Kang Se-na’s house wasn’t very large, but it wasn’t small either.
It was decent enough for a single woman, equipped with two bedrooms and even a sizable bathtub in the bathroom.
“So you thought I was some kind of spoilt brat?”
“…Well, kind of….”
“You could say I’ve been lucky. Thanks to my father’s successful land deals before he passed away, I’ve been doing alright.”
Kang Se-na chuckled as she explained. However, her current attire was more casual than what I’d seen at the Management Bureau. She was wearing loose sleep pants and a tank top, topped by a light tracksuit that exposed her forehead freely.
Her makeup was entirely removed, but for me, I felt a deeper sense of warmth seeing her now in this more natural state, compared to her adorned appearance at the Management Bureau.
What’s more, Kang Se-na didn’t seem to have any second thoughts about inviting me into her home. As a man, I felt somewhat embarrassed, but considering the current situation, it couldn’t be helped.
“So, journalists have gathered in front of your house?”
“Yes.”
“It seems like the information might have leaked.”
Kang Se-na casually plopped down on the sofa and turned on the TV with the remote.
The screen showed the front of my house.
The news displayed my name in large letters, along with the title of “The First S-Rank Awakened One in the Republic of Korea.”
The sight made my head ache.
“Originally, the Management Bureau intended to keep the information about the S-Rank Awakened One, namely, Mr. Nam Joo-yeon, confidential.”
“Confidential?”
“Surely, I explained this kindly back at the Management Bureau. Looks like you forgot.”
Kang Se-na sighed and continued.
“Currently, Mr. Nam Joo-yeon is a person of interest. If the information leaks, various cities across Seoul—or even other countries—might try to recruit you. Overseas scouts will also likely try to approach you.”
Is it that serious?
I thought so at first but quickly realized the gravity of the situation. I had witnessed firsthand the overwhelming destructive power of Storm Dragon Tempestra. Moreover, the news about tens of millions, if not hundreds of millions, of casualties caused by calamities in other countries further emphasized the reality. In particular, I learned that the situation in China was dire, with three 4-Star Calamities wreaking havoc and causing immense casualties.
In such a grim scenario, the existence of an S-Rank Awakened One capable of handling 4-Star Calamities would indeed intrigue anyone.
“So, what should I do? It’s not sustainable to stay hidden, right? And I can’t even return home at this point.”
“Hmm, the best course for now would be to arrange a separate room for you at the Management Bureau… But judging from your expression, you’re not interested in that option.”
“Yes, somewhat.”
“Frankly, I agree with you. Things have reached this point, so the Management Bureau is likely to push Mr. Nam Joo-yeon as their representative. Also, as a woman with a weak heart, I don’t want to serve under a former boyfriend.”
“…”
I nearly spat out the water I was drinking.
Kang Se-na continued unaffected, her expression unchanged.
“Still, cultivating a friendship with an S-Rank Awakened One wouldn’t be bad, would it? Being lovers might be difficult, but being collaborators is acceptable, right?”
Kang Se-na turned her back to me and handed me something.
On closer inspection, it was a hotel card key.
“What is this?”
“I’ve booked you a room nearby. From tomorrow onwards, you’ll stay there.”
“A hotel?”
“To secure a residence through the Management Bureau as an S-Rank Awakened One, you’d have to go through procedures. Given that your information has already leaked, a safe house provided by the bureau would likely face the same problems. For now, it’s better to stay in a hotel. Once enough security personnel are in place, it won’t be too late to face the press.”
I stood there dumbfounded until Kang Se-na grabbed my hand irritably and passed the card key.
“Take it, stop hesitating.”
“…Yes.”
“We’re collaborators, after all. Your success will also help me throw this job away, right?”
Saying that, Kang Se-na opened a can of beer and began sipping it while eating beef jerky.
“…Hmm.”
I looked at the hotel card key in my hand and shrugged.
B-Rank Awakened One and Management Bureau employee, Kang Se-na.
It seemed she was not as bad as I thought.
“…By the way, Mr. Nam Joo-yean.”
“Yes.”
“…Am I really that unappealing to you?”
It seemed she still harbored some lingering resentment.
*
Storm Mirien, the tempest of the North Sea, was currently facing a dilemma.
“Should I kill them, or not?”
The crowd gathered in front of the domicile of Lord Actor.
These detestable beings clustered like moths around a fire, annoying Actor in the process.
Mirien considered whether she should personally bring down divine punishment on them for Actor’s sake.
The sole reason she hadn’t taken action was one:
‘Tempestra lost control to that extent?’
Storm Dragon Tempestra, under the auspices of Thunder’s Grace, had breathed its flames directly at Actor.
Had Actor not quickly noticed and evaded in time, Mirien would have nearly lost her most precious piece of life.
For two days, she had been anxiously worrying, wondering if Actor might have lost favor with her.
Now, Mirien believed it was time to step forward once again for Actor’s sake.
“…First, I need to clean up this mess… for Actor’s sake…”
As she muttered to herself, strengthening her resolve, Mirien sensed the presence of someone creeping up behind her.
“…Who’s there?”
“How pitiful. Is this the modest wish of the so-called great wizard?”
