Episode 4: Duty in Love (4/4)

I had a lot more to do than I expected.

I couldn’t return to the orphanage by midnight because the forger promised me a discount on Eun-chan’s fake ID if I helped him with interrogation.

Of course, nobody was harmed by my torture methods, that much I can promise.

Anyways, by morning when I thought I could finally return, I bumped into Akane-san.

The biologist with the womanly vibe, stylish red hair and big round glasses—Tendou Akane.

She lives in the Second Stratum, and came to visit the orphanage because she missed me. Her speciality in the field of biological studies is marine life bioprana.

So if you have any questions about how to use prana to create infinite energy, or how prana works within the biology of a creature, she’s the person to look for.

I lost track of time and spent the whole morning talking to her at a terrace cafe. She was worried for me after what happened to Fortress 13.

I eventually broke the news to her that Ms. Lili passed away. It shocked her to the core.

“And so because of that, I kinda plan to move to New Hangul City.”

“Then you’re going to stay with us now?”

I own a house in the Second Stratum. Akane-san was one of the renters, alongside some of the older orphans that decided to start a life there.

“Yup. I plan to move there.”

“That’s quite sudden. How are you planning to move your whole collection of chemicals? Or are you going to just leave them behind?”

As expected of a mad scientist. To think the first thing she’d bring up is the safety of the chemical concoctions in my possession.

“Depends. I might have to pick between what’s important and what’s not. The rest I’ll keep locked up in the basement of the orphanage.”

I’ve already fulfilled the 2-year lease of my apartment in Fuji City, I’m free to leave without having to pay the penalty. Though, depending on how soon I can contact the landlord, l might need YuNa-tan to help resolve the tenure.

“I actually planned to stay here for four days. Do you think you can get the move settled within that timeframe? We can travel back together.”

Four days… that’s barely enough time for one trip to the Zeroth Stratum.

“I don’t think it’s possible. ”

“How about one week?”

Since Akane-san was willing to help me out here, I think it would at least be worth a try.

It’d be pretty rushed though.

“Akane-san, can you tell those at the orphanage that I’ll only be able to return by tomorrow?”

Akane-san said she was going to visit the orphanage later. So while she would leave a word to tell the others, I’m going to head over to the courier service office to get a quote.

In the afternoon, I went to look for the landlord to tell him about my vacancy.

Then I spent the entire night packing the items in the apartment.

Come next morning, I woke up to the sound of Akane-san ringing the doorbell nonstop.

“What happened to you? Jee, this is a lot of stuff.”

“I might need help.”

I groaned.

My apartment was still a mess after a whole night of cleaning.

“Wow, when did you get this?”

She picked up a prana crystal shard rolling on the floor at random.

“I brought it back from one of the Zeroth Stratum missions a few months ago.”

“These are… really high purity. Mind if you donated them for my research?”

“I could sell these for a hundred thousand kyon you know?”

Kyon was the name of the currency people used here. It was decided after averaging the names of the three currencies used in China, Korea and Japan. The Yuan, Won and Yen.

Hence ‘Kyon’.

And as someone who read into the economic history of this world, you’d be surprised to find the chaos that ensued trying to establish a proper currency.

“Oh c’mon. Not even one? You’ve got like what, fifty of them here? You even have this large crystal, wow.”

“Do you want breakfast?”

“Don’t switch topics!”

An omurice bribe later, Akane-san helped me sort through the items of the apartment. But it seemed at some point she needed to be fed more. I was forced to pay her back for her efforts in prana crystals.

Her packaging services were impeccably expensive.

By the afternoon, the courier service arrived. We let them carry the items out.

My previously super full apartment now looked like a weeb’s room that got completely ransacked by the FBI.

“Please send these to Rize’s Welfare Home for Children. As for the rest, send them to this address here.”

I handed the logistic handler the address Akane-san wrote down on paper.

And so with that, we have the cargo settled.

