Chapter 160

Logically speaking, and considering the world’s context, the chances of Erica defeating Kim Ha-neul are slim.

Even if Erica might have the upper hand when it comes to supernatural abilities, her physical capabilities are far too lacking to support it.

Moreover, in the world of romantic visual novels, it’s highly unusual for a sub-heroine who doesn’t fully utilize her abilities to defeat a protagonist who has already mastered what they possess.

If Erica’s physical ability is weak even when compared to non-supernatural ability users,

then Kim Ha-neul’s physical prowess goes beyond mere excellence for a supernatural ability user, being so superior it can even rival those with body enhancement abilities.

“Let go.”

Even when Erica strains with all her might, trying to pry off the hand of the boy clinging to her, Kim Ha-neul’s grip remains steadfast, unmoving as if carved from stone.

Having managed to free herself from Kim Ha-neul’s embrace but still held by his hand, the white-haired girl raised her left leg and swiftly stamped it down toward the boy’s position.

But Kim Ha-neul’s feet had already moved elsewhere, leaving Erica to stamp the ground futilely.

More than that, her hand was still firmly grasped. As long as Kim Ha-neul moved, Erica would inevitably follow the motion.

Having just stamped the ground, Erica’s body couldn’t react fast enough to Kim Ha-neul’s movement, causing her to stumble in the direction he pulled—toward the ground.

But instead of allowing her to fall, Kim Ha-neul pulled her into his arms.

“You seem to like it here so much.”

Given the student council president’s awareness, Kim Ha-neul wouldn’t attempt to k*ll Erica. Without the situation escalating, there would naturally be no activation of protective support for her.

Even if Kim Ha-neul wasn’t paying attention, there was no reason for him to try and k*ll Erica, who was in the same class as him.

The weakened protective force Erica relied on to get here was already active when she arrived, thus, it wouldn’t activate merely because she perceived a general threat from the world.

It was thanks to supernatural abilities that Erica could keep up, even though Kim Ha-neul was walking slowly.

“Before you actually carry out that earlier threat, give up here.”

Confident in his advantage, Kim Ha-neul’s tone was somewhat authoritative, implying an ultimatum—surrender or experience the earlier threat.

“But with people watching, would you really do it?”

Erica hadn’t come here without thought. She knew Kim Ha-neul wouldn’t follow through with his threat if people were watching.

When Erica covertly analyzed Kim Ha-neul’s expression, he wasn’t flustered but rather had an ironic smile on his face.

“… Since you don’t seem to remember my abilities, let me remind you. While there are people around, it’s easy to either go to my house or even Inna’s. The only reason I’m not going directly to Inna’s house right now is purely out of goodwill toward you.”

“Don’t lie. If that were possible, you’d already be there before I even arrived.”

There was no reason for Kim Ha-neul to move so deliberately slow, as if waiting for her.

Even with Inna’s house nearby, the distance between here and there required over 30 minutes of walking, and Erica knew she hadn’t been lured to Inna’s vicinity.

To Erica, Kim Ha-neul’s words were likely a bluff—an attempt to force her to back down.

“… Before I show you firsthand, I have one more question for you. If you understand that forcing Inna to come along was a threat, you should also know Inna doesn’t purely see you as a friend. Why are you interfering?”

Do you like Inna?

Though Kim Ha-neul didn’t state it outright, anyone with basic intuition could guess what unspoken thought lingered behind his words, including Erica, who occasionally missed social cues.

“Why are you asking me this? Is there some compelling reason for me to let go of Inna?”

“Yes, if there’s a convincing reason, I’ll let go. If you’re not lying outright and sincerely reconsider, you might also sincerely consider leaving from here.”

To Erica, this was just a taunt, but the sincerity behind Kim Ha-neul’s words surprised her enough to scrutinize his face.

Not everyone wears their thoughts on their face like Erica. If Kim Ha-neul wanted to deceive thoroughly, it would be tough to see through.

But the youth facing her now didn’t have a trace of his usual smile, only serious determination, making him appear genuinely truthful.

That look suited his role as the protagonist perfectly.

“Just remember, if you lie, I’ll punish you accordingly. So, tell me the truth.”

Unless it was life or d*ath, Erica had no chance of winning against Kim Ha-neul. Kim Ha-neul knew this from the beginning, and now Erica had come to the same conclusion.

