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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: bchen3
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That night.
-The subject’s unconscious state confirmed.
-The subject’s initiative has been transferred to [????’s shadow]!
-Checking synchronization rate with the subject.
-Current synchronization rate…… [14%]
-The synchronization rate is quite low!
-[????’s shadow] acts according to consciousness imbued with somewhat low discernment and partial memories!
-[Skills] imprinted on consciousness have been activated!
…
…
…
The shadow opened its eyes wide.
The moment it rose up.
Seurek-
An unknown object slid down from its abdomen.
“……?”
The shadow tilted its head and examined beneath the bed.
There lay a familiar notebook.
As it picked it up, it noticed that the edge of a specific page was folded prominently.
“Tsk.”
With a short click of the tongue, it casually opened the notebook.
Among the densely written memos, the moment it saw the first line.
“……!”
A vein bulged on the shadow’s forehead.
It was because of the content.
-Must answer. If you ignore this again, there will be no more cooperation with your duty.
A challenging nuance. This was more like a warning.
The shadow’s expression crumpled instantly.
Eventually, it checked the rest of the memo with a displeased expression.
There.
-The full story of the bet with Yoon Seolha
The content described the process of resolving Yoon Seolha’s trauma that he had requested, along with four questions.
His brow furrowed once more due to the considerable length.
But as he read on.
“……”
The shadow’s expression changed in a peculiar way.
After confirming all the content, the shadow unconsciously muttered with distinctive eyes.
“……I didn’t expect this to be resolved already.”
The bet was merely the foundation for resolving her trauma.
The original purpose lay in the wish.
It had resolved an issue that should have been addressed later, in a way that wasn’t even anticipated.
Although it was different from the plan, it certainly wasn’t bad.
No.
“Rather, it exceeded expectations……”
Therefore, the shadow changed its mind.
With a rather serious expression, it looked over the remaining memo, the questions directed at him, and then picked up a pen.
And then.
Scratch scratch-
It began writing a reply to the questions in earnest.
After writing all the answers for five minutes, it slowly got up.
No, just before getting up, it turned the page and added one more memo.
“……”
Only then did it rise from its seat.
Soon after, the shadow left the dormitory immediately.
*
The next morning.
As soon as I opened my eyes, I rushed to the desk in one breath.
After confirming that the notebook was open.
Smirk-
I slightly raised the corner of my mouth.
Below the four questions I had left for that guy last night before going to bed.
The space I had deliberately left empty was filled with the guy’s densely written replies.
“Hmm, let’s see.”
I examined the first question step by step.
1. Was resolving Yoon Seolha’s trauma planned? If not, what was the original plan?
-An unexpected development. Originally planned to achieve complete resolution only later based on the wish.
The moment I confirmed the first reply, my head naturally tilted.
‘……So even he didn’t expect it. But he says he planned to resolve it only later.’
How would he resolve it?
The specific details weren’t mentioned.
While the guy’s plans, and furthermore his identity, piqued my curiosity, I held back for now.
‘I already asked about his identity anyway.’
With that thought in mind, I moved on to the second one.
The moment I checked it.
“……!”
Goosebumps spread throughout my body.
2. The nature of the duty you possess, what is its ultimate purpose?
-To prepare for the coming upheaval.
Preparing for the coming upheaval.
This meant that the actions the guy had undertaken in the name of duty.
Their focus was not on the present, but on the future.
‘……Could it be that the guy already knows what will happen in the future?’
The moment I thought about it, I suddenly recalled what the instructor had muttered inadvertently before.
‘Future prediction, really……?’
Considering the unimplemented characteristic’s extraordinary ability, it wasn’t an outlandish idea.
However, there were some unclear aspects.
‘I’m not directly seeing the future. Can this even be called precognition?’
Assuming the guy’s answer was true, it was he who knew the future, not me.
So it’s hard to consider my unimplemented characteristic’s ability as ‘future prediction.’
Then what exactly is my unimplemented characteristic’s ability?
Also, what is the shadow’s identity that allows it to know the future?
‘……And what’s this upheaval? Does it mean some event will occur in the future?’
Amidst growing questions, I moved on to the third question.
3. Why is resolving her trauma related to your duty?
-Cracks in the heart are good prey for illusion (幻影) magic. This will make preparation for the upheaval difficult. Must be prevented.
This answer too was a puzzling content.
‘Illusion magic? Preparation for upheaval?’
I couldn’t make sense of either.
For illusion magic, I knew it was a branch of magic, but it was difficult to grasp the context.
On the other hand, for ‘upheaval,’ mentioned twice, I had no clue at all.
‘What on earth is this shadow……’
Swallowing dryly, I turned my attention to the last question.
The question about his identity.
4. What is your identity?
-A clear answer is impossible. Until now, my memory and consciousness remain incomplete.
After confirming this, somehow all strength left my body.
‘He says an answer is impossible.’
At first, I thought he was avoiding the answer.
But thinking carefully, I felt his words made sense.
‘If his memory and consciousness are incomplete, that matches why his actions have been gradually changing.’
From simple stat training to recently engaging in vocal conversations.
If the changes in his behavior stemmed from the gradual recovery of memory and consciousness, it doesn’t contradict his answer.
‘Moreover, the fact that he deliberately added “until now” suggests…’
Doesn’t it mean that someday he might fully recover his memories?
Perhaps when the time comes, I might hear about his identity.
I licked my lips and organized my thoughts.
‘If his memory is incomplete, it’s hard to consider it proper future prediction.’
