#084
‘They must have been really worried about my mental state.’
Thinking that, I felt a bit proud of my decision to take care of myself more actively and try to recover my mental health.
“Um, so… We were talking about guiding, right?” Hyun Dowoon said after taking a sip of juice.
I coughed and rolled my eyes. Come to think of it, I ran away while talking about physical contact…!
“Don’t worry. I have no intention of doing intense guiding when you’re not ready, Jaeha-ssi. I’m sure Esper Shin Haejun feels the same way?”
Hyun Dowoon spoke in a kind voice and asked Shin Haejun as if expecting him to agree. Shin Haejun nodded silently.
I felt a bit relieved and swallowed a sigh of relief, only to hiccup.
Contrary to their words, both of their eyes were shining brightly. I could feel that their attitudes would change drastically the moment they judged that I was ‘ready’.
I trembled slightly, thinking that I should be careful not to get weak-kneed during physical contact.
***
After telling the two to rest a bit, I said I was going to wash up to talk with Nine. Now that we had settled how our relationship would progress, it was time to resolve the curiosity I had put off. Since I was going to ask anyway, I prepared a bath in the bedroom bathroom so I could ask for a long time. I also played music on my phone in case they couldn’t hear my voice.
There were three things I wanted to ask. Whether Kim Sehyun was involved in my power being sealed in some form, whether Shin Haejun letting go of me was due to the novel’s compulsion, and why only Shin Haejun was subject to the compulsion.
While not immediately important, in a way, these were also extremely important things.
First, if Kim Sehyun did seal my power, depending on how I could get it back, my situation could change dramatically. The chances of Shin Haejun surviving without Kim Sehyun would be much higher, and my position would change a lot too.
And if I could understand when the novel’s compulsion occurs and its principles, my survival probability would increase significantly. If Hyun Dowoon decided that he needed to involve Shin Haejun for my sake despite not liking it, it must be because he thought it was necessary. Certainly, having S-class espers take turns protecting me was not something I needed to refuse.
However, if Shin Haejun continued to be dragged along by the novel’s compulsion, it could backfire. If he becomes unable to move at a crucial moment or moves according to the author’s thoughts, I could be harmed.
‘First, I need to confirm for sure. Why suddenly, unlike before, could the author intervene more in this dungeon?’
Whether Hyun Dowoon had definitely broken free from the compulsion was also an issue that needed to be confirmed.
‘All the questions feel crucial, so I’m not sure if Nine will be able to answer properly…’
I sat in the warm water and turned on my phone.
“Nine, I have something to ask.”
: Yeonsoo-nim, I need some rest time too! I’m not just someone who answers questions!
At Nine’s words, I thought for a moment and then apologized, “Sorry.”
I’ve only been calling Nine when I needed something. Of course, since Nine is the game’s main NPC, it’s natural from a user’s perspective, but I felt a bit sorry. It’s because Nine doesn’t feel like a simple NPC. It’s more like an artificial intelligence that’s as advanced as a human.
“Then should I call later? I’m really curious though…”
As I spoke, looking sheepish, Nine suddenly started rapid-firing sentences.
: When did I say I wouldn’t answer?
“Ah, good. First… It seems like my power is sealed, is Kim Sehyun involved in that?”
: Hmm . . . .
Is it something they can’t answer after all?
Just as I was about to move on to the next question, Nine suddenly continued.
: That’s right.
“Specifically, did Kim Sehyun take my power?”
: Half right.
“Half right? I thought it would be a yes or no… Explain more specifically.”
As I said that, I threw punches into the air. So Kim Sehyun was really involved? I won’t let this slide! I don’t know what to do right away, but I’ll expose his true nature and reclaim my power!
: I can’t mention the other half yet. I’m sorry Nine’s power is lacking..
When Nine even apologized, I felt like I had done something wrong again. I shook my head out of habit, even though I knew Nine couldn’t see it.
“No, it’s not something to be sorry about. Can I ask the second question then?”
: What is it this time?
“Before entering the boss in the dungeon, Haejun let go of my hand. But it seems like the author forcibly made it happen, why did the compulsion only occur then?”
Nine was silent for a while before answering my question.
: That’s a really important question!
