Jinseong gazed intently at Iarin.
“Bluetooth magic.”
A classic expression of Iarin.
At the same time, it showcased her instincts that were faster than reason itself—intuitive yet insightful.
Perhaps it mirrored Iserin, who had the power to uncover others’ secrets.
Despite often seeming like opposites, this glimpse of her revealed that she, too, shared certain traits with Iserin. As if to prove they were sisters.
It could be that their similarities are like a reflection, emerging from being the most alike.
Humans grow influenced by their surroundings; they are like mirrors that reflect and project their environment.
So, perhaps Iserin and Iarin are growing in similar ways, like mirrors situated at opposite ends.
Maybe… just maybe.
However, this is merely a hypothesis.
In a twisted future of warped time, Iarin did not stand out significantly.
Unlike Iserin, who began to reveal her power to the world, Iarin had not gained fame.
Either she lacked the skill, or had the skill but found no opportunity to showcase it.
Or maybe she never thought to…
The details remain unclear.
After becoming a mercenary, she had not kept close contact with the Lee Yang-hoon family.
“How can one truly know another’s inner thoughts?”
If there were any reasons, Iarin would not be the type to reveal them.
Only someone with Iserin’s abilities could unearth that depth.
Even if it could be uncovered, she would likely respond with fiery anger, for it could act like a backlash, too… So, she probably refrained from using her powers to dig into her sister’s situation, and even if she found out, she likely wouldn’t speak of it to others.
In this world, perfect beings are a rarity.
Iarin, a trained warrior, appears tough and resilient outwardly.
Her unique fluid demeanor and instinctual way of living evoke thoughts of wild beasts, misleading one to think she has a strong heart.
But how could a flawless being possibly exist?
Even a Shaolin warrior struggles to possess both a powerful body and a strong mind.
How could Iarin, who relies on her instincts for growth, be any different?
Beneath her exterior, Iarin undeniably housed a softer side.
And perhaps it was that softness that ultimately prevented her from gaining recognition.
What could have stirred that delicate side?
What trials loom ahead in the twisted time yet to come?
Was it the tragic death of her friend, Ella, someone she was fond of?
The inner tempest no one knows about?
Or something even Jinseong is unaware of?
Unclear.
Time is warped, and now everything is buried in that distortion.
“Hmm? Older brother. Your gaze seems a bit lingering. Is the connection poor? Did the Bluetooth cut out?”
Iarin chuckled lightly at Jinseong’s staring at her and playfully punched his chest, not applying any real force—just a playful tap.
Then she said:
“Here, if a radio isn’t connecting well, you should give it a little tap like this. Is it working better now?”
Instinctively sensing that the Jinseong in front of her wasn’t the real Jinseong, Iarin assumed its nature was akin to an old radio.
Thus, she concluded that the odd behavior was due to a bad connection that could be fixed by a gentle poke.
“Hahaha. Well, looks like you two get along quite well.”
Jinseong couldn’t help but be reminded of someone when he saw Iarin like that.
His companion, who casually spouted 4th-dimensional phrases and draped herself in eccentricity.
Danbi—a nickname she was known by.
Anastasia.
Humans are creatures shaped by their environment, so it wasn’t surprising that Iarin’s behavior matched what one might expect from being close to Anastasia.
“Yeah? How could I not be close with someone so cute?”
Iarin immediately grasped Jinseong’s words and nodded in agreement.
“Well, thanks to that, I got scolded a bit. Told to be careful with my shenanigans. Didn’t they say you two shouldn’t be friends? That putting you together would result in multiplication rather than addition…”
“Oh really? Even if it’s a joke, you should’ve kept it moderate.”
“Well… this is a secret, you know…”
Iarin lowered her voice and leaned in close to Jinseong.
Then she whispered softly into his ear:
“Honestly, there are times when I can’t handle Asha’s energy. They say the stamina of a child is hard to bear, and I think that’s exactly what they meant.”
After saying that, Iarin pulled back from Jinseong.
With a playful expression on her face, she smiled—different from her usual grin.
It resembled the bright, slightly mischievous smiles Anastasia would typically wear.
Jinseong nodded at the sight of her.
As if he truly understood her words.
“Eh?”
Iarin tilted her head at Jinseong’s gestures.
It felt like more than just a customary nod; it seemed as though he genuinely empathized with her… almost like he understood her words.
But soon she dismissed it as just her imagination.
How could Jinseong know anything about Anastasia, or truly empathize with her affairs?
He wasn’t physically present, after all.
Thus, Iarin brushed aside the additional whisper her instincts were sending her.
Instead, she once again recalled the existence of the “gift.”
“Well, anyway. Give me my gift.”
The thought of the gift brought an instinctive feeling that it must be something extraordinary.
Almost like sensing it with a sixth sense, Iarin stretched out her hands toward Jinseong.
With both hands.
She extended her hands politely, gesturing for him to place the gift into her palms, looking into his eyes, silently pressing him to retrieve the item and bestow it upon her.
Under that silent pressure, Jinseong produced the gift.
A beautiful flower, in fact.
“Oh….”
The flower had an exquisite beauty that immediately evoked a gasp.
A subtly spreading, refreshing fragrance.
It felt alive with vitality, the delicate scent tickling the nose, bringing clarity to the mind, while the thin petals seemed to represent a work of art. One might even mistake it for an ice sculpture, intricately layered to form the shape of a flower.
But the way it shimmered as it swayed, and the unmistakable life force emanating from it indicated that it was neither a sculpture nor an artificially created item.
It was a self-blooming, fully alive flower.
Its name was Yixian Qinglian (Winged Cicada Lotus).
Once, before the rewind, it was something one could see occasionally.
But now, it was unknown even to mention its existence.
Jinseong gently placed the flower on Iarin’s hands.
“Wow… It’s so small and yet so beautiful. How fascinating….”
Iarin’s eyes lit up with wonder as she looked at the flower resting in her palm.
Its size was so small it could practically be swallowed whole.
Even smaller than the wraps at the three-layer pork restaurant she frequented…
Yet somehow, despite its smallness, it felt strangely substantial.
It felt as if something was tightly packed within the delicate flower petals.
It reminded her of the elixirs Lee Yang-hoon would collect for her…
But it felt like it was filled with something different, something other than energy.
She couldn’t quite put her finger on it, but it seemed good for her body, yet not quite as if it could be harmful.
“Older brother. This looks quite precious….”
Iarin realized that what Jinseong presented to her was of significant value.
Clearly, just by looking at its appearance, it seemed special…
Her instincts whispered that its beauty was so extraordinary, it could diminish anything less than it.
An elixir that was safe to consume!
An elixir with a reduced risk!
Just imagining it must have tremendous value!
Elixirs often come with risks.
There might be components that don’t suit one’s body or do not match with the martial arts being cultivated.
Of course, in modern times, with the ability to predict certain risks, it’s possible to regulate or refine elixirs to prevent serious issues… But nonetheless, the key point is that not all elixirs are beneficial to the body.
Yet what lay upon her hands seemed devoid of risks.
Incredibly so.
No, no, that’s not it.
“That’s not the case. I can obtain more of these in the future.”
“Even if you can get more… it still doesn’t seem to lose its value. Hmm. It seems like the most non-discriminating elixir I’ve seen… Wow, older brother, I’m going to enjoy this!”
Iarin clutched the flower tightly with both hands.
Then she winked at Jinseong.
With gratitude and a touch of shyness.
