Chapter 29 – The Two Faces of the Savior

Her consciousness rose with great difficulty from a sticky, damp abyss. Hayeon stared blankly at the wooden patterns on the ceiling. Along with a throbbing ache that permeated her entire body, the ghostly remnants of sensations she desperately wanted to forget drifted through her flesh. The repulsive sensation of Luo's slimy tentacles groping her skin, the alien pleasure forcing its way into her every crevice, and the endless cycle of violation that had repeated until her mind was worn to nothing.

Ah... As the horrific memories rushed over her like a tidal wave, her body trembled weakly. Yet, at the very end of that hell, a blurry image surfaced. A single ray of golden light cutting through the pitch-black despair. An overwhelming sword strike that sliced through the repulsive tentacles binding her in an instant. And soon after, a firm, dependable chest holding her close, carrying a cool, refreshing scent that chased away the foul stench of the grotesque monster. That was Hayeon's final memory, the moment she had let go of her consciousness, feeling utterly safe in his arms.

"...!" Hayeon bolted upright. It was a familiar room in ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the Wind's Lodging. The very space she had shared with Ksenia, her only true sanctuary. Her body had been wiped clean, and instead of her tattered clothes, she was dressed in a soft, fluffy pair of pajamas. As she looked around, a woman sitting on a chair nearby, wringing out a wet towel, noticed her and approached with wide, surprised eyes. It was Serena, the owner of the Wind's Lodging.

"Are you awake, Hayeon? You've been asleep for an entire day. I was so worried about you." Serena placed a hand on Hayeon's forehead and let out a sigh of relief. Her touch felt warm and comforting. "Thank goodness, your fever has gone down a lot. Wait just a moment. He has been waiting for you to wake up, so I must let him know right away." Serena spoke as if calling out toward the hallway, then immediately left the room. "Hayeon is awake!" Through the crack in the door, her busy figure could be seen hurrying away.

Him...? Hayeon's heart began to pound furiously. Could it be... Ksenia Eonni...?! Eonni is back! She returned from her dungeon mission and... and saved me! Yes, that solid, dependable feeling at the end, it had to be Eonni! A spark of hope lit up her eyes. The embrace of the sister she missed so dearly, her gentle voice. Her heart swelled as she imagined Ksenia, red hair fluttering, swooping in to rescue her. She slid out of bed, intending to head toward the door. Right then, the door creaked open. Screeech— Hayeon's expectant gaze darted to the entrance. But the person who stepped through was not the red-haired warrior she so desperately yearned for.

"Oh, you're finally awake, Sleeping Beauty." Stepping into the room with a sly, smirking smile was a man with dazzling blonde hair. A rough stubble added to his masculine charm, and through his half-unbuttoned shirt, healthy bronze skin stretched over well-defined, sculpted muscles. Standing easily over 190 centimeters tall with broad shoulders, and above all, an overwhelming aura of absolute confidence, he instantly dominated the air in the room.

Hayeon caught her breath. ...Who? Her mind went completely blank. Rather than disappointment that it wasn't Ksenia, she was utterly paralyzed by the sheer, crushing presence the man exuded. He was the literal incarnation of a "blonde-haired playboy"—the classic archetype she had seen countless times in manga and novels in her past life.

"Don't remember me? Well, you were out cold, so I guess that's fair." The man chuckled, casually throwing himself onto the chair beside the bed. His amber eyes shone with a playful glint as he stared intently at Hayeon. "The name's Gold Sun. I'm the knight in shining armor who saved you from that disgusting tentacle monster." At his smug tone, Hayeon's face flushed red without her realizing it. The horrific memory of what Luo had done to her flared up, filling her with shame, but at the same time, his words of having "saved" her brought a profound sense of relief. The owner of the golden flash and the solid chest in her final memory was indeed this man.

"Lilia was worried sick about you and practically begged me to keep an eye on you. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Asked me to look after you if anything happened. So, I went searching. I never expected to find you in such a state, though. If I'd been even a little later, it would've been over for you, little lady." Gold Sun shrugged. His words carried a subtle hint of boasting, a smug pride in the fact that he was the one who had rescued her.

