episode_0029

A possibility that had never crossed his mind emerges.

The possibility that the system has made an error.

The integrity of the system has long been compromised.

From the very beginning of this round, there were rampant instances of broken fonts, causing quite a commotion.

[Relationship Chart]

[Various gibberish text]

[More gibberish text]

[Even more gibberish text]

That’s how it is.

Having a record, he cannot be certain that other errors have not occurred.

There could be far more serious issues than regression being blocked.

For example, the heroine recovering memories from previous rounds.

“No. That can’t be…”

A picture in the newspaper catches his eye once again.

It looks as if someone had detonated a mana bomb to destroy a pillar.

It’s a method unimaginable for the noble Jill I know.

…Unless I’ve seen something like this before.

“Ha.”

Jill might have recovered her memories.

The thought makes his head ache as if it might split open.

Memories from the 12th round vividly resurface.

Despite approaching with impure intentions, the first round was spent enjoying time with the heroines with a fairly pure heart.

Challenging again, facing the heroines who had forgotten him, brought pain in the second round.

Deciding to harden his heart, he still felt shaken every time he saw the heroines in the third round.

…Until the 12th round where his heart had worn down and now faced the heroines without any emotional fluctuations.

Though I was completely acting at the end, they weren’t.

I heard the same lines repeatedly, while they sincerely conveyed their feelings to me.

While I grew tired of the same scenery, they genuinely exclaimed in admiration.

I’ve had moments when I inwardly wished the heroines would also regress with me.

How nice it would be if my time wasn’t flowing so lonely. I harbored fantasies.

But perhaps that fantasy could become reality.

The heroines might remember the previous rounds and him.

Just considering that possibility makes him suddenly uneasy.

“Ugh…”

Those girls who spewed slander to hold onto me.

Those who tarnished my reputation and entangled my freedom.

Their figures tainted with vile monopolistic desires and selfishness.

Simultaneously, traumas resurface, making his body tremble.

While the heroines forget their actions, they remain eternally in his heart.

The dagger lodged in his chest pierces deeper whenever he sees their faces.

Even just seeing their faces innocently smiling without a trace, what would happen if the heroines remembered and came looking for him?

Just imagining it makes his breath quicken and his chest tighten.

“…Hap.”

Suddenly.

A cold sensation touches his neck.

Thanks to that, he can catch his breath and regain his composure.

“What are you doing?”

“…”

He sighs and turns his head.

Mi-Jung, who seems to have just showered, is tugging at his damp hair strands and biting his neck.

Since she doesn’t have fangs, it doesn’t really hurt.

No, maybe it didn’t hurt because she didn’t exert much force.

Meanwhile, his shirt is inside out, thanks to her.

“I guess you’re hungry?”

“…”

Nod, nod.

As Mi-Jung bites his neck, she slowly shakes her head.

In doing so, her teeth keep getting caught.

Suddenly, Mi-Jung starts nibbling on his neck lightly.

Not too forcefully.

Just enough to feel a slight twinge of pain.

“So, what is it?”

“I don’t know.”

Forcibly raising my arm to detach her.

Mi-jeong, who caught on quickly, removes her mouth from my neck.

Even as drool drips down, I don’t find it particularly dirty.

Perhaps because I’m inherently someone far from cleanliness.

“…This way. You’ll feel better.”

“Understood.”

“…Hanyangnyang.”

After swallowing the saliva with a gulp, Mi-jeong now nibbles on the other side of my neck, hesitatingly.

Seeing her target my neck specifically, it seems like her vampire instincts are weakly lingering.

Since there’s no injury or risk of infection, I decide to just let it be.

Preventing her from drinking water and risking her teeth getting damaged by accidentally biting something inappropriate would be troublesome.

…That’s why I feel like I’ve become a chew toy.

“You smell, so back off. I haven’t even washed yet.”

“…Yujin. Your scent. Doesn’t bother me.”

“Go dry your hair.”

“…Ugh.”

I hand her a towel for her to wrap around her head before getting up from the couch.

I need to hurry and wash up before checking out.

Still, thanks to her, I feel slightly better now.

***

Footsteps— they’re not all the same.

Some footsteps drag weakly.

Others stomp firmly.

Having grown up in a strict hierarchy at the workshop since childhood, I’m accustomed to memorizing footsteps.

Upon hearing elders’ footsteps, one must promptly rise and greet them respectfully.

Of course, that doesn’t mean I memorize everyone’s footsteps upon first encounter.

If they’re not from the workshop, I won’t remember them well.

Even if I do memorize, I forget quickly.

That’s why it’s even more peculiar.

