v2c3

3. a.s.sociate

The world burns.

Screams that tore through his ears. Nothing moved or changed no matter how much he struggled.

The boy with his face pushed down on the ground pulled up his eyes to look in front of him while

groaning in pain.

The place that meant everything to him, the place he grew up in all his life was disappearing before

his eyes as it got consumed by the flames.

“No……”

His voice was stifled by the screams no matter what he said.

“No.”

Nothing changed no matter how desperately he called.

“No!!!!!!”

He couldn’t do a thing as he saw his most important person die in front of him.

“No, Mom!!!”

It couldn’t be turned back no matter how much he screamed in lamentation…… Just who had

decided this was a fact?

The boy had to witness the flames consume everything important to him as he got pushed down by

those detestable people. Boy made a solemn vow as he cried out.

That he’ll turn back time.

That he’ll get back everything stolen from him even if he had to crush the ethics of nature, even if

he had to destroy the laws of the universe!!

Add was lying on his side when he opened his eyes. He saw an unfamiliar window.

“This is…..”

Add made a large sigh then tried moving his fingertips. They moved freely. There seemed to be no

damage to his nerves.

‘Double’, the skill he ended up learning through his time travels was extremely overburdening for his

body. There existed a necessary formula that had to be performed in order to activate the Dynamos.

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But using this ‘Double’ was close to recklessly executing this formula multiple times simultaneously

while taking out the part of the formula that acted as a safety device.

Its possibility for greater power was almost infinite depending on how Add used it. But he wasn’t

sure of what kind of after effects it would bring.

Add installed the Dimension Distortion mode to his Dynamos in order to time travel safely. But

‘Double’ was like jumping into a Time s.p.a.ce Wormhole without any safety devices.

Continuing to fight this way was dangerous. Add’s body will get injured for sure. Then after certain

point….. His body will become broken beyond repair. He had a feeling that it won’t end with just

simple injuries when such a time came. Add could feel that an ending worse than he could imagine

was waiting for him if he kept fighting like this.

“But….I’m alive for now.”

When Add let out a sigh of relief after examining his body, he heard a voice from behind him.

“Are you regretful that you’re alive?”

“What happened after that?”

Voluptuous voice filled with allure. Add knew whose voice it was without even having to turn

around.

“Didn’t I say I’ll handle all the remaining tasks? So I did. I also went ahead and healed boy’s body

with Clairvoyant powers.”

“I see….”

Add had defeated Shadow Master but there were still its minions remaining. Eun must have wiped

them all out.

“How about the others? Is Eve safe?”

“Of course she’s safe. You don’t have to worry about anything at least for today, boy.”

It felt surreal even though he heard the answer. Add stared at the half opened window and let out a

thin sigh.

Was it really over? Did he finally succeed in defeating the demons that came after Eve? He still

couldn’t believe despite how much he repeatedly questioned himself.

It felt like he could believe only after he saw that Eve was safe and sound. Add raised his upper

body to get up then frowned at the noisiness outside the window.

“It’s unnecessarily loud. I’m getting tired just listening to it.”

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“I kept it open because I thought would be better for you to get some fresh air. Shall I close it for

you?”

Add was slightly surprised internally at Eun’s fresh words. This fox that was always saying

something strange and kept having fun taunting him…was now actually speaking like a human?

“Kukuk, its fine. Since I’ll be going outside now.”

“Then let me bring you your clothing.”

Add blinked when he looked around to see Eun. A thought flashed by in his mind that this could be

a dream.

“Why are you staring at me so pa.s.sionately, boy?”

“You, you…..”

Words didn’t come out. He wished this was a dream. Eun gently wagged her tails when Add

couldn’t continue his words.

“Why are you not wearing anything?!!”

Eun was sitting on the chair beside the bed and wasn’t wearing anything. Eun smiled and held up

her hand to protest.

“I’m not completely naked. I borrowed boy’s clothing for a bit.”

Just like Eun had said, she was wearing Add’s jacket on top of her bare body. But such details didn’t

matter at all!!

“How come you are naked!?”

“Because Ara’s clothes got so much blood on them and had to be washed.”

