Chapter 110

The third day was planned such that not all the time was packed tightly with activities, and contrary to staying in Busan until the very end, the schedule was arranged for everyone to return in the afternoon after spending the morning together.

Since the plan hadn’t been like that from the start, a few students had places they’d visited before and would need to revisit. However, due to some students having already faced a terrorist attack while wandering separately, the school prohibited students from splitting off on their own.

Originally, the school intended for students not to stay in Busan at all but couldn’t because some had booked accommodations for a longer period.

Well, that was understandable. The school wasn’t going to refund the money for everyone, nor was it simply profit-driven like a business. The school didn’t have the financial surplus to refund accommodations that students paid for themselves.

“So what about us?”

Lying on the bed as a woman explained the current situation to me, I asked about our situation. Why were we sitting still while everyone else appeared to be up and moving?

“The school has left it up to us. We can either follow the school’s guidance or stay here quietly at the accommodation. Initially, we were going to do things together, but since you were asleep, we decided it was easier to just stay here.”

There had to be more to it than just that, right?

Because you kept sleeping, it became awkward to leave, and we decided to just stay in the accommodation. That was probably how it went.

In realizing that our group stayed back in consideration for me, I felt a brief surge of guilt towards them.

Then, a message popped up—

“To those staying in the accommodation, I feel sorry. Favorability…”

It quickly vanished.

Though I was slightly apologetic to them for staying behind, it wasn’t to the extent that it would affect favorability ratings. Reflecting my thoughts, the system window did not display any further messages.

“Do you want to come along if you’d like?”

She cautiously asked, perhaps misunderstanding my silence. While asking this, her hand gently stroked the back of my hand.

Her hand carried a heat akin to her hair color. Or maybe my hands were unusually cold.

“It’s better if we stay together. It’s less boring that way. If you’re going for a walk, I’ll come along.”

It’s natural to feel more inclined toward the student council president, who always considers my welfare without hiding her intentions, rather than someone like Inna who remains cryptic even amidst her manipulative tendencies.

Considering capabilities, I would naturally prefer facing someone with the power of wisdom, however weak it might seem compared to overwhelming, invincible powers like revolution or ironclad might.

This isn’t to downplay the significance of wisdom. Compared to abilities like converting rules or brute force with armored might, wisdom might seem weaker, but it’s still relevant.

As if sensing my train of thought, the student council president—who seemed more uneasy than moved—studied my face intently before shaking her head.

“I’m not selfish enough to ask someone who’s already been through a tough fight to come along.”

To ask me to come along isn’t selfish—it’s simply something between friends that can be requested and accepted without issue.

The student council president and Inna were always the same. Even asking to be called by their names was treated as something special, making me hesitate to comply.

Inna’s ability is influence—

the ability to make others conform to her will. That’s why we avoid calling her by name.

“You making such requests isn’t selfish. And you, it seems like you haven’t been calling me by name lately. You can call me, and use informal speech.”

Calling someone by their name isn’t an issue when they don’t possess some disquieting power, like Seo-ra, whose favorability has reached the second stage, unlocking higher limits.

Inna would likely call me by name instantly, but the student council president instead gazed into my eyes intently, and I returned it.

I already knew why she wasn’t calling me by name—it was because of her guilt over abandoning me for Ha-neul.

If that’s something to feel guilty about, then I should have guilt as well.

The real owner of this body said he didn’t mind it being taken over by me, but the original owner can’t be responsible for how others may feel about it.

So, my guilt is the least I could do by allowing her to call me by name, considering this body wasn’t something I originally sought to occupy.

“…Alright. If I can call your name when mocking Inna, that’s enough. When everything is settled, and I return, maybe I’ll call you by name again then. Please don’t dislike it when that happens. Also, we already use informal speech when we’re alone.”

Whereas the first part was said in a stiff, professional tone, the latter came out warm and kind, clearly aimed at a friend.

In conclusion, until the protagonist finds the true heroine, she’ll continue not calling me by name. While in front of others, she’ll maintain formal speech, but when we’re alone, she’ll use informal speech.

As I contemplated her words, I thought it unlikely that I’d ever hear her say my name, Erica, but I didn’t voice this.

After all, if the protagonist rescues the true heroine and reaches the ending, this world will cease to exist for me. In her statement about returning, her claim to call me by name post-success seemed unlikely.

The system claimed that it would take me back to my original world with this body. If the protagonist succeeds with the true heroine, then the student council president’s promise to call me by name will end without resolution.

Explaining my situation would require me to divulge too much, so I kept quiet, our relationship wasn’t close enough.

“Do you want me to call you by name?”

I remained silent, unsure if it was because of my own sense of guilt or because it stemmed from her desire to call me by name.

Without exchanging words, we lay there on the bed, holding hands, until Inna eventually appeared and interrupted our quiet moment.

*

At last, the school trip was over.

Afterward, having been separated from the student council president due to Inna’s interference, I aimlessly spent time with Inna, who clung to me like a stuffed bear, until the teachers called us to gather with the accommodations group and board the train.

We hadn’t had a chance to indulge in the local delicacies, but the school trip was already coming to an end.

However, it wasn’t without purpose. I’d learned how to use my ability—the protection—and gained experience battling the terrorist group I expect to face repeatedly in this world.

Equipped with these new insights, I should be more equipped to handle future events in this world.

As I swayed on a bench slightly apart from the group, waiting for the train to arrive, someone sat beside me.

“This was a complete failure. I just wished you’d follow along quietly.”

Assuming they sat next to me due to lack of space, I planned not to look over, but a feeling that they were addressing me made me turn my head—only for my finger to press against my neck, preventing further movement.

At the moment I tried to activate my protection, the finger on my neck felt as if it could slice through with ease. Common sense dictated that fingers couldn’t cut throats.

But in a world with supernatural abilities, it’s entirely plausible.

Where were the others? Should I use my revolution or bl**d erosion or shout out?

Before I could decide, the woman’s voice returned.

“It’s true that I avoided asking outright because I was scared. Just as I only asked your name before and ran away. Intending to question you after kidnapping, which failed, so I’ll be sure to ask now. Aren’t you Choi Yi-soo?”

A name that should never have been revealed.

Yet one that clearly emerged from her lips.

“Choi Yi-soo.”

In this world, only one person had directly mentioned that name before.

The identity of the woman was clear: it was her, the one who had left after buying me the sea-themed ice cream the other day.

“Well, I’m not really sure what you’re talking about. Who is this person? Have I met them before… or not?”

I calmly responded despite the sudden mention of my old name. While calmness in the face of such circumstances may stem from maturity, in this instance—

“It’s enough from your reaction. I created that group not just to eliminate my enemies, but with your recognition as Yi-soo, I feel I can work harder.”

It seemed the woman wasn’t seeking to determine anything specific from my reaction when she said this and then rose.

I moved my head to get a glimpse of her before she left but found my face covered by something, preventing my view.

“Should I call you Erica now? We’ll meet again later, Erica. Think about it as something similar to a Sky Ship and feel free to wear it.”

And with that, she vanished, casually using forbidden names—both Inna’s and the student council president’s.

Just as the last time we met—was it a dream or a mere illusion? My hand found and drew off what had covered my face.

It was likely a piece of clothing she had been wearing.

As the only proof I had met her, a black coat now rested in my hands.

And given her mention of “the group”—

And reflecting on her past words—

It’s highly probable she was the leader of the terrorist group I fought during this school trip.