NovelOLX Chapter 355: Everyone Gather (5)
Chapter 355: Everyone Gather (5)
At that moment, in Seogwipo City, Sejong Academy Lodging H Hotel Suite Room:
“Unnie, you know the plane the staff boarded? Apparently, an unidentified person collided with it, causing it to spin a few times and eventually arrive late.”
Yoon Iseon relayed the information she received from a Hero Association agent directly to Baek Seol-hee.
“Unnie?”
“That was me.”
“What?”
“I created a clone outside the window and threw it.”
Dressed comfortably in just a white T-shirt and long pants, Baek Seol-hee leisurely sipped on iced coffee through a straw as she sat on the sofa.
“The collision was unexpected, but planes collide with birds and all sorts of things while flying, right?”
“Usually, that would lead to a Mayday situation...”
“It’s fine. It was just a light bump. I only infiltrated the plane secretly, that’s all.”
“Why? To be with the teacher? Even if it’s just a clone?”
“Yes.”
“You’re really going all out with just the two of you, aren’t you?”
“So, my unnie is thinking of retiring for pregnancy, is that a problem?”
“....”
Yoon Iseon clamped her mouth shut.
After all, there was a world of difference between having a child in one’s mid-twenties and having one in the late twenties.
“I’m just following the world’s advice to ‘marry early and have children.’ Though I might be a little late.”
“Yes... The issue is that the partner is a married man.”
“That’s not the only issue, but it’s just a minor problem. He’s fine.”
The fact that the “minor problem” was that he was the Goblin almost slipped from Yoon Iseon’s mouth, but she held it in.
“Right, right. Wishing you the best. So, has the clone joined the teacher?”
“I don’t know.”
“What?”
“Well, I know it’ll do well, but I can’t check right now.”
Baek Seol-hee pressed her hands to her temples and closed her eyes.
“Maybe it’s because of the big obstacle of Hallasan Mountain, but telepathy isn’t working well. If it were within my magic power range, I could make it work with multitasking and turn it into part of my consciousness, but it’s too far away right now.”
“So, what state is it in?”
“You could say it’s another version of me that split off from the moment it boarded the plane. There’s the original Baek Seol-hee here at the Seogwipo accommodation, and then there’s the clone Baek Seol-hee keeping a 24-hour watch by his side. I bet he’d be shocked if he saw it. He’d probably wonder if it has its own personality. Haha.”
“Impressive. With that level of cloning ability, you’ll be able to stay active even after getting pregnant.”
“...Right, someday in the future.”
Baek Seol-hee hesitated slightly in her answer, and Yoon Iseon picked up on the subtle pause.
“Sister, are you... now preg—”
“Shh.”
“We’re alone, you’ve used a magic shield, and it’s not like this conversation is being recorded. Sister, are you pregnant?”
“...Iseon.”
Baek Seol-hee looked at Yoon Iseon with a serious expression and placed her hand on her abdomen.
“The reason I came to Jeju Island was to ‘create an alibi.’ To establish a connection with that man.”
“When did you get pregnant? Meeting in Jeju in July doesn’t quite fit the timeline, does it...?”
“Uh, well, it’s been about a month... or maybe a bit more? And we’ll just say the baby was premature.”
She planned to lie, claiming that the baby came prematurely, knowing that the full 10 months wouldn’t be reached.
Yoon Iseon couldn’t help but marvel at the clever yet somewhat flimsy plan Baek Seol-hee had crafted.
[What secret of mine?]
“The Goblin is...”
Harang placed her hand on my collar and looked up at me.
“Do Ji-hwan.”
[I haven’t revealed that yet.]
“Let’s just say I figured it out.”
[...Hah. Wait a moment.]
I raised my hand to the mask, releasing only the magic covering it.
“...Seeing each other face-to-face while using magic like this feels incredibly strange. It’s like I’m the one who’s completely exposed. Are you listening, Baek Seol-hee?”
“It’s fine. Baek Seol-hee can’t hear us right now.”
“...What?”
“With Baek Seol-hee’s magic and abilities, she can’t maintain a link from Jeju to Seogwipo. So, I became a distinct, autonomous clone. She can’t control me.”
“I see. I understand now. You increased the clone’s autonomy and ego enough to allow for independent movement.”
Although both were Baek Seol-hee before the clone’s creation, once they split, Baek Seol-hee and Harang became effectively separate individuals.
Despite the short time that had passed, one part of her, as an S-class ability user, went directly to the Seogwipo hotel suite. Meanwhile, the Harang before me was merely a D-class ability user with limited magic power.
“What do you plan to tell the original later? Will you give her a report?”
“Once I merge back with her, all the memories and experiences will be transferred to the original.”
“...So, for the time being, it’s like you’re living two lives simultaneously.”
“It’s like aging twice as fast.”
Harang twisted her lips into a sharp smile.
“Even though a woman has to age twice as fast, she still went ahead and made a clone to send to you. What do you think that means?”
“...To monitor me?”
“Bingo. She told me to keep away any girls trying to cozy up to you.”
“Somehow, you don’t sound particularly interested in doing that.”
It wasn’t just my imagination.
My instincts were telling me as much.
“A clone that doesn’t follow the original’s intentions.”
“It’s not about not following. After assessing things as Baek Seol-hee by your side, I don’t see the need to chase away every woman flirting with you.”
“And why’s that?”
“What man in the world likes being watched and controlled by a woman? Not unless he’s a pervert.”
“...The more we talk, the more you feel like someone else entirely. It’s like you’re Baek Seol-hee’s little sister or cousin.”
“Then, call me Baek Harang, Seol-hee’s little sister.”
“Baek Harang?”
“Yes. Well, the last name isn’t that important. Just call me Harang. Or should I attach a different last name? Baek Harang, Seol Harang, or maybe....”
“Let’s just stick with Harang.”
I gently brushed a speck of dust off Harang’s shoulder.
“So, what is it that you want from me? Why did you call me out here?”
“Did I call you?”
“You kept looking at me as if you wanted to. To talk like this, to have a reason for calling me. Am I wrong?”
“No, you’re spot on. What I want is...”
Harang quietly slid next to me, gently taking my hand.
“I just wanted to walk and chat with you.”