Add could only repeatedly open and close his mouth like the fish out of water. Eun laughed

voluptuously seeing this.

“Ah, I’m sorry. It seems I wasn’t able to fulfill boy’s fantasies. I’ll undress Rena and bring her beside

you next time. Look forward to it.”

“I’m not talking about whom right now!!”

Just when Add was finally able to relax she goes and does something weird like this. What was she

plotting?

Distaste. Confusion. How was he supposed to deal with this? That’s all Add could think of right

now.

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“Then shall I undress the girl next? Or maybe Elsword?”

“…..”

Eun continued to laugh as if she was enjoying this. That’s right; he’ll only get caught up in Eun’s

pace if he got fl.u.s.tered right now.

Come to think of it, this wasn’t even the first time he had seen Ara’s bare body. This d.a.m.ned fox

was already naked when he met her for the first time. She then leisurely continued to bathe even

after Add encountered her!!

Add glared at Eun furiously after collecting his mind. He didn’t know what kind of wicked trick this

was but he couldn’t show signs of weakness here.

When Add started to glare at her, Eun made a mischievous smile then stretched up her arms as if to

show him. Her beautifully curved collarbone. The shape of her b.r.e.a.s.t.s showed under the jacket as

the jacket moved.

When Add didn’t avert his gaze, Eun lightly flapped the jacket’s collar this time. Even more of her

white skin started to get dangerously revealed.

“…..”

I can’t do this anymore. Add desperately turned his head around and only stared at the window

frame. He almost felt it would be fine if he jumped off the window right now.

“What’s wrong boy? Why don’t you try putting strength in your eyes like before?”

“Don’t mess with me…..”

Add bit his lips while swallowing his anger. He was indeed startled at first and was fl.u.s.tered. But

continuing to stare at her after that wasn’t to appreciate her.

It was because he was suspicious.

Could it be that Eun was doing this on purpose to make him falter? Exposure could be used as type

of means to a goal. Could this be a measure to gain an upper hand on the conversation? If Eun

could see into the future, couldn’t she have already known that Add was about to arrive while she

was bathing?

Eun was perfectly calm and continued bathing even when had Add appeared before her. Then she

got a head start on the conversation that took after.

The more Add thought about this, more he realized that he had been playing into her hands all

along.

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This might have been just him being too paranoid but the suspicions continued to grow. Add

s.h.i.+vered in distaste.

“What are you plotting again? Stop it already.”

“….”

Eun was extremely calculative. Of course she would be. How can someone who can look into the

future not be calculative? She would employ numerous methods to achieve her goals.

Even during this time when Add time traveled. Add ended up in a situation where he got caught

looking at the El Search Party’s girls bathing. But Add apologizing to the girls after and even crossdressing

to make up for that error earned him the party’s trust.

His misfortune had turned into a fortune. Add hadn’t planned this…..but that’s how things worked

out when you looked at the whole situation objectively.

Because Add earned their trust, the party members didn’t refuse and believed him when Add who

knew that Shadow Master would appear suggested sending the captives by themselves.

Entire situation became clearer now that the fight was over.

“Now I get the gist of how you operate.”

Add could only a.s.sume that Eun choosing the Time s.p.a.ce Coordinates to a location where

everyone was bathing and her exposure right now was both means to achieve her goals. As expected

of a Specter, she even slighted human’s humiliation, ethics and morality and manipulated them to

her advantage.

But Spectre pretending to be a Celestial Spirit or whatever, Add had no intention of swaying his set

of values for anyone. He won’t sit quietly and play into her hands.

“It looks like boy is having weird thoughts again. Well, it’s normal for one to think like that after

seeing a girl’s beautiful body. I understand.”

“Quit it. I don’t want to see. So wear something already.”

Eun answered pompously at Add’s angry retort.

“Do I have any reason to listen to that request? Also, I would like to clear up boy’s

misunderstanding.”

Do I have to get dragged around like this again? Add was looking only at the window while

suppressing his rage. Eun started to lecture him.

“After acc.u.mulating Dao for a long time, you learn to breathe in harmony with all of creation.

Power acc.u.mulated that way is called Clairvoyant Power and this power takes different forms

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depending on one’s apt.i.tude. My main field is telegnosis but as I mentioned before, it’s not a power

that can be used carelessly.”

