Chapter 76

Kang Sejun brought Seora to Deoksugung Palace near City Hall.

The weather was sunny, with fluffy white clouds scattered across the sky. The cool autumn breeze carried the fragrant scent of flowers. The distant view of Deoksugung Palace, painted with exquisite detail, blended harmoniously with the tranquil atmosphere of autumn.

Why did everything feel so perfect? She felt something ominous for no reason.

“Here.”

Kang Sejun handed her a cup of coffee. Damn it. Even the taste of the coffee was perfect, making it even more frustrating.

Seora took a small sip and finally let out a sigh. “Hey, Kang Sejun. What did you want to talk about? Is it related to my L-class awakening?”

“Yes. Something like that. There are a few things I want to ask you, including that.”

She had known it would be something like this. Seora wanted to clarify things with the seven people who might have misunderstood something. Confession? What a load of nonsense. There has never been any romantic involvement between Kang Sejun and me!

“Then why are you being so vague and raising suspicions with your words?”

“Because I couldn’t say it directly. But what do you mean by suspicions? What suspicions?”

“…”

Was he seriously asking her that? But Kang Sejun genuinely seemed puzzled, tilting his head as if he didn’t understand.

This man, it’s not that he’s tactless. His love cells seem to have died. Considering he has died and been resurrected five times, it’s understandable. He’s always busy dealing with dungeons. When would he even find time to date?

Seora suddenly felt a wave of sympathy for him.

“… Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Oh, how was I looking at you?”

“Like you’re pitying me so much…”

“That’s just your perception. I would never think of you like that.” Seora smiled brightly. Unable to find any words, Kang Sejun finally fell silent.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

As their conversation faded, a peaceful silence settled between them. From a distance, people dressed in hanbok came to enjoy themselves, laughing and taking pictures. Not a single trace of worry marred their bright faces.

It was heartwarming to witness, and a smile formed on Seora’s lips. She understood moments like these drove everyone to risk their lives to protect the world. However, she was selfish and wouldn’t risk her life for others.

“Thank you for coming to Cheorwon,” Kang Sejun expressed his gratitude, as if he was thinking the same thing. Seora shrugged.

“I was supposed to come from the beginning. My resentment has been building up for 12 years.”

“Are you feeling better now?”

“Definitely. I can’t remember the last time I slept so peacefully. It feels great.” She felt a profound sense of comfort after shedding tears and speaking with the administrator. That night would likely remain etched in her memory forever.

“That’s good.”

“You didn’t bring me here just to tell me that, did you?”

“No.” However, he hesitated and licked his lips multiple times as if grappling with something.

‘It’s incredible how he’s struggling like this. Is he going to ask about the system administrator?’

Seora recalled what Baek Huiwon had mentioned the second time she visited Mount Taebaek.

She needed to act calm. She couldn’t reveal that she knew anything.

As Seora tried to ascertain if the title ‘A Thousand Masks’ held any significance, Kang Sejun finally spoke up. “Yun Jaeheon said he’s your brother.”

But this was something she had never considered.

“Yes, now you know everything. My mother is Hyeon Jaehui, and my brother is Yun Jaeheon.”

“Sigh, I can’t believe it’s true.”

“Why? What’s wrong with my mother and brother?”

“The problem is that I found out too late.”

What did he mean by “too late”? Seora’s expression hardened as she tilted her head.

Kang Sejun wasn’t just an ordinary Awakened. He was a regressor who had gone back in time five times and was now living his sixth life.

“Is something going to happen to you and the association’s president?”

“Stay calm. I’ll explain everything step by step.”

Seora took a deep breath, her voice involuntarily rising. She had a sinking feeling that this would be a grim story.

“Before we continue, let me ask you for a favor. Utilize your abilities.”

“Why?”

“Because your skill is related to space manipulation, I thought we could create a barrier to block our conversation from being heard outside.”

Huh? Block it from the outside? Seora, who had only considered her skill as an offensive ability, was taken aback by his words.

‘Liza, can I create a soundproof area with this?’

【Administrator: o(｡◕‿‿◕｡)o】

Oh, I see. If you can prevent enemies from escaping, you can also block sound from escaping.

“But it’s a weekday, and even though there aren’t many people, my red cube is quite noticeable. Can’t you cast a spell to block our voices?”

“It’s difficult. I’ll let you know when I open it up, so give it a try. I’ll use a trick to conceal your cube.”

Seora obediently activated her skill.

【Activating skill “Spatial Domination”!】

‘Ah, right. The skill got upgraded.’

Just like the change in skill name, the message that appeared afterwards had also transformed.

【A field has been generated in the designated area.】

【Current Domination Power: 100%】

The “domination power” was a new addition. Judging from the skill description, it seemed that the control power varied depending on the amount of magic power or the level of the monsters.

