November 28th
The tenth year of the war:
The King's Special Forces – Unit Three
Led by a teenage boy, they set out to offer aid in response to a distress call that had reached the headquarters of the King's Army.
Upon arriving at the village of Gwa, what they encountered resembled a tragic theatrical scene of a true catastrophe.
The land was scorched beyond recognition, with no sign of life anywhere—only flames consuming the earth. And in the middle of that desolate plain stood a massive stone sword, emanating an aura of dread that seeped into the hearts of the soldiers.
As they silently observed the scene, one of the soldiers spoke:
> "Whoever sent that distress message… I doubt we'll find a trace of them now. Commander, what should we do? Shall we return to HQ?"
As he spoke, a bright red light flared from the north, vanishing after a few seconds—followed by a powerful explosion from the direction of the Pine Forest, accompanied by fierce winds that lashed at the ground. Then came an unsettling silence.
Fear crept into the soldiers' hearts, and a deep sense of unease spread. That was when the young commander began to speak:
> "Whatever happened here… it's likely not over yet. Something is still unfolding nearby—and we need to find out what it is. But first, there's something I need to confirm."
Despite his youth, the men deeply respected their commander. Though anxious, they trusted his decisions.
With strangely calm red eyes, the boy walked toward the stone sword, his mind swirling with questions.
As he moved, the horse pulling the cart grew restless and followed closely behind.
When he reached the sword, there seemed to be nothing unusual around it.
> "This is strange... I was sure I saw something out of place here. Was it just my imagination? Still, I can't believe I'm actually seeing something like this. What on earth happened here? Just a day ago, there was a village in this spot. Now it's nothing but barren land."
While he was deep in thought, the horse nudged his head gently.
The boy smiled and patted it gently.
> "What is it? Are you scared? Did this place unsettle you that much? …I can't blame you. I'm a little scared too."
Then, in a sudden eerie moment of calm, the sky turned pitch-black. The moon rushed toward the earth at an unnatural speed.
Stars shimmered as if dancing with joy.
A warm light then radiated from the north, piercing through the darkness and bringing a strange sense of peace and serenity to the hearts of the warriors.
Moments later, the light vanished—and the darkness dissolved. Everything returned to normal.
> "What… was that? Am I dreaming?"
While the boy was still trying to make sense of what he had seen, a translucent barrier suddenly emerged from the stone sword, enveloping the surrounding area—trapping both him and his horse inside.
The soldiers rushed toward their commander, confused by what was happening.
As the boy struggled to break through the barrier, he saw a massive explosion erupt from the north. Within seconds, the blast reached their position.
In those fleeting, dreadful moments, he saw his comrades consumed by fire—burning before his eyes.
Minutes passed.
The boy rose to his feet, numb from the shock. His head was bleeding from the fall.
And when he opened his eyes, all he could see were the charred remains of his fallen soldiers.
The barrier disappeared—leaving the boy and his horse alone amidst the desolation.
He fell to his knees, blood dripping from his head, as pain and sorrow gripped his heart.
He was moments away from blaming himself for their deaths…
But something deeper—stronger than pain—rose within him.
He stood up and led his cart toward the Pine Forest.
No hesitation.
No fear.
Just empty red eyes fixed on the horizon.
After half a day's journey by cart, he reached the edge of the Pine Forest.
There, all he saw was a lifeless wasteland.
At sunset, the scene was haunting.
The silence and gathering darkness could strike fear into any man's heart—yet not a trace of fear appeared in the boy's.
He turned back toward the King's Army headquarters, disappointment heavy on his face.
---
Fourteen days later, near the edge of the Royal Garden, a group of soldiers discovered the boy unconscious by a small lake.
Recognizing his face immediately, they rushed him to the military hospital—a specialized facility for injured members of the King's Army.
The main headquarters—a fortified sanctuary located within the Royal Garden—housed over ten thousand soldiers and was fully equipped with everything from housing to restaurants, hospitals, and training grounds.
It was the most heavily defended human stronghold.
After two weeks of recovery, the boy finally regained some strength.
One day, as he sat on his bed, someone knocked on the door.
A man stepped in—wearing a message courier's cap, dark sunglasses, and standing about 162 cm tall.
> "So… you're the messenger for this division. What is it? I don't recall having anyone who'd send me a letter."
> "To be precise… it's not a letter. It's an invitation—to enter the World Tree."
It was a golden ticket, shaped like a polished plaque and engraved with mysterious symbols.
