Chapter 56

Chapter 56

“Ugh!”

Seora opened her eyes. Two wet eyes hurriedly looked around the room.

A dark room, a plush luxury bed, and even curtains covering the windows.

This was not her room. It was not Song Hanna’s house, which she moved to because she could hardly live in a place where the traces of her parents remained, nor the officetel she had lived in since she became an adult and became independent.

Hotel. Yes, it was the suite that she’d been living with Sung Jarim recently.

The fact was unbearably reassuring.

“Calm down.”

But her body was still shaking. Her parents’ graves, where flowers had been thrown, crossed her mind, and she closed her eyes again.

But she couldn’t come back to her senses. The past traumatic event repeated itself over and over again in her head.

‘I hope those kids grow up to be like their parents.’

‘If only they would awaken to an S-class and sacrifice for us.’

‘When do you awaken? When do you awaken? When do you awaken? When do you awaken? When do you awaken? Isn’t it time now?’

Tak, tak, tak. Auditory hallucinations like a broken cassette tape disturbed her ears.

Seora curled up, covering her ears tightly. Even though it wasn’t winter, she felt a chill. Even when she pulled the duvet and wrapped it around her, there was no warmth.

It’s going to be okay. I’ll be alright in no time. This, too, is just a nightmare that will eventually pass...

“Ah...”

A warm touch suddenly touched her cheek and hair when she was alone in her thoughts. The warm wind that resembled a hand opened her eyes.

[The system administrator whispers that it’ll be okay.]

What caught her eye was a system message, not a hand.

[The system administrator whispers that it’ll be okay.]

Even though it was just those words, she could feel a kind and gentle warmth somewhere.

[The system administrator whispers that it’ll be okay.]

A warm breeze still lingered near her hair as if comforting her, just like Song Hanna’s promise to protect her.

She felt like she was going to burst into tears suddenly. Not tears swept away by nightmares but tears of relief.

She bit her lips tightly and hugged her shoulders. Before she knew it, her hands had turned warm.

Even though the tremors had stopped, the system messages continued.

[The system administrator whispers that it’ll be okay.]

[The system administrator whispers that it’ll be okay.]

Until the sound of Seora’s breathing, which had been irregular, became completely even.

Until the precious contractor shook off the anguish and slept deeply.

[The system administrator whispers that it’ll be okay.]

The small starlight stayed by her side.

***

Clatter. Something small and hard touched her bare feet. Seora frowned.

What is this? Did I put some beads on the bed? No, I don’t have beads in the house in the first place.

But it’s weird. I think I’ve had similar thoughts before.

As soon as the thought went so far, she opened her eyes. Instead of a monotonous studio room with few ornaments, the view was filled with the most luxurious mansion she had ever seen. It seemed there were even more jewels than before.

“The day has come when I kick a jewel away in my life.”

<One has to do what the dream master wants to do. You don’t think it’s uncomfortable, do you?>

“I can’t speak informally when I see your face.”

The man laughed again as if he were having fun.

“Do you enjoy talking to me that much? I feel like I’m the only one who’s very proud to have made you laugh.”

<I don’t know. Aren’t you the one enjoying yourself?>

“Me?”

<You were very gloomy when you first came here. But you look like a flower in full bloom now.>

Seora licked her lips at the unexpected words.

Yeah, for a moment, I really forgot.

The day of Mom and Dad’s funeral. The day when my life was turned upside down at 10.

It’s such a terrible moment that I’ve never erased it from my mind.

“That’s right. That’s amazing. I never forgot.”

Numerous jewels rattled near her feet and a man who treated her more affectionately than when they first met.

All of that took her out of the swamp of melancholy.

“Did you prepare all these jewels?”

<Because there’s nothing good about the dream master being sad.>

Unlike before, this time, it was like he was drawing a line somehow. Seora’s nose wrinkled.

“I like you being friendly. Can’t you be friendly until the end? You said you’d do whatever I, the dream master, wanted. So be friendly to me.”

<Oh. You’ve suddenly become harsh.>

He slowly approached Seora, even as he spoke in embarrassment.

Expensive jewels were stomped by his feet, but he didn’t care. As if those gems held no importance.

However, when he stood before Seora, his movements changed cautiously. As if she were more important than the scattered jewels.

Why? Just because I’m the dream master?

<But I’ll listen to you because you want it to. I’ll always be friendly to you.>

“... Wait, wait. Those are very exciting and pleasant words, but why is your hand on my shoulder again?”

She had felt like she was fading away for a short time. Before she knew it, she opened her eyes wide to see the neat fingers on her shoulder.

She remembered the first time they met. This resolute hand had mercilessly pushed her back and woke her up then!

Seora hurriedly grabbed the man’s wrist, but it was already too late. He looked apologetic.

<Mm, I’m not lying. I will always be friendly to you. Always... That’s why you shouldn’t be here long. I don’t want to make you sad.>

“Again! You’re saying that again! This behavior of yours makes me sad!”

<I’m sorry, but it’s all for you, so please excuse me.>

There was no choice. Seora tightened her grip on the man’s hand. The twisted wrist must hurt, but the man didn’t shake. Instead, he pulled the caught arm toward himself. As soon as Seora opened her eyes wide, their bodies touched each other gently.

Even though she couldn’t feel his body temperature because it was a dream, her ears were strangely hot as she felt his smooth chin.

<It’s okay. Don’t be afraid. Because you have power now. The same thing won’t happen again.>

“What...?”

The conversation ended there. The man pushed her before she lost her strength at the soothing whispers.

<Good-bye, my...>

The man’s face, gradually moving away, disappeared completely with a splashing sound. Seora’s body, which had fallen into the sea of jewels, slowly sank into the depths.