The remainder would be this luggage of more intimate belongings and a gun for protection. I suppose now I have the rest of the week free while waiting for Eun-chan’s new identity card.

“You didn’t even need two days to settle the move… that means you can travel back with me in three days right?”

“Well, that depends on how fast I can get the fake ID.”

“Fake ID?”

“Oops. I’m not supposed to tell you that.”

“…”

Akane shook her head as if disproving me.

It’s illegal but I’ll do anything for my daughter!

We arrived at the orphanage by the time the sky had turned orange.

“Hm?”

“Oh. Rize-chan!”

“Rize-chan and Akane-san is bacckkk!!”

“Akane-unnie!”

“Rize-chan, you have a guest. I mean… two guests are waiting for you.”

“Me? Guests? Who?”

Who could it be? Papa? Mr. Chen? Mr. Shang?

Curious, I rushed to the visitor’s room.

There I saw a girl I kinda recognized with curly cherry blossom-pink hair.

“Oh~ it’s you!”

I pointed at the War Saint stuffing her face with the triangle rice ball. What was her name again?

◃⊰⊱. ϕ⊹ ⋈⊶⌖⊹⊰⊱▹

The children of the orphanage were quite welcoming. Annoying, yes, but respectful.

They asked many questions regarding Kenji’s experience as a militant. He had only transmigrated into this world about four years ago. So while he had experienced plenty, he was still a work-in-progress at best.

In fact, most of his skills were not innate. They were borrowed from the ‘system’.

What was a ‘system’?

It was the blue glowing panel which only he could perceive.

The hallmark trait of that which the world deems a ‘Player’.

[DETAILS:▽STATUS: PERSONAL> BORROWED TRAITS

>> [INACTIVE] Hwang EunHa: Deadeye - B

>> [ACTIVE] Cho MinSeo: Peruse - C

>> [ACTIVE] Wu XiaoLe: Calm Grit - C

>> [INACTIVE] Hwang JiSoo: CQC Foundation - B

>> [ACTIVE] Hee JingKai: Intuition - D

>> OPEN LIST…

The limit to the number of traits he can borrow depended on the level of his [BORROWED TRAIT] setting. At level 3, he can have up to 3 skills active at any single time.

Some [UNITS] have more than one [TRAIT], so he can swap between them. However, not every [TRAIT] can be equipped. One of them was EunHa’s [TRAIT: Unknown Constitution - C], which Kenji believed to be the reason why EunHa could fly.

“How long are you going to stay?”

One of the kids asked.

“Until Ms. Tatsuki comes.”

“Then are you going to join us for dinner?”

“Well, we wouldn’t go so far.”

“We have brownies today!”

“YAY!”

“Kids, stop disturbing the guests and help set up the table.”

Kenji observed the dynamics of the orphanage with a wry smile.

“Are you hungry?”

XiaoLe, who had been waiting with Kenji, asked.

“How about you? Are you hungry?”

“A little.”

“Then should I go get something while we wait?”

“…Do you know where the nearest convenience store is?”

“That…”

Certainly, he did not.

XiaoLe giggled at his clumsy reaction.

“Nevermind. I’ll go buy something for us. Wait here for the time being.”

“How about we go together?”

XiaoLe shook her head.

“Just in case Ms. Tatsuki arrives.”

Then the kids chided.

“You can eat with us, you know?”

“Yeah! Ms. Chu and Mr. Chen also eats with us when they come here!”

“Thank you for the kindness. It’s alright. We don’t want to burden you guys…”

XiaoLe stroked the kid’s head.

“How about this? Is there anything you want to eat? This auntie will help you get it.”

“Blueberry!”

“I want sweet tofu!”

“Nori crackers!”

“Alright. I’ll get them if I can find it. Remember to get them from me alright?”

“Yay~”

“Look after the kids.”

XiaoLe left Kenji with those words.

He heaved a sigh.

“I’m not good with kids.”