The boy wasn't interested in whatever it meant. He simply tucked it into his pocket and began dressing.
Then, leaning heavily on the wall from exhaustion, he made his way toward the main army HQ.
Inside the general commander's office, a soldier burst in.
> "Commander! The Third Unit leader requests an audience!"
> "That boy? Wasn't he still in the hospital this morning?"
> "Yes, sir. His condition is still serious. It seems he sneaked out."
With a heavy sigh of annoyance, the commander allowed him in.
The boy entered without saluting and collapsed into the chair across from the general.
The commander leaned forward, fingers interlocked on his desk.
> "So, what brings you here, Haizuki? Are you that eager to get back to the battlefield?"
Clutching his aching head, the boy replied:
> "I told you—stop calling me that. My name is Yul now."
> "Do you really think that name change matters? Anyway, since you're here, can you tell me what happened to your unit?"
Yul began to recount the events.
> "I see. So you still don't know what happened."
> "Commander, do you have any idea? What happened to Gwa Village? What happened to the Pine Forest? I've tried to make sense of it, but it's impossible. How can an entire village—and such a massive forest—vanish in a single day? Is that even possible?"
> "Whatever the cause was, it's still a mystery. We can't act without evidence. As for your unit…"
Yul winced, clutching the wound on his chest.
> "I'm sorry, Commander… I couldn't protect them. Not again."
> "This wasn't your fault. You did what you could. Still… from now on, you're no longer the leader of Unit Three. No one wants to join your squad anymore. They're afraid—afraid of dying. If you can't accept that, you're free to leave the army. No one will blame you."
Yul wasn't particularly shaken by the news, but he forced a sad smile.
> "It's fine. I never asked to be a squad leader. I'll just return to being a soldier. I don't mind."
His tone worried the commander even more. He sighed in frustration.
> "How long do you plan to carry this burden? You had no reason to join the army in the first place—and yet you shoulder so much, without ever resting. At this rate, you'll collapse. As commander, I can't allow you to take part in any more missions.
On the other hand… you've received that invitation to Auralia, haven't you? A place where fighting is forbidden. It's a good opportunity. Go. Take a break. Heal."
> "I don't need rest. My comrades died in front of me. I was helpless. And now you want me to rest before I even understand what happened to them?"
The commander slammed his hand on the table, fury on his face.
> "I order you to rest. That's a direct military order. You will leave—and if you return to headquarters before your leave ends, I will consider it insubordination and have you executed. Do you understand? If so, leave."
Yul nodded silently and left the office, hiding the rage on his face.
As the door closed behind him, the commander chuckled.
> "That stubborn boy… Still as defiant as ever."
Just then, a man in his late twenties entered the room—his long black hair falling over a missing eye, a subtle smirk on his lips.
Upon seeing him, the commander stood at attention.
> "An unexpected visit, Lord High Minister. Is there a reason for this surprise?"
The man chuckled and sat down.
> "You can drop the formality, Gars. You know I hate that. I was just on my way to Auralia and thought I'd say hello."
> "So you're just wasting time? Avoiding your duties again?"
> "Come on! Where's the respect? This is a huge shift in tone."
> "Isn't this how I've always spoken to you, Hiroshi?"
> "That's exactly the problem! You don't even care how you address me anymore," he snapped, waving a finger, then calmed himself.
"Anyway, I overheard what you told that boy. I know you're trying to keep him out of this war… but you, more than anyone, understand his value to the King's Army.
Despite his age, his combat skill is unmatched. Since he became leader of Unit Three, he's never failed a mission. More importantly… he always came back alive. Even alone.
With his talent, he'll soon surpass Traidor. The King himself has taken notice.
And yet here you are—playing the doting father and trying to pull him away. Can I ask… why?"
Gars wasn't surprised by the question. He took a deep breath and answered calmly.
> "You may not be close to him, Hiroshi—but you know him well. Have you ever wondered why he never retreats from battle?
You've seen it in his eyes—he places no value on life.
He doesn't fear death. That's why he's always the first to charge, even without a reason to fight.
Why do you think he keeps doing it?"
Hiroshi's expression darkened, but he softened and replied:
> "He's searching… for a reason to live. Isn't that obvious to you?"
> "Hiroshi… whatever life he's lived, it's not something a child should carry.
Every time I see that pale, lifeless face, it terrifies me more.
I'm simply tired… tired of seeing those eyes."
