episode_0039

After bidding farewell to her former mentor, Arina, now left alone, stared at the crystal orb placed on the table while clutching a teacup.

The crystal orb Yuria had left for Arina. Beyond this orb was her former lover.

Perhaps because she had become a woman, the rational love she once felt for Yuria was no longer there. Yet, the lingering affection she still held for Yuria tormented her.

She hated her enough to want to kill her, yet missed her just as intensely.

That was how much she had loved her.

All she had to do was pour mana into the orb. With that simple act, she could see her again. There was so much she wanted to say, to ask, to confront.

Arina had done nothing wrong. In their relationship, she had been the one with integrity. If she wanted to reach out, she could. But she hesitated.

As she glared at the orb, her own reflection stared back—an unfamiliar sight for someone who avoided mirrors despite others constantly admiring her.

Beautiful. It felt a little vain to say it herself, but the perception she’d had as a man remained intact, making the woman reflected in the orb naturally appear attractive to her.

Her silver hair, which she had once taken pride in as a man, now cascaded long and neat, accentuating her presence. Her face was as if sculpted, with perfectly arranged features, and her body needed no explanation.

Every man who passed by couldn’t help but stare, making her feel like she truly had the body meant to seduce men, as she’d once heard. Her chest and hips were full, her waist a soft curve.

And that was precisely the problem. Though their relationship had ended long ago, the thought of revealing her undeniable femininity—her ample chest—to her ex-lover made her uneasy.

She didn’t want Yuria to see her like this. That was the honest truth.

“Haah… So, are you just going to keep sitting here like this?”

She asked herself. Was it Liel asking Arina, or Arina asking Liel? Both were her, so it was a meaningless question.

Arina took a deep breath and placed her hand on the orb.

Their bond was already severed. Yuria had rejected her once. Even if she were rejected again, so what? Yuria was nothing to her now. That’s how it should be.

She channeled mana into the orb. It glowed, projecting a square screen—within it, Yuria’s face…

“Ah…! Hahh♥”

Contrary to the mental preparation she’d steeled herself with, what greeted her wasn’t her ex-girlfriend’s face but the back of some man’s head.

The sweet voice of a woman left no doubt about what was happening.

Tea spilled from the cup in Arina’s hand.

“What the hell?!”

As if she’d seen something she shouldn’t have, Arina hurled the orb away. It hit the wall with a loud crash, tumbling to the floor—durable enough not to shatter.

The man, having heard the noise from the orb, turned around, revealing his face.

Black hair, pale skin, delicate features—yet tall and built with solid muscle, exuding masculinity. And one unforgettable scar.

A straight scar under his eye, carved by a fingernail. The only mark left when her powerless self had been violated in the most precious place. The man she could never forget—her nemesis, Jimkkun.

He had stormed into her life like a tempest, taking root deep within her. Like it or not, Arina had become someone who couldn’t be defined without him.

The moment she saw his face, her heart pounded violently, cold sweat dripping. Though it was long past, she still hadn’t shaken off the nightmare that was Jimkkun.

The violent panic attack that resurfaced at the sight of him was proof enough.

“Ugh!”

Nausea rose, and Arina bent over.

“Liel… Is that you?”

Showing weakness to the man she had to destroy was a mistake. Arina tensed her facial muscles, hardening her expression, and met Jimkkun’s gaze head-on.

As Jimkkun stepped closer to the screen, the woman behind him came into view—a stranger, still basking in the afterglow of pleasure.

Likely just a woman for a night’s amusement.

Relieved it wasn’t Yuria, Arina exhaled quietly.

‘No, why am I relieved?’

Realizing she still hadn’t let go of her lingering feelings for her ex, she shook her head.

“How long has it been? You’ve changed a bit.”

Regaining her composure, Arina twisted her lips into a sneer.

“You’re still the same, though. Still wallowing in that vulgar habit of yours, spewing your filthy desires.”

“If I don’t relieve them regularly, the boys get restless. I’d be happy if you took care of them for me, Liel.”

A vein bulged on Arina’s forehead, but she swallowed the curse on her tongue.

This was Jimkkun’s tactic—provoking her with sexual harassment. She couldn’t let him drag her into his game.

“I have no business with you. Where’s Yuria?”

“Why so cold? Yuria’s out wandering right now, so she can’t come.”

A headache flared. Arina pressed her temples. She should’ve expected this from an object Yuria had given her. Still, she never imagined he’d be doing that in broad daylight.

“What a waste of time.”

As she summoned magic to her hand, intending to shatter the orb, Jimkkun suddenly shouted.

“Wait, hold on!”

