Memorize Chapter 231

Ceiling.

I didn’t look up. I didn’t want her to think I’d noticed. With my third eye and senses, I’d already figured out what was there.

I calmly stared at Han-Byeol. From the moment I opened the door, her seductive glances made me feel uneasy. In a fleeting moment, a thousand thoughts crossed my mind, but I buried them all at once. Then, I slowly stepped into the room.

“Oppa, I’ve been waiting for you so much today,” Han-Byeol said with a soft smile.

I didn’t respond. I walked to the table, grabbed a chair, and pulled it toward me. She tried to slide it aside, but I yanked it firmly, thwarting her attempt. Her face stiffened for a split second before softening again. I sat down across from her, meeting her gaze steadily. Undeterred, she continued speaking with an awkward expression and tone.

“Why didn’t you come earlier? That’s mean.”

“…”

“Oppa, how do I look? Pretty, right?”

“…”

“Why’re you so quiet? Are you mad because I started drinking without you? Okay, I’ll pour you a glass.”

“…”

Han-Byeol flashed an uncharacteristically cute expression and offered me a glass. I didn’t take it. She gave an embarrassed smile, poured herself a drink, and carefully placed it in front of me. Without glancing at it, I finally spoke.

“You.”

“Yes?”

I wanted to say, ‘Why did things turn out like this?’ but the words wouldn’t come. Where was the sharp, brilliant Han-Byeol I knew? All that remained was a fragile figure, like a glass sculpture on the verge of shattering. I examined the drink she poured, then downed it in one go. With a regretful sigh, I continued.

“Sigh… So, why did you suddenly set this up?”

“Just… The academy’s ending soon, you know. I’m reluctant to let it go. I wanted to talk about things we haven’t had the chance to. Why? Is it wrong for me to do this?”

“What are you reluctant about?”

“About… not seeing you anymore.”

Her tone briefly reverted to its old self before shifting back. I sighed again, clutching my head. My chest felt suffocatingly tight. Part of me wanted to flip the table and walk out. But the pleading look deep in her eyes held me back, tugging at my resolve.

“I didn’t know you felt that way.”

“Haha, I’m a woman too, you know.”

“Han-Byeol.”

“Yes? Hold on, I drank too much, it’s getting hot.”

With a coy smile, she raised a hand to her shoulder. Her already revealing outfit slipped further as she loosened a strap, exposing a glimpse of her delicate chest.

As her trembling hand moved to continue, I couldn’t hold back any longer. In a heavy voice, I spoke.

“You don’t have to do this.”

“…What?”

Her hand froze as I spoke. She turned to me with an unnatural, almost mechanical motion, like a doll swiveling its head.

“What do you mean…?”

“You. Don’t. Have to do this.”

I emphasized each word, making my intent clear. Her expression wavered. She looked at me, flustered, then dropped her gaze. She seemed unsure where to look. Her hand, which had been peeling off her clothes, fell limp, and she stared blankly at the table.

I kept my eyes fixed on her face. Even though she felt my gaze, she didn’t lift her eyes from the table. As I watched her profile in silence, she suddenly raised her head.

A quiet stillness enveloped the room.

“…”

“…”

Her eyelids trembled. Her breathing grew ragged. Her lips quivered.

The mask she’d been wearing was starting to crack. In a calm voice, I spoke again.

“Han-Byeol.”

“Oppa…”

“I don’t think you need to pretend to be drunk.”

That was the final blow. Han-Byeol, who had been hesitating, let out a sob and collapsed onto the table.

“Sniff… sniff… sniff…”

I said nothing. I simply watched her crumble. I wanted to see how far this would go. If she crossed a line, I wouldn’t stay silent any longer.

Then, it happened. Han-Byeol, still sobbing, lifted her head and reached for the bottle beside her. She detached a small crystal ornament from it, stood up, and placed it in her palm. Though her voice was tinged with tears, she began chanting in her true, unembellished tone.

“───. ───. ───.”

I quietly reached into my pocket, pulled out a cigarette, and put it in my mouth. As I lit it with a spark stone, her incantation completed.

“Penetrate. Blossom of Crystal.”

I glanced up. The crystal in her palm glowed faintly blue. It soon erupted into a dazzling light, forming a beautiful flower shape. From its center, a sharp beam shot upward, aimed at the ceiling.

Crash! Shatter!

The sound of a surveillance crystal breaking and shards scattering filled the air. I tossed the spark stone upward and snapped my fingers. Crack! With the sound of flesh meeting flesh, a fierce flame roared to life, incinerating the falling fragments. The spark stone then landed neatly back in my hand.

“Sigh.”