Fortunately for him, the guest room soon cleared out because the kids went to the communal hall for dinner.

He stared at the system mission board.

[DETAILS:▽MISSION BOARD> ONGOING(1/9)

>MISSION TITLE: HER RECLAMATION

>TASK: Bring EunHa back home alive

>REWARDS:

>>1. +10 GUGP

>>2. Unit: Hwang EunHa (A-Rank -> B-rank)

The mission to save EunHa was still active, which meant that EunHa hadn’t died.

If the proclaimed ‘Black Siren’ saved her, his next question would be why?

The execution order had been signed by Commander Lan, Colonel XiaoLe, EunHa’s brother Hwang JiSoo, and many more. To disobey was a great heresy that could warrant a blacklist.

“Damn it…”

If by some miracle, the Black Siren decided to save EunHa against all sense…

“Please be alive…”

He vowed to not make the same mistake twice.

He, like XiaoLe, thought that marriage was the best option to ensure her safety. It was to guarantee her life, and most importantly her happiness.

Yet it failed to achieve either.

Could it be that the marriage was a mistake? It was honestly the most logical solution though?

Truthfully, nobody could’ve predicted EunHa to wreck their plans by pulling off a stunt as insane as stabbing.

…Logic didn’t always ensure the right choice. Just as emotions didn’t always make a wrong.

He regretted forcing the marriage on her.

He should’ve noticed that she wasn’t ready.

He should’ve noticed her desperation.

The responsibility that came with becoming his wife… the loss of her identity… most of all, the guilt she must’ve felt knowing the truth.

Kenji thought that he could’ve handled the situation better. It didn’t matter who was wrong.

He should’ve talked to her. He shouldn’t have let her go.

“Where did the colonel go?”

YuNa interrupted Kenji in his thoughts.

“She went out to buy some food.”

He responded matter-of-factly.

“Food? Why didn’t you just ask us? We have more than enough for everyone.”

“That would be a little bit intrusive…”

“No it isn’t. Go to the hall and ask for a bowl.”

“…Maybe I’ll do that when XiaoLe returns.”

“Suit yourself.”

“Where are you going with that?”

Kenji noticed a tray in YuNa’s hand.

“This? I’m bringing it to one of the sick kids.”

“Sick?”

“The one I said was sleeping earlier.”

“Oh.”

“Go get something to eat already.”

“…”

Her way of speaking was rather harsh. This was probably her true personality.

[DETAILS:▽STATUS: PERSONAL> BORROWED TRAITS

>> [ACTIVE] Cho MinSeo: Peruse - C

>>>Description: Sharpens observation. Grants ease in noticing subtle cues such as body language, tone of voice, and facial expressions to gain insight into the hidden thoughts and emotions of the other party.

The details for Cho MinSea’s [Peruse - C] trait.

He had been studying the people here for quite some time now. There was definitely something up.

“Can I meet her? The girl, EiYun.”

“What? No.”

“Why?”

“What do you mean why? Like, are you a womaniser or something? Why in Eden’s name would you suddenly want to meet her? She’s sick. Do you want to get infected?”

“…”

The fact that the girl was sick wasn’t a lie. But beneath that claim, there was an intent made to excuse.

EiYun might know him, so they shouldn’t meet.

That reasoning sounded more accurate in Kenji’s head.

“Go to the hall or just wait there.”

“…”

YuNa went up the stairs in disregard to Kenji’s silence. Now he just felt bitter.

[DETAILS:▽STATUS: PERSONAL> BORROWED TRAITS

>> [ACTIVE] Cho MinSeo: Peruse - C

>> [ACTIVE] Hwang JiSoo: CQC Foundation - B

>> [ACTIVE] Hee JingKai: Intuition - D

>> [INACTIVE] Wu XiaoLe: Calm Grit - C

>> [INACTIVE] Hwang EunHa: Deadeye - B

>> OPEN LIST…

Changing his skill loadout, he followed YuNa silently.

