TL/Editor: raei
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"...So, Gyeom. Just hug once."
There was an undeniable depth in Han Yoo-jung's eyes as she spoke.
A desperation that not even her small smile could hide.
"..."
Although the outco turned out to be the worst possible, I know now that she had been acting for my sake.
Since finding out that her actions were actually harming , she's been fully cooperating.
But still, I wonder if she regrets it.
Or if she just can't control her feelings.
Or maybe she's just lonely.
Slowly spreading her arms, she stood still, looking at with those eyes.
She leaves the choice entirely up to , not asking for anything more.
If I were to walk past her, perhaps she would just freeze there on the spot.
"..."
But that's no reason for to hug her.
Maybe because she's the only one who knows my past.
Unconsciously, aspects of who I used to be erge.
Selfishly, I walked past Han Yoo-jung, leaving her behind.
"..."
And what I saw, froze in place.
As I tried to ignore her and walk past, Han Yoo-jung's eyelids fluttered, despair filling them.
...Suddenly, I rember my own lonely past.
I can't help but pity her.
If I leave her alone like this, it will only make feel uncomfortable.
It felt like it would be better to tie up loose ends here, so I could rest more comfortably.
-Tap, tap.
In the end, I tapped her shoulder a couple of tis.
At my touch, her arms that were slowly losing strength twitched.
Han Yoo-jung quickly turned her head to look at .
Without eting her gaze, I walked towards the next room.
But perhaps my touch acted as a trigger, Han Yoo-jung hugged tightly from behind as I walked away.
"...Ha."
I let out a chuckle without realizing it.
Whether this laugh was ant to be a warning, or because I myself was confused by these inexplicable feelings, I couldn't tell.
Han Yoo-jung's hands were trembling.
And then, with a voice full of tears, she whispered.
"....Being alive..."
"..."
"....No, to see you alive again...I'm so grateful."
At the sa ti, Han Yoo-jung's hand began to shine.
She was imposing her dreams on again.
But why?
Today, I don't want to refuse her dream.
Is it because I had a happy dream last ti?
Maybe it's because it reminds of the day I bid farewell to the crying Song Soo-yeon.
Maybe I simply don't have the strength left to fight with Han Yoo-jung anymore.
Her desperate appearance, mixed with the effort she put into cooking for , confuses .
I grabbed Han Yoo-jung's hand and gently applied pressure.
Han Yoo-jung trembled, resisting my force at first... but after the light in her hand faded, she let go of .
I didn't ask her what dream she had imposed on .
It's funny to think I've co to trust her... but I believed she wouldn't have given a bad dream.
Anyway, the end for her and was already determined, and whatever she does before that, wasn't important.
---
---
But the dream Han Yoo-jung gave had a bigger impact on than I thought.
"Ugh...!"
I woke up from the dream at dawn, covering my face with my hands.
The dream she gave was filled with Han Yoo-jung's experiences.
How she ca to know , the relationship we had.
How she witnessed my debut, my death.
Why she followed , and why she's still supporting .
Why she left the hideout and still ca back.
Maybe the feelings she had for were similar to the ones I had for Solace.
"..."
When I woke up, Han Yoo-jung was sitting beside .
She was quietly wiping the sweat off my forehead.
I looked at her.
I understood the emptiness she felt, unable to find happiness despite her regression, still feeling the absence of her sister who wasn't by her side.
I couldn't even offer words of comfort.
After searching for sothing to say, I asked her.
"Why show this dream now...?"
"You're asking why now?"
"..."
Han Yoo-jung said with a bitter smile.
"...I had hoped you would rember on your own."
"..."
"...But maybe that was greedy of . After all, it would probably take soone like Solace to be morable."
"..."
"...And... it seems like you've finally started to trust ."
Seeing my puzzled expression, Han Yoo-jung added,
"When we went to find Luna today, you trusted my words completely."
"......."
"...You ate the food I made. You patted my shoulder... You didn't reject the dream."
