Chapter 238 – The First Snowfall (2)

Ryozo blinked.

Her mind and expression went blank.

A second later, surprise washed over her.

‘Did he say he wants to come with me to see my mother?’

She didn’t know how to react to such a sudden proposal.

‘And here I was, already embarrassed enough for spilling all of that like it was some complaint!’

But Kang Geom-Ma’s gaze, as always, was full of sincerity. Yes, that’s how he was. Someone who never spoke empty words. That honesty gave weight to everything he said, making it even more persuasive.

‘He never speaks just for the sake of speaking.’

It wasn’t just a momentary comfort. He genuinely wanted to be with her in that moment.

‘He must’ve noticed that I was anxious.’

It was a kind offer. A simple “Let’s go together, if that’s okay.” Ryozo felt her cheeks burn. She was embarrassed. She felt ridiculous. And at the same time, overwhelmingly happy. So much that she couldn’t put it into words.

She glanced sideways.

“It’s fine if we go together, but…”

She muttered, covering half her face with her scarf. The rough texture of the wool itched against her lips.

“…You said you were heading to the director’s office.”

“Oh, that.”

Kang Geom-Ma scratched his forehead.

It was his habit when looking for the right words. Even that trivial gesture was enough to make Ryozo’s heart pound.

While her chest throbbed, Kang Geom-Ma smiled sheepishly.

“I go every week, so it’s no big deal if I skip once. I’ll let her know, of course. And you know, right? The director isn’t the type to get mad if I say I went out with a friend. She’d probably be happy. She always says it’s a shame I can’t enjoy the things people my age do, since I became one of the Seven Stars so young.”

“Ah…”

It was then that Ryozo looked at his face more closely. The shadows under his eyes, the pale complexion. She could imagine the kind of routine he’d been living through for the past month.

‘You’ve been so busy.’

It couldn’t be helped. Kang Geom-Ma had a schedule so brutal that even twenty-four hours a day didn’t seem enough. Studying, official duties, countless assignments. Unlike her, who could at least focus solely on classes. That’s why the director pitied him.

‘And me…’

She made a face like she was the most miserable person in the world.

Everyone talked about Kang Geom-Ma like a star. The youngest Hero among the Seven Stars, the world’s strongest force, someone beyond human. All the different titles pointed to the same thing—he was at the top.

The top.

A place everyone dreams of reaching. And Kang Geom-Ma had gotten there far too soon. That also meant he had been left alone far too early.

‘And yet, he doesn’t complain.’

Ryozo knew his family history. That’s what made her chest ache even more.

‘Compared to him, I have no right to say my life’s been hard.’

She felt a sting in her eyes. She convinced herself it was from the cold wind.

‘I’m such a coward.’

Always acting tough, but in reality, all she knew was how to lean on others.

‘And he, the one who’s suffered the most, was the first to reach out to me.’

He even gave her comfort without judging.

Ryozo discreetly wiped her eyes with her scarf. Then asked cautiously,

“The destination’s Busan. We’ll need to set aside the whole day. Are you sure you can manage that?”

Kang Geom-Ma didn’t hesitate. He simply nodded.

“It’s Saturday. I’ve got plenty of time.”

***

A moment later, in the director’s office.

“Of course! Yes, yes. That’s fine. Have lots of fun~!”

Click.

Media ended the call with Kang Geom-Ma and walked over to the window.

The frost on the glass blurred the view outside, giving it a somewhat nostalgic look.

“Well, well, our dear Geom-Ma. Going out on the weekend with a friend.”

A smile appeared on her lips as she stretched and raised her arms.

“I was just about to tell him to take a break. He’s been pushing himself way too hard lately.”

Not long ago, Kang Geom-Ma had called to ask if they could postpone today’s meeting.

He apologized several times, clearly embarrassed.

Media agreed without hesitation. In fact, she strongly encouraged him to rest. She didn’t even ask who he was going out with. She genuinely hoped Kang Geom-Ma could relax.

Canceling a meeting? Insignificant.

Media sipped her coffee. The steam rising from the cup turned to frost upon touching the glass.

“I’ll talk to the Association. They need to lighten Geom-Ma’s workload.”

As she enjoyed the moment of calm, the phone on her desk suddenly rang loudly.

— ♬♭♩♫♪

Media frowned.

“Who the hell calls on a weekend?”

As a director, she worked office hours 9 to 6, five days a week.

‘And yet.’

The reason she came to work on the weekend—besides her meeting with Geom-Ma—was that she couldn’t stand being at home. Chaos had reigned there ever since her twin sister, Meain, started living with her.

Unlike orderly Media, Meain was chaos incarnate. She ordered food three times a day and never cleaned up.

Media had tried to scold her. Meain hadn’t flinched. She just gave hollow apologies with no intent of improvement.

Media no longer had expectations, so she didn’t feel disappointment anymore either.

‘If you don’t like the temple, stop being a monk.’

She left the now-disastrous house and took refuge in her next least-worst option—the director’s office.

‘I really can’t take this anymore.’

One day she’d have to confront her. But for now, she had no choice but to endure.

“My life is exhausting.”

While sighing deeply, the phone continued to ring. Clicking her tongue, Media finally answered.

