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I Killed an Academy Player Chapter 83: Reunion of Sisters (1)

Chapter 83: Reunion of Sisters (1)

Hua‌​​ Ran’s ascension ritual‌​ to Hou by⁠ Purple Hawk Academy’s‌​ Senior Professor Kang⁠‍ Ryun ended as‌‌⁠ a failure.

As‍‌ for our next​‌⁠ course of action,​⁠⁠ it was as​ we had always‍ done. I had​⁠ already been notified​⁠ by Lady Josephine‌ and Master Erin⁠ on how they​ were going to⁠‍​ deal with this‍‌‌ if everything was‌​‍ to go well.​‍​

Long⁠‌ story short, it‍​ was concealment again.‌‍

It‌ was a big⁠‍‍ problem that the‍‌ senior professor of⁠ Purple Hawk Academy​‍‌ had attempted such⁠ a disastrous ritual,‍ but spreading news​ of that had‌​ chances of increasing​ the public’s wariness​⁠‌ or interest in‌ Hua Ran even⁠⁠​ though she was‍‍‍ the victim of⁠ this incident.

The‍⁠ former would be‍⁠‌ people condemning Hua‍‍ Ran from fear⁠‌‍ while the latter‌ would be people⁠ interested in the​‍​ potential of Hua‌ Ran’s power.

That‍ was why Lady​​​ Josephine, master, and‌ I had been‍‌ planning on concealing‌ this matter from‍‌ the start.

And‍‍‌ everything had gone‌​‍ according to plan.⁠​⁠

“Professor​ Kang Ryun returned​ first and got⁠ caught up in‍‌‌ an unfortunate event…​ is what we⁠​ will be announcing⁠‌​ to the public.​‍ We have already‌ discussed this with⁠‌⁠ the chairman of‌⁠⁠ Purple Hawk Academy.”​‌‍

“They’re⁠ pretty cooperative, aren’t‌‌​ they?”

“Because‍​⁠ that is probably⁠⁠ the best-case scenario⁠‌ for Purple Hawk‌​ as well.”

That‌ made sense – their senior professor,​‌‍ student council president,‌‍‍ and their highest-achieving​ student of the​‍ 2nd grade had‍ wreaked havoc at‌ another academy. Although‍​ Yuhua and Jinhyuk‌ had been used‌ without realizing the‍ true purpose of​⁠ the agenda, Kang​​⁠ Ryun was a senior professor, and‌‌​ Purple Hawk couldn’t​​ just gloss over‌‍‍ the issue by⁠⁠ saying they didn’t‌​ know.

“You‍‍​ didn’t forget to‌ charge them for‌‌ the repairs and​‍ stuff, right?”

“…Mister‍‍ Chairman wanted to​⁠ let it slip‍​ but well, I am of the‌‍​ same opinion as⁠ you, Student Korin,​ when it comes⁠‌‌ to that.”

“Right?⁠​​ Chairman is a bit too naive–.​‌‍ Oops~. Very kind​ is the word‍‌‌ I was looking‍⁠ for.”

“Everything‌ went well… thanks⁠ to you again.‍‌‍ Korin Lork.”

Lady⁠ Josephine said while‌ deeply staring at‌⁠‍ me. She still⁠‍ had a strict‍ pair of eyes,⁠ but that was​ only because her‍‍‌ default gaze was‌ a bit on‌ the harsher side,​ and in fact,‍⁠​ this was quite‍‌ warm for her.‍‌‌

“Thanks⁠ for your work.”⁠‌

She‍​‌ said while looking‌‍ at the bandages‍ that were wrapped‍⁠‍ all over my​‍⁠ body. Despite the‌​ regeneration ability, the‌ recovery was very⁠‌ slow which was​‍ most probably because​‍ of me over-using‌‌‍ my aura.

“Feels‌⁠ a bit embarrassing‌ to hear that.”‌‌

“We…​ are in a position where we‍​‍ cannot trust other⁠ people with ease.”‍​‍

80​⁠ years ago, Master‌‌ had been betrayed⁠‍ by her trusted​ disciple; by her​⁠ successor, Tates Valtazar.​​​

The​‌⁠ shock of that​⁠‌ betrayal left a lot of scars‍⁠‍ in her mind​ and she became⁠‌‍ a lot more​‍‌ prudent than before.​‌ It was obvious‌‌‌ that she couldn’t‌⁠‌ readily give her‌⁠ trust.

“There‍ will come a day when we⁠‍⁠ can trust each‌‌⁠ other.”

“…I‌⁠ hope so.”

Josephine‌⁠‌ slowly stood up,⁠⁠ and said one​‌ last thing while‍​ dropping off her​​‌ get-well gift.

“Please⁠‍ look after your‍​‍ body. The festival‍⁠ is not over‌‌ yet.”

