Chapter 65
Chapter 65 - Who Is Here
"I... I have received an unpayable grace from Jeong-yong nim."
"Hmm? Oh. Ah, I see."
That was the gist.
Apparently, Seolbaek is extremely grateful for being saved by me at the Halcenberg Castle.
I felt awkward and immediately waved my hand.
"No. I did it for my own sake, so don't think about it like that."
This is a 100% fact.
My awkwardness is not from being shy, but from being pricked by my conscience.
"B-but in my hometown, if someone does you a favor, you must somehow repay it. It's the way a person should behave."
What an annoying hometown custom. Having to repay even if the person doesn't want it. Is it an obsession?
While thinking this, I casually answered,
"Well, if you want to repay, then do so."
"Yes. So... I..."
Seolbaek mumbled her words and then suddenly stood up from her seat.
And she approached my narrow sofa. Then she sat down next to me, quite docilely.
'Crazy?'
I momentarily stopped breathing at the soft scent emanating from her.
Seolbaek hesitated for a while, then brought her face closer to mine and said,
"... I want to give you compensation. Anything I can do."
Seolbaek's eyes were moist, and her face was so red it looked like it might burst.
Now that she was this close, I could clearly see. It wasn't the red from the bonfire.
She was extremely embarrassed.
"... Anything?"
"Yes. Anything."
After hearing her firm answer, my heart was beating wildly. It wouldn't calm down.
I'm not stupid enough to not understand the meaning of what Seolbaek is saying now. I'm not a manhwa protagonist, and she's not a manhwa heroine, so I'm sure she meant it in the way I understand.
"Jeong-yong nim... Please tell me any wishes."
Seolbaek trembled slightly and leaned towards me, as if entrusting her body to me.
Game set. At this point, it's harder not to misunderstand.
"Umm... That, uh..."
Well then. A beautiful woman with black straight hair has laid out the mat like this.
Shall I graduate from my long period of celibacy? Not bad. Honestly, at 24, it's about time to graduate.
No, more like I've been kneeling for years. These days, even middle and high school students graduate early.
'Yes. Let's go. Let's do this!'
If not now, when would such an opportunity come to me? She's this beautiful.
Even if she weren't beautiful, would it be easy to find someone who appeals to me like this, Park Jeong-yong?
I'll cross the Rubicon today.
"So, listen..."
"Oh, yes...!"
Seolbaek jumps and closes her eyes tightly as I start to speak.
Seeing her reaction, I solidified my decision. An involuntary sigh mixed with a laugh escaped me.
Do you know why a pushover is a pushover?
Even when you clearly know what's advantageous in your head, when sweet words slip out due to momentary passion, that's when you become a pushover.
"Just remember this for now."
"Oh... What?"
"Later. When the truly decisive moment comes, I'll ask you for a wish. Just keep that in mind for now."
"Oh... Ah?"
Seolbaek tilts her head repeatedly with a puzzled expression.
Then, realizing I've gently refused, she lowers her head. She remained sunken like that, keeping her mouth shut for a while.
"……."
What could she be thinking? I hope she's not thinking something like 'Am I not attractive?'
Should I take it back and do something right now?
No, wouldn't that be too despicable as a human?
I'm actually conflicting intensely right now. Honestly, I'm going crazy with regret.
'Fuck life. I have my own philosophy.'
But. I'm doing this because taking her body as a life's compensation feels cowardly.
If I take a woman who doesn't even like me, using her debt, wouldn't I be the villain?
I know. It's a pushover move.
But what can I do? I think I'm incredibly cool.
"…… Haha. Puhuhut."
While lamenting to myself, a soft laugh suddenly leaked from beside me.
Seolbaek was laughing. Her way of wiping away tears while laughing was incredibly cute and equally pathetic.
Seolbaek looked at me with a somewhat complex expression and said,
"How should I put it? This was the answer I expected... To be honest, I'm disappointed."
"Leave it. I'm like this to my bones."
"That's right. Because you're that kind of person... that's why I'm doing this."
Seolbaek turned her gaze to look out the window. Stars are reflected in the tears flowing down her cheeks.
Seolbaek suddenly turned her gaze towards me.
"Yes. Then I'll wait. Until that decisive moment comes."
"... Alright. Wash your back and wait. I'll make a wish you can't even imagine."
"Oh my. How scary."
She laughed it off playfully and leaned her head on my shoulder.
