Love Across Boundaries!

"Hayan-ah?"

"Yes"

'I had an inkling that events would unfold like this…'

The scene playing out before me was even more horrifying than I had envisioned.

Jung Hayan's countenance bore a serene smile, while Park Hyaeyoung writhed on the ground, her limbs cruelly severed.

A subconscious surge threatened to bring up the contents of my stomach, yet I battled down the urge to retch.

Jung Hayan's eyes exhibited a noticeable flicker of uncertainty.

The sight of the mana-constructed barrier had triggered a much stronger wave of apprehension than I had prepared for.

'What course of action should I pursue?'

I grappled with uncertainty.

With things teetering on the edge of chaos, I wracked my brain for a swift solution. Yet, amid the turmoil, my thoughts fixated solely on Jung Hayan.

'Park Deokgu might not confront a much ameliorated fate in this scenario. If only he stood here in my place.'

He lacked the sensitivity to perceive mana.

In retrospect, directing him to investigate the left passage while venturing here alone had proven a misjudgment.

"Mmf… Mm!"

Here I stood, ensnared in a tormenting tableau—bearing witness to the remnants of Park Hyaeyoung's form as her muffled cries for succor wrestled against an unidentified spell that sealed her mouth.

Jung Hayan's response to my arrival eluded me entirely.

When my gaze brushed hers, her visage seemed to mirror a soul on the cusp of fleeing its corporeal abode.

Much like her, I, too, stood ensnared, trapped between two diverging choices.

'Is flight a viable option?'

If not.

'Might feigning ignorance prove the wiser course?'

Deliberation became imperative.

Though my body, attuned to danger's pulse, implored me to flee, my mind betrayed such a prospect.

Balancing the scales of advantage and disadvantage, I began my appraisal.

I held firm certainty that Jung Hayan harbored a genuine fondness for me.

Moreover, it would hardly be an exaggeration to say that her sentiment had burgeoned into an all-consuming infatuation.

The impetus behind her attempt on Park Hyaeyoung's life almost certainly revolved around me.

Nay, it must be intertwined with me.

**Maybe, prior to that, there might have existed some animosity between her and Park Hyaeyoung. However, judging from her conduct, there appeared to be only one plausible explanation for the current situation.**

**If I hesitated in the presence of Jung Hayan at this moment, her aggression could easily turn toward me. I was not inclined to engage in a confrontation with a volatile woman who effortlessly wielded unfamiliar spells. The duration of my circular contemplation had reached a point where it felt almost unnatural. Ultimately, I had no alternative but to cautiously verbalize my thoughts. It was the most logical course of action.**

**"Hyae-Hyaeyoung-ssi, how did this unfortunate situation come to pass?"**

**"Eh?"**

**Please don't squander the opportunity I have granted you. Please furnish me with the correct response. I am unable to assist you beyond this point.**

**"What caused her arms and legs to be in this condition? What transpired?"**

**Ensure you encompass your mouth with your hands, conveying a mixture of astonishment and disbelief.**

**It was in this moment that Jung Hayan's countenance exhibited a subtle brightening. Contrary to her expectations, she seemed to deduce that the worst-case scenario she had envisioned had not materialized. She likely believed that I was oblivious to her involvement. The choice of what to utter was undeniably uncomplicated. The answer should have been within her reach.**

**"I am uncertain of the particulars as well. man... everything occurred so suddenly..."**

**Quivering hands and legs, trembling lips, and a wavering tone.**

**She did not manifest any signs of fear. Her objective was simply to keep me in the dark regarding her culpability. It could be attributed to her inexperience with falsehoods. Nevertheless, Jung Hayan persisted in her narrative.**

**"When I regained consciousness, I found myself isolated from everyone, without any knowledge of how it transpired. Upon arriving here, I encountered Hyaeyoung-ssi... in this state."**

**'Acceptable.'**

**It was a plausible excuse. I took hold of Jung Hayan's hands, which were as unsteady as my own trembling fingers, and pulled her into a reassuring embrace.**

**"You haven't sustained any injuries, have you?"**

**"man."**

**The one who should be concerned about getting harmed was me. My heart raced uncontrollably. Constantly vigilant for any signs of spellcasting, I clung tightly to my spear. Simultaneously, Park Hyaeyoung stared at Jung Hayan in sheer horror.**

**"Mmf! Mmm! MMM! Mhm! Mm!"**

**I could venture a guess regarding her intended message.**

**'Escape.'**

**Or.**

**'Rescue me.'**

**The latter was the more likely option, yet regrettably, I found myself powerless. Antagonizing or disregarding Jung Hayan in this instance would amount to self-destruction. Her psyche was certainly more frayed and fragmented than my initial estimation. While she held affection for me, her obsession had mutated into hostility and even murder. I remained uncertain about her potential reaction if I were to express disbelief. It was plausible that this fury could extend to me.**

I found myself handed a ticking time bomb, faced with a choice between someone possessing valuable skills and someone seemingly worthless. The decision seemed clear-cut.