Thus, this was an opportunity Kim Ha-neul was giving her—a chance to openly express her true feelings and fulfill her desires.

Thanks to the guilt Kim Ha-neul felt, Erica seriously considered taking this opportunity.

“I… what do I feel about Inna…”

Unsure and unprepared to fully articulate her feelings toward Inna, Erica hesitated.

But instead of rushing her, Kim Ha-neul let go of her hand after a few minutes of silence passed.

The girl stepped back one step—not fully retreating—but began to ponder Kim Ha-neul’s previous words seriously, then started moving her lips as if to say something.

[If you reveal the name of the person you like in front of the protagonist, your favorability with that person will significantly increase.]

Had that message not appeared, visible only to her, Erica would’ve likely divulged what she was about to say to Kim Ha-neul.

Hesitating after the system message came, Erica instead blurted out a different declaration.

“… She means nothing to me. It’s just that I didn’t like that you’re pursuing other women while dating Lee Seo-ra.”

“Really? Is that the truth?”

Even knowing Kim Ha-neul was looking at her disbelievingly, Erica couldn’t meet his gaze.

Was it embarrassing to lie even after being told not to?

Or was it shameful that despite promising herself to ignore system messages, Erica let that message sway her resolve?

Without realizing her own conflicted feelings, the girl lowered her eyes. After a few deep breaths, she regained confidence, lifted her head, and locked eyes with the boy.

“No. It’s not entirely true, but it’s not all a lie either.”

If she told the truth, he would let her go. If she lied, she’d receive punishment. How would he react to a mix of truth and falsehood?

Erica’s eyes now held a curious glint rather than resolution, but when the boy saw this, he sighed deeply and extended his hand.

Was he suggesting a high-five?

When Erica’s hand unconsciously moved forward in response,

“Then I’ll let you go for now. See you tomorrow. Load no.0.”

Kim Ha-neul’s cryptic words struck Erica’s ears. Before she could comprehend what he said, she disappeared from his sight.

Thus, proving his earlier claim about teleporting others.

Despite removing the obstacle from his path, Kim Ha-neul did not resume his journey but instead stared where Erica had emerged.

“Time to come out, isn’t it?”

“Ah, so I was exposed, huh?”

As she spoke, a woman, her head covered with a hood, slowly stepped out.

Even with the hood obscuring her face, Kim Ha-neul immediately recognized the woman he’d encountered many times.

He also knew one of the reasons he could pursue her was due to her assistance in detecting his precise location.

“Um, I owe you something, but Erica is still someone I want to be friends with, so I thought I’d help her a bit…”

Sound manipulator.

Sound, inherently lacking bias in whom it reaches, can be directed with intention through verbal commands. But her strongest moments come when she need not protect anyone at all.

“Will you fight me with people around?”

However, on this bustling street where people still walked, Kim Ha-neul couldn’t give his all.

He was certain that even if Han Ye-seul engaged, she wouldn’t be able to perform at her best.

After all, celebrities should avoid entanglements that involve the innocent.

“No, I’m not here to fight recklessly. I believe conversation is the preferred approach. Besides, Mr. Kim Ha-neul, isn’t it true you’ve somewhat achieved your initial purpose?”

She nonchalantly glanced at his pocket, which bulged as if containing something.

Her ears picked up on an unnatural sound within.

She also realized that the sound was likely from a phone conversation.

“So, why don’t you just go home? This could be considered a draw, don’t you think?”

“Hmm, not bad. If they recall me…”

“That’s on Erica for uttering something strange. You did ask her to be honest and also gave her ample opportunities.”

With a casual shrug, Kim Ha-neul turned his back to her.

“See you tomorrow at school.”

“I might not be able to show up tomorrow due to my schedule.”

“You know we’re not an art school, right? If you don’t want to repeat a grade, you should show up sooner.”

As the woman watched him walk toward the previous house he had brought her to—not Inna’s—she asked one last thing.

“So, where did you send Erica?”

“Hmm, it’s embarrassing to tell since it seems like a retreat. Why don’t you ask her directly?”

Sticking to the role of a good person,

Despite Kim Ha-neul having an opportunity to cause a disturbance and triumph forcefully, he accepted a draw and headed home.

He extracted his phone, having moved it from his pocket in the process.

The woman, witnessing this, decided not to ask further.

In the end, the protagonist chose not to escalate the situation, walking away from the scene gracefully.