Chapter 120
Translator: True Detective
Chapter 120: How to Face the Past (6)
"Is 'engagement' something you can just throw around like that?"
I struggled to calm down the incensed Na Yuhan and the rampaging Nika.
But Nika paid no heed and continued to shower me with questions.
“Does your power have no limits? Or must specific conditions be met to activate it?”
“Ah, yes! I don't know the principle, but... when I perform certain actions, something called ‘Points’ accumulates, and I can use those points to use the power.”
“Points? An accumulation type, so, a currency! How interesting!”
“Yes. I can buy all sorts of items with those points or….”
I fell into thought for a moment.
My most secret weapon, ‘Story Twisting’.
Is it okay to reveal this much?
But if I don’t, Na Yuhan’s questions won't be resolved.
Besides, Story Twisting is the ability with the most diverse potential applications for research.
“...I can cause strange phenomena.”
As soon as I said that, Na Yuhan urgently asked me.
“Then, the incident during the Battle Tournament, did you cause that with your power?”
“Yes. But I used almost all my points back then….”
I trailed off vaguely.
To let Na Yuhan misunderstand that I have few points left.
It did actually cost a lot of points back then, so... well.
Hearing my answer, Na Yuhan nodded as if organizing his thoughts.
“How does the point accumulation work?”
“That’s what I don’t know. What I do know is... well…”
I deliberately hesitated, as if embarrassed.
Growing frustrated, Nika shouted.
“Well! What!”
“The more I’m near... the more they seem to stack up….”
“Near who?!”
“Y-Yuhan!”
“...Near me?”
Na Yuhan’s eyes widened, clearly surprised.
But regardless of Na Yuhan's shock, Nika asked a piercing question.
The one I wanted to avoid most—
“Hm? In that case, did you approach him deliberately after your first meeting—”
“No!”
I was surprised myself at how much more fiercely the words came out than I intended, when I should have spoken more calmly and rationally.
I feigned stammering, afraid he might misunderstand.
“I never approached Yuhan deliberately. By the time I realized that... it was already after I’d really come to like you.”
In that moment, a lie slipped out.
A complete lie, 100% pure.
My heart pounded without me even realizing it.
What will he say?
I hoped Na Yuhan wouldn’t hate me.
I can’t even spit out the real truth, yet I’m wishing he won’t show me a look of contempt. The contradiction is absurd.
“Okay. Thank you.”
He just smiled shyly.
I smiled back. Like a girl in love.
Na Yuhan’s face was flushing red.
Is my smile properly disguised right now?
I don’t know.
It probably is. Just like always.
But unlike always, I felt something pressing down on a corner of my chest. Guilt.
Yes. I felt guilty.
The weight of the truth that would one day be revealed, and the debt I’d incurred from the lies I’d built myself, felt fresh and new.
“...Yeah.”
You trust me.
And I am deceiving you.
His smile felt incredibly heavy.
Nika continued to ask me various things about the Meta System after that.
Even as my heart sank, I did what I had to do.
I amplified her curiosity by appropriately avoiding answers.
Because I have something to gain from her.
It was important to drop the bait, but not give away the important parts.
I had to maintain the line that raised my 'product value'.
In the end, Nika seemed to conclude that she had to get ahold of me and research me directly.
“It can’t be helped. I shall come to where you are soon! So you must be waiting! You must!”
“Yes….”
Good.
With this, I’ve achieved my primary goal.
The real transaction will be next.
I tried to suppress my pounding heart, telling myself not to rush.
Completely drained from dealing with Nika, who clung to me until the very end, I got out of the limousine with Na Yuhan.
“But do you really have no intention of becoming my fiancé?”
“None.”
…Let’s just pretend I didn’t hear that last offer.
Nika smiled broadly, satisfied, and gave a final reminder.
“I plan to transfer to Guardian Academy soon. We’ll look into your special ability then!”
“What? Guardian Academy? What brings you there?”
“Why, to help my fiancé, of course!”
“...You’re the head of the Balder Family. Is it okay for you to stay in Korea for that long? More importantly, your age…?”
“They say I’m eighteen in Korean age. I’ve finished the urgent family business, so the rest is no problem. Therefore, you need not worry!”
“Okay.”
I smiled pleasantly and saw her off as the car departed.
I thought it when I read the novel, but that bulldozer-like drive is just baffling.
Even if it’s to help her benefactor, does she have to go so far as to transfer and stay long-term?
Anyway, she’s high-spirited to a fault.
What should I say... she was a truly storm-like person.
As I stared blankly until the limousine was far in the distance, Na Yuhan hurried me, saying it was time to go back.
We walked slowly back to the hall.
As if he had been waiting, he poured out questions about my ability.
“When did you find out that the points only gather when you’re with me?”