Hiroshi rose to leave. At the door, he said quietly:
> "If that's how you feel, I have nothing more to say.
See you later, Gars."
---
One week later, Yul finally recovered and made his way to Auralia—the City of Knowledge, where weapons are forbidden, and the King's authority holds no sway.
As his cart approached, the view of Auralia's forests and flowers stretched before him.
Simple wooden houses beneath the trees, quiet streets blooming with vibrant blossoms—a sight that would warm the heart of any traveler.
But not Yul.
Even that beauty couldn't stir the emptiness in his face.
He wandered the streets aimlessly, tense without his sword.
Then he saw them—people dressed in unique uniforms, patrolling in synchronized precision.
> "So… those are the Library Guards—the enforcers of the law here.
I never imagined a place untouched by the King's rule.
Anyway, this invitation seems to be a ticket that grants access to the World Library—and allows one to take a book from within.
I don't really get the appeal… but the ticket itself is pure gold.
Is this library really that important?
Well, for now, maybe I'll get some tea."
He sat at a café in the city center, his seat facing the fountain.
Sunlight filtered through the trees, casting a warm, dappled light.
For a moment, his heart relaxed.
As his eyes wandered across the crowd, he noticed a young woman—dressed in a formal black suit, with a matching black hat and sunglasses.
Her soft blonde hair covered her right eye.
She walked confidently across the plaza, turning onto a side street.
From the opposite direction came a man in his late twenties—wearing a black cloak that covered half his face. He stood tall, around 190 cm, with an ominous aura that would unnerve any passerby.
They collided shoulders in front of a bakery.
Before the girl could apologize… the man's head hit the ground—cleanly severed.
Gasps of horror rose around the square as people began to flee in panic.
But the girl? She remained disturbingly calm.
Instead of panicking, she pulled out a notebook from her bag and began to write enthusiastically.
From his table, Yul watched her intensely.
Something in her joyful expression amidst the chaos… gripped his heart.
He stood up in a daze—just as the Library Guards arrived, their spears drawn, surrounding the girl.
One of the guards addressed
"Who are you, intruder? What's your purpose in committing such a crime in the middle of the city? You have one minute to justify yourself."
Before the girl could respond, Yul placed his hand on the guard's shoulder and said,
"Can you stop for a moment? I saw everything. That girl didn't do anything. Besides, she doesn't even have any weapons on her."
The guard looked him in the eye and replied,
"And who are you?"
"I'm Yul, a soldier of the King's Army. Former commander of Unit Three."
"Yul? Never heard of that name. And even if that's true, this isn't a matter for the King's Army. In this city, you're just a civilian, understand?
Still, if you insist on getting involved, give me some proof to back your words."
Yul pointed toward one of the Library Guards.
"It's simple. If you don't believe me, ask him. He saw everything too."
The guard questioned his colleague, who confirmed Yul's statement, saying he had observed the incident closely and that the girl hadn't done anything suspicious.
But even with that, the guards couldn't simply let her go—after all, she was the only suspect at the scene.
Yul then requested to speak with her for a moment, and the guards allowed it.
The girl stood holding her notebook tightly, her face anxious. Yul gave a short greeting and spoke gently,
"I don't know what happened, but don't worry. I saw everything. I'll help clear this up."
She responded in a sarcastic tone, looking away.
"Even if you say that, I doubt your friends will believe I'm innocent.
They're just lazy. Instead of looking for the real culprit, they're ready to blame anyone with the slightest connection.
No one's going to listen to a stranger like you... unless you're someone important."
Yul could feel her irritation, and for a moment, he felt foolish for trying to help someone like her.
"Hah, you're probably right. But yes, I suppose I'm someone of importance around here.
Still, what's with that attitude? I'm trying to save your life, and this is how you act?"
"Exactly why I'm telling you—it's not your problem."
Their voices began to rise in heated argument, yet neither of them showed the slightest concern for the seriousness of the situation.
As they paused for a breath, the girl noticed the World Tree invitation tucked in Yul's coat. Her cold demeanor suddenly warmed, and she asked with a spark of excitement:
"Could it be? Are you one of the people invited to the World Tree?
I can't believe it! That's amazing!
Looks like you weren't lying about being someone important."
Yul was taken aback by her sudden change in tone.
Her beaming face almost made him forget what had just happened.
"You were nearly killed a moment ago, and all you care about is that stupid invitation? Is it really that important?"
"I had no idea there were fools in this world who didn't know about these invitations.
