I Became a Fortune Teller in the Game My Little Sister Made – Chapter 103

Suddenly, there are moments of realization.

I’ve lived my life diligently. I crawled up from the pains of my childhood.

I resisted countless threats and temptations, living cautiously, doubting and re-doubting.

As I move forward, there comes a day when I look around and see treasures everywhere.

An amount of money and goods piled up so high that I could use them for a lifetime.

Yet, those treasures surrounding me do not respond when I speak to them. Since they don’t reply, there’s no need for doubt, but why do I still call out to them?

People approach.

The treasures formed a sturdy barrier, preventing anyone from getting close.

The number of those to doubt has decreased. Now, the only ones to suspect are the few who can break through this barrier. Compared to the past, it’s much easier now.

………But.

I wonder if this is how I will live my whole life, I think to myself… There are moments when I realize that.

*

Crack.

Hearing a noise from the other side, the Crown Prince glanced briefly at the small device in his hand before pocketing it.

Leaning back against the wall, he stared expressionlessly at the ceiling.

“Rich Tycoon, huh.”

No matter how many times he thought about it, this decision was indeed selfish.

It was not as a Rich Tycoon, but as the Crown Prince himself.

“It’s understandable to be upset.”

Carrying guilt, still, the Crown Prince didn’t do a thing for the Rich Tycoon. He didn’t try to improve that relationship, nor did he approach him.

It wasn’t a lack of courage. He was just being faithful to his <Royalty> status.

A world-renowned <Rich Tycoon> was definitely someone he needed to know as a member of the Daehan Empire’s royal family, but that was all it was.

And now, to criticize the Rich Tyon’s only friend?

Thinking from the perspective of another, even a prince would get upset.

But at the same time, it was a necessary matter.

“I’m sorry to Namgoong Min…”

Honestly, whether Namgoong Min and the Rich Tycoon reconciled or not didn’t concern him at all.

What if they reconcile? Great! No matter how much of a jerk the Rich Tycoon was, he would at least feel some goodwill towards the prince who nudged him to make amends. That would serve as sufficient political justification when the prince sought help from the Rich Tycoon.

What if they couldn’t reconcile? That would be fine too. Then the Rich Tycoon would once again be a lonely island, returning to the time before enrolling in the Academy, maintaining the status quo. And he would also gain a capable asset like Namgoong Min.

Sure, the relationship between the prince and the Rich Tycoon could sour, but the royal family’s assets were too deeply entwined with the Rich Tycoon. Even if he disliked the prince, he wouldn’t abandon the royal family.

In the end, no matter how it was looked at, this plan seemed to result in the prince suffering losses, but the royal family would not.

Yet, why?

“……….”

…Something keeps weighing on my mind.

But that’s all it is.

Soon, the Crown Prince walked the corridor, slowly smiling.

Even if it was a smile not born from sincerity, it was better than worrying Eun-ha.

*

“Miss Liu!! Huh… Huh…”

It felt like I had been running for over 20 minutes. I was so out of breath that moving was a struggle.

Occasionally, I forget that my ‘physical aptitude is disastrous’ always strikes at strange times.

No, it’s fine when I’m selling land or in a duel, but why does it act up only while running?

Am I supposed to just walk around?

“Haah…”

This Academy is too big for its own good.

After running for over 20 minutes, I thought I’d seen a fair bit, but in reality, I hadn’t even managed to cover all the teaching buildings.

Seriously, why is this place so massive when it’s used only by us? Isn’t a 12-story building a bit of a waste?

Where did Liu even go…?

‘Then for now.’

Rustle.

Since Liu’s already out of sight, shall I think about this Love Letter?

<I've been watching you. Four days later, I'll be waiting at the place where you and I first met.>

“……It’s really short.”

Is this how love letters usually are? Lucas’s was practically two pages long.

The lengths are so extreme; I can’t tell.

But more than that.

“Who sent this…?”

It says ‘Namgoong Min’ as the recipient, but the sender’s name is blank.

Isn’t this typically something sent to confess? Aren’t names usually written down?

Still, if I don’t know who it is, how can I know where we first met!

It’s my first time receiving a love letter, so honestly, I have no clue…

“Sigh…”

…It seems I really need to consult someone.

‘The Crown Prince, Lucas, Hero, Saint none of them work, and I can’t meet Liu. And Rain is in Europe.’

I even considered consulting someone like Mandrick or Hwang Jin-woo, but if they spread strange rumors, I’d be so humiliated I might want to die.

I felt like I was about to die even after asking Rain if he liked me!

It’s way better to just stew in my thoughts alone.

