108 – Destiny, and Destiny (2)

Idni was the first to respond.

“Ouch… … !!”

Idney covered her mouth with an expression that she couldn’t stand the rush of nausea, and she shook off her friend’s hand and ran out into the rain.

Soon after, the sound of something regurgitating was heard intermingled with the sound of falling rain.

Kwaaagh-!!

Maria’s clenched fist turned pale.

It was because he felt like he would run out of this place along with Idni if he didn’t give him strength. But that didn’t work.

I have to laugh even for the sake of the little girl who is breathing hard as if she is about to run out of breath and looking at us with anxious eyes.

I have to laugh.

“flaw… … .”

I’ve been trained to smile in any situation, but why don’t the corners of my mouth go up?

“… … Really?”

The voice of a girl with a cracked voice mingled with the street where only the sound of rain could be heard.

“really… It’s a number, a name… … ?”

With a face completely drained of blood, Lee Na-young, who was riding on Nam Seo-hee’s back, asked Claire back.

Claire just nodded once more.

“ah… … .”

Lee Na-young’s two pupils fluctuated greatly.

At that time, Hana Baek, who had been staring blankly at the fairy, raised her head.

“… there is.”

A very small voice.

Baekhana turned to Maria and shouted.

“Maria! Are you staying?”

“… … ?”

Maria, who had suppressed her emotions, took a moment to startle and opened her trembling eyes wide.

Without even asking, Maria realized what Baekhana wanted to ask.

“I have it!!”

“me too… … !!”

The two looked at each other and nodded.

“Then-”

“balance!!”

The footsteps of Baek Ha-na, who was about to head to the mansion, stopped.

“One!! balance!! Artifact received as a prize!! That’s it, that’s what you need!!”

“… do you know where it is Go with Seohee.”

“yes… … !!”

I didn’t ask why.

Because I didn’t have time to ask each and every one of them.

Nam Seo-hee also knew the seriousness of the situation, so as soon as Baek Ha-na gave permission, she ran towards the dormitory with Lee Na-young on her back.

“Idni!!”

– Just wait!!

Idni shouted like a beast at Maria’s call in the rain that was gradually getting stronger.

“One… … .”

“I’ll be back soon.”

Baek Ha-na looked at the fairy struggling for breath on Claire’s hand for a moment before turning away.

Suaaa

The ears of a pure white beast grew on Baek Ha-na’s head, who had thrown away the cumbersome umbrella.

Kagagak—!!

Cracks that break and form whenever the legs strike the ground.

She almost slipped several times in the rain, but instead of slowing down, Baek Ha-na put more magic into her legs.

‘please… … .’

I tried to put on a bright expression, but the fairy’s face flickered in front of my eyes, so weak that I couldn’t hide my tired look.

‘please… … .’

Baek Ha-na’s thoughts did not go deep.

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Right now, my head was full of thoughts that I had to go back to that child as soon as possible, even if only for a second.

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Quaang-!!

Pushing the door as if about to break it, Hana Baek ran into the mansion. Her dirty shoes left her mark in the dark hallway.

“… there is!!”

The sphere, which was worried that it might have disappeared, was still revealing its presence in the drawer, emitting a soft light.

To-dududuk-!!

The bag under the desk was overturned, and the diaries inside fell carelessly to the floor. Hana Baek, who emptied the bag in an instant, carefully lifted the sphere on the desk, put it inside the bag, and tightened the opening.

I was afraid that it would break in my hands, slip and fall in the rain, and that I would not be able to make it on time.

“Wake… .”

Baek Ha-na took a moment to catch her breath, took the bag in her arms, and roughly brushed her hair that was wet from the rain and moved her trembling legs again.

It was the aftermath of accepting magic that far exceeded the acceptable limit. However, Baek Ha-na, who was more aware of her physical condition than anyone else, took the magic looped through her heart once again and sent it to her two legs.

Woowook—!!

It was a waste of time to cross the maze.

Hana Baek jumped over several tall bushes and stepped on them to cross the maze.

Kwaaagh-!!

“Ugh… … .”

