episode_0061

I hurriedly clung to the past.

I wedged myself in between them, preventing the next scene from appearing.

“Can I call you oppa?”

“Can I call you oppa?”

“Can I call you oppa?”

“Can I call you oppa?”

“Can I call you oppa?”

The same words repeated.

Like a broken video.

The system window, surprised by my misconduct, rushed towards me.

[SYSTEM: This action is prohibited.]

My body recoiled, unable to interfere with the memories.

Reluctantly, the two of us embraced each other.

“At your age, acting like a child?”

“Yes. At least in front of you, I want to.”

“Well, you’ve been through a lot. You must have had a hard time.”

“…Oppa.”

“It’s okay. You can always be like that in front of me.”

“Thank you. Really.”

The younger sister who opened her heart to me clung to the me from the previous episode.

She thought of me as a benefactor and was willing to sacrifice everything.

“So, about what I asked last time…”

“Are you asking at this timing?”

“…Sorry. But I was really curious. You know, right?”

“Yes.”

“Tell me. What is the secret of ■■?”

“Well… ■■….”

That’s why this version of Seres blurted it out.

It was about revealing the [Secret of the Holy Maiden].

As someone who is considered a benefactor and a dependent, I had no choice but to answer.

And.

-Bang!

“Huh?”

“Oh, oppa? Oppa? Oh, oh, oh, oh, no!!!!”

“Ahhhhhhhh!!!!”

My head exploded, spraying blood and inflicting a new trauma.

The worst memory of killing the benefactor who cared for me after losing my parents.

“…Eh.”

This Seres also looked bewildered at that.

Even though she saw what happened, she couldn’t understand the situation.

“Why… did you die…?”

She asked but couldn’t get an answer.

I don’t know the secret of the Holy Maiden.

I know that revealing it means death.

[SYSTEM: Playing the last memory.]

With the warning from the system window, the last video greeted us.

A bloodied Seres stood in the center of the guild home.

She had come out naked right after I died, not wearing anything.

Bewildered.

She faced off against Holy Maiden without understanding reality.

“So you spilled the beans.”

“You revealed my secret.”

“I thought it would be fine if you were happy.”

“If you hadn’t said anything, I would have just watched quietly.”

“Why did you do that?”

“…No. I, no.”

“I warned you not to spill my secret.”

“I repeatedly warned you not to speak, so why did you do that?”

“I spilled it out of curiosity, and it got me killed.”

“I thought I could trust you.”

“I’m disappointed.”

“Give me back my oppa….”

“I’ll give him back, but it won’t be like this next time.”

“This will be the end of the relationship you wanted.”

“Turning gratitude into revenge, what a fool.”

“I… didn’t do it on purpose….”

“I know. I felt the same way at first.”

“Do you think the one repaying kindness with revenge is just you?”

“Haha.”

“Is this when you use the phrase ‘birds of a feather flock together’?”

The aura gathered around Holy Maiden’s neck.

The new suicide method she showed while reconciling with me.

Although she didn’t actually do it, this time is different.

“You were never the heroine of Changgi.”

“You’re a traitor.”

“No… It’s not true…! He… said that lovers don’t lie to each other…!”

“…….”

“I don’t know where things went wrong….”

“I have to do better next time….”

“Next time… I’ll find a better person….”

“A kind and trustworthy person….”

The words didn’t finish.

-Bang!

A new fountain of blood erupted in the guild home.

The head disappeared.

“Uwaaaaaaaah!!!!”

『Huuaaaaaaah!!!!』

Reality and the past.

Two identical people screamed simultaneously.

*

[SYSTEM: Replay ended.]

[SYSTEM: Based on this, the Tower asks.]

[SYSTEM: Is it true that the two fought over a woman?]

[SYSTEM: Wasn’t there really no reason for that?]

I don’t know.

Neither Seres nor I could understand.

The shock from the scene just now was so great that I was at a loss and had to refute the system.

“Wait a minute. The premise itself is strange.”

What I saw just now is Seongyeoni’s memory.

It’s not my beloved cow girlfriend’s memory.

“You know the intention behind showing me this memory. Seongyeoni is taking issue with imitating what I did in the last episode to provoke Seres.”

[SYSTEM: Affirmative.]

“But the question you’re raising is different. You’re saying we have no reason to fight over my current girlfriend?”

[SYSTEM: Affirmative.]

“So the story ends there. What Seres is attracted to is [my girlfriend], not [Seongyeoni]. If my girlfriend had provoked Seres by imitating what I did, maybe. The memory shown to me now is solely related to Seongyeoni and has nothing to do with the topic we were arguing about.”

