"Could it be... your younger sister...?"
"No, it's not."
Jung Ha-Yeong dismissed my guess with a single sentence. This situation was already dramatic enough, but if that female player had turned out to be Jung Ji-yeong, it would have gone beyond absurd. Fortunately, Jung Ha-Yeong firmly denied my assumption.
"Of course, I can't exactly say that she always behaves well, but she's still my precious little sister. Anyway… that female player joined a few months earlier than us as a mage player. I won't reveal her name. But she was talented enough to receive officer training back then. At first, when our eyes met, she seemed a bit flustered. But then, seeing me frozen in place, she just smiled. And then, she spoke to the man who was completely immersed in his actions."
Could it be… Yu-Bin? Seong Yu-Bin. I tilted my head in thought. She had been following Park Hyun-Woo around lately. But given the circumstances, it didn't seem likely that the man in question was Hyun-Woo. Many thoughts ran through my head, but for now, I decided to focus on the story.
"I still remember the conversation between the two of them vividly. I'll tell you exactly as it happened. The woman spoke first.
'Hey, isn't there a girl who follows you around?'
'Huh? Oh, her. Why?'
'No reason… You two seem kind of special.'
'Special? Nah, I don't think so.'
'She seems to really like you, though. Are you sure it's okay to do this with me?'
'Ah, it's fine. I mean, she's pretty, sure, but not really my type. I prefer passionate women like you.'"
Jung Ha-Yeong recited the conversation from that day as if she had memorized it word for word. It must have been at least a year since then, but the fact that she still remembered it so vividly showed just how much of a shock it had been for her. When I made an incredulous expression after hearing the conversation, she gave a sorrowful smile and continued speaking.
"The woman laughed gleefully at the man's words and said, 'Really? But still, I feel kind of bad for her.'
'It's fine. I mean, yeah, she's a bit of a waste, but… she was only brought here as a bribe anyway.'
'A bribe?'
'Yeah. I heard the Golden Lion Clan's scout has a thing for new-player. Especially smart, pretty young girls. Ha-Yeong's got decent skills, and she's got a nice enough face, so I figured he'd like her. If that happens, he'll probably look favorably on me, too. But that bitch ruined everything.'
'Damn it… Ugh, that hurts. Go easy on me.'
'Sorry. Just thinking about that bitch pisses me off again. Anyway, she'll soon throw herself at the scout willingly, so let's just stop caring. This is such a pain… Ah.'"
As I listened to the conversation, a chill ran down my spine. The depth of self-restraint I had sensed in Jung Ha-Yeong when I first met her was no lie. As a man, I couldn't even begin to imagine how heartbreaking this must have been for her. What was even scarier was that she recited the entire conversation without shedding a single tear. I couldn't suppress a deep sigh after hearing her story.
"Yeah. To him, I was nothing more than a tool for his success," She said, her voice steady. "Even though I had fallen into this hellish Hall Plain, I thought that as long as I was with him, I could endure anything. But that dream was just a delusion. From beginning to end, he only thought about himself. He only used me."
"What happened after that…?" I asked cautiously.
"I went straight to the branch manager. I woke him up from a deep sleep and told him I was quitting. And you know what's even more ridiculous? He agreed without a single word of protest. Funny, isn't it?"
Of course. Keeping her would have been unsettling, but there was no justification to kick her out. The clan, which had nothing to lose, had no reason to stop her when she chose to walk away on her own.
After finishing her story, she took a deep breath and leaned back against her chair. I instinctively reached into my coat and pulled out a cigarette. As I placed it between my lips, a faint ember ignited at the tip on its own.
For a while, neither Jung Ha-Yeong nor I said a word. A heavy silence lingered between us, with only the table separating us. The time it took for me to finish the cigarette passed in that stillness. Watching me flick away the ashes, Jung Ha-Yeong finally broke the silence with a voice that sounded lighter than before.
"Thank you. For listening to such an unpleasant and tedious story for so long."
"Don't mention it. I understand you."
"I don't like empty words. What exactly do you understand?"
"The struggle of standing against the most powerful clan and individuals, especially as a woman in a disadvantageous position. The long struggle of someone who had no choice but to be the weaker party. The unfairness of the clan's decision from your perspective. The resentment that built up after you endured so much, only to have your last hope betray you. I understand, I sympathize, and I feel for you."
At my words, which laid out her pain one by one, she smiled sadly. Then, without hesitation, she spoke again.
"I see. Then, I suppose it's finally time to get to the main point."
She laced her fingers together, her expression resolute. But I shook my head. Her eyes widened slightly at my reaction.
