"Let me introduce myself formally. Nice to meet you. Kang Yuhyeon. I am Anna Croft."
"…As you said, I am Kang Yuhyeon. I cannot say I'm pleased to meet you. Who are you? Who are you to know me?"
"Because I am someone who knows your future, or past."
"Future? Past? What does that mean…."
A woman lining up meaningful words with a faint smile.
I remained silent for a moment at her words, continuing my thoughts, but soon I threw a guess.
"Are you perhaps a Prophet?"
Then, she nods slightly as if my guess is correct.
"Kang Yuhyeon. I will get straight to the point. Won't you join hands with me?"
"I refuse."
"Even though it might be a proposal you would find quite interesting?"
"What does that mean."
"I cannot tell you everything. Because we are not in a cooperative relationship yet, I cannot reveal my hand, right?"
"…."
She smiles faintly as if she knew from the beginning that I would refuse.
I stare into her eyes intently.
A strange feeling of familiarity despite definitely meeting for the first time today.
Frowning at such an unpleasant sensation, I continued speaking again.
"It seems you didn't make that offer only to me."
"Right. Because the more forces, the better."
"Then I should refuse even more. Because there might be bastards mixed in those forces who might hold me back."
"There might be people who can be helpful to you too, right? Like me."
"You? How?"
"For example…, with my Future Sight, I might be able to help solve your next scenario."
"You don't seem to be Korean."
"That won't be a problem. When the 10th scenario ends, Seoul Dome will be liberated, and travel to other Domes will be free."
"…."
Prophet.
Since being able to see the future itself is a tremendous ability, she certainly might be able to give me various help.
But, I know.
"You keep humoring me and talking plausibly, but what is your real goal?"
That guys called Prophets are all twisted inside and shady behind.
As seen from Han Sooyoung and Kim Dokja alone.
-Thud, thud….
I spread Cursed Energy lightly to bind her, approached slowly, and looked down at her.
She is a villain. An undoubted villain. I confirmed that from the first time I saw her…, but this was different from just random mob villains I had killed so far.
For example…, right. Yoo Joonghyuk. She is slightly similar to him. Feels like committing evil deeds for a great cause.
So I continue the conversation with her.
Whether that great cause is valuable. Whether I consider it meaningful enough.
"…Phew. Fine. If you are really curious, I will tell you. Instead, I cannot tell you now."
"…What does that mean."
At that moment, her eyes draw an arc, and her finger touches my mouth.
As if to say let's forbid further conversation, and promise to resolve the words that follow later.
[Starting 'Midday Tryst'.]
▶ [Anna Croft] has entered.
[Anna Croft]: Ah ah, can you hear me well?
Kang Yuhyeon: I hear you well.
Recalling the intention to agree in my mind as before, the Midday Tryst unfolds before my eyes.
The fact that she used this item on me…, probably means let's continue the words we couldn't finish at the Banquet.
Kang Yuhyeon: Anna Croft, I am curious about your real goal. For what reason did you approach me and propose companionship?
[Anna Croft]: Kang Yuhyeon, how do you think of…, this scenario. And the Constellations?
When I remained silent for a moment and didn't continue answering, she lays out her thoughts about it first.
And that thought is….
[Anna Croft]: I will clear all scenarios someday. And beyond that, make all Incarnations completely free from the gaze of Constellations, creating a world solely of Incarnations, for Incarnations, where only Incarnations exist.
She had thoughts roughly similar to mine.
[Anna Croft]: It is insufficient to oppose them right now…, but someday I will clear scenarios gradually, grow my strength, and bring them down. And I will ridicule them. Just as they ridicule Incarnations' stories as their entertainment now.
Kang Yuhyeon: You have set a grand and difficult-to-reach goal.
[Anna Croft]: That's why I need your help unconditionally.
Kang Yuhyeon: Why is that?
[Anna Croft]: Because you are strong, and you are hostile to existences called Constellations.
Since I am currently using the Midday Tryst, I couldn't see her face.
If we were actually talking face to face, she would definitely have said the last words with a face full of quite intense confidence and conviction.
At such imagination, I smirked and continued speaking.
Kang Yuhyeon: Do you have an overall plan.
