Of course, even as I said all that, I didnt feel refreshed. I had already known that their revenge was irreplaceably important.

So, in actuality, this was such a silly question. For my sake, they could simply pay me lip service, but in the end those were only symbolic bows. Was there really anything other than the fulfillment of their revenge that could truly heal their scars?

Thats why that question wasnt what I truly wanted to ask. What I really wanted to know was whether or not their favors, obsessions, and little pranks were all calculated. By my own admission, I had an easy-to-read personality; these days I had a growing suspicion that they were simply adjusting the rhythm of their life to placate me or were manipulating my feelings to make me more comfortable to handle.

Of course, I felt that I couldnt ask them these questions, but If they had treated me with a stiff distance, I may have been more comfortable. If all they sought was revenge, did they really need to get along with me?

I wasnt asking for them to lock me away, as I had mentioned before. If they had dealt with me in coldlya pure business relationshipthen maybe I would not have uselessly raised my hopes. Without such presumptuous expectations from the beginning, there would be no need for sorrow or disappointment.

However, Seo Dawon, still facing me, said nothing; his slightly open mouth opened wider before immediately clapping shutsilent.

He looked as if he had a lot to say but would rather not talk because the words may come out too emotional. I was a bit flustered: it was the first time I saw Seo Dawon look as if he was suppressing his anger and frustration. I had thought hed be cool-headed or say something smug to soothe me.

Of course Im worried about you. Seo Dawon replied, a minute later, in a low voice.

But, his response was laden with sarcasm, as if he heard something so absurd and was sick and tired of it. That nuance was so blatant that I angrily shouted, Well then, why dont you explain anything to me every time? I.!

If you knew, Seo Dawon cut me off, What would change for the better? Why do you insist on knowing everything even if you wont understand it!

His question was sharper and more aggressive than I had thought. I was dumbfounded and could only stare vacantly at him.

However, Seo Dawon did not stop there. He approached me with a fierce expression and roughly grabbed my shoulder. Why is this contract so unstable? Of course thats because the gap between you and I is too largedid you forget that? In the first place, this contract started with you begging and my allowances.

T-thats true, but Flustered by the pressure on my shoulders, I tried to shake him off, but Seo Dawon didnt back down. It was as if he had been expecting this situation.

Seo Dawon came closer to me, who was trying to escape, and whispered. Of course, only the volume of his voice decreased; I could still definitely feel the anger laden in his words, So now, youre doubting us? You think we can turn around and hurt you at any moment? Dont you know how ridiculous of a misunderstanding that is?

What?

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How great are you that we must plot to kill you? Just with a flick of my little finger like this

Hnnrk

It would be simple.

Of course, he didnt actually strangle me even though he said he could do it simply. However, as he stared down at my shrinking self, he muttered, Im going crazy

Seo Dawon threatened me, but when I was frightened, he was ironically angry. A bit red, like a cardinaldid he not realize what kind of expressions he was making right now?

Choi Lee-kyung. Are you that scared of me?

J-just now you seemed as if you would hit me

What the hell must I do to make you trust me?

I tried, in my own ways, he added.

Of course, I had never felt that effort, so I just continued locking eyes with the Mage.

Seo Dawon opened his mouth with an angry expression, Whenever I said anything, you would become jumpy and be hurt, so I changed my speech patterns.

Huh?

What can I do when you open your eyes so wide and act as if you have no idea? Seo Dawon asked, So, this has nothing at all to do with my attitude, right? Although he phrased it like a question, I couldnt answer. His tone made me feel like he was talking to himself, and I kept my mouth shut.

Haah. Seo Dawon glanced me up and down before releasing a deep sigh. You dont see us as human beings, he muttered in a tired tone, saying something so inconceivable.

What do you mean?

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Why else do you think well kill you, hurt you, or betray you? Do you view me as a demonso afraid of us even as were enjoying our time together?

What are you saying! That was the most absurd thing Id ever heard. However Kim Olim and Jung Garam, who were also listening to our conversation, also looked the other way and did not refute the Mages words. They seemed to implicitly agree.

Feeling falsely accused, I hurried to deny the others words, Ive never once thought that before

Really? Then why do you continue to be afraid of me despite how nice Ive been to you?

No Its because it feels like you guys are always hiding things from me!

I guess you hold no secrets between friends then, huh? You leave everything open and leave nothing. 1

Of course, there was nothing I could say in response. Of course I didnt know every detail about my friends personal histories. That wasnt what I meant

However, werent matters between common friends incomparable to that of the servants ambiguous attitudes? Frustratingly, though, my mind felt disorganized and I couldnt formulate my arguments.

Meanwhile, Seo Dawon continued, Its my first time signing with a Necromancer, so I decided I shouldnt tell you everything before I know anything for sure. For example, why do we need your blood to sign a contract? Things like that

..

Furthermore, when I see you sometimes, I feel strangely hungry. That doesnt mean youre appetizing to me, but, if you knew I felt this urgethese impulsesyoud be wary of me.

What? Whats that?

I also have no idea. But, its been a while since Ive felt this urge. The higher you levelled, the worse it became.

I was flustered by the new information and looked at Seo Dawon and the other servants alternatingly. What do you mean impulses of hunger? So then, were those impulses the culprits behind those occasional strange behaviors? For example, their desire to sleep with me

Then, I suddenly thought of Lackey, my first servant. Lackey always wished to be around me, and it was a rather jealous being.

However, I had never thought that such an attachment was strange because it resembled my previous pet, one that I had raised for quite some while. It was my first summon after becoming a User, so I had continued with a light heart. Lackey was definitely like a small dog

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Dont tell me, will all the servants I sign eventually become obsessed with me like Lackey?

I was devastated after my mind dredged up that ideaenough that I looked at Seo Dawon reflexively. He seemed to have noticed the moment I realized this possibility. He nodded, without smiling.

For them to follow Lackeys example For Seo Dawon to blindly love me, for Jung Garam to loyally follow my orders without questioning me, For Kim Olim to not refer to me bluntly as Necromancer and instead openly praise me

That would be such a bizarre sight. I didnt want that. Sorrow at not knowing their inner feelings or hurt at feeling ostracized were emotions born of my affections for the servants.

Of course, Lackey was my precious and lovely Servant, but it would be terrible that all those that could possibly be called my friend were turning into something like Lackey.

Seo Dawon, with a somewhat relaxed face, saw my crumpled expression and said, My ultimate goal is not revenge. After revenge, I want to return to my previous, intact self.

So, Im collecting resurrection methods. Not only for me, but for all my friends who died at the Tower of Command.

Well, uh, how should we do that

First of all, well have to achieve our revenge. And well need to find a way to protect our increasingly fragile selves.

Im glad. You have an appalled look on your face. Seo Dawon smiled.

That smile was different from all others hed made before. Was that why Seo Dawon, perceiving my thoughts, kept his distance?

Suddenly, I was conscious of a question bubbling from deep within the depths of my heart, Then, after Seo Dawon returns to life, whatwill happen to me?

TL: Words have been said, feelings have been hurt. I know that weve been mostly following from Lee-kyungs perspective, but Lee-kyungs inherent reluctance to become intimate with others (and his justifiable fear of the servants) have been hurting Dawon, Garam, and Olim as well. Both groups are misunderstanding each others intentions.

But we also have Seo Dawons goal of coming back to life

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Next time less stressful things. maybe.

Footnotes