Chapter 17

On one side was a Black Knight clad in black helmet and armor.

On the other side was a red-haired girl with twin tails, wearing a rather revealing outfit.

And her face looked strikingly similar to mine.

“Doremipasolo.”

“Blackstar Ayu.”

Both of them were guild members just like her.

“The bonfire’s gonna go out.”

While staring at them blankly, Domi casually pulled out some wood from his inventory and tossed it in.

Then he pulled out a wooden chair and plopped down, with Ayu sitting opposite him.

Silently, they started roasting marshmallows on sticks over the bonfire as if they were glamping.

Watching this quietly, Yoo Ah fidgeted with her hands on her lap before finally speaking.

“Are both of you my illusions?”

Hearing Ggotbi’s question, Domi and Ayu exchanged glances.

Then they looked at her with expressions that said, “What nonsense are you spouting?”

“Ggotbi, you called us here.”

“Yeah, you said you had something to talk about.”

As their voices reached her through her drowsy state, Ggotbi blinked her tired eyes.

Something to talk about.

Did I say that?

I can’t remember.

“What kind of relationship do we have? You can tell us anything! I’ll listen with an open heart!”

At that moment, Ayu puffed out her chest and shouted.

“I might not be as flippant as this guy, but I’ll listen seriously too.”

Domi followed up with his own words.

Watching them, Yoo Ah sat dazed for a moment before turning her gaze back to the bonfire.

Facing the flickering flames, her voice finally broke free.

“…It’s a bit of a long story.”

Why was it?

Was it because she felt so hazy?

Or was it because she had reached her limit and just wanted to let it all out?

Since this was a situation far removed from the reality of the game, Yoo Ah began to talk about her past for the first time in a long while.

“I was a minstrel.”

And so began the story of the girl who was both a minstrel and a great witch.

Domi listened silently to her story.

His presence was so reassuring that it made it easier for her to open up.

Ayu occasionally got angry or shared in her sadness.

The emotions Ayu displayed seemed to speak for the emotional burdens Yoo Ah had been carrying all this time.

A character who looked exactly like her in real life.

Every time she saw Ayu getting along with everyone and acting cheerful, Yoo Ah couldn’t help but wonder if she would have been like that too if she hadn’t been caught up in the dimensional movement.

That must have been why.

She thought she had developed feelings of affection.

‘Only after the self-hypnosis wore off did I realize.’

Normal people fall in love with someone at least once.

And she had longed for that kind of normal life.

That must have been why.

She had developed feelings for Ayu, who was her fan and the same age as her.

Even though she had no room in her heart for someone else, she forced herself to fabricate those feelings.

‘In the end, even after returning to Earth, I’ve been running away all this time.’

A small, bitter sigh escaped her lips.

It was hard.

It hurt.

I was exhausted.

Telling someone about it only made the pain feel even more intense.

And yet, the two of them sat by her side.

Without saying a word, their warmth enveloped her, so comforting that it felt like they could even catch the pieces of her broken heart.

“Welcome back.”

Amidst her voice, Domi spoke up.

He gently patted Ggotbi’s head.

Ayu hugged her from the side.

“Let’s rest for a bit now.”

Running away.

Enduring.

Both are exhausting tasks for anyone.

For those who returned, tired and worn out, Domi and Kang Ha-chan wanted to create a world where they could feel glad to have returned.

And that was the same for Ggotbi, who was right in front of them.

They didn’t want any more Returners to make the same sad face as her older sister.

Kang Ha-chan could tell Ggotbi.

Even though he was just a company employee who could only listen.

Sometimes, just listening could be a help.

Just one step.

If that alone could help someone, Kang Ha-chan would do it.

Because that’s the kind of person he was.

Yoo Ah laughed self-deprecatingly after hearing Domi’s words.

She didn’t expect him to fully understand all the pain and suffering she had been through.

And she didn’t particularly hope that he could make her forget those nightmares.

After all, those were things she had to endure and bear on her own.

But the sincerity she felt from his words.

Sometimes, that sincerity could comfort a person’s heart more than hundreds of policies for Returners.

Sometimes, that small bit of sincerity was enough.

Just like how the warmth of Leon the hero and his girlfriend Bianca had helped her survive the hell of Elysium.

Just knowing that there was warmth to live for on Earth was enough for her.

Tears that had been held back for so long finally spilled over.

The tears that trickled down grew stronger, like a flooding river, until they poured out uncontrollably.

How many years had it been?

Since she had cried like this.

Like a child, Ggotbi cried and cried.

Perhaps it was because the warmth she felt from the two people beside her was so similar to the warmth of those two who had tried to protect her until the end.

Leon, you wanted me to forget about you two.

But I just can’t.

To me, who lived like a lost child in a world I knew nothing about.

You two were too precious.

I just can’t forget you.

I don’t want to forget.

I will continue to hold you two in my heart as I live on.

Even if it hurts and is hard, I want to live like that.

Because there are too many beautiful memories to forget.

So I love you and thank you.

If I ever get to see you two again.

I will definitely sing a song for you.

The tears that flowed from her heart disappeared.

Hoping that her feelings would reach those two, she wiped away her last tear.

“…I talked a lot.”

Even though it was in the game, Yoo Ah realized that a lot of time had passed as she talked.

And she thought that just as much time had passed in Elysium.

“Can I change a little too?”

“Be lazy. Be lazy. We work to rest. The diligent die early.”

Hearing Domi’s words, Yoo Ah let out a small laugh.

Though the smile was very small.

It wasn’t the forced smile she had shown before.

“Ayu.”

And she called out to her friend beside her.

“I liked you. There were some misunderstandings mixed in, but still.”

Even at the sudden confession, Ayu just chuckled.

“And next time, meet me as Ayu, not as a younger sister.”