CQC involved not only frontward confrontation, but also rear-tail ambushes. So Hwang JiSoo’s [CQC Foundation - B] gave him a light edge in footwork.

Basically speaking, it came with stealth.

“EiYun-chan. I’m coming in.”

YuNa knocked on the door.

A raspy voice responded.

He had his back pressed against the wall. There was a slight gap left open between the corridor and the room.

He listened.

“Where’s mom?”

“She’s not back.”

“Why? When will she be back?”

Mom? The voice was definitely not a kid’s.

He moved his hands to the door handle and widened the gap slowly.

“Where is mom… why is she not here? I didn’t do anything. I didn’t do anything— don’t abandon me…”

“Ugh. What did she do to you seriously? Come on, she’ll definitely be back. Didn’t Akane-san already tell you that she’s just busy?”

He peered into the gap.

Two girls.

Reddish-purple hair.

That was YuNa.

And,

The girl with the chestnut coloured hair…

Their eyes met for that slight fraction of a second.

“…”

“Hm? What is it?”

YuNa waved her hands in front of EiYun’s stare which had gone blank.

“Is there someone out there?”

YuNa turned to look behind, at the door.

Finding her reaction unusual, YuNa quickly checked the hall. There was no sign of anyone having been here.

“Weird…”

She turned back to EiYun.

“…!”

EiYun… no, EunHa had fallen sideways. Fainted.

◃⊰⊱ϑ⊹ ⨞⋅⫝⫘⌖ ⊹⊹⊰⊱▹

“Where were you?”

“N-Nothing.”

“Excuse me?”

Who was that?

She wasn’t EunHa, she wore glasses, but he just couldn’t shake off this feeling of incongruence…

XiaoLe had just returned with store-bought onigiri with egg roe fillings.

“Did you just go upstairs?”

“…I thought EunHa may be there but looks like I saw wrong.”

Wrong person? Then why did she feel so familiar?

“Mn. If I were Ms. Tatsuki, I wouldn’t keep her in such a public place.”

“…Yeah.”

He must be overthinking things… the suspicion kept tugging at him.

“Come on, here.”

“Thanks.”

XiaoLe passed him his share of food. Kenji took his first bite.

And it was also during that time a commotion rose from the communal hall.

“Oh~ it’s you!”

Then from the connecting entrance, a short girl with black hair appeared. The girl wearing casual T and tights pointed at XiaoLe.

XiaoLe continued munching on her onigiri without saying anything. The awkward tension in the room rose to the max as the silence went on for ten seconds.

How long was the black hair girl going to point at the War Saint?

Kenji narrowed his eyes and appraised her.

[STATUS:▽

>UNIT NAME: Tatsuki Rize - SS rank

>TRAITS

>>Magic Knowledge - A

>>Multipotentialite - A

>>Shadow Empress - S

>>Transcendental Consciousness - S

Kenji felt his blood freeze.

He had appraised hundreds, if not close to a thousand people by this point, and none of them were ever graded S. Yet now before him was someone graded not S, but SS? Magical knowledge? Shadow Empress?

Why does her occupation sound like a symptom of eighth-grade syndrome?

More importantly…

She was a reincarnator too?

XiaoLe swallowed the rice.

“It’s been a while Ms. Tatsuki.”

“Ah y-yeah. It’s been a while um… I’m sorry but who are you again?”

“…”

Another period of awkward silence ensued.

[DETAILS:▽STATUS: TATSUKI RIZE> TRAITS

>>Shadow Empress - S

>>>Description: Greatly improves the ease of using shadow magic and charm magic. Personal charm and charisma also increases multiple folds. She’s retired though.

[DETAILS:▽STATUS: TATSUKI RIZE> TITLES

>>Self-Oblation

>>>Description: She died to save the world. In honour of her sacrifice, a second chance was given. ‘Reincarnator’ title is granted with a sharp increase in all aspects of luck and chaos.