The soles of my left feet and thighs felt as if they had been pierced and torn by something sharp, and the muscles tightened in terrible pain. Even so, Baekhana ran, and the speed did not decrease in the slightest.

“One!!”

“hahahaha… … !!”

Hana Baek quickly raised her head as she ran into Maria’s arms, who supported her.

‘Everyone, you’re here… … .’

Nam Seo-hee and Lee Na-young, who left first, and Idni, who had disappeared, all returned to their seats.

‘Thank God, Ida, it’s not too late… … .’

The fairy sitting on the palm of Claire, who still has an expression that doesn’t know what she’s thinking.

Although struggling to breathe, the little girl was still alive, breathing in the same breath as herself.

“Here, here you are.”

“yes… … .”

With legs shaking as if they were about to collapse at any moment, Hana Baek escaped from Maria’s arms and took out a glowing orb from her bag. I tried to approach the fairy with it, but Maria blocked it.

“… What are you doing?”

“calm down. it’s one You can’t save that child with that.”

“… … what?”

The two eyes of Baek Ha-na shook greatly.

“It is one. calm down. There is a way.”

“… … balance.”

“yes.”

Only after Maria nodded did Baek Ha-na’s eyes calm down a little. Instead, Baek Ha-na’s gaze moved to Lee Na-young, who was holding the balance.

“… Nayoung.”

“portion.”

Lee Na-young answered with a white face and a calm tone she had never heard before.

“At that time, when that child drank the potion I made, he took it away. And the professor told me—”

“… I’m done with the explanation. Because it’s okay… … hurry.”

“… … yes.”

Seeing Baek Ha-na’s desperate gaze, Lee Na-young nodded and raised the balance in her hand.

‘It will be clear.’

Lee Na-young, who is more anxious and nervous than anyone else, but at the same time full of strong convictions, slowly poured her magic into the balance she was holding.

‘I can’t solve it with just that sphere.’

If that was possible, they would have told them not to use it when they received the orb. Above all, he remembered clearly the first time he visited this mansion.

When that child swallowed the potion he made, he didn’t understand why he reacted like that and gave him attention, but now he knows.

‘If I give it back, it will become rather poisonous.’

Yes, that sphere does not increase lifespan, but has the effect of speeding up the time of the body.

Ugh-!!

The scale in his hand began to glow gradually.

Lee Na-young looked at the balance with her forehead furrowed.

When Hana Baek won this, Professor Jayden, who was handing over the balance, said.

-They say that if you pay a price, it will grant you a wish worth a little less than the price.

His friends were so distracted that he seemed unable to remember what he said at the time, but he did not forget.

‘Equivalent exchange… … .’

If you are a person who wants to enter an alchemist, the first thing you learn is the mindset.

All results are proportional to the price paid.

Even though this balance is said to bring results that are less than the price, rather, I believed it all the more because of it.

Whoaaagh

“Oh… … .”

An intense light burst from the balance, and for a moment, everyone present turned their heads or covered their eyes from the light.

And when the intense light that illuminated the surroundings diminished.

【What would you like to offer?】

Above the dark sky, a huge woman with a mysterious light was looking down at Lee Na-young.

The woman asked again, holding in one hand a huge scale that looked just like the one in Lee Na-young’s hand.

【What would you like to offer?】

“ah… … That, this, this… !!”

Lee Na-young, who came to her senses belatedly, held out a glowing sphere.

“This, too!!”

After receiving the sphere from Baekhana, Maria quickly approached and lifted the sphere.

Swoop.

The sphere in their hands disappeared like a mirage.

【What do you want.】

the woman asked.

“I, extend the life span of that child… … .”

Without the slightest hesitation, Lee Na-young pointed at the fairy struggling in Claire’s hand, and the woman’s gaze also turned to the fairy.

drooling.

The scale in the woman’s hand moved.

When the balance, which repeatedly tilted to one side and went up, became level.

【Your wish has come true.】

The woman answered Lee Na-young. But.

-Beep, beep… … .

The fairy’s breath was still rough, and the color of her sparkling eyes was gradually fading.

“Oh, how much, how much has it grown… ?”

Lee Na-young asked urgently.

【1 minute.】

“… … to?”

