After finishing up reasonably, Shio-ram entered the bustling Gata Terminal.
“Look at all these people. If the building were smaller, we wouldn’t have even been able to get in.”
On the way out after completing the procedures, Hong Yeon-hwa still wore a stunned expression as she gazed at the crowd inside.
“It’s not just us; everyone’s coming back today or tomorrow.”
Next to her, Baek Ahrin shrugged, saying there was nothing strange about it.
“It’s hard to spend a lot of time outside once the semester starts, right? So there must be a lot of kids coming back after hanging out longer.”
Though there were cadets who stayed at Shio-ram during vacation, a significant number went out since it was hard to be outside for long during the semester.
Hong Yeon-hwa exited the building filled with people after finishing her procedures.
Only then did the blue sky and fluffy white clouds float into view.
“Ahh…”
As she took a deep breath, the refreshing air flooded in.
Though this place wasn’t the outskirts of an island, there was occasionally a salty sea breeze tickling her nose.
It wasn’t her favorite scent, but she was somewhat pleased with it right now.
China.
Not quite normal land, but not completely out of the ordinary either.
Many areas had become blended with this world after dungeons went berserk and broke down barriers.
Above all, there were many places deeply infused with the poison of the twin-headed dragon, giving off a foul stench.
It wasn’t unbearable, but it was enough to put her in a bad mood.
Yet, while feeling this scenery and mood, she found herself rather happy.
After a moment of mental refreshment, Hong Yeon-hwa continued walking.
“Ariel, go put the luggage in the dorm.”
“Yes, understood.”
Following behind Hong Yeon-hwa, who walked steadily, Ariel kept her head lowered.
Ariel had also come along on this trip to China.
In a way, it was only natural.
Ariel had once been a top-tier Hunter.
Being skilled in tracking, she had accompanied Hong Yeon-hwa to search for the missing Lee Ha-yul.
Fortunately, Lee Ha-yul had been found quickly and was staying at Shio-ram now.
They still talked about it.
The twin-headed dragon that almost echoed past nightmares and Lee Ha-yul, who beheaded that nightmare before the damage increased.
With interest and fame following, there were whispers of suspicion regarding Lee Ha-yul, who had also gotten embroiled in schemes back in Shipnahah… but everyone subtly ducked their heads from the association’s actions.
“But that’s a pity.”
“What do you mean?”
“I wanted to see the young master in his younger form.”
Hong Yeon-hwa’s eyes twitched.
“That’s really amazing news. A regression of the body? I’ve never heard of such a case… Is it a form of rebirth?”
“…It’s just a one-time opportunity. I can always see him later.”
“I see. Indeed, a brilliant answer.”
Ariel clapped her hands with a blank expression.
“My desires are at a level I can manage. I will suppress this desire and hope for the future, so please hurry and resolve your own desires.”
“Hey, that sounds a bit weird?”
“Oops. I apologize.”
Ariel replied in a peculiar tone and then casually gathered her things and left.
It was really a brazen display.
Hong Yeon-hwa shook her head in disbelief but said nothing further.
Her mind was still clouded by the disappearance of Lee Ha-yul, and she could hardly see anything around her.
In many ways, she had been throwing a fit, and it was Ariel who bore the brunt of her wrath.
If one were to think about it, it was more like Hong Yeon-hwa’s fault.
Finally quickening her steps, she almost reached her destination.
Her destination was Lee Ha-yul’s dorm.
– The blessing applies outside too, right? The growth rate is ambiguous, so I’m confused.
– Even with the blessing, if the results are still ambiguous, that’s surprising in itself…
– You jerk.
There were people outside, and… more specifically, many cadets had returned to Shio-ram.
The lobby was crowded, complicating the pathways, but as Hong Yeon-hwa entered through the entrance, a path opened up.
Recently, thanks to frequently seen heartwarming moments with Lee Ha-yul, things had calmed down a bit, but the wild rumors following Hong Yeon-hwa were still alive and kicking.
She took the elevator and pressed the button for her floor.
The doors closed, and she felt the sensation of floating.
Hong Yeon-hwa glared at the number displayed above the door.
2, 3, 4…
The speed felt somewhat slow. Was there something wrong with the elevator?
“Hmm, hmm, hmm…”
In her impatience, she folded her arms and wiggled her fingers when a peculiar sound slipped into her ear.
Hong Yeon-hwa’s eyes twitched.
That strange sound. It wasn’t new; she had been hearing it continuously.
“…What’s that from before?”
“Huh? What’s what?”
Hong Yeon-hwa turned her head to stare at Baek Ahrin.
With her arms crossed, Baek Ahrin hummed a tune casually while leaning her head to the side in response.
Baek Ahrin could also have been invited by Lee Ha-yul. It seemed she wanted to reveal secrets like the existence of Seo-yul.
Lee Ha-yul must have gone. It seemed they couldn’t keep that secret about Seo-yul any longer and intended to let the nearby people know.
But the frustrating part was… that she found out that secret around the same time as Hong Yeon-hwa.
“Do you look good? What’s up, something good happen?”
“Uh, not really? I just feel good today~”
“Not really? I see right through that.” Hong Yeon-hwa’s eyes narrowed.
Baek Ahrin usually pretended to be cheerful, but today, she seemed genuinely happy, which was unusual.
