Chapter 95.
Step—
Rustle—
Step—!
Rustle—!
STEP—!!
Rust—
“I said I won’t listen to you!”
“Whyyy—!”
Because it’s clearly going to be troublesome!
Because my instincts are screaming that getting involved would be disastrous!
This girl before me…
She gives off the vibe of an NPC with an impossible chain quest and maximum danger level.
An overwhelmingly strong feeling, as if the very energy of the universe was warning me.
So—
Step—!
Rustle—!
“Stop following me!”
“No! I’ll keep chasing you until you listen!”
Annoying!
This girl is seriously annoying!
Why won’t she just let me wake up already?
At this rate, it feels like we’ll be stuck in an endless chase within this dream.
Halt.
?
Surprisingly, it was Eve who stopped first.
Seeing this as my chance, I was about to make a break for it when—
Thud—
Eve suddenly sat down on the grass.
Without a word.
Like a toy that had run out of batteries.
Not moving an inch.
Just sitting there in the grass.
…What’s her deal?
“Why is she like this?”
And for some reason…
My feet refused to move.
Was it just pity for a crying girl?
Or was she preparing to transform into some grotesque monster like other ghost stories?
Maybe she had some other scheme…
I couldn’t tell.
There was no way to know.
Why did his sorrowful voice keep echoing in my head?
-It was an accident… She did nothing wrong!
That phrase wouldn’t leave my mind.
What was she so upset about?
Why did she sob as if it were her own pain?
‘This feels… uncomfortable.’
I stared at Eve sitting on the grass for a long time before.
Step—
Slowly walking toward her, I tried to keep my distance.
Staying cautious, I leaned forward slightly to listen to her muttering.
“…ould’ve…”
Was it because she was too far?
I couldn’t quite make out her words.
Curious about what she was saying, I leaned in closer—
Just as her voice became clear:
“I knew you’d come.”
Bam—!
‘THIS girl—!!’
Like a spring, Eve suddenly leaped up and tackled me.
Whump—
Unable to withstand her weight, I fell flat on the grass.
Having successfully caught me, Eve peeked out from under her red robe with sparkling eyes.
“You’re just like him, you can’t ignore someone in pain.”
“Huh?”
“If it bothers you that much… just hear me out. Isn’t that better than running around all day?”
“……”
“Haaah…”
A heavy sigh almost escaped my throat, but I barely managed to swallow it.
If it was just listening, maybe it wouldn’t be so bad…
Honestly, I didn’t have the energy to keep running anyway.
“…Fine. I’ll just listen.”
“Really? Yay!”
“Just listening, nothing more!”
“Who said otherwise?”
Pleased with my answer, Eve slowly climbed off me and knelt on the grass.
She looked ready to talk.
Sparkle, sparkle—
……
Her bright, eager eyes screamed, ‘Hurry up and ask!’.
As if waiting for me to start the conversation.
“…So, what did you want to say?”
My tone was completely flat.
Eve, hearing my voice, smiled warmly, the complete opposite of my expression.
“Such a good boy. You really are willing to listen.”
?
You’re the one who asked me to!
Confused by her words, I waited for her to continue.
Her languid voice finally flowed out:
“Can I… ask your name?”
……Ah.
I’d forgotten we hadn’t even exchanged names.
Only I knew hers.
“Park Yeon-jeong.”
“…Then I’ll call you Yeon-jeong.”
“Call me whatever.”
I didn’t care what she called me.
Eve continued.
“What I want to ask of you is……”
She paused.
What could she possibly be hesitating about?
I tensed slightly.
Her voice, when it finally came, carried a faint tremble.
“Just once… When I truly need it. Lend me your body just once.”
“……”
“……”
Rustle—
“…Yeon-jeong?”
I stood up, brushing grass off my pants, and replied coldly.
“Thanks for the chat.”
“Y-you’re really doing this?!”
“I said I’d only listen from the start.”
“How can you take at face value the story you told indirectly!”
“Sorry, I’m just blunt like that.”
I turned to leave.
“Yeon-jeong! Hey! Park Yeon-jeong!!”
Eve followed me again.
But this time, she didn’t grab or pressure me.
She just trailed behind me like a puppy.
Perhaps aware she was the one asking for a favor, she was more careful now.
Step—
Rustle—
Step—
Rustle—
…Déjà vu?
More importantly, when do I wake up?
“So stingy.”
?
Huh?
Can she hear my thoughts now?
But the thoughts kept coming, as if meant to be heard.
“If it were her, she’d have given me her liver and gallbladder by now.”
“……”
“How can you be so oblivious to a girl’s feelings?”
“……”
“…Wait! Could it be… you’re—”
SNAP—!
“Ow! Seriously!”
I stopped walking and snapped.
Just to be clear, I wasn’t provoked by her other remarks.
I just wanted to shut her up.
…Really!
“What do you want?! Why are you pestering me like this?!”
“Who else here can I ask besides you?!”
“……”
…Good point.
I was briefly speechless.
“…Still, no. Why would I lend you my body? I don’t even trust you.”
“You lent it to him without a second thought!”
“When did I ever……”
As I was about to retort, I remembered.
When facing the ‘Smiling Mask’, Noise had forcibly taken over my body.
“That was… unavoidable!”
It truly was.
It wasn’t a choice, more like my body was stolen.
Though it saved my life, I never wanted to experience that again.
That moment felt like Noise had taken complete control of my worst memory.
“Anyway, no means no.”
“…You’re so mean!”
Too bad.
I’m not a charity.
I’m not some justice-obsessed protagonist who risks their life for no gain.
Eve watched my retreating back, thinking hard, before suddenly:
“Fine!”
“Huh?”
“I’ll tell you his weakness… something only I know.”
“Weakness?”
Noise’s weakness?
Now that was interesting.
Instinctively, I leaned toward her.
My body was already primed to listen.
Eve also adopted a solemn tone, as if about to reveal a great secret.
“That girl is actually…”
“……”
“…very shy.”
“…………”
Step—
“Okay! Fine! It was just a joke!”
“…Last chance.”
Eve grabbed my sleeve desperately and continued, serious this time.
“his weakness… is me.”
“……”
“Saying it myself is a bit embarr—”
I stood up immediately.
Done with this conversation.
Eve grabbed me again in panic.
“I’m serious this time! I’m his only weakness!”
“Narcissism much? Or is it ‘princess syndrome’?”
“I know it’s hard to believe, but it’s true. I’m his only weakness.”
“……”
Should I believe this?
Many thoughts crossed my mind.
It sounded too absurd.
But…
Noise had shown uncharacteristic behavior whenever ‘Eve’ was mentioned.
If there was even a sliver of truth to this…
“…Proof.”
“Huh?”
“Show me proof. Solid evidence that you’re his weakness.”
I demanded undeniable proof from Eve.
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