Any observer with a discerning eye would logically align themselves with Jung Hayan. But there was more to consider.

'I can't save her,' I realized, grappling with my inability to rescue Park Hyaeyoung from her slow demise. Despite her potential utility, I had no option but to let her go. I was torn between understanding and desperation.

Her desperate pleas to be saved and not abandoned were hard to ignore. Moved, I hurried to her side, improvising bandages from my clothing to stem the bleeding. Though Jung Hayan seemed terrified, I was certain she understood.

'Park Hyaeyoung is slipping away; her end is imminent,' I thought, observing her excessive bleeding and fading consciousness.

"There's a possibility that the dungeon traps were triggered, masked by the mana wall we passed through at the entrance to the lower level," Jung Hayan explained, having conjured the barrier.

"…."

"Judging by the mana I sensed near the level below, trap devices might be scattered around us. I hadn't factored that in."

The first floor had been devoid of such devices, I was sure of that.

"Perhaps the trap activated while I cast my spell. The magic sealing her mouth might be an unknown trap... Fortunately, I detect no other mana nearby, but…"

Jung Hayan had cast the spell.

"Yes… You're right…."

"MMM! mMm!"

I had a plan involving Jung Hayan. The issue was whether this fabrication would deceive Kim Hyunsung. He had been here before and knew the absence of traps on the first floor. Spouting nonsense would arouse his suspicion.

The efficacy of this approach in helping Park Hyaeyoung was uncertain.

"How will he react when he finds Hyaeyoung-ssi?"

Caught in a trap? There had been none to begin with, a fact he was well aware of. Attacked by a monster? The clean cuts were indicative that Park Hyaeyoung hadn't fallen to a monster's assault. The lingering trace of mana around her and the enigmatic mouth-sealing magic pointed to a different cause of her demise.

Kim Hyunsung would certainly notice. I persistently bound the wounds, although it was far from proper first aid. I had never learned basic hemostasis or medical treatment. My actions were mere pretense.

'Damn it..'

Gradually, Park Hyaeyoung's struggling movements weakened.

'Just stay hidden.'

Kim Hyunsung couldn't be the one to discover her. The preferable outcome would be for monsters to stumble upon her first, even though it was a thought I preferred not to entertain.

Above all else.

'I can't allow that.'

I was averse to that possibility. It was the last vestige of my conscience.

I observed her struggling to breathe, her gasps growing feeble.

Quietly, I chanted a spell.

"Lord. Empower, to guard, with fervent flames."

Jung Hayan cast a worried look my way.

"Flame barrier."

The magic invoked required mana I lacked. Though I felt dizzy, I bit my lip to focus on sustaining the magic.

"O-man."

"Taking her from here would be challenging. Her bleeding is severe. If we all leave together, we'll perish. I can't afford to lose you either… For now, we must escape quickly. We can't bring her body. At least, this way, we can give her a proper farewell. Yes, this is the right path."

Park Hyaeyoung's last breath was claimed by the flames enveloping her.

The surging flames resembled a lively celebration.

I stared blankly.

'It was the wisest choice.'

It was the most reasonable decision.

Glimpsing Jung Hayan's face, I sensed she struggled to suppress a smile. Nausea churned, but she wasn't the sole one transformed into a monster.

I was just like her.

For some reason, I felt ashamed.

I wanted to watch the fire longer, yet remaining was perilous.

Perhaps due to my summoned flames, Jung Hayan's magical barrier disintegrated.

As I advanced, Park Deokgu stood waiting.

"Where's Hyaeyoung-ssi? Noonim isn't hurt…."

When I shook my head wordlessly, he understood the tragedy.

He had grinned upon finding Jung Hayan, but my implication of Park Hyaeyoung's demise made his expression falter.

"And the other nearby monsters?"

"I haven't spotted many, suggesting Kim Hyunsung hyung-ssi might have drawn them away… He's resourceful and can likely survive."

"That's a relief."

It truly was. The distance between us and him was a blessing.

"By the way, w-what happened?"

"It's a lengthy tale. I'll explain later. It's intricate, and…."

"I-I understand, Hyung-nim."

A rough explanation would suffice for Park Deokgu.

Avoiding Jung Hayan's story was best, so as we hurried, I glimpsed approaching monsters.

"Hyung-nim, are you alright?"

"I'm drained of mana."

"Don't strain."

Park Deokgu shielded us from the monsters' advance as we fled.

My lungs burned.

Park Deokgu and Jung Hayan were equally drained. All of us appeared weary.

Honestly, I felt close to collapsing.

Still, I couldn't afford to lose consciousness.

I had to see this through.

Jung Hayan, looking back with a slightly forlorn expression, whispered to me.

"A-as I thought… You're sorrowful?"

Her demeanor was distressed, tinged with anxiety.

I knew the appropriate response well.

"I'm relieved you're unharmed."

Jung Hayan's mouth curved at my words. She smiled widely.

"O-o-man."

"I'm genuinely glad you're safe."

To a certain extent.f