My Demons - Chapter 234



Only Krnovel

My Villains Episode 234

48. Artist (1)

My fingertips were shaking.

I lightly patted Jiwon’s back. She was able to hide my trembling because she was also shaking her shoulders.

“Poy nix.”

It was Utequai’s voice.

“What is that child?”

This might sound obvious, but Jiwon and I spoke in Korean. So the other party members did not understand the situation.

W…Ugh W

……

I swallowed dry saliva for a moment.

Normally, I would have tried to explain it away with plausible words. But I couldn’t do that now. I didn’t want to lie in front of Jiwon.

“My nephew.”

“nephew?”

The group’s gaze turned to Hayla, my cousin and fiancée.

She was observing Jiwon with an expressionless face. When she saw Jiwon, a Korean girl, she would never have mistaken her for being a member of the Ssang royal family, but Heila could only remain silent.

At that time, Jiwon, who was in my arms, slightly put his head out and looked at the group.

“Oh, they’re uncle’s friends, right? “No, coworker?”

Well, that’s roughly it.”

“Hmm. I see.”

Jiwon, who was very shy, held the hem of my clothes tightly and looked at the group carefully.

“… … “It’s just like Halloween.”

I looked at the group’s exotic appearance and clothing with curious eyes, but the giant Utequia and the grumpy-looking Cole seemed a little reluctant and quickly turned their gaze towards the bundle. And her eyes were sparkling.

“oh my god. “That older sister looks like Gyuhwa.”

“Silicification?”

“Yes, Tukima Silicification. “If you squint your eyes, it really looks the same.”

Tukima? Oh, you’re talking about girl groups.

I think I’ve seen it on TV a few times, but I can’t remember the names of the members. Now that I think about it, it seems like there was a kid who looked like Mungchi.

“… … “Who is that sister?”

“Uh, um, my cousin. No, to be exact, it is Poynix’s cousin-”

“and. I guess you can’t fool genes after all. “It’s a complete masterpiece.”

Jiwon, who was making a fuss, made eye contact with Hayla and quickly hid himself in my arms.

“Ugh, it’s crazy. “I just made eye contact and my heart almost stopped.”

“… … Oba.”

“Can I take a picture?”

“picture?”

“huh. Are you saying you’re my uncle’s friend? no?”

While I was being taken aback by Jiwon’s unexpected request, I heard him lowering his weapon from behind. Although they can’t communicate, their guard seems to have eased as the petite girl is acting cute.

“uh? what?”

Jiwon Lee, who was looking through the pockets of her denim skirt and the hip bag with the sports brand logo on it, soon slumped her shoulders.

“Oh right. I lost my phone. “I forgot.”

“… … “Where did you lose it?”

“I don’t know, I don’t remember.”

He pouted his lips and looked up at me with a grumpy face.

“But, uncle.”

” huh?”

“I was worried because you fell into an unfamiliar world, but you’re really strong, aren’t you?”

“… … Good? who? I?”

“Yes, uncle. “When would you ever talk to those girls if you didn’t have an opportunity like this?”

“Hey, what are you saying like that? “What’s wrong with me?”

“Do I have to say that in words? “If you’re my uncle’s age, you should at least objectify yourself.”

“what?”

When I burst out laughing, Jiwon clicked his tongue and added advice with a serious expression.

“So, don’t just trust my face and be arrogant, but treat me well as if I could be your foot scrubber. Don’t be tricked. Anyway, Uncle Blood is stupid and not good at things like push and pull.”

“What is this nonsense all of a sudden?”

“Engrave it. “Because this is advice my uncle needs.”

“Ha, indeed.”

As I was stroking my hair in bewilderment, a question suddenly occurred to me.

“… … By the way, how did you know that I had fallen into another world?”

“uh? uh… …

Jiwon looked a little embarrassed at my question.

“Okay, I heard it.”

“To whom?”

“Oh, there is. it is a secret.”

As if trying to ignore my question, he grabbed my sleeve and started pulling me.

“Okay, let’s take a walk for the first time in a while. “Don’t just stand like this.” “Wait a minute, Jiwon.”

“Oh, quickly!” The guy used force and pulled me. But even if a small girl weighing less than 50 kilograms were to use her strength, how much would she use it?

“Ah, why is it so heavy? “A cow?”