Just as she was pondering her suspicion, the elevator doors opened.
Hong Yeon-hwa calmed her restless heart and crossed the long hallway.
Finally, she reached the door.
The name ‘Lee Ha-yul’ was inscribed on the nameplate.
gulp
Hong Yeon-hwa closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
Though she had mentally prepared herself, she was uncertain about how to act once she entered.
She was angry. He had gone out freely and nearly died. She felt flames of rage burning inside her. She might have even hugged him tightly and scolded him.
Was she looking forward to it? The regression. She had heard the news but hadn’t seen it for herself. She had asked Elia to send a photo, but she refused, wanting to see it in person instead.
Right beyond the door was Lee Ha-yul.
gulp
With a single swallow, Hong Yeon-hwa opened the door.
The entrance came into view.
Several pairs of shoes neatly lined the shoe rack.
Hong Yeon-hwa’s eyes widened.
There were many women’s shoes not belonging to Lee Ha-yul. Though she had heard about it in advance, it still left her feeling somewhat displeased.
That feeling slowly faded with the fragrance in the air.
A familiar scent… a sweet smell like honey unique to Lee Ha-yul.
Was it because it was his residence? That scent was particularly… intense.
Hong Yeon-hwa’s eyes narrowed.
“What are you doing?”
Prompted by Baek Ahrin, who poked her back, she took off her shoes and stepped into the living room.
There were quite a few people in the living room.
Elia Slade, Liana Velus, Atra Clyde…
And…
There was Lee Ha-yul sitting on the living room floor? Hong Yeon-hwa’s breath caught in her throat.
Her trembling eyes scanned Lee Ha-yul.
His hair, so clean, was white enough to make her want to dye it right away.
He exuded an aura that felt both mystical and dream-like.
Moreover, his skin had transformed to be even softer and fairer than before…
‘Huh.’
In that instant, Hong Yeon-hwa’s thoughts froze.
His right arm, free of scars, was now smooth and white.
Hong Yeon-hwa’s eyes widened.
“Yeonhwa?”
A voice sounded from behind. Reactions from the front. With the left arm’s prosthesis that had come back on its own.
She wasn’t focusing on that now. All of Hong Yeon-hwa’s attention was solely on Lee Ha-yul and that right arm.
It was hard to erase the mark of Gop-hwa. Because of that, the mark of Gop-hwa was called a znak, or a stigma.
On Lee Ha-yul’s right arm, which had been heavily marked with the Gop-hwa stigma, smooth and fair skin had taken its place.
Despite her efforts to get rid of the scars, nothing had worked.
She had even tried secretly giving him self-healing drugs, but they had no effect on the scars.
She had applied scar-removal ointment after putting him to sleep, but there had been no results.
After visiting the Gop-hwa clan, she had openly applied the ointments, but there was no noticeable improvement, which hurt her heart.
Now, that scar had completely disappeared.
Ripples radiated within Hong Yeon-hwa’s heart.
As she approached, she felt the smaller stature of the younger Lee Ha-yul.
He was so petite… so adorable. It was a size that would be easy to carry around.
An impulse arose.
She wanted to scold him so badly but decided to hold off for now.
Hong Yeon-hwa absentmindedly reached out.
clap!
“Huh?”
She was abruptly interrupted by a little hand that flew in from the side.
Hong Yeon-hwa blinked.
Her hazy mind returned.
Her narrowed vision returned to normal.
Only then did she notice the little girl closely clinging to Lee Ha-yul with a look of wariness.
The girl looked remarkably like Lee Ha-yul.
Her hair was similarly white, though her build was just slightly taller than his.
The difference was that her hair wasn’t purely white but shimmered in a brilliant array of colors.
Also, unlike the innocent Lee Ha-yul, her eyes had a rather sharp gaze.
She seemed to have a bit of a spunky personality.
Above all, she had beautiful wings of various colors sprouting from her back.
‘Ah.’
Seo-yul.
The fairy who was said to be born from an egg obtained at the Tower of Growth, who followed Lee Ha-yul like a parent.
Lee Ha-yul had been closely keeping an eye on her and mentioned he was raising her.
“Don’t bother Dad!”
thud thud!
A clear sound rang as she struck like a musical instrument.
Seo-yul screeched loudly, raising her eyes as she tightly hugged Lee Ha-yul.
She even flared out her wings wide, completely enveloping Lee Ha-yul.
It was as if she was protecting him from danger.
The issue was that she seemed to view Hong Yeon-hwa as that danger.
Hong Yeon-hwa was aghast.
[Seo, Seo-yul!]
[You can’t do that…]
[I’m so sorry!]
[Looks like Seo-yul made a mistake.]
[Truly sorry…!]
For some reason, Lee Ha-yul, who had been frozen, suddenly snapped to attention. He checked Hong Yeon-hwa’s expression before trying to soothe Seo-yul.
It was an exceptionally touching scene to see him act protectively towards his daughter, even while being frozen in shock and fear.
“No, I… I didn’t do anything…?”
But Hong Yeon-hwa was simply bewildered.
She merely wanted to reach out and hug him, and suddenly found herself resembling a trashy villain threatening the family.
“Wah, trash.”
“……”
Baek Ahrin’s teasing from behind inexplicably struck deep within her heart.
Hong Yeon-hwa’s eyes trembled.
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