Being in a daze is like walking straight into danger.
With a fuzzy head, quick and sound judgment is simply impossible.
If a risky situation arises, there’s no way to act accordingly.
Normally, one could escape a crisis, but being in a stupor could trap them instead.
So, I always tried to keep my wits about me.
No matter how comfortable I felt, I maintained at least a hint of vigilance.
I kept a posture ready to tackle any emergencies that might pop up.
Because, after all, I’m only human and sometimes can’t resist emotions or desires, yet I managed to hold that attitude most of the time.
But just now, that wasn’t the case.
My mind, foggy like a dense mist, couldn’t muster swift and accurate decisions.
My body felt limp, unprepared to react to sudden changes.
Even my emotions were mushy like dough, failing to be composed.
– Craaaack!
‘Hik…!’
Just like that, my dazed mind snapped back to reality.
A sharp jolt of electricity shot up my spine, piercing through my head.
The dizzying sensation didn’t stop there, radiating through my entire body like it was riding the capillaries.
I straightened up, every muscle taut.
I flailed around like a fish thrown onto dry land.
‘……!’
I unconsciously held my breath, a reflex born from enduring the curse of silence for so long.
Thanks to that habit, the agonizing pain on my nape didn’t strike, but I couldn’t contain my shivering body.
“Hey.”
Suddenly, a familiar voice rang out above me.
It was the very culprit who had relaxed me, Hong Yeon-hwa.
…It was familiar, yet something felt different.
The tone was unchanged, but it felt like the contents had somehow shifted. The aura emanating from her had changed entirely.
Warmth and comfort, once crackling lightly, now boiled over like lava on the verge of eruption.
I was at a loss.
My mind had just awakened. I couldn’t clearly recall the situation ahead.
My last memory was only of igniting the Gop-hwa to breathe fire into the Beacon Sword.
‘Ah.’
There it was, the realization of why all this happened.
The reaction of Gop-hwa triggered an emotional surge.
Feeling relaxed with alcohol everywhere and the trustworthy Hong Yeon-hwa by my side didn’t help.
On top of that, I had drawn out an excessive amount of Gop-hwa to dye the Beacon Sword.
That had to be the reason my mind snapped like a twig.
I remembered that much.
But I still had no idea how I ended up in this position.
I blinked, unable to keep up with the situation.
And then—
“Who is Seo-yul?”
The instant I heard her speak that name, my heart dropped.
My body jolted, and my mouth opened wide, only to snap shut again.
I rifled through my memories, but I hadn’t misheard.
‘How…?’
Lee Seo-yul.
Why was that name on Hong Yeon-hwa’s lips?
Seo-yul’s presence had yet to be disclosed to the outside world.
Though I had created an identity for him, he had no ties to me.
So far, only Professor Riana and Elia knew.
For safety’s sake.
From what I could piece together, exposing my connection with Seo-yul would bring no benefit.
When I left the cradle in the seventh cycle, I had already felt the shadow of threats hovering as soon as I grabbed attention with that special admission.
Not to mention, I wasn’t a human; I was a fairy. A rare race that had seldom revealed itself to the world, keeping my identity hidden was crucial.
So I had concealed it.
Keeping it under wraps was clearly safer.
I didn’t even bother to handle the identity carelessly; I entrusted it to Maxwell, a figure I could trust even in the original story. I hadn’t revealed my true identity to him either.
And I hadn’t planned to tell Hong Yeon-hwa either.
We had grown close, and I didn’t want to create secrets between us. I knew she wouldn’t harm Seo-yul.
But at the time, I was too busy and preoccupied to share.
However.
Before I could inform Hong Yeon-hwa, she threw Seo-yul’s name out there first.
The shock caused my head to ring. Where had the information leaked? Why was she asking about Seo-yul? Did it become known that we were tied together?
My heart raced. My still-waking brain spun like a top.
“…Alright. So you’re not going to tell me, huh?”
[Eh?]
Just then, as I was sorting through my chaotic thoughts, Hong Yeon-hwa suddenly clenched her teeth and shot to her feet.
I found myself lifted along with her.
Startled by the force, I tightened my embrace around her.
Hong Yeon-hwa glanced down at me with an odd look before moving forward, still holding onto me.
The crowded and noisy banquet hall quickly faded away. Her pace was swift. In no time, I was far away from it all.
