— So this is that ancient artifact…

The Evil Society’s djinn had snatched the ring. The chances of Yun Seung-Ah or Kim Suho recovering it were slim. I had no choice, even if I attracted the djinn's attention.

I compressed a portion of aether around my hand and weaved it into a wire. It was only as long as my hand, but would elongate when I threw it.

Still, the wire wouldn’t reach the castle. Although Master Sharpshooter included throwing, I didn’t have enough strength. Thankfully, I could compensate with stigma’s magic power.

I concentrated magic power onto my right arm. I didn’t hold back and converted 80% of my magic power into kinetic energy. My strength remained the same, but stigma’s magic power amplified the kinetic energy. It didn’t increase my physical ability, so I didn’t know how powerful my throw would be.

“Huap!”

I threw the wire with a spirited shout. My target was Homer’s Ring in the djinn’s hand. The short wire instantly elongated and moved like it was alive until it snatched the target. Immediately, I pulled the wire back.

Whoosh—

The wire instantly retracted.

As expected of an ancient artifact, the ring didn’t contain a single scratch.

“Nice shot.”

I smiled in satisfaction, but not for long. The wire’s unexpected power swung in an arc and severed a portion of the castle walls. It also swept through the floor and sliced apart the castle’s foundation on its way back.

Part of the castle’s second floor crumbled.

I watched the accident in shock. I hoped no one was hurt, but I didn’t have time to worry. The Evil Society’s djinn spotted me. He couldn’t see through my mask, but I had to retreat as soon as possible. I escaped along the route I had prepared beforehand.

“Oy!”

As I plowed through the tall grass, someone fell from the sky in front of me. A djinn who looked like a Caucasian man blocked my path and exuded killing intent.

“You see this, right?”

He tapped on his waist at a bladeless hilt. It was a magic sword created from state-of-the-art magic engineering. Individuals confident in their magic power often used this weapon. As long as their magic power capacity was large enough, it would display greater power than most low-rank artifacts. It suited djinns who gained exponential magic power from devils.

“If you know what this is, you better hand that over.”

He pulled out his magic sword without hesitation. He looked a bit funny holding just a hilt, but a magic sword’s might was nothing to scoff at.

“Um, why don’t we talk it out? I can just give it to you.”

“Why should I? I can just kill you and take it.”

“But weren’t you talking like you wanted to negotiate just now?”

“Was I?”

The djinn sneered and imbued his magic power into the hilt.

Wiing—

A blade of magic power shot out like a lightsaber, but it only briefly lasted. The blade flickered and disappeared.

“… What?”

Confused, he imbued his magic power again, but nothing changed. The magic sword flickered like an exhausted lightbulb. I realized what was going on.

“Hahaha.”

With a hearty laugh, I transformed Desert Eagle into its shotgun mode.

“W-What’s wrong with this thing!”

Flustered, the djinn aimlessly swung the sword hilt.

“Well, you see, that weapon won’t work today.”

I scraped together what little magic power I had left and converted it into the light attribute. This white magic power flowed into the shotgun shell and would obliterate the djinn.

“Because I’m very lucky.”

“Shut it! Even without a weapon—”

KWANG.

The shotgun shell perfectly struck his head.

***

Chae Nayun sat on a bench near the traveling club’s meeting place. She had given up on the masquerade party. It was already 7 P.M., but she couldn’t find Yoo Yeonha or Kim Suho.

“… Tsk.”

She wasn’t bothered, but somehow felt anxious. She didn’t know why, so she played a game.

[Leveling Up Monster]

It was an RPG that came out a few days ago. It wasn’t a VR game, but a mobile one she could conveniently play on her smartwatch. She enjoyed it at first, but her thoughts kept wandering. What were they doing at the masquerade party that they didn’t pick up her calls?

“Where are all these police going?”

She also couldn’t focus because of the constant sirens. Chae Nayun turned off the game and checked her messenger app. No new messages had arrived.

“Haa.”

I’m upset, but why am I upset? As Chae Nayun sighed in annoyance, someone sat next to her.

“… What’s up with you?”

Kim Hajin looked pale, and cold sweat drenched his exhausted face.

“Are you sick?” Chae Nayun asked out of courtesy. Kim Hajin just silently stared at her.

