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Either way, according to Sidelentium’s hypothesis, the two will occur simultaneously.

— And that missing X must have a deep connection with the Tiger Clan and the Bear Clan. It will be trouble.

Sidelentium said so, but he didn’t seem troubled at all.

He was smiling.

From his perspective from the sidelines, it must be fun since it’s not his business anyway.

— X’s extinction would’ve occurred when Cheonshin and Shinin were close to this land. In order to collect information, it’s necessary to look into the distant mythical era.

“So the Tiger Clan and Bear Clan who existed from that time will hold the clue.”

Just in time, Eunho is making a chronology of the age of myth, so perhaps we can use that as a reference.

Though the Tiger Clan might feel uncomfortable looking back on what happened that time.

— That’s right. It’s questionable if I alone can get clues from them.

“Why?”

“They haven’t noticed X’s absence for thousands of years. They lack objectivity. The experience, connection, affection, and conviction they gained together will hinder objective thinking.

I thought they could hold more important clues since they’re the first-hand parties, but Sidelentium had a point.

It’s hard to change someone’s mind once it’s set.

Some people barely change their thinking unless they experience some sort of near-death revelation.

Even if they notice such an absence, they might mistake X for something else to fill in the picture.

‘But there’s a tiger who achieved complete objectivity among the tigers who lived in the age of myth.’

Eunho.

In the world where I was, Eunho has learned of the Myth of Gaecheon from the perspective of an unrelated human being, not as a tiger.

I don’t know if the reason why Eunho is creating this chronology is because of X, but information from him would surely be helpful.

Still, Sidelentium wouldn’t have trust in Eunho the way that I have, so I decided not to say it.

— On top of that, Hwangho searched for his long-lost friends. Do you think it’ll be easy for him to accept that there was someone whose absence he didn’t even notice?

I don’t know if Hwang Jiho would accept X’s existence easily.

Even if he does, it would be complicated.

— The key is in your hands.

“Me?”

— You are trying to draw a line between yourself and the Tiger Clan, but you’re actually close with them. I think you can find the answer if you’re strict with yourself.

Does he mean that I might be able to play the role of finding X for the Tiger Clan?

After reflecting on the conversation so far, I said,

“If what you’re saying is true, then intervention might not be necessary.”

— How so?

“When X comes back, their memories of disappearance will too. Naturally, the Tiger Clan will be able to recognize the absence of X and identify who or what it is.”

When I said that the Tiger Clan might not need my help, Sidelentium and Ryu Jang had similar smiles on their faces.

I didn’t like it as it looked like the smile of an adult preaching to a child.

— I said you’re the one who holds the key.

“So?”

— Let’s say you clear the latch and take the key, and even know what’s behind the door. But even if it’s right before the door is opened, it is still closed.

Even if all conditions are met, there’s a big difference between the door being opened and it being closed.

What does Sidelentium want to say?

— Someone else has to open the door.

Sidelentium and I have the same limit of knowledge on what X is, but why is he pretending to know more?

He made such a metaphor, but right now, all we know is that there’s a locked door.

It’s still unclear what obstacles to remove, what to do to remove the latch, and how to move the key.

“The cake will be finished by tomorrow morning. I’d have to hurry to get it to the Lake of Eternity building.”

Before leaving MITRON, Ryu Jang sent me off and checked my order.

“There’s a customer in front of the store. Can you tell him that we’re not open today?”

There’s someone in front of MITRON?

Seeing Ryu Jang say it like that, I felt like someone who had something to do with me was outside.

Did Hwang Jiho come all the way here?

He didn’t use Hwang Yuho to suffer on this freezing cold day, did he?

Fearing that the young Hwang Yuho’s cheeks were freezing, I hurriedly put on my gloves and went outside.

But there was no Hwang Yuho.

“Hello, Euishin-ah.”

“…They’re not open today.”

“What is Euishin doing at a bakery that’s not even open?”

The blindfolded Yong Jegun was smiling at me brightly.

He’s my playable character, but he’s very annoying when he speaks like that.

When my answer came a little late, Yong Jegun immediately dug into the gap.

“I guess you did something that you can’t reveal.”

“I ordered a cake for a birthday party.”

“Ah, you mean Lena’s birthday party. But can’t you order it through the device? It’s weird that you can get an order on the patissier’s day off in the first place.”

I collected myself before answering in order not to get caught up in Yong Jegun’s trap.

Fortunately, I quickly succeeded in changing the subject.

I felt uncomfortable for no reason though.

‘Yong Jegun would usually persist with his slick questions to get information. Why did he give up easily today?’

Ddak!

Yong Jegun snapped his fingers and a cyan space surrounded us.

The jade light covered my eyes and I had to squint.

“I heard that the Eight Real Bears are waking up from their sleep, Euishin-ah.”

I was flustered by the sudden use of spatial skills, but it must’ve been to insulate sound.

I know that he made a deal with Ungnyeo because of that word, so I decided to check his source of information without hesitation.

“Did you hear it from Ungnyeo?”

