1.
The first time I felt it was with Luna.
The moment I faced Luna, who was utterly dazed, someone whispered in a small voice.
【Please, take care of the members.】
At the time, I thought it was just an auditory hallucination, but this time, I heard it clearly.
【Once again, I ask you, Nahan.】
I realized immediately.
‘It’s Black Wolf.’
The voice, the way of speaking, even the trembling emotions carried by the words—it was unmistakably Black Wolf.
Nahan seized the opportunity and asked.
“Before asking me for anything, explain first. What exactly is going on?”
Why I transmigratted in this world, why I had an ability to save others that wasn’t in <Babylonia>, and above all, why it had to be me—
I had mountains of questions, but when Black Wolf spoke again, his tone was composed yet firm.
【I cannot explain yet. If we interfere with each other any more than this, we will both simply disappear into nothingness.】
“…What?”
【Wait. When the third skill is unlocked, I will explain at least a little.】
“Hah! As if I’d just do whatever you say.”
【Take care of Han-Ryang, and the others as well, Nahan.】
“I’m not done talking—”
【That’s all for now.】
That was the end of the conversation.
“Hey, oi, hello? Wow, this bastard just says what he wants and disappears?”
As soon as Black Wolf finished speaking, a new system window appeared before me.
【Main Scenario – <The Unredeemed> has begun. Would you like to proceed?】
【Accept / Reject.】
During Luna’s and Mother’s cases, I must have accepted without even noticing the prompt.
“…Damn it, so basically, I have to do whatever the system tells me until I meet him again.”
But even without Black Wolf’s request, Nahan had already decided to save them. With a deep sigh, he muttered,
“Yeah, they’re more important right now.”
Looking at the system window, Nahan instinctively understood.
If he accepted, he would be able to let Han-Ryang and Celosia reunite, even if only briefly—just like what happened with Luna.
Though he was irritated at Black Wolf for giving orders without explaining anything.
‘Ah… Even for just a single moment, Celosia… If I could see you again…’
Even so, he had no one to vent his frustration on.
“I think I can grant that wish.”
Without hesitation, Nahan pressed the accept button.
【Due to the contract between <Black Wolf (EX)> and <Aria (???)>, No. 3—<Han-Ryang (S)>’s lingering attachment has taken form in this world.】
【The one who was never saved—<Cheon Celosia (E)>—will briefly manifest in the present world.】
The world around him crumbled, reconstructing itself into the village where Han-Ryang and Celosia had once lived.
‘…I envy them.’
Even if it was only like this, they were getting a chance to settle what had ended in regret.
‘…One day.’
One day, would I be able to be saved as well?
If that day ever came—
‘Maybe… Just maybe, I could be a little… just a little bit happy…’
Leaving behind that newly bloomed regret—
“…A grown man, crying like this.”
“…My lady?”
Someone’s farewell had begun.
2.
The surroundings changed.
That warm place, the path he had once walked while whispering love with his lady—
The sudden shift in location startled Han-Ryang, but only for a moment. Instinctively, he lifted his head.
Step, Step, Step.
A sound of footsteps he could never forget.
“A grown man, crying like this.”
“……My lady?”
“I’ve missed you, Han-Ryang.”
Her mischievous smile, exactly as he remembered it—
“Ah, ahhh…!!”
Han-Ryang took heavy steps forward.
One step.
Two steps.
Three steps.
With each step, his regrets lightened, and with each step, the scent of warm plum blossoms grew stronger.
There was no doubt—it was truly his lady.
“My lady…!! Celosia, my lady…!!”
“Yes, Han-Ryang. Have you been well…”
Before she could finish her sentence—
Hug!
“…You’re still just as reckless.”
Han-Ryang pulled her into a tight hug, tears streaming down his face.
“I’ve missed you so… so much.”
“I’ve missed you too.”
“Every night, I prayed I could see you, even in my dreams.”
“My, you’re still so adorable.”
…Grip.
