episode_0305

I was just contemplating whether or not I should go back. Now that I realized that the magic of the lab was broken, there was no reason to hesitate any longer.

“Then let’s go in. Be careful on the way back.”

[Yes, thank you for today too]

First, I brought Maxwell, who had accompanied me, to the association.

A spacious park near the association headquarters. People walking through the park were startled when a person suddenly appeared out of thin air.

“Huh, that guy…?”

But soon, the person who appeared out of thin air confirmed that it was me, and he opened his eyes wide and whispered my name.

He’s become quite famous lately, and his appearance is so unique that people seem to recognize him.

The situation was urgent, so I couldn’t respond to each one individually. I gave Maxwell a rough answer and used space jump.

The vibrations of the space that I had become accustomed to enveloped my body. Immediately afterwards, my legs floated up and the surrounding environment suddenly changed.

– Okay

A lawn full of life was trodden upon. There were also fields of flowers in full bloom at every moment and trees planted sparsely to provide shade.

It was one of the common gardens in a mansion.

“Ah! Your Majesty! Are you back?”

Rudy, a little fairy who was watering flowers nearby, smiled brightly and flew over to me, then made an exclamation mark above his head as if he remembered something.

“That’s right! Your Majesty! Queen Hong Yeonhwa acted strangely just now.”

A warning signal also appeared above my head.

[So? How?]

“That was… something… like looking at a dead flower. I didn’t want to look at it, and I didn’t want to get close to it… ”

[Hmm]

At my slightly clouded complexion, Rudy’s face also showed a clear worry. He always followed me around, jokingly calling me the queen, but it seemed he had grown fond of Yeonhwa.

First, he cleared his throat and stroked Rudy’s hair with his fingers.

[It’ll be okay. For now, Rudy, you do what you have to do.]

“… Yes!”

Rudy, who had already cleared his mind of his worries, answered vigorously, as if he had no doubts about what I said. I smiled faintly and turned around.

With the power of observation, I confirmed everyone’s location and status. And I also confirmed the status of the lost magic.

When analyzing the remains of the magic, it was indeed destroyed by the fire. It was a magic that took a lot of effort to create, but it wasn’t enough to withstand the fire.

‘Why did you do that?’

I don’t know why. Why would they suddenly barge into the lab, destroy the magic, and gulp down some unknown potion?

Side effects of Kkwahwa? It doesn’t seem like Yeonhwa, who has been dealing with Kkwahwa for over a decade, would be easily swayed by the side effects now…

– Kkiing… Whew!

[Yeah, yeah, it’s okay…]

Putting my doubts aside for the moment, I entered the mansion, calming down the spirits that were gathering around me.

There were several people gathered in the living room filled with sofas.

Elia, Baek A-rin, Teacher, Professor Riana, and Lee Ji-yeon.

Those who were sitting on the sofa or standing nearby, talking with serious faces, turned their heads at my presence.

“Ha-yul!”

“뿝.”

Elia called out to me with a bright smile. As I hurried over to her, Elia quickly pressed my cheek against hers.

“Yeonhwa ate some kind of drug without permission, and her condition has become strange because of it!”

“Yes, yes. I checked it too.”

I knew from the beginning what kind of magic had collapsed, and I heard about the situation through a text message that was quickly delivered.

“It’s not the kind that causes diarrhea, is it? No, what kind of drug is it that’s so effective? When I see people, I feel aversion and my stomach feels bloated… ”

“Pubububub… Pub, there are no side effects, so it’s okay. The effect doesn’t last long, and if I go and take separate measures, I can reduce it further.”

“Oh, that’s fortunate… ”

Elia’s hand, which had been pressing my cheek, subsided as I listened to her explanation.

The potion that Yeonhwa drank was called the ‘hated medicine’ and was prepared in quantity to be concentrated later.

The concentrated drug was tested on the fifth person in the tower, and was restored upon exiting the tower.

The concentrated amount is still stored in my subspace.

‘It’s fortunate that it’s a concentrated battle…’

Even though Yeonhwa was terrified when she realized the identity of the medicine she had taken, she didn’t run away and abandon Maxwell in the wasteland.

The dosage itself is small so I can release it quickly, and I already know the effect before concentration. It’s not a dramatic effect that would make someone stab me with a knife.

In addition, since it is currently observing the location and status in real time, it can fly right next to you if it senses something unusual.

