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I Have A Damn Family Again - Chapter 358
🕑 Added 2025-04-05 17:03:08 +0000 UTCChapter 358: Choice (4)
It was all a lie.
The warrant had been issued from the very beginning.
From the moment it escalated to a nationwide search, Harnie could no longer walk freely.
She had used her family name and noble status as excuses, but neither offered much protection.
While the Theresia Marquisate wasn't weak, it was currently in turmoil. The distant relatives and other branches of the family would likely use this opportunity to challenge her legitimacy, denouncing her as a mere bastard, trying to remove her from her position.
Even her noble status was precarious. Aiding a criminal could lead to its revocation.
Everyone would ostracize her, turn their backs on her.
She risked losing everything she had worked so hard to achieve.
And yet, she had taken that risk.
She had helped him without hesitation.
She had no choice.
Family, status… none of it mattered anymore.
She had only one goal.
His safety.
Even if it meant losing everything, she would do anything for him.
Even if she was branded a fugitive.
Even if she lost her noble status and everything that came with it.
She had to ensure his safe return.
If she was captured within the territory, she could at least scream, alerting him to the danger.
If her identity was exposed and she was pursued, she could draw the bounty hunters away from him.
Even if she was exposed to the Bagrands, captured and judged, even if she was executed by one of Belian’s supporters…
As long as Carsein survived.
That was her only thought.
‘And now… it’s over.’
She had insisted that the Theresia Marquisate would protect her, that her noble status would shield her, but he had seen the wanted poster. Her lies had been exposed.
But she was relieved.
The goddess of fortune had smiled upon her.
“You… you knew all this time…”
Carsein looked more stunned than she had ever seen him.
He was usually so stoic, rarely expressing his emotions.
He would react to everything with indifference, as if nothing could faze him.
And yet, he was showing such a vulnerable expression.
Her words must have shocked him deeply.
‘…Don’t waver. You can’t waver.’
Harnie mentally shook herself.
If he recovered his composure and realized the truth, he would figure out she was in danger.
And that would be disastrous.
‘This is my only chance. While he’s still confused.’
She wanted to pour out her heart to him, but she had to maintain her composure.
She had already made up her mind.
She had suppressed her desires, her longing.
Now, all that mattered was sending him back to his world.
And to do that…
“You asked why I didn’t say anything, even though I knew?”
She picked up on his mumbled words, guiding the conversation. He looked up, his expression dazed.
“It’s obvious, isn’t it? You don’t belong in this world.”
Yes, it was obvious.
“I’ve lived here my entire life. I was born and raised in the Pesselus Empire. This is my world. But you… you were dragged here against your will. Why should you suffer?”
He wasn’t a citizen of this world.
He had another world to return to.
“I only heard about it, but… you were brought here without knowing anything, and you’ve suffered so much. You almost died countless times. If I were you, I would want to leave as soon as possible.”
He had faced countless dangers.
He had almost died so many times, weathering every storm without any support.
“That’s why I didn’t say anything. Because you have nothing to do with this world. You shouldn’t have to experience any of this.”
Because he would be leaving.
Because he would return to his own world.
That’s why she had kept silent.
“…”
Carsein was speechless.
Just as she had planned.
‘Yes. This is good.’
He might be confused, but their worlds were separate.
This was her world.
And he had his own world to return to, a world where he could be happy.
They had to part ways here.
“…What about you? You’re a fugitive.”
It was time to say what she had been rehearsing.
“You know, Carsein, I… I might have died back then, if I hadn’t progressed my plans.”
“…”
“The Plesia Trading Company … if it wasn’t for your advice, they could have been exposed by the Marquisate at any time. And in high society, they were always trying to tear me down. I could have been sold off like a wilting flower, discarded without a second thought. I could have died in so many ways. But… I survived.”
-Thump!
Her heart pounded in her chest.
Her lips trembled, as if trying to stop her from speaking.
She forced a smile, trying to hide her emotions.
“Because of you. Because you came here. Because you reached out to me, when my heart was turning to ice. That’s why I’m still alive.”
Her throat tightened.
As if trying to stop her from saying the words she didn't want to say.
She forced herself to continue, maintaining her composure.
“As long as I’m alive, I can do something. My foundation is stronger now than it was back then. The Plesia Trading Company hasn’t been revealed yet, but if I reveal my involvement, I can use the information I’ve gathered to pressure the nobles. I can seize control of the Marquisate and overcome this crisis. I have so much more now than I did back then. I have the means to protect myself.”
Her eyes glistened with unshed tears.
She blinked them away, forcing a brighter smile.
“So don’t worry about me and go back. Forget all the bad memories, forget everything about this world, and go back. And… be happy, okay?”
It was painful to even look at him.
She wanted to grab his hand, pull him close, beg him to stay.
No, she couldn’t ruin this.
