episode_0016

Master Lee Baekhyun’s Exhibition

Even the professors from the Department of Modern Art couldn’t help but conceal their eyes filled with anticipation, despite pretending to be nonchalant.

It was natural to feel excited if you had an interest in the field of art.

“I’m looking forward to this.”

I, too, felt a surge of anticipation. His reputation was so lofty that it sparked my curiosity, leading me to spend the entire day yesterday searching for the name Lee Baekhyun.

His painting, “Gehenna,” depicting children of Israel worshiping a burning child, sold for a record-breaking auction price of $300 million in art history.

Today, with the expectation of meeting this remarkable artist, I put on the pair of boots that I had been saving for a special occasion.

[Boots of Vitality (1 Star)]

– (When equipped) Stamina gradually increases.

– (When equipped) Skin gains vitality.

“Wow!”

I felt energized from the morning.

“I believe there won’t be any disruptive students at the exhibition just because Queen Bartz is here.”

After receiving appropriate instructions, the students walked towards the exhibition hall. As it was a special exhibition with a limited number of attendees, the interior of the building was dark and quiet overall.

“Ji-yoon, hold my hand.”

“Come here.”

I entered the indoor exhibition hall arm in arm with Hayoon.

The exhibition hall still had many areas that were not organized, and the artworks were scattered sparsely, giving it a desolate look. It seemed like they were not fully prepared as it was not the official opening yet.

“So, this is Master Lee Baekhyun’s exhibition…”

The first artwork welcoming visitors at the entrance of the exhibition hall caught our attention.

Thick paper folded multiple times like a fan, then twisted diagonally to create a flow.

Curves upon curves, creating new curves never seen before.

Transcendent craftsmanship and the flourishing expression of a master artist in his prime. Just a single sheet of paper overwhelmed people.

“Wow…”

“…”

Sighs escaped from various places.

From the beginning, it quickly became crowded due to the provocative nature of the artworks.

“Shall we go further in?”

“Sure!”

We decided to explore more.

The exhibition hall predominantly displayed a wooden-brown color scheme, gradually calming the excitement of the visitors.

While admiring the artworks, Hayoon couldn’t take her eyes off a particularly intense painting on the wall. Following her gaze, I looked at the painting as well.

A person with a distorted face in vivid crimson. Contrasting sharply, an excessively clear green butterfly sat atop the distorted figure. Just looking at it caused visual confusion, yet it was symbolically significant even to the uninitiated.

“To see this here…”

Hayoon trembled as if overwhelmed by the painting.

“…Certainly overwhelming even for someone like me, who is an outsider.”

“Ji-yoon, what thoughts come to your mind when you see this painting?”

“Well…”

Although there was something visually striking, it was hard to articulate it into words.

“…The grotesquely distorted face, yet the expression is blank. Perhaps the distortion in this painting signifies a substantial deviation rather than emotion?”

It was the most noticeable peculiarity in the painting.

“Heh… I simply thought the force of the painting was immense, but as expected, Ji-yoon, your thoughts are profound.”

“…Is this some kind of elaborate flattery?”

We conversed while viewing various artworks.

“What do you think the black spots here signify?”

“Considering the positioning, could it possibly represent sunspots? …Do you know? Sunspots appear darker relative to their surroundings due to relatively lower temperatures. Despite being sufficiently hot compared to other planets, they appear dark precisely because it’s the sun.”

There were students engaged in discussions as well.

“…How on earth did they exhibit this?”

A traditional Korean tiled house made entirely of burnt-out candles caught our eye.

“Ji-yoon, how heavy do you think this is?”

“It probably weighs around 300kg, don’t you think?”

It was so fascinating that for the first time, they discussed weight rather than the story of the work.

After a long conversation, a voice from behind seemed to call out from below.

“What’s so interesting?”

“Ah… Haha! Lady Yuna…”

I didn’t casually address Im Yuna as Yuna Sertetie without realizing it.

“Oh, hello Yuna…”

Hayoon had instinctively feared Im Yuna, the main character, even before.

“Honestly, those eyes are terrifyingly eerie.”

The eyes, already deep like an abyss, felt like a frozen universe upon closer inspection.

“Speak up, I’ll listen attentively.”

As if urging to speak, Im Yuna gestured towards the exhibit.

“W-well… um…”

Given no stage to stand on, there was nothing to say.

“… ”

Hayoon seemed to find the current situation awkward and embarrassing, putting on a stiff expression.

“Alright, let’s seize the escape route!”

“Hayoon, are you okay?”

“Huh?”

I plan to use Hayoon to escape from the disaster known as Im Yuna.

“Lady Yuna, I’m truly sorry, but first, let me attend to this friend…”

“What are you trying to do right now?”

With an angry tone, pupils as black as coal instantly dilated, covering the whites.

“W-well, it’s not that…”

Space distorted, and the ground vibrated.

Interestingly, the students around remained calm. They were fearful as if witnessing an unknown entity, unable to look away as if under some kind of brainwashing. Suppressing the sensation of flesh being torn, I closed my eyes forcibly.

“It was just out of concern for a fellow student.”

“Ha.”

Im Yuna pointed at Sohayoon with her finger, opening her mouth.

-[Confusing]

A sound akin to a whale’s cry, almost impossible to attribute to a human, was heard. A bolt as thick as a baby’s fingernail struck Sohayoon’s neck.

Sohayoon seemed dazed as if she had lost her ability to speak after being struck by the bolt.

