Chapter 96. Might Get Caught

A warm and cozy air enveloped my entire body and mind.

Was it because I became free?

It seemed like the first time I had such a complete and peaceful dream.

No, is it really the first time?

It felt somewhat familiar…

<……?!>

The moment I thought it was familiar, I realized this wasn’t the first time I’d had this dream. Suddenly, my vision opened, and my body became conscious.

<Where is this…?>

I was submerged in a milky white liquid.

Was it about two years ago?

I had a dream like this.

Recalling that fact, the next thing I had to do struck me like lightning.

<Hey! Yoon Jia!>

I had to talk to this person.

I shouted into the empty void. My voice echoed through my head.

Honestly, I was prepared to just let it go even if only an echo returned, but a responsive sound came from somewhere I couldn’t pinpoint.

<…Uh, yes?>

Even though it had been a long time since I heard it, the voice still carried an immense shyness.

Is she still living with low self-esteem?

<How have you been?>

Why am I glad to hear it?

As if I wasn’t the only one happy, Yoon Jia shyly responded. Even though I could only hear her voice, I could easily imagine her smiling bashfully.

<I’ve been doing very well. Sometimes I think of you.>

<Really?>

I didn’t think of you much.

I’m sorry about that.

But I’ve been living a very eventful life!

Compared to that, Yoon Jia must have been living a regular and stable life as a cleaner, so she probably had some time to think of me?

However, through the ensuing conversation, I realized that Yoon Jia thought of me more than I expected.

<I keep opening the web novel.>

<Huh? What do you mean? Are you rereading it?>

<You appear here. Ah, you almost died in the Battle of Agulena…>

<……>

Oh, my heart.

I was sensitive to the word ‘Agulena.’ Hearing it suddenly without any warning, even in a dream, made my heart sink.

But it’s not ‘destined to die,’ nor ‘scheduled to die,’ but ‘almost died’?

It’s true that I escaped before the Battle of Agulena and survived, but how does Yoon Jia know that?

Curious, I asked immediately.

<What do you mean, ‘almost died’? In the novel, it says I died.>

<No, that’s not it.>

<……?>

What does this mean?

I was momentarily stunned, my mind going blank.

Was I confused about the book’s content because it had been so long?

No, right? Seraphina was indeed an extra character used for the male leads’ flashbacks, wasn’t she? She was the unfortunate extra whose abilities were compared even after her death when the female lead, Aveline, appeared.

<Say it clearly. Don’t leave me hanging with bits and pieces.>

<Well, it’s just that…>

Oh dear.

I must have pushed too hard.

The already-timid girl, who had now fully become Yoon Jia, shrank further and couldn’t speak.

I began to gently coax her, regretting my mistake.

<No, it’s okay. You can tell me slowly. Do you remember anything about the next part of the web novel?>

I hadn’t read this book to the end.

Well.

I avoided the Battle of Agulena, so I preserved my life, and separately, I was still curious about which of the crazy guys who tormented me would end up with Aveline.

As I spoke softly, Yoon Jia regained her composure and continued speaking.

<I don’t know the next part either.>

…This girl?

I felt an impulse to grab her by the collar if only I could see her form.

However, I flinched at her next words.

<But be careful.>

<Of what?>

<The three heroes are looking for you.>

<Ah… really?>

I tried to respond as if it was no big deal, but I felt a chill run down my spine.

I had anticipated it.

I thought they might look for me after I disappeared without a word.

But each of them had lands to protect, so they couldn’t be away for long. When Aveline appeared, they’d be so enamored with her that they’d naturally forget about me.

It was something time would resolve.

However, Yoon Jia’s next statement left me breathless.

<You might get caught.>

<……?!>

<I read it in the web novel.>

<What the hell are you talking about! Don’t joke around. I know there’s no such content!>

I admit it.

I got very agitated.

But Yoon Jia, who would have normally shrunk back and stayed silent, raised her voice in frustration.

<I’m telling the truth!>

<You said you didn’t read to the end! Where’s the lie coming from?>

<I couldn’t read to the end because the letters started moving…>

<……?!>

What is this now?

I instinctively knew I had just heard something very important.

