Chapter 88

※Episode 87 has been partially revised.

Please note for those watching.

(The overall flow remains the same, but Baeksan knew of Juk-sim’s existence and had searched for her but couldn’t find her until now, which is the most significant revision!)

As I turned to look at Baekseolhyang, she continued explaining.

“The World Returner Association can’t track every Returner. Some Returners have been in seclusion long before the Association was formed.”

“So, Juk-sim is one of those Returners?”

“Yes, aside from one similar case recorded long ago, she’s definitely a Returner who hasn’t revealed herself.”

Baeksan’s record likely referred to this part.

Baekseolhyang’s words implied that Juk-sim had revealed herself to save Nae-ki.

Juk-sim seemed to know something about Nae-ki’s situation, which must be why she acted.

Without my knowledge, she’s been saving our guild members.

Even after all this time, she remains an enigma.

“We also checked Ms. Lee Eun-ha’s condition. Her body has been completely restored, almost as if she was reborn.”

This meant that with Juk-sim’s help, Eva might also be revived.

That’s why Baekseolhyang asked me.

Among us, I was the closest to Juk-sim.

Understanding Baekseolhyang’s words, I locked eyes with Eva.

“You heard, right, Eva?”

“……”

“You can live.”

Baeksan mentioned it.

Baekseolhyang went this far.

There’s no other way.

“I’ll save you, and I’ll stop Hyuk-seo too.”

We might just be game friends.

But that doesn’t mean our bond is shallow.

“So live. I won’t let you give up again.”

Hearing this, Eva’s eyes wavered.

“Domi, why are you doing this for me?”

When she asked, I remained silent for a moment.

Then, I honestly shared my feelings.

“I just do as I please.”

If I can save someone I know, why overthink it?

Recognizing this, Baeksan sighed, and Baekseolhyang followed suit.

Having a sibling pair like this is embarrassing.

“……Is that so?”

Even now, hearing she might live, her eyes didn’t hold hope.

Perhaps because she had let go of her life long ago.

“……Domi, honestly, it doesn’t matter to me.”

So, Eva’s words echoed my thoughts.

“Even if I can live now, it’s too late for me to hope. But……”

Her eyelids closed before she could finish.

Her body trembled briefly.

“My brother won’t stop. Even if I die, that fool will keep causing trouble.”

Worrying more about Hyuk-seo being left alone than her own life, she cautiously spoke.

“……I want to stop my brother. Is it too much to ask for your help?”

Finally, she directly asked me.

“Your eyes are rolling again.”

I heard Baeksan clicking his tongue.

They’ve been rolling for a while.

But I’ve trained under Baeksan to protect those around me.

“Anytime. I’m Kang Ha-chan, ready for anything.”

Hyuk-seo and Eva.

I won’t let their story end like that.

My dream is a world where Returners can live without worry.

After the conversation, I decided to head home first.

To talk to Juk-sim, I needed to enter Road of Academy.

But a problem arose.

I’ve been targeted by Giraseong before.

With Eun-hyeon chasing Hyuk-seo, there’s no Returner to protect me now.

Assigning a Returner to me isn’t practical; they don’t just appear when called, and it’d be a waste of resources.

So, the solution?

“Let’s go to my house.”

Baekseolhyang invited me to her place.

As a Road of Academy player, her house naturally has gaming equipment.

Plus, she’s an S-class Returner.

Unless Giraseong loses their minds, attacking her is out of the question, ensuring safety by her side.

Sure, safety is good.

But…

‘Staying at the house of my childhood friend who likes me?’

Baekseolhyang smiled brightly, but I sensed something ominous.

Following her felt like a point of no return.

“Then I’ll come too.”

At that moment, Eva raised her hand.

As Baekseolhyang’s smile slightly cracked, Eva justified her decision.

“I can’t just leave everything to Domi. At least I’ll watch over him.”

Hearing this, Baekseolhyang stomped her feet but bit her lip.

Even she couldn’t argue with Eva’s logic.

