Chapter 20

I leapt out of the window and landed softly on the ground.

Immediately, I couldn’t help but scream silently as my head felt like it was splitting apart.

It was like the overwhelming pain you feel when you overwork your muscles and then try to lift something heavy—this was the backlash from using my telekinesis to its limit.

‘Ugh…! Guess I did overdo it a bit….’

Looking back, it was kind of ridiculous.

I had dashed through the streets, slicing through hundreds of fake zombies, knocking down so many ghouls and vampires that I’d lost count, and even nearly beat Drakel to the brink of death.

Compared to how I usually used telekinesis with plenty to spare, this time I had practically drained myself dry.

‘…How am I supposed to get home like this?’

Leaning against the wall with one hand due to the dizziness, I suddenly found myself deep in thought.

Using any more telekinesis was out of the question.

If I pushed myself further, I’d definitely pass out right here.

So… now what? How do I even get home without telekinesis?

“This can’t be! All the zombie heads I collected just disappeared!”

“I just lost 30,000 credits! I need to file a complaint with the Black Market Association!”

“Woah, woah!”

“….”

Noisy voices echoed from beyond the alley.

Seems like there were still a lot of bounty hunters roaming the streets.

I shifted my gaze downward slightly, and what caught my eye was the cloth covered in dust and blood, looking utterly wrecked.

If I walked around like this, I’d definitely draw attention.

Sighing deeply, I reluctantly started to take off the cloth when I noticed something hard in my palm.

‘Wait… isn’t this the Tesseract? I must’ve grabbed it and ran off with it!’

The hard object was none other than the Tesseract.

I guess in my rush to escape earlier, I absentmindedly took it with me.

And now, what do I do with it? Another problem added to the pile.

I rubbed my forehead, feeling an oncoming headache.

Dealing with this thing was problematic for several reasons.

The Tesseract’s ability to bring possibilities from alternate timelines was incredibly powerful, but using it came at a steep price.

For example, curing an incurable disease might cost you permanent blindness in both eyes.

Or gaining a new talent you didn’t have before could result in losing all your memories.

A true double-edged sword.

Not exactly something you can casually hand over to someone else.

‘Plus, if word gets out that Drakel has fallen, they’ll come to retrieve this thing.’

And another big issue was that the Tesseract belonged to the force that destroyed the world where the non-humans lived.

What kind of power surpasses magic and even bends the laws of reality?

If this thing were to surface, the city would descend into chaos—it didn’t take much thought to figure that out.

‘…Should I just dump it in the deepest sewer?’

This was way beyond what I could handle.

Maybe only someone like the Dragon Mayor living in the highest part of Night Haven could manage it.

So, the best I could do was hide it somewhere no one would find it.

Anyway, the invaders would probably recover it and use it however they wanted.

Removing it from the story altogether wouldn’t cause too much trouble either.

‘Actually, getting rid of it might make things easier going forward. Too bad.’

Having made my decision, I held the Tesseract up to eye level for one last goodbye.

Suddenly, the inner cube inside the semi-transparent cube turned toward me and spoke.

[ …Mama? ]

“…?!”

Good grief!

Startled beyond belief, I nearly jumped out of my skin and hopped in place.

Thinking maybe I was losing my mind, I carefully placed the Tesseract on my palm.

After a moment of it moving around as if surveying its surroundings, the inner cube stopped and stared directly at me.

[ Mama! ]

“….”

It’s real. There’s a voice coming from it.

Well, not exactly speaking—more like a telepathic message resonating in my head.

Why is it talking?

Stunned by this unexpected situation, I blinked dumbly.

Then, the Tesseract began spinning in place, cheerfully declaring:

[ Touchy! Touchy! ]

‘Touch it, huh….’

I tilted my head, puzzled by what sounded like a child whining, and cautiously extended a finger to gently stroke the outer surface of the Tesseract.

The hypercube-shaped Tesseract was tiny, about the size of my fingernail.

Petting it wasn’t particularly difficult.

But maybe that wasn’t what it wanted.

The Tesseract wobbled around, clearly dissatisfied, shaking itself in protest.

What, what does it want me to do?

I furrowed my brow slightly at its endless complaints.

Thinking maybe this was it, I used telekinesis to gently stroke the inner cube.

[ Kyaruruk! Mama! Like! ]

The Tesseract was absolutely thrilled.

It was so happy that the inner cube kept shrinking and expanding erratically.

Then, suddenly, a dizzying sensation washed over me, and my vision blurred.

Right. I shouldn’t be using telekinesis right now.

“…!”

