Chapter 370
Chapter 370
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: 370. Wish
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-Crack!
The pen shatters in Song Arin's hand.
What the hell are you doing to that incredible thing right now.
It can change reality, and more than anything—
More than anything?
Staring at the pen splitting in half, I felt like I'd just woken from a dream.
I realized how utterly ridiculous the thoughts I'd been having up until that moment were.
It was just a containment object pen, so why was I so worked up about it?
No, wait. Actually, the real question was why I'd been so invested in a containment object...
-Splatter...
The broken pen halves drop to the floor,
and only then did my mind feel like it snapped back into place.
"Huh...!"
My head felt foggy, like I'd just woken from a long dream.
That didn't mean I couldn't remember what I'd been doing all this time, though.
And at the same time,
Song Arin collapses into my arms.
"Arin!"
I hurriedly catch her and check her complexion.
Her complexion wasn't the issue.
Blood was streaming from her eyes, her nose, everywhere.
"Arin, come on, snap out of it. Arin!"
I frantically call her name, and Song Arin, who had her eyes closed, slowly opens them as if she'd heard my voice.
...
After opening her eyes and looking at me, she lets out a small chuckle.
"You look awful."
"You're one to talk."
Her face was completely covered in blood.
"You haven't even looked in a mirror. I'm covered in blood too right now."
Hearing that, Song Arin chuckles again and leans into me fully.
...
Has she passed out?
Her eyes close just like that.
Supporting her, I stare at the door in front of us.
From what I remember, going through this door should lead to the exit.
...
The problem is that the pen, which had been guiding me until moments ago, is now completely destroyed.
Song Arin smashed it, and thanks to her, I survived, but there's no guarantee that beyond this door is the exit.
I pull up the translucent window.
[Shared Story: 0]
Even after the pen was destroyed, the joint ability Shared Story hasn't disappeared.
Does that mean the pen isn't the medium for this joint ability?
...
Everything is a mystery.
"Let's do this."
I hoist Song Arin onto my back and kick the door open.
Beyond the door stretches a pitch-black sky.
..."If this was the exit, I wouldn't have any wishes left. Right?"
Hearing me, Song Arin struggles to open her eyes, gazes at the scene ahead, then closes them again and whispers in a fading voice.
"Has anything ever gone our way...?"
...
True enough.
I adjust my hold on Song Arin and sort through my thoughts.
If we fail, we'll have to spend a month here.
Spending a month itself isn't the problem, but in Song Arin's current condition, staying a month in a place with zero infrastructure would definitely kill her.
Honestly, my own condition isn't great either.
My eyes still ache, and my body feels sore all over, like I'd been beaten by something.
But more than that, I'm worried about Song Arin.
...
I look at her, breathing shallowly and letting out pained groans.
I have my mental barrier to rely on, so even after grabbing the pen, I'm only this messed up, but Song Arin is visibly wrecked.
"Let's go."
Saying that, I start walking with her in my arms.
As I carry her and keep moving, I continue my train of thought.
Shared Story is still active even after the pen broke.
So the pen isn't the medium?
If not the pen, then what is the medium?
My head hurts.
I forcibly smooth my furrowed brow and begin walking under the pitch-black sky.
Just walking aimlessly won't give me any bright ideas, but unfortunately, right now, walking is the only thing I can do.
...
Then, Song Arin, slung over my back, groans and opens her eyes.
"My head..."
"Arin, rest a bit more. I haven't found the exit yet."
...Yeah...
She nods at my words.
"Got it..."
Just as she's about to close her eyes, she opens them again and looks at me.
Song Arin, with her exhausted face, gazes at me.
"What is it, Arin?"
..."I just think you did well."
"What about?"
"Following you."
"Really?"
Song Arin hasn't had an easy life either, but being with me has probably only tangled it up more.
At least since the Butterfly's Dream incident, I've been experiencing my life unraveling in real time.
But hearing my question, Song Arin just nods with a foolish smile that's unlike her.
"No regrets at all."
"Why?"
Is she the type who likes hardship?
Seeing my expression, Song Arin drops her head against my chest.
"It's not just what hardships you face..."
