From that day onward, strange things began happening to the Undertaker.
"Um, Guild Master."
"Yes?"
"Could you...brush my hair, please?"
For instance, this was a scene from an ordinary day.
Whenever he took a brief rest on the sofa at the guild's hideout, a green-haired figure would scurry over and plop herself down onto his lap.
"Alright, then."
"Hehehe..."
The Undertaker was a master of aura manipulation. Even though Sim Ah-ryeon seed to defy all modern standards of hygiene on her own, he skillfully wielded his aura to serve as a complete haircare solution—shampoo, conditioner, hairdryer, and scalp massage included.
It was no wonder Sim Ah-ryeon would dash towards him like a hamster the mont she saw him. How could she resist when simply sitting on his lap ant having her hair styled perfectly? Just like that?
If other awakened ones knew that the aura they bled and trained for was being used as a re substitute for shampoo, many would probably faint. But Sim Ah-ryeon couldn't care less.
Therefore, she had to pay a price.
What price, you ask? The stern yet undeniable truth: if she disregarded others, others would disregard her in return.
[Ti Stop].
"...Hmm."
"......"
Sim Ah-ryeon, frozen in place with a silly grin plastered on her face, beca an unmoving statue, whilst a light breathing sound drifted around them. Quite so ti had passed.
The Saintess had approached unnoticed and was now sharing a kiss with the Undertaker.
"Um, Saintess."
"Yes."
The Saintess smiled bashfully.
"Good morning... Mr. Undertaker."
Not long ago...
The two had agreed not to disclose their budding relationship to anyone.
This decision was largely due to the Saintess's fervent insistence.
-If the Regression Alliance or any associates suddenly learn about our relationship, it might shock them.
-Most importantly, love... it doesn't have to be so extravagant or public. We don't need to spread rumors about it.
If the Saintess claid she could build the Eiffel Tower with beans, the Undertaker would believe her. He nodded in agreent without a second thought.
'...But I never imagined our secret romance would unfold this way.'
It happened not only when he was with Sim Ah-ryeon.
In conversations along the corridor with Yu Ji-won, during private etings with Noh Do-hwa, in street chats with Cheon Yo-hwa—regardless of ti or place—[Ti Stop] awaited, permitting the Saintess and Undertaker their clandestine courtship far from prying eyes.
'Could it be... Is it possible the Saintess is actually enjoying the thrill...?'
While it was unlikely, one might argue she was simply swept away by the thrill of a first love.
The Saintess just wanted to be near the Undertaker. And she possessed the ans to make that happen. Why resist pressing the [Ti Stop] button?
The Undertaker felt the sa.
Though to others they always appeared composed and collected, just dissecting their thoughts revealed a landscape tinted with rosy idiocy.
'It's alright. If ever things beco too dangerous, Mr. Undertaker will surely stop himself.'
The Saintess consoled herself by patting the Undertaker's leg.
'It's fine. If we ever cross a line, the Saintess will say sothing.'
The Undertaker reassured himself as they exchanged their twenty-first kiss of the day.
They shared a miraculous trust.
Their mutual trust ant there was no one to stop the rollercoaster, which naturally led to a drastic heightening as ti passed—
And finally, one day...
"Hmm...?"
In a eting room at the Tower of Babel.
Noh Do-hwa tilted her head.
"This is unusual. Why has soone who always attends etings via video suddenly decided to co in person today...?"
"I happened to be in Busan."
The Saintess responded with an unchanging, neutral expression.
"It felt wrong to skip the eting when I was so close by."
"Hmm. Well, it doesn't really matter..."
Thus began the eting of the Regression Alliance.
The Undertaker took his usual seat next to the Saintess, and no one found it odd. This seat was always left empty for the absent Saintess.
"Considering requesting increased cultivation space from the Sword Queen has been on our agenda."
As Yu Ji-won delivered her report...
"Thanks to His Excellency the Undertaker spending ample ti with the Sword Queen recently, the National Road Managent Division is positively considering the proposals—"
Yu Ji-won suddenly stopped.
Standing still, with papers in hand, her silver hair turned monochro.
Across the round table at the eting room:
"..., ...."
"......"
Underneath the table, the Saintess and the Undertaker held hands tightly and kissed.
"Saintess."
"Y-Yes."
"So this was why you attended the eting?"
"Um, no. But I think it's alright."
No point in hiding it.
Embracing their 'first love' milestone, the two discovered that the power of [Ti Stop] was exceedingly convenient.
Want to wrap your arms around each other? Just do it. Want a kiss? Go ahead.
For these lovebirds, challenged by public decorum, ti stood still with [Ti Stop], leaving etiquette undisturbed.
No one noticed the world coming to a pause, so there was no judgnt, and the couple had no need to tread lightly.
It was indeed their personal luxury. For soone who always had to carefully adjust the narrative filter, it was a delight, albeit complex.
If I may tell you a secret, this manuscript was stealthily revised three tis.
As a result, what felt like a swift 35-minute eting to others mysteriously stretched to take thrice the ti for the pair.
"......"
As the eting adjourned and everyone departed,
The Saintess and the Undertaker walked side by side until sothing caught—tugged—on the hem of his clothing.
He turned to see Sim Ah-ryeon standing there.
"What's the matter, Ah-ryeon?"
"Ummm..."
"What's going on, Ah-ryeon?"
Sim Ah-ryeon stared blankly at the two of them.
"A-are you two... dating?"
"..."
"..."
It was an inevitable conclusion.
10.
Sim Ah-ryeon imdiately wanted to burst out and cause nationwide chaos screaming, ‘Extra! Extra! The Guild Master is dating! The Guild Master is dating the Saintess!’
To prevent her from spreading the news far and wide, many promises and bribes were necessary.
In any case, they succeeded in keeping Sim Ah-ryon's mouth shut. At least for the ti being.
-[Samcheon] Witch Judge: (Photo) Isn't the experience of dining perhaps more about who you're with than the taste of the food? The al with friends tastes good again today.
└Goryeo Master: Haha
└[Samcheon] Witch Judge: ? Why are you causing trouble again?
-[Baekhwa] High School 9th grader: I just got back from Busan! I confird that Busan doesn't ignore Sejong! >_
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