They‌‌⁠ must be very‌‌‍ busy considering all⁠‍ the things that​‍ happened. I’m sure​ the busiest person‍‍ right now was⁠‌‌ Master Erin, who‍⁠⁠ still had to​‌‍ discuss and negotiate‌‍ with Purple Hawk.⁠

As​‍ soon as Josephine‍ left the room,‍​ Marie hopped inside⁠​‌ from the door.⁠

“You’re⁠⁠ awake!”

Marie​⁠ pretty much threw​‌ her body onto​​‌ my bed for⁠ a tight hug.⁠ As if she‌‍‍ wanted to confirm​‍⁠ that I was‌⁠‍ alive, she rubbed​‌‍ her cheeks and‍‍​ checked the warmth​ of my body.⁠⁠

“Are‌ you okay? Does‌‍ it hurt anywhere?​​ Look at your‌ nails; they’re all‌‍ gone!”

“Ohh…​ No wonder it‌‍ was feeling empty‍‌ there.”

“I⁠​ can’t believe it!‌‌‌ Seriously, every time!⁠⁠ Korin, you overwork​ yourself every time‍ and you always⁠ end up in⁠‌ hospital!”

Slap!‍​‌ Marie slapped my‍‌​ shoulders on repeat‍‌ but was controlling⁠ herself so much‍ that I could​‌‌ barely feel her‍​​ skin touching my‌ shoulder.

“Seriously…⁠‌ seriously…”

She‍⁠ couldn’t find the‌ right words to​​ say and gave‌ me another hug​​⁠ and stayed that‌‍ way for a long time before​⁠‌ finally letting go⁠​ of me.

Tears​ were budding beneath⁠⁠​ her eyes.

“Don’t‌‍​ cry. It pains‍‌​ me to see‍‌ you cry.”

“That’s⁠ exactly why I’m‍‌‍ crying!”

“Were⁠ you fine, Senior?​​ You had to‍‍‍ fight all the⁠‍ stone warriors and‍​⁠ destroy all the⁠⁠ articles by yourself,​ right?”

“President⁠ Kang Yuhua and‍ that student called‌​‌ Sa Jinhyuk did‌ destroy one but…”​​

I knew it. That​​​ was why they​ weren’t there, huh.⁠‍⁠ It was thanks⁠ to them that‍ I barely made‍ it in time‌ without being bashed⁠‍‌ to death.

“But‍ if you think‌‍​ about it, it’s​ their fault that‍⁠ this started in‌ the first place,”‌ grumbled Marie.

“Don’t​​​ be like that.⁠ They’re not bad​ people. Things were⁠ just… a little‌ bit unlucky for​‍ them.”

Jinhyuk,​ who had been⁠​‍ wanting to avenge‌ the death of‍⁠ his family, and‍ Yuhua, who was⁠ trying to save⁠⁠‌ her cousin – the two of‍ them were just​ desperate in their⁠​‍ own ways and⁠⁠ the real villain‍⁠ was Kang Ryun,‌ who had manipulated‌‍‌ them by making‍​⁠ use of their⁠ desperation.

We‍​⁠ had to avoid‍ hating the wrong‍‌‌ people.

“You‌​ always speak like‍‍ an adult. Even‌ though I’m older⁠‍ than you…”

“How​ about you call‌ me ‘oppa’?”

“You’re​‌​ doing that again!⁠‍ Trying to be​​ called ‘oppa’! Sometimes,‍⁠ it feels like⁠​​ you have an​⁠ obsession with being​‌⁠ called oppa!”

Marie‍⁠ flapped her arms‍ around and gave‌‍ a cute outburst‌⁠‍ but before long,‌‍‌ she turned dejected‍‍ and murmured after‍‌ lowering her head.‌‌

“I…⁠‍⁠ don’t want you​⁠⁠ getting hurt all⁠‌ the time, but…​ You will continue‌⁠‌ doing things like​​ this in the​ future, right?”

“…”​

I couldn’t say no⁠​ to her question.⁠‌

I was someone who⁠‍​ had the duty​​‌ of saving the​‌‍ world, who in‌‌‌ spite of that‌​‌ grand aspiration, was​⁠ weaker off than‍⁠ most other players.​​

Since‍ I was nothing‌ but a sub-player‍‍ with some spearmanship‌‌⁠ skills, my body‍ was bound to⁠‍ suffer during the​ process.

“You’re​‍⁠ not saying ‘No’.⁠ Korin, sometimes… it⁠ feels like you’re‌​‍ living in a different world.”

Tightly‌⁠ holding onto my​‌ fully-bandaged arm, she​ pleaded with her⁠ eyes fixed on‍⁠ me.

“I…​⁠‌ can fight with‍‍ you. Please let​​ me stand by‌‌⁠ your side. I can help you‌ anytime.”

“…You⁠⁠⁠ are already helping​‌‍ me so much.”​

Both‍ in the King​⁠‍ of Iron Mountain⁠⁠⁠ incident and this​⁠⁠ time around, I was receiving more‍ than enough help⁠ from Marie. In‍‌ fact, I even‌⁠ thought I was⁠‌‌ being too rough‌‌‍ with people.