Arina’s brow furrowed. Just the fact that this man—who disgusted her by his very existence—was stopping her was infuriating.

“I have no obligation to listen to you. If you have something to say, make it quick.”

“Have you been well?”

“…What?”

The unexpected question left her speechless. She’d assumed he’d provoke her again or, like Leonah, urge her to surrender.

“Have you been well?”—as if he didn’t know the answer. As if he, of all people, had any right to ask.

She suppressed the rising fury.

Losing her temper here would mean playing into his hands. She couldn’t let him think he controlled her reactions.

“Have I been well? After you drove me to insanity?”

“Ah, Leonah. Ruining the fun by telling you everything… I was planning to shake you up a bit more.”

Frowning, Arina placed the orb back on the table and crossed her legs.

“Fine, let’s hear it. Jimkkun, why the hell are you doing this to me?”

“Why?”

“After everything, I get that you’re a sex-crazed lunatic. But why us? The Hero’s Party—the ones risking their lives to fight the Demon King for the world’s fate.”

If he’d just wanted women, there were plenty in the world without targeting the Hero’s Party. If it was money or fame, with his skills, he could’ve manipulated nobles or royalty.

Yet he’d gone after the most violent organization in humanity—the Hero’s Party. One misstep, and his head would’ve rolled. Even if not, if the party collapsed and the Demon King ruled, Jimkkun wouldn’t have been spared either.

“And besides… I did nothing wrong. Before you poisoned the party, I truly considered you a friend. I can say with confidence I treated you as well as Erwin or Leonah. So why… Why did you have to ruin me like this? Why…?”

Arina’s gloomy gaze dropped to the floor. No matter how much she resolved not to show weakness, speaking of the past always reduced her to this.

“You’re mistaken about one thing—I never intended to torment you.”

“Are you joking? You turned me into this! Have you ever considered how I feel every time I look in the mirror?”

“What’s wrong with how you look? You’re gorgeous. Other women would pay to look like you.”

“If it’s so great, why don’t you try becoming a woman?”

Jimkkun didn’t answer, just admired her reflection. His gaze roamed over her body, making Arina cover her chest with her arms.

“Liel. No—you go by Arina now, right? I think it’s good. You seem to be adjusting to life as a woman.”

“It’s just a name to hide my identity. I’m still Liel—”

“Your mannerisms have grown quite feminine, though. Did you start dating some guy while I was gone? That Ian guy—I heard he’s been shamelessly following you around.”

Unconsciously recalling her kiss with Ian, Arina flinched. Seeing her reaction, Jimkkun’s expression darkened for the first time.

“You… Did you really… cheat on me?”

“Cheat? Don’t talk like we’re lovers.”

“Not lovers—wife! I took your virginity, everything. What did you do? Was it him?”

This was new. The always composed, teasing man now seethed with raw emotion.

A part of her enjoyed it, but Arina realized she was trembling. The man who’d ruined her life was glaring at her like he wanted to devour her—enough to trigger her trauma.

He was nothing. In a one-on-one fight, she could end him with a flick of her wrist. Yet the memories of her wounds made her afraid.

“Answer me.”

His low, whispering voice—just like when he’d first violated her—made her clench her fists. With effort, she spoke.

“Nothing happened.”

If she told the truth, Ian’s life might be in danger.

“Really?”

“Why would I lie to you about this?”

“You’d better not be. If that bastard—or any man—laid a hand on you, I’d punish them. And you.”

Arina glared, her eyes sharp. She couldn’t let his possessive remarks slide any longer.

“I told you to stop spouting nonsense. You’re nothing but an enemy I should tear apart.”

“Arina.”

He called her by her current name. Unacceptable. Only her friends called her Arina.

She couldn’t let him take that right.

“Don’t call me that.”

“You’re mine. My woman. I’m your husband—there’s no room for other men in your life.”

“What the hell are you saying?”

His voice dripped with unsettling obsession. A shiver ran down her spine. Every hair on her body stood on end, as if insects were crawling over her.

Jimkkun was utterly convinced she belonged to him. The certainty in his gaze was so absolute that even she almost believed it for a moment.

“Cut the crap! I’d rather fuck a dog than be your woman!”

“I know you wouldn’t. But just in case, take care of yourself. I’ll do anything to keep you from another man.”

“Get lost!”

Without thinking, she crushed the orb in her grip. The screen vanished, along with Jimkkun.

The room was silent except for Arina’s ragged breaths.

A headache surged. She needed to fetch Lilit, who was waiting for her, but exhaustion weighed her down.

Slumping into the chair, Arina glared at the shattered orb through narrowed eyes.