Ch.59Cockscomb

# 1.

The first time I felt it was with Luna.

When I faced Luna, who was in a daze, someone whispered in a small voice.

【Please, take care of the members.】

At the time, I thought I might have heard things, but this time I heard it clearly.

【I’m counting on you again, Nahan.】

I realized it immediately.

‘It’s Black Wolf.’

The voice, the way of speaking, even the trembling in the words—it was unmistakably Black Wolf. So I seized the opportunity to ask.

“Before asking for favors, explain yourself. What exactly is going on here?”

Why I was possessed in this place, why I could save others with abilities that weren’t in the “original work,” and why me of all people.

I had mountains of questions, so I waited for an answer, but when Black Wolf spoke again, he bluntly said in a polite tone:

【I cannot explain yet. If we interfere with each other any more than this, we’ll end up disappearing without accomplishing anything.】

“…What?”

【Wait. When the third skill is unlocked, I will explain a little.】

“Ha! Just do as I say.”

【Please take care of Hanryang, and the others too, Nahan.】

“I’m not done talking yet.”

【Farewell for now.】

That was the extent of our conversation.

“Hey, hello? Wow, this bastard just says what he wants and disappears?”

After Black Wolf said his piece and vanished, a new system window appeared before my eyes.

【Main Scenario – Would you like to proceed with <Those Who Could Not Be Saved>?】

【Accept / Decline.】

The status window that I had accepted without even realizing it appeared during Luna and Mother’s time.

“…Damn, so basically I have to do what the system says until I meet him again.”

But even without Black Wolf’s request, Nahan had already decided to save these people, so he muttered with a sigh.

“Fine, these guys are more important right now anyway.”

After checking the status window, Nahan had a feeling.

If he accepted, he could meet Hanryang and Ilhong for a moment, just like with Luna.

Of course, he was annoyed at Black Wolf for using him without any explanation,

‘Ah… if only I could see you again, Ilhong, even for just a moment…’

But he couldn’t take out his frustration on others.

“I think I can grant that wish.”

Nahan immediately pressed the accept button.

【Due to the contract between <Black Wolf(Ex)> and <Aria(???)>, the lingering attachment of the third member – <Hanryang(S)> materializes here.】

【The one who could not be saved – <Cheon Ilhong(E)> will manifest in the current world for a brief time.】

The system window flashed brightly.

The world where he stood collapsed, and the village where Hanryang and Ilhong had stayed was implemented.

‘…I’m envious.’

That they could somehow finish what had ended in regret.

‘…Someday.’

I wonder if I too could be saved someday.

If that were possible,

‘I too could be a little… just a little bit happy….’

Leaving his newly bloomed regrets behind,

“…A man shouldn’t cry.”

“……Miss?”

Someone’s final closure began.

# 2.

The surroundings changed.

That always warm place was certainly the path where he used to walk whispering words of love with the young lady.

Momentarily confused by the sudden change of location, Hanryang instinctively looked up.

Step, step, step.

The unforgettable sound of footsteps.

“A man shouldn’t cry.”

“……Miss?”

“I’ve missed you, Hanryang.”

At that familiar mischievous smile she always showed him, just as in his memories,

“Ah, ahhh…!!”

Hanryang moved his heavy feet.

One step,

Two steps,

Three steps.

With each step, his lingering attachment lessened, and with each step, the warm scent of plum blossoms grew stronger.

Without a doubt, it was the young lady.

“Miss…!! Miss Ilhong…!!”

“Yes, Hanryang. Have you been well…”

Whoosh!

“…My, you’re still as impulsive as ever.”

Before she could finish speaking, Hanryang embraced her and shed thick tears.

“I’ve missed you… I’ve missed you so much.”

“I’ve missed you too.”

“Every night I went to sleep praying that I might see you, even in my dreams.”

“My, you’re still so cute.”

…Squeeze.

Afraid he might lose her,

Yet careful not to hurt Ilhong.

Hanryang held her delicately like a fragile jewel and asked.

“Have I finally died?”

“Not yet.”

Only then did Hanryang release Ilhong, look down at her, and smile.

“Then I will die right now.”

He meant it.

Every moment without her had been painful, piercing to the core.

But Ilhong became serious.

“You’re still as foolish as ever.”

“That’s right. I am a fool. That’s why I need the clever Miss by my side.”

“…Hanryang.”

“No.”

In his lifetime of serving the young lady, had he ever defied her words like this?

But he couldn’t help it.

Had he not reunited with Ilhong, he might not have known, but having met her again,

“Please… please don’t tell me to leave you, Miss.”

Hanryang didn’t have the courage to return to a world without her.

Ilhong knew this too.

Just as Hanryang did, she didn’t want to leave him behind.

However,

【Time Remaining: 00:09:12】

It was clear that they would have to part again when the given 10 minutes ended.

…Squeeze.

Ilhong, barely managing a smile, firmly held Hanryang’s trembling hand.

“Hanryang. Do you remember what I whispered to you on the day I left your side?”

He surely wouldn’t remember.

If she knew Hanryang, he wouldn’t have tried to die after hearing those words.

“……I’m sorry.”

As expected, to Hanryang who had forgotten that day, she slowly opened her mouth.

“Do you remember my dream?”

“…Of course.”

“Then tell me. What was the dream I had all my life?”

Hanryang answered immediately.

“Helping those in need, listening to the stories of the wronged, feeding the hungry. And ultimately, creating your own small town where the suffering could live at ease—wasn’t that it?”

“You’re clever.”

That day was just like today.

Even as she was dying from a curse, Ilhong whispered to Hanryang just as she did now.