Lee Na-young’s eyes shook at the woman’s answer.

“Don’t fuck!!”

The moment I was perplexed by the woman’s unexpected answer, Idni shouted fiercely.

“1 minute? 1 minute? This fucking bitch!!”

“Eh, Edney… !!”

Maria hurriedly grabbed onto Idney, who was moving forward as if he would run at the woman at any moment.

“Let go!! That I-“

“please… … .”

Idni bit her lip at Maria’s sorrow, as if her emotions were suppressed.

Idni’s gaze turned to the fairy as she bit her teeth hard enough to break them.

The mischievous man who had smiled so brightly had a frightened face.

“… … under.”

Swallowing the boiling emotions, Idney withdrew.

The woman who had been looking down at Idni with an interesting gaze for a moment opened her mouth again.

【I’ll ask. What is the value of what you have given to me?]

“All, of course—”

【Is it worth sacrificing your life?】

A sneer bloomed on the dry woman’s lips.

【In any era, you humans are the same. At best, to reminisce, to offer an object that is sufficient even if you have it or not, and then dare to ask for it to be twisted.]

Drurrr—!!

The balance in the woman’s hand moved once more.

A clearly lopsided balance.

The scorn that bloomed on the woman’s lips grew thicker.

【The time allowed for the young queen is 7 minutes.】

Kuung-!!

The scale in the woman’s hand landed on the floor.

【Level the balance within it. If you do, will you be able to fully obtain what you desire?]

When a woman looks down with arrogant eyes and bares sharp teeth.

-10 years.

A man walked in the rain.

“Ten years.”

The man approaching the woman, brushing his wet hair, spoke again.

“I’ll give you 10 years of my life.”

**

Kyungtae Kim.

A graduate of Arena Academy and the main Awakener of the Milky Way Guild.

He shouted at a woman with a ghastly appearance, both goddess-like and demon-like.

“You mean 10 years?”

The woman did not answer.

instead.

Drurrr

The weight of the balance moved slightly.

“Ha, fuck. It goes up so fucking fast.”

Kim Kyung-tae frowned as he looked at the pendulum that had risen to the size of the real eye mucus.

“me-“

“Junior. do not do that.”

He didn’t know the name, but when he noticed that the white-haired girl was trying to imitate him, he covered his mouth.

“You juniors have done enough to provide this opportunity. So… … .”

Kim Kyung-tae raised his mana.

“Stop looking and come out quickly. seniors and juniors.”

It was just the same sound, but his voice filled with magic spread clearly through the sound of the rain that started to fall.

“… I was just about to leave.”

“Sweet, this doesn’t stand up to your senior’s respect?”

“You bastard, Kim Kyung-tae. Look at how loud he was when he entered the Milky Way.”

Six men and women walked out of the dark street.

They spoke to the woman as Kim Kyung-tae did.

“Me too, 10 years.”

“I am 11 years old.”

“Don’t say shit, just do it for 10 years.”

Drurrr

The weight of the scale moved again. However, it was still far from the level.

Even though Kim Kyung-tae frowned, he quickly brushed off his emotions and turned around.

“Hey, can you excuse me?”

“… … .”

Yu-hee-shin’s most powerful sword and an enforcer who fulfills the will of God.

The woman, who was not supposed to dare to make eye contact, nodded.

“… thank you.”

Kim Kyung-tae let out a sigh of relief and approached the fairy. The rest of the graduates, who were watching from behind, quickly caught up.

“Fairy.”

-Beep… … ?

The fairy, who had exhaled helplessly, raised her head.

Kim Kyung-tae took a deep breath, then smiled again and took out a chocolate bar from his pocket.

“do you remember me?”

– Beep… … !!

A small light appeared in the fairy’s eyes, which were losing their vitality.

“You remember? That… … .”

“Look out, kid.”

In an instant, Kim Kyung-tae was pushed aside and a new graduate took his place.

“I? Do you remember me too? I bought it for you back then—”

“What about my baby sister? Will you remember my sister?”

“What about you, Ajummh… … Puff?!”

“Go back.”

Each of the graduates pointed their faces at the fairy and told stories from the past.