"..."
I couldn't respond, just swallowed my saliva.
My heart was still pounding. Maybe because the dream was too vivid.
And as my mind cleared, I could make a more objective judgnt.
There was also a need to consider if she was tampering with my mories.
...But in truth, when it cos to abilities related to the mind, I was quite resistant.
Moreover, when comparing the dreams she showed with my mories, there were several parts that were distinctly familiar.
...And then, at the end.
The image of Solace crying and smoking a cigarette because of my death added credibility.
If it weren't real, Han Yoo-jung wouldn't have included Solace smoking in my dream.
Solace was smoking because that was what happened in the reality Han Yoo-jung experienced.
Even I, who was her archnesis, only saw Solace smoke in this current reality.
"...."
And paradoxically, the sight of Solace smoking in the dream brought great relief.
Everything before the regression, all those looks and expressions.
The conversation we had just before my death wasn't just an act.
Of course, she might have been wearing so kind of mask, but the fact that she mourned for remains unchanged.
Even if it was two-faced, Solace cried for .
In front of an ordinary citizen like Han Yoo-jung, she didn't even bother to put out her cigarette.
Han Yoo-jung's mories was one thing.
Seeing Solace's behavior after my death was also a great gift to .
Eventually, I looked at Han Yoo-jung and said,
"...Please leave."
I couldn't bear to speak harshly to her anymore.
"..."
"...I'm sorry about your sister."
I just couldn't anymore.
---
---
2 A.M.
-Clang!
"...Phew..."
Solace put down the barbell and wiped off her sweat with a towel.
Then, she checked her records.
Today, she had beaten yesterday's record again.
She hydrated and turned on her phone.
Unable to contact Jung-gyeom recently, she went back to living buried in articles like before.
She ticulously observed the reactions and articles about herself.
[The Disappearance of Solace]
[Solace Reacts Only to Dice's Appearance]
[The Fallen Villain Alliance. Where is Solace?]
[Dice. The New Villain's Abilities]
Each one, without exception, stressed Min-Bom.
"...Phew..."
But it wasn't like what was written was wrong.
Solace had not been active recently.
She only paid attention to news about Dice, continuing her training.
Catching him was her only concern.
She no longer cared about negative comnts, criticisms, or reputation.
Because there was sothing more important.
She vaguely understood.
That fighting Dice this way, she wouldn't win.
It wasn't enough.
And this thought planted a seed of anxiety in Min-Bom's mind.
If she couldn't defeat Dice, she might never find out what happened to Jung-gyeom.
Luna, who had threatened Jung-gyeom.
And Dice, who was acting to pardon such a Luna.
How could she just watch this happen?
Solace entered the power-asuring machine, trying to shake off these thoughts.
With devices attached to her chest and head, she unleashed her power.
"Ugh...! Hng...!"
Her head lost color, and her eyes filled with light.
Her body gradually began to glow and heat up.
When her mind was cluttered like this, squeezing out her power with all her might felt sowhat relieving.
Like shouting loudly, it helped alleviate frustration and served as a foundation for developing her abilities.
Until now, with her innate talent, she had neglected such training.
Though she had worked harder than ordinary heroes... she hadn't given her absolute best.
She had only done enough to be slightly ahead of others.
But not anymore.
An opponent had appeared whom she couldn't beat with such half-hearted efforts.
An opponent she must sohow overco.
An opponent she must sohow catch.
That's why she was so dedicated to training now.
However, it wasn't without anxiety.
She worried it might already be too late to save Jung-gyeom.
...But perhaps because of what Dice said.
'.........Wait, and he'll co back.'
Contradictorily, those words he said beca a hope, motivating her to move forward.
She wanted to believe that he was still alive.
So, Min-Bom continued her training late into the dawn.
"....Dice..."
Solace muttered through clenched teeth, letting out her anger.
This villain was the first to make her this angry.
...She had to catch him, no matter what.
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