TLVGAJ 56

~Chapter 56~

Only then did it feel like my complicated mind was finally clearing.

Realization came over me.

I was Irene… but the soul inside my body was Yoon Sehee.

Since possessing this body, I had acted more like Yoon Sehee than ever before.

I had changed my attitude toward people so Irene wouldn’t die early.

I had avoided clinging to the male leads, pushing them away and steering clear.

Those were all actions I took because I was Yoon Sehee, someone who knew the original story.

Going on the train trip, saving Finn from that awkward situation during the trip—

Trying to tell people what I learned about the poachers in Sinks—

Creating that strange love triangle between Eric and Albert—

And… becoming friends with Fabian Alfonso.

Those too were things I could only have done because I was Yoon Sehee.

So…

From the moment I entered this novel, the original story was bound to get twisted.

“…”

I bit my lip.

I had tried my best to keep the original on track, but it had been impossible from the start.

The moment I possessed this novel’s character, the story had already twisted and changed.

Since the soul of the character had changed, perhaps it was inevitable.

Fabian’s words made sense in that regard.

The fact that death was coming wouldn’t change, and when the time came, I would have to face it.

But at the very least, before dying, I was still a human in this world with free will—

A living human who could do whatever I wanted in the time I had left.

[Having an end is what makes life valuable and precious.]

I pressed my lips together tightly. Because it ends, human life is even more precious.

I couldn’t change my fate of having a time limit, but I could at least spend the rest of my life without regrets.

And…

What I truly wanted to do.

Regardless of the original story, what I absolutely wanted to do as Yoon Sehee.

For now, one thing came to mind immediately.

[What?]

The chick tilted its head. I looked straight into the divine beast’s eyes and spoke.

“Finn. Save Finn.”

[…]

“That boy has a heart disease. If he can’t be cured, he’ll die.”

What would I regret most when I faced death in Irene’s body?

The first thing that came to mind was not being able to cure Finn’s illness.

Coldly turning away from Finn, who desperately wanted to live, and Harry, who wanted to save his younger brother.

As someone who had faced a terminal fate twice, I knew better than anyone the feelings they must have now.

I wasn’t heartless enough to leave those two alone just for the sake of the original plot.

Finn was also a living, breathing human in this world.

The problem was… would the divine beast grant my request?

Surely a divine beast would have the power to save Finn.

But I wasn’t a saint, and the chance of a divine beast granting a request from a non-saint was slim.

…If he refuses, I’ll just threaten him.

[What’s this? You seemed so cold before—why the sudden change of heart?]

“Doesn’t matter. Just say whether you can do it or not.”

The divine beast’s black eyes twitched. Feeling a little guilty, I continued.

“What, you don’t want to because I’m not a saint?”

[…What are you talking about?]

“If you don’t cure Finn’s illness, I won’t return you to the saint.”

[…What did you just say?]

The divine beast frowned in displeasure.

It spread its tiny wings and wagged one like a finger to scold me.

[Hey. I don’t know why you keep saying you’re not the saint, but you are.]

“No, I’m not.”

You are.

“I’m not.”

…Unbelievable.

The chick pressed its small wing to its forehead. I went on.

“There’s another saint. And logically, why would a saint have magic power? Why else would I be terminally ill?”

…Yeah, that is a bit strange.

The divine beast nodded as if agreeing, then quickly shook its head and looked back at me.

Anyway, you are the saint. Why? Because I appeared before you!

“…”

So drop the low self-esteem talk while I’m being nice!

No, how was denying I’m a saint “low self-esteem”…?

While I was wondering where this creature got such confidence in declaring me the saint—

And whether you realize it or not… I do whatever my saint wants.

The divine beast spoke in a strangely shy voice, cheeks flushed.

W-what?

As I looked at it in confusion, the chick trotted closer to me.

Then, proudly flapping its wings, it spread them wide before me.

And…

In the next moment, a huge creature appeared before me with a poof.

Not a chick, but a massive bird.

“…Wow.”

I couldn’t help but gasp. All other thoughts vanished.

So this is what it’s like when the divine beast grows? It wasn’t a chick at all?

In the novel, it only ever appeared as a chick, so I’d never known its true form was such a huge bird.

It looked like something out of a myth—a great red phoenix.

A holy light surrounded the bird, a glow so pure it felt like it was cleansing my body just by looking at it.

Anyway. That kid—Finn or whatever—just needs to be cured, right?

“Oh? Uh, yeah.”

I’ll be back.

In a daze, I nodded. The divine beast gave a gallant little salute.

“No way… are you really agreeing to this…?”

It spread its wings, soared into the sky, and vanished in a flash within the holy light.

“Haa.”

Harry sat in a chair, letting out a heavy sigh, his brown hair disheveled.

On the small, worn bed beside him, Finn lay wheezing.

Harry was more desperate than ever.

For the past several days, he had wandered across the country with the collapsed Finn.

The doctors had said there was no way to treat Finn, but Harry still wanted to try anything.

Yet no matter where he went, no method could be found.

His last thread of hope, Lady Hartmann, had refused his plea.

Though he had taken the risk to visit her, the rejection was even colder than expected.

Maybe he had realized it then—that Finn couldn’t be saved.

“Haa…”

Harry sighed again, looking down at Finn.

What should I do?

Finn, without you, I don’t think I could go on living.

You’re my only brother, my only remaining family.

You’re my only joy and my reason for living.

He wanted to ask God why He was giving him such trials.

They had been poor but happy, content with what they had.

Why take his parents… and now his only remaining family?

“Brother.”

It was then. A faint voice reached him.

Startled, he looked to see Finn’s eyes open, looking up at him.

“…Finn?”

Harry’s heart dropped.

“Finn, are you awake?”

“Brother.”

He couldn’t even remember how many days it had been since Finn last woke. Harry quickly grasped his hand.

But then, a wave of dread swept over him.

The light in Finn’s eyes was faint—like it was about to go out at any moment.