After bickering for a while, he grabbed Jiwon’s shoulder and stopped him.

“Han Ji-won, wait a minute.”

“why? “Let’s just take a walk?”

Facing my nephew’s upset face, I hesitated for a moment before opening my mouth.

“I don’t have time for this now.”

“I have to go find someone.”

“••••••who?”

“colleague. “He’ll be waiting for me.”

When I pretended to have a stern expression, Ji-won bit her lower lip with a disappointed look in her eyes.

“… … I am?”

“what?”

“I am? It’s been 7 years, no, 8 years since we last met. “Can’t we talk for a moment?”

I took a deep breath to steady my weakening mind and moved my stiff jaw.

“… … “You’re not the real Jiwon.”

“what?”

“This is the Ji-won of my memories and dreams, not the real Han Ji-won.”

I kept my cool and spoke, but when I saw Jiwon’s stern face, the words came out without me even realizing it.

“I’m really sorry. But, I have work to do now.”

A memory creeps up on Ji-won’s sad expression.

A weekday amusement park, police line, women’s restroom, broken smartphone, upper part of the Han River, on-site inspection photos.

Memories that have become the deepest darkness in my heart.

Normally, just thinking about those things would have been so painful that I couldn’t even breathe. But now, only the memories were clear and the emotions were a little blurry. I don’t know why, but it was a fortunate thing.

“I’m sorry, it’s because of me that you…” … . “But, I have to go now.”

Obviously, my emotions are a bit blurry, but looking at Jiwon keeps making me feel uneasy. I picked up a few more words, but I can’t remember what I said.

It was then.

“Oh, stop it!”

Jiwon screamed and blocked me from talking. Then he placed both hands on his waist and frowned.

“How long are you going to be a jerk? “It wasn’t your uncle’s fault!”

“Jiwon,”

“I don’t really remember the last one anyway, so it wasn’t really scary. There is no limit now. “So,” Jiwon, who had said something incomprehensible, huffed and raised his voice again.

“So, it’s been a while since we last saw each other, so don’t talk about such depressing things!”

While he was yelling in frustration, a single sparkling tear rolled down his cheek.

“uh? “Miss, this is not like that.”

Jiwon, who was startled as if sparks were flying, hurriedly wiped his eyes with his hands.

“This is just because I’m annoyed. “My uncle is annoyed.”

“I don’t have any friends, let alone a girlfriend. After work, I just sit in the corner of my room and play games. I can’t sleep properly because of nightmares, so I always fall asleep at work, so I get scolded again. And then, and then it ended, and I was so, so annoyed-”

Jiwon, who had been crying and pouring out words, eventually burst into tears, saying ‘Eeeing’, and snuggled into my arms.

“… … “Jiwon.”

“I-I wish my uncle, *sniff*, wouldn’t have done that, but he, *sniff* just-”

As he himself ended his life at the young age of 16, he sympathizes with his uncle. As I remember, contrary to the nightmare, he was a really good kid.

I wanted to comfort him, but I couldn’t open my mouth. It felt like the emotions filling her throat were going to pour out.

So, that’s why I just patted Jiwon’s back in silence.

Jiwon cried for a long time in my arms, but after she stopped crying, she ran to the bathroom.

I waited quietly, wondering what was causing it, and the guy soon reappeared with a clean look on his face.

“… … “Have you fixed your makeup?”

“uh. why?”

“No, middle school students?”

“What am I, a middle school senior forever? “In terms of age, I’m already twenty-four!”

“OMG

■司三

… … Twenty-four-year-old Han Ji-won.

Then, you must have graduated from middle school as well as high school. I didn’t like the school uniform, saying the color wasn’t that good, but what was the high school uniform like?

“hey?”

After graduating from high school, you may have gone to college and enjoyed campus life, and you may have had a part-time job where you sang all the time.

And again… … .

“Hey, Seungsu Kim!”

“Uh, huh?”

“Have you been having gloomy thoughts again?”

“… … “No, no.”

Jiwon, who was looking at me with narrowed eyebrows, suddenly looked at my group and bit his lower lip.

“Ah, I’m embarrassed. “How can I do this in front of people I’ve never met before?”

The guy grumbled and then sighed deeply. It is a sigh that somehow feels relieved.

“Okay then, let’s go.”