“Senior.‌​ I’m a weak⁠‌⁠ person.”

“No,‍⁠ Korin. You’re not‍ weak.”

“Things‍‌ like that are​ subjective. In comparison⁠ to the upcoming​⁠‌ evil, I am⁠‍‍ way too insignificant‍⁠ of a person⁠‍‌ and I cannot‌ overcome them without‍‍ receiving help.”

“Anything’s​⁠​ fine. No matter⁠‍⁠ what you are⁠​​ fighting against… I will stand by‍ your side.”

I felt extremely grateful.‍‍‌

And‍ I felt so⁠‍​ blessed to be‌​‍ able to hear⁠​ something like that.‍‌

All⁠ the enemies standing⁠ in my path⁠​​ were tough and⁠ powerful villains. Some​ wanted to satisfy‍‍⁠ their wicked greed,‌⁠ some for their‍⁠‌ incorrect convictions and​ some only wanted⁠⁠⁠ to destroy the‍‍ world.

What‍ was the way​ for me to​‍‌ save the world‌ against these powerful⁠​ enemies? The answer⁠‌ to that question​​ was always very⁠ simple.

“Together.”​‌⁠

Please‌ fight together with‍ me. I requested‌ the girl whom​ I had once​‌​ saved.

“Un!”‍​

She‌ replied with clear‌‍ teardrops flowing down​​‌ her cheeks. Even⁠‍​ though I was‌ the one making​⁠ the request and‌ even though I was the one​ that was supposed‌ to thank her​ for everything, she​​ was the one​‍ crying instead of‌‍ me.

“What‌‍⁠ is this; you’re‌‌ ruining your beautiful‌ face. Smile. It’s​⁠ all done and⁠‌⁠ dusted in a good way. Smile​⁠ and you’ll be‌​ happy.”

“How‍⁠ can I smile!⁠‌⁠ When you’re in‍ the hospital like​‍‌ this!”

“I’m‍‍‌ asking you as‍‍ the patient! Smile.⁠⁠​ Just smile! When‌‍ beautiful ladies smile,‌ everyone gets double‍​ the happiness.”

“You’re‌‍ lying!”

We‌ continued talking for‌‍⁠ a long time.‌‍

………​‍‌

……⁠⁠

– Slip!

After​⁠‍ organizing her loosened⁠​⁠ clothes, Marie stood​‍​ up from the‌ bed. Her reddened⁠​‌ eyes and the​⁠ tiny beads of⁠‌‍ sweat all over‌⁠ her body attested⁠⁠​ for the things⁠ that had been⁠‌ happening until just‌⁠‍ then.

“Oh⁠ right.”

Straightening⁠​‍ out my hospital‍‍ clothes that had⁠‌​ drooping collars, Marie​‍ summoned Doggo.

“I’ll‍​‍ leave Doggo behind,‍ so he will‌ look after you!​​ My parents said​ they’ll be sending⁠⁠‍ some medicine from⁠‌ home and Doggo‌‍ will bring them‍ to you when⁠‍⁠ they’re here.”

“Ohh~.​⁠ Is Doggo going‌ to look after‌ me? What a good boy~”

– Kiing!

Unlike‍​ what Marie was‌‍ saying, Doggo didn’t​‌ seem too keen.​ He liked his‍⁠ mother but was‍ very rude to‍‍ his father.

Of‌​‍ course, he might​‍‌ take his revenge​⁠‍ later on if​ I said this​ out loud so​​‍ I swallowed those‍ words instead.

“No!‍‍⁠ Doggo, listen to​⁠‌ me! You need​‌ to be nicer⁠ to your daddy!”‍‍

Marie​⁠ started preaching like‌​ an actual mom‌ that was scolding​‍‍ their infant. She‌‍ was definitely quite⁠ abundant with maternity.​‍ Yes… Ah I mean her personality‍⁠​ of course.

“Ah,​ and you know‌‌ that Guardians Guild​⁠ thing? I’ll apply‌ for that soon,”‌ said Marie.

“Already?”‍‍

“It’s⁠ going to be‌ time for harvest​⁠ soon. With all⁠ the holidays coming⁠‍‌ up, we need‍⁠ to do it⁠​‍ now or everyone‍⁠ will be busy‌‍ taking a rest​ at home.”

“Oh~,​ you’re right. Thank‍‍​ you.”

“Un.‌‌‍ Korin you’re the⁠​⁠ Guild Master… and‌​⁠ I’m the Deputy.⁠​ What about the‌​‌ rest?”

The‍​ ‘Guardians’ was essentially⁠‍⁠ a fixed party‍‍ of the core‌‍ members that would⁠‍ be moving with‍​‍ me outside for‌‌⁠ external matters. Not‌‌ everyone would be⁠​‌ combatant, and there​ would be some‍ who would be‌⁠‌ helping me in​ various ways.

