The World After the Bad Ending - Chapter 62



61 – The World Heading in an Unexpected Direction

Tap- Tap-

In a room where all the lights were off.

A man was seen staring at the monitor.

He looked at the monitor with annoyance and sighed.

Yet sometimes he laughed, as if something was so enjoyable.

I quietly watched the back of that man.

His right arm was horribly broken.

His expression was not normal either.

It was a symptom of facial paralysis.

‘He didn’t look like that back then.’

Maybe it’s because it’s a dream.

In my heart, I always thought of it as an arm and face that had already been broken long ago.

“Is that fun?”

I asked, opening my mouth without thinking.

The man stared at the screen for a moment before answering.

“It’s my favorite game.”

Hearing that, I smiled gently.

“Well, that’s good then.”

I still like this game.

Flash-

My eyes opened.

A ceiling came into view along with the sweat on my face.

‘…A hospital room?’

Realizing where I was, I let out a light breath.

‘Someone found me.’

I remember collapsing on the way up to the 4th floor of the labyrinth.

I had intended to regain my senses and return, but it seems I never managed to do so.

‘It was too dangerous.’

I had poured all my strength into breaking the dragon’s magic, but I should have saved at least enough energy to return.

‘I wasn’t as prepared as I thought.’

I blamed myself.

If I hadn’t been found, I would have died just like that.

‘Nikita.’

Did she reunite with Nia safely?

She might resent me for keeping Nia’s matter a secret.

‘And now that she knows I’m a Vicar.’

The man who liked her might feel bad about what he did.

‘I should have remained as Hanon as much as possible.’

I sighed inwardly, regretting my mistake.

‘Let’s assess the situation first.’

With that thought, I tried to get up from my seat.

“Huh?”

I belatedly realized that my body was being held by something.

Along with a strangely soft feeling, a sweet scent of roses was in the air.

When I turned my head to see what it was, there was a familiar face.

A long-haired cat with a decadent beauty.

This description suited her the best.

The third princess, Iris Hyserion.

She was holding me tightly.

“…Ah, Lady Iris?”

I called her name, filled with confusion.

“Mm.”

Iris only hugged me tighter, showing no intention of getting up.

Why is she sleeping with me in my hospital bed?

Unable to understand, I felt a gaze on the back of my head.

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The gaze was so intense that it felt like a burning pain.

Unable to resist, I slowly turned my head.

There was a girl with peach-colored hair.

Her eyes were twisted like those of a demon.

I knew well why her eyes were like that.

Hania Rapidia.

The daughter of the Imperial Knight Commander, she was one of those who loved Iris.

“You’re awake?”

Hania spoke with a smile.

That smile was so fierce that even I shrank back.

“…You can’t sleep forever.”

“I could put you to sleep forever, though.”

“No, thanks. I still have a lot to do.”

Hania snorted.

“So, can you explain the situation?”

I still couldn’t understand why Iris was lying in the hospital bed with me.

When I asked the question, Hania pulled her knees up and hugged them.

“The team that attempted the rescue on the fourth floor ice wall retrieved everyone who had collapsed as soon as the ice wall broke.

In the process, it was also discovered that Nikita Cynthia targeted Lady Iris.”

“Nikita senior, herself.”

“She disappeared. According to those who investigated, she failed the assassination and was ultimately devoured by the dragon’s magic.”

This wasn’t enough.

As I felt a sense of regret, Hania added further explanation.

“During that time, additional traces of the dragon’s magic dissipating were found, so although the body was not found, it was concluded that Nikita Cynthia is dead.”

Only then could I finally breathe a sigh of relief inwardly.

Fortunately, it seems that Nikita was concluded to have died in this incident.

‘Unbeknownst to me, the first prince must have made a move.’

It was highly likely that Nia had actively requested it.

“Nikita Cynthia, she’s alive, isn’t she.”

At that moment, Hania sharply pointed out.

My eyes slowly turned to Hania.

She stared straight at me.

Her eyes were filled with the will to punish lies and seek the truth.

Looking at this, I smiled faintly.

“Who knows.”

“Don’t smile at me like that with my face.”

Come to think of it, she still looked like Hania.

Since this was a private hospital room, Hania seemed to have removed her disguise as Hanon.

“I swore to eliminate anything that could harm Lady Iris.”

Hania took up the sword for Iris.

Her sword moved solely for Iris.

Nikita targeted the life of such Iris.

In fact, if I hadn’t been there, she could have taken Iris’s life.

“Hanon Airey.”

A sharp murderous intent emanated from Hania.

“Is Hanon an enemy of Lady Iris?”

After Nikita, it was now Hania who threatened my life.

I defended Nikita.

Hania, who is involved in this matter, is not unaware of this fact.

If I were an enemy, she would have to eliminate me.

“No.”

I have no intention of becoming an enemy of Iris.

Even if she plays the role of the boss in the final chapter.

I will save her on behalf of Lucas.

Hania was silent for a moment after hearing my firm answer.

Then she let out a breath and withdrew her killing intent.