“….”

This field of topic was unfamiliar to Add. However, he was smart enough to quickly understand

what she meant.

“Boy must be suspecting that I can see through everything and manipulate everything as if they were

toys on top of my palm. Well, that’s wrong. Although that same suspicion is the reason why I got

accused of being a Specter and got sealed away.”

There was remorse and bitterness mixed into her voice. It didn’t seem like she was lying.

What she said was right. Wouldn’t you be afraid too if there was someone beside you that could see

not only her own future but future of others as well?

At first, you’d gain benefits by listening to what she said. But as the time went by, it was natural for

you to think ‘what if I was being controlled according to her will?’ then eventually develop

suspicions and hostility towards her.

Add himself was thinking those thoughts right now.

Despite how Eun possessed enormous power, she could only appear in the form of borrowing Ara’s

body. Add could somewhat grasp what might have happened to Eun in her past.

“I know you won’t believe me. But it’s not like I can know everything. Clairvoyant power is a power

that’s difficult to acc.u.mulate but is too easy to lose. It’s an act of gnawing away at myself so it can’t

be used carelessly.”

“…..”

Although Add didn’t answer, he thought what she said made sense. If Eun was really omnipotent

she wouldn’t have required Add’s help.

“Even if I can see into the future, everything won’t always move according to my will. Because

future is something that continues to change according to one’s beliefs and actions……”

“What’s your point?”

“I’m not omniscient or omnipotent, boy. It can’t be helped if you’re suspicious. But I’m honestly

not.”

Eun was speaking as if Add was really misunderstanding.

She was suggesting that she had only roughly known about everything that happened so far. That

she didn’t carry out her plans while being knowledgeable about everything.

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“….Then what’s up with your appearance right now?”

“After defeating the enemy, isn’t getting drunk and frolicking with people of opposite s.e.x of your

liking the way of life in the battlefield? It’s a light entertainment, an entertainment following the

ways of humans.”

You mean the ways of animals. But come to think of it, Eun was actually a type of animal. Add still

continued to stare at the window as he sighed and shook his head.

He could somewhat understand now, but he still had to point something out.

“…..Stop it already. What are you going to do if Ara finds out?”

Since Ara fell asleep when Eun took the initiative, Ara wouldn’t even dream that Eun was doing

something this atrocious with her body.

“It’s not like this is the first time. You don’t have to be such a stranger.”

“That was an accident.”

First time was an accident, second time was an accident that Eun masterminded, third time was

now…..Isn’t Eun just the bad one here?

Add suppressed himself wanting to retort back. It felt like he wouldn’t gain anything by continuing

this type of conversation.

“Ara is really foolish to trust you.”

“Do not speak ill of Ara. Although boy might say such things, doesn’t boy trust me by now? Didn’t

we just have a rare heart-to-heart conversation?”

Eun unexpectedly sided with Ara. She seemed rather serious judging by how the tone of her voice

had changed slightly.

Add wanted to see what kind of face she was making right now but couldn’t bring himself to turn

around. He’s been staring at the window for so long that he was worried if he’d take a liking to the

window.

Add cut off all useless thoughts and spoke with a force in his voice.

“If you want me to stop saying these things, then stop doing useless things like this.”

“Although boy might say such things, doesn’t boy trust me by now?”

Eun repeated what she said before. As if she wouldn’t accept him glossing this over.

“Or what? Could it be that boy still doesn’t trust me despite how the whole situation has turned out?

Isn’t that a bit harsh?”

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“…..”

Surely, it was true that Add was able to overcome this crisis because of Eun’s help. No, without

Eun’s help, he would have given up the moment when Eve was destroyed.

Although Eun was suspicious in too many ways and often made mockery out of him like this, she

was an important accomplice.

The problem now was that she was naked…..

“Wear some clothes if you’re going to talk.”

“I’ve been finding this strange since before. Why does boy get disturbed over something trivial like

this?”

“What?”

Was it because she’s a fox that she doesn’t understand human moral ethics? But what Eun was

pointing out wasn’t this.