Nine suddenly became energetic and rapid-fired long sentences.
: Although the author’s power has decreased, they’re still the creator! They can freely intervene in certain situations!
“What are those certain situations?”
: The logline! It’s a prophecy! It has rules that must be fulfilled!
“What’s a… logline?”
: A logline is a one-line concept that penetrates the core of the writing! It’s a prophecy that determines how this world will progress!
Nine’s face looked so contemptuous as it said this that I nodded, feeling preemptively guilty.
“Then what’s the content of this logline?”
: You should check it as a quest reward? Why are you trying to get it for free?
With all the closeness we’ve built up, you can’t even tell me that! I gave a disappointed look, but of course, Nine inside the phone screen couldn’t understand.
I felt it was very unfair, but I also thought that it might be a situation where Nine couldn’t tell me regardless of their will, so I quietly accepted it.
“Then give me the next quest.”
: *Has your personality exploded?*
Quest Grade: C
The main character who’s about to be kicked out of their pair is coming to find the male lead! What if the main character, whose weapon is tears, complains and loses their ally? Let’s expose the main character’s exploded personality to the male leads and have them publicly executed!
TIP: The male leads must voluntarily say the phrase ‘trash personality’.
Reward: ???
Kim Sehyun is coming to find Shin Haejun? It wasn’t particularly surprising news. There’s no way Kim Sehyun would accept the termination of the pair contract that he was so proud of just because Shin Haejun said so once.
‘I just need to expose Kim Sehyun’s true nature…’
I wondered why this was rated C grade, but when I opened the tip, there was a slightly tricky condition attached.
If they have to say it voluntarily, it seems I can’t approach them by asking them to call Kim Sehyun a ‘trash personality’ after seeing him. That means I really need to draw out Kim Sehyun’s bad personality in a way that anyone can see…
‘Kim Sehyun won’t show his true colors in front of Shin Haejun and Hyun Dowoon.’
Since Kim Sehyun never shows his true face when others are around, the two of them should be absent.
So I should hide them in a room or somewhere and have them listen…
‘I should put away the shoes.’
Since I don’t know when Kim Sehyun will arrive, and I need to erase all traces of anyone being here, I thought it would be best to finish bathing right away.
Kim Sehyun needs to say something outrageous. He needs to say something so terrible that anyone would see his personality as trash. It’s the first time I’ve ever wanted to hear someone badmouth others.
‘I must get the reward.’
Although I hadn’t been sitting for long, I immediately drained the bathtub. I’m going to get thoroughly insulted and complete this quest no matter what!
After washing roughly and quickly drying my hair, I came out wearing comfortable clothes. Hyun Dowoon and Shin Haejun were sitting askew, not looking at each other, but they both looked at me simultaneously.
“Aren’t you tired?”
I asked, frowning. Constantly being on edge with each other was quite energy-consuming. Weren’t they tired after just coming out of the dungeon and having fought? Besides, neither of them was wearing comfortable clothes like me.
“I’m fine. Comfortable clothes suit you well too.”
Hyun Dowoon said nonchalantly, as if his own fatigue was none of his concern.
“Haejun, have you heard from Kim Sehyun?”
“Don’t know.”
Not yes or no, but don’t know?
I was about to say what kind of answer is that, but Shin Haejun explained smoothly.
“I’ve already blocked him. I told my secretary to handle it so he wouldn’t contact me.”
Hmm… Kim Sehyun must really be about to go crazy.
If he confronts me while furious, he’s likely to act out even more dramatically, which wouldn’t be bad.
“There’s something I want to ask…”
“What is it?”
When I spoke casually as if dropping a hint, Shin Haejun asked with sparkling eyes.
“Kim Sehyun will be coming soon-”
“Did he contact you saying he’s coming? Why is he coming here?”
As soon as I mentioned Kim Sehyun’s name, Shin Haejun frowned as if he was sick of it. It seemed he didn’t even want to think about Kim Sehyun anymore, as he kept causing problems in our relationship.
I too have a desperate wish that this meeting would be the last. Though I’m not sure if it will work out.
“I should tell him to get lost.”
Shin Haejun muttered with a grim face.
This time, that would be problematic. He shouldn’t leave before even arriving… I need to successfully get insulted…
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