“Then that’s fine.”

Surprisingly, she understood easily.

“Don’t misunderstand. It’s not because I trust Hanon.”

Hania’s eyes fell on Iris.

“Lady Iris is extremely sensitive. She never shows weakness in front of someone who harbors hostility towards her.”

I agree with that.

Iris always presented a perfect image to others.

But now, the Iris behind me was so drowsy that she didn’t even think of getting up.

“But she shows that side to Hanon. It’s proof that Lady Iris doesn’t feel any hostility from Hanon.”

Iris, who is imbued with the power of the evil spirit.

She must be more sensitive to hostility and malice than anyone else.

Hania’s judgment was certainly correct.

“Even considering that, this scene is…”

Crunch-

Hania’s teeth ground as if they were about to break.

“It’s hard to understand.”

Looking at me in Iris’s arms, she struggled to suppress her anger.

Don’t be angry.

It’s scary.

“It’s inevitable. I don’t even know why I’m in this situation myself.”

“Iris said she liked hugging Hannon because he was warm.”

It wasn’t like she was hugging a dog because it had a high body temperature.

I was dumbfounded.

But I roughly understood the reason.

‘The steel skin that absorbed the flame of fire remained in the process of becoming a steel body.’

The steel skin had absorbed the flame of fire for quite a long time.

It had the characteristic of emitting heat to prevent melting.

But the flame of fire penetrated even this characteristic and deeply embedded itself in my body.

So the heat of the flame of fire was flowing throughout my body.

‘It’s good for suppressing the remnants of the ancient dragon.’

The remnants of the ancient dragon had seeped into my body.

Moreover, since it had already awakened once with the remnants of the ancient dragon, it would move to devour me someday.

For the time being, it would be effective in suppressing it.

“So, stay like that until Iris wakes up.”

It was like being told to act as a heater.

“It’s been a while since she slept so comfortably.”

Hania looked at Iris with pity.

Hania was the one who had watched Iris struggle with nightmares the longest.

So she could do anything if it meant Iris could sleep comfortably.

I also knew that Iris had suffered from sleep in the demon palace.

I had no choice but to stay still until Iris woke up.

Anyway, Iris couldn’t sleep long because of the nightmares.

It wouldn’t take long for her to wake up.

“By the way, Hannon and I have one problem to solve.”

“What problem?”

Was there still a problem left?

When I showed my doubt, Hania smiled brightly.

“Well, the two of us are now dating, aren’t we?”

Ah.

“Wasn’t that just an act in front of Associate Professor Barkov?”

“Yes, that should do it.”

Hania smiled brightly, resting her chin on her knees.

There was a considerable amount of irritation in that smile.

“Until Associate Professor Barkov spreads rumors everywhere.”

I roughly guessed what had happened.

Barkov, that b*stard.

He really screwed us over.

“So.”

“Now that the rumors are out, there are more eyes on us. It’s better to act for a while. Anyway, rumors only shine for a moment, and as time passes, they naturally get buried. Let’s say we broke up then.”

“Barkov is causing trouble for many people.”

I had already decided to help Hania.

Hania and I were in the same martial arts department.

Acting wasn’t difficult as long as we coordinated with each other.

“Are you okay with the rumors?”

The rumors involving me were all bad.

My skills were somewhat recognized now, but most people in the martial arts department still looked at me unfavorably.

Especially in the magic department, I had become a sworn enemy.

If Hania associated with me, her reputation would also suffer.

“Rumors related to Hanon? I don’t care. Hanon isn’t that kind of person anyway.”

“There’s quite a bit I’ve done to not be called that kind of person.”

I’ve clashed with Isabel more than once or twice.

“I’ll judge that with my own eyes.”

But Hania didn’t seem to care about such things.

“Rather than worrying about me, shouldn’t Hanon be more concerned?”

“Concerned about what?”

Hania smiled softly.

“There are many people in the academy who like me.”

It was a statement filled with immense confidence.

The problem is just as she said.

Hania has a magnetic pull that attracts people, regardless of age or gender.

There were quite a few who harbored feelings for her.

“I can’t guarantee where those people will go.”

“Is it that those who take a beauty must bear the weight?”

“…Pfft, yes, I am a beauty.”

Hania’s nose lifted slightly.

Regardless, I leaned my head back on the pillow.

‘Is it the second semester again after a few days of vacation?’

The first semester of the second year was full of twists and turns.

Now, thinking about the fourth act that would begin after this, I slowly closed my eyes.

Let’s rest enough to move forward into the fourth act.

And at that time, I didn’t know.

The contract couple with Hania for the time being.

It wasn’t just the people who liked Hania that were the problem.

* * *

Iris barely woke up.

I also safely returned to the dormitory, and a day passed.

This incident was so large in scale.

Even after returning to the dormitory, I had to sleep as if I had fainted.

And the next day.

“Ugh.”

I opened my eyes with pain in my right eye.

“Wangnon, what’s wrong?”

Card, who heard my groan, asked while yawning.

“Ah, it’s nothing.”