“You’re not surprised. I was, a little bit. Is the reason why you’re not surprised related to why you’re here?”

I could praise my playable character for his great sense, but I had to be careful not to get caught up in his pace.

After regaining composure, I began exchanging information with Yong Jegun again.

The more we talked, the more I felt that Yong Jegun made his mind up to ascend.

He must be worried that the Eight Real Bears will awaken and come after Kim Shinrok.

“You didn’t forget that I’d grant you a wish before I ascend, did you?”

“Of course not. Are you going to wish that I won’t ascend?”

“No.”

“Yeah, I know you won’t make a wish that would make me troubled, Euishin-ah.”

Yong Jegun was right.

Something as important as ascension should be his own decision.

So I decided to make a different wish.

“I have one wish. No matter what happens, do not ascend to the Dragon Palace.”

“It doesn’t matter where I ascend but… that’s your wish?”

“Yes.”

Yong Jegun nodded as if he was gauging my intent.

It might be his last mystery to solve on Earth, so he’s trying to do it on his own.

***

The next day, at the Lake of Eternity team building.

The surprise birthday party prepared by our class and the Lake of Eternity was a success.

Kwon Jein performed a “Happy Birthday” song and when Saeum of April launched a party popper with eye-popping bright confetti in the air, Kwon Lena burst into tears.

“You guys… Thank you…!”

Kwon Lena, wearing a cone hat put on by Kim Yuri, spoke as she wiped her tears.

Everyone was wearing similar hats, but she wore the most colorful one.

That cone hat had its own story.

Min Geurin, Song Daesok, and Jin Jungmok were in charge of the hats, but Song Daesok complained a lot.

— That martial arts guy can’t write. His penmanship is worse than… geuhk!

— You’re so mean, Daesok-ah!

Jin Jungmok was supposed to write the names on each of the cone hats since everyone thought that a self-proclaimed martial artist would be good at handling brushes.

But the letters he wrote turned out to be indistinguishable worms.

With a sigh, Jin Jungmok took on a different role.

— …I will be honest. I’ll do what I can for now.

Eventually, Song Daesok and Min Geurin took over the name-writing, while Jin Jungmok made the hats out of paper.

Due to the twisted division of roles, the quality of the cone hats fell below schedule, but Kwon Lena and the Lake of Eternity didn’t seem to mind.

‘Her nephew’s classmates came to celebrate her birthday, so I don’t think she’d really care about anything.’

After Kwon Jein’s performance, a magic show prepared by Goo Seulbi and Ong Gildong was presented.

The magic presented without using skills felt fresh, and it was very good to see Ong Gildong’s showmanship and Goo Seulbi’s support properly harmonized.

But Ong Gildong was a little tactless.

“Compliments to the heroine and the best performer in the world!”

At the end of the magic show, Ong Gildong presented flowers to Kwon Lena and Kwon Jein who were sitting side by side in the audience.

Kwon Lena was handed a yellow freesia symbolizing friendship and support, and Kwon Jein was handed a purple freesia symbolziing admiration and specialness.

Even if they didn’t completely match, the sense of choosing a flower with a good meaning and close to the two’s energy-wave color stood out.

The image of him handing over a bouquet of freesias, which he took out instantly by magic, became a picturesque scene.

But perhaps this was an adlib since Goo Seulbi froze with a surprised face and remained on her spot with the same expression after the show.

“Why the sudden freesias…”

“The white tulip, which is the flower of January 7th, has a sad connotation for ‘actualization.’ It doesn’t go well with this beautiful day. That’s why I chose freesias.”

I don’t think Goo Seulbi asked because she was curious about the meaning of the flowers.

Ong Gildong was considerate, but he was tactless and his way of talking was cringe.

Next, we held an event to give Kwon Lena her birthday presents.

After exchanging questions and answers, we’re supposed to write down her guess on what the present was.

Those who get the answer right can get a cake or snack that they want, and those who get it wrong will have scribbles drawn on their faces.

The authority to draw the scribbles was given to the main event of the day, Kwon Lena.

‘We’ll eat as much as we want later anyway but… it doesn’t matter.’

The important thing was to enjoy the birthday party, so no one pointed it out.

Scribbles were drawn on everyone’s faces except me, Kim Yuri, and Hwang Jiho.

On the other hand, Mok Wooram was completely defeated and his face was almost completely covered by scribbles.

“It’s Jiho’s turn next.”

“It’s finally my turn. Try guessing this body’s gift.”

It happened to be the old man’s turn next.

When Hwang Jiho took the stage with a sealed box, Dokgo Miro and Hani’s eyes turned as sharp as a knife.

They seemed to want to get it right.

“That guy’s good at cooking. Maybe he brought something edible?”

“He kept saying he wanted to go to MITRON yesterday.”

“Then maybe it’s a cake…?”

“But the VP already bought one.”

“Hahaha! You don’t know, maybe this body made a homemade cake!”

Hwang Jiho spoke with an inscrutable face.

“If you think you know the answer, you won’t be able to get it right. Now, ask me questions!”