But the following words made Ayu freeze.

As her pupils shook violently, Yoo Ah laughed again.

She had already known subconsciously that Ayu was a woman.

That might have been why it was easier for her to develop those mistaken feelings of affection.

Even if she had those feelings, she knew they wouldn’t lead anywhere, so it was less burdensome to act like a normal girl.

“Then let’s get up now. All of us.”

It was time for everyone to return to reality.

Afterwards, we returned from the game.

As for what happened to Ggotbi.

First, she put herself under self-hypnosis again.

It would have been too much to return to daily life without a few conversations and self-hypnosis.

But at least Ggotbi decided to undergo treatment.

She planned to meet with a doctor regularly, accompanied by a psychic, and practice removing her self-hypnosis.

In that aspect, her usual diligence shone through, so it might have been part of Ggotbi’s personality.

So, I left the World Returner Association in the morning to head home.

Looking at the bright rising sun, a slight fatigue from staying up all night crept in.

Luckily, tomorrow was the weekend, so I could rest properly.

“Good work, Ha-chan.”

“No, it wasn’t that much work.”

Baekseolhyang, who had followed me out, handed me a cup of coffee.

Taking a sip of the warm coffee, I felt a bit of my fatigue melt away.

“Don’t worry about Yoo Ah. If she has the will, the World Returner Association will fully support her.”

Saying that, Baekseolhyang smiled slightly.

“But creating that will is really hard. Returners can’t comfort other Returners.”

Baekseolhyang’s words about Returners not being able to comfort each other felt sadly true.

Perhaps it’s because they each have their own circumstances, and knowing those circumstances makes it hard to intervene.

Ironically, it might be easier for a complete stranger like me to say something.

“Ha-chan, have you thought about working at the World Returner Association?”

At that moment, Baekseolhyang made an unexpected suggestion.

Working at the World Returner Association.

It was quite an appealing idea.

But then I suddenly thought of Ji-eun and had to shake my head.

“I still have a friend I need to take care of. I’m really interested, though. Can I think about it a bit later?”

Hearing my words, Baekseolhyang blinked for a moment before starting to laugh.

As I was captivated by her silver hair swaying with her laughter, she patted my shoulder.

“There’s no need to rush. Think about it slowly.”

With those words, Baekseolhyang went back inside, saying she had work to do.

She really was the epitome of a diligent office lady.

“Domi Oppa.”

At that moment, Ayu, who had come out late, called me.

Turning my head towards her voice, Ayu glared at Baekseolhyang as she passed by, then smiled at me and casually linked arms with me.

“By the way, Oppa, you’ve always been a place for me to return to.”

“Aren’t I the best person to duel with?”

“That’s part of it, but still.”

Playfully laughing, Ayu let go of my arm and placed her hands on her hips.

“More importantly, my acquaintance is my idol. Isn’t that the best?”

Ayu was really happy about that part, saying she was incredibly lucky.

I think the two of them will become even closer friends.

In fact, during the conversation in the game, Ayu had mentioned several times that if Ggotbi ever felt down, they should make plans to hang out.

She genuinely cared for and wanted to comfort Ggotbi.

Remembering that, I walked up to Ayu and ruffled her hair.

“Hey! What are you doing!”

“Good job. I’m glad you’re here.”

I couldn’t have helped Ggotbi alone.

Thinking of her as a reliable friend, Ayu pulled her hood over her messy hair and made a pouting sound.

“Help me out a bit more in the future.”

I had once again resolved to create a place for Returners to come back to.

Having Ayu’s help in that process would undoubtedly make things much smoother.

“I’ll help, but…”

While answering, Ayu suddenly seemed to remember something and pressed her chin down, lost in thought.

“But if this keeps up, it’s going to keep growing. What should I do? Hmm.”

“What’s going to grow?”

As I looked at her with a puzzled expression, Ayu turned her body as if it was nothing.

“It’s okay. I’ll just keep a close eye on it!”

What is she talking about?

While I was making a confused face, Ayu waved her hand at me and said.

“So Domi Oppa, come into the game later!”

“We were just in the game.”

“That was different! You haven’t been playing with me lately because of work. Play with me on the weekend.”

“Okay, okay.”

That’s my gaming buddy.

“I’m going.”

“Okay!”

Leaving Ayu’s bright smile behind, I left the place.

“He’s gone.”

“Yeah, so what was that all about?”

After Ha-chan left, Baekseolhyang walked out from behind Ayu.

In her hand was the laptop Ayu had picked up from the abandoned building.

“It’s related to dimensional movement.”

“…Who’s the lunatic doing the same thing as the Tower of Apocalypse?”

“That would be Giraseong.”

Hearing that, Ayu let out a long sigh.

Her gaze turned towards the huge tower swaying at the edge of the sky, and she clenched her fist.

“I’m going to destroy Giraseong.”

“Well, it’s not like I don’t have that thought.”

“I’ll help.”

“Oh my, Cheonma is offering to help me?”

Ayu frowned, displeased, but looking at the spot where Ha-chan had disappeared, she reluctantly agreed.

“They must have seen Domi Oppa and me.”

“…”

Hearing that, Baekseolhyang also fell silent.

A slight killing intent began to swirl in her blue eyes.

Noticing this, Ayu hesitated and then turned to look at her before asking.

“…Cheolhyeol, what’s your relationship with Domi Oppa?”

“What kind of relationship? The relationship between a company chairman and an employee.”

“Don’t joke. Do you think I’m an idiot?”

Hearing Ayu’s words, Baekseolhyang shrugged lightly.

“I have no intention of telling you.”

“…I really don’t like you.”

“Good. I feel the same way.”

As Baekseolhyang turned and walked away, Ayu stomped the ground once and then turned her body sharply.

Though they shared the same goal, the two were still rivals.