The night breeze blew briskly.
I didn’t feel cold thanks to the clothes wrapping me and the warm Hong Yeon-hwa.
Before I knew it, we were near the mansion.
As the guards flanking the Main Gate recognized Hong Yeon-hwa, they nodded in greeting. Upon spotting me in her arms, they flinched.
Hong Yeon-hwa said nothing, only nodded back.
Did they understand something from that? They politely bowed their heads and opened the Main Gate.
Entering, Hong Yeon-hwa skipped the elevator and dashed up the stairs to the upper floor.
I was left with a bunch of question marks above my head. The floor she arrived at was the room I had grown accustomed to these past few days… my assigned room.
‘Why here…’
I tilted my head, having just passed the door.
It wasn’t my room. It was next door… Hong Yeon-hwa’s room, as Ariel had mentioned.
– Clunk.
Hong Yeon-hwa opened the door without hesitation and strode inside.
She slammed the door shut and stomped toward the bed.
Sitting on the edge of the bed, she wore an expression of pent-up frustration and complexity.
“Hah…”
After twisting her neck several times, Hong Yeon-hwa let out a heavy sigh. It was a breath filled with exhaustion and turmoil.
“Ha-yul.”
[Yes…]
Feeling the heavy atmosphere, I shrank back and replied.
“I’ll ask you again.”
Slowly, Hong Yeon-hwa peeled off the heavy red outer garment she was wearing.
The extravagant fabric cascaded down her shoulders. She tossed the outer garment haphazardly onto a nearby hanger.
“Answer me properly…”
Still feeling the intensity, Hong Yeon-hwa let her hair down, shaking it out.
Her fair skin and curves became painfully evident.
Sweat beaded on her skin, as if heat radiated from within her.
Though the sight was undeniably embarrassing, I kept my silence in the tense atmosphere.
“Who is Seo-yul?”
Her crimson eyes bore down on me.
Usually, they resembled beautiful rubies or warm flames.
But now, they held a stark different emotion. Instead of beauty, there was something chilling about them. Instead of warmth, a sticky intensity filled them.
Still staring down at me, she repeated the question.
Who is Lee Seo-yul?
I didn’t rush to answer.
Having pondered on it during the brief journey here, there was too much to unpack.
Seo-yul’s situation was exceedingly complicated right now.
Where should I even start explaining? I’d have to mention first that the egg I obtained from the Tower of Growth hatched into Seo-yul…
No, perhaps I should apologize for not saying it sooner.
Even if there were circumstances, Hong Yeon-hwa might feel disappointed that she heard it late.
I mentally organized my thoughts, determined to present my explanation clearly to avoid any confusion.
A brief moment passed.
Usually, this might’ve been just enough time for her to wait patiently.
“Why are you silent again?”
But for some reason, Hong Yeon-hwa seemed completely out of patience.
“Why?”
– Craaaaack!
‘……!’
Out of nowhere, a firework exploded right in front of my eyes. Even with dim visibility, a shimmer intrigued my gaze.
It felt like before. A tingling sensation snaked up my spine, causing my body to tremble uncontrollably.
– Phew…
Air escaped my lips before I could fully inhale.
[Fireworks]
[Light]
[Burning]
[Embarrassment]
[Butt]
[Wait a moment]
[Hang on a second]
“Eh? Why can’t you speak?”
Hong Yeon-hwa’s hand landed on my burning rear. She rubbed it as if to soothe the stinging pain.
The sensation was indescribable.
It was sharp yet somehow felt off.
It wasn’t painful. It was rather heating, though not entirely torturous.
Unable to respond, I simply trembled like a fool, to which Hong Yeon-hwa pressed her hand again.
“Is there any reason you can’t talk? Hmm?”
[Wait a moment─]
– Craaaaack!
[─But…! Ahhhh…]
“Why? I’m waiting right here. Hurry up and say it.”
The shock rippled through me. The vibrations radiated from my rear end, exploring every part of my body. The senses I received were overwhelming with passion.
‘Hmm…’
My body instinctively squirmed, an involuntary reaction.
“I’ve been holding back for this long! Who do you think has been keeping their tail wagging and taking it patiently…?”
‘……!’
But Hong Yeon-hwa didn’t seem pleased and moved her hand again.