My legs gave out, but I barely managed to stay conscious, avoiding collapsing entirely.

If I hit my head on the ground in my current state, I’d probably faint for sure.

[ Mama? Hurt? ]

“….”

[ Mama… don’t hurt… I don’t like it when you’re in pain! ]

Perhaps sensing my weakened state, the Tesseract cried out in a trembling voice.

Suddenly, I felt my body connect to some unknown place.

The world spun freely, the distinction between up and down vanished, and every direction felt the same—an expansive sensory experience.

The sensation was like being pleasantly drunk, slowly fading away as suddenly as it had come.

When I opened my eyes again, finding myself back in the cold reality, I realized something astonishing.

‘…Huh? My body… doesn’t hurt.’

It was incredible.

Just moments ago, my body was covered in swollen red wounds and sharp cuts, but now it was completely healthy, without a single bruise or ache.

The splitting headache that felt like my skull was cracking into four pieces had vanished, and I felt like I could use telekinesis multiple times right now if I wanted.

Even the blood-soaked white cloth and tattered maid outfit, which had looked more like rags than anything, were now pristine, as if freshly bought.

It was like everything that happened with Drakel had been nothing more than a dream.

I belatedly realized this was the Tesseract’s doing.

“…!”

That meant trouble.

The Tesseract’s ability to bring possibilities from alternate timelines operated on a give-and-take principle.

Basically, whatever it gives, it takes something of equal value in return.

So, if my body was healed, something of equal value should’ve been taken!

‘…But why hasn’t anything happened?’

Bracing myself for what was to come, I tensed my toes and hunched my shoulders, but I felt nothing.

Didn’t it at least take an eye, an ear, or maybe a wrist?

Puzzled, I cautiously brought the Tesseract closer to my face.

“….”

[ …Mama. Not hurt? Good…. I’m sleepy…. ]

With that, the Tesseract stopped moving, as if falling asleep.

Thanks to that, I pieced together what had happened.

‘Did the Tesseract pay the price for me? …Why?’

It seemed the Tesseract had paid the price for my recovery instead of me.

But why would it go this far just because I petted it?

Confused, I hung the Tesseract around my neck.

‘Maybe I’ll hold onto it for now instead of throwing it away.’

I changed my mind.

There was no mention of the Tesseract talking in the original story.

And the idea of it paying the price for me was unheard of.

So, when it wakes up, I’ll have to ask it what’s going on.

Besides, it did help me out, so throwing it away would feel too cruel.

‘But “Mama”? Just like that, I’ve become a mom.’

Couldn’t it call me Papa instead?

Glancing at the Tesseract, which showed no signs of waking up anytime soon, I lightly sprang up to the rooftop.

My condition was better than usual—no, better than ever!

Maybe it was because my body felt feather-light, but I managed to reach my base without encountering anyone.

I should be safe here now.

Once inside, I tossed the cloth aside and gazed out at the windy night scenery.

Outside, the commotion continued.

Though the chaos had settled, people were still around—the neon lights flickered brightly in the darkness.

Looking down, I suddenly recalled when I first arrived in Night Haven.

‘So much has happened. Fought vampires, became a wanted bounty hunter overnight….’

If asked if it was good, I guess I could say yes.

Living as a ghost had its inconveniences, but I was free from being tied down by anyone.

But now it was time to stop being a ghost.

I had gotten too carried away, and it had become impossible to keep up.

So, I’ll leave everything to the ghost and live peacefully from now on.

With that resolution, I let the white cloth flutter away in the wind outside the window.

‘From now on, I’ll live as Yuria. The ghost… is gone for good.’

An expert thief yet a regular customer at the bakery.

And farewell to the vampire-slaying bounty hunter.

From now on, I’ll avoid getting involved in the original storyline and mooch off Greg’s shop.

Having made up my mind, I bid farewell to the cloth I had relied on for so long.

Then, curled up like a shrimp on the stiff bed, I drifted off to sleep.

Thanks to the Tesseract, my physical fatigue was gone, so I wasn’t particularly sleepy.

But my mental exhaustion from focusing intensely while fighting zombies and vampires remained.

“…?”

And so, after sleeping soundly in the chilly hideout, the next morning…

As usual, I went to work at Greg’s general store, only to hear some shocking news.

“Sorry, Yu… Yuria. Due to yesterday’s commotion, the shop got damaged, so it looks like we’ll have to close for a while.”

What do you mean, close the shop!

I threw away my ghost clothes!

With both hands clutching my cheeks, I screamed silently.

To think I’d become unemployed just six days into the job!

Today, my world collapsed.