Huh?

The insides of his head twisted and turned from the incomprehensible situation.

Why is Ha-eun there?

Not only did Ha-eun and Lee Shinhyuk stick together during the 1st Round, but they were also close enough to speak comfortably with each other.

With his questions still unresolved, the memories continued.

-Kieeeeeeirk!

-Damn it! Those bastards are so persistent!

Ha-eun looked at the vampires that were chasing after the boat and removed the eyepatch that covered her left eye.

Click

The hideous eye of a reptile that was unbefitting of her beautiful looks revealed itself.

-Ugh.

Ha-eun groaned from the pain and extended both of her arms forward.

Fwooooosh!

A powerful tornado of flames swept away the vampires that were approaching the boat.

-Kieeeeeeeirk!!

Blazing flames.

The vampires wailed out and jumped into the sea, but the flames that stuck to their skin burned ferociously even inside the water.

-Huff, huff!

Ha-eun nodded her head and strengthlessly sat down on the spot.

Lee Shinhyuk picked up the eyepatch on the ground and handed it over to her.

-Here.

-Thanks.

-Your eye is it okay? You used it a considerable amount of times today.

-Yeah. Well, it does hurt, but its somewhat bearable.

Ha-eun equipped the eyepatch once again.

-But still, I should try to use it to its fullest extent since its an eye you bought me for a hefty price.

Ha-eun looked back at Lee Shinhyuk and fumbled around her left eye.

-I didnt buy you the Dragons Cursed Eye with that kind of thing in mind.

-Hm? Then why did you buy it for me?

-Th-Thats

The cheeks of Lee Shinhyuk heated up as he slurred the sentence he was about to say.

-No. Its nothing

-Boring.

Ha-eun smiled and lightly flicked her finger on Lee Shinhyuks forehead.

Smack!

A heavy sound rang out.

-Ow! What was that for?

-Even if you didnt buy it for me with that in mind, Ill make sure to repay this debt one day.

-

-Though itll be difficult to do that right now.

Ha-eun gazed at the sea with bitter eyes.

-Because theres someone I need to take care of.

She spoke in a lonesome and dreadful manner.

She chewed on her lips and restlessly looked at the endless sea.

With her last words scattered away by the ocean wind

-Ring!

[All of the lost memories have been restored sucessfully.]

Lee Shinhyuks memories cut off.

Ohjin stood still on the spot dumbfoundedly and gazed into the air with his eyes zoned out.

Lee Shinhyuk bought Ha-eun the Dragons Cursed Eye?

Then what about me?

Just what was he doing at that point in time?

What the hell is this?

What had happened to Ohjin and Ha-eun in the 1st Round?

Was the someone I have to take care of she mentioned referring to himself?

And if Ha-eun was alive

Just whydid he destroy the world?

Goddammit.

Ohjin stopped thinking and shook his head.

I dont have enough information.

It wasnt possible to come to a conclusion with only fragmental memories.

At the moment I have no choice but to increase the awakening stage of the Black Heaven.

It wasnt something he could just ask another because he didnt know. The only person who possessed the memories of the world in the 1st Round was Lee Shinhyuk.

Tch.

Ohjin clicked his tongue and thought about the memories that remained in his head like a stain.

Recalling how Ha-eun was with Lee Shinhyuk made irresistible displeasure boil up.

-Ha-eun!

The way he smiled so brightly at Ha-eun.

Dont fuck with me.

The only person who could be that close to her

was himself.

Because she was his

Ohjin shut his lips tight and moved his feet.

The unpleasant stain stuck to him like a sticky liquid.

* * *

Click

The front door opened.

Gwon Ohjin, you bastard! Why didnt you contact me?! I told you to call me often!

The sound of rushed footsteps and a familiar voice was heard the instant the door opened.

Im home, Ha-eun.

Ohjin roughly embraced Ha-eun, who rushed out to see him.

Aah.

The warmth that could be felt in his grasp.

The snug feeling like covering a baby bird with his hands.

Yeah.

Whatever happened in the world of the 1st Round, the warmth that was felt in the present wouldnt change.

U-Uh?

He stroked around Ha-euns left eye as her face was burning up with a panicked expression.

Wh-What? D-Did you want to see me that badly?

Ha-eun raised her nose and asked playfully.

Yeah.

He added more strength into his embracing arms.

I wanted to see you so badly I thought I was going to go crazy.

Wh-What?

The unpleasant feeling that stuck to him washed away, and happiness took over that empty space.

Ah, uh, uhm. So

Ha-euns body shook with a stumped expression.

A satisfied smile was placed on Ohjins mouth.

In the current world, he was the only one who was able to see her adorable appearance.

Wh-Whats gotten into you? Did the food in Italy not match your tastes?

Ha-eun asked with an expression mixed with worry and excitement

No, its nothing like that. Im just glad to see you since its been a while.

K-Khm! Seriously, how would you ever live without me?

Yeah.

As she said

I wouldnt be able to.

If he lost her.

If she was taken away.

It wasnt hard to imagine how much he would break down.

Whatever happened in the 1st Round doesnt matter.

The important thing was the present.

The present where she was by his side.

Are you really ok? Did something happen?

Ha-eun had also felt that something was off at that point and asked with a worried voice.

