Chapter 90

skimming through the aftermath of confused shouts and the sudden but complete silence as players fell.

Disbelief swept over Yuna. Could Diah really be taking down opponents with nothing but machetes amidst the chaos?

The once chaotic scene transformed into a one-sided slaughter as Diah’s skill shone like a beacon amidst the fog. Each throw was precise, each movement fluid. What began as a rabble of opponents soon turned into a gallery of fallen avatars littering the ground.

Yuna could barely keep up with the numbers scrolling across the screen. The kill count rose with astonishing speed.

“How is she doing this?” Yuna muttered to herself, still behind the shield, peeking out with a mix of awe and confusion.

Diah, unfazed by the pandemonium around, seemed to thrive in the chaos, pulling off impossible shots with effortless grace.

Yuna couldn’t help but cheer, even as questions filled her mind. “This is insane! Should I join in? Or stay back and watch?”

Just as she pondered this, Diah’s voice rang out through the comms again, buoyant and commanding, “Yuna! Come on! We have to move now!”

With a quick glance around, Yuna saw the remnants of their opponents. Some were still attempting to figure out what had just happened, but the game was clearly slipping through their fingers.

Finally, steeling herself, Yuna dashed out from the safety of her shield, guided by Diah’s confidence and unmatched skill.

In that moment, she finally understood: being a duo with Diah wasn’t just about survival—it was about the thrill of facing challenges head-on, their strengths complementing each other as they charged through the chaos of Battle Island together.

was eagerly considered.

The excitement around the upcoming Infinite Challenge Music Festival was palpable. Hae-eun knew it could be a great opportunity, especially considering the impressive lineup of artists involved.

“Okay, I’ll think about it,” she finally replied, allowing a hint of curiosity to seep into her tone.

“Great! Just let me know when you decide,” Lee Jun smiled, tapping the small piece of paper in his hand that held the details of the event.

As the practice session continued, Hae-eun couldn’t shake the thoughts of what it would be like to participate in such an entertaining production. The interactions shared between artists like Pinocchio and the regular cast members of Infinite Challenge intrigued her, and she could definitely see herself fitting into that dynamic.

After wrapping up their practice, she bid goodbyes to everyone and headed home, her mind still racing with ideas. She knew she would have to discuss this with Ju Jung-yun and maybe get her thoughts on it.

As she lay in bed that night, exhaustion from the day’s activities weighing down on her, she felt a mix of nervousness and excitement about the potential opportunity ahead.

I put the related documents into my bag.

Another request from Lee Jun came shortly after that.

“Can Ha Eun go to see the musical you’re preparing for with Geon-yeol?”

Strictly speaking, it wasn’t that it was impossible.

There weren’t any special qualifications required to attend <Falling, Together>.

However, if Daulby, who was widely known to be close to Ha Eun, came to watch her musical.

Friends who regarded Ha Eun as a senior singer would likely find it even more difficult to approach her.

Still, I couldn’t outright say it would be bad.

‘Even film directors and casting directors secretly go to watch performances. Wouldn’t it be good for you if you left a good impression on them?’

This thought reminded me of the secret of the autumn festival that Gong Hye-yeon had shared with Ha Eun in the past regarding Narae High School.

Regardless of what happened, Lee Jun and Lee Geon-yeol were respected seniors and idols to the friends among the trainees.

Leaving a good impression on Daulby through this performance of <Falling, Together> could potentially help in various ways.

More than anything, the opportunity to showcase the trainees’ skills to successful singers like Daulby wasn’t a common chance.

Perhaps this performance of <Falling, Together> could lead to more attention for the trainee friends.

With that thought, I eventually responded not with a firm “don’t come,” but with a “it’s okay to come watch the musical.”

I also added a personal request for both Lee Jun and Lee Geon-yeol.

“If by any chance you meet my friends….”

“If you meet them?”

“Please tell them to treat you just as friends and not as a senior singer. Also mention that it might upset me if they continue to treat me like a junior.”

“Hmm… Do your friends really treat you that formally?”

“Yes.”

Even if my friends treated Ha Eun with the utmost respect, they wouldn’t be able to refuse Daulby’s request, who was like the heavens among seniors.

In a way, rejecting Daulby’s request could have been more problematic than treating Ha Eun casually.

Fortunately, the response that came back from Lee Jun was an ‘okay.’

It was ironic to solve the problems caused by the music industry’s hierarchy with more of that same hierarchy.

But it was better than staying awkward with the trainee friends.

After that, I practiced singing for about two more hours before heading home.

By then, it was just around the time when episode 15, which included the last highlight of <The Moonlight Split by Clouds>, was starting.

-Beep.

“Ah? Are we watching together?”

“I have something to check.”

It had been quite a while since I started watching <The Moonlight Split by Clouds> live with Na-yeon.