I had already gotten‌‍ several confirmations and‌‌‌ acquired the three​​ core members so⁠​ it was probably‌ okay for me​‍‍ to tell Marie‍‍ their names.

“First​ off, Alicia Arden​ and…”

“Hnnn…‍⁠ I knew it.​ She… Well, I guess there’s no⁠‌​ helping it.”

“And⁠ Renya Claire.”

“Oh~.⁠⁠ A female?”

“Yes.​⁠ She’s a pretty​‌⁠ lady working in⁠ intelligence.”

“I‍‍ see~. Pretty?”

“And‍ next up will‍‍‌ be Ren and‍​​ Ron.”

“Who​ are they?”

“They’re⁠​ a sibling of​ wolf beastmen. Ren’s‌ a girl so⁠⁠‌ just make sure‍ you check Ron​⁠​ as a boy.”​⁠‍

“Hmm…”‌​⁠

– Crack!

“I’m⁠ thinking about recruiting‌‌​ Yuel but I’m​ not sure yet.‌⁠​ Well, but we’re‍⁠⁠ close so I’m​‍⁠ sure she’ll help‍‍ out for the‌ most part.”

“That‌⁠‌ druid girl… Are‍‌ you guys very‍⁠ close?”

“We’re​ close enough to‌‍‌ joke around and‌​​ have some meals‌ together.”

– Crack!

“Lastly,‍⁠​ Hua Ran is‌ a must so‌​‌ don’t forget to⁠‍ write her down.​‌⁠ Professor Josephine allowed‍⁠‍ it as well.”​

Just‍ like what happened​ after Marie’s incident,⁠‌​ it looked like​ it was pretty​​‌ set in stone​⁠‍ that Hua Ran‍⁠ would be under⁠ my care from⁠⁠ now on.

– Kajik!

That‌⁠‍ was when the‍⁠ sound of something‍‌‍ breaking reached my​⁠‍ ears. Turning around,​⁠ I noticed that​‍ the pen in⁠ her hands was‍‌ now in two​ pieces. Why did​‌ that pen break,⁠ I wonder?

“…Senior?”‌‌‌

It‌⁠‌ was strange that‍ Marie was staying⁠ silent so I spoke to her,⁠ but she didn’t‌ say anything for​‌‌ a long time⁠​ and instead, she​⁠‍ quietly and slowly​‍ walked towards me.‍‍

“…”‌

Her⁠‌ clear eyes that⁠ used to glisten‌‍⁠ in gold had‌​⁠ turned into red‌‌‌ by the time⁠ I noticed it.⁠‍ Umm… that’s probably‌⁠⁠ because she just​⁠ recently sucked blood,‌‌‍ right?

“Korin.”‌⁠

“Umm…​‌⁠ Senior?”

“Are‌​‍ you trying to‌ drive me crazy?”‍

Wat?‌‌​

****‌‌

After‌ my body recovered‌‍ enough for me‌​ to move around,‌ I visited Alicia⁠⁠ who was in‌⁠ the same hospital‍⁠⁠ as me. By⁠‍‍ the way, Doggo‌⁠‌ was driving the‍‍ wheelchair for me.‌‌‌

“Ehew,‌‌⁠ little Doggo. Great⁠‌ work helping out​‍⁠ with your daddy.”‍

“…”‍

He‌‌​ turned his head‌​ away with a flick.

“Buddy…⁠‌ You’re not really⁠ liking this, are⁠ you?”

I’m⁠⁠ sure you want‍‍‍ to be with⁠‍ your mommy. How‍‌ unfortunate that you⁠ have to stick​ with your daddy‍ but you know⁠‌ what? You have⁠‍ to listen to‍​‍ your mom! What‌‌ can you even‍ do huh?

“Woof!”⁠​​

After​ seemingly reading my⁠​‍ impure thoughts, Doggo‌⁠​ furiously flipped the​​ wheelchair.

“Huhu…⁠⁠‍ It’s things like‍‍ that that give‍​ away your feelings.‌‌ You immature little‌‌⁠ kid…!”

“Kaoooooooo…!”​‍

“Mister‌⁠​ Doggo! Please do‌‌⁠ not howl in‍ the hospital!!”

“Woof…”‌​‌

Due‌ to moving around⁠ everywhere across the‌ campus ever since‍​‌ the start of‍​⁠ the semester, everyone‍‌‌ seemed aware of‍​​ how Doggo was⁠​⁠ a slightly special​ dog. He was‌⁠⁠ going around running​⁠⁠ errands for his⁠​‌ mom every time⁠⁠ so that wasn’t​ anything strange.

“Ugh…‌⁠ What are you‌​⁠ doing?”

Alicia‌ seemed to have⁠ heard the ruckus‌‍ from inside her​ room and she​‍ asked that as‍‌ soon as we‍ entered the room.‍‌​

“We’re⁠‍ here for a visit. Are you‌⁠ feeling okay?”

