Ch.42. Snow Woman Yuri Tarkovskaya (1)

“This isn’t necessary, Ms. Maria. It’s making me uncomfortable.”

“But if I don’t apologize like this…”

Maria responded urgently.

However, if I passed the Flame test, Maria would become my superior. If she showed such humility to a mere intern like me, it would make things awkward going forward.

“Yuri has already apologized enough. I’d prefer if you didn’t do this as well, Ms. Maria.”

“But I heard from Miss Yuri. That she hasn’t received any response from you until now…”

I hesitated for a moment. Maria was right.

A year ago, after I regained consciousness in the hospital, she came to visit me with a fellow classmate.

But I was told that when I encountered those two people, I had a seizure that was close to shock.

Since I had just regained consciousness, even I had only vague memories of that time.

‘It must have been traumatic for Yuri.’

And after that, except for Arin, I couldn’t meet with anyone associated with the Academy. Professor Seong Chaerin called it severe PTSD symptoms.

I couldn’t even handle hearing the voice of anyone affiliated with the Academy over the phone. So instead, Yuri continuously sent me messages and apologized.

The graduation ceremony of Eins Academy’s 19th class. What she did to me in that tragedy. And the truth and sincerity behind why she did it. She included it all in a lengthy message.

Maria continued speaking.

“No. Rather, you couldn’t have responded. It must have been difficult to reply to Miss Yuri. But… I want you to know. Miss Yuri’s apology was truly sincere!”

I knew that. And I also knew that Yuri had created this Flame Guild with that sincerity.

‘I know. But…’

For a moment, numerous emotions surfaced from my subconscious. But I suppressed them. No, I had to.

If I couldn’t do that, my resolve to join the Flame Guild would be for nothing. I said:

“I know, Ms. Maria. Although my response was delayed, I’ll be able to see Yuri now, so I can give her my answer directly. And the tragedy of that day wasn’t Yuri’s fault. She was just another victim of the villain… of the Shadow Demon.”

Maria seemed quite surprised by my words. My voice was calm. Without anger, joy, or emptiness. Just the tone of a peaceful everyday conversation.

Because I was really okay now. I didn’t resent Yuri.

But she must not have expected such a response, as she remained silent.

The 19th class of Eins Academy, known as the Dream Riders. Maria, who had been Yuri’s direct maid, knew well that I was among the top five dealers in that class before graduation.

Moreover, since Maria would have already read my job application, she must know about my current condition, unable to use mana.

‘She can’t be comfortable either.’

Finally, Maria opened her mouth again.

“You’re the only one who passed the practical interview with a perfect score. You’ve practically passed already. Then for the afternoon interview…”

There were still more groups for the practical interview, but she seemed to think I was already a successful candidate.

“I’ll speak to the executives about the personality interview in advance. Miss Yuri is also aware that you applied to Flame. So there won’t be anyone opposing. You can consider yourself finally accepted into our guild.”

That was what I wanted.

Of course, there was justification since I passed the practical interview with a perfect score. But I didn’t reveal my true feelings.

“Still, I don’t want to be called a parachute hire. I’m confident I can pass on my own merits, so I’ll take the personality interview. Besides, since I’ve come this far, I should meet Yuri.”

At those words, Maria’s face brightened.

“R-really? Yuri has been looking forward to today… to reuniting with you. Thank you.”

Once again, she bowed her head to me.

This situation was becoming increasingly uncomfortable. I greeted her and headed toward the exit of the interview room, almost like I was escaping.

Maria called out to me once more.

“Um, Mr. Minsu!”

I turned my head briefly. Maria spoke urgently.

“Miss Yuri has missed you a lot. No, she still misses you.”

I couldn’t respond to those words.

***

Lunchtime arrived. The candidates who passed the morning practical interview gathered again in the waiting room.

“As you can see, we’ve already prepared lunch boxes. However, if you’d prefer to go out to eat, you’re free to do so. Please choose as you like.”

Deputy Manager Park Hyeongwoo and his subordinates brought in the lunch boxes. Among those who passed the practical interview were Arin and Uncle Donghyuk.

“Minsu! You passed too, as expected. Whew. That practical interview was no joke!”