I quickly answered Card and hurried to the bathroom.

Then, I stopped as I was about to splash water on my throbbing eye.

In the mirror.

Something was wriggling and moving in my right pupil.

It was only a moment later that it became the eyes of a lizard, staring at me clearly.

My eyes widened.

That is the remnant of the ancient dragon I received from Nikita.

‘I knew the remnant of the ancient dragon had a will of its own.’

Even though the heat of the flame remained, I didn’t expect it to regain consciousness so quickly.

‘This is not good.’

I still haven’t found a way to deal with the remnant of the ancient dragon immediately.

If the remnant tries to take control, it will be troublesome.

‘If I want to deal with this right away.’

A person flashed through my mind.

As soon as she came to mind, I hurriedly changed my clothes.

If it’s the bandage of the veil, it can cover the remnant of the ancient dragon even if it activates.

After tightly covering my eyes, I went straight outside and headed towards the girls’ dormitory.

On the way.

The glances from the girls were piercing.

It’s not common for a male student to visit the girls’ dormitory in the morning.

Moreover, today is the first day of class after the summer palace.

Coming to the girls’ dormitory on such a day is no different from asking to go to school together.

But I didn’t care about such looks at all.

This level of shamelessness is now routine.

When I arrived at the entrance of the dormitory, I happened to find a maid sweeping the yard.

“Excuse me.”

“Yes, young master.”

As soon as the maid heard my call, she stopped sweeping and approached me.

“There’s someone I want to call.”

At that moment, the maid looked at my name tag and smiled brightly.

“Shall I call Miss Hania?”

For a moment, I wondered why Hania.

‘Come to think of it, Hania is my girlfriend.’

As expected, the maid is quick to catch on to rumors.

Academy students share all sorts of school stories with their close maids.

So, it’s safe to say that the maids know everything about the academy.

“No, not Hania, call Sharin Sazarith.”

“What?”

The maid’s eyes widened.

It was as if she was asking, “Why her?”

A man who recently got a girlfriend is asking for another girl.

It wasn’t strange to see it as odd.

“It’s urgent.”

The maid, with a blank face, soon nodded with a determined look.

“…Understood. I will ask Miss Sharin to come out as quietly as possible.

There are fewer people at the back door in the morning, so I will guide her there.”

It seems there’s been a misunderstanding.

As the maid left, she quietly whispered to herself, “A rogue of this era…”

I thought about correcting the misunderstanding.

But the situation is urgent.

I’ll do it later, and I went to the back door and waited quietly.

After a while, Sharin was dragged out by the maid.

Sharin, who is always weak in the morning, had a face full of sleep.

And she’s in her pajamas.

“Ugh, it’s hard to eat bread in the morning.”

Why does she treat people like bread shuttles?

I looked at Sharin with a bewildered face and met the maid’s expectant eyes.

I can’t talk recklessly about the remnants of the ancient dragon.

When I quietly signaled, she withdrew with a regretful look.

“Sharin.”

“Ugh.”

“We need to suppress the remnants of the ancient dragon. Can you help?”

“The remnants of the ancient dragon?”

“It’s the curse of the ancient dragon. It holds the magic of the ancient dragon.”

Sharin’s eyes, which had been drowsy, changed in an instant.

“…The magic of the ancient dragon, no. The location where the remnants of that ancient dragon manifested.”

“It’s the right eye.”

I removed the bandage from the veil.

Sharin grabbed my face firmly with both hands and stared intently at my right eye.

With her face close, I could distinctly sense Sharin’s unique scent.

Soon, Sharin’s pupils began to emit starlight as her Mirinae manifested.

After examining it for a while, she frowned.

“They said it’s the remnants of the ancient dragon. It’s certainly rough.”

“Do you think you can do something about it?”

“Who do you think I am?”

Sharin smiled faintly.

“I am Sharin Sajariss.”

Yes, just like the greatest magician I know.

“But it doesn’t seem like something that can be done overnight. It will take some time.”

“Can I ask you to do it?”

“Yes, I’m also interested in the magic of the ancient dragon. I think I’ll learn a lot by dissecting the remnants.”

Thank goodness.

As I barely sighed in relief, Sharin traced the area around my eye.

A slight starlight leaked from her grip.

“I’ll temporarily weaken its movement. Then, there will be no pain or visual restrictions.”

“Thank you. I’ll repay you next time.”

“Sure.”

After finishing her work, Sharin yawned long.

Then, she suddenly turned to me with a face that seemed to have remembered something.

“By the way, Hanon.”

“Yes?”

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“Isabel…”

“Sharin, you…”

At that moment, Sharin’s words were cut off by another voice.

“Ah.”

Sharin quietly made a sound.

As Sharin and I simultaneously turned our heads, there stood a woman with honey blonde hair like the sun.

For some reason, her eyes were wide open.

Sharin and I were almost face-to-face, dealing with the remnants of the ancient dragon.

It was a situation ripe for misunderstanding.

“…What are you two doing?”

Isabel Luna.

There was a strange anger in her eyes that I couldn’t understand.