It was 3 PM.
Han Siyoung, Anna, and Isabella had arrived at the downtown area and were exploring various eateries.
"This is some delicious gourmet!"
This was Isabella's tenth remark, by the way.
"Scrumptious!"
Was it since 9 in the morning?
From that time onwards, Isabella had been making her way around ten restaurants, devouring all the food with an enormous appetite.
No matter how much larger the stomach of a superhuman was compared to an average person and how much more food they could consume, what she was doing was far from normal.
She would order three dishes from one restaurant and finish them off all by herself.
In response to this, Yoo Seolah looked at Isabella, seemingly familiar with her behavior, and asked, "Does the food suit your taste?"
"Yes! Since I don't know when I'll be back in Korea, I have to eat as much as I can!"
In contrast, Han Siyoung marveled at how all that food could fit into her small stomach. Moreover, she was already looking for another restaurant on her smartphone, presumably planning to eat more.
Responding to such curiosity, Isabella opened her mouth to explain, "Don't get me wrong, I don't usually eat this much."
"Is it because of your ability?"
"Huh? Oh! That's right. It's a side effect of my ability and my specialty magic, Enchant."
The characteristics of physical abilities vary depending on the ability. For instance, an ability user who can manipulate fire may have an advantage by developing a resistance to fire, but there are also cases where their ability can have drawbacks, like in Isabella's case.
"Well, I don't exactly see it as a drawback."
Saying that, Isabella glowed her eyes while holding the fork, apparently planning to eat more.
"Ah... I'm full."
After finishing all the food, she headed to a nearby park for a walk.
One of the three bodyguards was waiting at the hotel where Hajoon was staying, and the other two were secretly following and guarding the group from behind.
"Now that we've taken care of lunch, how about chicken for dinner?"
"I'm fine with that. What about you, Siyoung?"
Han Siyoung gave Yoo Seolah a strange look in response. Although Isabella's massive consumption had overshadowed it, Yoo Seolah's portion wasn't insignificant either.
It's possible that the side effects are similar since their abilities are used in similar ways. Yoo Seolah's ability had been heavily used before.
"So, what about you?"
With a smile, Isabella asked Han Siyoung.
Han Siyoung merely stared at Isabella with a plain expression and replied with a question unrelated to the topic.
"Why did you call me here?"
"Huh?"
"I don't see why there was a need to call me specifically."
Turning his head, Han Siyoung looked at the bodyguards following them secretly, keeping them protected.
They were superhumans with top-tier and high-tier abilities, judging from their ranks.
And Isabella, who understood Han Siyoung's words, wore a mysterious smile as she opened her mouth.
"Hehe, you've caught on? Yes. Those people you saw have skills that rank at least superior and above in hero ranking. As you guessed, honestly, there was no need for bodyguarding either you or Seolah, let alone that rude kid. I called Seolah now because there wouldn't be a chance otherwise, and you were simply called because I wanted to have a conversation."
At that, Han Siyoung's eyes slowly narrowed.
Towards such Han Siyoung, Isabella proposed.
"Well... The thing I want to say is simple. Won't you become my partner?"
"Partner?"
"Yes, right. You're well aware of my ability, aren't you?"
Enchant magic.
It was magic that enhanced all weapons including visual aids, but her ability had caused its power to grow further.
Her ability 'Inscription' was not only able to elevate the power of weapons but also the abilities of superhumans. This way, her magic evolved from simple enchantment magic to buff magic that enhances a superhuman's strength.
Of course, many villains have targeted her because of this.
"But annoyingly, I can't use this power on myself. Like how Seolah can't heal herself."
"........."
"So I've been looking for someone I can trust. Frankly, I can't trust someone hired with money. You never know when they'll betray you for money. Isn't that so?"
With those words, Isabella turned her head and looked at the bodyguard.
Whether she had some bad memories from the past, her voice had turned very cold. And Isabella, wearing a gentle smile again, looked at Han Siyoung.
Her words continued.
"So, I'm looking for a partner. It's like a symbiotic relationship, you see. I give strength to my partner, and they protect me. What do you say?"
To that proposal, Han Siyoung merely shook his head.
It was an offer that didn't even require consideration.
"I refuse."
"Hmm... Is that so? You're missing out on a chance to receive my buff magic for free for a lifetime, you know?"
At that, Han Siyoung's eyes sharply narrowed.
Han Siyoung spoke.
"Do you hope someone will protect you for a lifetime?"
".......What do you want to say?"
Despite Han Siyoung's words, Isabella was still smiling.
However, her voice was tinged with a touch of anger.
Han Siyoung continued his words.
"Haven't you thought about growing on your own?"
"Huh? Didn't you hear me just now? I can't use this power on myself."
"Is that the only way for you to become stronger?"
At that, her expression faltered.
She declared to Han Siyoung as if asserting.
"I've considered other methods. But my grandfather told me, I can't grow anymore."
"Why are you entrusting your potential to someone else?"
".......What?"
For the first time, Isabella was taken aback.
Isabella gazed at Han Siyoung.
In response, Han Siyoung lowered his head and spoke firmly.
"Even if the one saying it is a great hero, I will trust myself."
"What do you know-"
"My master also said the same thing to me."
".........."
Her expression was momentarily stunned at his words.
