Chapter 63
Chapter 63
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 63
Chapter Title: More than Words (3)
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I tried to invite Han Cheong-ah into the illusion.
The moment my consciousness began to fade and the landscape shifted to the one I'd created, something unexpected happened.
The illusion refused to obey my control. It was being overridden by some unknown, overwhelming power.
The sky turned a deep violet. The ground became a barren desert, filled with sand and jagged terrain, as if we'd been transported to some desolate wasteland.
At the center of this hijacked illusion loomed a massive egg.
It wasn't the smooth, glossy egg you'd see from birds or reptiles. It looked more like the dissected muscle tissue of a living creature.
The egg's surface was bumpy and writhing. Crimson lines wove patterns across its oval, flesh-toned bulk.
I knew this place. I'd never been here, never even seen a photo, but it felt familiar all the same.
This was a Rift. The homeland of the Queen bent on destroying our world and her Dimensional Beast brood.
All Dimensional Beasts are born in this barren, worthless land. Maybe that's why they seek to annihilate other worlds beyond the Rifts—they're monsters who've only ever known this kind of scenery.
Was it the virus dominating Han Cheong-ah's body that had warped the illusion and twisted its interior?
I stared at the writhing egg.
"You've had a rough life, haven't you."
Unlike the Dimensional Beasts, Han Cheong-ah hadn't been born in a Rift from the start.
She had been an ordinary citizen of South Korea. With a family, friends, a sociable and lively personality—she was just a normal girl.
If the Dimensional Beasts hadn't chosen her, she would have lived a smooth life: university, a job, marriage, the whole package.
Before the Fifth Wave hit, disaster struck Daejeon, where she lived.
A Rift of unknown origin tore open near City Hall.
The Rift stole everything from her. Family, friends, future, happiness—even her very existence.
"......"
I tapped on the egg that held her captive.
There seemed to be no way to break it from the outside. All I could do was hope she'd emerge from within on her own.
I didn't know if she could hear me, but I kept tapping away endlessly.
It was my way of cheering her on.
After a long while, cracks finally spiderwebbed across the egg.
Crack... Crack...
With the splitting sounds, the writhing egg crumbled away.
Amniotic fluid gushed out. Han Cheong-ah's body inside swayed unsteadily.
I supported her drenched, drowned-rat form.
The power controlling the illusion began to weaken. Control returned to me.
Looking up at the sky with eyes etched in pentagrams,
the violet hue faded back to blue. Clouds drifted lazily, and pleasant sunlight bathed the scene.
The sandy, rugged ground had transformed into a flower field. Countless tulips danced in the breeze.
Just like Van Gogh's flower fields in the Netherlands.
A moment later, Han Cheong-ah awoke.
"Where is this..."
I carefully seated her in a chair.
Meeting her dazed gaze, I spoke casually, as always.
"My atelier."
"Pardon?"
"It's an art studio."
"This doesn't look like a room, Do-hyun."
The day had finally come when Han Cheong-ah would call me out like that. I smiled and shook my head.
I conjured brushes and paints. Canvas and drawing paper too. And chairs for her and me.
"!?"
Her shoulders jumped at the sudden appearance of the objects.
"Pfft..."
I sat down in my chair.
"Did you switch to magician or something?"
"As if. Surprised?"
"Very. Anyway, it's all flower fields around us, and you're right in front of me. What on earth is going on..."
I asked her how much she remembered.
"Probably everything."
She said she recalled it all: killing the elf who messed with her, summoning Aria to gather the Dimensional Beasts, fighting me. Like scenes from a dream.
"Am I a monster?"
Her voice trembled as she spoke.
"While I was unconscious, it felt so peaceful. Like soaking in a warm bath."
Only after everything ended did all her actions come rushing back. She feared the uncontrollable power might hurt someone.
Now she understood why people wanted her dead, she confessed to me.
Her quivering eyes met mine.
I could feel the terror in the girl's heart at the thought of blood staining her hands.
She wasn't Lee Gyeo-ul. Nor Yubyeol-ha.
Unlike me, who adapted quickly to dark tales, she was a proper modern person who cherished life and was unaccustomed to killing.
