Chapter 38
Chapter 38
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 38
Chapter Title: Freedom
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After parting ways with Baek Do-hyun, Aria dragged her exhausted body back to her hideout and barely managed to lie down.
Lying on the cold floor, she closed her eyes right away, but despite her profound fatigue, sleep refused to come tonight of all nights.
"You are free to choose, Aria."
Freedom. It was a word she hadn't heard in ages.
Even when she raced across vast plains as a wolf, or when cursed by a witch into a werewolf and wandered lonely paths alone, Aria had been free.
But for Aria, who had spent far more time shackled by Zero One, the word carried an inescapable sense of alienation.
"Can I truly choose for myself?"
For so long, she had existed only to receive orders and obey them. Now, after endless years, a chance to choose had finally appeared before her.
In exchange for freedom, help Dracula stand against the Society.
Or continue her safe life as a slave.
Just knowing she had a choice lightened something deep in her heart.
Aria recalled the past.
Her days as a wolf, living purely by instinct.
Once, injured during a hunt, the people of a village had treated and cared for her.
Even though she was a wolf that devoured livestock and terrorized farmers, they offered medicine and gentle hands instead of bows and blades.
Aria, ever the wary wolf, felt true affection for humans for the first time then.
Even as a beast with limited intellect, she remembered her benefactors' faces and names. It was a cherished memory beyond price.
Now reduced to ruins, with those people long in their graves, Aria still longed to return to that place one more time.
Impossible while bound to Zero One.
But with freedom? Entirely possible.
Blithely dashing across the plains without a care.
Catching fish by the riverbank.
Forming pacts with crows to hunt beasts.
Extending a hand to someone in need, just as they had for her.
"......"
Of course, gaining freedom meant accepting Dracula's conditions. But compared to eternal slavery under Zero One, it was far more sensible.
And...
Freedom would let her finally bare her fangs at Zero One, who had tormented her all this time.
With her decision made, her insomnia dissolved away.
Aria slipped into sleep with an utterly refreshed expression.
It was the soundest rest she'd had in ages.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Have you made your decision?"
Aria had come to me.
She looked much the same as always, but there was a profound lightness about her now.
"Yes. I'll take my freedom."
"You're no longer the Academy City's overseer, so no need to call you Ms. Aria anymore."
"Call me whatever you like. Since when have I cared about titles......?"
Aria gave me an awkward glance.
"So, what exactly do I have to do in exchange for my freedom?"
I'd already planned out Aria's role.
From now on, she needed to connect with the monsters harboring resentment toward the Society—those operating in Europe.
"Head to Florence, Italy. There's a man named Merlin there. Now that you're against the Society, he'll help you with whatever you need."
Merlin.
A mage and monster like Zero One and Mimir. In the original story, he aided Kim Si-hu and his group in every way possible.
He harbors ill will toward Zero One and the Society, quietly supporting those who oppose them from the shadows—a kindhearted old soul.
He'd surely provide everything Aria needs to navigate the modern world.
"Most anti-Society monsters are likely hiding in Europe or the Americas. Travel through Europe and gather them."
It was straight out of the original story.
The Society's monsters, centered in South Korea, rarely left Asia. Naturally, the dissenters had drifted toward the Americas or Europe.
If they joined AOD or at least took our side, it would be the most reliable boost we could get.
In short, Aria's mission from here was to bolster AOD.
"Understood. Just one thing I'm curious about..."
"Ask away."
Aria's red eyes studied me. The exact same shade as mine.
"I've wondered since that alleyway. Why are you opposing the Society?"
Was he unafraid of Zero One?
Did he truly believe he could triumph over the Society, already so deeply entrenched in modern society?
I'd already given the goat my answer to that.
But today, perhaps I'd frame it more emotionally.
"I'm going to change the scenario's ending."
Unlike Han Seo-ah, the creator of this world, I'm a firm believer in happy endings. Mutual destruction of Dimensional Beasts, humans, and monsters? Unacceptable.
I'd already received inflection permission from the enigmatic System—its copyright holder.
There was no reason not to change it. This was my desperate struggle to survive a grim fate.
"That doesn't make sense. Well, travel..."
Aria gazed up at the blue sky. For the first time, she wore a serene smile, like clouds drifting by.
"Not bad at all."
She said plainly that she'd rather tear into them and die by her own will than spend her life hunted by the Society.
And so, Aria became the third member of AOD, following me and Han Cheong-ah.
Her position: Personnel Officer, since she'd be recruiting plenty more monsters.
"I'm not even a student..."
"It's fine. You look the part—suits you perfectly."
Aria stared at my face.
"You're far more refined than I am..."
"You're much prettier and cuter, so don't worry."
"Thanks..."
Aria averted her eyes once more. My gaze must have unnerved her.
"Then, that's everything... Time to say goodbye. Head to the location I sent your phone—the one waiting there will set you free."
Aria turned away.
Her long, glossy golden hair swayed as she walked off.
I thought that was it, but she glanced back, our eyes meeting one last time.
I waved farewell...
And Aria murmured softly.
"Baek Do-hyun. Next time..."
Her voice was too faint; I couldn't catch the rest.
Curious, I started to ask, but by the time I gathered my thoughts, Aria was gone.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Disenchant."
Mimir chanted the incantation softly.
A pure white light flashed, and with a series of clanks, the iron chains binding Aria's body unraveled.
Aria rolled her shoulders and let out a long breath.
Freed from the suffocating restraints, her expression brightened considerably.
"Thank you, Mimir."
"Oh, n-no... You don't need to thank me. I wanted to do this anyway..."
Having known Aria for years, Mimir had always pitied her, trapped in Zero One's cage.
She knew the agony of being forced into unwanted deeds, eroding one's own heart bit by bit.
Her sympathy had shown in small ways, like applying salve to wounds.
Aria and Mimir held no ill will toward each other.
"You're really going to betray the Society and Zero One...?"
"I'm sick of these shackles. No muzzle anymore—time to bite and howl like a proper wolf."
Mimir believed Aria could do it.
With her grudge against Zero One, choosing vengeance over pragmatism wouldn't be surprising.
"I was supposed to return you to headquarters, but there's the promise with Dracula, and you've suffered enough already..."
Aria now understood why Zero One, despite Mimir's talents, never fully trusted her.
The white witch before her was soft and fragile.
She didn't belong in the ruthless, blood-soaked Society.
"Mimir."
"Yes...?"
"Maybe... just maybe, Baek Do-hyun could show us a better future than the one the Society envisions."
Aria confessed that she'd been utterly defeated by him and, in the end, owed him a great debt.
"Like Zero One, he's painting a grand vision in his mind... But I'm more eager to see his than Zero One's."
With that, Aria brushed a strand of white hair from Mimir's eyes.
"Then, someday."
"Yeah, someday."
Aria departed.
Not to the bleak, cramped city on that Pacific island, but to wide-open plains.
Watching Aria's back—brimming with relief—Mimir stood motionless for a long while.