[Anna Croft]: I cannot tell you easily. Since you haven't answered definitely that you will be with me yet.
Kang Yuhyeon: Do you have it but not telling me. Or are you just making excuses to escape this moment now?
[Anna Croft]: Think whatever makes you comfortable. So, what will you do? Will you join me?
Staring blankly at the screen at her urge, I soon give an answer.
Kang Yuhyeon: Good. I will consider it positively.
An answer on the quite positive side.
[Anna Croft]: …Unexpected. I thought you would definitely refuse.
Kang Yuhyeon: Did you wish for me to refuse?
[Anna Croft]: No. I assumed refusal, but didn't wish for it. Understood. Then…, after the 10th scenario ends, I will go pick you up.
Kang Yuhyeon: You personally?
[Anna Croft]: I will take a few companions. And those companions will be faces you know well.
Faces I know well….
Perhaps, Iris and Selena? I don't know how skilled those two are…, but seeing them appear at the Banquet, they must have some skill.
Kang Yuhyeon: 10th scenario…, understood. I will tell you when it ends.
[Anna Croft]: Then, I will look forward to that day.
After that, the conversation between me and Anna Croft is cut off.
Looking at the cut-off chat window for a moment, I detach my body from the wall again and head somewhere.
Since Shikigami and 「Shin Yoosung」 are still gathering Demon Species, it wasn't to absorb Demon Species.
Therefore, the reason I am moving is none other than….
-Thud.
"Yoo Joonghyuk."
"Kang Yuhyeon."
Because a new Incarnation finally set foot in this castle.
Sure enough. The owner of those footsteps was Yoo Joonghyuk. But….
"Oppa, that person is…, perhaps?"
Who is that girl holding his hand tightly?
"…Right. So step back, Yoo Mia."
At his words, the girl hiding behind his back and peeking her face out.
That girl strangely resembled that rotten guy. Black eyes, black hair, thick eyebrows, thin inner double eyelids, and although still young, having a sharp nose and jawline…, truly not just resembling but carbon copy level….
Wait, Yoo Joonghyuk…, definitely mentioned Yoo Mia?
"…You, had a younger sister too."
"Don't show interest. Or I'll kill you."
"Cannot help but show interest. Now that I know you have blood kin."
"…You bastard."
-Shing…!!
He draws his sword immediately and aims at me.
Fighting in this situation. Honestly, I didn't mind. No. Rather good.
When was the last time I fought this guy…. Definitely think it was at the subway station. Back then, it ended vaguely due to external intervention.
-Whooosh….
One defeat at first, and back then it would have been my victory if not for the intrusion midway, so the total record is 1 win 1 loss.
However, compared to back then, he. And I became considerably stronger, so neither can be sure of victory.
Therefore, my heart boils more, and the sensation of euphoria gradually wrapping around my body.
"…Oppa?"
"…."
However.
-Whooosh….
"If you want to fight, I will gladly accept…, but if not, I'll let it pass this time."
"…What?"
"That child behind you. Because she's bothersome. If I fight you with that child involved…, isn't it obvious you won't be able to fully commit to the fight?"
"…."
Then, Yoo Joonghyuk glares at me for a moment and soon withdraws his sword.
Only then did the brat behind him, convinced that a worrisome situation wouldn't happen, come forward again—
-Pull. Puuull.
—Ah?
"…?"
"Oppa is, a bit kinder than you look-yem."
At that moment, my brain circuit stops for a moment.
Indeed, being someone's sister, whether her liver is out of her belly (meaning bold/fearless), she pulled my clothes without a hint of fear and spoke to me, and what? What did she say I am?
"…Yoo Mia!"
"Different from what Oppa said-yem. Oppa told me Oppa was some crazy murderer psychopath."
"…."
Yoo Joonghyuk, this son of a b*tch.
Talking behind my back because he had nothing to do? To his younger sister at that?
Ha.
-Rustle, rustle….
"Eat this-yem."
"…What is this."
"It's candy-yem."
The brat rummaged through her pocket here and there and handed me candy.
…Along with the trash she ate and left. Even one of these was half-melted and sticky, wondering how long it had been in the pocket….
"…Yoo Joonghyuk."
"…What."
"Educate your younger sister properly."
"…."
"?"
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