“Remember when we were separated during the field training? The points didn't gather at all then….”
“I see. Does the distance have to be close?”
“Uhm… Maybe so?”
I walked with him along the well-decorated path and entered the building, engraving the lies I’d told, one by one, into my mind.
When we got to the floor with the ceremony hall, the group was outside, seemingly just about to return to the academy.
I trudged toward them.
Choi Sujeong, with her tail puffed up, glaring at the Fox, stood out.
On the bus ride back, Na Yuhan took the seat next to me.
Na Yuri grumbled but endured it by sitting right behind me.
She probably knows how the Meta System works, so she’s being considerate.
I secretly sent her a message on my device.
Thanks, as always.
I like you a lot.
Na Yuri Me too. I really, really, really like you!
The person who knows my true personality, who knows I’ve been given this strange power called the system.
The person closest to my true self.
The person who accepted me nonetheless.
Do you know how precious you are to me?
Even if everyone finds out my secret, my true self, and distances themselves from me, I felt like everything would be okay if you were by my side.
That’s how it felt.
Feeling a strange warmth, I smiled faintly.
After the medal award ceremony ended, midterms were just around the corner.
Choi Borim didn’t come near us, as if she had something on her mind.
Regardless, we tried to take care of Min Jaeyun whenever we had the chance.
“If Choi Borim tries anything, you have to tell us.”
“U-un…!”
“What’s gotten into him? For that Na Yuhan to be so meticulous.”
Shin Baran grumbled for show, but she fully sympathized with the need and always hovered protectively around Min Jaeyun.
Min Jaeyun seemed embarrassed but also a little happy to be taken care of.
It even seemed like she was using it as an excuse to be a bit childish.
“If Baran... hugs me... I think I’d feel more at ease…!”
“Good grief! Can’t be helped!”
They get along well.
That impression continued all the way until the midterm note-taking season began.
And as the exams loomed closer.
“Have you been waiting?! I have!”
Nika’s admission arrived in the blink of an eye.
The day she arrived at the academy, the entire campus was, of course, ablaze with talk about the head of the Balder Family.
“Did you hear the new head of the Balder Family came to Guardian Academy?”
“Nika Balder? She must have her Hunter license... Why?”
“I heard it was chaos, she dragged a whole line of servants with her. The homeroom teacher had a rough time.”
“She’s still just our age!”
Admiration, curiosity, jealousy…
Guardian Academy was boiling with all sorts of emotions, but the person herself didn’t give a damn about any of it. As soon as the morning practical class ended, as if her patience had run out, she finally barged into our classroom.
“Now, I shall take you!”
Nika mercilessly dragged me away, shaking off even the Fox, and headed for her dormitory room.
I was carried off, held preciously in her arms, utterly bewildered.
Ah, I forgot to explain to my friends.
…I don't know. The Fox and Na Yuhan will handle it somehow.
She kicked her door open, gently set me down on the bed inside, and stomped her foot as she locked the door.
Then she immediately clung to me and started rattling off.
“I’ve thought and thought about it! What to research first! What to dig into first! The power that creates items! The power that creates miracles! The power that gathers the resources to cause all those powers! All of it is fascinating!!! But the first thing I want to find out is—”
Please, let’s calm down first….
“In any case, it is time for you to resolve my questions!”
“It’s only possible during lunchtime today.”
“……”
“Looking at me like that won’t work.”
Nika clicked her tongue briefly.
“We don’t have time, so let’s be quick. First, about the operating principle of that ‘Story Twisting’.”
“Yes.”
“In that case, how many points does it cost for things that already exist as truth… things that can’t be changed even if you try?”
“Um…?”
I momentarily froze, unable to understand her question, then racked my brain.
‘Things that can’t be changed even if you try’?
For example, trying to put something that can’t be changed, like ‘Kang Nahyun is a woman,’ into Story Twisting?
Why would anyone do something so inefficient?
“I don’t know. I’ve never tried.”
“Then let’s try it now!”
“Right now?”
“Yes!”
Well, if you insist. You're about to become my sponsor, after all.
I can provide that much service.
I nodded reluctantly.
“What should I put in?”
“Hmm… ‘Na Yuhan is Nika Balder’s fiancé’ sounds good.”
It was a clear fact and not something that would change.
I put the sentence into Story Twisting.
And Story Twisting, acknowledging it was entered, spat out its own result.
[Na Yuhan is Nika Balder’s fiancé.] [0 Points] [Purchase?]
0 Points.
“It’s 0 points.”
“Will you try purchasing it?”
I purchased it as she said, but there seemed to be no change in reality.
“I pressed it….”
“Hmm… nothing changes. It doesn’t change… Then, try inputting this as well. ‘Mihail Balder almost died drinking poison in Nika Balder’s stead.’”
…What?