As I thought… the world is vast.
Anyway, don't worry—I didn't kill that man. You and I both know that."
"Even if that's true, there's no proof for either of us.
In the worst-case scenario, they'll drag me into this too."
The girl gave a sly smile, resting her chin on her hands.
"Well then, how about we work together, Officer?
I'll find the real killer, and in return, you'll do something for me.
What do you say?"
Yul grew uneasy upon hearing that.
There was something strange about a girl smiling at a time like this.
Then it hit him—she had said something important.
"Officer?
How did you know I worked for the King's Army?
And why would I accept such a deal?
I don't see any reason to help you."
"Well, it may not be obvious, but I'm a pretty sharp detective.
It wasn't hard to figure you out—your posture, your speech, your presence.
Also, someone just died, and you're not the type to just walk away.
In fact, you're more interested in finding the killer than I am.
That's why you want to help me so badly."
For some reason, Yul felt a prick of irritation in his chest.
Maybe because she was half right.
"To be honest, I feel like I'm wasting my time talking to you.
But I don't really mind.
Today's my day off.
If you find the killer, I'll grant any request you want."
He informed the Library Guards that the girl would help them find the culprit, and they allowed her to proceed.
She immediately became absorbed in thought, tuning out everything around her.
She approached the corpse.
The murder had taken place in the middle of the city—right in front of a small bakery, in the pedestrian lane.
There was nothing suspicious around the body.
Looking ahead, she noticed a large open plaza with a giant fountain in the center.
Then, she saw something that caught her attention—a potential clue.
She began to speak:
"After examining the body, I had one major question:
What kind of weapon was used in this crime?
The cut is extremely precise—clean, as if made by a single sword strike.
It's hard to imagine anything else could've done it.
But given the short timeframe in which the crime occurred, using a sword seems impossible."
Yul chimed in, trying to assist her reasoning.
"Regardless of a weapon's presence… is it possible someone moved fast enough to be invisible?
It would make sense if the killer had some kind of special ability.
But if we assume they did, then tracking them down becomes nearly impossible."
The girl stepped between the guards and walked toward the fountain.
"You're right.
But that's exactly what the killer wants us to believe.
With no physical evidence, it's easier to say someone with supernatural powers did it.
But the truth isn't so complex.
The killer just used something… hard to see."
The guard asked with a condescending tone:
"And what might that be?"
"A thread."
She pointed toward the bakery where the murder took place.
"You can check that wooden beam above the storefront.
From a distance, it looks perfectly normal.
But look closer, and you'll see—it's cut clean through in the middle."
That beam supported the bakery's front awning.
It was about seven centimeters thick and had been sliced by something razor-thin.
The gap between each half was no more than ten millimeters.
She then pointed to the fountain next to her and asked the guards to inspect it closely.
As they moved in, they didn't notice anything strange at first—
Until one of them spotted something tied to the central column.
Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be a nearly invisible steel wire.
"What does this mean? Do you know what's going on?"
asked the same guard, who only moments ago looked at her like a criminal, now clearly confused.
"Don't jump ahead, officer.
But yes, as you suspect—this thin wire here is the murder weapon.
It starts at the fountain, wraps around that shop beam, and the end… was likely tied to something at the far end of the street—at least, before the murder took place."
She asked one of the guards what objects were located at the end of the street.
Among the things he listed was a dry well.
When she heard that, she brushed aside the strand of hair covering her eye and said with a tired tone,
"I see.
That's how he did it.
To decapitate someone with a wire like this, you'd need enough tension to slice through flesh and bone cleanly.
That kind of force can't be achieved by human strength.
So, he did this:
He tied the end of the wire to something extremely heavy and compact—then dropped it into the well.
With that force, it could cut through a human body effortlessly."
Yul felt a strange sensation.
Something about the story felt off.
"Wait a minute… if what you're saying is true, then shouldn't you have been hit by the wire too?
You were close enough to have at least been splashed by the victim's blood."
"You're right—if we were the same height.
Fortunately for me, my stunted growth may have saved my life."
"Now that you mention it… that does make sense," Yul said with a sigh, frustrated he hadn't thought of it himself.
The girl continued while examining the steel thread:
"This is fascinating.
The killer clearly has a talent for planning.
But it seems he miscalculated something important."
One of the guards asked, "What do you mean?"
"Look—the wire's been cut in the middle.
It might seem normal, as if it snapped from the weight.