“Your rank has increased, and your skills have become more refined,” Kang Sejun remarked, using illusion magic to prevent anyone from sensing the cube’s presence. “It has become potent. It would be challenging to fully utilize my strength in this space. Spatial attribute users are truly overpowered.”

“Oh, really? Is it difficult even for an L-class? The word ‘domination’ isn’t used lightly, then.” If it could restrain the power of an L-class, it should be good for her to fight within the cube.“So why did you ask me to do this?”

“With my magic alone, it would be challenging to prevent any Entities from eavesdropping on our conversation. But I thought that with your ability to manipulate space itself, as the absolute ruler of this domain, you might be able to block them.”

“Entities? Why would someone be eavesdropping on us?”

“I know of one who would. I’ve encountered this Entity in my past five lives.”

Even though they were referred to as Entities and Stars, in the end, they were gods. Was he saying he had come face to face with such beings?

“Is that even possible?”

“I can’t disclose the details. I don’t know what kind of butterfly effect it might trigger.”

Seora had heard this on the first day she learned about Kang Sejun’s secret. Nobody knew what would change if he revealed too much about the future. Perhaps his current inability to speak was part of that precaution.

“I’ve mentioned before that I’ve never encountered you in my previous five lives.”

“I remember.”

“Perhaps during those times, you were truly…” Kang Sejun paused, and Seora seemed to understand what he was about to say.

“Dead?”

“…Yes.”

“Since you seem certain that I was dead, did you discover something?”

“Well…”

“Did my brother do something after my death?”

In order to seek revenge against Cheorwon’s Demonic Boss and protect his sister, Yun Jaeheon joined Athena at the young age of 20, honing his strength by braving only the most dangerous dungeons. Would he have taken the news of his sister’s death lightly? Wouldn’t he have been filled with anger?

“There was such upheaval, but I heard later that it was because of his sister’s death.”

I probably died there, in the Werewolf’s Dungeon. But why is it different this time? That’s the part that had been weighing on her mind.

‘Did the administrator offer me a contract only this time, or did I refuse it? I don’t know what changed.’

Seora gazed at the sky for a moment but decided not to inquire further about it. What mattered now was the present, not uncovering details about timelines she had no knowledge of whatsoever.

“But he wasn’t the only one.” As Kang Sejun added that, Seora nodded in understanding.

“The association’s president as well, right?”

“Describing it as ‘furious’ was an understatement. If I had known it was because of you, I would have advised you against engaging in risky endeavors. I wouldn’t have sent you to Mount Taebaek either.”

“Seong Jarim was there too. Besides, it’s not a particularly threatening place for me at the moment, is it?”

“Even so…” Kang Sejun sighed, running his hand over his face. A mix of weariness, sorrow, and anger was evident in his expression. “I implore you. Even though you’ve become an L-class, please refrain from reckless actions and be cautious. Sigh. Now I understand why Song Hanna did something so perilous.”

“Why? What did she do?”

Seora felt a shiver down her spine at Kang Sejun’s words. She could comprehend why Yun Jaeheon would be driven to extreme measures out of anger, but for Song Hanna to engage in something dangerous…

“Do you know why I asked you to create a space block while discussing this?”

“… Could it be that the eavesdropping Entity belongs to the association’s president?” Deoksugung Palace was situated close to the association, making it highly likely that the god always by Song Hanna’s side could overhear their conversation.

“Inform Song Hanna to be cautious of her Entity.” Her Entity was known to be excessively protective. “They’re dangerous. Perhaps she’s already aware.”

But Kang Sejun emphasized the need for caution because of their dangerous nature.

Seora’s face tensed up. Now that she thought of it, she knew nothing about her Entity. Everyone knew they were formidable, but nobody knew their abilities because Song Hanna had never properly disclosed them to anyone.

“What on earth did they do?”

“I can’t provide you with the specifics. After all, you’re alive now, and you’re not someone who can be easily tampered with.” As the greatest variable, she surpassed the S-class and became an L-class. There would likely never be a repetition of the tragedy from his previous five lives.

“It’s even more awkward when you speak so vaguely.”

“I can’t help it. There’s nothing positive to say about it, and I’d rather not bring it up.” Kang Sejun’s expression soured, as if the mere thought of it was troublesome.

Because of that, despite it being related to her family, Seora refrained from probing further. Yes, as he mentioned, it won’t happen again anyway, so perhaps it’s better not to know.

“Is that all you wanted to discuss?”

“Oh, no. I have one more question.”

“What is it?”

“Do you have any knowledge about the existence of system administrators?”

…

How many times has the topic of our conversation shifted without any indication?