Ha-eun.

Y-Yeah?

Ohjin carefully reached out his hand to her cheek.

Can you smile for me this one time?

Smile?

Yeah.

What the

Ha-eun looked up at Ohjin with a dumbfounded expression and soon let out a deep sigh while forcefully raising the edge of her lips.

Is Is this okay?

Her smile was second to none when it came down to awkwardness, however

Yeah.

it wasnt a sorrowful smile like the one in Lee Shinhyuks memories.

This is enough.

With that alone, he was able to continue living on.

Ha-eun looked at him with somewhat dissatisfied eyes.

Damn it.

She scratched her red hair that was tied into a ponytail.

I was going to scold you when you came back home, but now I dont think I can.

Ha-eun didnt know what had happened, but she could tell that Ohjins current state was very different from usual.

Haha. Sorry, I wasnt able to contact you because I was too busy.

Ohjin hid the matters regarding Isabella for the moment. Telling her would only needlessly increase the amount of things she worried about.

I probably wont meet her anytime soon.

Isabella was currently acting as a Saintess in Italy.

The number of charities she operated amounted to dozens. She was even participating in volunteer work herself.

On top of that, Isabella bears the responsibility of the Black Star Organization.

As long as she couldnt clone herself, it wouldnt be easy to leave Italy, as she would have to digest that intense schedule.

Thats probably also why she asked when I would be able to return.

If she was able to freely come to Korea, there was no reason to ask that kind of question in the first place.

In other words

As long as he didnt go to Italy to find her himself, they wouldnt run into each other in most cases.

And needless to say, he didnt have the slightest bit of intent of going back to Italy.

Im not going until Im fully confident in my ability to protect myself.

In any case, they wouldnt meet Isabella for the time being. It would be best to explain about her later down the line.

Heh. That sounds like the excuse of a husband that cheated on a business trip.

Then are you thinking of me as your husband?

Oh? Youre acting up again.

Ha-eun smiled and playfully pinched his side.

Well, lets just say that youre a candidate.

It is my honor.

Heh, if you think that way, you should give me more attention.

Ha-eun smiled bashfully and gently hugged him back.

Whats this?

Ha-eun, who was leaning her head on his shoulder, pointed to the paper bag that Ohjin was carrying.

I bought hamburgers.

Wow, hamburgers? How long has it been?

Hehe. You miss them since its been so long, dont you?

I just happened to be craving them. Little bugger, you know me so well.

They sat on the sofa in the living room and took out their hamburgers.

Nom, nom. Kyaha! People talk about the Guinness burger, but the original is still the best!

Ha-euns body shook as she took a big bite out of the burger.

After they finished eating and cleaning up the two Whopper sets, they relaxed and leaned their backs on the sofa.

Now, present to me your lap so I may watch the TV in comfort.

Dont wanna.

Ah, come on! I let you do whatever you wanted today!

Uhm.

Now that he thought of it, it was true.

While youre accepting my requests for today, I want to lay on your lap.

Ohjin do you really want to overstrain my one and only remaining leg?

This is unfair.

Damn it. Alright, alright. Geez, lay down.

Hehehe! Yay~!

Ha-eun cackled out and placed her head on top of his lap.

Gosh, your thighs have gotten a lot firmer.

Ohjin lightly stroked Ha-euns hair, who was lying down on his lap.

The uneasy feeling he got not too long ago, he couldnt even remember it properly anymore.

Thats right.

In order to feel that warmth to the end of time

I need to become stronger.

To the point where not a single person would be able to touch him.

To the point where they wouldnt even think about daring to oppose him.

Should I focus on clearing the quest for the time being?

He had already requested starstones from the Valhalla guild, but he didnt have any plan on sitting around during that time.

It might not amount to enough.

With how many starstones were needed to complete the quest being unknown, it was best to secure as many of them as possible.

Ohjin, do you have any plans tomorrow?

Why?

Im going to the Association. Do you want to come with me?

Association? What are you going there for?

Was it Joonman? That person asked if I would like to join the Association without commuting to work as you do.

Joonman had contacted Ha-eun before he knew it.

Well

Ha-eun had become an 8-Star Awakener. Rather, itd be strange if he didnt try to recruit her.

Theres no reason to refuse when theyre giving me a salary for free, right? And, well youre in the Association as well.

Alright, then lets go together tomorrow.

Ohjin happened to be planning on checking up on how the internal faction problem was progressing.

Hehe. Now even our occupations are the same.

Ha-eun smiled bashfully like something like that was much to her liking.

Seriously, you.

Ohjin smiled like she was a handful.

Suddenly, he became curious about one thing.

Ha-eun.

Yeah?

Do you think that youre indebted to me?

Indebted? Hm.

Ha-eun closed her lips while she contemplated.

Im not sure. I did think like that back then, but not really anymore.

Ha-eun, who was lying on his lap, turned her body around to look up at him.

Isnt the debt already cleared by letting you have this pretty and sexy me keep you company?

Kyahaha!

She boastfully shrugged her shoulders.

I see.

Eek. Its embarrassing if you react that way.

Its alright.

Whats alright?

Just everything.

Ohjin smiled faintly as he stroked her hair.

Endlessly

Like stroking a infinitely precious treasure.