Salvation Through Delusion C150

Chapter 150

I tried not to contact Dr. Kim unless it was absolutely necessary. If she started in with “You slept, right? You slept?” I’d end up confessing everything.

But this counted as absolutely necessary.

I had successfully gotten the contract signed — that alone justified a call.

The timing was perfect too. No one was hovering. Black Bear was deep in training to wield divine power, and Tyroc was doing the same to honor his promise. So I connected calmly.

“Look.”

I waved the contract in front of the communicator. Dr. Kim leaned so close her nostrils filled the crystal.

“Stop shaking it and hold it still.”

“Just look at the bottom — he signed and stamped it properly.”

“Yeah, good jo— huh? What’s this extra clause? Pickled vegetables aside… he has to return within ten days when deployed? Why?”

Damn it. That was exactly what I’d tried to hide. I pulled the contract back.

“Can’t stand being apart from him for ten days?” she asked.

“It’s the opposite. I don’t want to be stuck together that long. You wouldn’t get it even if I explained, so don’t worry about it.”

She bristled.

“I know more than you.”

“Like what?”

“That Tyroc has feelings for you.”

…What nonsense.

“That’s not true,” I said, brushing my hair back. “Don’t say weird things.”

“If it weren’t, he wouldn’t write your petty demands into a contract.”

“How is that related to feelings?”

“You really don’t know anything.”

She stared at me through the crystal.

“You only bother with small things when you care. Especially someone like Tyroc, who doesn’t care about anyone.”

“….”

“Why are you scared?”

“I’m not scared.”

She smirked.

“You worried that if you develop feelings, you’ll become a traitor?”

“Absolutely not. I’m closing the Eye of Hell no matter what. Even if Tyroc hates me for it.”

Better resentment than… the alternative.

She waved it off.

“You won’t be blamed. So relax and date however you want.”

“Stop talking nonsense.”

“I’m serious. I’ll take responsibility. Blame me.”

“Why would I do that?”

“Newbies don’t carry responsibility. That’s what leaders are for.”

“Funny.”

“I’m not joking. I don’t have much time left here. I’m offering to carry it — why are you mad?”

Because that sounded like a farewell.

“Stop saying you don’t have much time! Do you even remember why I came to Tuvine—”

I cut myself off too late. Suspicion lit her eyes.

“Why did you come?”

“To work with my only ally. Revenge. Closing the Eye of Hell. And for the record — you’re not the one responsible. I am.”

“…What?”

“I was the squad leader in the militia, but at the final lab I was the top decision-maker. Everything happened because I approved it.”

“You?”

“Yep. So… got anything to report?”

She scowled.

“Hey, you—”

“Hoiga’s definitely planning something. Is Adeye getting harassed?”

“Not your concern.”

Something about that answer bothered me, but I let it go.

“By the way — I heard the hunting festival got postponed. Big palace party instead.”

“How do you know?”

“I got an invitation.”

“Decline it.”

“Already did. I’m busy.”

“Busy with what?”

“Searching the Acorn Forest. It’s huge.”

Her eyes sharpened.

“I’ll send supplements. Eat them. Run through forests. Date Tyroc properly.”

“Stop trying to coach my love life and take your own supplements. You need to live long enough to see the Eye close and traitors cry.”

Her expression softened.

“Life never goes according to plan,” I added. “Worrying about the future is pointless.”

“You still prepare. Do your best. That way—”

The line cut.

She tapped the crystal. Nothing.

“Figures…”

Leaning back, she laughed quietly.

“So you’re the leader now, huh?”

She downed a tonic and returned to paperwork. Loans, shell companies, collapsing rivals — all proceeding nicely.

If things continued, traitors’ tears were inevitable.

Later, staring at the silent communicator, I remembered her unfinished lesson:

Even if the future won’t follow your effort… do your best now.

That way, you can confidently blame someone else if it fails.

I snorted. Absurd — but comforting.

Around me, everyone was doing the same: Black Bear training despite impossible odds. Tyroc chasing a faint power day and night.

Fear of failure was universal.

The only escape was focusing on the present.

So I stood.

If I wanted Borhumi’s divine beast back, I had to open the door.

And later — I’d have the right to yell at a certain snake-headed deity.

“…Auntie never changes,” I muttered.

✦ 

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO PLEASE GOD ANYONE NO ANGST PLEASEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

Dr. Kim: “Just date him.”

Rue: “I’m trying to stop an apocalypse.”

Dr. Kim: “Multitask.”