For such a Han Cheong-ah, the power to command Dimensional Beasts was nothing less than a curse.
I had a more reliable way than mere words of comfort.
The painting I'd been working on of her was placed on the canvas.
I began applying color with the brush to the fully undercoated piece.
Slowly coloring the girl who still looked just like Han Cheong-ah.
Slowly, very slowly.
Filling the white paper with the colors she embodied.
Coincidentally, Maria Girls' Academy, where the original painting was stored, had been utterly demolished in the battle's aftermath.
So I figured I'd finish it like this.
It was just an illusion, but the brain could remember even fabrications.
The painting was finally complete.
Pink hair draped like tangled threads, waving like ocean waves. Sapphire eyes sparkled like stars. Her school uniform, her pale and delicate hands—they all held colors so vivid they stole the breath away.
This is how I see you.
This is the world you reflect in my eyes.
Doesn't this painting shimmer with colors too intense to be summed up by the word "monster"?
You are simply Han Cheong-ah.
That was the message of the painting I'd created.
"......"
Han Cheong-ah stared blankly at the watercolor of herself.
She held it in both hands, lost in admiration of the illustrator's work.
A whirlwind of emotions swirled in her eyes.
"Cheong-ah."
"Yes."
"Now do you have a clear sense of who you are?"
I quoted the words she'd once said to me.
A breeze swept through the Dutch flower field.
Fresh air and a faint floral scent tickled my nose.
Her lips curved into a smile like a tulip blooming in May.
The most beautiful expression she'd ever shown.
"Yes."
That was what she said to me.
"I'm glad."
"Thank you, Do-hyun."
The illusion began to crumble.
Time to return to reality.
"I'm truly happy that my painting could help someone. Thank you, Han Cheong-ah."
The first reason I'd picked up a brush was to see my parents smile.
It was a relief that my art had become her guiding light.
"For liking my painting."
Without collectors who appreciate paintings, an artist can't exist.
In the Middle Ages, it was the Church; after the Renaissance, merchants and wealthy citizens that sustained artists.
I expressed my gratitude to my one and only collector in this world.
"Do-hyun."
"Yeah."
"Next time, I want to keep the painting at home."
"Sure."
Painting a model like Han Cheong-ah was pure joy.
Additional commissions were more than welcome.
"And..."
"Yeah."
She hesitated, then pointed to her mouth with two fingers.
"Next time, draw me with a brighter feel. I'm really curious what I look like smiling..."
"Sure."
"And also..."
"Take your time. I'm not going anywhere."
Han Cheong-ah pointed to her ear.
Her face was expressionless, but flushed bright red.
Like a ripe peach.
"I'm so embarrassed right now... I can't get the words out. Sorry."
The confessional atmosphere made me embarrassed too.
Hmm.
Hmm...
What is this mood...
We locked eyes in that awkward tension until we returned to reality.
As the illusion faded, it seemed like she whispered something softly.
But I couldn't make out what it was.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ The duration of the 'Trait' Turning Point has ended. ⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Achieved the second evolution condition for the 'Trait' Noble Blood. ⚔ STATUS UPDATE ⚔ Han Cheong-ah's ■■, 'Fate Turning Point': +300 points
Yubyeol-ha's Awakening, 'Fate Turning Point': +100 points
Lee Gyeo-ul's Survival, 'Fate Turning Point': +100 points
Shin’s Death, 'Fate Turning Point': +100 points
Zero One's Rage, 'Fate Turning Point': +200 points
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ The 'Trait' Noble Blood evolves into True Ancestor. 🩸 TRAIT EVOLUTION 🩸 Level 3 - True Ancestor The ultimate realm reachable by vampires of noble blood. The progenitor of vampires, the true king who rules the night. Even the sun is no longer a foe. A perfect being with no weaknesses. Performs miracles with blood and can turn humans into vampires. Those without mental resistance are mesmerized by the True Ancestor's beauty at a mere glance. Possesses five senses that pierce the world and overwhelming physical prowess. Can use Blood Magic. Final Evolution Condition: Evolve all possessed traits to Lv. Max