‌ me?”

It‍‍ was a real‌ doubt.

How‌⁠‌ could someone so‌‌ cold, selfish, and‌ cruel be this‌ obsessed with him?‌

“Oppa…⁠‍ you’re different from⁠ me.”

With‍‌ her head lowered,⁠ she confessed with⁠ honesty a love⁠ that could never be fulfilled.

“You’re⁠‌ good, considerate… and‍⁠ kind of a dummy…”

“….”‌

A goodness she could⁠‍ never imitate.

A hand that reached⁠‌ out without asking‌ anything.

A generosity that didn’t‌⁠ calculate losses or‍ gains.

“I thought you were amazing. Even if‍‌ I made fun⁠ of you… I could never be‍⁠ like that.”

Sirin‍ longed for something⁠⁠ she would never⁠‍ have.

And⁠ she hated in‍ others what reflected⁠ what she herself‌ was.

She‌‍ was a villain.‍⁠

A woman willing to‌‍‍ sacrifice anyone for‌ personal gain.

But‍‍ then a man⁠ appeared who shattered that idea.

“If‍ you were an‌‌ elite student, why‍⁠ did you work‍ as a trainer?”‌‌

“The⁠‌ coach of my⁠ club was rigged.⁠⁠ I confronted him‌⁠ and they kicked⁠ me out.”

“Don’t‌‍ you regret it?‍ You could have⁠ been on the‍ national team.”

“I‍ followed my principles.⁠‍ That’s worth more‌ to me.”

“You‍‌ were left without a future.”

“My‌‍ life isn’t over.‌⁠ And my value‍‌‌ is something I decide.”

“…Why did you help‌‍‌ me?”

“Since‌‍⁠ when do you⁠⁠‌ need a reason‌‌ to save someone?”‍

That‍‌‌ stubbornness, that justice,⁠ that goodness…

Sirin hated it and‌ admired it at‍ the same time.‌⁠

He⁠‍ seemed like a hero.

“Since‍‍ that day when you saved me⁠ for the first‌⁠ time… since then,‍ truly…”

I love you.

That‌⁠ was the first‌⁠ sincere confession of‌‌ her life.

***

Upon leaving the villa,⁠ Erin was playing⁠ with the child.⁠‌

“Ah…”‍

Black hair like her⁠ mother’s, a gaze‍ that carried a cold energy, but‌ the ruby eyes‍‌ and the wild‌⁠⁠ features resembled mine.

“Uuuh…”⁠⁠‌

Hayeon‍⁠‍ hid behind Erin’s‌‌⁠ back while looking⁠⁠ at me warily.‌ Of course, from‌‌ her perspective, I probably seemed like‍ a heartless man‌⁠ who had suddenly‍‌‍ attacked her mom.⁠

“Bad…⁠⁠ ahjussi…”

I saw her walk‍‌ past me while‍ looking at me‌ with a mix⁠⁠⁠ of distrust and‍‌ sadness.

“So⁠‌ he’s the dad…”‍

“Hehe,⁠ even so, Hayeon‍‍⁠ looks a lot‌ like you, Corin. She’s a determined⁠⁠ and kind girl.”⁠⁠‍

I sat next to⁠ Erin, who was‍ laughing softly on⁠‌ the bench.

“Did‌‌ you decide to‌⁠ accept it?”

“She’s‍ the mother of‌‌ my daughter.”

“Yes,‌ I thought so.”⁠

“Why⁠⁠ do you say‌‍⁠ that?”

Erin⁠‍‍ made a face as if the‌‍ question were obvious.‍

“You’re‍ not someone capable of separating a mother from her⁠ daughter.”

“…I⁠‌⁠ could have done‌ it. And I intended to.”

“Then‌‌⁠ why did you‌ decide to accept it?”

“…”

I couldn’t answer for⁠⁠⁠ a moment. I felt an internal‍‍ contradiction that was⁠ hard to swallow.⁠‍

“If⁠ we talk about‌‌ the sins of‌‌ the previous life…‍ Miruam would also⁠‌ fall into that‍ category.”

She too had crossed‌‍⁠ lines I could⁠ not tolerate.

She‍ killed countless people‍‍ and ended up‍ destroying herself.