Gasp!

“Ah… I see… That’s how it is….”

Seres squirmed.

He looked at me with a face that seemed to have realized something.

I wanted to say something out of pity, but for now, discussing with the system takes precedence.

[SYSTEM: Error.]

[SYSTEM: Error.]

[SYSTEM: Error.]

[SYSTEM: Modify the question.]

[SYSTEM: In discussion with the Holy See.]

Both the Tower Director and the Holy See, even the system, seem to be off track.

Who would have thought they would make such mistakes on such a crucial topic?

『Challenger. It seems the problem has become complicated. May I explain instead?』

The Knight of Pure Love barged in.

Since it’s easier for me to speak, I raised my hand high and made an “O” sign.

“Kuhm. Okay. Challenger’s words are right a hundred times over. Originally, I shouldn’t have shown his memories.”

“But, you have a girlfriend, right? Keeping your identity hidden?”

“You know that I can’t show my face to you because of the curse on top, right?”

Nod.

“So that’s how it is.”

“The memory I just showed… Yes, it’s an example!”

“Your girlfriend manipulated someone by doing the same things you did in the past.”

“If I showed that on video, your identity would be exposed, so I substituted it with your friend’s video.”

……

…Understood.

“So, Seongyeon’s actions towards Seres were real. Were there similar incidents in the past videos of the girlfriend I can’t see?”

“That’s right! As expected, comrade, you catch on quickly!”

“So the system took issue with this.”

“They questioned whether there was a reason to truly fight against someone like that.”

“Originally, the partner on that side should have feelings for you, but things got twisted and led to this.”

“It seems the fight between the two of you was a misunderstanding from the start.”

In other words, before regression, Seres was my woman.

I sacrificed for her, and Seres liked me for that.

My friend Seongyeon and the girlfriend not shown in the video imitated my past actions, leading to the current situation with Seres.

The system considered this to be “vile.”

“Hmm.”

I accepted it.

If we put it that way, there’s no reason for us to fight.

At least from the system’s perspective.

“Changgi-nim….”

Seres also reverted to using honorifics.

I stood up from my seat, faced her, and organized my thoughts.

“Is that really true? Weren’t you saved by Changgi-nim originally… They were just trying to tempt you…”

At that moment, Seres uttered the words I had been most worried about.

‘Just trying to tempt you.’

…Unacceptable.

I shook my head.

“Don’t take that too seriously. Treat it as nonsense and ignore it.”

“Why?”

“You shouldn’t be so angry about it.”

My words seemed to set her off.

“Why not?”

“……….”

“Why are you so calm? Aren’t you even mad?”

As I tried to stay calm, Seres started to rant.

I finally understood what I had just witnessed.

“Don’t get mad, just calm down.”

“Don’t patronize me! I’m not an idiot!”

“I don’t understand why you’re angry. Stop it.”

“No! Should I explain why I’m angry in detail? Will that make you understand!?”

She blushed, annoyed, and hugged me tightly.

In the end, she even reverted to calling me ‘oppa’.

It was undeniable evidence of losing her composure.

“I know everything about why you’re angry! You’ve just been imitating everything I’ve done for you! From one to ten! It’s all just copying what you’ve seen me do!”

It probably started like that.

I couldn’t deny it.

“You thought that by doing this, I would open up to you! You’ve been deceiving me all my life! Like trying to gain favor with the heroine in a game!”

It could have been twisted like that.

I couldn’t deny it either.

“You know where I’ll fall down! You know what hurts me! You know my past! And yet… you still asked me!?”

“……….”

“Like I’m a stranger! Pretending not to know anything about my past! Pretending to listen as if it’s just a common story of ‘already knowing the story or a typical misfortune’!?”

“…Seres.”

I tried to deny that it wasn’t that bad, but she got angry in my place.

“Even about my parents’ graves… you knew from the beginning!”

I should have been more annoyed.

“It’s all your fault! It was you who told me! No matter how long ago it was, back then, you personally went out of your way, worked hard to tell me! Just hoping I’d be happy! Stop being sad anymore!!”

She was truly a noble younger sister.

Her anger made me cool down.

“Say something!”

“Wait. Let me say something too.”

I organized my thoughts.

If I had encountered this situation on the 10th floor, I would have been angry.

If I had shown this without knowing anything, I would have been 100% on Seres’ side.

I sighed.

“I’m such a fool. I’ve given all the information that I worked hard to find out to my cute little sister and my girlfriend.”

“Do you understand now!?”

“I’ve lost the happiness that I should have held onto for my little sister.”

“…It’s not just a matter of understanding. It’s something I actually lost.”