“Junior, that potion… is that the potion that came out of the dungeon back then?”

[yes that’s right]

Let me explain the whole story briefly. Lee Ji-yeon, who had been sitting and listening quietly, raised her hand and asked.

The hated medicine was obtained in the dungeon ‘Hansekdongsan’ that I entered with Lee Ji-yeon, and I seemed to remember that I had given a general explanation of its effects at the time.

“Disciple, what are you using that kind of drug for in the lab?”

It was then that the teacher, who had been standing quietly with his arms folded, suddenly opened his mouth. At that, the others’ gazes also turned to me.

I closed my mouth for a moment at the sudden topic.

“Uhhh… After learning alchemy and herbalism and experimenting with various things, somehow… I’ll go straight to Yeonhwa and solve it.”

I rolled my eyes at the teacher’s calm gaze and slowly turned my body away.

* * *

“Ah, ahhh… Gaaah… ”

A scream full of sorrow and despair echoed from the pillow. Hong Yeon-hwa, who buried her face in the pillow, writhed in pain and shook her legs.

– Bang! Bang! Bang!

A short, loud noise rang out due to the rather strong force. The bed creaked as it was hit by the leg. Hong Yeon-hwa’s heart also wavered along with it.

“Gaaaah… ”

“Miss, even though it’s a cradle-shaped piece of furniture, I don’t think it’s right to break it just to vent your anger.”

The sound of a voice from next to me made me stop kicking the bed.

There was a moment of silence, and Hong Yeon-hwa turned her head slightly.

Ariel, dressed in a modern maid outfit, stood near the door, some distance from the bed.

Ariel shrugged at the gaze that fell on her.

“Why did you pick up and eat that? Have you still not broken the habit of picking up and eating snacks that fell on the floor?”

“Oh shit, when are you talking about the enemy!”

Now, he’s bringing up the past that he can’t even remember. Hong Yeon-hwa’s legs were abusing the bed again.

But soon he turned his gaze back to Ariel.

Ariel tilted her head.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“… You’re not effective?”

Hong Yeon-hwa asked, burying her face in the pillow. Although she didn’t hear a detailed explanation, she had a rough idea of the potion’s effectiveness.

A kind of curse… or perception manipulation.

As he ran out of the mansion and down the street, avoiding Lee Ha-yul, he could feel the awkward and reluctant stares flying towards him.

That kind of gaze exists even in everyday life.

Hong Yeon-hwa is a person with many good qualities, but her past karma still remains. There are bound to be people who have bad memories and feelings about her.

But everyone who had gathered because of the birth ceremony was looking at it like that. I couldn’t help but notice the effect there.

“Hmm, you tend to look down on me too much, Miss.”

“What?”

“I was once a top-tier hunter. I was the one who entered and exited that dangerous and unknown realm of magic. Do you think I, who can’t control even a single negative emotion, would open my eyes so fiercely?”

At Hong Yeon-hwa’s question, Ariel straightened her shoulders as if she was proud.

“Of course it is effective, but it is not effective enough to be swept away by this level of effectiveness.”

“But why are your eyes closed?”

Ariel kept her eyes closed and avoided eye contact with Hong Yeon-hwa. By the way, she was holding her breath.

“My eyes have been a bit tired lately. Even with artificial tears, there’s no sign of it getting any better. ”

“Really? But I think we’re a bit far apart. Want to come closer?”

“I will decline due to personal reasons. By the way, I didn’t know that you were researching such a potion.”

Ariel changed the subject as she felt things were going to go against her.

“Is there anyone who would like to get soaked? If so, I can help you a lot.”

“You speak so fiercely that I’m afraid I won’t be able to buy your previous job.”

“Oh, my. Not a murderer, but a romantic hunter and adventurer.”

“How many knives do you have on your waist right now?”

“There are about eighty running right now, and there are probably about four hundred left in the subspace pocket.”

“Crazy.”

Hong Yeon-hwa let out a hollow laugh. Ariel, who had successfully changed the subject, turned around to look at the slightly closed door.

“I guess the time I spent with you wasn’t a waste. I can read the cheeky and sly thoughts you have.”

“Cheeky? Ankh? Don’t talk nonsense.”

“Hmm, then listen to my reasoning and judge for yourself. Who would have thought that the young lady would be in the obvious old dormitory instead of outside the cradle─”

“Gyaaaah! Shut up!”