[DETAILS:▽STATUS: TATSUKI RIZE> TITLES

>>The Black Siren

>>>Description: A cold-blooded existence whose charm rivals that of a siren. Revered and admired by all, she is the most perfect enchantress of all lands. Deny this simple fact and you shall be met with her disdain. A small increase in all charm effects, influence, luck and positive life outcomes.

“Sorry Ms. XiaoLe. I’ll make sure to keep your name on the top of my mind from now on. Speaking of which, who is the other guy?”

Rize turned to Kenji. Her golden eyes seemed to shimmer, and for a moment, the world seemed to fade away.

“Kenji.”

He recalled what he saw earlier on the status board. There was a mention of increased charm…

“Kenji—”

She was a reincarnator. So did they come from the same world? She looked like she was from Japan, just like him.

But then what was up with magic knowledge? Did XiaoLe know about this…

“KENJI.”

“UGHH…”

XiaoLe knocked his head, he groaned.

“Whoops. Looks like he fell for it.”

Rize giggled.

…Fell for it huh?

“Sorry.”

He rubbed the sore spot on his head and introduced himself.

“I’m Matsushita Kenji. It’s an honour to meet you, Tatsuki-san. I didn’t think you’d be from Japan.”

XiaoLe’s eyes widened at Kenji’s statement. Rize didn’t seem particularly bothered.

“Eh… no wonder you’ve got a different air around you. So I’m not the only reincarnator in this world?”

“What’s a reincarnator?”

Eli asked.

“Hm? I told you before that I came from another world right?”

“Oh, right. A God’s Emissary.”

“Yup.”

“…”

Was she for real? She just told someone her secret so openly.

It was then Kenji understood what XiaoLe’s meant. Without a doubt, the word ‘eccentric’ best described the anomaly this girl was. Her nonchalance gave a mysterious charm and… he couldn’t help find her somewhat beguiling.

“Anyways. Let’s get to the main issue here. Is there any specific reason you two came to see me?”

“Ah, yes. But before that… is there a space we can talk in private?”

XiaoLe asked.

“Eli, you heard them. Go prepare the drawing room!”

“It was prepared hours ago.”

“Eh… seriously?”

Anticlimactic. Her command was unnecessary.

And so they headed forth.

“Some refreshments for the sovereign and saint.”

She hummed as she poured tea into Kenji and XiaoLe’s cup. XiaoLe’s cheeks twitched at her remark, but she didn’t say anything to deny it.

“Okay. So what’s up?”

Rize asked, taking a seat brazenly.

“Yes. I wanted to talk about the girl…”

“No, Kenji, hold on.”

The War Saint interrupted.

“Before that, can I ask why you resigned from First Sergeant Hai’s company?”

XiaoLe apologised to Kenji with a silent gesture, he nodded.

It was best to go about it in a roundabout manner. What if Rize planned to hide the truth from them?

“Why I resigned?

Rize looked at the two, noticing slight features of a pink space going on.

“Because I felt like it, I guess…”

It was an unexpected answer.

“…Because you felt like it?”

“I plan to travel the world. As Matsushita-san said earlier, I’m from another world, Japan. So if you base my life around the typical light novel development, we reincarnators would need an exploration arc, don’t you agree?”

Rize said with a grin.

“W-What do you mean?”

“I… think I can relate?”

“Huh? What? You understand her?”

Kenji kind of understood yet not. Bewildered, XiaoLe demanded an explanation.

“It simply means she wants to visit the other nations.”

“That I get… how about her referencing things like ‘typical developments’ and novels…?”

Wu XiaoLe the regressor. Born to be reborn in this world, she was likely the only existence in the current timeline to have seen humanity die before her eyes.

Tatsuki Rize, living her third life after experiencing two worlds of varying concepts. She, who was once a cardinal of a religious cult in the first world, and an inspirational entrepreneur in the second, was now planning retirement as a soldier in the third.