The‌ difference with Park Sirin was only⁠⁠‌ a matter of‍ scale.

Even‍ so, I forgave‍ Miruam and decided‍ to take her‍⁠⁠ as my wife.⁠⁠‍

“The‍ difference between Miruam‍‌ and Park Sirin⁠‍ maybe comes down⁠⁠ to two things.⁠ First, the feeling⁠‌ of betrayal.”

“Betrayal?”‍‍

“Like‌‌ it or not,‌ in the previous‌ life Park Sihoo‍⁠ was someone important‌⁠ to me.”

A compatriot I found‍‍‌ in an unknown‌‌ world, where everything⁠ was frightening and⁠ confusing.

The‍ fact that I,‍ a mere extra,‍‍ could take on a relevant supporting⁠‌ role was thanks⁠⁠⁠ to Park Sihoo.⁠‍

“We⁠‌ fought together, we⁠‌⁠ protected each other’s⁠⁠ lives… we tried‍‍‌ to save the⁠⁠‌ world.”

That’s⁠‌ why her betrayal‍ hurt more.

That‌ Park Sihoo would‌ do something like⁠ that behind my‌‌ back— trying to‌ take me by force without asking⁠‍‌ anything…

It‌ was horrifying, it⁠‍‌ made me angry,‍⁠‌ it made me‍‍ feel betrayed.

“And‍ above all, the⁠ worst part was‌‍ that when she‍⁠ lost control, I had no way‌‌‌ to stop her.”‌

What would happen if‍‍ she lost control‌‍ again?

Could⁠ I protect my‍‌ loved ones from her?

When‌⁠ I threatened to‍‍ take Hayeon, I did it to‍ test exactly that.‍⁠

Now‍ I can completely‍ dominate Park Sirin,⁠⁠ the former Park⁠ Sihoo. And she,‌‍ miserably, submits to⁠ me and begs‍⁠ for love.

If‌ I can control‍ her— if I can guide her‍‍ in the right direction.

“I‍‍‌ thought that… being⁠‌ the mother of⁠‌ my daughter, she‍ was worth considering.”⁠‍‌

If⁠‌⁠ I hadn’t been‍⁠‍ able to surpass her, if I hadn’t even been‌ close to matching her power, I would never have‌‍ accepted her.

“Well,⁠ that’s what I think. What matters‍ is what the⁠‌ others think.”

“The⁠ others?”

“Let’s start with Erin.”‍‍‍

Erin‌ looked at me⁠‍ with her big⁠ eyes and then‌‌‌ nodded calmly.

“I’m‌ fine with it.”‌‍

Grateful,⁠‌ I pressed my⁠ forehead to hers.‍‍

“Always‌‍ thank you… and⁠ sorry.”

“You‍ don’t need to‍‍ apologize to me.”⁠⁠‌

My‌ benefactor, my lifelong⁠⁠‌ teacher.

She⁠ has always been⁠⁠ like a tree that gives without‍ asking anything. But.⁠

“And‍‌ the others?”

“…”

This decision wasn’t just‌‍⁠ between Sirin and me.

“…I’m‍‌ upset.”

Marie pouted.

“Corin’s⁠‌ first child is‍ our Duggu. The‍⁠ firstborn is Duggu.”‍

— Woof!

“Of‌⁠ course.”

“Then it’s fine.”

As‌ if that were⁠ the only condition, Marie nodded and‌ looked away.

“And⁠ you, Alisha?”

Alisha‍ had been smiling⁠ for a while⁠⁠⁠ as if something‍ delighted her. It⁠⁠ was obvious her‌ gentle gaze was⁠‌ fixed on Hayeon.⁠⁠⁠

“Corin-ssi,‌⁠⁠ I’m also a child born out⁠⁠ of wedlock.”

“Eh?‍ And what does⁠‌ that have to do with…?”

“Are⁠ you planning to‌‌ make Hayeon an⁠ illegitimate child?”

“…I⁠ have no words⁠‌ to answer you.”

Alisha‍⁠‍ offered a honey‍ explosive lollipop to⁠‍ the wary Hayeon‌ and smiled.

“Children should be happy.‍‌ Surrounded by their⁠‍ parents’ love.”

