Chapter 175: Darkness. (2) (1/2)

“I see.”

Allen, closing her mouth, poking at the inside of her cheeks with her tongue. She moved away with a blank expression, and I took a step forward after her. At that moment, the world completely changed.

We were definitely inside the barrier, but I stepped through a snowy field. Snowflakes landed on my shoulders, and a sharp wind cut at me. Was the space around us folded, or was the ground getting closer? Whatever it was, we were driven out of the barrier.

“You’re amazing as expected.”

Clap, clap, clap.

The lines on her face were different from usual.

“Maybe it was my desire to not get caught?”

I looked at this Allen differently. However, my intuition insisted that this current Allen was like a worn mask or the top layer.

“Yeah, you’re greedy.”

“…”

At that moment, snow flared up around us. Now, the spirit Allen was subconsciously pouring out was beyond that of a master, swaying like an aura around them. Even if I used all my mana, I wouldn’t be able to touch her. I could sense instinctively that she was specialized in killing.

“But still, don’t mind me too much.”

Allen spoke, her eyes turning dark.

“Anyway, this week…”

Before she could get out another word, a group of monsters appeared through the ground.

Grrrrrr— grrrrrrr—

Blue-eyed hyenas are known as the Dark Winter. Allen spared them a second glance.

Crack—!

Their bodies twisted.

Craaaaaaack—!

It was a strange sound. Their bones were twisted, and their flesh crumpled. Then, as if caught up in a black hole, their shapes became indistinguishable.

“…This week, you’ll be killed in battle. But, that day became today. I know you didn’t mind me, but….”

Allen wriggled her toes in the snow. Then, she approached. One step, two. Her feet were heavy as they fell, a frightening yet natural sense of oppression washed over me.

“Professor, the Demon Blood are watching you.”

Allen stood mere inches away from me.

“I will always be watching you, too. This is a warning.”

Allen spoke formally, and my stiff body gradually loosened, perhaps thanks to the resistance of Iron Man.

“If the clan’s patience reaches its limit, I will not hesitate to take your life. So…”

Allen stared straight at me. The shyness and youth she showed before had vanished.

“…Take care of yourself.”

What she said didn’t match. I didn’t bother to look for her death variable.

“Were you by my side just to keep an eye on me?”

“…Yes, of course. I never thought that I would ever get caught, but since when have you known? Was it because of the report?”

I was frustrated with her questions. I shook my head.

“From the beginning to the end, you know nothing about me.”

“…From beginning to the end?”

Allen pouted her lips slightly.

“Oh really… I was going to be satisfied if I knew one or two things, oh well. That’s too

bad…”

Listening to Allen grumble, I looked back through my memories. Since when had I known what she was? It was quite a long time ago, but when I became convinced was clear.

“The train going to Bercht. It was then.”

“…?”

Then, Allen’s eyes widened.

“Since the train…?”

“Yeah.”

“Then, why…?”

Was it earlier than she expected? Allen looked down. After a moment of silence, she smiled a little.

“…Is that so? Anyway, it was fun, thanks to the Professor. It was an honor to be with Lord Yukline.”

The moment Allen smiled radiantly, I sensed a very small gap. At that moment, I moved my fingers.

“It feels like my experiences with the Professor will become part of history….”

With the momentum gained by putting my fingers together… I flicked her forehead.

Bam—!

A light blow, but Allen faltered and backed off a step. She touched her forehead dumbfounded, feeling the red bump slowly rising.

“Oh…?”

She looked at me vacantly, searching for a reason why. She wore an expression like she had been betrayed by the world.

“Punishment for deceiving your superior. Take it nicely.”

“…”

Allen stood still, letting the hem of her robe be swept around by the winter wind.

“Pfft.”

Soon, she laughed.

“…Yes.”

I nodded. Then, I walked towards the barrier. I didn’t think we needed to speak further. If she were going to leave in the first place, I wouldn’t catch her.

“Uh, Professor.”

But Allen grabbed me.

“Goodbye.”

“…”

Snowflakes brush down past her shoulders, driven by the biting wind. I called out with a name that wasn’t real.

“Allen.”

“…Yes?”

“You may not know, but there are only a few people on this continent who make me feel like myself.”

Deculein would probably have just left now with no regrets, satisfied with leaving the death variable called Allen be.

“One of them is you.”

But I’m not Deculein. I am still Kim Woo-jin, and there are certainly people in this world who make me feel like I am Kim Woo-jin.

“Not the past you, but you. This fact won’t change even if you leave.”

Allen had no words, staring at me with her deer-like eyes.

“So, Allen.”

“…”

Allen nodded for me to continue.

“Have you learned a lot during this time?”

Allen nodded again.

“Was it fun being an Assistant Professor?”

Allen nodded. I put my hand on top of her head for a brief moment.

“Then, good job.”

“…”

Allen’s eyes shook, but I continued to say what I wanted to say.

“It was you, Allen, who saved me from Veron.”

She quickly bowed her head, hiding her face from me.

“Taking the life of the one who saved mine does not match the dignity of Yukline. Whether you’re here to keep an eye on me, whether you’re looking for a chance to kill me, it doesn’t even matter if you’re part of the Demon Blood, Allen. I’m just thankful.”

“…That’s not.”

Then, Allen shook her head. Not just once, but several times. I thought she was going to deny those achievements even in this situation.

“Ellie.”

“…”

My expression became rigid for a moment, and my heart grew cold. Thankfully, Allen was looking at the ground.

“My name is Ellie.”

She said so in a low, shy voice below the starless skies.

“Ellie.”

“Yes, I’m Ellie.”

“I’ll remember that.”

“…Yes. Don’t forget it.”

After saying so, Ellie pushed my back. Her hands were strong. Stumbling a couple of steps forward, I glanced back again.

“Then, goodbye.”

Ellie disappeared.

“Ellie…”

The field where she left was empty. It didn’t matter because I already knew that she was going to leave someday. I just looked up at the sky. Dark snow was falling around me.

I looked down at my hands.

“…Ellie.”

Ellie. A Named that I knew and one of the strongest in the continent. Someone with a sad past and an overwhelming history. At the same time, she was the user of the overwhelming attribute [Space and Sense]. Was such a person cleaning up after me?