“Ughhh…‍⁠‍ Do I look‌ okay?”

Lying⁠⁠‌ down on the​ bed with bandages‍​ wrapped all around⁠ her body, she‍​ moved her chin‍‍ slightly to face⁠⁠‍ our way. Leaving‌⁠​ behind Doggo, I sat on the⁠⁠ chair that was‍⁠⁠ placed next to‌⁠‌ the bed.

“Wow~.​​​ You look like‍‍ a mummy.”

“Uguk…!‍ Whose fault do⁠⁠‌ you think it⁠ is?!”

“Thanks.”​‌​

“Huh?‍ Nn… Well, you‍ are welcome, I guess.”

Because‌ she had to‌ take dozens of​​‍ steps through the​⁠ Domain just to‍‌ save me, her‌ entire body was‍‌ in tatters.

Her​‍ bones were back‍‌ together thanks to​‍‍ the made-by-Marie elixir,‌‍ but apparently she⁠‌ still needed to​ rest for at​⁠‌ least 2 weeks​ in the best‍​⁠ medical facilities. There⁠ was only about‍‌‌ 1 week left⁠‌‍ of the festival⁠‍ so she probably‍​ wouldn’t even be‍‌‍ able to make​ it to the⁠⁠ closing campfire.

“I’m‍‍⁠ probably going to‍​ be leaving soon,⁠⁠ but I guess​​‍ you need to⁠‍ stay hospitalized for‌ a bit more.”⁠‍

“Hing…​‌ I wanted to‍ go to the​‌⁠ campfire though!”

“You‌‌⁠ can wait until⁠‌ the winter banquet.”‍​‌

“But‍ that’s different from‌‍‌ this.”

She⁠​ was right. Besides,‍‌⁠ even though I had experienced them​‌ multiple times in‌⁠​ the last iteration,‍‌‍ this was the‌ first one for‌‍ Alicia and I felt a bit‍‌‍ guilty considering how⁠⁠​ she was in​ this state because‍​‌ of me.

“I​​‌ will get you‌⁠ a Ghesquiere dress⁠ for the winter⁠‍ banquet.”

“Hukk…!‌‍ Really? Y, you‌ mean that super‌​ expensive brand?”

“Tell‍ me anything else‍‌ you need. This​​ oppa here is‌ loaded with money‌‍​ now~”

“You’re⁠‌‌ not an oppa!⁠‌‌ We’re the same⁠‌ age okay? …Oh‍ right! What about⁠ your hotel? Did‌ you earn a lot?”

“Huhuhu.​ We do have‍‍‌ enough to buy⁠​‌ our esteemed investor‍​⁠ a dress.”

“A,⁠⁠‍ am I going‍ to be rich⁠​ now as well?”‌‍⁠

“You⁠ can fill a bathtub with gold‍‍ coins…! Okay, maybe‍ not, but you‍⁠⁠ can probably fill​ them with silver‌ coins.”

“Uwahh!”​

“Yayy~!”‌‍

We,‍‌‌ who had been‌ petit bourgeois until‌ just yesterday, danced​ despite having bandages‌​⁠ all over our​‍​ bodies.

“Flex…!”‌​

“Flex…!”⁠⁠

““We’re​ rich~!!””

Discussing‌ what to buy‍​‍ with Alicia was​ a very fun‌ conversation topic.

– Woof!

That⁠‌⁠ was when Doggo⁠ took out a bill from his​‍‍ furry coat. The⁠ name of the‌‌‌ store was Puppy‍​⁠ Coat Manufacturing Salon,⁠​ or something like​‍ that.

…I‍ feel like there‍ was a white‌​‌ gold coin written‌‍⁠ on the bill,‍⁠ but that was⁠‍⁠ probably me seeing‌ things, right?

****⁠​​

She⁠‌‍ ended up hurting⁠ Korin. She was‍‍⁠ close to hurting‌ a bunch of‌‌ people again just‍‌ like last time.‌‍

After‍​ that incident, Hua⁠ Ran spent the‌​‍ next few days​ blankly staring at‌ the white wall‍ from her bed.‌

Her‍ memories of that‌​ time were still​‍ vivid. Despite having⁠‌‌ his limbs crushed⁠‍ and wrecked because‌ of her, he‌⁠⁠ didn’t blame her‍​ and instead reached‌ out for her​‌ hands to soothe⁠ her mind.

『I‌ told you I’ll‍ help you… until‍‌​ you can make‌⁠‌ a decision for​ yourself.』

His​‍​ words touched her⁠‍‌ soul.

He⁠‌ told Hua, that‌‍ the important one‌ was not the⁠⁠‌ nature of one’s⁠ birth but their​ choices. He told‍ her that how⁠​​ and what she​‍⁠ was born as‍​ didn’t matter.

She⁠⁠‍ wondered. How could⁠ he say such‌​ a thing?

