episode_0088

In order to handle fear magic, mental discipline to control emotional impulses is essential.

For Hong Yeonhwa, whose fear magic output was unprecedented, the importance of mental discipline was particularly emphasized.

As a result, Hong Yeonhwa’s patience was considerable, despite her actions being different.

However, despite this, incidents occurred frequently.

Even if she tried to think calmly, she couldn’t say she was quiet.

Most of these incidents were due to unnecessary consumption of precious mental energy that didn’t need to be endured.

It was when she was 14 years old.

There was a girl who pretended to be indifferent and picked a fight during a party.

At that time, Hong Yeonhwa was angry. It wasn’t to the point of boiling rage, but she was close to losing her temper with that girl.

She was angry. Fear magic was rising. Emotions were stirred up, and as Hong Yeonhwa tried to suppress them, a sudden question popped into her head.

Did she really need to endure it?

The calculator was tapped.

Family? Being compared to the Geobhwa family was an insult.

Power? Even at that time when that girl couldn’t grow up, Hong Yeonhwa could have easily dealt with her with one hand.

Other factors? The only thing that girl had over her was age.

There was no real harm to Hong Yeonhwa by dealing with her.

So, pretending it was unintentional, a mistake, she subtly muttered under her breath while punching the face of that annoying girl.

How sticky her face was as she punched her on that ugly face…

‘……’

It was similar to back then.

When she witnessed Lee Hayul, who was being embraced by someone else, her stomach twisted.

A woman who was embracing Lee Hayul as if he were her own.

Her shining blonde hair and eyes were more noticeable than the lighting. Her features were well-defined, and there was nothing to criticize about her appearance.

But what stood out more was her strong presence.

Hong Yeonhwa also knew who she was. She had heard of her name not only when she entered the Siyolam, but even before that.

‘Atra Clyde.’

A crazy woman who mainly roams the African wilderness, with a reputation and notoriety.

Her reputation was for being a top-tier monster hunter who made great contributions to the third-class monster subjugation several times, as well as for her efforts in preventing monsters from invading the front lines.

Her notoriety was for her usual sharp and dirty personality, and for turning even heroes who got into arguments with her into permanent idiots.

To see someone with such a fierce notoriety being so careful and embracing Lee Hayul like a precious object was beyond comprehension.

Their eyes met.

The red eyes and golden eyes stared at each other.

A moment of silence passed. Hong Yeonhwa was the first to speak.

“Hello. I’m Hong Yeonhwa, who had previously mentioned that I would visit in advance.”

“Hello, I’m Arin! It’s been a long time since I last saw Professor Atra after the last time!”

“…Yeah, come on in.”

As Hong Yeonhwa opened her mouth, Baek Arin, who was considering whether to run away or not, also interrupted and greeted Atra.

Lee Hayul still seemed to be asleep.

Baek Arin didn’t understand why he was sleeping in Atra’s arms, but she planned to greet him later when he woke up.

“Are you not tired from carrying him? You don’t have to do it yourself…”

“It’s not that difficult. It may be difficult for ordinary people, but it’s not so difficult for someone like a superhuman. Besides, magical measures are well in place.”

“Indeed, the development of magic engineering these days is fast. I’m taking classes in that area, and the difficulty is really…”

After that, the conversation went back and forth.

Baek Arin mainly led the conversation.

At first, she was taken aback by Hong Yeonhwa’s sudden change in attitude, but as she got used to it, her mouth opened.

Just as Hong Yeonhwa scrutinized Atra, Atra also scrutinized Hong Yeonhwa.

A sick visit is not just about showing up whenever you want.

Those two asked if it would be okay to visit Lee Hayul, who had finished the concentration healing period, and Lee Hayul accepted, so they came to see him.

Even if it’s not today, there will be more people coming to visit Lee Hayul in the future.

“Hong Yeonhwa of the Geophwa family… and Baek Arin of the Changhae family.”

Artlad knew those two. In fact, even ordinary people who were not psychics would probably know them well.

They were the heirs of the three major families. Their names were heard whether one wanted to know or not.

Artlad’s hand moved as he gazed at Hong Yeonhwa.

It wasn’t an intentional movement. It wasn’t a provocation. After seeing them for a few days, it was a reflexive action.

He placed his hand on Lee Hayul’s head and pressed down firmly.

Lee Hayul was deeply buried in Artlad’s ample chest.

Lee Hayul, who had been squirming for a moment, quieted down. It seemed like he was more comfortable now, behaving more obediently.

The corner of Hong Yeonhwa’s mouth twitched.

Baek Arin, who was standing by, glanced at him and discreetly distanced himself.