But check the part wrapped around the fountain column.
It almost sliced through the stone.
The killer probably assumed it would cut cleanly through—but what he didn't know was that the column's interior is reinforced with steel rods.
To prevent anyone from discovering the wire, he tried to retrieve it himself—
But when he saw the guards gathering near the fountain, he couldn't get close.
So, he cut the wire and took only part of it with him.
Fortunately for us… he hasn't gone far."
"Wait—are you saying the killer is still here?!"
The girl gave a sly smile and returned to the crime scene.
"To carry out a murder like this, you'd need to observe the area constantly.
And the only place with a perfect view… is that junk shop at the end of the street.
If you hurry, you might still find the wire—or what's left of it."
The guards rushed toward the junk shop with incredible speed, searching it carefully and methodically. After a few minutes, they found the severed wire in an isolated room inside the suspect's space. Meanwhile, Wendy and Yul observed everything from a distance. When Yul realized that everything the girl had said was true, he felt a strange sense of satisfaction deep inside.
"You're truly amazing, miss…
Come to think of it, I haven't introduced myself yet.
I'm Yul, a former commander in the King's army. And you… may I know your name?"
Wendy smiled faintly and replied,
"I'm Wendy. Pleased to meet you.
Now that this case is over, I'd like you to help me a little, Yul. Come with me."
By midday, near the central water canal of the city, Wendy walked calmly, offering gentle smiles to everything around her. Her hands were clasped behind her back. Yul followed her, filled with curiosity about what kind of person Wendy truly was. After a short, quiet walk, he finally spoke.
"Tell me, Wendy… Where are you from, and what brought you here?"
She slowed her pace to match his and began speaking as they walked side by side.
"I came from Gua Village, up north.
As for why I came here, well… it's not really that important."
"That reminds me… When that man was killed earlier, I was shocked.
But you didn't react at all—you just took out a notebook and started writing.
What was that? Do you enjoy looking at dead bodies or something?"
Wendy stopped, gazing toward a small boat drifting on the canal.
"I suppose it won't hurt to tell you.
Actually, I came to this city to chase my dream.
Did you know that once every ten years, the city of Ouralia compiles a book containing the most significant events in the world and stores it inside the World Tree for eternal preservation?
The same thing is happening this year.
When the invited ones enter the World Tree, the book will be sealed and archived for the future.
I came here to be a part of that—to contribute to this year's volume.
The research I've been working on, the data I've gathered—all of it was about deaths and disappearances that history has forgotten.
So when I saw that person lying dead… I couldn't help myself. I had to document the event."
Yul heard her words like the soft notes of a melancholy song.
It didn't take long for him to understand the immense effort behind those words.
How many sleepless nights had she spent recording her findings?
How far had she traveled to collect that data?
How little time did she have for herself, for rest?
The dark circles beneath her eyes told enough.
The ink stains on her fingers hadn't faded.
Her ragged clothes made her circumstances all too clear.
But despite everything, the feeling welling up in Yul wasn't pity.
It wasn't even sorrow.
For someone who never had a dream, that word felt too distant, too heavy.
But at that moment, he admired her more than anyone—
someone who worked so hard for something, even if he couldn't fully understand it.
Their little stroll ended at a massive building.
Its grand entrance resembled that of a palace, and its sheer size suggested it was an ancient landmark.
Yul couldn't help but wonder what kind of place it was.
A guard stopped them at the gate and searched them both before letting them in.
Inside, the building was chaotic—people carrying documents, papers flying everywhere.
Yul was stunned by the chaos, while Wendy calmly made her way toward a large hall with a small desk.
Yul asked,
"What is this place?
It felt like I was walking into a football stadium."
"This is the Central Archive.
It provides information on the history of this world.
It's usually quieter, but today they're preparing to store the most important books into the Library of the World."
At the desk sat an old man, reviewing documents with a puzzled expression.
Before Wendy could introduce herself, he cut her off irritably.
"No need for introductions.
Say what you want and be quick about it."
"I'm sorry.
I've compiled valuable information in this book.
It's a decade's worth of work.
I know I'm a bit late, but I was hoping it could be included in this year's historical volume."
Wendy trembled nervously, clenching her fists and bowing her head.
The old man paused, then replied coldly.
"I know this may be harsh, but I don't have time for children's games.
This isn't a joke."
"Please, just read a little.
This record is extremely important—"
"Are you deaf?!" he barked.