"It's too late at night. You've already shared too much today. Let's stop here—"
"The night is deep, and we have plenty of time."
"We can continue next time—"
"No. I want to settle this tonight."
Jung Ha-Yeong gazed at me, her eyes burning with a cold, bluish flame. Before I even realized it, she had grabbed my hand firmly, preventing me from rising. Her touch was cool against the back of my hand—steady, unyielding. Seeing her determination, I let out a quiet breath and spoke in an even tone.
"What more do you want to say?"
"The debt you mentioned—the one that must be repaid with a price."
I looked at her in silence. I understood her circumstances now, but that was a separate matter. If she was trying to appeal to emotions, she was wasting her time. I had no patience for that. But when I met her gaze, I saw no such intent in her eyes.
Adjusting my posture, I prepared myself. This was the second round after the ruined laboratory. Only this time, the roles were reversed—I was now the one holding the advantage.
"Then, how exactly do you plan to pay that price?"
My voice was quiet, steady. At my response, Jung Ha-Yeong shrugged slightly, then shook her head with a calm expression.
"I'm sorry for using the Crystal of Truth to corner you. But ever since that day, I've developed a deep distrust of others, especially men. I needed to be sure."
"I can understand that you acted without reason. However, that does not justify your actions. I suggest you learn to separate personal feelings from professional matters."
"I know. But I still don't understand one thing. What exactly do you want from me, Kim Su-Hyeon?"
"That is for you to figure out. It's not my place to decide or define it for you."
I did not back down, not even a little. I sympathized with her situation, but that didn't mean I would let it slide. Some might say I was being too rigid, too unforgiving. But this was Hall Plain. I had given her information directly tied to my survival—meaning I now had enough justification to kill her if I wanted to. And she knew that just as well as I did.
At the firmness in my voice, Jung Ha-Yeong let out a tired sigh before speaking.
"I thought about it a lot after returning from the ruined laboratory. But… in the end, I came to a single conclusion: I have nothing to offer you."
"…Explain."
"Are you pretending not to understand? Or do you genuinely not know? What exactly do I have to give you right now?"
"...."
"Player information? Gold coins? Abilities? Free service? Should I even sign a slave contract? I have no idea what you want. No—more than that, I truly have nothing to give."
At her words, I let out a quiet hum, tapping my fingers against the table out of habit. And as I did, a thought surfaced—I liked her.
Finally, I understood why I was drawn to Jung Ha-Yeong.
She knew her place. She didn't overstep boundaries.
Of course, there had been one instance when she did cross the line—the laboratory. But even then, it wasn't a thoughtless action. It was a calculated risk, something she needed to confirm for herself.
And now, it was my turn to draw out what she wanted.
"Some of the things you just listed seem a bit excessive."
"Heh. Excessive?" Jung Ha-Yeong let out a dry chuckle. "My player information? It's nowhere near as valuable as yours. Gold coins? I don't even have any. My abilities? Sure, I won't deny that I'm skilled. But I'm not at your level. Free service? The same applies. And a slave contract? There are too many restrictions for such a thing to even work between players. Let's be clear—I could join your group right now, but that wouldn't be a proper way to repay my debt. To you, I'm just someone who might as well be there or not."
"Why do you demean yourself like that?"
"Because it's reality. It's the truth. And…"
Her words, which had been flowing quickly, suddenly stopped. For a brief moment, she held her breath. Our gazes met in midair, locking onto each other.
Then, with a resigned expression, she exhaled softly and spoke.
"…Because I need you."
At last, she was revealing a glimpse of her true feelings. I let out a quiet sigh, my voice carrying a note of regret.
"Repayment doesn't have to be something so tangible. What I wanted… was your genuine trust and belief in me."
"So you intend to make me a shameless woman until the very end," Jung Ha-Yeong murmured. "I still can't forget that moment. When you said you would protect those precious to you… and when the Crystal of Truth confirmed your words as fact, I was stunned. I want to be part of that group—the people you hold dear. So let me rephrase my question. I understand that the others have been with you since the beginning, but what can I do now to earn your trust?"
"Trust and belief aren't things you can build in a single moment. You're rushing too much, and I don't believe you don't already know that. What are you really trying to say?"
I spoke firmly, but inwardly, I had already grasped why she was acting this way.
Simply put, she was traumatized by what had happened back then. But I had shaken the foundation of that trauma, leaving her caught in turmoil. She was afraid, but at the same time, she wanted something to hold onto. That contradiction was making her impatient.
"In your eyes, Jung Ha-Yeong as a player holds no value. That leaves only one option."
"Jung Ha-Yeong." I called her name, my voice low.
