We quickly found the car that drove Park Hoseok here in a nearby parking lot. The chauffeur was standing not too far away in what seemed to be the smoking section.

Calling on a cellphone with one hand and holding a cigarette in the other, the chauffeur stood with his back to the car, so we could easily access it.

What about the black box? 1

Ive already taken care of it.

Jung Garams eyes glimmered blue for a brief moment and then grew dim again; the light, which had been blinking regularly from behind the cars glass, flickered off. We heard a small clicking soundit seemed that Jung Garam unlocked the car door.

Lowering my head, I approached the car, estimated where it was likely for Park Hoseok to sit, and placed the box in the back seat before closing the door. I turned to look at the chauffeur just in case, but he was still busy on the phone.

Have you finished your business? our driver asked.

Yes, yes

Soon afterwards, we returned to our own car, and the rough-looking chauffeur quickly took us back to Koo Kyungmans villa again.

Haah I was unable to calm my beating heart until we arrived back at the villa. However, even after the initial nervousness subsided, constant insecure anxiety washed over me. So, about the box What if he doesnt open it because its too suspiciousor What if he asks someone else to open it for him?

Dont worry. I left something thatd draw Park Hoseoks attention the moment he enters the car. Jung Garam smiled leisurely, as if he expected such a question, and winked at me. He moved his finger, just like when he drew the ellipse on the window earlier.

That must mean that he left something on the cars window.

In addition, Seo Dawon confidently said, I also applied a little suggestion thatll trigger the moment Park Hoseok sees the box; the probability that itll fall into another persons hand is small.

Reassured, I raided the full refrigerator, prepared some decent instant food, and headed to the coastal cliff.

The appointed place indicated in our gift was a scenic photo spot located a little ways away from the roada triangular spot created by wooden deck and iron supports left quietly unattended. Perhaps people stopped walking over here when the road was built and it became difficult to access the sidewalk.

However, we couldnt let our guard down; we began some simple preparations to allow this reunion with Park Hoseok to proceed without interruption.

Jung Garam began to engrave unknown skills onto the deck, and Seo Dawon broke several branches of the greenery planted nearby and dropped them at the entrance. Kim Olim jumped down the cliff and came up shortly afterwards, saying Theres gaps where people can pass by below, but well soon be isolated due to the rising tide.

As for my role

Choi Lee-kyung! Do you see the branches at the entrance? Go past that and look this way.

I was to check whether the boundary limitations set by Seo Daown and Jung Garam were fully activated.

I crossed the line and turned around as Jung Garam asked, looking back at the appointed site. Truly, I could only see thick trees laden with leaves and the coastal cliff beyond.

However, I knew of their existence, so I slowly approached the cliff. It looked as if Id walk into a free-fall if I took another step, but I thought my foot would touch something.

So, without hesitation, I stepped over, crossing the fence

..Uagh!

What are you doing?

Before I could cross completely, Seo Dawon seized my arm from behind.

I mean, you guys told me to check it I answered evasively, feeling awkward.

Seo Dawon, still holding me by the arms, dropped me behind the fence. Spatial distortion isnt about hiding or masking space, but rather distorting it. If you fell here, youd actually plunge downwards.

What? Gasp Shocked, I fell off the fence and stumbled again while stepping backwards, but, since Seo Dawon was still holding onto me, I didnt fall down.

However, I couldnt avoid backing myself into his chest. Seo Dawon sighed quietly, and that soft sound vividly embedded itself into my ears.

Since the dregs of yesterdays resentment had not yet been washed away, I felt abashed at receiving help for something so dumb. I felt more embarrassed than usual after hearing that sigh.

So, I quickly tried to separate myself from him, but, instead, Seo Dawon drew me closer. Then, lowering his voice, he whispered, You just really recklessly rush into things when you dont know things, huh? Bravery born of ignorance, or something like that?

However, his words were so sarcastic compared to the warmth of his embrace. Furthermore, the nuance of his words seemed to refer to more than my almost-tumble off of the cliff earlier. I immediately turned my head to glare at him.

Seo Dawon calmly shrugged his shoulders, despite my piercing gaze, If you dont want me to nag at you, consider how precious your life is. Dont jump down recklessly or donate blood.

If you dont want me to act foolishly because of my ignorance, then explain things to me properly.

Dont want to. Things wont change just because you know about it.

Then, honestly, what do you want from me? You keep on treating me like a fool because of this great secret! However, before I could raise my voice in earnest, Seo Dawon interrupted my thoughts, Rather, its more relieving if you would stop trying to save me

What?

Because you like me too much.

What on earth

While speaking, Seo Dawon squinted as if he were looking at something that could potentially bring him heartfelt despair. Its like he firmly believed that if I were to know the whole story, I would turn my eyes away from himfrom this weird delusion that I would do absolutely anything for him.

I mean, hes not even mehow could he think of me so shamelessly? One might think Ive been the aggressor in this situation, chasing after him for months!

Seo Dawon, you seem to be misunderstanding somethingI justI only just slightly am fond of your face, okay?? My cheeks flushed, heat pooling as if Im having a fever, but I couldnt pass this by without protesting. Just what does that bastard think of me? I drew a line in the sand, demanding that he let go of this misunderstanding.

Is that so?

Yeah! Its not like I cant live without youplease remember that!

Then thats a relief.

Why did I feel so dirty when I saw him obediently nod his head?

Is my affection for him so bothersome? Fucker I didnt even want to confess to you! I didnt even do anything, and youre the one who went and noticed it firstyoure the one who made our relationship so restlessYoure the one who kissed me first!

However, Seo Dawon suddenly grabbed my chin and lifted it up. Then, looking at my frowning face, he smiled, Then, why do you oscillate between joy and sorrow from my words, hm?

I never

What do you mean, never. Even now, I can clearly see that youre thinking inside, Do you hate me so much?'

I was thinking that I wanted to bite my tongue.

And, Seo Dawon didnt miss the momentary shame that crossed my face.

I knew that my emotions shined out of my eyes, but I couldnt use my hands to cover them up. I didnt want to be dragged around like this. But because the Mage always looked at me as if he were observing something so cuteBecause this time, it didnt seem like a carefully constructed facadeI really wanted to take a mirror and show him his own expression at this moment.

Thenerve of you Youre the one thats too interested in me

Thats what I thought, but whos the one who slashed his own palm with a blade.

What could my actions back then possibly mean to Seo Dawon?

In reality, I was thinking quite simply. Of course, its not like I felt some innate repulsion at what I did. Its just that, Seo Dawondid so many strange things to his own body and mine for fear of ripping me apart. I just felt sorry for his lonely struggles. Rather than being motivated through pure affectionI was motivated more through humanistic compassion.

Thats justThere was no special meaning to that

Yeah?

Yeah. It had nothing to do with whether or not I like you

Seo Dawon, smiling, stopped me from explaining myself further, Thats even worse, Lee-kyung-ah.

Before I could ask what he meant, Kim Olim appeared from behind the fence. Still holding onto my now frightened self, Seo Dawon returned to his expressionless baseline.

Jung Garam said that Park Hoseok returned to his villa. We should slowly get into our places she said.

Alright

Yeah.

And Seo Dawon, slowly, released my arm that he had been holding until then.

TL: The way Seo Dawon is speaking is making me nervous lmao, its like hes preparing Lee-kyung-ie for his death or disappearance, pushing him away and worrying the Lee-kyung is doing too much for him. Arghhh I wanna know what the system has been saying to him.

Footnotes