“This kind of thing.”

Something flying through the wind. It was something very familiar to Ariel, who had once fought with a knife. As she calmly moved her head, a cotton-like weapon passed by her ear.

“Stop nagging me and get out! I’m already in a bad mood, and you’re nagging me!”

Ariel shook her head and covered her ears at the loud screams that followed. This restricted Ariel’s sight, smell, and hearing.

“Yes, yes. I, Ariel, will go out according to the employer’s instructions. Oh, and I also need to explain the situation to Shiyoram, so please tell me the whole story later, even if it’s briefly.”

Ariel opened the door, whining.

– Click

The door closed. With this, Hong Yeon-hwa was the only one left in the room.

“… Sigh.”

Hong Yeon-hwa, who had been rubbing her face on the pillow for a moment, turned over.

A spotless, clean ceiling. This is the penthouse dormitory that Hong Yeon-hwa moved into at the beginning of the semester.

Although he moved into the mansion with Lee Ha-yool and became empty, his grade hasn’t changed yet, so he’s still registered in Hong Yeon-hwa’s dormitory.

– Who knows why the young lady is in the old, plain-old dormitory instead of outside the cradle─

“… … ”

Ariel’s words lingered in my ears.

That’s right. It’s a cheeky and sassy thought. Hong Yeon-hwa is harboring such a thought.

I know the potion works. It will work on Iha Yul too.

I’m scared. I don’t know about other people, but I didn’t want to be looked at like that by Lee Ha-yool.

So now I don’t want to see you so I ran away.

On that topic, I secretly wish that Lee Ha-yool would come and treat me like he always does, without any problem.

In fact, this rate is special, so this effect does not apply…

“Haa… ”

I sighed involuntarily. It was such an absurd and childish thought, even to myself.

Hong Yeon-hwa buried her face in the pillow blankly.

I feel completely drained of energy.

I don’t know how long this effect will last. It could even last until tomorrow, and if that happens, the schedule for the operation will be completely ruined.

I feel like shit.

– Yeonhwa, the fire is a fire. We are born with a bloodline of fire, but we cannot be free from the threat of fire. So we must always handle fire, be on guard, and be careful.

My father’s words came to mind.

“… I tried too.”

Beware, be careful, be cautious.

Who doesn’t know that? The side effects of fear? Honestly, no one is more affected by the side effects of fear than she is.

The stronger the output, the stronger the flame. Hong Yeon-hwa knows that, and the world knows that.

So I did that mental training like eating rice. Even when I wanted to go out and play, I held back and sat still for a long time to meditate.

How much have I given up on wanting to smash everything? How much have I endured wanting to crush that bastard’s neck instead of his whining mouth?

I tried so hard.

After all, one misstep could ruin an important day.

When I think about it, I feel so bad and hateful. The flames burn so fiercely that it seems like they will engulf the ceiling.

It’s really unfair, but the person who should be blaming him is himself. But Hong Yeon-hwa thinks to herself that she tried really hard…

– Ttukbuk

“… !”

The sound of footsteps suddenly came as my thoughts were sinking, and I grabbed my hair.

The light noise that appeared in the hallway without warning was very familiar to Hong Yeon-hwa.

My heart was pounding. To be honest, I was expecting it, but it really came.

I was startled and half-awoke. Step, step… By that time, the sound of people already arrived at the door.

“Gulp… ”

Hong Yeon-hwa, leaning against the back of the bed, swallowed. Knock-knock, her shoulders flinched at the sound of a knock.

– Yeonhwa, can I come in?

The corners of my lips trembled at the clear voice coming from beyond the door. Joy, anticipation, fear… I felt a complex mix of emotions.

“Uh… No. Wait a minute.”

The fear grew stronger. Hong Yeon-hwa continued to speak stammeringly.

“That… I’m sorry. I ate the stuff in the lab without permission… ”

– That doesn’t matter. It’s okay as long as Yeonhwa is okay. I can wear off the effects of the medicine quickly.

“Ah… !”

Hong Yeon-hwa let out a sigh. Her anticipation soared at the thought that it could be resolved quickly.

“Uh… But… Wait a minute. It’s still effective… ”

The fear grew again. It seemed fine now that I wasn’t facing it directly, but what if it changed when I opened the door?

I’m afraid that the voice dripping with affection beyond the door will change.

