Chapter 32
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 32
Chapter Title: Unchanging Love-4
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A stark room.
A room that needed nothing in it.
Black Warden entered.
"Have you been well?"
Black Warden—Lee Yu-jin—took a single step inside.
"Yes, nothing's happened."
A voice responded.
The voice of his wife, the one Lee Yu-jin always loved.
"The researchers didn't harass you or anything?"
"As if they would. You know how kind everyone here is."
"…."
"If it's hard, you can close your eyes."
"I'm sorry."
Lee Yu-jin closed his eyes. An illusion unfolded before him. It felt like his wife from the past was reaching out her hand.
"Don't say that. I have eyes too, you know. I can see exactly what I look like right now."
There were no mirrors in that room.
"Have you been okay...? You're hurt! How did that happen?!"
"There was a problem during the mission. It's fine. I should be able to repair it soon."
"Time's passed that quickly already. You need to heal up fast. There are still so many people outside waiting for Hero Black Warden, right?"
"Maybe."
For Lee Yu-jin, these moments conversing with his wife were times of happiness.
He had someone he loved. He had survived and was sharing words with her. She comforted him with warm words and praised him in her lovely voice.
And at the same time, they were moments of unimaginable pain and hardship.
He confirmed with his own eyes what Black Warden had failed to protect. He felt bone-deep the price someone else had paid because of his mistake.
It hurt.
"Can I hold you?"
"As much as you want."
Something slithered up Lee Yu-jin's leg. He felt its movement without stirring.
Love still filled it. He could feel his wife's touch yearning to sense his body.
"Will you kiss me?"
"No. Something weird might get on your face. You're so handsome and cool."
"It's okay."
"I don't like it."
Beyond his closed eyes, he felt moisture. The breaths from dozens of holes tickled his skin faintly.
Normally, this would be where the conversation ended.
Lee Yu-jin confirmed his wife was safe. Sometimes he comforted her, often received comfort in turn. They verified they both still remained in this world, realizing that her change was not a nightmare but reality.
Then he started again. Returned as Hero Black Warden. Instead of gazing at what he couldn't protect, he charged full force toward what he still could.
But today was a little different.
"There might be hope."
"What are you talking about? I'm fine like this."
"That can't be."
His wife's love weighed heavy.
Black Warden resented the world. He blamed himself. He despised his powerless self before tragedy.
More than that, his wife, Kim Yoon-seul, must have felt the same.
She must have resented this wretched world. Jealous of and blaming Lee Yu-jin, despising Hero Black Warden who could do nothing before the tragedy.
Only her love was greater still.
Black Warden could face Kim Yoon-seul's changed form without trembling because of love. He could endure her touch enveloping his entire body because of affection.
Kim Yoon-seul harbored the same feelings. Love merely covered the hatred, loathing, and resentment.
She endured for her love of Lee Yu-jin. She bore it to be of help to him. She patiently suffered the pain, loneliness, and emptiness.
Because that's how Kim Yoon-seul could help Lee Yu-jin. That's how she could devote herself to the ideals they once shared.
He hated that.
"I met someone amazing. Someone connected to Humanity's Shield."
"Then you should use your abilities for even more important matters."
"It's... lucky. They said they were my fan. They might even use their ability for you."
"And what happens then?"
"We might be able to go back. If more points appear."
Silence flowed for a moment.
Yoon-seul felt it too.
The words Yu-jin spoke now weren't empty promises to instill false hope. He was talking about a situation that was actually possible, perhaps even imminent.
"Something like that can't just happen."
"I talked with Nafre. There will be a price for both you and me, sure. But compared to now, it's a much cheaper one. No reason not to do it."
Lee Yu-jin gently gripped Yoon-seul's body that wrapped his hand. As if holding hands.
"I love you, Kim Yoon-seul. That's why I want you to be happy."
"I'm happy as long as you're by my side."
"Same here. But I can't be your everything. I shouldn't be."
Silence flowed again.
"Are you trying to break up with me?"
"Of course not. It's all for you, and for me to see you return."
Yu-jin reassured Yoon-seul with a gentle smile.
"You're my trusted comrade, my closest friend, the person I love most, and my wife. Forever. You know that, right?"
"Of course. I've never once doubted you."
"Even if I give up one of those roles, I'll always be by your side. I'll love you no matter what you say. You can believe that, right?"
