saiki

85

Ch. 85 - Unexpected Event (1)
Edna cautiously walked through the narrow alley. She had hurriedly followed the trail to find Haewonryang, but the distance had become too far.

As the day of the Heavenly Spirit Tree's Ascension was slowly approaching, people were flocking to the inner perimeter of the Heavenly Spirit Tree, and there were hardly any signs of popularity on the outskirts.

As the chilly breeze blew in the alley, she let out a deep sigh.

"Why is he like that...?"

In the original novel, Haewonryang was like a main character in a boy's comic, who grew alongside Mayuseong.

But for some reason, the Haewonryang she directly encountered had a different vibe.

"Is it because of me...?"

If there was a difference from the original, it would be that Edna herself had a significant impact on Haewonryang.

Knowing that, a sense of guilt settled in her heart.

Although she had enthusiastically intervened in the original story line to try to prevent the destruction of the world, could it be that she was having a negative influence instead?

Such thoughts crossed her mind.

While she was wandering around like that for a while.

Eerie.

… Huh?

Suddenly, a shiver ran down her spine. Although it was not a familiar energy, she could realize what it was based on her instincts.

"This... Can't be true..."

Dark magic.

At that moment, someone behind her approached, making the sound of footsteps.

The boy had black hair with a hint of red and purple eyes.

He was wearing Stella's school uniform with cold-looking glasses resting on his nose.

The identity of that boy was none other than...

"Haewonryang...?"

And furthermore... Haewonryang was in a state where dark magic corruption was almost complete.

Their eyes met.

The reddened white sclera indicated that his sanity was almost gone, but he stood firmly on both feet, which proved that he had retained little intelligence, and silently observed Edna.

She spoke, tense as if speaking to a beast.

"... Calm down, Haewonryang."

"Calm down...?"

"Yeah. All the emotions and feelings you're experiencing aren't yours. You don't like losing to others, do you? You don't want to be influenced like that, right?"

Haewonryang didn't respond, and slowly approached her. But, the moment Edna showed a frightened expression and took a step back, Haewonryang paused.

He tilted his head.

He asked, "Why... are you running away?"

"Huh? Uh?"

It was just one step.

That step backward stimulated Haewonryang.

"Oh, crazy..."

To think that she would get scared and step back without even knowing his current state.

Edna quickly interjected.

"I didn't run away. I just..."

"Me..."