“…Thank‍‍ you.”

I looked at Hwaran, or rather Ran,⁠‌ because of her‌‌ blue eyes.

“Hwa‍ isn’t interested. She‍ says one more doesn’t change anything‍‌‌ at this point.”‍

Ran‍‍‌ looked at me‍‍ with a dangerous‌ smile.

“Well,‌ if we look‌ at the order‍ of arrival, she‌‍ came quite a bit before us,‍ didn’t she?”

“Ehem…‍ sorry.”

“It‍‍ can’t be helped,‌ oppa. What’s done⁠ is done.”

Ran‌‌ jumped close to‍ my ear and‍ whispered,

“I‍ also want to⁠‍⁠ have a baby‌‍⁠ with you.”

“Cough…⁠ cough…”

Her⁠ smile was shamelessly⁠‌ seductive.

“That…⁠‌ can we talk‌ about that after‌ you graduate?”

“Well,‍⁠ let’s plan it‌‌ little by little.”‌‌

I was grateful none‌⁠ of them were‍ against it. I still had to‍‌‍ speak with Estelle,‍‌ Miruam, and Lunia,‍ but.

“First round of approvals,‍⁠‍ complete.”

Upon‌ hearing my words,‍‌‌ Sirin cautiously stepped‍ out from behind⁠‌‍ the door. She‍ watched my reactions and those of‍⁠ my wives with‍‍ her head completely‍‍ lowered.

“Miss‌‍ Park Sirin, there’s‍ something important to⁠ ask.”

“Eh?⁠ W-wait, what is…?”‍‍

“How‌⁠ many children do⁠‍⁠ you plan to‍⁠⁠ have? Could you⁠⁠ have about eleven⁠‍ more?”

“?????”‌

Sirin⁠‌ was completely stunned.‍

(Alisha…‌ you were the⁠⁠ first one Sirin‍‍⁠ killed in the⁠‍ previous life, how⁠⁠ can you ask‌ that?)

“Miss‌‍ Park Sirin.”

“M-Marie…‌ senior.”

“Ah,⁠ yes. We said‍⁠ it was a bond from the‍‌ previous life. I have a question.”

Since‌‍‌ we had already⁠ talked about the⁠ previous life, Marie⁠ said it straightforwardly.‍‍

“Do‍ you like potatoes? In the Loch‌ family, you cannot‌‌‍ not eat potatoes.”‌

“Eh?‌ A-ah… y-yes, I eat potatoes.”

“Perfect.‌ And does Hayeon‌ eat potatoes?”

After‍‌‌ Marie, Ran came.‍⁠

In the previous life,‍‍⁠ Hwaran ascended and‍ Ran disappeared. This‌⁠ must have been‍ Sirin’s first time‍‍‍ seeing Ran.

“I‌ have a question.”⁠⁠

“Ah…‌‍ yes… tell me…”‌

Ran‌‌ looked around, then⁠ leaned in almost‌ silently and whispered.⁠

“When‍⁠⁠ a baby is⁠⁠‌ born… does the stork really not come?”

“???”⁠

After‍ receiving acceptance or⁠⁠ at least tolerance from the three,‍‌ Sirin simply lowered‍⁠ her head with a somber air.

“I…”‍⁠

“What’s wrong? Does it seem to you‌⁠ that everyone is accepting too easily⁠⁠ someone who, objectively‍⁠ speaking, is almost⁠⁠ an enemy?”

“…”⁠

Sirin‍⁠ didn’t deny it.‌

She‍ could barely hold‌‍ back her tears.‌‌

“What…‍ should I… do?⁠⁠ I…”

I placed my hand‍⁠ on her bowed‍‍ head.

“Do‌ your best.”

The⁠ things she did,⁠ the mistakes she‍ made, the sins⁠ cannot be erased.‍

What’s‌ done is done.‍ Not even I know how something⁠ like that could⁠⁠ be redeemed.

But⁠ as her husband.⁠⁠

As‌ the father of‌ our daughter.

“We’ll⁠‌ look for the‍‌ answer together.”

I’ll accompany her all⁠ her life to⁠‍ find it.

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Chapter 287: Park Sirin (4)

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