The Brightest Star in a Ruined World

[10]

Chapter 10: Obsidian Memories
[☆]

「 My love, look at me... 」

THAT voice again. Why? Why did she have to hear it now?

「 I love you too much... 」

"No. Please make it stop. Someone... please."

「 My love, if I were to give you a child, would you still run away from me? 」

"I don't want that!"

「 I hope it's a girl. I promise to love her the way I love you. 」

"Please don't..."

「 What did you do? What did you do to our child?! 」

"Shut up!"

「 My love, do you think you can threaten me with that knife? 」

"Hanbyeol!"

"Noona!"

"Hanbyeol-ssi, wake up!"

Seeing Park Hanbyeol with a face as if her whole life was devoid of meaning, Kim Dokja felt his heart aching. The surgeon was the only person left who was unable to break free from the 'Welcome Prison' and everyone began to feel anxious as seconds passed by without her waking up from the illusion.

「 Ha! You already know, right? That even in death, you are mine. 」

"Hanbyeol, wake up!"

"Hanbyeol-ssi!"

"Noona, it's just a dream! Don't do it!"

Everyone screamed in panic when they saw blood gushing out from the small cut on her neck where her scalpel was dangerously pressed against. Despite being in a delirious state, Park Hanbyeol was unconsciously aiming for her carotid artery — which if severed would then result in death in approximately 5 to 15 seconds.

"Die... I want to die..."

「 I'll gladly follow you to Hell where we could spend the rest of our afterlives loving and cursing one another... 」

"HANBYEOL! If you really want to die in the way that you like, stop and wake up this instant!"

The moment Kim Dokja uttered these words, Park Hanbyeol blinked once before opening her eyes to the sight of her companions glancing at her with evident concern on their faces.

"Wha-What happened? Where am I?" She asked, senses still muddled because of what she had seen.

What happened? Was that a dream? Or did she go back in time for a moment just to relive that terrible life?

+

[Welcome Prison]

A space where anyone were driven to madness by forcing them to relive their greatest trauma.

+

Those trapped in Welcome Prison would lose their minds and unleash their madness around them. However, Park Hanbyeol was an exception for instead of hurting her companions, she was trying to hurt herself.

"Whatever you saw, it wasn't real. It was only an illusion." Kim Dokja told her in a calm voice in order to assure her. "So please, put that blade away." He added while looking warily at her scalpel that was still being pressed precariously on her slender neck.

Park Hanbyeol was a bit stunned when she finally noticed the blade placed against her skin and the small cut brought by it. She then slowly lowered her hand with the scalpel and only did Kim Dokja and the others were able to let out a breath in relief.