Afraid she might slip away,
Yet careful not to hurt her—
Han-Ryang held her delicately, as if she were a fragile jewel, and asked.
“Does this mean I have finally died?”
“Not yet.”
At that, Han-Ryang pulled back slightly, gazing down at her with a smile.
“In that case, I will die right now.”
He meant it.
Every moment he had lived without her had been filled with unbearable pain.
But Celosia’s expression turned stern.
“You’re just as foolish as ever.”
“Yes, I am a fool. That is why I need my wise lady.”
“…Han-Ryang.”
“I refuse.”
In all the years he had served his lady, had there ever been a time when he so blatantly defied her words?
But he had no other choice.
If he had never reunited with Celosia, it might have been different. However, having met her once again, Han-Ryang—
“Please… Please, my lady, just don’t tell me to leave you.”
He simply did not have the courage to return to a world without her.
Celosia knew that as well.
Just as Han-Ryang could not bear to leave her, she too did not want to part from him.
However—
【Time Remaining: 00:09:12】
When the ten minutes were up, they would have to part again, no matter what.
…Clench.
Forcing a smile, Celosia grasped Han-Ryang’s trembling hands tightly.
“Han-Ryang, do you remember the last words I whispered to you on the day I left your side?”
He probably didn’t.
If it was the Han-Ryang she knew, he wouldn’t have tried to die if he had truly remembered.
“……I am sorry.”
As expected, Han-Ryang had forgotten that moment. Celosia slowly opened her lips to speak.
“Do you remember my dream?”
“…Of course, my lady.”
“Then tell me—what was the dream I had pursued my entire life?”
Han-Ryang answered without hesitation.
“To help those in need, to listen to the grievances of the unjust, to feed the hungry. And in the end, to create a small village of your own, where the suffering could live in peace.”
“You are smart.”
That day had been just like today.
Even as she lay dying, cursed, Celosia had whispered to Han-Ryang the same way she did now.
“But I can no longer see, and now I can no longer fulfill that dream. So, I would like for you to accomplish all of it and then return to me.”
“My lady…”
“I told you before, didn’t I? I have always loved listening to your stories…”
Her words trailed off, flowing without coherence.
Just like back then.
【Time Remaining: 00:06:23】
Avoiding the approaching death, suppressing her own fears,
Praying desperately that this foolish yet beloved man would live on instead of dying.
“…So, you must…”
Celosia had spoken to him at length, reassuring him again and again, hoping to ease his sorrow.
So, it was clear.
‘I will once again fail to convince Han-Ryang, and in my fear, I will leave him behind. Then he will once again spend his life drowning in sorrow.’
A tragedy.
The worst part was knowing the ending and yet being unable to change it.
Watching all of this unfold, Nahan unknowingly muttered to himself—
“…You think you’re the only one suffering? While you’re clinging to your sadness, can’t you see Celosia holding back her tears for your sake? You idiot, time is running out…”
And those words—
“…!”
—Reached Han-Ryang directly.
“……Captain?”
Han-Ryang instinctively lifted his head, scanning his surroundings. But as before, only he and Celosia were there.
It was only then that Han-Ryang truly saw Celosia’s expression.
“…It’s all right, Han-Ryang. If you fulfill my dream… if you make my dream come true, then I will…”
A girl, swallowing her fear and sorrow, comforting another as if she were the older one.
‘I am still a fool.’
From the moment my lady took me in until now, I have not changed at all.
Finally realizing his mistake, Han-Ryang struck himself across the face.
Smack!
A chilling sound, as if bones had been broken.
“W-What are you doing?! Self-harm…?!”
Celosia, flustered, clenched her small fist to scold him, but the blow had already cleared Han-Ryang’s mind.
He gently took her hand in his.
Then, gazing into her precious, shimmering pink eyes with his own dark ones, he whispered—
“I will live.”
“…What?”
