Chapter 173
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 173
Chapter Title: Confession (1)
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‘Damn it...’
Back at the Clan House, all sorts of thoughts flooded my mind the next day.
Not least among them was the shame of Ha Yu-ri having seen my true nature.
And the self-loathing for feeling that twisted desire toward her.
These two emotions made it impossible to show my face.
‘You idiot, what the hell are you going to do...’
And it wasn’t even a normal situation. It had happened right after Ha Yu-ri reunited with her brother, which made it all the worse.
‘Whatever. Thinking about it more will just give me a headache.’
I had things to take care of and people to look after. This wasn’t the time.
‘Seo Yu-ju.’
As Eternity’s fame and Seo Yu-ju’s reputation rose, she’d been incredibly busy lately.
Clans were inviting her left and right, and as clan master, she was meeting with leaders from major clans. She was living at full throttle.
She was also exchanging opinions on the rewards from pioneering the Swamp of Oblivion.
‘I hardly get a chance to talk with Seo Yu-ju anymore.’
She already seemed frustrated that she couldn’t spend time with me.
Anyway, the reason I was mulling over Seo Yu-ju was obvious—our relationship.
‘It’s about time to make things clear between Seo Yu-ju and me.’
From her perspective, it felt like she’d reached her limit.
And regardless of my own reluctance, I couldn’t keep dodging her feelings forever.
I slowly made my way to Seo Yu-ju’s office.
“Ah... Mr. Lee Yun-seong.”
On the way, I ran into Wi Ho-yeon.
From her appearance, she’d just finished training. Her hair was soaked with sweat, proof enough.
“...Are you heading to the Master’s office?”
She’d clearly figured out I was going to see Seo Yu-ju.
“...Yes.”
“......”
It felt like she knew exactly why I was going to see her.
Of course, she didn’t know the truth between Seo Yu-ju and me, but she seemed to sense I was going to settle things with her once and for all.
“...I’m sure it’ll work out.”
“...Thank you, Miss Ho-yeon.”
After thanking Wi Ho-yeon, I arrived at Seo Yu-ju’s office door.
A door I’d normally open without a second thought.
But right now, it loomed like an enormous wall.
‘Ha...’
...I knocked and went in.
“Ah... Yun-seong?”
Seo Yu-ju’s eyes widened when she saw me.
She clearly hadn’t expected me to be the one knocking.
Her surprise lasted only a moment before she smiled and spoke up.
“Yun-seong, what brings you here?”
“......”
“Um... Yun-seong?”
She looked puzzled as I struggled to speak.
“Ah, well...”
I’d planned to lay it all out right here, but the words wouldn’t come.
“...Yu-ju, are you free tonight?”
In the end, all I could manage was to push it off.
Her face lit up like a flower at my question about her schedule.
“Ah, yes! Of course. Is something...”
“...How about we go for drinks? There’s something important I need to tell you...”
She answered excitedly.
“Yes! I’d love that!”
“...Is it really okay? You’ve seemed so busy lately...”
“No, it’s fine! I can make time. Um... I do have a meeting with another clan master, but I can cancel it!”
‘No... you don’t have to go that far...’
Her sparkling eyes left me flustered.
She seemed to have huge expectations, but from my side—having to drop a bombshell—I just felt anxious.
“You don’t need to cancel your appointment for me...”
“It’s fine! They’ve been pestering me lately anyway, so this works out perfectly!”
‘...They must’ve been really annoying her.’
Apparently, the other party had been hitting on her.
“So you absolutely can’t take that back, got it? Drinks tonight, just us!”
“...Haha, alright.”
...In the end, I couldn’t say a word here.
‘The time...’
Eventually, the appointed time with Seo Yu-ju arrived.
‘Shit, did I do something stupid...’
Regret washed over me for even starting this, but it was something I had to resolve eventually.
I dressed neatly and left the office. Since she was looking forward to it, I didn’t want to look sloppy.
Seo Yu-ju was already waiting at the Clan House’s main gate.
She spotted me and came over.
“Yun-seong.”
“Sorry. I made you wait.”
“No, hehe. I just got here too.”
Her face flushed as she spoke. The reason was probably... my attitude and outfit, different from usual.
Well, she’d dressed up too, to be fair.
“Y-Yun-seong. You look different today. Hm, hm...”
“Haha...”
Smoothly—
She cautiously linked arms with me. As she did, she glanced at my face, gauging my reaction.
There was a flicker of fear that I might reject her touch.
‘......’
Of course, I had no intention of rejecting her.