” huh?”

“Let’s go. “I will guide you to the gateway.”

“••••..Gateway?”

“uh.”

“Are you talking about the passage? Looks like a black disk? “You call it a gateway?”

“…Huh?”

After hearing my question sound stupid for a moment, Jiwon immediately frowned.

“Whether it’s a gateway or a passage, what’s important about the name? Quickly follow me. “I heard someone is waiting.”

The guy who said that led me and my group to the second floor. Then I passed through the complicated road and got on the escalator.

After passing the third floor and reaching the fourth floor, Jiwon, who had been walking in silence, gradually slowed down.

“Jiwon?”

“… … I was confused for a moment. “This way.”

Perhaps because he was really confused about the path, he only stopped walking slowly after looking around most of the 4th floor.

“… … A Ferris wheel?”

The place where Jiwon stopped was in front of the Ferris wheel. In front of the Ferris wheel, the upper half of which protrudes onto the rooftop, allowing you to view the night view of the city.

Unlike other rides that operated alone, the Ferris wheel with the lights off did not move.

“hang on.”

Not long after Jiwon entered the control box, the power to the Ferris wheel came on.

“Hey.”

As the colorful lights turned on, Hayla and Moongchi’s eyes sparkled. Ute Kwai and Cole didn’t seem very perturbed, perhaps because they had already seen enough other rides.

At that time, Wu Tequai, who was quietly crossing his arms, suddenly spoke up.

“That kid. “Is this your nephew?”

“… … “Oh, right.”

“So, is this a place called ‘Earth’?”

“what’?”

When I turned around in surprise, the guy had the same expression on his face as usual.

“A powerful shaman distinguishes between truth and falsehood through conversation. Akanku Karamek, I believed you. It means what you say is true.”

A few months ago, there was a time when I told as many words as I could to deceive Akanku Karamek, a powerful soul shaman.

Karamek possessed a skill called ‘hyesan’, which allowed him to determine the truth of words. So I let my guard down by revealing that I am from Earth

As a result, he attacked Karamek and cut off his head.

I thought Ellen and Atalanta were the only ones who remembered the story I told Karamek back then, but it seems Utequwai was also paying attention.

“… … “You noticed it long ago.”

“It’s a story that’s hard to believe. “I found out for sure today.”

The conversation between Utequai and I suddenly started and Munch froze, Kol’s expression hardened, and Hayla blinked.

While I was unable to find anything to say, Ute Kwai asked a question.

“Since when?”

“••••••what?”

“It happened to you.”

I hesitated for a moment, then sighed and told the truth.

“Early May, around the time we arrive at South Harbor.”

“hmm. Right.”

Utekwai shook his head as if it were as expected and then closed his mouth.

When I took a quick look, the guy’s face was still grave.

There was no anger at being deceived by someone he considered a friend, no wariness or hostility toward extraterrestrial spirits, or shock at something unbelievable.

“… … Is that the end?”

“O huh?”

“Is that the end?”

“Is there anything else you need?”

“No, do you have anything else to ask?”

In response to my question, Utequai slightly narrowed his eyebrows and instead asked a question.

“What are you asking?”

“uh? That’s right… …

“I didn’t know you before that. So there is nothing to ask.”

… … Is it okay to be this cool? I feel like I’m freezing to death.

When Utekwai ended the conversation with the attitude that it was no big deal, Mungchi sighed and said, “Whew.” Kol closed his mouth as if he was thinking about something, and Hayla blinked with an incomprehensible expression on her face.

Coo thump.

As if to break the silence that had fallen on the group, the Ferris wheel with its flashing lights began to rotate.

“You just have to wait a little bit.”

Jiwon came out of the control box and looked up at the Ferris wheel as if assessing something.

“It will take about 3 minutes.”

“… … thank you.”

“Thank you.”

The guy smiled weakly and headed towards the empty passage. We arrived in front of the boarding gate when the Ferris wheels, each painted in a different color, were turning about 15 degrees.

Jiwon, who had a hard expression on his face as if wondering what he was thinking, opened his mouth.

“uncle.”

” huh?”

“When was the last time you and Mom and Dad had a fight in the early morning?”

“… … “Isn’t your brother-in-law the type of person to do that?”

When I was startled, Jiwon, who had stiffened, slumped his shoulders and narrowed his eyebrows as if he was pitiful.