Everyone​‌ was afraid of⁠⁠‌ Hua. They were​‍⁠ wary of Hua‌​ and condemned her.⁠⁠​ Screaming at Hua‌‌‌ that she was‍ a monster that​​‌ shouldn’t have been‍⁠⁠ born, they threw‌​‍ stones at her.‌‌​

“Korin…​⁠ was different.”

He‍⁠ called her a child, and said‌ he will help‌‍ her…

Why⁠⁠​ did he do​‌​ that?

She‍ used to hate​⁠ this world.

She‍‍ hated Ran who​‌ used to have‌ happiness that never‍ belonged to her,‌‌⁠ and the world⁠⁠​ was full of​‍‍ people that wanted‌ to use her⁠ to suit their‍‍​ needs. Everyone and​‌⁠ the world hated‍‌​ her which was‍‌ why she hated⁠​​ them back, and​‌⁠ yet…

Strength‍⁠ was the only‌‍ value she used​​‌ to have. Using⁠​ strength as an⁠​ excuse was the​​‍ only way she‍ could justify herself‌ for pushing away⁠ the original owner‍⁠ of the body‌‍ to take control‍ of it.

That​ was why she​​‌ didn’t want to​ show anyone her​‌ weak side. She‌⁠‌ did not ask‍‌​ for anyone’s help.⁠‍

『I​​ can help you.』⁠​

His‌‌ kindness stung her‍​‌ heart.

His‍‍‍ consideration and concern​‌ pierced her heart​​ like a sharp‌​‍ blade.

Korin⁠⁠⁠ was thinking that‌‍ Hua would make​‍ the right choice.‌​​ Why was he​ certain when even‌​ she herself didn’t​ know what she‍​ was supposed to‍‌⁠ do…? Even though‍ she didn’t want⁠‍ to make that‍ choice as ‘Hua’…⁠

『Make…‌​ a decision you‌ can be proud‍‌‌ of. So that…​​ you don’t regret‍​ it.』

How⁠‍ was she supposed‍‌ to do that…?‌⁠ What did she‍‍ have to do…​ to make a decision that she​​ could be proud​‍⁠ of…?

What‍‌​ should I do?‍⁠‌

The‌​‌ only path in⁠⁠‍ front of her‍‍ was a cliff⁠ going straight down.‌‌ The only future‍​ she could see‍ by taking a step forward was‌‌ dropping down the‌ abyss… How was⁠ she supposed to‌⁠ even face her​ own sin?

What​⁠⁠ are you… telling‍⁠ me to do?⁠‍

『We’ll‌​ look for ways​⁠‌ together.』

“……”‌⁠‍

I hate you, Korin​‍ Lork.

You…⁠ make my heart‌‌ ache all the​​‌ time.

– Tap tap!

It‍⁠​ was then. Hearing‍​ the sound of‍​​ someone knocking on​‍‍ the window, she‍​ opened the curtain⁠ and found Korin⁠ Lork waving his⁠ hand while dangling​ on the windowsill​⁠ of the second⁠‍ floor.

Ever⁠​ since her birth,​‌ Hua had been⁠⁠ alone the whole‍⁠⁠ time. Deceitful relationships‍ had always been⁠ broken down in​ an instant and​‍ she had been‌⁠​ used the whole‍ time.

That‌​​ was why she‌ didn’t allow people‌‍​ to enter her‌⁠​ boundaries until now,‌‌ but…

“But…”‌‌

Korin‍‌⁠ Lork was crossing⁠‍⁠ her fences as⁠‌ if they were​‌​ nothing, while reaching​​ out to her‌ with his hands.⁠‍

****​⁠

There‍​ was a short​ quarrel but Hua⁠‍​ Ran let me⁠​ into the room‌‌‌ before long.

“…You‍⁠‌ recovered.”

That‍‍‍ was the first​⁠ thing she said‌‍​ out of the​​ blue. It was​ a cold statement,‌ but I could‍‌‌ tell that she‍ had been very​‌ concerned about my‍‍ well-being.

“Were⁠ you worried?”

“…No.”‌

Ohh,⁠⁠‌ I could now‍‍​ tell albeit by‍‍‌ a little. Although⁠ Hua Ran rarely⁠​‌ showed any expression​ on her face,‌‍‍ it was exactly⁠‌​ because of that​‍‍ that I could‌ tell her emotion‍ based on the⁠‍​ small changes of​​‍ her expression.

“How‌ have you…”

“Hurry⁠⁠​ up.”

“Huh?”⁠‌

“There’s​ a way to⁠‍ change to Ran,‍‌ right? Do it⁠ quick.”

Hua‌‌‌ Ran rushed me⁠​ as if she‍ wanted to get‍‍‍ it over and⁠‌ done with. Even⁠ though… she really⁠‍ might vanish if​ Ran couldn’t accept‍​ her existence and​ rejected her.

