Yggdrasil (3-7)
I hummed softly as I scanned the safe zone.
Perfect timing.
I left Han Yeoreum off to the side by herself and started our picnic with Han Bom, the stream gurgling right beside us.
The sun was just starting to take on an orange hue, turning redder by the minute, so it wasn't exactly the worst moment to isolate her.
But that smell... I just couldn't stomach it anymore.
At first, bundled up tight in the cloth sack, it hadn't been so bad. But as time passed, the stench spread wider and wider.
No one in their right mind would want to eat with that assaulting their nose.
By the time we finished our meal, I realized Han Yeoreum was gone.
And about two hours later...
Han Yeoreum has died.
The culprit who kidnapped Han Yeoreum...
How'd it go?
Armonia: Fortunately, there were no complaints about the mission. She even seemed disappointed to be heading back.
It was Beatrice.
I'd given her the same cleaning solution I'd used on Han Yeoreum before, along with one simple request.
While we looked away for a moment, cast Sleep on her, tie her up, and toss her into a monster pack.
Even Beatrice wouldn't have done it without that cleaning solution.
Humming to myself, I pressed the upper floor button.
Alright, let's see.
Han Yeoreum... what kind of reaction will you show this time?
Whoosh!
A blue light enveloped my vision, welcoming me to the first floor for the first time.
And the spot we emerged into had...
"S-Su-ho..."
Min Hayeon, panicking at the sight of me...
And Han Yeoreum, vomiting her guts out as she collapsed.
"Urk..."
Round 3.
The number of the loop Han Bom and I had just gone through in Primum.
And Round 3 started off feeling completely different from before.
Min Hayeon panicked at Han Yeoreum's sudden collapse, and while she was out cold, Han Bom appeared.
After an emotional reunion with Min Hayeon, she guided us to the inn and began explaining the situation.
But none of Han Bom's words reached my ears.
Only one woman filled my vision.
Wow... Hayeon is seriously gorgeous.
Her long, straight brown hair gleaming with a subtle sheen, a white blouse sheer enough to hint at her underwear here and there, jeans hugging her hips perfectly.
Stamina and focus so intense, she'd probably wear me out first in a real tussle.
It had been so long since I'd seen her—I wanted to rush over, kiss her, and get down to business right then and there.
I want to.
Armonia: ....
As I stared her down, practically aching inside, Min Hayeon noticed from her seat beside me and turned with a tilt of her head.
"Huh? What's up? Something on my face?"
"Ah... just, seeing you like this, I realized you're really pretty."
"W-what? Suddenly...?"
Min Hayeon blushed, scratching her cheek with a shy smile.
And Han Bom watched us with a sullen expression.
I felt bad for Han Bom, but I couldn't exactly shower her with affection right now.
We had to keep the regression under wraps.
Stoking a bit of jealousy was actually to my advantage in more ways than one.
The two of them won't actually get into a real fight later, right?
Catfights were fun only up to playful bickering.
The moment hair-pulling started, it was game over.
Armonia: Their bond is strong enough that I doubt it'll come to that.
Good, then.
Reassured inwardly, I tuned back into Han Bom's explanation.
"Anyway... this inn is like our last bastion here."
"Bom, you must've had it rough."
As Armonia predicted, the two embraced, tearing up.
Damn... Bom's got some acting chops. Faking emotion like that ain't easy... Hayeon sucks at it, so she'd look suspicious right away.
Min Hayeon wasn't the type for theatrics or forced tears—she was too straightforward and tough for that.
Which meant her emotion was genuine upon seeing Han Bom.
After their heartfelt reunion, Min Hayeon approached me softly.
"Su-ho, can we talk alone for a sec...?"
"Yeah?"
She led me behind the inn.
Oho! Is she gonna give it to me right here?
Armonia: It's still broad daylight, and people pass by constantly. You'd get caught.
It was a secluded inn on the village outskirts, but with so many noobs crashing here, any funny business would blow up fast.
Curious about this new event, I watched as Min Hayeon checked for onlookers and got serious.
"Su-ho, doesn't this feel off?"
"Huh? What?"
"That... thing with Yeoreum earlier. Why'd she pass out like that?"
"Uh? Probably trauma from what went down in the waiting village?"
Wait... this vibe ain't good.
Min Hayeon tapped her chin, rubbing it thoughtfully before whispering.
"Yeoreum... what if she regressed?"
"What?"
Her words left me stunned, barely able to respond.
Misreading my face, she pressed on with her theory.
"It's weird, right? She was exhausted before, but not that bad. Suddenly collapsing like that... it just screams..."
From Min Hayeon's perspective, it had to seem bizarre.
Even wrecked from the waiting village, Han Yeoreum wouldn't faint.
She'd have charged at me to kill instead.
Min Hayeon's suspicion stemmed from how alien Han Yeoreum felt now.
I nodded along vaguely.
"Now that you mention it, Hayeon, that makes sense."
"Right? And if that's the case..."
"...?"
"Her regression point might've changed."
"..."
Impressive.
I knew about regressions firsthand, but Min Hayeon wasn't even aware of them.
Figuring it out solo without that knowledge?
Damn... gotta play this careful. Too much fun and she'll catch on—headache waiting to happen.
