However, that fake Choi Lee-kyung went one step further and finally crossed a line. That bastard looked as if Seo Dawon, who appeared before him, was some great savior and jumped casually into the mages arms, hugging him. Whoa! I mean, this is Ive been wandering around here for so long and Im overcome with happiness to see you

The fake Choi Lee-kyung didnt stop therehe suddenly stepped backwards, made a fuss, and flapped at his now flushed neck. In addition, Lackey simply stared, with its fingers in its mouth, at its masters shameful behavior. If that was the real Lackey, the skeleton would already have squeezed in, clacking furiously, between me and the Mage.

I snorted and glared at Choi Lee-kyung.

Unbelievable. If youre going to imitate me, then you should do it properly

Ive never acted like that towards Seo Dawon. So, I thought Seo Dawon would soon push away that Choi Lee-kyung.

However, Seo Dawon simply stared at him without any further movement; at that, Choi Lee-kyung sighed, relaxing a little, and grabbed the Mage by the arm. I wasnt the only one startled at such natural skin contact. Seo Dawons back became rigid, as if he was nervous; he began looking down at Choi Lee-kyung as if he were something fascinating.

As soon as I arrived, I was in an empty spaceno one came out. I was relieved, though, that at least Lackey could be summoned

You didnt meet any monsters?

Yeah There was nothing? And Choi Kyung-siknever appeared either. Choi Lee-kyung gave me a sidelong glance as he mentioned the Alchemists name. That passing gaze was filled with wariness and discomfortan exact replica of my expression towards him.

I met that gaze, unwilling to back down, before looking at Seo Dawon a little anxiously. It was frustrating to see Seo Dawon be so motionless within that fake Choi Lee-kyungs grasp; I was uncomfortable with the idea that the Mage had perhaps already made his choice.

Above all, to see someone in this [Vengeful Ghost Memory] adopt my face and pant all over Seo Dawon like that It hurt my pride. Though I held affection for the Mage, Ive never openly appealed to Seo Dawon like that.

Why Is he writhing his body like that?

Do I really act like that?

I wanted to grab Seo Dawon by the collar and ask him, Do I act like that in front of you? but I couldnt. In the end, I glared at Choi Lee-kyung, clenching my fists within my folded arms.

However, whatever Choi Lee-kyung thought of my inaction, he soon turned to Seo Dawon after staring me down. He now clung to the mage completely, as if he were dangling off of Seo Dawons arms.

What made me furious was that Seo Dawon not only did not push the fake away, but still looked down at him wordlessly. Frustrated, I wanted to scream, Isnt making others intimidated with just a piercing stare your specialty? It felt like my anger was boiling within me, threatening to burst out.

Haah. But Im glad youre here. Actually, I was worried that Id be stuck here. Furthermore, suddenly someone who looked exactly like me barged in. Ive never seen an enemy like that, so I had no idea how to respond Choi Lee-kyung said.

The fake grinned as if he were incredibly relieved. And Seo Dawon paid close attention to that bastard, without tearing his eyes away from the fakes face.

I felt so anxious as Seo Dawon stared at Choi Lee-kyung. His hesitation was so different from how he usually acted. No wayis he really confusing me with that fake?

Lee-kyung-ah. However, after a few seconds of silence, Seo Dawon turned towards me and called my name. Simultaneously, Choi Lee-kyungs expression turned dark. It was clear at that moment who the Mage chose.

After being so shaken for these past minutes, my anxiety disappeared all at once at the Mages call. I took one step closer to Seo Dawon, answering him joyfully, Yep!

We must be inside some mirror-like thing right now.

Inside a mirror?

You look exactly the same Seo Dawon glanced at my right hand. Youre right handed.

Huh? Yeah

As soon as I answered, Choi Lee-kyung looked down, flustered, at his hands from behind the Mage. Then, in that state, the bastard slowly became transparent. Choi Lee-kyung opened his mouth, as if to say something, but soon melted completely into thin air and vanished. It appeared like the monster was defeated once it was caught.

I stared blankly at the place where Choi Lee-kyung had futilely disappeared. How did you know?

When he held onto me, he reached out with his left hand first. Something was unnatural.

However, Seo Dawons response was a bit questionable.

While ruminating on that discomfort, I mumbled to myself, Is the only difference between me and him our dominant hand?

What? Seo Dawon didnt ignore my murmurs and questioned it immediately.

I hesitated before eventually answering him in a grumpy tone, Wasnt there a lot of differencesbetween me and that Choi Lee-kyung earlier? But you only kept on looking at himLike you couldnt tell

My voice rose a little at the end of my sentences, as if I were whining, Why couldnt you recognize me? Honestly, I was deeply upset by that, so I wasnt able to control my emotions.

However, as soon as he listened to my words, Seo Dawons lips quirked up. Teasing, he said, Ah, of course I knew about your differences from the very beginning.

Then, why

He looks exactly like you. I couldnt exactly lay hands on him.

I was struck speechless; Seo Dawon turned and locked gazes with me casually. He didnt say anything particularly ridiculous, but I strangely felt hot. Its not like was fishing for those flirtatious comments either

However, I soon returned to my senses and responded sarcastically, Dont say things you dont mean.

He was smiling so brightly with your facewhat could I do?

However, Seo Dawon paid no heed to my sarcasm. His posture was relaxed; he seemed to be trying his hardest to make me feel fidgety and flustered with his words.

His words always gave me food for thought. Even when he didnt truly like me. So, even if my heart pounded, I was angry; I wanted to refute what he said and make jokes. Something like Ah, so youre saying my smiling expression doesnt look too good, is that it? I barely held those comments in.

I snorted, to tell him I could hardly believe him, and walked ahead while ignoring the Mage. However, the previous scene kept repeating in my head. Could Seo Dawon really prefer that fakesomeone who adopted such silly expressions and wore his emotions on his sleeves? Or, could he be dissatisfied with the me that never smiles so happily?

It wasnt so easy for me to smile in front of Seo Dawon. How many people could laugh nonchalantly while trying to defend their mindsto build defenses against rushing affection? Moreover, were in a special relationship, and he treats me affectionately. Currently, I had to build walls on my side of the relationship so as to not cross a linesmiling was impossible.

Once again, Seo Dawon casually broke through the walls I built. He approached me without breaking eye contact and said, You like my smiling face too.

I looked at him in surprise, quickly turning my head as if I was burned by fire; I regretted that action immediately after meeting the Mages gaze. He was staring at me, as if he were engraving my expressions one by one inside his head. It even had the illusory effect of being sucked into his eyeslike he had access to all my thoughts.

Seo Dawon knew I have affections for him and am attracted to him. And, right now hes probably Wouldnt he be extra sure that I still liked him?

[Clack Clack?]

W-Whoa!

Why hasnt that one vanished?

At that moment, if Lackey hadnt squeezed its head between the gap between mine and the Mages legs I might have inadvertently asked Seo Dawon the question that had been blazing within my mind.

So, after my startled heart calmed down, I felt rather relieved. And, heedless of my mood, the Mage lifted Lackey lightly, dangling it in the air, and began having a staring match with the skeleton.

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TL: Self-defeating emotions at it again T_T I understand what Lee-kyungs feeling, but I definitely think that, in these moments, we can see that Seo Dawon definitely does feel *something* for Lee-kyung. But both of them definitely have their own issues and have trouble communicating and knowing what each other needs. Thatll be addressed somewhat #soon though.

Also, Dawons comment about being uable to hurt LKs lookalike reminded me of the intruder Dawon in Woo Ragis memory. Its interestingand totally a glimpse of how the Mage could become that *person/monster*