I’m afraid that the innocent child-like smile will fade, and I’m afraid that the beautiful eyes that used to drip with affection will turn cold…

“Wait, can’t we just wait until the effect wears off?”

– I want to go in

“Oh, no! Wait a minute… ”

– No, I don’t want to. I want to go in.

Lee Ha-yul was unusually stubborn about his intentions.

The door opened wide. Hong Yeon-hwa flailed her hands in a panic and hurriedly covered herself with the blanket.

I felt a gaze from beyond the thick blanket. I tried to fathom the emotions in that gaze, but it didn’t work out well.

– Step, step…

Footsteps approached the bed. It was right in front of her. Hong Yeon-hwa’s eyes fluttered open.

Suddenly, I realized that I looked really funny. Since when did I become so weak and cowardly?

In the past, when she encountered an unexpected enemy that was difficult to defeat, she would grit her teeth and fight back with fear without even thinking about giving up…

-Kuk…

“Aaak.”

An outside hand grabbed the blanket. I was startled and pulled it back.

A power struggle continued, which was somewhat petty compared to the strength each side possessed.

“Yeonhwa, I miss you.”

“Ugh… ”

Even that adorable strength was released on its own at Lee Ha-yool’s words. In the end, the blanket that had been covering Hong Yeon-hwa was taken off.

A bright light struck my face. I opened my frowning eyes again and met the gray eyes placed right in front of my nose.

‘ah.’

Dreamy, deep-set eyes that make it seem like you’ll never be able to get out once you fall in.

How satisfying it must have been for her to see her own reflection clearly in those eyes that were so deep that nothing could be seen.

How happy it was to see her eyes, which had been indifferent and unconcerned towards others, filled with affection.

Right now, I couldn’t read her emotions. It seemed like even her emotions were swallowed up in her deep eyes.

Or maybe you’re trying to exclude it because you’re afraid of reading it.

[-]

Lee Ha-yool tilted his head. Hong Yeon-hwa’s heart sank at that small and cute action.

This time, his head tilted in the opposite direction. Hong Yeon-hwa’s eyes fluttered in surprise at the reaction.

After blinking a few times, Lee Ha-yool suddenly stuck his face out.

“Sniff sniff… ”

My body flinched involuntarily at the tickling of his breath on the back of my neck. Normally, I wouldn’t mind, but now, I’m really, really nervous…

Lee Ha-yool sniffed around Hong Yeon-hwa’s body like a puppy, as if checking something out.

As Hong Yeon-hwa’s anxiety reached its peak due to that silent action, Lee Ha-yool’s mouth, which had been closed, opened.

“I like the smell of lotus flowers.”

[good]

“… … ”

“I like it because it smells like lotus.”

[good]

Lee Ha-yool, who was laughing bashfully, was hugged by Hong Yeon-hwa.

The effect is still there, but it doesn’t matter.

The scent of the red lotus flower that I felt has changed.

So what? The smell that can be felt in the first place is only the body odor of a few people.

I do have a favorite scent, but my favorite is the scent of red lotus.

It’s good because it smells like red lotus.

I don’t particularly like the color red, but I like Hong Yeon-hwa’s hair and eye color.

I don’t know about the past. At least Hong Yeon-hwa’s existence is essential to the happy life I think of at this moment.

How can you hate Hong Yeon-hwa like that? That’s ridiculous. It’s an impossible premise from the beginning, just like a building will collapse if you pull out its pillars.

“Ehehe… ”

At least the hated drug, which is not concentrated, does not have much effect. To be precise, it tries to distort perception, but it cannot break through the strong sense of discomfort.

Although it was not my intention, I got some sort of test data.

He buried his face in Hong Yeon-hwa’s chest and rubbed his head against it. He sniffed the scent of ‘Hong Yeon-hwa’ rising from inside.

“I’ll solve it right away.”

Hwaruk! The bright flower that bloomed from Lee Ha-yool gently clung to Hong Yeon-hwa.

Although it cannot be erased all at once, the effects of the drug can be erased by applying a scar.

It’s a similar type to the one practiced against Baek A-rin, but much easier. You can burn it out with just a little bit of time.

– Hururuk…

“… … ”

“Huh?”

A sticky scar rose up near the scar that was stuck to Hong Yeon-hwa.

In addition, a strangely sticky gaze was fixed on Jeongsu-ri.

Lee Ha-yul blinked.