“Or, Domi, want to come to my house? I can protect you, and we have gaming equipment too. Better than bothering the Iron-Blooded Empress…”

“No. Let’s go to your house.”

Eva’s words led Baekseolhyang to accept her coming over.

“Really? Then I’ll come too!”

And Nae-ki joined in.

Though not her business, she’s been watching this situation.

She must have her own thoughts.

“This is like a second meetup! Let’s go!”

Or maybe she just wanted to continue the gathering.

“Association President, is that okay?”

“…Yes, go ahead. It’s not like we’re short on rooms.”

With Eva coming, refusal wasn’t an option.

‘Somehow, we’re really a meetup group now.’

Though the two don’t know Baekseolhyang is Ah-hing yet.

“Then let’s buy alcohol! Alcohol! Can we order delivery?”

“Delivery? The chef can prepare something. There’s also alcohol left by someone in the warehouse.”

“Wow, a rich person! This is the class of the Association President!”

Nae-ki’s excitement lightened the mood.

Thus, we all ended up at Baekseolhyang’s house.

And I saw the mansion.

A mansion fit for movies stood prominently in Seoul.

A lawn-covered ground and a four-story building.

The vintage-looking structure left me in awe, as Nae-ki whispered.

“Someone must be living underground. Domi, see? That flickering light must be Morse code from someone below.”

“You’ve watched too many movies.”

“Hehe, respect!”

Nae-ki excitedly ran across the garden.

Watching her, I turned to Baekseolhyang, who smiled slightly.

“Alright?”

“More than alright. I’m not sure I can enter that.”

“Why? You’re always welcome. Just say the word, and it’s yours.”

“Stop. I don’t want to accept your heart through capitalism.”

I must not succumb to capitalism.

As I thought this, Baekseolhyang approached, her lips near my ear.

“Just say you love me, and everything is yours.”

Is this an angel’s whisper?

“…Of course, me too.”

Her face slightly red, she spread her arms as if to embrace me, making my face flush too.

“Hey, are you two dating?”

Eva appeared behind us, asking curiously.

Startled, Baekseolhyang and I scratched our heads, looking away.

“No, not really. We’re childhood friends.”

“With the Iron-Blooded Empress? Domi, you’ve built quite the network.”

It seems I have, unknowingly.

Eva glanced at Baekseolhyang, covering her mouth with a chuckle.

“I’ve never seen the Iron-Blooded Empress like this. So, childhood friends, huh?”

“Let’s just go in, shall we?”

Baekseolhyang, her face red, led the way inside.

The interior was as grand as the exterior.

From chandeliers to various luxury items, everything was high-end.

As Baekseolhyang entered, three neatly dressed women greeted us.

“Ah, these are the housekeepers. Hye-rin, could you prepare a meal with alcohol?”

“Yes, Miss.”

Miss.

So, the rich really are called that.

Somehow, I got a glimpse of a true rich person’s life, feeling amazed as I followed Baekseolhyang.

“Ha-chan, planning to log in right away?”

“Yes, immediately.”

I nodded at Baekseolhyang’s question.

To save Eva, we need Juk-sim’s help.

Since Juk-sim practically lives in Road of Academy, she’s surely there today too.

“Let’s go to the second floor. There’s a game room.”

A game room?

A room just for gaming?

My eyes sparkled with interest.

“Ha-chan, your eyes shine brighter than when I try to seduce you.”

I quietly ignored Baekseolhyang’s remark.

Sorry, Baekseolhyang, but as a gamer, the mention of a game room makes my heart race.

Meanwhile, I entered the game room Baekseolhyang opened.

There, I found paradise.

From Road of Academy to every kind of gaming console and merchandise, it was all there.

As I stood there, mouth agape and trembling, Baekseolhyang shyly averted her eyes.

“I thought you might come someday, so I gathered these.”

She prepared all this for me?

I felt the urge to spin her around in a hug.

Noticing my thoughts, Baekseolhyang slightly spread her arms.

“Want to hug?”

“……”

Now she’s openly seducing me.