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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Cyno
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“Where do I even begin to untangle this mess…?”
Yoo So-eun’s face was twisted in distress. Uncomfortable for some reason, she rubbed her fingers together while staring in one direction—her legs slightly crossed, her body curled inward.
Her gaze was fixed on two figures engaged in a tense conversation: the memory-versions of Byeok-rak and herself.
“Madam.”
“…What is it?”
“If your husband had unavoidable circumstances…”
“…”
“If there were things he couldn’t tell you, things beyond his control…”
Watching their exchange, the present Yoo So-eun clutched at straws in desperation.
—Believe him… Please, just believe him…….
“I’ll… believe you…”
—Really? You’re really going to believe him?
“No… I’ll just forget. Everything you’ve done… I’ll pretend none of it ever happened……”
No, no…! That’s not believing him! You’re supposed to say you trust him!
“Su-a… She’s falling apart…… I can’t handle it alone……”
—You—! You’re just whining and clinging to him again! Stop it…! Just stop!!
Of course, the past Yoo So-eun continued to shatter her expectations—cruelly so.
No matter how much she screamed, the spectral Yoo So-eun couldn’t influence the memory-world.
In this space where only observation was permitted, she was powerless.
All she could do was watch.
—Shut your damn mouth…! You should be begging for forgiveness, not making excuses……!
“Then how could the child be fine?! Her parents are torn apart like this!!”
“…!”
“You know… For the past three years, Su-a’s been obsessed with martial arts… She has no friends……”
—What kind of man would take you back after you abandoned him, only to crawl back now for your daughter’s sake?
And to make it worse, Byeok-rak was innocent. He had lost his family despite committing no crime.
“…Fine. I’ll take Su-a and leave the Namgung family.”
“You’ve lost your mind.”
“I am out of my mind right now, but even if I weren’t, I’d make the same choice. What’s the point of wealth, status, or power…? Su-a is breaking apart……”
“Stop. That’s the worst possible choice.”
She understood why Byeok-rak pushed her away.
It was heartbreaking—but undeniably justified.
Looking back at her own actions, she couldn’t deny it.
But then—
—Why… won’t you just tell the truth?
He kept calling her a stranger.
What did stranger even mean? Someone with no ties, or someone whose ties had been severed?
If he resented being misunderstood, he could just reveal the truth. Even if it meant bloodshed, why did it matter?
—Why… won’t you just say it……?
If Byeok-rak had explained the truth about his regression, everything would have made sense. Why his love seemed to fade, why he was so distant, why his martial arts were unnaturally strong—all of it.
But he didn’t. Even while being betrayed and misunderstood.
—Don’t tell me… No, it can’t be.
Did he think being misunderstood was better than her dying?
Did he protect even the one who betrayed him? Was that the kind of man Byeok-rak was?
If so…
Then what did that make her?
A fool. A blind, ungrateful fool who let go of such a man.
—Ghk…!
“Haaah…… What do I do now……?”
“Then I’ll take my leave.”
“Y-You’re leaving?! No…! You can’t go like this……! When will I see you again……?!”
“That’s your problem.”
The memory-Byeok-rak turned and walked away.
Memory-Yoo So-eun collapsed to her knees, sobbing.
Present Yoo So-eun wept beside her.
—I’m sorry… I’m so, so sorry…….
“H-Hngk……”
—Hng… Hnggg……
“Hngk…… Don’t go…… Please… I’m begging you……”
—Hk… I’m sorry… I’m really, really sorry……
Hot tears streaked down her cheeks. Though the memory-world couldn’t physically affect her spectral form, she shivered as if freezing.
“…No. I have to take care of Su-a. At least her.”
Memory-Yoo So-eun’s eyes hardened with resolve.
Swish—!
She activated a movement technique and rushed forward, kneeling before Byeok-rak and pleading.
—Stop it… For god’s sake……!
“Sir, I—I beg of you…”
“Y-You loved me once, didn’t you? That wasn’t a lie, was it? Tell me it wasn’t.”
“I can forget everything… your affairs, your sins… No, I’ve already forgotten! I don’t know anything!”
Like tearing open an old wound, the raw scene forced itself before Yoo So-eun’s eyes.
She wanted to shut them tight—but didn’t.
Instead, clear, bloody tears fell. Tears of a heart torn apart.
—Stop! Please! Just stop!
—You can’t even see the truth… What are you glaring at with those stupid eyes……?
—Just… just apologize! Stop saying nonsense……!
The scene unfolded exactly as she remembered—tragically so.
—S-Sir, you’re angry… Please, read the mood……!