His identity, specific information about the upheaval.
Additionally, why he stays with me.
It seemed still far off to resolve all these questions.
‘Should I be satisfied with this for now?’
Just as I was having that thought.
I suddenly noticed that the edge of the next page was folded.
‘Does he have more to say?’
I immediately turned the page.
Sure enough, there was a memo additionally left by him.
‘This is more like…’
It was closer to a message directed at me.
-The way you resolved the trauma was very impressive.
I think this will be more effective for her mental and physical stability than the original plan.
So I request your cooperation in fulfilling my duty from now on.
Of course I will give prior notice, but please note that my memory and consciousness are still incomplete.
I will continue to provide sufficient means.
The moment I confirmed all the content, a smile naturally arose.
‘Now we’re finally on equal footing.’
Although it wasn’t my intention, the problem was eventually solved and he acknowledged it.
As a result, he asked for cooperation rather than giving after-the-fact notifications.
‘Of course, I’ll still have to follow his duty.’
At the very least, I wouldn’t be swayed by his unilateral actions anymore.
Moreover, there were definitely advantages for me too.
‘By means, he means that, right?’
Mana breathing techniques, walking methods, etc.
From my perspective, this was something I couldn’t wish for more.
In the end, the relationship with him was simple.
He achieves his duty through me.
And I.
‘Take one step closer to my goal through him.’
Alignment of interests, a mutually beneficial relationship. That’s how it could be summarized.
I nodded with satisfaction and closed the notebook.
No, just before closing it, I noticed that the edge of the next page was folded.
‘Hm? Is there more message left?’
When I turned the page, I saw a postscript message left by him.
P.S. It seems only the finishing touch remains for her problem, so please take care of the follow-up too.
‘Follow-up, ah.’
A memory I had momentarily forgotten came back.
Just before leaving due to the initiative issue, she had declared.
That she would face her father squarely.
‘Only when the conversation successfully takes place can we say it’s truly resolved.’
The best scenario would be for the conversation to flow smoothly.
But it was also difficult to be entirely optimistic about the outcome.
‘Even if Yoon Seolha is fine, I have no way of knowing her father’s tendencies or situation.’
No matter how much I thought about it, no clear solution came to mind.
So I slightly shifted the direction of my thoughts.
‘If it’s about at least preventing Yoon Seolha’s wounds from worsening here, that is, avoiding the worst…’
There might be a way.
Anyway, borrowing the shadow’s words, as long as the cracks in the heart don’t widen.
He could completely resolve it later with the solution he has.
‘What would be the best approach?’
The last day of the week flew by with this concern.
*
The next day.
“This concludes the 6th period. Class A’s observation class will be held during the 7th period, so please proceed directly to the weapons training room……”
The 6th period ended with the instructions from the professor in charge of superhuman theory.
As I slowly got up, Lim Kangcheol latched onto me.
“Ilhan, did your parents come?”
“Just my father. What about you?”
“My grandfather probably won’t come.”
“Hmm.”
I was about to ask about his parents but stopped.
It felt like there was some circumstance.
“I’m going down right away, what about you?”
“Let’s go together! I’ll greet your father too!”
“Alright.”
So I headed to the weapons training room on the first floor, where the parents would be gathered, along with Lim Kangcheol.
There, I could easily find my father.
“Father.”
“Have you been well?”
“More or less.”
“You look it.”
While we were conversing indifferently as always.
“Hello! I am Ilhan’s friend, Lim Kangcheol-!”
Lim Kangcheol greeted with a loud voice and bowed at a right angle.
My father was silent for a moment due to his overwhelming presence.
Then slowly opened his mouth.
“A friend, you say?”
“Yes.”
“You’re big.”
“Yes, a bit.”
As I agreed quietly, Lim Kangcheol abruptly raised his upper body.
“Haha! Thank you for the compliment!”
“……”
While my father was dealing with Lim Kangcheol.
I looked around searching for one person.
‘There she is.’
None other than Yoon Seolha.
She was looking around as if searching for someone.
Then, as if she had found what she was looking for, she flinched slightly.
Following her gaze, I saw a middle-aged man who looked just like her, standing with a hardened expression.
After confirming that much.
“……Hm? Ilhan?”
I pulled on the sleeve of Lim Kangcheol, who was passionately telling my father about me.
Then I quietly opened my mouth.
“Do you remember the story about Yoon Seolha?”
“Hm? You mean about her father?”
“Yeah. Help me out.”
“Oh, just say it! What should I do?”
“After the observation class ends, if……”
I briefly explained the plan.
A plan to avoid at least the worst situation.
After hearing this, Lim Kangcheol gave me a thumbs up.
“That’s my specialty!”
…
…
…
An hour later.
“This concludes the 7th period virtual sparring class. From the 8th period, there will be parent-teacher meetings, so I hope you spend time with your parents during the break. That is all.”
The parent observation class ended with the instructor’s directive.
This meant that for Yoon Seolha, it was time to confront her father head-on.
She slightly raised her head and glanced at one person’s face.
Where her gaze fell was her father, whose appearance had changed in a way that was both familiar and unfamiliar.
“……Ah.”
Perhaps because of the passage of five years, a period that couldn’t be called short.
His face looked much more haggard, and his cheeks were sunken.
The moment she looked at him properly.
‘What words will he say……?’
Suddenly fear overwhelmed her.
Nevertheless, she endured it firmly and kept repeating to herself.
‘I need to apologize. And from now on, I’ll trust him.’
Like that, after advancing step by step, she finally faced him.
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