Before I could even savor the remnants of the previous sensation, a new wave crashed over me.
The lingering feelings tangled with fresh sensations.
My vision became a kaleidoscope of colors. This wasn’t reality. My mind felt as messy as it ever could.
‘Ugh…’
On any other day, I could’ve easily brushed it off, but my state was far from normal.
A little intoxication, the warmth of Hong Yeon-hwa melting my guard, and the emotional surge from Gop-hwa…
With all those factors colliding, my senses, which I had intentionally dulled, flared back brightly.
Hong Yeon-hwa was likely in a similar pickle.
Having smelled alcohol throughout the banquet and excessively poured Gop-hwa into the Beacon Sword made her no different.
Resisting felt impossible.
My eyes fluttered uncontrollably.
My face was melting away. Desperately trying to hide it, I buried my face in her chest.
It felt entirely different from what I was used to.
It wasn’t the texture of fabric but soft skin, warm with her body heat.
“Are you trying to run away again?”
I barely registered the sensation. Hong Yeon-hwa’s gripping hand yanked my cheek, pulling my face up from her chest.
“I don’t know anymore.”
Hong Yeon-hwa exhaled breathily. The sound was as wild as a beast nearing its prey.
At that moment, her eyes were laced with something frightening.
“I’m doing it my way.”
The overwhelming heat radiating from Hong Yeon-hwa grew, swallowing her other emotions and expanding her presence rapidly.
As if convincing herself, her hands moved.
One hand clamped around my waist, while the other gripped my head, forcing it back.
Hong Yeon-hwa’s eyes suddenly began to tremble. The gaze shifted, lingering on my lips before she slowly closed her eyes and leaned down.
‘Ah.’
It was instinctive… primal.
I understood what Hong Yeon-hwa was about to do.
A rush of urgent feelings surged within me.
I squirmed, trying to avoid her.
Craaack… The grip around my waist locked me in place as my twisting head was held captive by the hand on my nape.
I was trapped. Just wriggling wouldn’t cut it. I needed to exert strength.
Drawing every ounce of power, I pumped my magic into a spell—
‘…But then…’
If I did that, Hong Yeon-hwa would get hurt.
Even if it wasn’t a grave injury, she could still end up wounded.
There was no means to shake her off without causing her harm. The use of spatial powers for escape was out of the question.
Once I recognized that as a possibility, my body relaxed entirely.
I went limp as her face closed in.
[Wait a second]
[No way…]
[Just a moment…]
Every desperate action fizzled out. In my final effort, the accessory of confession clicked, exuding a pitiful response.
Consumed by the heightened emotions of Gop-hwa, Hong Yeon-hwa… froze.
“…Do you hate me?”
With her face lingering just beyond my reach, she asked.
Her eyes trembled with vulnerability.
“Have you started to dislike me? Am I scary now…?”
– Clack─!
With a grating sound, the accessory of confession rattled again.
[Like]
It all happened before filtering through my hesitation.
A coarse noise barely masked my voice.
But it seemed that Hong Yeon-hwa understood as she let out a relieved smile.
Her head tilted back as her lips… descended down to mine.
– Smack.
They touched.
A soft sensation brushed against my lips.
The feeling conveyed emotions.
‘Ah.’
There must be many kinds of love.
There’s love between lovers, among friends, and the love a parent gives to a child.
There are countless ways to express it, through actions and words, to display affection.
I had trouble understanding it all since I hadn’t received much love growing up.
There was always confusion—maybe it was kindness, maybe it wasn’t; is this right, do they value me, am I misinterpreting things, what if I’m completely wrong?
The indirect and vague expressions were difficult for me to decode.
Hence, I favored direct and primal expressions.
Petting, patting, hugging…
Offering vulnerability, sharing heartbeats, and exchanging warmth.
These expressions left no room for doubt; I always understood perfectly the emotions transmitted through those gestures.
For someone like me, there was one very clear and direct way to express affection.
A kiss.
An expression of love.
“…Eh?”
From Hong Yeon-hwa, her face blushing like an apple, came a dazed sound.
– Ding!
An unidentifiable notification, which had been quiet lately, sounded in my ear.
A soft sensation pressed against my entire body.
A fragrant aroma brushed against my nose.
Something sweet seeped into my mouth.
In the fuzzy haze, the sight of her wide, red eyes followed closely behind.
