Chapter 40

Erica closed her notebook.

“It seems like this will do.”

After finishing a brief greeting, she stepped outside the building. The bright afternoon sun still shone as only a few hours had passed.

Starting from the power control facility where she had first arrived, she looked around the Namyangju area. The situation was similar for most damaged important buildings.

It seemed that, rather than being destroyed, it was merely a light touch on Seran’s part.

If it were a terrorist attack committed by another Awakened One, she wouldn’t have been particularly curious.

But because it was Seran, she couldn’t help but take an interest.

When she arrived at the Governor’s Office by van, she found herself standing in front of a clean conference room, having regained her composure.

After a brief formal exchange, it didn’t take long to get to the main topic.

“As you know, the invasion is starting from Namyangju.”

“What about other areas?”

She had heard that the Governor’s Office, located in Namyangju, had jurisdiction over the surrounding regions.

“It hasn’t surfaced yet, but according to predictions, Uijeongbu is expected to be the next target.”

Uijeongbu is where the Association is located.

Several photos appeared on the projected screen, showing the combat scene created by the delegation, along with their estimated movement paths.

Looking back, the place where she met Seran was somewhere between Uijeongbu and Namyangju. When she was active, she often moved from the outskirts of Gyeonggi Province towards Seoul.

“I’m not sure if recovery is possible.”

“We’re also struggling with manpower placement…”

The woman held her head, seemingly in distress.

Out of nowhere, she felt a burning in her throat. As she put the paper cup to her lips, lukewarm liquid flowed in.

What is this, isn’t it coffee?

As silence settled in for a moment, she called out to Erica.

“I want to drink coffee.”

“Isn’t this coffee?”

“It tastes like tea.”

Could it be green tea?

“Just drink it.”

How cold-hearted.

Watching Erica turn her head back to the woman’s explanation, she leaned slightly against Erica’s shoulder.

Her cheek was pinched slightly, forcing her to pull away, and she closed her eyes, burying her face in the desk.

She had moved too much today. Does Erica do this every day?

That’s impressive.

“The situation is like this. We’ll have to wait until government personnel arrive…”

Ignoring the voice ringing in her ears, she got lost in thought.

What was urgent for them was an issue of manpower. Up until now, it seemed they had somehow endured with government support. However, having barely stopped the delegation’s first visit, a second invasion was overwhelming.

Even if they didn’t necessarily have to push through a second invasion, she was curious about why Seran executed it; for the Association and the government, that wasn’t what mattered.

What was concerning was the damage that would inevitably escalate.

In that sense, she might become a problem for the Association too. She had conveyed to the Director that she wouldn’t be involved in this affair.

If the delegation went for an invasion of Uijeongbu and she caused a terrorist act, it would only be a matter of time before the metropolitan area burst.

Although she had spent her time relying on the Association until now, under such circumstances, they couldn’t help but heighten their vigilance towards her.

It wouldn’t be surprising if one day, on her way back to the Association after this was over, guns were suddenly pointed at her from all directions.

She pondered for a moment.

It probably wasn’t the worst scenario.

After all, if a battle broke out, she could shed blood.

The only somewhat regrettable part was that it would take away her time with Erica.

Suddenly, curiosity swelled within her.

Was Erica on guard against her?

For the past week, they had somewhat entered an unspoken truce. Erica was busy with her daily routine, and she had no intention of putting stress on Erica’s body after having administered the second doping into her.

She eyed the seat next to her. Erica was looking forward, scribbling with a pen in her notebook, and for a moment, she cleared her mind.

It would be nice if she could stay like this without any thoughts.

“I’ll relay this to the Association as it is. Thank you for your cooperation.”

As Erica dragged her chair and stood up, she followed suit.

They exited the conference room and walked down the hallway. Upon reaching the first floor, she spotted a coffee vending machine.

This is cheap.

“Do you want to drink coffee?”

Her two eyes turned sideways.

Seeing her nod, she pressed the button labeled café mocha.

And for the second, Americano.

As she handed a paper cup filled with coffee to Erica, she soon sat down in the chair in front.

Opening her notebook, Erica’s pupils seemed to be sifting through what to record in the report.

She took the coffee and lightly rubbed her chest. She felt the knife.

She didn’t want to take a life, but if she went outside and was ambushed, she would have no choice but to swing it.

After all, she had been targeted by the Union Department before, and there were times she was also eyed by independent hunters.

Clinging to her fatigued mind, she sat quietly next to Erica. Fortunately, she didn’t push her away.

She subtly averted her gaze to the notebook.

“Your handwriting is pretty.”

Erica flinched, causing her uniform to sway. The coffee sloshed.

“You startled me.”

“Sorry.”