She begged, anxiously studying Byeok-rak’s expression.
As she feared, his face was terrifying.
Memory-Yoo So-eun, lost in her frenzy, didn’t notice—but the spectral Yoo So-eun did.
“Madam.”
“I’m sorry.”
“But you’re no longer in my heart.”
Thud.
Memory-Yoo So-eun froze like stone.
So did the spectral Yoo So-eun.
Even though she’d heard it before, the words were still unbearable.
“…Ah. Ah, ah……”
—Ugh… U-Uaaa……
Leaving those icy words behind, Byeok-rak turned and walked away—his face so ferocious it could be mistaken for an Asura’s.
The spectral Yoo So-eun followed him. Because what she wanted to see was him.
—Because of me… Sir’s emotions were disturbed again……
Every breath filled her with guilt. Byeok-rak’s rage felt like an unforgivable sin.
Even though it had happened so long ago.
—I made him uncomfortable again… What do I do……?
Thud, thud—
“…Pathetic bitch.”
Behind them, the past Yoo So-eun sat slumped, her eyes dead.
Of course, the spectral Yoo So-eun paid no attention to the wreckage of her past self. She focused only on Byeok-rak.
She had to. The moment she diverted her attention, self-loathing would surge like a tidal wave and drown her.
—What… What should I do…? How can I ever soothe his heart……?
She disgusted herself—but more than that, her guilt toward Byeok-rak was overwhelming.
Unlike Namgung So-so or Ok-hwa, who felt self-loathing for betraying their own principles, Yoo So-eun’s remorse was different.
—I’m so pathetic… Back then, now… I’ve always just dragged Sir down……
And unlike them, she now knew the truth of his regression.
That he had spent ten thousand years for her sake—only for her to cast him aside.
The guilt was beyond imagination.
—Sir fell apart because of me… and I can’t do anything for him……
Just as Byeok-rak had walked a fair distance—
—…Sir?
Amid her sobs, Yoo So-eun noticed something strange in his gait.
His steps were rough, irregular—a sign of inner turmoil.
At first, she thought it was anger toward her.
“Agh……!”
But when Byeok-rak stopped by a tree, gritting his teeth in pain, that thought vanished.
Wiping her tears, she hurried closer.
His face was turned downward, hidden from view.
—Sir…? What’s wrong…? Did I… do something again…?
Full of concern, she approached—
—and in that instant, his expression twisted.
As if finally releasing something long suppressed.
—S-Sir?
Her bloodshot eyes widened.
Unaware of her shock, Byeok-rak spoke in a trembling voice.
“Why… Why is everyone like this……?”
—Sir? Why… Why do you look like you’re about to cry…?
She couldn’t finish her thought.
Suddenly, a single tear fell from Byeok-rak’s smooth eyelid.
“Just… just be happy…… I finally made a world where you can live… Why is everyone throwing it away……?”
—S-Sir? What are you talking about…?
His frustration didn’t seem to stem from being unable to speak the truth.
To Yoo So-eun, who had known him for years (though barely a fraction of his lifespan), it looked different.
“…Damn it, did I go too easy on her……?”
—T-Too easy? Well… compared to your usual wrath, maybe…
Right now, Byeok-rak looked like someone forcing himself through an unbearable task.
He had pushed her away—but why?
Had he been restraining himself from tearing her apart?
A terrifying thought flashed through her mind—but she shook her head, remembering his words.
Then why was he suddenly crying?
Just as she wondered—
“Tch… Fuck. Fuck, fuck, fuck.”
—…Cheol-bin?
Aside from when he was expelled from the Namgung family, she had never heard Byeok-rak swear.
Why now?
“Fuck… Goddamn it……”
—Sir… What’s wrong…? Are you bottling something up again……?
As she took a worried step forward—
A grief-stricken whisper escaped his lips.
“So-eun… Please… Just……”
—My name…?
“Just…… Can’t you forget someone like me and live happily……?”
—……!
Her heart stopped.
At the same time, Byeok-rak’s grip tightened—shattering the tree.
—Sir…? What are you saying…?
—Don’t tell me… No, it can’t be……?
—Were you pushing me away for my sake?! No, right?! Answer me! That can’t be! No matter how kind you are, you wouldn’t…! I-I betrayed you! I’m the woman who betrayed you……!!
Byeok-rak’s lips parted slowly.
For the first time, Yoo So-eun was afraid of what her husband would say.
If she heard another word, the guilt might drown her.
Rustle—
Rip—!
Fortunately—or unfortunately—
Instead of speaking, Byeok-rak tore at his own chest, clawing through his clothes like a man possessed.
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