Chapter 356. Final Name (4) (1/2)
[Baal’s barrier]
Yi Yeonjun appeared out of nowhere like a ghost. I stood by Boss and looked at him. He was standing still about 20 steps away from us.
“…It’s been a while,” Yi Yeonjun said with a bitter smile.
I glanced at Boss. Despite her attempts to appear calm, I could see that she was having mixed emotions.
“….”
Boss stared at Yi Yeonjun without saying anything. Even though she already knew the truth about Yi Yeonjun, that he was the one who ruined her life, she couldn’t bring herself to hate him wholeheartedly.
And I knew where she was coming from. The two of them had spent 20 years of their lives together; of course, it was difficult for her to deny those two decades instantly.
“Boss.”
I placed my hand on Boss’s shoulder. She looked back at me. Her expression was still cold. Was it because she was trying to hide her feelings? Or perhaps it was because even she herself didn’t know how she felt right now.
“I’d like to talk to you about something,” Yi Yeonjun announced.
Boss turned her gaze back to Yi Yeonjun.
“What if we’re not interested in what you have to say~?” Jain asked, studying Boss’s face.
Jane changed the shape of her arm into that of a sickle. Now her arm looked just like ‘Kurukuru’s sickle.'
This was the secret technique Jain had developed in order to increase her physical strength. She named this technique [Monsterification]. It wasn’t a process of awakening per se, but an elaborate imitation of a humanoid monster’s body.
“…Move. You're not the one I’m interested in,” Yi Yeonjun replied flatly.
Jain said with a chuckle, “Well that’s obvious, but-”
“And it isn’t Byul either.”
“…?”
Jain frowned. She glanced at Boss first, and then at me.
A strange sensation engulfed me as I watched Yi Yeonjun.
“…You.”
Yi Yeonjun raised his arm and pointed at me. At that moment I realized that my sense of discomfort had resulted from Yi Yeonjun’s gaze.
The way he called Boss’s name at first was nothing but a distraction.
From the beginning, his eyes were directed solely at me.
“Kim Hajin. I’d like to speak with you.”
Boss couldn’t keep her calm any longer. Her face contorted with anger and she stretched her shadow towards Yi Yeonjun.
Whish—
A shrill sound pierced through the air. Yi Yeonjun didn’t dodge. He let her shadow penetrate his flesh and continued to speak.
“It’s important.”
“…You.”
Boss finally ran out of patience and stepped forward.
“Don’t you have anything to say to me…?” Boss asked in a trembling voice.
The volume of her voice was hardly consistent, and her words faded before reaching the end of her sentence.
Yi Yeonjun stared at Boss for a while and then shook his head. It was then that Boss’s distorted face straightened. She now appeared cold and even apathetic.
“Kim Hajin.” Yi Yeonjun called my name again.
“I really don’t feel like chatting with you.” I shook my head. I wasn't sure exactly what he was trying to do, but I didn’t plan on letting things go his way….
However.
When Yi Yeonjun said what he said next….
“What if I said it’s about your novel?”
My brain froze and my breathing stopped. I felt as if my heart had stopped beating.
Whish—!
A familiar sound rang out. Boss’s shadow had reached Yi Yeonjun again. This time, the shadow pierced the area near Yi Yeonjun’s clavicle.
“Boss.”
I stopped Boss and took a step forward. I wasn’t sure how Yi Yeonjun learned about the novel, but I knew that I had to keep his mouth shut.
“…Hajin.”
Boss grabbed me by the wrist. Her eyes were filled with anger and grief. Yi Yeonjun’s apathy infuriated her more than his betrayal itself.
“…I know.”
I looked Boss in the eye.
“I know what you’re trying to say. But please just give me a minute.”
Gently, I untied Boss’s hand around my wrist. Her heavy breathing soon subsided, and she put on the mask of nonchalance again.
“Thank you. It won’t take long,” I said to Boss and began walking towards Yi Yeonjun. Jain moved out of the way for me.
“…”
Yi Yeonjun stared at me with vacant eyes. His eyes were completely vacant. Perhaps there were days when those terrifying eyes sparkled with innocence; perhaps there was nothing in there, to even begin with.
When I came near, Yi Yeonjun spoke again.
“We need a private space, don’t you think?”
“…What?”
Suddenly the darkness under my feet soared and swallowed us both. The darkness formed a distinct space and I came face to face with Yi Yeonjun.
It was a barrier within a barrier, so to say.
**
[Baal’s barrier]
“Hmm? Kim Suho? And… Knight Commander Shin Jahyuk, you too?”
Tomer alternated her gaze between Kim Suho and Jin Sahyuk. Kim Suho studied Jin Sahyuk’s face. While Tomer seemed happy to see Jin Sahyuk, Jin Sahyuk looked rather uncomfortable, scratching the back of her neck awkwardly.
“….Ah, my apologies. Haha. I meant to say ‘former’ Knight Commander Shin Jahyuk.”
When Jin Sahyuk didn’t answer, Tomer corrected her mistake. Jin Sahyuk let out a dry cough and averted her eyes from Tomer.
“Hmm? ‘Former’ Knight Commander?”
Kim Suho turned his gaze to Jin Sahyuk. Former Knight Commander? So, did that mean Jin Sahyuk used to be Crevon’s Knight Commander? Jin Sahyuk, who would rather die than work for others?
“Ugh.”
Jin Sahyuk sighed and hinted at Kim Suho not to ask.
“Well… anyways.”
Not that any of that was important. Now was not the right time to indulge in Jin Sahyuk’s past.
“Let’s catch up later, because-”
But it turned out they had one more guest. Chwaaaaa—! The swirling wind cut off Kim Suho’s words, and soon a woman with long, blond hair appeared.
It was Rachel.
“Woah. Rachel, you were here too?”
Chae Nayun, who had been glaring at Jin Sahyuk this whole time, widened her eyes in surprise at the appearance of the unexpected guest.
“Ooh. Rachel! Long time no see!”
Tomer, who had already been acquainted with Rachel at Cube and worked with her in Crevon, welcomed the elementalist with open arms.
“…Yes, it’s good to see you again. Windy? Help them, please.”
Rachel greeted Tomer back with a rather solemn look, and blessed the crew with ‘Spirits’ Blessings’.
…It was then.
—————!
Baal roared as if he had been waiting for this moment. His roar was more than an echo; it was physically visible. Soon Baal’s demonic energy came barreling towards them like a tsunami.
KWAAAAA—!
The wave of demonic energy surged from all sides. Kim Suho grabbed Misteltein before the wave consumed him.