If she stayed like this for a few more minutes, she might be able to rest. Her eyelids fluttered with the creeping fatigue.

“Are you sleepy?”

“Ah, I… uh…”

Falling asleep like this would be dangerous. She didn’t want to feel sick.

“…Wake me up later…”

Amidst the melodic voice ringing in her ears and the fatigue pouring in, she closed her eyes, only to open them again.

When she did, she was back in the same spot, leaning against the wall.

“Ah.”

“You’re awake.”

That’s a relief.

Nothing happened after all.

“Ah, sorry. Do you have anything scheduled next?”

“No. I can return like this.”

Because she had been tossing and turning every night, no, staying awake every night.

Just increasing her daily activity just a bit made her easily fatigued.

She nodded, pushing her creaking body upright.

Stepping outside the building, the night sky greeted them. The dim, flickering streetlights scattered hazy light.

“Still, you opened your eyes on time.”

“Were you bored since I was sleeping?”

“No.”

Sad.

“You’re too tired.”

“…I’ve been to several places today. Thank you for your hard work.”

It was an unexpectedly reassuring comment. The atmosphere felt slightly different.

Was this vigilance? Or merely simple kindness?

Her snow-white eyes met hers before drifting away once more. A brief silence fell.

“Are you worried about me?”

“…Yes?”

“Thinking about what I might do in a situation like this.”

After walking a few more steps, Erica glanced at her.

“I’m always worried about you.”

“That sounds like something lovers say.”

Her round eyes narrowed.

Walking alongside her, she chuckled softly.

“You don’t need to worry.”

“…”

“I won’t do anything.”

“Is that so?”

“Of course.”

She said that and stopped in her tracks. As the flow of emotions subsided, the surroundings grew quiet.

“If you grant my wish!”

“…Yes?”

Of course, that’s the face she’d expect, so she stretched her hand forward. She was a bit too far away from Erica to reach her.

“Just to the vehicle, hold my hand.”

“…….”

That’s a tremendous deal! It can suppress a wanted villain!

She felt a bit sad.

After all, this would be coercion.

She would rather she didn’t hold it.

If she did, that very moment would bring her happiness. Her brain would quiver with the progression stemming from affection.

But afterward, what awaited her would only be disappointment and powerlessness. It was merely a means of forcing her love based on a misaligned relationship.

“No.”

She hurriedly lowered her arm.

“You don’t have to hold my hand. I… I’m being ridiculous…”

“That’s enough.”

Then, she felt a cold touch. It was slender but firm. She stopped and blinked.

Two fingers from two hands entwined.

“It’s just a few steps, so this much is fine…”

Ah.

It’s okay. This level is fine. It’s just someone else’s hand. It’s no different from her own.

So just calm down, Owlrily. Don’t cry.

“What’s wrong? Are you crying?”

“No, it’s just… that…”

The sensation of tightness creeping from her nose made her unconsciously squint. But the more she did, the more uncomfortable her vision became. Moisture formed, obstructing her view.

“Why, why are you crying?”

Why was she crying? Both of their hands were cold. There was no warmth to be found anywhere.

The night sky was dark, and the air chilly. The only thing she could depend on was the streetlight. The faint light instilled a fear of when it might go out, making her shiver.

Trying to avoid losing her way, she glanced around, moving her trembling feet.

But just by touching someone, everything became alright.

She didn’t know. Nothing at all.

She didn’t want to think anymore.

“Ugh… huhu.”

“W-wait a moment. W-why, Owlrily.”

Something rustled before a soft texture brushed against her eyes.

The warmth of tears dried under the touch.

“Are you hurt?”

“N-no… huhu… I’m sorry…”

It was frustrating. If she hadn’t cried, she could have calmly enjoyed this. They could have held hands and walked a few more steps together.

In the middle of the street, what was she doing?

But it felt good.

So good that she wanted to just sit down. She wanted to live foolishly, forgetting everything.

Her right hand was busy. To prevent her face from contorting, she rubbed her eyes furiously.

But her left hand didn’t move. It remained locked onto her slender fingers, tethered.

Bound. Intertwined. To feel the subtle touch a little more. She clung on.

“Erica…”

“Yes, yes. Go ahead.”

“Call my name…”

She kept a tight grip on her trembling legs, bowing her head. Yet her mouth was unbearably rude.

“O-Owlrily.”

She could feel the tremor in the voice ringing true, and she sat in silence, savoring the moment. Good.

Before her emotions overwhelmed her, she nodded and looked at her.

Ah, she couldn’t hold on any longer.

With those slightly trembling eyes facing her and the little piece of tissue Erica held,

Once again, all the strength drained from her body.

Right now, just like this, time.

She hoped it would never flow by again.