“Investor’s footsteps?”

How am I remembering the footsteps of someone I’ve only met twice?

It feels more like a subconscious bodily reaction rather than a conscious effort to remember.

Surely, it must be a mistake.

“Ah…”

Familiar boots appear near the reception area.

My face lights up involuntarily.

Before I know it, I’m clutching the wooden box that was in front of me and dashing towards them.

“They’re here?!”

I really did guess correctly that it was the investor.

Before the staff could call me, I bolt to the reception area.

It’s the first time I’ve memorized someone’s footsteps in such a short time.

Perhaps it’s because the investor’s boot sounds are distinctive.

That must be it.

There’s no other special reason.

“Yes! The completed ma-seok is here…”

Without realizing, my words trail off.

My expression gradually stiffens.

Because a child stands beside the investor whom I hadn’t seen before.

Judging by how close they are standing, they seem quite intimate.

What kind of relationship is this?

Lost in thought, my actions momentarily halt.

Must be the younger sister, right? It has to be, right?

Only then do I feel a bit relieved.

“Tae?”

“Ah, yes. The completed ma-seok is here. They’re a matching pair.”

Realizing my duty, I quickly open the box to show its contents.

The ma-seok brought by the investor this time is perfectly symmetrical on both sides.

Thus, I split it in half to make two pieces.

Holding two identical stones doesn’t double the effect.

“It seems you have some free time. In the previous work, you seemed a bit rushed, but this time there’s no sign of that.”

“Did you notice? Hehehe. When I’m at ease, the work speeds up.”

I’ve felt this before, the investor seems to see right through me.

Certainly, initially, I made many mistakes due to complex thoughts and nervousness.

But once I realized that the expectations placed on me were pure support and encouragement, it wasn’t burdensome at all.

Initially, just thinking about their face made me nauseous.

Now, the thought of the investor holding the ma-seok fills me with strength.

Meeting the investor, I might have truly become a master craftsman.

“But there’s still a long way to go.”

“Hello?”

“It’s going to get even better than this, right? You’re not thinking of settling for this quality, are you?”

“Of course not!”

“I’m leaving Basel now. When I come back, I’ll bring back a bunch of top-grade gems. I’ll be looking forward to that time.”

“During that time, I’ll also be honing my skills!”

With excitement in his heart at the thought of the task ahead, he was already feeling joyful.

This was a first-time experience.

I never dreamed I would gain such confidence.

I never imagined I would discover my talent.

It’s all thanks to the investors.

It’s because of the investors pushing me, believing in me, and encouraging me.

How can I express this feeling?

Saying thank you is not enough.

It falls short.

Is there a word that can more accurately describe my fluctuating emotions right now?

In the midst of pondering over happiness and worries…

“Hey, you do this.”

“······Huh?”

“Since there are two, make them into rings and wear one each. Dislike it?”

“······No. I like it.”

The investor handed a gemstone to the child next to him.

A child who had been momentarily forgotten, being so small.

In a very brief moment.

As the investor turned his head, a smile briefly appeared on the child’s previously expressionless face before fading away.

Unable to control my surprise, my brow furrowed involuntarily.

“They must be siblings with a particularly good relationship. That could be it.”

They looked like siblings with an age difference of about 10 years.

So they could be close like this.

It might be a bit hard to understand siblings wearing couple gemstone rings… but still, it’s okay.

No problem.

“Well then, see you next time, Tei. Take care.”

“Yes······.”

“Let’s go. Stop eyeing the gemstones so much. You’ll get holes in them.”

“······Okay.”

The investor turned and walked away.

The words I failed to say earlier lingered near my throat, tickling it.

I did anticipate the next meeting, but no one knew when that would be.

I have to say it after all.

Summoning courage, I lifted my head and opened my mouth.

“Ah······.”

But as soon as I saw the investor’s neck…

I was engulfed by a suffocating pressure as if my breath was cut off.

“Tooth marks…?”

Clearly visible marks as if someone had bitten into it.

They covered the investor’s neck.

It seemed the investor didn’t hear my stifled gasp.

However, the girl who had been walking beside the investor turned back, her eyes shining with a crimson glow.

“Ah······.”

Terrified by her predatory gaze, my legs gave out from under me.

Unable to utter a sound, I just sat there, watching the investor’s retreating figure with my eyes.

Unbeknownst to me, the investor and the child had walked side by side and disappeared from view.

“When you come next time… I’ll tell you… what I have to say… *sob*…”

It’s not over yet.

Until I improve my skills and become much more famous, until the day the investor returns, I cannot stop.

Wiping away a tear, I stood up, clenched my fist.