Bailonz Street 13

I realised that I could never go back, that I could no longer live among ordinary people. I was no longer ordinary. I was prey to mythical beings, predators, and those who opposed Greenwich. Now, I too had become a target for the hunt, just like Greenwich.

“Aren’t you afraid?” he asked.

It was no different from a manhunt, except that the hunters were entities from both within and outside this world. But was there a need to fear it? I didn’t have to tremble in fear of the terror created by the outcasts. Through several intense encounters, I seemed to have developed a kind of immunity, as if I had already experienced the worst.

I calmly opened my mouth. This level of shock couldn’t affect me.

“I’ve already seen the worst of the worst. What more is there to fear?”

I had faced divinity directly and seen crude imitations of such beings. I knew of those who could drive a person mad just by being seen. Now, my expanded understanding protected me from losing my mind. Insanity and understanding were always a thin line apart.

“I’m afraid, Jane.”

I blinked at his honest voice. Liam Moore, with a faintly furrowed brow, smiled as he said,

“I was never afraid before, but lately, I’ve been scared.”

“Maybe I’ve just gotten tamed.”

What a fox. I laughed softly at Liam’s response.

When his body temperature had fully returned to warmth, I realised I was gripping his shirt as if I would tear it. The buttons were barely holding onto the fabric, and I could see his white skin through the gap.

I swallowed hard. It was Liam’s bare skin, with warm flesh showing through. It was different from the pale statue-like skin I had seen on the island. This was the skin I loved, filled with warmth.

Noticing my gaze, Liam made a feeble, mock crying sound. I raised my eyebrows, ready to scold him, when he dropped a bombshell.

“No, I can’t. I have someone I promised to marry.”

“What? Marriage?”

When did I ever say that? And who is he to say such things while holding another woman in his arms? Get your hands off my waist and then talk, William Moore.

Ignoring my thoughts, he continued to shout,

“Don’t do this!”

My vision went blurry. This was maddening. What was this maiden-like speech? I felt like I had become someone forcing him into a situation. Liam was now wiping his dry eyes, babbling about keeping his chastity and being a virgin. It was honestly embarrassing.

“William Schofield Moore, you…”

“Kyaa!”

“…Alright, you adorable thing. You’re never getting married now.”

Liam giggled and leaned against me, his shoulders shaking with laughter. Though I found his lack of effort to suppress his laughter quite cheeky, I didn’t show it.

After a while, he looked down at me, as if I were the most beloved thing in the world. His bangs covered his eyebrows, making him look very young. His fingers gently brushed my cheek.

“Jane, if I can’t get married, will you take responsibility?”

It’s you who needs to get married.

Setting aside my retort for now, I muttered in a sullen voice,

“Liam, honestly, aren’t you already half responsible? Think about how terrible we are for the marriage market.”

Saving me, taking care of me, looking after me, and now you want me to marry you? This is completely thievery.

“Ah, that’s true.”

“See, it is.”

We’re a match made in heaven.

But suddenly, Liam’s expression changed. The playful look disappeared, and his eyes sharpened.

Ominous.

It was extremely ominous. Why was he making that face?

Liam quickly turned his head to glare at the door, as if caught in a compromising situation.

I hesitated but eventually looked up, though I couldn’t bring myself to turn fully. I had a bad feeling. I asked in a barely audible voice,

“…Liam, no, right?”

“…”

“Say it’s not. Please.”

Liam’s eyes were trembling as he stared at the door. I decided to abandon the futile questioning.

We’re doomed.

Then I felt a presence. Did they hear us playing around? Who could it be? Was the door wide open? Did they see everything? I wanted to die.

At that moment, a voice broke the silence.

“Liam…?”

My thoughts cut off.

“…”

Coldness spread. Herschel Hopkins’ voice stabbed through my eardrums.

Sweat ran down my spine. My lips felt glued together.

Liam’s face turned pale, then flushed, and then blushed repeatedly. I knew that look. It was the face of someone contemplating biting their tongue. So I turned my creaking head to look at the entrance.

It was exactly as I feared. Herschel Hopkins stood there, holding the doorknob, as if nailed in place, staring at Liam on top of me.

“…”

“…”

Fortunately, Herschel’s broad back blocked the view, and the door was only slightly open, allowing just a small ant to pass through. Others from Greenwich couldn’t see us. Is that fortunate? I don’t know.

Herschel’s face was on the verge of collapsing from shock. He had no desire to witness his protégé’s disgraceful affair. After all, Herschel had almost raised Liam as a son, practically a nephew.

Maybe I could understand Herschel. If only I weren’t the protagonist of this embarrassing scene.

I squeezed my eyes shut and opened them again. How should I explain this? I nudged Liam, but he was already half panicking. Wow, the fearless Liam Moore was losing it in front of Herschel.

“William, are you alive!”

Owen shouted as the door opened wider. His red head started to poke into the room. No! Both Liam and I panicked.

“Wait! Cassfire!”

Herschel hastily pushed down Owen’s head. He seemed determined to shield the view from others. Owen, being the sacrificial lamb, yelped as his head was pushed down.

In the meantime, I sprang away from Liam, straightening my appearance, while Liam hastily rebuttoned his shirt.

‘You missed a button.’

But I couldn’t tell him. He had to endure it himself. He must.

After fumbling a few more times, Liam finally buttoned the last one. I quickly gave him a thumbs up.

Finally, Herschel let go of Owen’s head.

“You old man, do you know how precious my head is? Are you crazy?”

Owen shrieked, but Herschel, still dazed, kept looking back and forth between Liam and me. His eyes seemed ready to spin.

Awkwardly, I pointed to the bed. Desperately hoping to sound like a regular caregiver.

“Uh, Herschel. Liam woke up.”

There. Done. Not shaky at all.

Owen lifted his head. He saw Liam Moore standing there with all limbs intact.

“Oh!”

Owen gasped and rushed in. As Herschel moved aside, people from Greenwich poured into the room. The spacious room quickly became noisy and chaotic, making Liam grimace.

‘He must be thinking what a commotion this is first thing after waking up.’

These people all desperately waited for you to wake up. And I had no intention of stopping them.

The plants that had grown in the room started to wither. They seemed to be absorbing all the remaining magic. The sight of ferns curling up and disappearing was more grotesque than mystical. Watching it, I quietly slipped out towards the door, leaving Liam to fend for himself.

Liam struggled to free himself from the people crowding him, raising his voice in frustration.

“I told you, I’m fine!”

Oh, you must realise how unconvincing that sounds, don’t you?

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