She responded just as quietly.
"Not as a player. But as a woman. That is the only value I have left to offer you."
Hearing those words, I stared at her with a cold, unreadable gaze.
She didn't flinch. Her eyes met mine without a single tremor.
Silence stretched between us.
Then, without hesitation, I stood up.
"Of course, before being a player, I am a man. I like women. I have basic desires as well. However…"
I paused, then continued in a tone of quiet disappointment.
"I am not the kind of man who sleeps with just any woman for no reason."
"That's not what I meant—"
I knew that wasn't what she meant. But she still hadn't given me the answer I was waiting for.
Before she could finish, I turned away.
"This is disappointing. If this is all you have to offer… I'll be taking my leave."
And at that moment—
"I…!"
Her quiet, trembling voice stopped me in my tracks.
"…Do you really think I'm the kind of woman who would sleep with just any man?"
Her voice wavered, laced with unshed tears.
I let out a slow sigh and turned back to face her.
"Your words certainly left room for misunderstanding. I know you're not that kind of woman, but to be honest… this sudden behavior of yours is baffling."
At my straightforward response, Jung Ha-Yeong looked up at me with conflict in her eyes.
But that hesitation didn't last long.
After a brief pause, she slowly parted her lips and spoke.
"Yun-Jung said I don't know you well, but… I think I do. I've heard so much about you while helping the others with their training. You're so similar to him. Leading people during the rite of passage. Earning everyone's trust. Ranking first at the Player Academy. Even receiving an offer from the Golden Lion Clan. But when you rejected that offer and chose to stay with your group, that's when your paths truly diverged."
"So, are you seeing me as his replacement?"
I pointed out the one thing I was wary of, and she quickly shook her head.
"No! It's not that… It's just that I'm tired—tired of the deception that fills this fucking Hall Plain. And I… I could never bring myself to deceive others. Maybe I could if I really tried, but I despise it too much. I refuse to become what I loathe most."
So that's why her disposition turned out the way it did.
Another piece of the puzzle fell into place in my mind.
With my doubts momentarily set aside, I turned back and stood beside her.
At that moment, she lightly rested her forehead against my chest and continued speaking.
"But… Player Kim Su-Hyeon, you're different. There's something about you that's unlike the other players in Hall Plain. Maybe… maybe I've reached my limit. That thought hit me after the Crystal of Truth. I realized—I have to hold onto you. I need to stay by your side. You might be… my last chance in this world. You said you wanted my trust and faith, right?"
"…That's correct."
With her forehead still resting against my chest, Ha-yeong tilted her head slightly to look up at me.
I met her gaze and lowered my eyes further. Then, raising my right hand, I gently ran my fingers through her hair. She closed her eyes, as if savoring the touch. But even as she did, her lips did not stop moving.
"To be honest, I still have lingering doubts. If you had such overwhelming strength, then Ji-yeong… you wouldn't have let her die. No, you couldn't have. But I won't ask. I've decided to bury that question deep in my heart."
"I can give you an answer to that, if you wish."
"I've already heard a rough version from the others. I have my own guesses, too. And I've seen certain things with my own eyes. It won't be the same as hearing it directly from you, but… I've made my decision. I'm tired of being deceived. I'm afraid of getting hurt again. But… I'm also a woman. Losing the sister I trusted and relied on… I felt myself wavering."
"So, you believe leaning on me will help steady yourself?"
At my question, she silently nodded.
Seeing her reaction, I firmly pulled her face back into my embrace. She offered no resistance, pressing her face against my chest.
And at that moment—
A deep smile crept onto my lips.
Sorry, but she had once again fallen into a misunderstanding.
To be honest, I never expected Jung Ha-Yeong to act this way. It was also my first time hearing about her inner thoughts. However, it wasn't a bad thing. Right now, I had no need for vague trust or the mere possibility of it. If I were to embrace her at this moment, my relationship with her would undoubtedly take a significant step forward.
I felt no pangs of conscience. When I chose to return after witnessing their deaths, I had already abandoned such things. And for their sake, I was willing to do anything without hesitation.
Feeling something stir restlessly in my chest, I took a deep breath before speaking in a calm voice.
"This, too, feels like the way a magician thinks."
"…That's true. Because by doing this, I can offer you my trust while also finding my own sense of stability. I need a place to rest, somewhere to lean on. Everything I've told you today is the greatest show of trust I can give you at this moment. So, please…"
She lifted herself slightly off the chair and gently climbed onto my lap.
With her arms softly wrapping around my neck, she pressed her body against mine and whispered,
"Tonight… I want you to respond to my trust, Su-Hyeon."
.
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