She breathes in and mutters.
"But who you face them with that's more important."
...
And with that, she closes her eyes again, breathing raggedly.
Gotta get out of here fast.
I stop walking.
...
I read the description of Shared Story again.
[Two people become one. One becomes ink, the other a pen, and together they create each other's story. One use after, unusable for a month.]
One becomes ink, the other a pen.
This description hasn't changed even without the pen.
...
Ink and pen, ink and pen...
A flash of insight crosses my mind.
"Arin, wake up."
..."I'm the patient here, you jerk..."
She mutters in a fading voice and opens her eyes.
"Imagine it."
..."What."
"Us getting home safe and sound together."
..."And?"
..."That should do it? Mix in a wish while you're at it."
..."A wish..."
Hearing me, Song Arin closes her eyes as if thinking, then opens them again.
"Yeah... okay."
She mutters in a strained voice.
"Done."
"Good."
I think about the joint ability.
Joint abilities always feel like a vague mix of my ability and someone else's. Coordinate Rip, Chronos's Shield, Method.
So this one should be in that category too.
The way back, the returning door.
After path and door, there's only one place we need to go.
"Imagining done for real?"
"My head's pounding, so quit talking..."
Song Arin mutters in an exhausted voice, and I look at her as I slowly raise my hand and start writing letters in the air.
[Homeward Path]
[Act 3. Home]
My vision lights up blindingly.
"You can't just look for somewhere you don't even know exists!"
"So Chaeyeon and I will go."
"And what if something happens...!"
The branch manager and Yoo Daon were bickering.
More precisely, the branch manager was speaking in frustration, and Yoo Daon was responding as if it wasn't her problem.
"So how can you just go off on your own—"
"I'm ripping coordinates to get there."
Jang Chaeyeon spoke as if to say no more questions, and hearing that, the branch manager pressed her forehead in irritation, lifted her head,
...
...
My eyes met the branch manager's.
"Kim Jaeheon?"
She muttered, and the others' gazes turned to me too.
And I urgently opened my mouth.
"Arin to the hospital—"
That's where my memory ends.
*
...
I open my eyes.
Did I pass out?
Even someone as sturdy as me, passing out...
"You're still passed out."
A calm voice comes from behind me.
I turn to look,
...
A girl with dark blue hair is staring at me.
A brief silence flows between us,
"Why'd you do it."
"What."
I snap back curtly without thinking at her question.
Because she'd sacrificed the other three for my sake.
...
Manual's face twists for a moment, then she takes a deep breath and speaks.
"You didn't have to grab the pen yourself."
"Then who should?"
"The director... or Song Arin... or otherwise—"
"Hey."
I cut off Manual's calm words.
"I did it because I could."
"Others could have too."
Manual responds to my words without hesitation.
"You're always trying to do it alone."
"I did it with Arin."
I answer Manual.
No, now I have something to say too.
"I understand and respect your choice and feelings."
Whatever happened between her and me.
It must have been something huge, hard for me to even imagine.
Even so.
..."I won't change. Rather than us clashing... I'd prefer if you understood me."
She knows my choices too well.
She just can't comprehend them.
Or comprehends but doesn't agree.
...
Manual looks at me.
Tears well up in her eyes,
..."Sorry."
I say that and pat her shoulder.
..."It's fine."
She responds calmly to my words and wipes her eyes with her sleeve.
"My fault for picking the wrong guy."
...
"I'll try."
She answers calmly.
"But if anything happens, you're my priority. That won't change no matter what."
...
I stay silent, and Manual waves her hand.
"Time to wake up."
And at the same time,
...
I open my eyes.
Beeping fills my ears, and the sterile smell of hospital alcohol stings my nose.
Admitted to the hospital. It's been a while.
Thinking that, I sit up,
...
And my eyes meet Song Arin's, who's lying there watching me.
...
...
Do they even put men and women in the same room?
The thought crosses my mind briefly.
Song Arin chuckles.
"It's ridiculous."
"What is."
"Just."
She closes her eyes.
"That it really granted the wish."
What are you talking about.
No matter how I look at her, she's just wearing a peaceful smile.