I wanted her to feel good, even now.
“...I know a place. Let me lead the way, Yu-ju.”
Her beaming smile at my acceptance was only natural.
“Yes!”
And so, with her arm linked in mine, we walked quite a distance.
I couldn’t spill what I had to say in a public spot.
It had to be somewhere private, just for us.
“Ah...”
Seo Yu-ju seemed to be imagining something.
And understandably so—the place I took her was a bar structured for couples to rent private rooms.
The male staffer’s eyes widened when he saw us.
“...I reserved earlier today.”
“Ah... yes. N-name...?”
“It should be under Lee Yun-seong.”
“Yes, one moment please.”
Even as he spoke, his eyes kept flicking to Seo Yu-ju.
These places usually train staff to keep their gazes in check, but his control seemed shot.
“Yes, confirmed. Room 8, please.”
“Thank you.”
We settled into the room.
“Ah, um... Yun-seong...”
She seemed tense, uncharacteristically so, at my forwardness.
From her view, I’d suddenly asked her on a date, and hadn’t rejected her touch—her mind must be racing.
“Yes, Yu-ju?”
“So... why did you ask me out alone tonight?”
“...I have a confession to make to you.”
“A c-confession?”
She swallowed hard at my answer.
“...Yes. It’ll take a while, and it’s serious, so I had to do it this way.”
“Ah... r-right... I’m okay... no, I love it!”
I sighed inwardly at her reaction.
‘...Ha, what do I do now?’
What I had to tell her would hit like thunder from a clear sky.
Watching her joy made me want to lose my mind.
“For now... let’s order from the menu.”
I couldn’t muster the courage without alcohol.
Once the food and drinks arrived, Seo Yu-ju—who’d been fidgeting with flushed cheeks and bowed head—finally spoke.
“Um... Yun-seong. I was really surprised today. You suddenly asked if I was free tonight...”
“...You’ve been so busy lately, I thought about scheduling later, but I figured it was best to tell you sooner.”
“Ah... th-that confession... you’re talking about...?”
“...Yes.”
Not just her face—her whole body seemed to flush.
Maybe it was my imagination, but her breathing quickened a bit.
Unlike usual, she kept knocking back drinks. She needed to get buzzed now.
“Y-Yun-seong, not so fast...”
“It’s fine. Honestly... I don’t think I can say it sober.”
“Ah... r-right. Confessions... are hard sober!”
‘...Not the kind you’re thinking of.’
“B-but! Don’t feel pressured! My answer’s already set. J-just hearing you say it... I’m so moved...”
Now her eyes were even tearing up.
‘Please don’t.’
The more she acted like this, the heavier my burden grew.
“I kept wondering if I wasn’t attractive to you... if I wasn’t your type, if I was ugly...”
‘No, why would you think you’re ugly? What nonsense is that?’
Anyone else hearing her would’ve been floored.
“I confessed so many times, and we did more skinship bit by bit, but you barely reacted...”
‘.....’
I got the gist. Listening to her, it made sense she’d worry like that.
...Except the looks part.
I’d known she had feelings for me for a while, and my constant dodging must’ve driven her mad.
Honestly, most women would’ve written off a guy acting like that.
‘Normally, even affection would cool off completely.’
Only because of her memories from the first round had she stuck with me.
‘...Memories I manipulated.’
Memories I’d tricked her into, artificially.
I kept agonizing over how to broach it.
Words change everything depending on how they’re said, and honestly, I wanted to soften the blow for her.
It wasn’t some noble act like Ha Yu-ri said—it was guilt for what I’d done to her.
But fear crept in.
Fear of how she’d look at me after hearing it.
Selfish as it was, I didn’t plan to tell her everything.
Even half the truth would shock her badly.
‘...And after I say it, problems remain. We’re in the same clan.’
In the worst case, I pictured myself leaving Eternity.
‘Assuming she doesn’t try to kill me first.’
There was no guarantee she wouldn’t stab me with a spear after hearing it.
“Yun-seong, are you okay?”
“Ah...”
My grim expression worried her.
“Did you drink too fast? Your face...”
“...No. It’s not the alcohol. It’s just... hard to confess the truth.”
“...Huh? Truth?”
The word “truth” out of nowhere puzzled her, especially after mentioning a confession.
“...I’m sorry, Yu-ju. Let me apologize first. You don’t have to forgive me.”
“What do you...”
As the conversation veered strangely, her smiling face shifted.
“Yu-ju.”
“...Yes?”
“...I know you’re a regressor.”