“But I cannot see, and now I cannot fulfill that wish. I would like you to return after achieving all of that.”

“…Miss.”

“I told you, didn’t I? How much I loved hearing your stories…”

Ilhong’s words continued disjointedly.

That day was just like now.

【Time Remaining: 00:06:23】

Deliberately ignoring the approaching death, hiding her own fears.

Hoping that this foolish yet lovable man would live on.

“…So, please…”

Ilhong had reassured him at length and incoherently then, just as she did now.

So surely this time would be the same.

‘Once again, I will leave his side trembling in fear without convincing Hanryang, and he will live the rest of his life in sorrow.’

How tragic.

Even more so because knowing the ending doesn’t mean being able to prevent it.

Therefore, Nahan, who was watching the whole situation, unconsciously muttered.

“…Are you the only one who’s sad? Are you so busy hugging her for comfort that you can’t see Ilhong? Time is running out, you idiot…”

And that,

“…!”

Was transmitted directly to Hanryang.

“……Captain?”

Hanryang looked around for a moment, but there were still only the two of them.

Thanks to that, Hanryang could finally see Ilhong properly.

“…It’s alright, Hanryang. My dream… if you fulfill my dream, I…”

The sight of her suppressing her own fears and sorrows to comfort him, like a child comforting an even younger child.

‘I’m still an idiot.’

From the day the young lady took me in until now, I haven’t grown at all.

Finally realizing his mistake, Hanryang slapped his own face hard.

Smack!!

A savage sound like bones breaking.

“S-self-harm…!! I clearly…!!”

Startled, Ilhong clenched her small fist to scold him, but thanks to this, Hanryang came to his senses and gently held her hand.

Then, with dark eyes, he looked at her sparkling pink eyes and whispered.

“I will live.”

“…Huh?”

“As you said, I will fulfill your dreams in your stead. And when I live comfortably and happily in that place that was your dream, when the time comes for me to return to you, I will tell you everything.”

Ilhong looked at Hanryang.

He was such a foolish man that his lies were always immediately apparent.

Even on the day he first died, he nodded and said he would live, but it was a lie until the end.

But,

“…Really?”

“Yes, Miss.”

This time it was true.

Drip.

The tears she had been holding back flowed down.

More terrifying than facing death while blind was the death of her beloved.

That’s why she had ended things only comforting Hanryang, unable to lean on him.

“You… you foolish man, finally… do you know how hard I tried…”

“…I’m sorry, Miss.”

“No… that’s right, it’s fine. If you’ve resolved to live, that’s enough.”

Ilhong, who had barely stopped crying, checked the time.

【Time Remaining: 00:03:23】

It’s short.

Too short.

Just like before, her vision blurs, and a warm energy envelops her entire body.

When this time ends,

Where will I go?

…Tremble.

Ilhong tried to hide her delicately trembling white hands behind her back.

‘…If I can just endure during this time. If I can part with Hanryang with a smile.’

It would be much easier on Hanryang’s heart.

‘…Yes. The most important thing right now is not my sadness and fear that will soon disappear, but only Hanryang’s feelings.’

As Ilhong resolved this and raised her head to comfort Hanryang,

…Pat.

A thick hand was placed on Ilhong’s head.

“…What are you doing?”

“It’s alright, Miss.”

“What do you mean, alright?”

“You don’t have to suppress yourself for my sake.”

Hanryang’s hand, having composed his emotions, wrapped around her waist and gently pulled her into his embrace.

“…Such a child pretending to be an adult. I’m really not…”

Her words, not even finished, were filled with moisture.

“Ah, that… I… I, Hanryang…”

Tears that wouldn’t stop flowing.

A body that wouldn’t stop trembling.

Eyes moving toward Hanryang.

Ilhong, looking at Hanryang who still stood firmly like a statue, blurted out without thinking.

“I’m scared.”

Not knowing where she would go when this time ended, not knowing if this too was death.

“And I’m also deeply, heart-wrenchingly sad…!”

Thinking that you, so lovable and dependable, will no longer be by my side.

And above all,

“I resent everything.”

If you hadn’t left my side,

If I hadn’t been cursed,

If there had been some way.

“We… wouldn’t have had to part so sorrowfully.”

Ilhong’s unfiltered regrets flowed toward the still steadfast Hanryang.

But Hanryang, still maintaining a firm smile, comforted Ilhong.

Saying it was all his fault,

That it wasn’t because of the young lady,

That he would make everything right.

Just as Ilhong had comforted him before, he held her tight so she wouldn’t be afraid.

So Ilhong cried for a long time.

Nuzzling her face against Hanryang,

Pressing her warm lips to his,

And then embracing each other again.

And so came,

【Time Remaining: 00:00:10】

The time for their second farewell.

Hanryang, no longer trembling, whispered to her as she gazed at him affectionately.

“You, always captivating, are my eternal and unchanging love.”

A single tear flowing down despite the smile he barely managed to form.

“…A man shouldn’t cry.”

Finally, Ilhong, wiping Hanryang’s tears, also whispered to him.

“You, always captivating, are my eternal and unchanging love.”

Lips gently meeting.

【Time Remaining: 00:00:00】

Cheon Ilhong scattering like flower petals.

“I love you, Ilhong.”

“I love you too, Hanryang.”

…Rustle.

At last, a complete farewell.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Once, when she was young, she told Hanryang the meaning of her name, taken from a flower.

“Remember this, Hanryang! And if you ever find someone you love, use it when you propose!”

“…What?”

“The flower language of Cheon Ilhong is eternal love! Or unchanging love!”

Combining the two,

“You are my eternal and unchanging love!”