Lilia Eonni... was worried about me... That blunt Eonni was actually looking out for me like this... Hayeon pictured Lilia's prickly yet warm face. The realization that she had cared enough to ask such an incredible person to look after her sent a wave of deep, warm emotion through her chest.

"Thank you... truly... You saved my life. I don't even know how to begin to thank you..." Hayeon bowed her head in sincere gratitude.

"Are you alright? Your face is still awfully pale. Has the fever gone down?" Gold Sun stood up and approached her. He naturally reached out and placed his hand on Hayeon's forehead. His hand was large and calloused, but the warmth radiating from it strangely put Hayeon's mind at ease. It was a different kind of comfort from Ksenia's—one that could only be felt from a rough, powerful man.

Instantly, Hayeon's face flushed as red as a ripe apple. Her heart began to beat wildly, completely out of control. W-what is this feeling...? I-I have Ksenia Eonni! I love Eonni! So why... why is my heart fluttering like this at this man's touch?! It's just because he saved me, so I'm just relieved. That's it. It has to be... She screamed inwardly, utterly thrown into chaos. It felt as though her body and mind were betraying her own will.

"Oh? You still have a bit of a fever. Are you sure you're okay?" Gold Sun's low voice cut through her chaotic thoughts.

"N-no! I'm fine! I... I'm perfectly fine! I'm completely healthy! Really!" Hayeon flustered, taking a step back to avoid his hand. Seeing her panic, an amused smirk played on Gold Sun's lips. It was as if he could see right through her inner turmoil.

"Is that so? Good to hear. Get some rest. I'll be stepping out for a bit, so if you need anything, just tell Serena." Gold Sun chuckled, then strolled out of the room with an easy, confident stride. Once he left, only the lingering trace of his powerful presence and his cool, refreshing scent remained in the room.

Hayeon collapsed onto ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the bed, her strength completely leaving her. She cupped her burning cheeks with both hands. Ksenia Eonni... I miss you. Please come back soon. Lilia Eonni... thank you, truly. And... Gold Sun... At the final image of his face, Hayeon yelled out before she could stop herself. "No! It's not like that! I only have Eonni! You stupid heart, why are you beating on your own?!" She stomped her feet like a child on the bed, kicking the blankets wildly.

She couldn't understand her own heart. Her longing and love for Ksenia, contrasted with the fluttering excitement and relief she felt from Gold Sun. Trying to sort out her chaotic thoughts, she suddenly wanted to check her physical condition. It was a miracle that her body felt so clean after going through such a horrific ordeal, and that Luo's filthy energy had completely vanished. She quietly closed her eyes and called upon her status window. Status Window.

"...What is this?" Hayeon stared blankly at the unfamiliar titles and their descriptions. Golden Guardian. Gold Sun. That man's name was engraved onto her status window like a brand. It was proof that, regardless of her own will, a part of her very existence had already become intertwined with him.

And below that, the title One Blessed by Light caught her eye. Immunity to curses and corruption. This was the reason why the filthy energy Luo had defiled her with had vanished, and her body had been purified. That man... went this far for ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠me... The deep consideration and sacrifice hidden behind his smug smile and playful tone. As she realized this, a warm wave of gratitude welled up in Hayeon's heart. Amidst the chaotic whirlpool of emotions, a clear feeling of gratitude surfaced. She was swept up in a complex, intense emotion, entirely different from what she felt for Ksenia. How should she treat this man? A new dilemma was beginning to take root.

Meanwhile, Gold Sun, who had just closed the door behind him, stood leaning against the hallway wall. Hearing Hayeon's muffled screams and thrashing from inside the room, the satisfied smirk on his lips grew even wider. I knew she was an interesting little rabbit, but to think she'd react like this. Grinning, he walked over to Serena, who was waiting for him at the end of the hallway. Without a moment's hesitation, he reached out and firmly squeezed her voluptuous buttocks.

"Serena Nuna. Got some time tonight?" At his blatant touch and suggestive voice, Serena's face flushed crimson. She lowered her head shyly and leaned into his chest. "I don't have... any more guests tonight, Gold Sun." Completely enveloped in his embrace, Serena led him toward her room. As their shadows vanished down the end of the hallway, it signaled the beginning of a long, decadent night.