“Hello?”

— ……

No one answered. Media pulled the phone away from her ear to check the number. Unknown.

She frowned. Maybe it was her bad mood from having to work on the weekend, but suddenly a wave of irritation surged to her head.

She raised her voice into the receiver.

“Who is this? If you called, then say something!”

— ……

“What, is this a scam call or something? Hey, do you know who you’re calling? Are you one of those bloodsuckers? You’ll see, I’m going to trace this number and—”

— My daughter.

A hoarse voice, aged and coarse like sandpaper against the ear. Media’s expression instantly changed.

Only one person in the world called her that.

— Forgive me. It’s my first time using a smartphone. I didn’t even know how to make a call. Seems like just yesterday we invented the pager, and look at us now.

An ancient survivor who had lived for over two centuries.

— It’s been forty years since we spoke at your promotion ceremony to the Seven Stars. Your voice is still strong—like you swallowed a megaphone. You even sound healthier.

The highest-ranking hero of them all.

— I’m sorry for calling so suddenly with this unexpected request.

The president of the Association Victor Poison.

— Could you arrange a meeting for me with that new member of the Seven Stars, the young man they call the Heavenly Sword?

He wanted to meet the rising star.

***

If I had to pick just one benefit of attending Joaquin Academy, it’d definitely be the “subspace warp.”

A flash of purple surrounds you, you close your eyes for a moment, feel a brief wave of nausea, and when you open them—you’re standing exactly where you wanted to go. Just like now.

“From Gangwon-do, Wonju, to Busan in just 30 seconds.”

The scent of salty sea air. Ships lined up at the dock. Gulls circling and crying above the coast.

“Heh…”

A hollow laugh escaped me. The subspace warp—a method that completely ignores the laws of physics—still left me speechless, no matter how many times I used it.

‘Barriers, warps, dimensional pockets…’

It’s basically a cheat. I don’t even bother wondering why something this broken exists. In a fantasy world based on a game like Miracle Blessing M, it’s just a user-convenience system. No better way to skip the hassle of travel. One of this world’s perks.

‘But it’s so unfair.’

While some people take six hours on a congested highway to get to Busan, others do it in thirty seconds. Here, they call that a privilege.

Back on Earth, adults always said time is the same for everyone.

Lies. In this world, time is bought. It’s just another resource.

The greatest of injustices. Before, I’d have shouted, “What an unbalanced game this is!” but…

“……”

Now I stay silent. I’ve lost the right to say those things.

I’m a Hero of the Seven Stars. I’m no longer one of the oppressed—I’m part of the elite. And not just that—I hold power comparable to a national president.

I can enjoy every privilege possible. Using the warp freely, something forbidden for regular students, like it’s a trip to the bathroom. I can no longer run from the contradictions I used to criticize.

‘I can’t help it.’

Suddenly, I felt someone watching me. I turned. Ryozo was looking at me, her eyes shining. Maybe because of the cloudy sky, her light-blue irises stood out more than ever.

‘Does seeing me use the warp make me seem different to her?’

I don’t blame her. Even I feel weird about it. Trying to play it off, I asked her,

“How far is it to your place?”

“Oh, right.”

Startled, Ryozo hurriedly took out her phone. She opened the map with the saved address and showed it to me.

“We can take the bus. It’s a short ride.”

We started walking. We strolled along the coast, passed a quiet harbor. The sea breeze was cold, but not so much when you weren’t alone.

Then we caught a local bus. Since it was the weekend, it was packed.

‘If anyone recognizes me, I’m screwed.’

I worried, but luckily I had my hood. I pulled it all the way down. No one seemed to notice the “Heavenly Sword.” It felt like a low-key celebrity experience.

The bus took off. One stop passed. Luckily, two seats opened up and we sat down.

Second, third, fourth stop. The port city of Busan slowly flowed past the window.

I glanced to my side. Ryozo rested her forehead against the glass, her expression growing darker with each stop. Her hands on her lap were trembling slightly.

Rozz…

I took her hand firmly. It was cold, as expected after walking in the sea wind.

“……”

Ryozo flinched, but said nothing. Her hand stopped shaking. The shadow over her face also lightened a bit.

The bus reached its final stop. We got off and walked for about five minutes. We entered an apartment complex.

“This is it.”

It wasn’t luxurious or rundown. Just plain, modest. For the ex-wife of the Supreme Leader, it seemed far too ordinary.

‘I was expecting a mansion, at least.’

Ryozo looked around and took the lead. Only she knew the exact address, so I followed her in silence.

Step, step.

Finally, she stopped in the hallway of the building.

‘Apartment 504.’

She confirmed the number matched. There was no room for doubt. She’d checked it countless times.

But when the moment came, Ryozo hesitated.

‘Do I ring the bell? Knock? Or just leave?’

She stood still in the hallway, unsure what to do.

Tap.

Then, a large hand covered her clenched fist. Two hands joined into one.

“I’m glad I came with you.”

I gently guided her closed hand to the door. With some effort, I helped her knock.

Knock, knock. Two soft raps echoed down the hall.

And then.

Creeeak.

The sound of hinges. The door slowly began to open.