“… What? Answer me.”

“I’m a bit tired.”

“What?”

“Well… I can’t move.”

Kim Hajin smirked. He suddenly closed his eyes and leaned on Chae Nayun.

“Whoa!”

Chae Nayun moved out of the way, afraid of his sweat. Kim Hajin fell on the bench.

“H-Hey! What are you scheming—”

“Ah, Nayun. You’re here.”

Oh Hanhyun arrived with his girlfriend, but his face looked grim.

“Club leader? Why are you so late?”

“You didn’t know? Something happened nearby. Kim Suho and Yoo Yeonha are being questioned.”

“Eh?”

Chae Nayun’s jaws dropped. Just what the hell happened while I was gone?

“Ah, it’s nothing serious. They weren’t injured, and they'll be released soon since their identities are confirmed.”

Oh Hanhyun glanced at the bench where Kim Hajin lay panting.

“… What happened to him?”

“I don’t know. He arrived just now and suddenly collapsed.”

“Hmm.”

Oh Hanhyun placed his hand on Kim Hajin’s forehead. It felt hot.

“Babe, can you take a look at him?”

“… Babe?”

Chae Nayun grimaced. Oh Hanhyun smiled somewhat embarrassed as the girl next to him approached.

“I introduced her before, right? She’s my girlfriend, Natasha.”

“Ah… Yeah, um, that’s a pretty name.”

***

Father’s face suddenly appeared. His black hair carried a few strands of grey. It was a face from 8 years ago, or even before that. Every Korean high school senior had to overcome the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT). I had bombed the test and must have expected it since I told my parents, who insisted on picking me up, to stay home. Mom and Dad agreed and left. After the exam, I trudged to the school gate and saw him.

— Hajin.

Father looked at me with a warm smile. Riding the same car for 10 years, his face suddenly looked aged. I broke into tears because I felt sorry. Father had never once consoled me before, but he patted my back and said just two words.

— It’s okay.

“… Is he okay?”

The voice that overlapped with Father’s must have been Chae Nayun. I opened my eyes.

“Ah, he woke up. Eh? He’s crying?”

Chae Nayun pointed at me and snickered. I touched my eyes and felt the wetness.

“Did it hurt that much? What, did you catch an illness?”

“…”

Annoyed, I glared at Chae Nayun. Was it because of the dream? I didn’t feel too good.

“W-What?”

“… Just get back.”

Thankfully, Kim Suho pulled Chae Nayun away. I raised my head and looked out the window. It was already dark.

“Are you okay?”

A Caucasian woman asked as she looked down at me. It was probably Oh Hanhyun’s girlfriend.

“Yes, I’m okay…”

“You collapsed from light exhaustion.”

I nodded. It would have been weird if I felt fine. I had instantly used up two streaks of stigma and even raced to the Eiffel Tower like a madman. Not to mention, I took the most roundabout path to avoid attention.

“Where are we?”

“It’s your room. You’ll be sharing it with Kim Suho.”

The woman sounded gentle and made me instinctively trust her. This was why you couldn’t judge a book by its cover.

“That large mansion is supposed to be our lodging?”

“That’s right. It’s already 10, but they said they would prepare dinner if you want.”

Thankfully, I woke up before the incident.

“No, I’m fine.”

I turned down the offer as the woman nodded with a smile.

“Then I’ll be leaving. Come with me, Nayun.”

“Eh? Why me?”

“This is the men’s room.”

She left with Chae Nayun after packing up the thermometer and icepack. I looked around the relatively large room with two beds and plenty of antique furniture. So I would be sharing with Kim Suho…

“Are you feeling better?” Kim Suho asked. I turned towards him and saw his gentle smile.

“Yeah, I’m fine.”

“I’m glad.”

“…”

It felt awkward. I lay in silence on the bed and suddenly recalled what happened just a few hours ago. I wanted to ask Kim Suho what I missed, but I had to be careful since I destroyed the castle.

I picked up my smartwatch on the bedside shelf and checked the news.

[Djinn appears in a Paris castle! Cube cadets coincidentally present…]

The news spread quite fast because it mentioned Cube cadets. I read through the entire report. Thankfully, no one died or was critically injured. The news also reported that the djinns had demolished the castle.

