/
However, Lackey was strangely docile. If it were the real Lackey, it would have bared its teeth as soon as Seo Dawon touched its body.
If I were to compare try and humanize the skeleton… I suppose it seemed more absent-minded than usual. Seeing its attitude, I definitely felt that the skeleton before me was a distinct ‘fake,’ separate from the original Lackey. However, when I saw it struggling with its hands reaching out towards me in a way that was similar to my precious servant, I felt some pity for the fake skeleton.
However, Seo Dawon coldly said, “We’ll probably need to destroy this.”
“Ah…Really? Can’t we just leave it?”
“Normally, these kinds of copies disappear automatically when discovered.”
“Uh….”
“However, this one’s still left behind.”
“Mmm… But, I’m saying this because I truly don’t know, but… If we just leave it…would that be dangerous?”
“I don’t know yet. However, this isn’t a normal situation. It’s better to eliminate sources of anxiety.”
I didn’t want to particularly harm the fake skeleton, but, because Seo Dawon had such a strong opinion, I stopped trying to hold Lackey’s outstretched hand. In this situation, Seo Dawon’s judgment would be better than mine, anyway… Though my heart was uncomfortable, it couldn’t be helped if the fake could possibly be dangerous.
However, when I held Lackey to ready it for disposal, I felt a certain presence behind us.
[It’s been a long time, guildmaster-nim]
There, behind us, was Choi Kyung-sik smiling at both of us with his hands in his gown’s pockets.
After Choi Kyungsik’s ambiguous greeting–was he truly welcoming or was he sarcastic?–Seo Dawon’s appearance began to change slowly. That is to say…he returned to his original form, shedding Bae Jaemin’s appearance.
Flippantly looking down at his body, Seo Dawon crossed his arms and adopted a placid expression rather than noting his physical change. He then asked Choi Kyung-sik, “Did you do all this to reject the contract?”
His question was incredibly straightforward. In addition, combined with his domineering expression, the Mage sounded like he was about to start a quarrel. However, Choi Kyung-sik faced Seo Dawon, smiled good-naturedly, and shook his head.
[Of course not. I definitely must sign that contract.]
“Then why have you dragged us along, taking your sweet time?”
[Haah. I’m sorry for that. I didn’t do that on purpose… I’ve lost track of time while exploring Choi Lee-kyung-ssi’s subconsciousness.]
“……”
At the sudden mention of my name, I opened my eyes wide and looked between the two guild members. However, before I could fully understand their conversation, the Mage’s body gradually became transparent. Startled, I rushed to his side.
However, for some reason, it was impossible to get within a meter radius of Seo Dawon. Just earlier we were close enough to hold hands, but now I couldn’t resist this illusory force field.
I reflexively looked at Choi Kyung-sik; he met my gaze and shrugged his shoulders.
[It’s incredibly nice to see him after so long, but… Guildmaster-nim is, at any rate, an uninvited guest here.]
“You… to Choi Lee-kyung…” Seo Dawon muttered.
[We’ll be there soon after this conversation is finished, so there’s no need to tremble with anxiety.]
Close to fully transparent now, Seo Dawon opened his mouth and said something, but I couldn’t fully hear what he said. Then, he was soon disconnected from this space.
After casually kicking Seo Dawon out of this ‘memory,’ Choi Kyung-sik took large strides to stand before me. Peering at me with shiny eyes from above his eyeglass frames, he looked at me as if he were observing something fascinating.
The Alchemist felt different from his cheery self from within the [Vengeful Ghost Memory]; tense with anxiety, I moved into a withdrawn posture. Smiling, Choi Kyung-sik continued to ask questions to my wary self.
[Actually, I’m a little skeptical of this contract. I’m unsure you’ll be able to endure and continue to proceed through these sorts of [Vengeful Ghost Memories] in the future.]
“……”
[You already look like you’re at your limits with mine… What are you getting out of this contract? If you continue like this, you’ll become an existence that’s neither dead nor alive.]