Matsushita Kenji, the ‘player’ who was thrown into the unfinished indie game world of his own making. He was the only person in the world in possession of a cheat system to support his journey.

XiaoLe, who didn’t read many stories of the past-modern era, struggled to comprehend them. And Kenji… he started to question if the truth he knew was in fact the truth. If Rize was also a reincarnator, the next question would be why and how?

“Was it not because of… Staff Sergeant Chu’s death?”

“That’s part of the reason. You see—I want to see the world before I die in some freak accident, you know? Who doesn’t?”

Rize had a carefree personality. And because of it, she didn’t care for her own safety, or the consequences of her actions to the lives of others.

No.

Forged through years of experience… she saw the world with much more richness and depth than what most wise people could glean in a lifetime. It was exactly because Rize valued life itself that she was willing to let go of a self-made role and responsibility.

Kenji, who read all of it using [Peruse - C] gritted his teeth. Just who the hell is this girl?

“I see…”

XiaoLe muttered.

“Anything else? You also wanted to talk about Ms. EunHa right?”

“Yes, what did…”

“I killed her.”

XiaoLe wasn’t even able to complete her sentence.

“She’s dead. Don’t worry about it.”

[DETAILS:▽MISSION BOARD> MISSION RESULTS

>[FAILED] MISSION TITLE: HER RECLAMATION

>SYSTEM REMARKS:

>> Unlocked New Progression: Love and Hate

…She’s dead.

“No…”

“No?”

Rize tilted her head.

“Wasn’t that what you wanted to know?”

What…?

No.

No.

Her eyes weren’t lying. His eyes weren’t lying.

It told of the fact that taking a life was no different from snapping a wooden branch. The light smile on her lips was one of genuine delight.

He felt himself sink into a deep pit.

He thought she was a reincarnator just like himself.

He thought they could relate with each other.

He thought he finally found someone who understood.

But…

The only thing he gained was the realisation that… the girl before him was not sane.

[DETAILS:▽MISSION BOARD> NEW(4)

>MISSION TITLE: FUNERAL

>> OPEN DETAILS…

>MISSION TITLE: DENIAL

>> OPEN DETAILS…

>MISSION TITLE: ACCEPTANCE

>> OPEN DETAILS…

>MISSION TITLE: BLACK SIREN’S CALL

>> OPEN DETAILS…

◃⊰⊱⊹. ⊹⌖Ω ⩏⊹ϑ ⊰⊱▹

“She’s dead. Don’t worry about it.”

While the original EunHa’s did die. She was still alive in flesh.

So I’m technically not lying.

Wu XiaoLe and Matushita Kenji.

One was the War Saint, the other was EunHa’s fiance.

I could tell them that Eun-chan was still alive and well but… as her mother, I have a responsibility to protect her.

I’m glad to see them here. And while I do pity them for trying to turn things around… what if I hadn’t stepped in? Would they still be hoping for her to be alive somehow?

I may gain their animosity for lying. But for the sake of Eun-chan’s mental health, it was a worthy price to pay. She can meet them again once she can stand firmly on her two feet.

They care about EunHa. But caring for someone, and knowing how to care for someone were two very different things.

The despair on their faces when I told them about EunHa’s death was not a pleasant sight to see.

“Is there anything else you want to know?”

“…Why.”

The War Saint held back Matsushita-san who looked like he was going to kill me.

“I’m sorry.”

“Tell me. Just tell me… where is her body…”

EunHa’s fiance looked… completely despaired.

“It probably fell off Fortress 13.”

Actually. That was a good question.

Where exactly was EunHa’s body? Did they not recognize Eun-chan who should be walking around the orphanage?

Weird. And here I thought they’d catch my lie.

“…I’m sorry for taking your time. We’ll be leaving.”

XiaoLe said with a trembling bow.

“Okay. Please take care.”

The War Saint dragged Matsushita-san out while holding in her own anger.