“under. “Does that matter, mister?”

“O……”

“Of course your father is not that kind of person. “My mom was saying such strange things, so I held back and said a few words.”

“That’s right. Then why didn’t you sleep until dawn? Did I always say this? Go to bed early and early. “It’s already just a snot,”

“Oh, it’s because of my uncle!”

“me? why me’?”

“After entering college, you said you were busy and didn’t come visit me in the evening.”

“What does that matter?”

“When I was in elementary school, huh? Since I went out and had fun every evening, I slept well at night. But since my uncle went to college, I can’t sleep because he stays home at night.

“You didn’t come?”

Although it may seem absurd, it is quite persuasive.

Jiwon didn’t try to fire back any more, but instead looked at the Ferris wheel and stamped his feet.

“Ah, now is not the time to talk about this.”

“……2”

“Anyway, at that time, I heard what my mom said.” “What are you talking about?” The guy licked his lips with a complex expression of impatience and hesitation, and finally spoke.

“About my uncle.”

“••••••My story?”

“Mom said he was a stranger without a drop of blood.”

what?

at all. I was speechless at the unexpected story and just blinked.

“I said I brought enemies into the family because of my weak-hearted grandfather.”

“How do you know that?”

“I told you. “I heard a couple fighting.”

“Don’t talk nonsense!”

At my sudden shout, Jiwon gasped and took a step back, and the group also flinched.

“You, you are the support I created. “Ji-won has never said anything like this to me.”

“no.”

“… … No? what?”

“It’s not Han Ji-won you made, you stupid uncle. “Why, why are you yelling!” Jiwon, who was shrinking his body, closed his eyes tightly as if swallowing the overwhelming sorrow and continued speaking.

“I’m not the Han Ji-won that my uncle made, I’m just the Han Ji-won.”

“What is that, you, you-”

While I was stuttering, a yellow Ferris wheel entered the boarding gate. The door of the Ferris wheel was opened wide by me alone,

Ugh.

Inside, a black disk emerged.

As soon as a way out of the dream appeared, the world began to collapse.

Gugugugung-

The cityscape visible through the glass window in the distance turned into dust and crumbled away. Next was the ceiling with steel frames woven together like kites.

“I have to go now.”

“Wait a minute, Jiwon. Then you,”

“Go quickly, you idiot.”

Jiwon pushed my chest, shedding tears. Instead of being pushed away, I grabbed his arm and he started struggling.

“Phoenix!”

Cole, who was carrying an arrow in his hand, looked around with wary eyes and shouted.

“Something is strange!”

“… … “You think it’s strange?”

“Nothing came out!”

Before I could ask what that meant, Cole quickly continued explaining.

“Every dream in another world ends up encountering a blackened wall. “The wall disappeared and a person appeared, and you had to kill that person for a passage to appear!”

Indeed, it was so.

Soha in the suburban mansion, Heewon’s father and husband in the neighborhood where I lived, and the company commander and investigator at ASP.

In other words, there was a kind of ‘gatekeeper’ in each dream, and the black disk only appeared when the gatekeeper was cut down.

“••••••no way.”

Hayla, who was standing silently, moaned and muttered. Ute Kwai, Munchi, and Kol turned their heads to follow her.

“Voila.” Jiwon, who received attention from the group, smiled mischievously with his face covered in tears.

“I am the guardian of this dream.”

“Jiwon, that’s it.”

“It’s an order as a guardian. “Get out of here immediately.”

As soon as those words were finished, the wind that had destroyed the world gathered in the air and shot towards the group.

Utequai with his feet planted on the ground, Bundle flying wildly, Hela summoning a starlight shield, and Kol holding on to the railing with strong hands were swept away by the wind like a hollow ping-pong ball and were immediately eaten by the black disc. It ended.

“There was something I wanted to say, but couldn’t.”

Jiwon wiped her face with trembling hands, then looked up at me when she realized that she couldn’t stop the tears that had already burst.

“But everything is okay now. right?”

“Jiwon. “Han Ji-won.”

A small hand gently pushed my chest. I floated up as if gravity had disappeared and was sucked into the black disk.

At that last moment, Jiwon’s whisper passed by my ear.

Sadly, that last whisper was swallowed up by the roar of the world collapsing.