I could hardly understand what the Alchemist was saying, so I had no choice but to blink my eyes and continue to listen.
‘I’m reaching my limits? And what does he mean by an existence that’s neither dead nor alive?’
Choi Kyung-sik seemed to have noticed my confusion.
[It seems like you weren’t making informed decisions.]
“What… I don’t understand what you’re saying…”
[You’ve never thought about it?… How experiencing a dead person’s memories might affect you?]
Choi Kyung-sik’s words were like a sword piercing through my lungs.
However, though I was embarrassed by what he said, I immediately protested. Various thoughts–various excuses–piped up in my brain.
‘Why shouldn’t I experience the memories of the deceased? Am I behaving weirdly? Even though I’ve been hurt before, I’ve never once failed in signing the contract…’
Those excuses were probably why I could answer so quickly, even though, in reality, my thoughts were all jumbled up. “I-I’ve… never felt any discomfort. And, if something was wrong with me, Seo Dawon would take some sort of countermeasures…”
[So, it’ll be okay because guildmaster-nim is protecting you?]
However, Choi Kyung-sik threw back my words at me in an innocent tone.
[Do you really think that?]
“……”
[Do you think that the guildmaster-nim would have been ignorant all this while?]
“That’s…”
[If Guildmaster-nim knew and yet kept silent because it’s ‘not important for you to know’…]
“……”
[Wouldn’t you feel betrayed?]
Is this what it feels like to be suffocated? I stumbled like a fatally injured person; Choi Kyung-sik dragged me into his embrace as if to support me. However, before I could lean on him, he reached out both hands, pushing at my chest until I stood in place.
“…I don’t know why you would say that. Choi Kyung-sik-ssi… don’t you want to be revived, more than anyone else?” I tried to speak calmly, looking at his cold expression without avoiding his gaze. Choi Kyung-sik looked at me as if he were looking at a mysterious puzzle and slowly loosened the hold he had on my arm.
[Of course I want that. However, it’s unfortunate that you’re my only option.]
“……”
[This may sound harsh, but after we complete the contract, you and I will be in the same boat…]
“…..”
[I’m simply pointing this out because I’d rather not board a sinking ship. I have no personal feelings or grudges with you.]
After speaking, Choi Kyung-sik smiled; his eyes seemed to really convey that he was feeling no particularly salient emotions.
""
It was only then I got a glimpse of what kind of person Choi Kyung-sik was. Being able to get along with everyone–laugh with everyone–didn’t mean that he was actually close to those people. He was a man who always moved through life with a suitable mask–a smile on his lips–and maintained clear boundaries.
And, according to Choi Kyung-sik’s judgement, I was… a precarious person that may collapse at any moment.
So, I clenched my teeth and said, “Even if I were to become a lunatic… Seo Dawon would probably have expected that outcome. Then, he’ll search for another method on his own. Also, I haven’t fallen into madness yet.”
[……]
“More than anything, whether or not I’ll remain sane or go insane, you’ve already boarded this boat’s deck.”
[……]
“You’re the one who doesn’t have a choice–not me. I already have four servants; you’re merely an option for me.” I was careful not to cry, but, fortunately, I had no need to be so cautious. I felt like my temper was cooling rather than rising.
Choi Kyung-sik blinked at me a few times and then stroked his chin with a politely melancholic smile.
[I apologize, Choi Lee-kyung-ssi. It’s been a long time since I died, so I think my words are coming out rather aggressively.]
“……”
[However, I think I’m still a good ‘option,’ so let’s proceed with the contract. If you’re no longer angry at me, that is.]
He apologized very gently; both he and I knew it wasn’t a sincere apology.
""
However, I was in a position where I needed to accept his apology; the Alchemist bowed to me, as if he’d march along to my beat. Once again I clenched my teeth and manifested the [Vengeful Ghost Contract].