Her body warmth was so comforting, contrary to the cold weather. Automatic serious thoughts rushed in, and I internally sang the national anthem, entering patriot mode.
How long had I been frozen like that? Suddenly, Seolbaek hugged my arm tightly and said,
"When the sun rises, please forget everything that happened tonight."
"Sure, why not."
"Of course, it'll be hard... I don't want things to be awkward because of this. So... okay?"
"... Sure, why not."
I repeated the same words like a parrot, and Seolbaek giggled.
Just before she entered the blanket, she looked at me intently and uttered,
"When you wake up, greet me with a smiling face. I'll smile too."
Seolbaek fled into the tent after leaving those words.
"... Sure, why not."
I stared blankly out the window and mumbled the same words. Seolbaek smiled slightly and then lay down, beginning to breathe softly.
How long had I been spacing out? I quickly came to my senses to organize my whitened head.
'Wow, what? Is it already time for sunrise?'
Suddenly, dazzling light was pouring through the window.
Looking out the window, a blinding light from far away was slowly growing.
It's a country closer to the western continent, but somehow the dawn looks clearer than in Mittelland.
"Should I take a quick nap too...."
I stretched and loosened my stiff body. I relaxed my body and tidied up the surroundings.
At the very moment I was about to put the crestI was holding into my backpack.
I opened my eyes wide and fixed my gaze on the emblem.
"Huh?"
The emblem was still shining brightly.
I didn't understand its meaning for quite a long time.
And when I understood, it was late, as always.
'It's not morning yet?'
If that's the case.
What on earth is that massive, blindingly bright mass of light outside...
What could it possibly be?
"Damn it!"
With understanding came a sense of crisis.
A tremendous light that could be mistaken for dawn.
From that absolutely abnormal phenomenon, I felt an inexplicable extreme fear.
"Seolbaek! Wake up!! Hurry!!"
"Uh, ah? Is that, you, Jeong-yong nim?"
I leaped up and shook Seolbaek awake. I made a decision in an instant.
The first thing to protect in this situation. I immediately ordered the half-asleep Seolbaek.
"Defense skill! Cast the strongest defense skill you have on Lucy right now!!"
"What? Oh, that... Jeong Yong-nim. Why suddenly, without a reason...."
"Quickly! We don't have time!!"
"Yes, yes!"
Seolbaek still looked like she didn't understand, but seeing my serious face, she soon nodded.
"Gibaekyuwa."
Paaang! As Seolbaek muttered briefly, the energy scattered in all directions and formed a defensive barrier.
Seeing the demon king safely protected within the barrier, my mind was somewhat at ease.
'Damn... anything... anything will do... something I can put in!'
I hastily took out the Box of the Dead and searched around thoroughly.
But perhaps due to my anxiety, no suitable object seemed visible to put in the box.
I gritted my teeth. Seurreung. I drew my sword.
I soon made a decision.
"Kkeuuk...!"
Tremendous pain rushed in, but I endured it.
Only after closing the Box of the Dead did a sigh of relief escape my mouth.
Kugugugu.
And at that moment. A sound suddenly came from outside.
I reflexively turned my gaze to the window.
So shocked, my mouth gaped open.
"Jeezl... What the hell is that...!"
Gugwagwagwag!
A grand explosion. And with the shockwave, I witnessed the pouring of a pure white light.
Everything was pure white. It seemed like someone's faint scream could be heard.
I became completely blank.
* * *
[The point of immortal return has been updated.]
[Time - Continental Calendar 1108, January 12th, 11:30 AM]
[Location - Marktress. Upper area of the Promise Plains, Kern residential district]
"Wait! Stop right there!!"
Only after the panel appeared belatedly, I opened my eyes and chased the red-haired vagrant. The vagrant glanced back at me before entering a secluded alley.
I clicked my tongue and was about to follow them immediately. But.
[Name: Box of the Dead]
[Notification: Item Update - The saved item from the previous life's Box of the Dead has been updated.]
That panel blocked my view and prevented me from following.
I momentarily held my breath. As if possessed, I brought my hand to the Box of the Dead.
Click. I opened the box and stared quietly at its contents.
"……."
A thumb.
A single finger was sitting alone inside.
Judging by its size and length... it's probably mine.
"Uh, Jeong Yong-nim? Why are you suddenly like this!"
"... Huh? Oh oh?"
Seolbaek, who barely caught up, grabs my collar and looks at me worriedly.
For a while, I let out a stupid exclamation like a person who lost their soul.
I stood still like a statue.