The sudden voice of an unwelcome visitor made her turn sharply, facing its source.
“Celene, I don’t recall inviting you.”
“Yes. I don’t recall being invited either.”
The Blackened Saint Selene.
A catastrophic force known for single-handedly setting continents ablaze.
A former comrade of Mirien and one of Lord Actor’s loyal retainers.
Their relationship, formed through having shared a common goal in the past, could never truly be described as amicable.
While both harbored feelings for Actor, their respective natures were diametrically opposed, leading to a deeper rift in their post-liberation era.
Furrows appeared on Mirien’s forehead.
“How did you get here?”
“I flew here. I’ve been learning levitation skills.”
Selene raised the hem of her draping nun’s habit.
“Pathetic. Anyway, why are you here?”
“I’m here to advise you, nothing more.”
“Advice? You dare offer advice to me, the dark enchantress who stole Lord Actor for herself?”
Mirien’s hostility became evident.
Selene, however, only stared at her with a calm gaze.
“Pity. It’s sad that an esteemed wizard like you fails to understand such fundamental truth.”
“…What nonsense are you spouting?”
“If you’re trying to approach the Lord out of fondness, I’m here to tell you that you need to back off.”
Selene’s proclamation jolted Mirien.
Never before had Selene been so explicit in voicing her stance.
Selene continued unperturbed.
“The Lord, now in human form, is undeniably frail—something I reluctantly acknowledge as a subordinate. Having lost divinity, he cannot withstand your affection. You, as someone who once led the world to ruin, someone who was a disaster in and of yourself without ever being human, cannot be near him any longer.”
Mirien frowned deeply.
“Are you saying… I might be harmful to Actor?”
“Of course. You’re a wizard responsible for world-ending calamities. You yourself are a catastrophe. Just a few days ago, you triggered Storm Dragon Tempestra’s fury, nearly causing severe harm to the Lord.”
“….”
At this remark, Mirien bit her lip.
She was well aware that she couldn’t feel or express typical human emotions. Yet, Selene pressed on gently.
“You are a calamity; the Lord is in no state to endure your affection. It is my duty as his subject to prioritize his safety. Hence, your presence is a significant threat to him.”
“…Are you… are you telling me to just leave?”
“Exactly. Stop your antics and go away, I say.”
Selene’s words caused an upheaval in the surrounding air.
Dark clouds gathered swiftly in the sky; thunder rumbled. Mirien’s eyes glowed with blue light, readying for retaliation, yet Selene merely closed one eye casually.
“…I’ve been ordered by the Lord not to fight you. If you attack and attempt to kill me while I’m vulnerable, you’ll lose his favor forever.”
“….”
At the mention of Lord Actor, Mirien’s trembling hand faltered.
The chaos of magic within her subsided.
Silence reigned as Selene reluctantly opened her eye, delivering an unavoidable truth.
“Besides, haven’t you been already… discarded?”
“….”
Discarded.
This was akin to sentencing her to death.
[A 5-star Storm Mirien has been terminated.]
[Y]
Memories of recent events involuntarily surfaced.
A truth she had chosen to deny and refuse to comprehend was forcefully reinstilled within her through Selene’s straightforward words.
“Not to mention, don’t you already know who stands by the Lord’s side now?”
Selene, with a smirk, placed her hand on her chest.
The charred skin under her palm gleamed scarlet beneath the sunlight.
“The Lord chose me. He desires not someone like you, laden with sordid attachment, but a loyal servant who would give their life for him.”
Selene’s words were cutting.
Contrary to her usual disposition, Mirien could do nothing but tremble, shoulders quaking.
“A… Actor saved me… gave me a new life! He gave me this heart!”
“Yes. That’s an indisputable fact. But did you know this?”
Selene twisted her lips into a smirk.
“The Lord always dealt with every calamity fairly. He bestowed me with elixirs, healed Carna’s illness, and helped Asteria regain her crown. Meaning, you were not the only one accorded special treatment.”
With Mirien rendered speechless, Selene glanced down at the ground before shrugging.
“Hmm, looks like the Lord is on the move. I will leave now.”
“….”
“Please remember well what I have said today. I believe with your sharp mind, you will understand best of all.”
Mirien could not utter a word before Selene disintegrated into particles and disappeared.
For a while, Mirien stared at the spot where Selene had been.
“Damn wretch, how could you dare…”
Her hostility faded as she collapsed, clutching her forehead in pain.
More than that, it was the artificial heart gifted by Actor that was causing trouble.
She frowned as she clutched her chest.
“Ugh…”
Truthfully, Mirien knew.
Her feelings for Lord Actor weren’t ordinary loyalty.
That Actor loved all calamities equally.
And that unlike Selene who had returned to serve under him, Mirien had been cast away.
She couldn’t even imagine why.
“Hmph…”
However, Mirien was a disaster in human form.
A wizard of omnipotent magic.
She didn’t care about means when pursuing her goals.
“Do you really think I’d give up so easily, you witch?”
Today, Mirien discovered another emotion.
Jealousy.
Simultaneously, hatred.
These would serve excellently as fuel for her magic.
