Chapter 58
I passed through the lobby with a smile, boarded the elevator, and headed to the top floor. My home. The familiar door. Savoring the comforting sensation, like breathing in the scent of my homeland, I deftly entered the password and pulled open the door lock. Ding-ding~ With the familiar chime, the heavy door slid smoothly open. It was evening, so the house was shrouded in total darkness. I turned off the lights before heading out... but is no one home?
The guild had so many members that I was living here with Cha Eun-joo, Yunsia, and Tier. The Eterna headquarters still couldn't accommodate everyone yet. And aside from that, being alone in a house this massive, like a castle, got lonely.
Guess they're all asleep or out somewhere. As I slipped off my shoes and quietly crossed the threshold, a sense of incongruity hit me. What the...? This sweet smell...
A rich, sugary aroma seeped deep into my lungs, stirring my appetite. Whipped cream? Or chocolate? My empty stomach filled with the pleasant scent. I sharpened my sense of smell and stepped further inside. At that moment, every light in the house blazed on.
"Surprise—!"
Pop-pop! Confetti burst from the pillars flanking the entrance. Caught off guard, I flinched, shoulders jerking. I hadn't bothered raising my senses in what felt like a safe space.
"Eek!"
Paper ribbons arced lazily toward the floor. Over a hundred guild members popped out from behind walls and doors. In the bright golden light, my blood-red eyes blinked vacantly.
"...What is this?"
The guild members clapped with beaming smiles, cheering wildly. Banners and placards emblazoned with my photo ringed by hearts fluttered enthusiastically.
Hwang Cheol-ho raised his hand and gave the signal. "Alright, one, two—!"
"Sertina-nim—!"
"Thank you for all your hard work!!"
The guild shouted in perfect unison. I froze mid-step, blinking in bewilderment.
"Uh, yeah? What's today?"
I pieced it together quickly. A surprise party. I'd seen them in videos or shorts before. But weren't these usually for anniversaries or special days?
"Remember what we promised at the 38th parallel?"
The guild members parted to either side as Cha Eun-joo stepped forward, holding a massive cake topped with candles.
"Let's have a party at the guild headquarters once we wrap this up successfully."
Welcome Sertina!!
"So, with you stabilized now, we went ahead and prepared this. To celebrate you joining us!"
Cha Eun-joo held the cake out to me. The tiny candle flames flickered in the faint draft. I stared at it blankly. Yunsia gave my back a light nudge.
"Come on, what are you waiting for? Blow it out already."
Hwang Cheol-ho gestured toward the cake. I shuffled awkwardly into position. So that's why Yunsia had been dragging things out, constantly checking her phone.
"Hmm..."
Noticing my hesitation, Cha Eun-joo shoved the cake closer. I leaned forward slightly toward the candles.
"...Like this?"
Fwoosh. I blew from left to right, extinguishing them one by one. Cheers and applause erupted.
"Waaaaaaaaah!"
The house looked completely different from usual. Party decorations everywhere. Cloths and ribbons draped on the walls. Golden balloons hanging from the ceiling, ivory candles glowing atop golden candelabras. The luxurious penthouse flaunted its grandeur more ostentatiously than ever.
"Oh..."
With wide eyes, I slowly took in the scene as I headed to the living room. A massive rectangular table draped in a tablecloth was laden with foods and desserts like a buffet. Wine was poured, and people toasted rhythmically with joyful energy. It was a feast fit for nobility.
"You prepared all this yourselves...?"
"Yep! We worked hard while you were out. Been planning it for days."
"Since when?"
"Mm... about three days ago. You have no idea how nervous we were about getting caught."
Tier, wearing a conical party hat, beamed. I didn't get it.
"Why?"
"Huh?"
"Why throw a party like this? I'm a world boss."
No matter how hard I tried, some things couldn't change. People were like that. Humans instinctively shunned sources of fear and guarded against the incomprehensible. There would always be those who feared and rejected me, the root of terror.
But the guild members exchanged glances as if by prior agreement, then grinned.
"Because..."
"We all know how much you look out for your guildmates."
Their faces, brimming with trust, dazzled me.
Ah... so that's it.
I quietly bit my lip. How had I not realized something so obvious? I didn't need to please everyone. They cherished me as much as—or more than—I cherished them.
Then I just had to act for those who cared for me. If my happiness was what they wanted...
...I'd be happy for their sake. Emotions long forgotten from Pandela welled up, making my heart pound.
"Sit here!"
They guided me to the center of the table—the head seat, with a full view of the vast living room, wide as a plaza. As I eyed the mouthwatering spread and swallowed hard,
"Ah! We have one more gift!"
A gift? My ears perked up. Cha Eun-joo clapped toward the edge of the table. Lee Min-ho and Kim Min-seok approached from either side, hefting a large box.
"Here you go!"
Thud. It hit with solid weight. A pink gift box, wrapped with care.
"Open it!"
Under their expectant gazes, I stood and quietly untied the ribbon. Flipping open the flaps revealed a pile of envelopes stuffed inside—colorful, varied in shape, size, and style, each brimming with personality.
With slightly trembling hands, I pulled out a sheet of stationery and read it.
"Hmm..."
Sertina-nim, you being there is why we're alive today.
Almost died fighting the world boss in Chungnam—your potion support saved me.
The noise was annoying for a while, but your soundproof barrier let me sleep peacefully at night.
Please stay by our side forever!
Characters born from someone's fingertips. I carefully repackaged the letter, then drew out another and read on. Every sentence etched on the paper stirred something deep in my chest. Only then did their true feelings sink in.
My every little action had become precious experiences, memories, and mementos for them.
"..."
I slipped the letter back in and closed the box.
"I'll read these in my room later."
My nose tingled; my eyes grew hot.
"Sertina-nim, try this!"
"This too!"
Plates of delicious food piled up before me. Tier brought a glass of juice bobbing with ice. I picked up a fork, sliced into the cake, and took a bite. Sweet, velvety chocolate cake filled my mouth.
"...The cake's good."
Clink! Someone dropped their fork. Everyone froze mid-bite, staring at me in shock.
"Wh-what?"
I glanced around in panic. It was as if time had stopped—every guild member motionless. In the hush, only stifled breaths sounded. Tier spoke in a trembling voice.
"Sertina-nim... smiled!"
...Huh? I smiled?
Before I could process it, Cha Eun-joo lunged from behind and hugged me tight.
"Sertina-nim! I never dreamed you'd show us a smile like that...!"
She cried out in rapture. The others chimed in.
"Got a pic?"
"You're so pretty when you smile."
"Sniff, all that hard work paid off!"
"Smile more from now on!"
Me, smiling? It didn't feel real. I'd thought my expressions had worn away over centuries. But somehow, now I felt I could smile with all my heart. So I did—with the brightest, most radiant smile I could muster.
"Yeah. Thanks, everyone."
The resplendent chandelier lights bathed the party in beauty. Now I knew for sure. All those warm feelings I'd sensed came from the people who'd made me smile for the first time in centuries.
My chest ached sweetly, my face flushed hot. Every sensation was precious to me. That night, as the banquet deepened, was warm and bright.
Meanwhile, at that very hour.
On the outskirts of Shenyang, China—boasting its dazzling nightscape—a robed figure in the shadows curled its lips into a smirk.
"Ahh, this place overflows with the scent of life."
It raised a gaunt, flesh-hanging arm, cradling the city in its palm. The glittering buildings, the cars prowling the roads—all of it repulsed him.
"Shall we begin?"
Crunch.
The cityscape warped sickeningly in his grasp.