Uncle Donghyuk grabbed a lunch box and approached me.

“We have some time, so let’s eat together. And Arin too, okay?”

As I was about to get a lunch box, Arin quickly blocked my way.

“Um, Senior Minsu! I didn’t know they’d provide lunch here, so I packed too much food. Would you like to share mine instead of taking one of those?”

She seemed desperate, so I nodded. The three of us found a table in the waiting room and began eating.

“Oh my! I expected something fancy from a company in the heart of Gangnam, but these lunch boxes are quite ordinary. Convenience store level.”

In contrast, Arin’s lunch box was elaborate.

Gourmet sushi like tuna and eel, along with various side dishes including steak. Even the presentation and decorations were fancy.

‘She must have prepared enough for two people.’

It was clearly not a lunch box packed without thought. Uncle Donghyuk said enviously:

“Did you make this yourself, Arin? That’s amazing. My wife can’t cook as well as I can, so she’d never pack a lunch box like this.”

And it wasn’t just the appearance. Arin was also a good cook. It was delicious.

As I ate the lunch box silently, Arin watched me with what seemed like happiness. Her smile never faded.

We continued eating while discussing the morning interviews. Arin said:

“Even though it was called a practical interview, it wasn’t much. It seems less rigorous than its reputation suggests.”

But Uncle Donghyuk said he was sweating profusely.

“I must have been too nervous. After quitting as a security guard at Eins, I’ve been working in the field, but mostly in lower-level dungeons by Flame’s standards. Still, thankfully I managed to pass.”

The conversation naturally shifted to the personality interview scheduled for the afternoon.

“I heard Yuri, I mean Guild Leader Yuri, will also be present at the personality interview? This is making me nervous already. Ever since her student days, Guild Leader Yuri was like ice. When she passed by, security guards like me would tense up and greet her formally.”

Uncle Donghyuk was right. Yuri was the noble daughter of the Tarkovsky Duchy, and that duchy owned the Eins Foundation.

Back then, Yuri was truly a haughty noble lady. It was natural for mere security guards to be wary of her.

‘Even faculty and instructors were careful around Yuri.’

So students were even more so. Yuri stood at the pinnacle of the student caste.

“But from recent talk about the Flame Guild and interviews with Guild Leader Yuri, it seems her personality has changed a lot. Well, someone of her caliber could have joined her family’s knightly order, but she chose independence instead. Maybe that young lady has matured. Ah, but keep this between us!”

Uncle Donghyuk glanced at the other candidates after speaking.

It was impolite for a mere intern, or rather a candidate at this point, to talk about the Guild Leader like that. He seemed to realize his mistake.

But soon, Uncle Donghyuk started talking about Yuri again.

“Still, to see that high-and-mighty student council president again… Oh, by the way, Minsu, you liked Guild Leader Yuri, didn’t you? It must be quite nostalgic to see her again at the interview.”

*Clack*

At those words, Arin, who had been eating quietly, abruptly put down her chopsticks.

“Uncle, that can’t be true! Senior wouldn’t like a woman like that!”

Arin’s cheerful expression suddenly turned fierce. Surprised by her reaction, I quickly tried to cover for Uncle Donghyuk’s comment.

“Uncle, what are you saying? Yuri and I were just friends, or rather classmates.”

“Huh? Was that so? But my intuition about these things is usually spot on. I was sure you had feelings for Guild Leader Yuri…”

“It’s really not like that.”

“Is that so? Guild Leader Yuri was quite popular among the male students, so I naturally thought you would also…”

At that moment, Arin abruptly stood up.

“Um, I need to use the restroom for a moment.”

Unlike before, she smiled sweetly and then suddenly left the interview room.

Belatedly, Uncle Donghyuk slapped his forehead and said:

“Oh damn. Arin definitely seems to like you, Minsu. Is that why she packed lunch for you too? She must have serious feelings. And here I am, tactlessly saying such things…”

“Arin and I aren’t like that, Uncle. She’s probably just on edge because of the interview.”

At my words, Uncle Donghyuk’s expression became quite glum.

“This is why my wife always scolds me. She says I need to be more sensitive with women.”