“As you said, I will fulfill your dream in your place. And in that land, the one you dreamed of, I will live peacefully and happily. Then, when the time comes for me to return to you, I will tell you everything.”
Celosia stared at Han-Ryang.
He was a foolish man. If he were lying, it would be obvious.
On the day she had first died, he had nodded and promised to live—
But in the end, it had been a lie.
However—
“…Really?”
“Yes, my lady.”
This time, it was real.
Drip.
The tears that had been held back finally spilled over.
More terrifying than facing death while blind was the thought of losing the one she loved.
And so, unable to lean on Han-Ryang, she had only comforted him in their final moments.
“This… This fool… Do you know how hard I tried…?”
“…I am sorry, my lady.”
“No… No, it’s all right. If you have resolved to live, then that is enough.”
Celosia barely managed to stop crying and checked the time.
【Time Remaining: 00:03:23】
Too short.
Far too short.
Just like before, her vision blurred, and a warm sensation wrapped around her entire body.
When this time is over—
Where will I go?
…Shiver.
Celosia discreetly hid her trembling white hands behind her back.
‘…If I can just endure for the remaining time. If I can smile and bid farewell to Han-Ryang.’
Then his heart would feel lighter.
‘…Yes. What matters now is not my sorrow or fear, which will soon fade away, but only Han-Ryang’s heart.’
With that resolve, Celosia lifted her head to reassure Han-Ryang, just as he had done for her—
…Pat.
A large, warm hand rested on top of her head.
“…What are you doing?”
“It’s all right, my lady.”
“All right? What do you mean?”
“You don’t have to suppress your feelings for my sake.”
Han-Ryang, who had finally come to terms with his emotions, wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her into a gentle embrace.
“…The child is pretending to be the adult now. I am truly fine—”
Her voice faltered, unfinished.
“Ah, that is… I… Han-Ryang…”
Tears flowed endlessly.
Her body trembled uncontrollably.
Her gaze, searching for Han-Ryang.
Seeing him standing firm and unwavering, Celosia whispered without realizing it—
“I am afraid.”
Afraid because she did not know where she would go once this time ended. Afraid because she could not even distinguish if this was death or something else.
“And it aches unbearably, so much that my heart feels like it’s being torn apart…!”
Because the thought of him no longer being by her side was too painful to bear.
But most of all—
“I resent everything.”
If only you had never left my side.
If only I had never been cursed.
If only there had been a way, any way—
“Then we wouldn’t have to part so sorrowfully like this.”
Celosia’s unfiltered regrets poured out toward Han-Ryang.
Yet Han-Ryang remained steadfast, smiling warmly as he comforted her.
He took all the blame upon himself.
Said it was never her fault.
Promised to set everything right.
Just as Celosia had once done for him, he held her tightly so she would not be afraid.
And so, Celosia cried for a long time.
She buried her face in his chest.
Placed a soft kiss on his lips.
And once again, they held each other close.
Then, inevitably—
【Time Remaining: 00:00:10】
The moment of parting arrived once more.
Han-Ryang, no longer trembling, gazed tenderly at Celosia and whispered.
“You, who are always enchanting, are my eternal and unchanging love.”
A single tear slipped down his cheek, defying the smile he barely managed to hold.
“…A man shouldn’t cry.”
Celosia gently wiped away his tear and whispered back to him—
“You, who are always captivating, are my eternal and unchanging love.”
Their lips met in a soft farewell.
【Time Remaining: 00:00:00】
Celosia Cheon, like flower petals, scattered into the air.
“I love you, Celosia.”
“I love you too, Han-Ryang.”
…Rustle.
At last, it was a complete farewell.
.
.
.
.
.
Once, when she was young, Celosia had told Han-Ryang the meaning of her name, taken from a flower—
“Remember this, Han-Ryang! And if you ever have someone you love, use this when you propose!”
“…Huh?”
“The flower meaning of Celosia is eternal love! Or unchanging love!”
And when the two meanings were combined—
“It means, eternal and unchanging love!”