Fantastic. Jain managed to escape since they didn’t report anything about her. I felt relieved.

“Hey.”

“Hm?”

I projected the report so Kim Suho could see it. I wanted to ask if he knew anything.

“Oh, that?”

He took the bait.

“I can’t tell you anything in detail, but nothing major happened. The djinns all ran away before the heroes arrived.”

“Mm, that’s a relief.”

Silence descended once again. Kim Suho must have been bored as he cut an apple and gave it to me. I took it without saying anything.

Crunch, crunch. Tick, tock. The sound of me biting the apple and the clock filled the room. A chilly wind blew across the window. I looked out and felt uncomfortable from the awkward atmosphere. The moon hid behind clouds.

Currently, it was 10:15.

In just 2 hours, the incident would occur.

“Hmm.”

Kim Suho had no plans to leave the chair by my bed. I glanced at him uncomfortably. Then I discovered a faint scar on his cheek. Most likely from Yun Seung-Ah’s attack.

“Take care of your body more.”

“Huh?” Kim Suho sounded confused. I pointed at the scar on his cheek.

“You’re the main character. You can’t get too hurt.”

Kim Suho was the main character I created myself. However, he fearlessly charged at Yun Seung-Ah and was almost killed. Yun Seung-Ah’s killing intent was genuine. If the djinn had appeared later, Kim Suho might have lost a limb. Of course, I understood why he did what he did. After all, he was the main character who walked the path of righteousness.

However, I doubted whether the righteous main character could overcome this twisted story with only his sense of justice. And whether he could send me home.

“Main character? There’s no such thing.”

Kim Suho shook his head. He must have heard these words before from people who mocked him. I recalled it too.

— Does he think he’s some sort of main character?

Shin Jonghak often said this.

“Really?”

“Of course. If I’m a main character, then you’re one too. No, everyone in this world is a main character.”

What the main character thoughtlessly said touched me. I pondered his words.

“By the way…”

Kim Suho stared at me and hesitated. Considering how nervous he was, this must be what he really wanted to ask.

“Go on.”

“The report you wrote for Chae Nayun, I saw it too. You were a bit harsh.”

For the record, my report on Chae Nayun received an A-. Although my criticisms were valid, telling her to give up the bow was deemed too harsh, so I received an A- instead of an A+.

“I wasn’t harsh. Chae Nayun isn’t a born archer. She needs to give up the bow and choose the sword.”

“Is that why you made that bet with Chae Nayun?”

“Yeah. If I win, I will make her give up the bow. She said she’d do anything.”

Kim Suho’s face stiffened at my determination.

“But it’s the path she chose. I don’t think it’s something someone else should decide for her.”

He was both stern and soft as we stared at each other. His eyes shone brightly with his own will. Although his thoughts differed from mine, that didn’t mean he was wrong.

“Then do you want me to encourage and console her, knowing that she’s headed towards a dead end?”

“No, that’s not what I—”

Without giving him a chance, I continued.

“You can’t succeed with just encouragements. What if you reach a dead end after endlessly toiling away? What if the only thing at the end is greater despair? Will you take responsibility?”

When I finished, Kim Suho sighed. Then he spoke in a low voice as though he was angry.

“How can you be so sure that Chae Nayun isn’t talented with bows, but swords? Are you saying all this because you can take responsibility?”

From Kim Suho’s perspective, what he said was completely justified. Chae Nayun had trained for countless years with the bow, but someone who didn’t even know her told her to give up. However, I was angry because I created Chae Nayun with affection. Her appearance, her personality, and even her tiniest hobbies and trauma. Of course, a few things had changed, but still…

“I’ve been thinking about her for far longer than you. And I’ve been watching over her all this time.”

Even if Kim Suho was this world’s main character, no one else in this entire world knew Chae Nayun better than me.

“So I know far more about her than you.”

“… What?”

A strange light flickered in Kim Suho’s eyes. As we stared at each other in silence…

— Thud

Kim Suho and I heard a faint sound from the other side of the door. I immediately looked through the wall.

Chae Nayun ran away with a flushed face. I didn’t know from when, but she must have eavesdropped on our conversation. A good archer also required stealth. If anything, she learned that well.