Her entire being screamed in protest, so she turned away.
“Our contract ends here. Thank you for everything, Carsein. Oh, you said your name is Kim Min-hyeok in your world, right? I don’t know which name to use… but I’ll never forget your kindness, Mr. Min-hyeok. I don’t have time to watch you leave… I have to prepare myself.”
She said goodbye, her back turned to him.
She pretended to be indifferent.
She put on an act, hoping he wouldn't notice.
But her suppressed emotions threatened to spill over.
‘No, I don’t want you to leave. I want you to stay.’
…Please, just go, Carsein.
‘Don’t leave me alone. Please, stay with me.’
She was running out of time.
She hoped she could hold on until he left.
‘No, I want to hold onto you. Can’t you stay…?!’
She just wanted him to leave, as soon as possible.
‘*No, don’t go. I… I like you. Whether you’re Carsein or Kim Min-hyeok, no matter which world you belong to, I like you.
Please, just go. I’m about to cry.
I’m afraid you’ll hear me sniffling.
I’m afraid I’ll beg you to stay.*’
‘I… I love you.’
The worst outcome would be for him to stay.
For him to be trapped here with her.
For him to lose the chance to return to his world, the happiness he had fought so hard to achieve.
So…
Please, just go.
Before she, the one who loved him so much, stopped him.
***
My mind was blank.
I couldn’t think straight.
The shock of her words kept reverberating within me.
But Harnie had snapped me out of it.
“It’s obvious, isn’t it? You don’t belong in this world.”
She was right. It was obvious.
“I’ve lived here my entire life. This is my world. But you… you were dragged here against your will. Why should you suffer?”
I didn't belong here. I had been dragged into this world against my will.
It was unfair.
“I only heard about it, but… you were brought here without knowing anything, and you’ve suffered so much. If I were you, I would want to leave as soon as possible.”
Yes, it had been a hellish experience.
A disgusting, sickening experience that mirrored the worst memories of my past life.
“That’s why I didn’t say anything. Because you have nothing to do with this world. You shouldn’t have to experience any of this.”
Right. I didn’t belong here.
I had been transmigrated, dragged into this game against my will.
The portal to reality was right there.
All I had to do was walk through it.
Just as she said, I had nothing left to do here.
Our worlds were separate.
Once I returned to my world, I would have no further business here.
I had suffered enough in this world.
I had relived the worst experiences of my past life, twice.
This world was disgusting.
So, this was a sweet escape.
A chance to leave this hellhole and return to reality.
Of course, there were things that bothered me…
“As long as I’m alive, I can do something. I have the means to protect myself.”
Harnie had assured me she would be fine, that she had everything under control.
She was intelligent. She wouldn't have said that if it wasn't true.
I might be confused right now, but she would be fine. She would handle everything.
I had no lingering attachments to this world. I could leave.
No, I had to leave.
…
But was that all?
Was it really that simple?
‘…No.’
I refused to accept that answer.
It didn't make sense.
It wasn't logical, there was no evidence, no statistics…
It was just a gut feeling.
An uncertain, illogical gut feeling.
My life had never been easy.
I had walked countless thorny paths, never experiencing the smooth comfort of a silk road.
That’s why I knew.
This was too easy.
Too convenient.
Someone had paved the way for me.
My head started to spin.
I started to notice the things I had missed.
The inconsistencies that should have raised red flags.
‘Harnie… she lied to me.’
Why had I assumed she wouldn’t lie again?
I, of all people, should have known better.
It was all a lie.
And not just that.
She was wearing a mask.
Her every move had betrayed her true feelings.
Why hadn’t I noticed?
I felt like I had to stop her.
I couldn’t leave her like this.
-Ding!
As if on cue, the status window appeared.
▶ Do not return. Do not return. Do not return. Do not return. Do not return. Do not return. Do not return. Do not return. Do not return. Do not return. Do not return. Do not return. Do not return. ◀
…
…
The repeating message suddenly changed.
【 Your choice will determine the fate of someone in this world. 】
【 In the past, you failed to save someone, and they died. 】
【 Can you save them this time? 】
【 Your death brought despair to someone, and that despair, spreading like a plague, anchored their soul to this world. 】
【 It’s not too late, Kim Min-hyeok. 】
【 This is fate. Your arrival here, your possession of Carsein’s body. 】
“This…!”
These were the messages that appeared after clearing the EX Episodes, revealing fragments of the world’s truth…
They had hinted at a reason behind my arrival.
“Could it be…”
-Ding!
▶ EX Episode conditions met. ◀
▶ The truth of the world will be revealed. ◀
【 This world was created because of you, and it flows according to your will. 】
【 Will you let the woman who loved you die again, Kim Min-hyeok? 】
▶ Access Hidden Memorial? ◀
Yes, the answer had to be here.
I reached for the Memorial without hesitation.