In truth, consulting Eileen would keep it a secret, and since she has experience as a <Saint>, she’s probably the most reliable option.

‘Where could she be?’

I’ve been stopping by Charles Teddy Bear’s house after classes every time this past week, but she’s never home.

Does she have a group project or is she out with friends?

Or is it the season for clubs and activities? I have no idea.

I even heard that asking Charles Teddy Bear doesn’t yield much either. Except for whatever stormy period she’s going through.

So, I’ll put Eileen on hold for now.

At this point, the only one left…

“…Crown Princess?”

Ah… but is that okay? Does Crown Princess Kim Eun-ha have dating experience?

Thinking about it, there’s no way she does, right? Especially until her <Desire to Kill> is resolved.

Moreover, Kim Eun-ha is tight-lipped, so she’d be the perfect fit for a consultation.

…Ugh, whatever.

“Let’s go.”

Classes must be over now, so she should have arrived at the royal residence by now.

These days, getting there has been increasingly easy, but upon thinking about it, the royal residence is a restricted area, isn’t it?

Well, if that happens, they can just tell the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess to be friends.

Just as I resolved this and turned my steps…

<Ah, ah. We are currently announcing to all students inside the Romance Academy.>

“………?”

What’s this? An announcement?

Was there a surprise event today or something?

<As of this moment, the third-year district capture battle is about to begin, so all students not in the third year should either exit the Academy or stay at their respective districts. I repeat.>

“……Huh?”

Third-year? District capture battle?

Now that I think about it…

‘Samuel said from the second semester, second-year and third-year exams would properly start.’

Recalling the response I had when I asked if it’s okay for first-years to run amok in the entire Academy during the survival exam held at midnight.

Second-year and third-year students would have similar exams, and it was already said that large-scale exams would be held considering the first-year students during the first semester.

Now that it’s the second semester, could it mean that other grades have decided to start large-scale exams too?

Well… it’s good news for me.

If I just go to the royal residence, I shouldn’t have any issues──

“I’m sorry, you can’t pass through here.”

“Hey, student! Move aside! The building is about to pass by!”

“This side is currently under construction by <Architects>, so it’s a no-go.”

“You need to take a detour if you want to reach the royal residence over there.”

“……….”

—Not gonna happen?

I miscalculated.

Exiting the Academy is wide open, but due to exam preparations inside, the <Architects> are moving buildings, placing controls all over, it’s total chaos.

Attempting to go to the royal residence right in the center of the Academy was a misstep.

If I’d quietly exited the Academy, there would have been no problem.

“…Everything is blocked.”

Surrounded now by transformed buildings.

But I wasn’t overly worried. I could always ask the personnel or instructors nearby for help to get out.

Oh, there’s someone over there…

“That way! Catch him! He’s an instructor!”

“Haha! You pups, you’re still far from it!”

“Aah, he’s too damn fast!”

“Group 1, pursue! Groups 2 and 3, spread out your encirclement as originally planned!”

“…………Huh?”

What’s this? Isn’t this a district capture battle?

Why are third years charging at the instructor as a group? And why does the instructor respond with laughter?

Bang! Crash!

…No, if I stay here, I’ll get dragged into this.

I hurriedly dashed away from the battlefield and through the maze-like transformed buildings.

This reminds me of the maze we had during the entrance ceremony.

‘First, let’s find another instructor.’

If I happen to meet a third-year, I can just explain how I got inadvertently caught up in it.

Surely I can’t not meet even one, right?

*

“………….”

Bang! Thud! Bam!

Noises and tremendous sounds echoed.

Yet, even so, Liu remained expressionless, reclining in her chair.

She wasn’t doing anything in particular, nor was she moving at all.

She was simply slumped over in her chair.

It was an exhausted figure rarely seen in her usual self.

“……….”

She’d gotten tired, she concluded.

Doubting… she was simply worn out.

“…Why did I approach…”

Nonetheless, suspicion never ceased. Even as she became fatigued and powerless, the doubts persisted.

Namgoong Min’s actions, words, expressions, and the atmosphere surrounding him.

Everything she had observed while keeping watch on Namgoong Min using all her resources was now scattered around her.

<8:23 AM. After seven turns, waking up, yawning three times, scratching her head twice, and pouring a coffee mix into her right hand, she took three sips.>

<3:51 PM. She remarked to Crown Princess Kim Eun-ha, “It must be tough because of the Crown Prince,” to which Crown Princess Kim Eun-ha responded affirmatively. Then she said, “The Crown Prince will surely meet a good person too.”>

<11:39 PM. Seventeen minutes earlier than the average bedtime of 11:56 PM, he searched ‘Liu Yan’ on his phone. He read all sections for 7 minutes and 21 seconds, and then edited the 'Liu Yan/Criticism/Suspicion Syndrome' section.>

Papers, papers, papers.