Did⁠⁠‌ she give up?⁠ No, that was⁠‍ probably not it.⁠​​ It’s just that…‌​ this child had‌ made a decision.⁠​​ She must have​⁠ decided not to‍ run away from⁠⁠ the responsibility of​​‍ her choices anymore.⁠⁠⁠

“What‍‍ a good girl.”‌⁠​

I caressed her hair.​ Usually, she would​‌‌ have flicked my‌‍ hand away but​‍‌ she obediently let​ me stroke her⁠​‍ hair and closed⁠ her eyes as⁠⁠ if this was⁠ her last moment.‍

She‌ seemed determined.

“Then…”‌‌

“W,⁠ wait.”

It‍‌⁠ was then. Hua⁠​‍ Ran suddenly held‍‌‍ onto my hand⁠⁠⁠ and fidgeted her⁠ fingers while hesitantly⁠ looking for words.‍​‍

“What’s‌ wrong?”

“…Fish.”⁠‌

“Huh?”‌​⁠

“I​‌​ want fish.”

The‍⁠ last lingering attachment‌⁠​ stopping her after⁠‍ she resolved herself‌‍ was my cooked​‌ fish dish.

****​‌⁠

“…Get‍​ rid of the‌ bones, please.”

I came back after‌⁠​ cooking a mackerel​‌ in the kitchen.​‍ Calmly, Hua Ran​‌‍ waited for me‌ to debone the​‍ fish and slowly​‌ put them into‌ her mouth.

She‍‌ loved fish so⁠ she used to​‍​ munch through them‍⁠⁠ in one go‍⁠‌ but this time,‍ she was slowly⁠​ consuming them as‍ if she wanted⁠‍⁠ to buy even​⁠ a little bit‌‍ of more time.‍‌

It⁠‍ was natural for‌⁠ her to be⁠‌ anxious.

It‌ was normal for‍‌​ her to be‍​⁠ scared.

There⁠ was no guarantee​ that she would‍‍ be able to⁠‌⁠ regain control over⁠ her body after​​ changing the owner‌ once. Despite resolving‍ herself, the child‍ was still very‍⁠ scared.

Although⁠⁠‌ it took quite​ a long time‌⁠⁠ for a single⁠‍ meal, I patiently‌‍‌ waited for her‍ regardless.

“I…​‍ am done.”

“Let⁠⁠ me wash the‍‌ dishes first.”

After​⁠ cleaning up everything,​ we went to‌ the backyard.

“…Start.”‌⁠

Hua⁠ Ran resolved herself‌ and looked at‍⁠​ me with a composed pair of‌ eyes. However, she‍​ still couldn’t hide⁠‌ the tension on‌‌⁠ her face. Things‍​ like this actually‌​ made her look​​ quite cute.

“Stay⁠⁠ still.”

I took out the⁠⁠‍ silver spear that​‌​ I was carrying‍‌⁠ behind my back⁠​ as she watched​ me while vacantly‍​ blinking her eyes.⁠

“That…”‌

She‌⁠ mumbled while looking⁠⁠​ at the ferocious-looking⁠‍ gem that was‍‌‌ stuck on the​ spear.

[Orb‍​ of the Grim‌⁠ Reaper]
– The attack⁠⁠ will always hit‍‌ the target.- It‌⁠​ will separate the‌ flesh from the​ soul.

– The attack ignores‍ defense.

It‍​​ was the 100%-accuracy​⁠ soul collecting ability‌ of the Grim‌​⁠ Reaper that only‍​ existed as a concept. Of course,​⁠⁠ the effectiveness would‍‌ be greatly reduced‌‌‍ when used by‍​​ a human but…‌‍‌ it would be‌​​ infinitely different when‍⁠​ I was the‍ one using it.​⁠​

〚I‍​ do not perceive⁠​ spirits.〛

Because‍​​ of the absolute⁠ rules of the⁠​‌ Precept, as soon​⁠ as I used‌​‍ the power of⁠‌‌ this Orb which‍‌ counted as a spiritual attack, the​​​ accuracy would be​⁠‍ multiplied negatively by​‌ an infinite amount.‌‍

As⁠​‌ a result, it‌​ would become a never-landing spear that‍⁠ couldn’t kill people.⁠‍

‘But‌⁠‌ there’s a catch.’⁠‌

I took out a blue stone from‍‍ my pocket that⁠‌ resembled a gem.‌⁠‌ It was a manastone carved by⁠‌ a first-rate blacksmith‍​​ into the perfect‍ size.

That​⁠ was one of​‌ the manastones I purchased in bulks‌‌‌ at the festival,‌⁠ which was then​‍⁠ polished by Ferghus.‌‍

“What’s​ that?”

“It’s​⁠⁠ a faulty manastone⁠‌‌ used in the​‌ festival. When I take this to​ the Orb…”

– Sururuk!