…Oh well.

The whims of life.

I can’t wait to see their surprised expression when I reveal the fact that Eun-chan is alive.

Just be patient.

“What happened?”

Akane-san, who was waiting outside the drawing room asked.

“Well. They’ve got something to regret so…”

“You didn’t offend them did you? That was the War Saint, you know?”

“They offended me though?”

I crossed my arms and puffed out my cheeks.

And then I noticed a Eun-chan curled up on the floor just beside the entrance of the drawing room.

“Eh? When did she get here?”

“Ever since you entered the room.”

Seriously? She was listening to us? Wow. To think they didn’t even realise the girl they wanted to find was so close.

“Eun-chan.”

I got down to her height.

She was sobbing. I called out to her.

“Eun-chan.”

Like an octopus, she suddenly jumped at me and clung to me tight.

Her entire body quivered, unwilling to let go. From the touch of her skin, I could tell at once that she had a fever.

“Mom… I… don’t want to die… I don’t want to…”

Oh, she… note to self next time not to leave Eun-chan alone for too long.

What should I do about this daughter of mine now hmr, hmr?

◃⊰⊱. ϕ⊹ ⋈⊶⌖⊹⊰⊱▹

…There were so many things she failed to discuss with Rize.

She wanted to make Rize her personal aide.

A person she could depend on to win the war.

To learn more about this girl—her heart, and the things she found important.

She wanted to know why she went so far for the people in her first life.

She wanted to know what drove her.

She wanted knowledge from someone that knew her suffering.

But the difference between knowing and experiencing was too great.

…Rize Tatsuki.

The Black Siren.

She wasn’t sane.

XiaoLe never knew the psychopathic mask behind the hailed hero.

Just like EunHa.

…The semblance between those two.

Why was it that those who rose to power and influence were always broken people?

Even at night. Fuji City was bright.

And from the streetlights poured in streaks of orange rays from the gaps of the curtain.

“Kenji.”

XiaoLe was with him in a dark room.

Calling out his name in a voice not too loud.

You promised her.

You promised that you would always save her.

No matter what.

No matter what that…

You would save her.

“Kenji.”

She called out to him once more.

“What did the system say?”

His reaction back then…

She wanted to know.

If it was a lie.

“Kenji.”

“…e me alone.”

He croaked without as much of a voice.

She rose from the nearby chair and took a seat by his bed.

He had been staring towards the night sky—the narrow gaps of the curtain for a long time now.

XiaoLe grabbed his hand.

“Kenji.”

She didn’t know what kind of emotion he was experiencing.

“Kenji. Look at me.”

She knew too well just how much he loved EunHa.

“You can hate me. You can resent me.”

She brought his hand towards her forehead.

“But don’t waste her sacrifice.”

EunHa chose to die for the world.

So now that she was gone, humanity stood a possible chance.

So many things have changed in this second life.

The Fourth Stratum which had never been touched in the first run was now steadily being colonised.

Cities that should be gone were standing, and fortified.

Technology that existed in the future would now be deployed much earlier.

And key people who died in battle were alive, and growing ever stronger.

So much progress has been made.

The result of their efforts.

Was it enough?

Was this what she wanted?

Pathetic.

She couldn’t even protect the reason why she was doing all of this for the world.

“XiaoLe. Tell me.”

Kenji moved his hands away as if disgusted by her touch.

“What happened during your first life.”

XiaoLe felt a thorn in her heart.

“What happened to my relationship with EunHa?”

Why did she become a demon?

How did humanity fall and what did we lack?

Who is our enemy?

“Tell me…”

XiaoLe interrupted him by placing a finger on his lips.

“…Because.”

The answer to his questions…

The reason why…

How it all started…

She really wanted to say it.

It was my fault.

But in tears, she would keep it from leaking past her lips.

I was the reason she became a demon.

From hereon they would start again.

…All because I chose to become your wife, Kenji.

The beginning of a new story.