1188 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

"Hello." The voice that slipped into my ear reverberated through my bones, indifferent but achingly cold. Although I couldn't count the days since I last heard it, not once had I forgotten that voice. I missed it. Unable to see her, it festered within me, strangely poignant. Not realizing, I carelessly attempted to forget, only to laugh wryly upon rediscovering it. I realized. I missed you. Without differentiating whether it was 'you' or 'all of you,' I simply wanted to see you. Despite living desperately, struggling and resisting a wretched fate, screaming silently, I wasn't unaware of the reason I clenched my teeth and pressed on, as if I might shatter. "You..." I could feel the tremble in my voice, betrayed by my inability to control it, making me sound awkward and foolish. But I made no effort to compose myself. I lacked even the leisure to do so. "......" Those were azure eyes. Looking at her, those eyes were likened to the sea and the sky, beautiful beyond mere sense. Hyun So Young, who seemed like she always wore a slight smile, was gone. In her place was a face utterly expressionless, with eyes betraying no thoughts. As her expression faded away, leaving the cold impression beyond, I asked the person I had longed to see. "......Why are you here?" How have you been? I missed you. I pushed such unhelpful sentiments aside. Words that, even if spoken, couldn't be picked back up held no meaning for me now. And so I didn't voice them. Yet the owner of those cerulean eyes seemed to consider such thoughts laughable. "I... missed you." "......" She effortlessly uttered the words I couldn't manage to say. Those words stopped me cold. Involuntarily, at that. I barely restrained a sigh. Fended off something threatening to burst forth. After forcibly pressing down, I spoke while hiding my unrest. "Why are you here?" I barely found strength in my quavering voice. To be precise, I pretended to be strong. It felt like I might crumble if I didn't. "Why are you in Hyun So Young's body... Do you know what that body is? Or how you even got here in the first place...?" "I don't... want to know." "What?" Her—presumably Namgung Bi-ah's—words caught me off guard, widening my eyes. You don't want to know? "......I don't want to know." "What are you talking about? Why wouldn't you want to know—" "I'm not curious. I'm... not curious about such things." "......" Before I could respond, Namgung Bi-ah took a step closer. As she approached, I caught a hint of her scent. Surely it was the same fragrance, yet somehow it seemed heavier. Her pale hand rose to gently stroke my cheek. "......Does it hurt anywhere?" "......" "Your stomach." Of all things to ask, is that what she chose? A hollow laugh escaped me. It was absurd and yet warmth surged within. The emptiness that had lingered for so long filled with those simple words. Even if they were just words. "...What are you worrying about? Do I look like I'm in pain?" Even today, I foolishly and clumsily put on a brave front. My trivial pride reared its head, and I sought out nonexistent pride only to find it crumpled and lost. "That's not it. I asked who you are." Because those concerns would only weaken me, I hurried past them, pretending ignorance. Even at this point. "How did you get here? This place is..." A world meant only for me. A false reality created by my mother and altered by our ancestors. In such a world, for Namgung Bi-ah to appear suddenly. And as if to throw everything into disarray— 'Of all people, in Hyun So Young's body.' A possession suspected to be by Hyun So Young, enveloping Namgung Bi-ah. Was it entirely by chance? I thought not. "What did you do?" How did she come here? A place not easily reached simply by desire. I sought answers from Namgung Bi-ah, but... "I searched." "What?" "I wanted to see you, so I searched." "......" As always, Namgung Bi-ah's words were like that. "...I understand you searched, but how did you find your way here?" How did you, who was supposed to be in Zhongyuan, get here? Though suffocated, I restrained myself and asked. "......" Namgung Bi-ah merely gazed steadfastly at me in silence. After a small passage of time in silence. "I won't tell you." "What?" Namgung Bi-ah said something unexpected. "You won't tell me?" "I won't tell you." "What kind of nonsense is that? Why won't you tell me?" "It's... something I can't tell." "What...?" "It's a promise." "..." I furrowed my brow upon hearing the word "promise." Suddenly, a chill swept across my back. A promise? '...Promise?' What kind of promise that makes her unable to speak? Considering Namgung Bi-ah's nature, 'promise' only meant one thing. 'Prohibition.' It means a promise and indicates prohibition. That's what it seemed Namgung Bi-ah was talking about. '...Prohibition?' Namgung Bi-ah was caught in prohibition? And to think she came here through that. This means... 