It was when Kim Kyung-tae, who had been pushed aside for a moment, watched him and scratched his head as he approached.

– Steamed, grilled… … !!

The fairy, who was struggling to breathe as if she would collapse at any moment, stood up and said.

-Jjinguu… … !!

Pointing to each graduate’s face, he showed the lively smile he had shown before.

“madam… … .”

“Woo?”

“What did you say… It’s like rain getting in your eyes. Isn’t that kind of senior crying?”

While the graduates were snoring and sniffling, Kim Kyung-tae also rubbed his tired eyes.

‘thank you. Chairman.’

It only vaguely stated the location, time, and information to hide, so I thought about going back. But.

– Beep. hey… … !!

That playful smile just couldn’t get out of my head.

– Beep, beep… .

The smiling fairy sat down on Claire’s palm. Then, weakly, he lifted his head and licked his small lips.

– Gazzi, I’m sick of playing… … I’m scared… … .

“no!! Now wait!!”

“Hey?! You can’t sleep!!”

Kim Kyung-tae gritted his teeth and shouted at the woman as his breath thinned as if he would stop at any moment.

“hey!! Immediately increase the number of lives we promised to dedicate!!”

At that, the woman narrowed her eyes and smiled.

【Impossible.】

“what?!”

【I can’t even bite the deal that started. It just waits for the transaction to be fully completed or to be naturally destroyed according to the order.]

【do not worry. In 3 minutes, your lifespan on the scale will go back to you.]

“No, you crazy… … !!”

Kim Kyung-tae did not shout at the woman mocking him. The more you do it, the more you know that the other person will only enjoy it.

“Children!! Come out right now!!”

Instead, Kim Kyung-tae shouted at the rest of the graduates who were still hiding and watching. But the one walking out in the rain no longer existed.

“this… … !!”

“stop.”

Kim Kyung-tae hardened at the cool voice that even froze the anger that had risen to the top of his head.

**

-Beep, beep… … .

Baek Ha-na was unable to look at Claire, who was approaching her, wrapped around the fairy, who was gradually breathing less and less.

I couldn’t find the courage to look at that face.

-Beep, beep… … .

The fairy who came to the children’s side thanks to Claire struggled to raise her trembling eyebrows.

-Jjingu… … By slicing… shu suk… Beep, hee… .

why can i laugh

“In addition… … .”

My throat is stuffed up and I can’t make a sound.

“… Let’s play again.”

The corners of his smiling lips tremble.

“Yeah, yes! Let’s play again after sleeping. uh? That, graffiti, playing hide and seek… uh… I’ll do everything… … .”

Idni’s eyes were bloodshot red.

“I bought a lot of clothes for you… … .”

“… chocolate. I’ll buy you a lot.”

“Me, me, uh… … .”

-Yes… … Hi-Hi… .

The fairy’s eyelids gradually go down.

【One minute left.】

No one opened their mouth to the woman’s words.

I just stare blankly at the fairy with her eyes closed.

“Hana-san.”

“… … .”

A hundred bloodshot eyes turned to Claire.

“Are you resentful? Because you didn’t tell me.”

“… … no.”

Baekhana bit her lip.

“Horse, horse… Tell me, it wouldn’t have changed anything… … .”

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Rather, I would have been swallowed up by guilt and all sorts of emotions, leaving nothing that could be called a memory. More than anything.

‘… I have no right to blame anyone.’

Hana Baek wiped the blood that flowed down her lips, trying to capture the last of the fairy as it gradually dwindled.

One hundred.

‘… … ?’

The voice I longed to hear came.

help me if you want

‘Help me?’

A little girl who couldn’t even hear her breathing anymore.

Even after 70 years of life, the balance is still unreasonably tilted.

Baek Ha-na’s lips were swollen.

【The end-】

“Help… … .”

Drurrr.

With a loud sound, the scales of the balance that seemed to never move moved.

【What is this… … ?】

The woman couldn’t keep her mouth shut as she looked at the scales that had leveled in an instant.

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Right then.

… again.

… again.

A disparate sound blended into the street full of the sound of rain.

… … again.

The clear sound of the shoes stopped.

“Come down.”

An irresistible force oppressed the woman.