Chapter 178

The ‍​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌‌​‌‍outskirts of Seoul.

Dawn, ‍​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍when drunken free mercenaries were rolling around on the streets.

Director-General ‍​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍Baek Dojin strolled through the back alleys alone.

He ‍​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍stopped his steps when he was appropriately far from the eyes of others, and as if waiting for that moment, someone approached while hiding their presence and spoke.

"I ‍​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍could not find him."

"Is ‍​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍that so……. To think An Hwigom would possess that much decisiveness."

"Shall I continue the pursuit?"

"No, further pursuit is meaningless. The plan has already begun, after all."

The owner of the voice was Seo Junhyeop, the master of Blackcastle, one of the best Hunter guilds.

That is to say, An Hwigom’s former disciple.

In Manyeong, he took on the role of finding and punishing traitors of the organization, but as expected, finding his teacher, An Hwigom, was a difficult task.

"However, there is a possibility that he might interfere with the work."

"I suppose so. Since he has already chosen his path."

"Then is it not right to deal with him as soon as possible?"

Baek Dojin raised the corners of his mouth as if satisfied.

"I am truly glad that a fellow like you is on my side. As you said, it is good to deal with him quickly. However, that man An Hwigom is a hero. The rumor that the master of Blackcastle is personally making inquiries will spread soon."

"It would not be strange for a former disciple to look for his former teacher."

"The problem is Baek Dojun. If news of An Hwigom’s whereabouts reaches that boy, he will surely get him involved in this matter."

"The Special Affairs Division Chief……."

"So you stop the pursuit and focus on the plan. Before long, that spearhead will be used for the greatest achievement in human history."

Baek Dojin was about to turn his back at the end of those words, but then continued speaking.

"Ah, of course, if you happen to find him by chance, kill him immediately."

"……."

I spoke after sufficiently observing Hyeon Jinseok’s expression.

"You want the red medicine?"

"Yes."

"Why now?"

"I'll apologize for the villagers. You saw it too. How they wouldn't listen no matter how I tried to persuade them."

"I fully understood the village's position. If I give you the medicine, the anger will reach us as well. Therefore, we will not take any other action until we meet the alchemist."

A stubborn statement of position.

However, Hyeon Jinseok continued speaking as if he could not give up.

"Juhui! Juhui is going to fall asleep before long. Forever!"

"Humans beyond the barrier call that fate. It's very natural and normal."

"Fate when she can be saved? That's unreasonable!"

"Can be saved, huh……. Do you believe that the red medicine is effective?"

"Because you said so."

"Does that mean you trust me more than the villagers?"

Hyeon Jinseok shook his head.

"I'm just trying everything I can."

His eyes were determined.

I felt a sense of déjà vu.

Those eyes, it was the face I had glimpsed from Lee Eunho once.

I watched the reactions of Park Chaeshin and Bruno for a moment.

They seemed to have entrusted the judgment entirely to me.

"If you want it that much, I can give you the red medicine."

"Really?"

"In return, there's a condition."

"I won't tell the villagers about you guys!"

"What would be the meaning of that? The source of the red medicine would only be us. The condition I want is something else."

"Something else?"

"Yeah. I looked around the outskirts of the village earlier when the Orcs attacked, and I couldn't see the alchemist's workshop. I want you to tell us that location."

"T-The teacher's workshop……."

"Is it an unreasonable request?"

"……."

Hyeon Jinseok conflicted.

I would have been the same, probably.

Because the dolls would have woken up in Victor’s workshop.

His workshop would be in the most secret and difficult-to-access place.

Naturally, it wouldn't be inside the village.

I opened my mouth to urge him, but Hyeon Jinseok’s answer flowed out first.

"Fine, I understand. But moving together is only until the front. I don't want to enter the teacher's workshop. I also want to go to Juhui as soon as possible."

"That's enough. It'll be troublesome if we attract attention by continuing to move with you anyway."

"And promise me one more thing."

"What?"

"Don't let the teacher find out that you stopped by the workshop."

"You're telling us to go without leaving any traces. Don't worry. We're all people who suit shadows well."

The place I arrived at following Hyeon Jinseok was a forest about ten minutes away from the village.

It was a place where it was easy to get lost because the terrain was rugged and there was no sunlight, making it difficult to simply call it a forest.

"Seokhyeon, we haven't discovered a single monster until now, have we?"

"Well, it must be an area that even monsters avoid."

Hyeon Jinseok spoke after hearing the conversation between me and Park Chaeshin.

"This place is called the Forest of Silence. It's a place where even the villagers don't enter if they can help it."

"Are you included in that 'if they can help it'?"

"Of course. Including this time, I can count on my fingers how many times I've entered."

"What is the reason for avoiding this forest?"

"Because the teacher said it's a dangerous place."

Park Chaeshin spoke as if it were absurd.

"But the alchemist successfully built a workshop here."

"The teacher is different from us. He came from beyond the barrier, after all. Furthermore, just like the name says, there are few monsters, so it must be good for him to research."

Bruno spoke while indirectly casting a glance at me.

"It seems that's not the only reason."

"……?"

"I smell a very strong scent. It's not just the environmental mana."

He soon discovered a plant colored with brilliant hues nearby.

He then plucked it and brought it to his nose, and Hyeon Jinseok spoke with a startled face.

"Wait a moment! That's Moon-Shadow Herb! Why is the herb here at this time?"

Moon-Shadow Herb…….

A name I had heard a lot.

As expected, it was the ingredient for the Moon-Shadow Spirit Pill that An Hwigom had given me.

To be precise, it was a pill that the alchemist of Manyeong had manufactured for the training of Manyeong members.

Its ability was to temporarily make an awakened being reach the threshold of mana depletion, and it was naturally an item included in the prohibited items designated by the Bureau.