I felt the need to check Ha Eun’s acting before the rehearsal for <Falling, Together> scheduled for tomorrow.

Finally, episode 15 of <The Moonlight Split by Clouds> began.

The episode started with Lee Hyun and Yeom Wol stepping outside the palace alone.

​

“The moon is already rising.”

It was showing the beginning part of the last highlight.

What followed was a scene where Yeom Wol, who was adored in the past, acted in a way that made it impossible not to love her.

​

-Crumble.

​

As Yeom Wol’s true feelings slowly intertwined from her fingertips, they eventually completely enveloped Lee Hyun’s hand.

In response to Yeom Wol’s gestures, there were fleeting smiles and a gentle voice.

“Since when did you become so bold?”

It was a question expecting no particular answer.

The response from Yeom Wol was yet another question.

“Is holding the prince’s hand such a bold action?”

“Is it truly only your prince that you hold?”

“For this moment, please be my prince.”

​

The gazes met slowly.

Fingers that were still intertwined.

Even when the conversation turned to the selection of the Crown Princess.

As time passed and all stories were concluded, even when Yeom Wol requested to choose the Crown Princess.

-Sway.

When the prince’s body was disrespectfully overturned onto hers.

The hands that had once grasped each other would not part.

“Choose the woman before you, the woman who has long adored you.”

The urgent emotions within the intense gaze slowly poured out and were evident in her calm voice.

She earnestly begged that the hands now held together would never part, no matter the time.

​

“Let Kim Yeon, the eldest daughter of Minister Kim Ho-jin, serve you and continue your lineage.”

No matter what price she had to pay to stay by Lee Hyun’s side, it didn’t matter.

She could willingly give and endure anything.

So.

​

“I will… be yours.”

Yeom Wol, who adored no one more than anyone else.

Ensured that she would not let go of Yeom Wol.

So that she would be able to claim all of herself from head to toe.

So that it would be impossible not to consider her as her own.

“…I adore you, my prince.”

Only emotions were contained in her gaze.

A bright smile shining in the gentle moonlight.

Even her plaintive voice.

She exhibited only those things she did not want to lose to anyone.

To ensure that the truth of what was given only to Lee Hyun was more certain than ever before.

Thus, the shadows overlapped completely.

What was now intertwined was no longer just fingers.

With that, they exhibited the utmost sincerity they could show.

After finishing the utmost affection they could express.

-Smile.

“Expect it. Surely, it will be a moment you will never forget.”

​

With an enchanting smile, she foretold an unexpected turn of events.

It was a forced change that no one could help but acknowledge Yeom Wol as the Crown Princess.

Not long after that, the dark night sky gradually transformed into the blue light of dawn.

And, that blue light soon turned into a deep yellow hue, dyed by the sun that had risen over the horizon.

What came was a new morning.

A new time.

​

And.

-Step.

A new woman.

​

“Have you been well?”

Soon, all those present at the Crown Princess selection ceremony faced a significant display of dominance.

Perhaps it was due to her being beautifully adorned down to the most meticulous detail that even Lee Hyun could hardly recognize.

Unlike the sharp and fierce past, elegance emanated even from the smallest gestures.

Even when the hostile gazes met head-on, there was no sign of avoidance.

She did not flinch even under the continuous reprimands and scoldings of those who recognized that the woman before them was Yeom Wol.

Afterwards, even through long periods of various jeers and mockeries, she merely smiled gently.

The atmosphere felt markedly different from before.

“The choice is ultimately yours, my prince. Why are the lords crossing the line that should not be crossed as mere subjects?”

In her appearance, which had not completely shed its youthful innocence, there lingered an air of almost arrogant composure.

At that moment, when she locked eyes with Lee Hyun across the way, a soft smile blossomed, painting trust towards Lee Hyun.

Thus, one step.

Another step.

As she lightly approached Lee Hyun, a new silence fell.

With each calm step she took, her beautiful hair and the lovely crimson skirt gently swayed.

Perhaps mixed with the faint sounds of breathing that subtly emerged, along with an underlying strength.

Before one knew it, her mere presence emanated an overwhelming aura.

​

“I am Kim Yeon, the eldest daughter of Minister Kim Ho-jin. I greet Your Highness.”

With a posture so flawless that no trace of disturbance was visible, she looked up from below, inhaling deeply.

Perhaps noticing this, her eyes softly curved into graceful arcs.

With her prominent presence stifling the surrounding atmosphere, everyone was engulfed, rendering them unable to do anything but watch.

Even a moment’s breath felt difficult to exhale.

​

‘Ha Eun, which scene did you like the most? I personally loved the scene where Yeom Wol reappeared as a completely different person.’

The sight described by Yu Sung-jae in the past was thus.

Yeom Wol perfectly revealed that fierce side in front of the one she most adored.

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