Documents detailing every trace of Namgoong Min piled high like a mountain.

All the papers bore numerous marks from being read multiple times.

“Why has he treated me this way…”

However, despite her paranoid investigations, Liu could not arrive at a conclusion.

Suspicion shouted at her. That Namgoong Min was suspicious. That his approach was because of some ulterior motive. That he was merely using her.

Even so, she could find a part of herself that agreed with this.

So why could she not come to a conclusion?

“…Why, why, why…?”

Why is that?

Am I to start doubting my own mind? Is that what I should do?

A dry laugh escaped her. But it was a parched laugh.

After all, she hadn’t eaten properly in a week.

She had spent all her time reading documents and doubting instead of eating and sleeping, it was only natural.

At least, thanks to her having a superhuman body being a job holder, she could endure for now, but how long would that last?

“………….”

…But even so.

She was not so unaware that she could not feel an intruder entering the district.

“This is… surprising.”

“………….”

“When did you become capable of such things? …You nasty brat.”

“…Well, I guess since long before you knew?”

Clack.

From the corner of the district. A psychic with silver hair emerged, standing before Liu.

With a genuine laugh that mocked her, contrasting with Liu’s dry smile.

“Looks like you’re doing quite well, Miss Liu.”

“…Teleportation?”

“What else would it be? Consider it an honor. Neither my brother nor my father knows my powers are to this extent.”

“Intruder… bastard.”

Grit.

No matter how powerless she felt, her animosity towards the enemy before her remained intact.

However, the psychic, Rain’s reaction remained unchanged.

She simply continued to scoff.

“You’ve become completely useless. I wonder why?”

“…Get lost.”

“Let me guess? You’ve started to doubt Namgoong Min, haven’t you?”

“………….”

“You appear puzzled, but it’s not mind-reading. It’s simply… I see through you.”

The memories of that day, unknown to Liu.

The night before the duel, when she had visited Namgoong Min, begging through tears.

Since she remembered her own shattered self back then, Rain understood the roots of Liu’s current demise.

After all, she herself had once been similarly broken.

And for that reason, Rain mocked Liu.

Because she was just so foolish.

“The solution is obvious and easy. You already know it, right?”

“………….”

“Just go find him. If you tell him you’re exhausted, that you’re tired, then Namgoong Min will surely resolve everything.”

“……….”

“Of course, provided that you can do that.”

It was irritating, but Liu had known Rain for a long time.

That’s why she knew how wicked Rain could be, and Rain also knew well of Liu’s suspicion syndrome.

It was a comfortable atmosphere filled with detachment and mockery.

“It’s easy, right? Grab his hand, his wrist, his clothes, or if not, even his pant leg. Just grab something and plead. It’s that simple.”

“………….”

“Even if it means bowing your head before the person you doubt the most, at least you might be able to escape that pain.”

“……….”

“Although it’s perfectly fine to keep doubting until you die, that might just make Namgoong Min sad.”

“………He’ll be sad.”

“Of course! He’s a kind-hearted and empathetic person. Quite the opposite of someone I know, right?”

“…You.”

Clang.

Liu gripped the dagger artifact lying on the table and glared again at Rain.

Not merely with the intent of hostility, but with genuine malice.

“One last time, I’m telling you. Get lost.”

“…It’s good to see your eyes. They are the same as the eyes I dreamt of. Although back then, they were mine.”

“And?”

“Well, this is the end. I have to return to the mansion now. I should meet Namgoong Min too.”

Clack.

As Rain turned her back on the dagger that Liu pointed at her, she casually glanced over her shoulder as if recalling something.

Her smile, still full of mockery.

“Oh, there’s one thing I wanted to tell you.”

“Weren’t you told to get lost?”

“Since childhood, I’ve envied and been jealous of you. Unlike me, who succumbed to father and the whip, you always stood proud. You were the figure I wished to become.”

“………….”

“But, right now… I’m no longer envious at all.”

—Ah, maybe, she’s the one who envies me now?

That single statement was all that followed.

Boom!!

Liu’s dagger swung, leaving a deep gash in the spot where Rain once stood.

But Rain was already gone.

“………….”

And Liu, left all alone, stared blankly at the place where Rain had stood for far too long.

—Ah, maybe, she’s the one who envies me now?

“……….”

For a long time.

For a very long time.