Anyway, I knew that the herb was gathered in Gangwon-do, but to find it in the home of the alchemist Victor.

I spoke while hiding a cynical laugh.

"Hyeon Jinseok, how much do you know about the Moon-Shadow Herb?"

"Eh? The herb is a medicinal herb that is inseparable from our village. Most representatively, it's effective for the Ssaet Disease and……."

"Effective for the Ssaet Disease?"

"Yes, if the teacher hadn't taught us to brew and drink the herb, there would have been more patients. He's a truly good person, isn't he?"

"……."

I met eyes with Park Chaeshin and Bruno.

Clearly, they were thinking the same thing.

That the Moon-Shadow Herb is a poisonous herb, and with a high probability, it influenced the Ssaet Disease.

If it were processed properly like the Moon-Shadow Spirit Pill made by Victor, it would become a useful item, but if simply boiled and drunk, it would only become a poison that weakens the body.

The problem is whether to tell that fellow the truth.

I do not think he would accept it easily even if I said it, but…….

"Let's keep moving for now. If my memory is correct, the teacher's workshop is near here."

"……Uh, sure."

Before long, we faced a cave.

Gangwon-do is a region that was extraordinarily transformed by the Broom of Gluttony.

Perhaps because of that, the cave before our eyes gave off a sinister atmosphere, like the entrance to a dungeon.

No, wouldn't even monsters avoid approaching out of fear?

"There is only one path in the cave. If you follow it as it is, you will be able to discover the workshop."

"Anything else to explain?"

"Just don't touch anything strange for no reason?"

"But you said the villagers don't enter if they can help it, yet you know it well."

"T-That's because I've been here a few times……."

Hyeon Jinseok blinked several times.

As if he were afraid people wouldn't know he can't lie.

Just like the villager said, this must be why Victor had told them to keep a close eye on Hyeon Jinseok.

Clearly, curiosity had led that fellow to the workshop several times.

Speaking of which, does he still trust Victor even after seeing the workshop?

Perhaps there might be a hidden place.

I took out the red medicine, the healing potion.

But at that moment, Bruno blurted out.

"You are coming with us too."

What?

"That's different from the promise."

"Taking a look will be quick anyway. I know your sister is in critical condition, but it's not like she's going to die right away, is it? Furthermore, how do I know if you truly guided us to the workshop? What if there are monsters in that cave?"

"T-That's true, but……."

"Anyway, it's better for you to watch what we do in the workshop too."

"……."

Hyeon Jinseok conflicted.

I cast a glance at Bruno.

"Can I see you for a moment?"

"Anytime."

"Follow me."

He and I only stopped our steps after reaching a place a little away from the cave entrance.

"Exactly what are you thinking?"

"There shouldn't be a problem."

"Didn't we agree not to get involved with the dolls any further?"

"Well."

"What are you going to do if you end up influencing Hyeon Jinseok in any way?"

Bruno did not answer immediately and cast his gaze far away.

That is, toward Hyeon Jinseok, who was waiting for us with a flustered face.

He soon made me aware of the boss of Catalina he was carrying on one shoulder by shrugging.

"The reason I followed you to Gangwon-do is because of the boss."

"I know."

"You know……. Then do you know the reason why I continue to accompany you even after knowing the boss is a doll?"

"……Is it not to get revenge on the alchemist?"

"What is the reason for that revenge?"

"That's……."

I could not answer properly.

I had simply thought he accompanied us to get revenge, and I had never clearly fathomed his goal.

"The reason I want to get revenge on the alchemist is to give the boss eternal freedom. To give the freedom of liberation to her, who was used as a doll without being able to fall asleep as a corpse."

"……."

"What is that expression? Did you think I was going to make the boss move again?"

"I can't deny it."

"Hmph, disgusting. Death is death. I simply wanted to uncover the boss's death. Would a Psychic Mafia member, who is closer to death than anyone, have operated without at least that much distinction."

"Well, I understood that. But so? Why are you trying to take Hyeon Jinseok?"

"It is the same as me moving for the boss. After all, you said that fellow is like you. You keep denying it, saying there's no connection, but if the incident thirteen years ago hadn't happened, he would have been best friends with you."

"……."

In the end, his words meant not to regret.

Meaning not to let Hyeon Jinseok be used by the alchemist and fall asleep without even knowing why.

His words were not wrong, but…….

"He is a doll. He is not Hyeon Jinseok."

"Is that truly so? A doll is not a being that moves as input by someone like science fiction. I don't know about magic, but at least the boss I knew was not like that. Probably that fellow is the same. He will move based on the person while they were alive—no, while having completely the same thoughts and ego."

It was not difficult to accept Bruno’s words.

After all, I was the original author of this world.

When I first met the main characters, I felt glad, but I could not shake the thought that I was watching a vivid production.

However, the characters I knew well were not the children I knew, and they were living the lives given to them more proactively than I was.

Beings that think, judge, and move on their own.

Am I really considering them only as characters in a production?

"……."

No way.

From the moment I crossed the barrier, my only thought was that I must return to Seoul and meet Do Minyeong and Cha Yeri.

Furthermore, the others too.

In the first place, the reason I jumped into this work was also to recover Lee Eunho.

To think that all of this was simply to save the characters with the heart of an original author?

No.

I am already living as the character Ji Seokhyeon.

I have accepted many things in this world.

Whether it was the intent of the Avid Reader or not.

I have already forgotten many things from my previous life.

As if I had been dreaming all this time.

"Of course, if you are stubborn, there's nothing I can do. I just have to achieve my goal."

"……."

"Now, what are you going to do? How much will you endure for your family……."

He stopped talking.

Instead, he curled his lips in a subtle way, as if he already understood my expression.

"You have quite a good look on your face."

I turned my back on him.

"Shut up."