"...Yes."
"I love you."
Lee Yu-jin embraced Kim Yoon-seul.
Warmth he couldn't feel from her body transmitted through her heart.
He was happy.
Happy enough to give up anything for this.
Humanity's Shield Korean Branch, reception room.
Black Warden was already seated, waiting for me.
"Thank you for giving me this chance to meet again, Seong-ha."
"Yeah, I'm really glad... Ah! Your, uh, arm...."
His right shoulder and right arm were still severed.
No matter how powerful a hero he was, he couldn't fight properly in that state. Beyond that, even daily life seemed impossible.
"Thank you. No need to worry about this."
"Shouldn't you get a prosthetic or some healing soon?"
"I have an ability that lets me cleanly restore wounds like this."
"Ah...."
If he had such an ability, it might be better than clumsy treatment.
"I never heard Black Warden had regeneration powers."
"Yeah, you probably wouldn't know. The cooldown is quite long. Shortest estimate, a few years?"
"Ah...."
Well, limb loss isn't something easily fixed. It's not just about recovery; you have to create new arms, blood vessels, and muscles for that area.
It wouldn't be strange if an ability enabling that had strict conditions or usage limits.
"I'm sorry. If I'd been more alert...."
"No. Wasn't it because of me that you were in danger, Seong-ha? It's fortunate it could be resolved with just one arm."
I could only nod.
In the worst case, if I'd died there, not even 100 of Black Warden's lives could fill that void, let alone one arm.
"I heard from Nafre. About your ability, Seong-ha."
"Ah.... Yes."
"By mutual agreement, you designate an opponent as a slave, and the slave can't feel sexual arousal toward any existence but the master. Sexual penalties only apply toward the master. Is that correct?"
"Yes. That's it."
There were slight differences, but he knew most of it. No need for me to explain my ability myself.
Silence flowed.
He seemed to be casting something out from his heart.
If he'd already heard this from Nafre beforehand, he'd likely made his own decision before even speaking to me.
Yet it seemed he couldn't choose it lightly. No matter how rational the judgment or firm the decision, people hesitate at crucial moments.
"I have a request."
He looked at me with serious eyes.
"Just in case, but... I like women. I can't accept Black Warden."
"No, it's not that. I have no intention of asking for that."
"Then what?"
"Please take my wife as your slave."
"Pardon?"
The atmosphere shifted instantly.
Just seconds ago, Black Warden felt like a 'model hero devoted to justice and society.' Meeting him had a solemn documentary vibe.
Now, it felt like I'd stepped between someone else's 'love and war.'
"I... don't even know where to start."
"I beg you. It's extremely important to me."
"I'm not into affairs, so divorce first. And if you're making this request, shouldn't it be your wife coming herself, not Hero Black Warden? Though honestly, I still don't want to."
Of course, I respect others' tastes. Even if someone like Black Warden had a fetish for his wife being taken by another man, I wouldn't hate him for it.
Black Warden was a hero devoted to society, who just recently lost an arm protecting me. I couldn't despise him for having unusual sexual preferences.
'But consider my situation too.'
Separate from my respect for Black Warden, I had no intention of playing the third wheel for him.
"Divorce? Divorce. Yes... I suppose we must. Since my wife will become your woman. Yes. Probably...."
But Black Warden's eyes didn't change.
They still held the gaze of a lonely hero moved by conviction. He didn't seem to feel any shame for making this proposal to me.
He was simply sad.
"You love your wife?"
I asked, just in case.
"Yes."
He didn't hesitate a bit.
"More than anyone in this world. Enough to give her everything I have. Truly."
Just imagining his wife seemed to make him happy. A faint warmth circulated on his stiff face.
"Then why make such a proposal?"
"To protect my wife."
I couldn't say anything. His expression looked too earnest.
"Everything you said is right, Seong-ha. This isn't a decision I can make alone. But sadly... my wife can't come here by herself anymore."
"To make a contract, we'll have to meet anyway."
"Yes. Shamelessly, I ask you to come find her yourself."
He didn't seem to be joking.
"Alright, for now. I need to hear her story too."
"Thank you so much!"
"I haven't agreed to your idea yet, Black Warden."
I just wanted to see the situation.
I wanted to know why that steadfast hero Black Warden had made this choice.