Baek Arin was confident in subduing a Geophwa who was burning fiercely, but he didn’t know what to do with a Geophwa who was lying on the ground and leaking coldness…

Lee Hayul’s fidgeting. It was a familiar sight to Hong Yeonhwa.

A sight seen many times before.

Lee Hayul being embraced. Burying his face in his chest, feeling embarrassed but also relaxing into Lee Hayul’s arms…

The perspective was different.

In her memories, she always saw Lee Hayul’s forehead and face.

The touch was always in her arms, the sound of his heartbeat and his warm scent always lingered around her.

There was no third-party perspective like now. It wasn’t considered.

Lee Hayul being embraced… she endured it. Hong Yeonhwa also heard about Lee Hayul’s current condition.

It was an injury that knocked on the door of death. Moreover, the first real battle was like that, so it was natural that he suffered mentally.

That’s why she understood the need for human warmth, that the professor who taught Lee Hayul… was responsible for it.

Even now, as Hong Yeonhwa arrived, seeing Lee Hayul’s head pressed into her warm chest twisted her insides even more.

– Hm…

An impulse arose. Emotions surged fiercely. The Geophwa that engulfed him also surged along.

But something was different from before.

The Geophwa didn’t erupt violently. It swelled slightly, not threatening the presence around it.

It rose gently. Rather than heat, it exuded coldness and quietly sharpened its wings.

The Geophwa knew it too. There was nothing to gain from erupting wildly now.

Perhaps by raging now, he could provoke a reaction from Lee Hayul.

Hong Yeonhwa also had the same intention.

So she composed her expression.

Straightening her eye corners, lowering her wriggling lips calmly. Softening the twisted facial muscles.

And then she made her expression.

Intentional but emanating from emotions, a comfortable and gentle expression.

She also smoothed her throat. She didn’t think her usual voice was bad, but she wanted to use the most beautiful voice to convey her message.

“Hayul?”

– Hm…

Lee Hayul flinched. The familiar and welcoming voice pierced through his hazy mind.

A voice filled with warmth…

‘Ah.’

That’s right. Hong Yeonhwa and Baek Arin said they were coming to visit.

With his observational abilities turned off and his senses dulled, he didn’t realize it.

It was only then that his mind cleared. The lethargy gradually lifted.

Even when he was on the brink of death, he could vaguely see Hong Yeonhwa’s face.

Someone he wanted to see.

Joy surged within him.

My body squirmed. With the arm wrapped around her waist, I tapped on Artla’s back. It was a signal to let go.

Even though I couldn’t see in front of me, I still wanted to show my face.

Artla helped. She grabbed Ihayul’s waist and turned her body.

Resting her chest on her head, Ihayul leaned on Artla’s back.

‘…This is…’

It was a strange position.

Lately, Ihayul had been receiving diligent care from Artla.

Thanks to that, her mentally damaged state was recovering.

Along with that, her buried consciousness was slowly resurfacing.

The feelings of shame and embarrassment that were stuck in her consciousness were also there.

Not everything came to mind. For now, the happiness that came from being embraced and cared for was more dominant than shame and embarrassment.

However, doing that in front of those two… it was something strange.

“Hey, Ihayul?”

A warm voice approached once again.

“Come here?”

Come here.

It was a random thing to say, but Ihayul seemed to understand what it meant.

For some reason, she imagined Hong Yeonhwa with her arms wide open.

“……”

Although her consciousness was slowly recovering, it was not fully restored.

Ihayul took out a simple and clear balance scale in her mind.

On one side, there was consciousness, shame, embarrassment.

On the other side, the softness and tenderness when embraced. Warmth. A comforting and caressing touch…

The scale tilted.

Ihayul moved her body.

Her physical condition had improved a lot. In order to walk around outside for a long time, she needed to use a wheelchair or be carried by Artla, but she could walk a little.

– Embraced…

She couldn’t move. It was because of the hand wrapped around her waist. It was a hand that came from behind.

Ihayul tilted her head in confusion.

Artla wrapped Ihayul’s waist with a somewhat bewildered expression on her face.

Hong Yeonhwa, on the other hand, narrowed her eyes coldly.

* * *

[Player Adjustment System: Favorability]

Ihayul → Artla Clyde

●●●●●●●○○○(73▷79/100)

“Adult” “Guardian” “Expectation” “Sense of Security” “Yearning for Affection”

…

Ihayul → Hong Yeonhwa

●●●●●●●●○○(84/100)

“?” “Sense of Debt” “Apology” “Gratitude” “Worry”

…

Ihayul → Baek Arin

●●●●●○○○○○(50▷51/100)

“Favor” “Doubt” “Confusion”

[Did not meet the conditions for “Curse of Silence” resolution]

[Did not meet the conditions for “Curse of Solitude” resolution]

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