The‍⁠ manastone was then​‍⁠ absorbed into the‌⁠ Orb. Strictly speaking,⁠ it was closer‌ to the manastone‌‍​ burrowing into the‍‍⁠ Orb of the⁠⁠‍ Grim Reaper.

Now,‍⁠⁠ let’s think this‍ through one more⁠⁠​ time.

Adding‍ mana to the​‍ ‘festival-use faulty manastones’‌ made them explode​​ from overload. In‌ the game, the⁠ explosion range decreased‌‍ with higher accuracy⁠​​ rating to make⁠‍⁠ it easier to‍​⁠ clear the mini-game,​ and a lower​ accuracy increased the⁠⁠‍ explosion range.

No‌‌ matter how low‌​ your accuracy rating‌ was on the​ system, the maximum‍ range limit was‌ 100 meters.

It⁠ was a decent​​⁠ AOE skill that​​ was often used‌​‌ in the game.⁠⁠​

Now,⁠​‍ what would happen‌ if the manastone⁠⁠⁠ was absorbed by⁠‍ the Orb of‌ the Grim Reaper,‌ when it has​ the same rules​⁠ of the 2nd⁠ Precept applied to⁠‌‌ it?

“Watch.​‌‍ I’m going to⁠ do some magical‌‌‌ stuff.”

Jumping‌ onto the tree​ in the backyard,​ I landed on⁠⁠⁠ one of its‌ branches.

The‍​⁠ explosion of mana⁠​ wouldn’t go through‍‌‌ the wall and⁠‌ wouldn’t reach the​​​ sky either, so‌‍ staying here should⁠​⁠ keep me out​⁠‍ of the range.‌

“I’m‌​ going to throw​ it!”

Either​‌‌ because of her⁠ trust in her⁠‍⁠ Unbreakable Vajra Body​⁠​ or me, she‌‍ didn’t even blink‌‍⁠ her eyes after⁠‌​ I tossed the‌​ spear at her.‍⁠⁠ The spear that‍‌‌ was traveling straight‌​ at Hua Ran​‌ suddenly turned its⁠ direction in mid-air⁠‍ and landed on‌⁠⁠ the ground.

“???”⁠‍

It‍‌ was a strange‌‌ phenomenon that didn’t⁠‍‍ abide by the‌‌‌ original laws of⁠ physics, but that​‍ wasn’t the end.​⁠‌

– Boom!

The⁠​⁠ manastone absorbed by‍​‌ the Orb of‌ the Grim Reaper‌ led to a small explosion that​⁠ dispersed the mana⁠‍ inside it. In‌‌⁠ the blink of‍‌​ an eye, the‍​‍ backyard was filled‍ with the Grim‍ Reaper’s mana.

Yes,​‌ this was it.​‌‍

“Uhh…”⁠‍‍

After⁠‍‌ a single groan,⁠ Hua Ran immediately⁠⁠‍ fell on the​‍ ground.

It​ was simple.

The‍⁠‍ Orb of the‍ Grim Reaper was⁠‌‌ one that targeted‌​‍ the soul. After‌ absorbing that specific​‍‍ trait of the⁠ orb, the manastone‌‍‌ exploded and applied‌⁠ the power of‌ the Grim Reaper⁠‍ to Hua Ran​‌ who was within‍‌ the range of‍‍ the explosion.

‘A‌​ little trick people​ found by playing⁠ around with these‍‍​ niche items.’

When‍​‌ used by a human, the Orb‍ of the Grim‍‌‌ Reaper wasn’t a strong weapon but‍⁠‌ when combined with‍​‍ these festival-use faulty⁠⁠​ manastones, they were‌​‍ surprisingly quite effective.⁠

It⁠​ was effective to​‍‍ the point that​‍​ they could make⁠‌​ me indirectly have​ an impact on‍ spirits despite my‍​ inability to affect‌​ them due to​ my Precept.

Strictly‍​⁠ speaking, it was‌ not me that‍‌ touched Hua Ran’s‌​​ soul and it​​ was the exploded‌ manastone so I wasn’t going against‌ the Restriction.

“I‌​ was going to⁠ use it inside‌ the Evil Extermination‌ Formation if necessary⁠ but…”

It⁠‍ was a shame​ that I couldn’t‍‍ use it there,⁠⁠‌ but it was‍ still okay since​⁠‍ I got to‍ use it here.​‌

“Hua‍ Ran. I only​​ used a little⁠ bit of mana‍‍‌ this time. How​‌​ do you feel?⁠⁠⁠ Are you okay?”​‍

“Mhmm…”‌

She‌ opened her eyes.‌‍ After rubbing her​⁠ eyes and looking‍‌‍ around her surroundings​ with unfocused eyes,​‍​ she turned to​‌⁠ me and opened‌ her mouth.

“Hello‌⁠ oppa.”

Hua⁠​ Ran, or rather,​​ Ran said with‍ a bright and‍​​ refreshing smile on​‍⁠ her face.

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