I love Min Hayeon.
But I love Han Bom too.
Sooner or later, Min Hayeon would catch on about me and Han Bom.
It was inevitable.
Couldn't break Han Yeoreum's spirit without risking exposure...
But the key was minimizing any rift between Han Bom and Min Hayeon when it happened.
And I had a good way to handle that.
I stared at Min Hayeon, lost in thought.
The wall... is it really okay?
I'd marked her with Subordination early on, but skipped the wall.
Instinct just recoiled at the idea.
No guilt putting them on those noble girls before, and I could slap one on the beauty trio no problem.
But Min Hayeon was different.
Armonia: Su-ho... the wall will bypass her will, yes. But leaving no restraints at all makes her the perfect chain binding you.
Hmm.
Armonia: Strengthening Subordination will eventually yield better methods anyway.
...Fine.
Even though I'd already decided, my hesitation might've just been wanting Armonia's reassurance.
Some persuasion to ease the guilt.
Seeing my grim face, Min Hayeon looked worried.
"Su-ho, don't stress too much. We'll figure it out like always."
"...Yeah."
I smiled and pulled her into a light hug. She froze for a second, then flashed a seductive smile.
"Mm? Right here? Isn't that bold?"
"Just wanna hold you like this now."
"Aigoo, my Seong Su-ho."
She laughed playfully, stroking my hair.
As her smile bloomed, I inscribed the wall.
The instant it took hold, Min Hayeon shuddered, her face flushing red.
"Hng?"
"What's wrong?"
"N-nothing. Just suddenly, like... what the..."
But her words cut off at the interruption.
"Unnie?"
"Hyat!"
Thwack!
"Gahk!"
At Han Bom's voice, Min Hayeon shoved me away chest-first, and I flew back from the double palm strike.
"B-Bom! W-what's up?"
"Well..."
Han Bom glanced at me sidelong, forcing a bitter smile before speaking.
"It's dinnertime. Wanna eat together?"
"Sure!"
Min Hayeon shot me an apologetic look and headed to Han Bom.
But Han Bom stood stock-still, silent even as she approached.
"Bom, let's go."
"..."
"Bom?"
Min Hayeon called again, and Han Bom finally turned to me.
"That... mister should eat with us too."
Han Yeoreum groaned, head pounding like she'd taken a hammer to the skull, as she slowly opened her eyes.
"Urgh... w-where am I?"
"Hey, you okay?"
"Kyaaak!"
She jolted upright behind the bed at the woman's voice, heart racing.
Once composed, she saw Han Bom arms crossed, looking at her pitifully.
Han Yeoreum scanned around, piecing together the connection.
And then it clicked.
Did I die back then, regress, and pass out right after from the shock?
Monsters tearing into her like a toy.
Pure hell.
If she'd fought back with a weapon, they'd have killed her quick out of threat.
But sensing no resistance, packs of them toyed with her, biting playfully.
It took over ten minutes of that torment before blood loss finally ended it.
The problem? Regressing and blacking out immediately from the trauma.
"Han Bom?"
"Haa... at least you recognize me."
Han Bom sighed, playing dumb as she peppered her with questions.
"What the hell made you pass out like that? And Hayeon unnie... what's the deal with that mister?"
"M-mister? Fuck! I'm gonna kill that bastard!!!"
"Shut up, idiot! You're not alone here!"
At "mister," veins bulged on Han Yeoreum's forehead and eyes as she lost it.
Han Bom barely calmed her down after a while.
But that calm was only on her lips.
Every cell in her body screamed to kill Seong Su-ho.
"Haa, haa, haa..."
"Explain properly."
"..."
Only now did Han Yeoreum truly see Han Bom.
That sassy expression, blunt curses.
This was still the face she showed Seong Su-ho.
All Han Yeoreum wanted was to protect that side of her.
For now, gotta watch that bastard close...
Using Min Hayeon's failure as fertilizer, Han Yeoreum cooled her head, turning calculating.
"Well..."
She explained everything with Seong Su-ho and Min Hayeon on the climb up—in exaggerated detail.
Han Bom reacted just as before.
"You expect me to believe that?"
And reached the same conclusion.
"Just focus on unnie for now. I'll handle the mister..."
"No!"
"Idiot, keep it down."
Reined in by Han Bom's snap, Han Yeoreum spoke up.
"Absolutely not. That fucker probably did something weird to Hayeon too."
"That doesn't make sense. He'd turn Red Summoner instantly."
"Urgh... I don't know. Just don't go near him! Got it?"
"Then how do we get unnie back?"
"Th-that's..."
Han Yeoreum already had a plan.
First: Dig into Seong Su-ho's background, figure out his game.
Won't be easy, but with loops, I can spy covertly and uncover his schemes.
Second: Link up with the Red Summoner group.
Last time, he stuck to me, blocking them. This time, recreate that and wait for contact.
The Red Summoners.
She hated them enough to kill them all.
But right now, they were her only option.
Reviving memories of their past deal, she'd follow the same route.
Seong Su-ho... this time, I'll use those bastards to kill you for good. First...
Unaware of his ties to the Red Crescent, Han Yeoreum steeled herself and asked Han Bom.
"Where's that fucker now?"