'Could it be...' Clasp—! The thought struck me, and I instantly grabbed Namgung Bi-ah by the shoulders. "Who did you make a contract with?" This world was created by the power of an owner. If she managed to come through and enter here. And if she even came with an imposed prohibition— "Just who...?" What kind of entity could she make such an arrangement with? I asked, my eyes trembling as I looked at Namgung Bi-ah. "......" She only looked at me with clear, unwavering eyes. No answer came. Is even this bound by prohibition? Frustration and annoyance began to rise when suddenly— Sweep. Namgung Bi-ah tenderly caressed my cheek once more. "It's alright." "What's alright about this?" Anger began to boil. "Why don't you just stay put? What have you done again?" Getting entangled with an unknown being isn't allowed. Now I know too well how capricious and chaotic these beings are. If Namgung Bi-ah became involved with such beings, it would be disastrous. 'To prevent just that—' I had been fighting to survive in this harsh world. As I bit my lip, staring intently at Namgung Bi-ah. "I'm alright." Namgung Bi-ah smiled. "I've seen you." "Don't spout nonsense. How is that alright—" "Heat surged up, and I was about to speak, but." "This time." Namgung Bi-ah interrupted me. "I'll save you. So wait." With an unreadable longing on her expressionless face, she assured me, "I will definitely." She said to me with conviction. "I'll do it." "......" All of a sudden, saying she'd save me—what was she talking about? I was puzzled and was about to ask. Snap. "Oh." A tingling sensation creeped across my skin. Namgung Bi-ah reacted to the sight. "Let's see each other again." She spoke quickly. Before I could even respond to her words— Flick! "......Oh." Her body—Hyun So Young's body—collapsed in an instant. I hurriedly supported her sagging form. Feeling the weight of her powerless body in my arms made my expression harden. It reminded me of what the Ancestor had said. '......Namgung Bi-ah's appearance was not intended.' An unforeseen anomaly, outside the expectations of my mother and the Ancestor. 'Who could it be?' Whose doing was this? What choice did she make? With a grinding noise, my grip tightened. Whoever it was, if they had manipulated Namgung Bi-ah... "I'll tear them apart." Whatever it took, I would obliterate them and erase their existence from the world. My energy drained, yet my body expanded on its own accord. As a murderous aura began to envelop my physique— Crack. A sound from behind caught my attention, and I turned my head. There stood a youth with a familiar demeanor, watching me. Startled-! The moment our eyes met, his eyes widened. 'Namgung Jin?' The young man was Namgung Jin. Why was he here...? His sudden appearance took me by surprise. I hadn't noticed him approach due to my dulled senses. Then, as Namgung Jin saw me, his expression twisted sharply. What was that about? I wondered why such a face, and then realization struck me. 'Ah.' I realized whose body was cradled in my arms. '......Hyun So Young.' Namgung Jin's fiancée. I realized I was holding her. "No... it's not like that." I stammered, trying to explain to Namgung Jin. "......All these guys. Tch." Namgung Jin clicked his tongue with irritation, turning away swiftly. His demeanor said he had seen something he shouldn't, and I swallowed my words. 'Darn it.' Once more, it seemed like I'd fallen into a misunderstanding. * * * After taking unconscious Hyun So Young to her chamber, I moved swiftly. Though Namgung Jin was on my mind, there was somewhere I needed to be first. "......Is your body alright?" "Yes, I'm alright." Jin Yeon-Ryeong watched with a worried expression, looking between me and Gu Seon. Her concern was palpable. Father stood beside her. Gu Seong-Yeol hadn't come. He must have had his reasons. "......Just why is she with you...?" Jin Yeon-Ryeong's face clouded as she spoke, glancing at Gu Seon. In response, Gu Seon pulled a strange face. "......Why do you make such a different face when looking at me compared to my little brother?" "Baek Gongja saved you, while you were the one causing trouble." Smack-! "Ouch!" Gu Seon cried out as she was hit on the back. "Mom! I'm a patient!" "Do you want to stay quiet or not!?" Watching them shout, it seemed she wasn't hurt after all. While observing this, Gu Seon suddenly looked at me. "......Are you laughing?" "I'm not laughing." "Lower those lips and say it. You’re not even trying to lie, are you?" "..." Oh dear, did she notice? This is why sharp-witted people are something else. "Blame not the convalescent Baek Gongja." "......Hey, I'm a patient too, you know? I'm in pain—no, more like I'm in more pain..." "Tsk." "......" Gu Seon clammed up at Jin Yeon-Ryeong's reaction. She looked quite frustrated, but seemed to have nothing more to say. At that moment. "It will be alright." Father, who had been silently observing, suddenly spoke. "What do you mean?" "I mean, Baek Yangcheon probably isn't in severe condition either." 'What?' Out of nowhere, he was talking about me? What was that supposed to mean? While I was puzzled. —Rumor has it you were wrapped up with Miss Hyun just now. You must be fine. "......" Father's telepathic message made me swallow dryly. '......Darn Namgung Jin.' So during all that, he'd tattled to Father...? Misunderstandings deepened immeasurably.