Han-Byeol took a deep breath. She closed her eyes briefly, and when she opened them, her original expression had returned, stripped of the mask. Her eyes sparkled with intelligence, exuding a sharp, almost imperceptible edge. It was like seeing her during the rite of passage.

She watched the embers drifting in the air for a moment before locking eyes with me. Her gaze carried a resolute determination, no longer tinged with the awkwardness from before. In a cool, steady voice, she spoke.

“Oppa, I have something to tell you.”

“Go ahead.”

“The Golden Lion is targeting you.”

“Sit down. And tell me everything.”

I responded calmly, already expecting this, and Han-Byeol quietly looked down at me. She sat down and began speaking slowly.

*

I listened to Han-Byeol’s story without interrupting once. I wasn’t surprised to hear that the Golden Lion was using her to trap me—I’d already suspected as much. But when she mentioned they might resort to extreme measures, a chill ran down my spine. She didn’t specify what those measures were, but her tone made it clear they harbored malicious intent.

After finishing, Han-Byeol let out a relieved sigh. Noticing my gaze, she blushed and covered herself. I turned away to give her time to dress, sinking into thought.

She soon donned her usual robe and sat across from me again. A question had been nagging at me, and I decided to voice it.

“Han-Byeol, I have one question.”

“Yes, go ahead.”

“Thanks for telling me, but why? You’re a member of the Golden Lion. You even followed their orders up to a point.”

“…”

At my question, Han-Byeol bit her lip. I’d confirmed the surveillance crystal in the ceiling and decided to see how far she’d go. But she didn’t cross the line—and went further, exposing the clan’s plans.

Seeing her hesitate, I activated my third eye.

(Player Status)

1. Name: Kim Han-Byeol (Year 0)

2. Class: Secret Jewel Mage

3. Nation: Babara

4. Clan: Golden Lion

5. True Name · Nationality: One Born of the Stars · Master of Radiant Light and Luster · South Korea

6. Sex: Female (22)

7. Height · Weight: 170.5cm · 43.8kg

8. Alignment: Lethargy · Scar

[Strength 50] [Resistance 58] [Agility 70] [Vitality 52] [Magic 88] [Luck 68]

(4 ability points remaining)

‘She’s balanced her stats well. Not exceptional compared to others, but… Lethargy? Scar? What’s that about?’

“I don’t know. I just… didn’t want to keep doing this to you,” She said, her voice barely audible.

I looked up, deactivating the status window. Han-Byeol’s face now carried a serene expression. She seemed reluctant to elaborate, but I pressed on, curious about her true intentions.

“Alright. Thanks to you, I can prepare for the danger. But after graduation, I’ll likely leave Babara. What happens to you then?”

“…I don’t know.”

“You don’t know? Did you do this without thinking?”

“…”

For a moment, I wondered if I was pushing too hard. Han-Byeol fell silent again, her face tinged with sadness as she quietly absorbed my words.

Tap, tap. 

I instinctively tapped the table, organizing my thoughts. The silence between us grew heavy, creating an uncomfortable atmosphere. Overthinking was only making my head spin and my chest tighter. I decided to trust my third eye and focus on talking to her.

So, I resolved to ask questions calmly, one by one. First, I needed to ease the tension.

“I think we need to talk. You don’t have to answer anything too difficult, but I’d appreciate it if you could be as honest as possible.”

“…Okay.”

Her faint response came through. Then, I asked the question that had been burning in my mind.

“Why do you stay with the Golden Lion, even after receiving orders like that?”

“…”

“I mean, even if it’s an order from above, there’s right and wrong. I doubt you enjoy being put through this.”

“I don’t enjoy it. But… I can’t leave the Golden Lion.”

Finally, Han-Byeol spoke, her voice low but clear, laced with unmistakable hatred.

*

After arriving at the inn, I sat down and glanced around. It was Sunday, with no control support, so I had little to do. With the academy nearing its end and restrictions loosening, I could go out freely.

“She hasn’t arrived yet.”

Since I was the one who invited them, waiting didn’t bother me. Alone on the empty third floor, a waitress approached me gracefully.

“Hello! Are you alone?”

“No, two more will join soon.”

“Shall I take your order then?”

“Let’s do it now. Bring everything you’re confident in—drinks included.”

“Pardon?”

Instead of answering, I tossed her a pouch. She caught it deftly, peeked inside, and quickly bowed before retreating, as if afraid I’d cancel the order. Watching her hurry away, I stretched widely. My body ached from staying up late talking with Han-Byeol.

I closed my eyes, trying to clear my mind, but thoughts of her lingered. Recalling our conversation, I sank into contemplation.