But soon, he playfully continued:

“But you did like Guild Leader Yuri, didn’t you? That’s why on White Day, I secretly opened the dormitory door for you in the middle of the night to help you. Don’t you remember? You begged me desperately.”

“…That’s all in the past, so let’s move on.”

It was true. Uncle Donghyuk might seem insensitive and tactless, but he wasn’t a fool. In fact, out of goodwill toward me, he had often turned a blind eye to my intentions.

‘If it weren’t for Uncle Donghyuk, I wouldn’t have been able to monopolize so many opportunities.’

I couldn’t help but smile as memories of the past surfaced, but then I fell silent as I recalled the butterfly effect caused by those monopolized opportunities and the resulting tragedy at Eins.

Noticing my sudden change in expression, Uncle Donghyuk said:

“Oh no, did I cross a line? I was just so happy to see you after so long…”

“No, Uncle. It’s not that…”

I quickly composed myself. Seeming relieved, Uncle Donghyuk continued:

“But Minsu, the truth is, like all men, even if it’s hard to let go because of lingering feelings, first loves rarely work out. They’re too immature. If you’re too fixated on that, you might miss out on good women around you. As it happens, Arin seems to like you a lot, so if you start dating her and see where it goes…”

“I keep telling you, it’s not like that with Yuri. And with Arin…”

I spent time chatting about trivial matters with Uncle Donghyuk. Lunchtime was over.

“It’s interview time already. Let’s do our best, Minsu! Once we get past this, we’re in.”

“Yes, good luck to you too, Uncle.”

“Right. By the way, do you think Soso will be one of the interviewers? Isn’t she the main dealer in this guild?”

Uncle suddenly brought up a familiar name. Another classmate of mine and the main dealer of the Flame Guild, a swordswoman.

“I don’t know. Given her personality, she probably doesn’t involve herself in guild management, so she likely won’t participate in the executive interview.”

“I see. You were really close with Soso too, weren’t you?”

“Was I? Well… if I get accepted, I’ll probably see her.”

Yeon Soso, the Heavenly Demon. She was as significant a figure as Yuri, and she too was a party to my trauma.

‘But there are more pressing matters now.’

It was time to meet Yuri.

***

It was fortunate that I met Uncle Donghyuk. The trivial, amusing conversation from earlier had been a great help.

In truth, from the moment I received Maria’s apology, it had been difficult to maintain my composure.

Right after regaining consciousness back then, just the thought of recalling that face, just thinking about Yuri, would plunge me into extreme panic.

A year later, thanks to Professor Seong Chaerin’s treatment, my condition had improved, but complete recovery was still out of reach.

Thankfully, the chat with Uncle had alleviated some of that anxiety.

‘I need to overcome this now.’

The story of the novel that I had ruined. This novel where the protagonist had to die and drift. Yuri’s guild had been fulfilling that protagonist’s role.

And now it was time for me to take responsibility. By joining Yuri’s guild.

With that resolve, I followed the other candidates into the interview room. We all entered together and greeted the interviewers.

The moment I raised my bowed head, there she was. Yuri.

Yuri Tarkovskaya.

Long silver-white hair. Deep blue eyes and long eyelashes. A pale and haughty expression on the face of a beautiful woman in formal attire.

Just like her nickname, the Snow Woman. She looked exactly as I remembered her. At that moment, our eyes met.

She recognized me. Her expression didn’t change, but I could tell otherwise.

Even though she pretended to be calm, her long eyelashes would always tremble slightly when she was flustered. They were doing so now.

Probably few people knew about this habit of Yuri’s.

‘This makes my denial of Uncle Donghyuk’s words… meaningless.’

And I, too, felt my heart begin to race intensely again. It was just like that day.

When I, who had been possessed into the novel, first saw Yuri. I fell for her at first sight. And that emotion was my original sin.

I, who was merely a minor character, who should have remained as such, crossed a line to become entangled with Yuri, a major character in this novel.

Of course, back then, I convinced myself it was for survival within the novel as a minor character. But that wasn’t it. Now I could understand.

I simply wanted to catch Yuri’s eye.

It was then, as if to wake me from the black and white past I was dwelling in, Yuri finally spoke:

“Now, we will begin the final interview to select intern employees for our guild, the Phoenix of Immortality.”