I scratched the back of my head.

I wanted to convince Seres without getting angry, but it was impossible.

I prepared myself and bluntly said, “That’s true. I can empathize to some extent.”

“What do you mean by ‘to some extent’?”

“Even if two people know my past and imitate it, what’s the problem?”

“Oppa!”

She got angry again.

“What are you talking about? It’s all a problem! I’m not some heroine from a game! And even like this… taking away all the good deeds you’ve done…!”

“Oh wait. I misspoke. You’re right about what you said. Honestly, my emotions are all over the place. I feel like, ‘Oh, we weren’t even in a close relationship like this’ and wonder why they don’t care.”

“Then get angry!!”

“I can’t. If I get angry here, I’ll look petty. I may be a guy who really loves women and sex, but I’m not trash who gets jealous of my past.”

“What are you talking about.”

I organized my thoughts.

I hid the fact that my emotions were hurt by licking my lips and wiping away the tears.

“If I get angry because of you here, I’ll become a petty jerk who loses the chance to make you mine.”

“That’s right! You should get angry!”

“Why?”

“Because you really lost the chance…!”

“Right. But isn’t that it?”

I immediately denied it and tried to convince her.

“I have no memory of you at all. Even when I see that past, I don’t even think that’s me. I just vaguely think, ‘If I had followed that and taken the same actions, I would have gotten a beauty like you.’”

I licked my lips, worried about making a mistake in my words.

“You know it too. There’s no genuine feelings or actions from you here. Just ‘a guy who’s regretful for losing a European blonde busty beauty.’”

“But you said your emotions were hurt.”

“Of course they were hurt. Because the guy in the video said it was me. So I have some emotions like, ‘I did really well at that time.’ And there’s also some jealousy like, ‘My friend’s girlfriend stole my girl by following what I did!’ But it’s just that kind of petty jealousy.”

“In reality, she was your sister. She was a girl who could be treated like that by you.”

“Maybe that was the case back then. But not anymore.”

I gave an example.

“If I did have memories back then, let’s say I lived my life like Sungyeon. So if I saved you again, would there still be these feelings in a corner of my heart?”

“What feelings?”

I chuckled awkwardly.

“Oh, I saved her again! Just like last time! Cerese will trust me and obediently follow me! She will grow up beautifully! Just like back then before dying! This cute girl will be my woman again!”

“…That’s.”

Heh heh.

“I know how you’ll grow up. I know everything, like becoming a beauty that makes others drool, treating me extremely well, maybe becoming my lover or even my wife. I’ll raise you like a princess maker, okay?”

“But… you’re a person too…”

“Yeah. Just like you said, I’m a person too. So I’ll do even more. I’ll conquer you like the heroine in a game. I’ll make sure you never leave my side, thoroughly guide you to depend on me mentally, until we reach the ending of ‘[Obedient busty European wife].’ I’ll take control of your entire life until then.”

“Is that the kind of person you are?”

“I’m not a villain, but I haven’t given up being a man. If I had lived with you for over 10 years, I would have had these disgusting thoughts in my mind multiple times.”

I swallowed my saliva.

Because I know.

“At first, even if it’s fine, one day you might think, ‘I’ve worked so hard, can I start devouring you now?’ If it were me.”

“Devouring? Brother, you’re not the kind of person to say such warm words-”

“-Even if I talk like this, in a corner of your heart, you might be affirming that these thoughts are not wrong. ‘Because brother is also a man,’ while having such thoughts.”

“…Guh!?”

A sharp pain.

“You’re easy to read because you’re affectionate and loyal. I’m someone who can use that.”

Of course, because I’m a man.

Wouldn’t one’s sexual desire boil when following such a beauty?

No, it would.

It would boil like crazy.

“There’s no need to degrade me to this extent. Or maybe there is. But the problem is, even someone like me can’t help but not harbor bad feelings towards you.”

Cerese grabbed my shoulders as she closed her mouth.

She brought her face close to mine.

“Use your head and think. I’ve been hunting since an early age, but this time it’s different. I never had to save you in the first place because we were never meant to meet.”

“But… that means…”

“If Sungyeon or my girlfriend hadn’t acted, you would have died on the street. So there’s no reason to be angry. They were just my substitutes, but they’re still your benefactors.”

“But… they only followed what you did…”

“Right. Those bastards followed me. But what’s the problem with that?”

“Isn’t everything a problem!?”

I lowered my head.

“You fool. If I had malicious intentions from the start, I would have done something worse. Didn’t you hear what I just said? If I were a truly bad person, I could have manipulated you into becoming my slave.”