"We don't have time to include nonsense in our archives!
Besides, how do you expect us to accept new data now? Are you insane?
If you understand what I'm saying, then leave. Don't waste my time!"
Yul, irritated by the man's tone, couldn't hold back.
He understood the man's position—but still, he couldn't stay silent.
"My name is Yul.
I'm a former commander in the King's army.
I've reviewed this girl's work myself, and I believe it's worth preserving.
In recent years, the war has shaken people's faith in the King.
If that trust collapses, chaos will spread.
Remembering the dead and the missing can restore morale.
I'm not telling you to accept the book—just read it.
You might find something valuable."
"You people just don't get it…
Fine. Give me the book."
Wendy hesitated but handed it over.
The old man flipped through a few random pages.
Then, without a second glance, he closed it and threw it into the trash bin.
When Wendy saw that, it felt like her chest was being crushed.
She bit her lip in regret, struggling to hold back her tears.
Yul stared at the old man with the same cold gaze he'd had since entering.
"You asked me to review it, and I did.
If you're satisfied, now please leave."
"You barely read a thing…
I should've expected this.
You people are nothing but scum," Yul muttered as he stepped closer.
The old man yelled for him to leave and threw some papers at him.
Yul punched him hard in the face, knocking out several of his teeth.
Wendy tried to stop him, but Yul didn't listen.
Before he could land another blow, guards swarmed them and a brawl broke out.
Even Wendy was struck during the chaos—blood spilled from her nose.
By then, it was too late to calm things down.
And so, Wendy joined the fight, standing by Yul's side.
She knew it was hopeless, but she couldn't stop herself.
She needed to let out the pain.
They fought, two against dozens, taking hit after hit.
In the midst of the confusion, Wendy caught sight of Yul biting one of the guards and couldn't help but laugh—
a sharp, bright laugh in the middle of all that pain.
Fifteen minutes later, both of them were thrown out of the building, bruised and bloodied.
Wendy couldn't hold back her laughter.
"I can't believe you hit that old man so hard—
I saw his teeth fly out!"
"He pissed me off. I lost control."
"I get it, but really…
To punch him in a place surrounded by guards? Are you insane?
We're lucky they didn't arrest us.
But honestly, during that whole mess, I laughed so much…
Maybe because I knew I didn't have to try anymore."
Yul didn't like hearing that, but he couldn't scold someone he'd just met.
"The thing you wanted me to help with…
You thought that if I, a former commander, asked on your behalf, they'd listen, right?"
"You're right… but it didn't work either.
Still, I don't care anymore.
I'm free now. I can do whatever I want."
"I'm sorry.
I couldn't help, and on top of that, I got you injured.
I really am sorry."
Wendy gave a light laugh.
"Yeah, my whole face hurts…
But I did have fun.
Still…"
Though her face was smiling, tears streamed down her cheeks like rivers.
"It just hurts so much…"
Yul couldn't do anything for her.
He simply stood there and watched as her tears fell.
After a few minutes, Wendy composed herself, wiped her tears, and forced a smile.
"Sorry about that.
I lost control for a bit.
But don't worry—I'm fine now."
Yul didn't say a word.
Those were feelings he could never understand.
Wanting something… working hard for it…
Failing, then crying over the pain.
No words would be enough—just empty comfort.
Their strange meeting was about to end as Wendy excused herself to leave.
At that moment, a flicker of light reflected in Yul's eyes.
He glanced at his hand and saw the invitation—the reason he came.
"Do you like books?" he asked as she turned around.
"Yes, I love them."
"Then… you must know a lot about books, right?"
"Hmmm… I guess so.
Is there something you want to know?"
"Actually, I want you to help me pick a book from the library.
I don't know anything about books, so I have no idea what to choose."
Wendy frowned instantly and replied with disinterest.
"Huh? Why me?
Sounds like a pain.
What do I get out of it?"
(She changes moods so fast I don't even know what to do anymore...)
Yul was confused, visibly puzzled.
"How about we talk over food?
You must be hungry, right?
My treat. What do you say?"
Her expression shifted again at the mention of food.
"Really? Then let's go now!
I know a place that serves the best food in this city.
We can talk about the details later."
"Wait—already?
You're walking awfully fast for someone who's hurt…"
Yul no longer knew how to deal with this girl.
He couldn't keep up with her ever-shifting moods.
And yet…
There was a certain joy in being around someone like her—
enough that he smiled without even realizing it as he followed her.
..