<The letters moved? Does that mean the future events have changed?>

<……>

<Hey, Yoon Jia! Answer me! So what happened in the end?>

<……>

Ugh, frustrating!

Why is she suddenly silent?

As she exercised her right to remain silent at such a crucial moment, I was so frustrated that I pounded my chest with my fists.

Then a realization suddenly struck me.

I swallowed dryly and gathered my energy, just in case. Then I released it.

<Hey!>

<……>

She couldn’t not have heard that.

It seemed the connection had been cut.

Realizing that, I noticed the white mist rising late over the white surface of the water.

Damn.

It was like this back then too.

Always at critical moments…

“Of all times… hmph…”

As I slowly opened my eyelids, I saw a white ceiling. I wished that white color was the water I had been submerged in during the dream.

But it was too solid to be submerged in.

Of course, it was a ceiling.

What a pathetic thought.

I lay there blankly for a moment.

I was just dazed. Everything was.

What did I hear in the dream?

“Was it her own thought that I’d get caught, or did she read it herself?”

Before that, was this dream really connected to Yoon Jia on Earth? Or was it just a dream stemming from my inner anxiety?

My mind, which had been foggy as if shrouded in mist, gradually cleared. Then it became clear what I needed to do.

I got up from the bed.

“There’s no harm in being careful.”

I decided to contact the gentleman through the emergency network.

* * *

Ponitan was truly a beautiful town.

I met Cyril and was walking slowly through the narrow alleys.

“The baker’s skills here are excellent.”

“The smell alone proves it.”

Cyril explained what was in every corner of the town as we walked, and I was completely absorbed in the joy of discovering new places.

“Miss Chloette, have you thought about what you want to do in the future?”

“Ah, well.”

I put my index finger to my lips.

Perhaps because Yoon Jia appeared in my dream, I began to think about the time I lived as Yoon Jia on Earth.

I was an orphan, struggled to make ends meet, had no room to dream due to the wall of money, so I made money by cleaning, which I was good at.

I didn’t dislike it when people praised me for cleaning well, but, well. I wanted to try other things too. Freely.

At the same time, I wasn’t sure exactly what I wanted to do.

You only know what you like through experience.

So I decided to start with small things.

Act Two of my life.

From now on, it was time to get to know myself.

“I like pretty clothes.”

I smiled bashfully at Cyril.

I didn’t have many occasions to wear them, but I timidly bought a fancy outfit every now and then. Then, I’d try it on once when I was alone and stash it away in my wardrobe.

I remembered when Faye had dressed me up beautifully. I had said something awkward at the time, but honestly, I felt good looking in the mirror.

So…

“I’m thinking of making a dress. Something a bit fancy?”

“A dress… you’re going to make one?”

Cyril looked surprised, as if he hadn’t expected that.

Is this really so surprising?

It seemed it was because the clothes I was wearing were too plain. They didn’t exactly scream ‘fashion enthusiast.’

I awkwardly scratched my neck and added,

“I don’t have any occasions to dress up, so I dress like this, but I do have a secret taste for fashion.”

“If you’re looking for a clothing store, it’s over there.”

Cyril kindly smiled with his eyes.

“Is there a seamstress in this town? It would be nice to find a sewing machine and various fabrics.”

“Well, I’m a tourist, so I’m not sure about that.”

He had been acting like he knew this town inside and out, but it seemed he didn’t know everything.

Well.

Honestly, I wasn’t expecting much when I asked.

A dress needs demand to be made.

There probably wasn’t much demand in this small town.

“How about making a request at the merchant guild?”

Cyril suggested.

“Should I?”

Perhaps I could find some basic books on sewing or various fabrics.

“While I’m at it, I should withdraw some money too.”

Since I was planning to go to a clothing store, I added with a grin.

To shop to my heart’s content, I should have plenty of money on hand.

Cyril nodded with a smooth smile, indicating there was no problem.

So we headed to the merchant guild in Ponitan, which also operated a general store.

There was a lot to do.

Withdraw money, request sewing-related items, and contact the gentleman through the emergency network.

Oh, should I request a newspaper too?

I was curious about how the outside world was doing.