There are even harsher expressions.

Nevertheless, I restrained myself and licked my lips.

“If I had just wanted to use you for my benefit, I could have picked you up and thrown you into the river. If I had only cared about my conscience, I could have left you at an orphanage right after saving you.”

So, Seres starts a new life as an orphan.

He didn’t become a Hunter, and there was no chance of meeting me again.

“But you insisted on coming with me and starting a new guild. Even if I didn’t know the true identity of my girlfriend, Seongyeon knew. You were the one who killed me in the last round. From her perspective, dragging someone like you, who is like a bomb, into the guild was a mistake.”

“…That’s…”

“Moreover, you are now a vice guild master. You reunited with me across time. Do you think that the long time was created solely because of me following you like a fool?”

“Oppa…”

“Tell me. Seongyeon spent more years with me than you did. Did she just follow me blindly? The video we just watched wasn’t that long, but is that all the memories you have with me?”

“No.”

“Initially, you might have followed me. But everything else was the time we spent together as a trio, right?”

“……”

Seres’ shoulders relaxed, and he took a deep breath.

“How many years did you spend with Seongyeon?”

“It’s been 12 years this year…”

“And my girlfriend?”

“She’s… similar…”

“Do you want to say that all those 12 years of memories were created solely by following me?”

“No…”

“If you could turn back time and start over, do you think you could recreate all those 12 years of memories with me exactly the same way?”

“No…”

“Yeah. That kind of thing is only possible in fantasies.”

Even if I had shown kindness to Seres in the past, that was a story before the regression, not my current story.

So, do you have no thoughts on this?

No, of course I do.

After all, I’m human too.

There was undoubtedly a hidden agenda within me, but it was not something to be revealed here.

“You fell in love with me enough to fight with me. That’s why we made a bet and fought. So, why would I let myself be swayed by those transcendent beings?”

“But my heart still can’t settle. My head understands, but my emotions are in turmoil…”

“That’s normal. Seeing something like that would make anyone think a lot. But you still have to acknowledge it.”

“For someone like that, you seem surprisingly calm, Oppa…”

“I saw something similar on the 10th floor. If it weren’t for that, we would have screamed together, right? Oh, that damn bitch who followed my achievements and stole your heart.”

Her face flushed at my words.

“Am I really that beautiful?”

“You know you are. Just being next to you makes my shoulders shiver with beauty. That’s why I used that example. If I were a regressor and could show you kindness again, I would do such a wicked thing.”

“You want to make me your slave?”

“A beauty who only relies on me is the best. Wouldn’t any man have similar thoughts?”

“Hehe…”

Seres leaned against me.

I also felt relieved by her calm demeanor.

“In short, you’re saying that only the present matters, not dwelling on the past? Even though the woman you’re holding now should have been the one by your side originally.”

“Do you understand giving your heart to someone who merely imitated your achievements?”

“Do you want to say you’ve untangled the mess?”

The Lily Knight was serious.

Without a single crackling sound, she solemnly responded to me, and I did the same.

“What’s the point of untangling the mess when jealousy is raging like a storm? Once this is over, I’ll throw Seres back to the guild home and call Seongyeon or Jutso to come and watch the three of us argue from a distance. It sounds like it would be fun just to imagine, doesn’t it?”

Honesty without falsehood.

Even though I felt jealous, I didn’t feel angry.

She asked me one more question in this state.

“The two individuals stole the bond that should have naturally belonged to you.”

“Comrade, this is a form of NTR.”

“Do you not consider this an unforgivable betrayal?”

This time, they denied the sincerity.

“It’s not like we were spending time together anyway. All they did was hold onto the treasure I cherished dearly from the previous chapter. We didn’t even mix bodies or date. And one of them is my woman, so how is this NTR, you crazy gentleman?”

The two knights nodded in agreement with my words.

“Well, from the comrade’s perspective, it may seem that way.”

“No matter the reason behind the system, this incident is clearly our mistake.”

They paused for a moment.

After some serious contemplation, they finally spoke.

“We have decided.”

The sound of metal resonated.

“I, on behalf of the knight of sincerity-”

“I, on behalf of the knight of harmony-”

The sound of swords clashing echoed.

“We acknowledge that there is no falsehood in the hearts of these two individuals-”

Even though only their voices were heard, they were certain.

It was clear that they were standing in a dignified posture.

“Having resolved the challenge under fair and just circumstances without resorting to trickery-”

The golden light shimmered.

Amidst the system alert and the loud ringing of bells.

“We declare that the door of affection has been cleared at this very moment.”

Finally, the thick gate opened.

And it led me and Seres into a new world.