Yoo Seolah too, seemed to have lost her words as she looked at Han Siyoung.
There was only one person Han Siyoung could have referred to as his master.
The great hero, Sword King.........
"Let me ask you one thing."
Despite their reactions, Han Siyoung didn't falter and questioned Isabella.
"If you wish to be protected continuously."
And the words of Han Siyoung triggered ripples in the heart of Isabella.
"What would you do if someone dies protecting you?"
The time was 5 PM.
Isabella found herself sitting alone on a bench near the hotel, lost in deep thought.
Her mind was a whirlwind of conflicting emotions.
It wasn't like she had ever considered the possibilities Han Siyoung had suggested.
After all, her guardian until now had been her grandfather, a celebrated hero.
"Sigh..."
Isabella exhaled deeply, pulling herself up from the bench.
What would Seolah do if faced with such a situation?
The Seolah she knew was responsible. She would probably sacrifice herself to save others.
And what about me...
What would I do if such a situation came my way?
She couldn't even imagine, having never been in such a predicament.
Resuming her pace, she stepped into the elevator, ascending to the topmost floor of the hotel. Once she reached the VIP floor, open only to privileged guests, Isabella moved towards the restroom with slow, heavy steps.
"Ugh!"
She washed her face with cold water and looked at her reflection in the mirror.
Her face seemed unusually drained.
Smack! Smack! She slapped her cheeks, trying to pull herself together.
After all, sulking wouldn't solve anything.
Let's first tackle the dungeon attack scheduled for tomorrow, and then revisit these thoughts.
Just as she was about to return to her room,
"Huh?"
She felt something odd and stopped in her tracks.
A sense of unease.
The silence was eerily deafening.
She knew that there weren't many people staying on the VIP floor today, but this silence was unnatural. It felt as if no one else was there.
She composed herself and closed her eyes, concealing her startled reaction.
'...'
And then she sensed the magical energy around her.
The next moment,
Isabella felt an immense force of magical energy beneath her feet.
"Phew..."
Isabella took a deep breath, managing to keep calm.
She stepped out of the restroom nonchalantly, then,
Thud!!
She started sprinting.
A massive, undulating shadow began to chase Isabella, wrapping around her entire body in an instant.
"Argh! Who's...ugh-"
Isabella tried to scream, but the enveloping shadow reached her mouth and stifled her voice.
Despite that, Isabella struggled, trying to move.
She collapsed- as her body began to be sucked into the shadow.
'No, this can't be!'
Her eyes trembled in fear.
She quickly scanned her surroundings, her gaze landing on the room where Hajoon was staying.
He was the only person she could ask for help at this moment.
"Ugh!"
Isabella reached out with all her strength.
She slowly crawled towards the door of Hajoon's room. The shadow morphed into multiple tendrils, trying to pull her into its depths.
Despite everything, she mustered all her strength, inching closer to Hajoon's room.
Just as she was about to reach out to Hajoon's door, so close it was within her grasp, an abrupt memory of Han Siyoung's words sprung to mind.
-"What would you do if someone were to die protecting you?"
'.........'
The moment those words came to mind, Isabella relaxed all the tension in her body.
Having come to a realization, she regretted extending her hand and closed her eyes slowly as the shadow enveloped her.
The shadow that engulfed her entire form turned its gaze to the dormitory where Isabella had been heading.
It then slipped inside through a crack in the door, hugging the floor. There, a boy lay in bed with a tranquil face, snoring softly.
"Cough! Hack! Snore~"
A boy peacefully asleep, scratching his belly.
And the shadow, confirming the boy's face.
Immediately, a hand stretched out from within the shadow, gingerly taking out a pair of handcuffs made of black crystal and fastened them carefully around the boy's wrist.
Just as it was about to pull the boy into the shadow...
".......Huh?"
The boy opened his eyes.
'Why is he here right now?'
The moment Kim Hajoon opened his eyes, he activated Time Stop (SSS).
He contemplated the situation he found himself in.
'No matter how I see it, this is definitely his ability...'
The ability of Borhel, the leader of Barus, 'Shadow'.
The skill that allowed him to hide in the shadows or drag others into it.
It was an ability he knew well, having witnessed its use in the game to sneak into the hotel and attempt to abduct her.
The issue was why he had appeared today.
'Judging by the fact that the system alert didn't pop up, it doesn't seem to be a penalty...'
Wait, isn't it obvious?
The attack was originally scheduled for tomorrow night.
Of course, in the game, Isabella was due to arrive according to schedule, which was tomorrow.
However, because of Yoo Seolah, Isabella had moved her schedule forward, and it appeared that these guys had done the same.
'Well, more than that...'
Hajoon's gaze was directed at the shadow.
No matter how you look at it, it seemed this guy was in the midst of kidnapping him.
Looking at him pulling himself into the shadow, it was clear that the goal wasn't murder but kidnapping.
Hajoon, who had been blankly staring at the shadow for a while, thought.
'Um...'
Once he made his decision, Hajoon immediately lifted Time Stop (SSS).
He folded his hands neatly on his stomach and gently closed his eyes.
And slowly, the shadow engulfing Hajoon's entire body.
Borhel.
Although he could not see it, the corners of Hajoon's mouth were lifted in a smile.
Comments