“Ah… ah… ah…”

“Hayoon? What in the world is this…”

The exact situation wasn’t clear. Hayoon, as if tuning a radio frequency, shook her head from side to side before abruptly stopping.

“Ji. Yoon. Wait. I’ll. Go. To. The. Restroom.”

“… ”

An alienating response indeed.

Dragging her feet, Hayoon retraced her steps through the exhibition. Her body trembled as if her nerves were shot, yet no one around paid any attention to her.

“… ”

I swore to protect Hayoon, but in an instant, the situation turned dire.

“Surely now… she wouldn’t be concerned about a mere commoner like me while putting herself forward?”

The surroundings rippled as if hit by intense heat.

“… ”

Rationally, one shouldn’t defy Im Yuna.

I know. I know, but…

I was deeply worried about Hayoon.

“How could I dare to disrespect Lady Yuna Sertetie?”

I must choose my words carefully. If even a slight mistake is noticed, it won’t be overlooked.

“I simply… as an outsider residing here, I don’t wish to be distrusted by the inhabitants of this strange world due to my unfamiliar appearance. I trust you will understand with the generosity of a hero.”

I bowed my head low enough for my forehead to show, then searched for Hayoon and retraced the exhibition.

“… Look at this?”

For a moment, the surroundings seemed to quake as if in an earthquake.

‘I heard nothing… I saw nothing…’

Suppressing anxiety, I left hastily.

Hayoon indeed went to the restroom.

In front of the restroom, there were Queen Bartz students in casual attire lining up. She clearly looked flustered seeing the crowd of students waiting in line for the women’s restroom.

“Is she confused because she can’t engage in brainwashed behavior?”

“Hayoon, follow me if you want to go to the restroom.”

There was no intention to waste time unnecessarily.

“Re-re-restroom?..”

“Yes, the restroom.”

Thankfully, she spoke more normally than before.

I guided Hayoon to the men’s restroom.

I entered the women’s restroom for no reason and ended up encountering a student who came in later, which was becoming bothersome, so I had to prevent an awkward situation.

Inside the restroom, there was no one.

After entering the restroom, Hayoon’s body trembled, and her eyes began to glaze over.

“Ah… Where am I, Jiyoon?”

Regaining her senses, Hayoon anxiously scanned her surroundings with fear-stricken eyes.

“This is the exhibition restroom. You don’t need to worry.”

“How did I get here? I can’t remember… I’m scared…”

Seemingly lost in a bewildering experience, her lips quivered as if a motor ran inside her mouth.

“Hayoon, calm down, I’m here.”

“Ah… Ah…”

The situation was more serious than expected.

“…A scar on her neck.”

A dark red scar resembling roots planted on the floor marked Hayoon’s neck.

“Hayoon, please calm down.”

Despite my pleas, Hayoon couldn’t calm down.

“Ah… Ah… Huh?!”

Without hesitation, I forcefully inserted my tongue into Hayoon’s trembling mouth. She looked at me with startled rabbit eyes.

“Mm… Chu… Churup… Mm… Jiyoon…”

Saliva thickly entwined as our tongues danced. Her tongue carried a subtle taste of grapefruit, subtly addictive and difficult to notice unless focused upon.

“Chu… Don’t worry because you can’t remember. I’m here.”

Her trembling lips stopped, but she still sweated profusely, appearing uneasy.

“Yes, I’ve calmed dow… Mmwaah?!”

I pushed my tongue back in, this time exploring her mouth roughly as if forcing a kiss. The intention was to soothe Hayoon’s unknown anxiety with an aggressive kiss.

“Mmwaah… Huh… (Gasp) Aahh… (Gasp) Mmwaah…”

Hayoon breathed heavily, her tongue intermittently trembling.

“Jiyoon… Mmwaah…”

Exploring each other’s mouths without knowing whose saliva it was, warmth enveloped them.

As Hayoon seemed genuinely calm, I ended the rough kiss.

“Phew… Are you calm now?”

“Yes, I’m not anxious anymore.”

Hayoon’s face bore a slightly ecstatic expression.

Touching her own lips, she stiffened upon seeing my expression.

“Why does your face look like that, Jiyoon? Are you hurt?”

“… ”

In truth, since entering the restroom earlier, the choker hanging from her neck felt scorching, especially feeling a scratching sensation akin to a woman’s nails when the kiss began.

“It’s nothing.”

…It must be nothing.

I tried to ignore the unease.

“But it’s already 11 o’clock, and I can’t see the exhibits anymore.”

Time passed as I comforted Hayoon.

“I’m sorry.”

“No, there’s nothing to apologize for.”

“In reality, I should be sorry.”

If I hadn’t gotten involved with Im Yuna, none of this would have happened.

“What does Im Yuna want from me exactly?”

While my stories amused her somewhat, enchanting Hayoon and pressuring me seemed odd.

“What’s her intention?”

Honestly, it was disgustingly frightening.

Im Yuna viewed modern society and the world through different eyes, or rather, a different “worldview.” With a sense of superiority due to her noble lineage, she regarded ordinary students as lower class.

I didn’t know how things were in the original world, but at least here, she was a lunatic beyond flattery.

“I’d rather avoid running into Im Yuna if possible… Physically impossible to handle the monsters of the fantasy world.”

Upon exiting, I saw the tall female teacher from the morning.

“We’re going to a famous course meal restaurant for lunch. Let’s go eat!”

She seemed more cheerful than in the morning.

“In the afternoon, there’s a special lecture by Lee Baekhyun… But first, let’s enjoy a delicious lunch.”

I tried to forget about the headache.