“Couldn’t you see stuff like a girl’s body much as you’d like? Boy has the power to go back in time

so he can make everything as if they’ve never happened.”

“…..”

“Even if you went beyond watching and satisfied your desires. All you’d have to do is to travel back

in time. There wouldn’t be any problems.”

She was right on the mark. It was just as Eun said. Even if Add were to do such things, it will all

become nonexistent when Add traveled back in time.

Add unknowingly clenched his fists.

“Don’t make me laugh.”

“Excuse me. I said it to make you laugh. It seems I was inadequate for the job.”

Eun’s tone was as if she was obediently backing off. But that didn’t make Add’s distaste disappear.

If Rena joked around as a sign of affection, Eun was a type that had an underlying motive.

Even if he points something out, she just brazenly glosses it over.

Add had thought she was sharing some of her inner thoughts just before. But of course, now it’s

back to square one again.

“Well, it was a prize for the boy for working so hard. This is unexpected; I thought boy would like it.”

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“Stop doing whatever you want with someone else’s body…..”

Geez, what was Ara thinking believing this thing is a Celestial Spirit? Does she even know that Eun

was doing these things with her body?

“…..”

She probably doesn’t. Add pondered if he should tell Ara……but there were some things you were

better off not knowing.

“Ah yes, you’re right. Now then, shouldn’t you take responsibility for staring at a frail girl’s bare

body with such burning gaze, boy?”

“What responsibility? You took your clothes off on your own.”

“Shouldn’t you take responsibility for staring at a beautiful girl’s bare body with such heated gaze,

boy?”

“….”

This kind of conversation was getting tiresome. Add made a loud sigh so Eun could hear clearly

then changed the topic.

“Will Demons come after Eve again?”

“Power of Dark El is needed for Demons to cross dimensions and arrive here. But Dark El is not

that abundant of a resource. Additional deployment will be difficult for them for a while.”

She had known this kind of information yet didn’t tell him. No wonder why she couldn’t be trusted.

Add wanted to nitpick at this fact but held back.

“Get out now. I want to collect my thoughts.”

“Shouldn’t you take responsibility for looking away from a cute girl’s bare body, boy?”

“Why are you being so persistent? Just what do you want to hear from me?”

Add started getting angry when Eun started to speak in a roundabout way. He couldn’t read Eun’s

movements because he still didn’t dare to turn around.

“Girls tend to be persistent. But persistent males are detestable.”

“Whatever. If you have something to say then say it. You didn’t wait for me to wake up for no

reason right?”

Eun made a low laugh when Add retorted in distaste.

“It’s nothing much. Just take good care of Ara from now on.”

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“What?”

“Doesn’t boy think in his mind that Ara is annoying? But Ara has made up her mind to befriend all

of the El Search Party members. But she’s still uncomfortable with boy and girl.”

Let’s say Add’s case was because he kept being an outsider. Was Ara uncomfortable with Eve?

Recalling the event where Add had to apologize after peeping(?), the two of them didn’t seem to

have a bad relations.h.i.+p considering how Ara was listening in secret because she was worried about

Eve…. But it did feel like Ara had some difficulties talking to Eve.

“So please try to get along well with Ara. Although she can be clumsy, she’s still a reliable child.

She’s also cute when you tease her. I won’t ask you to open your heart to her but please look after

her.”

Add’s face loosened after hearing the request that came from behind his back.

“Alright, I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Ooh? That’s an unexpectedly refres.h.i.+ng answer from you, boy.”

“I’m just annoyed that you’re still not wearing anything. Hurry up and wear something then get out.”

Add replied bluntly. But he already realized himself that there was no distaste in his voice when he

answered. Normally, Eun wouldn’t have missed this fact and would have started to tease him. But

she didn’t this time and was only making noises of moving clothes.

She was pretending that she hadn’t noticed.

Add pouted after realizing this. Although Eun had various suspicious elements to her, and that she

couldn’t be completely trusted……The part about how she treasured Ara seemed genuine.

Just when Add was feeling restless at the sound of moving clothes behind him, he heard another

type of noise.

Creeak.

Add realized just a moment later that it was sound of the door opening. Add turned his head around

instinctively and froze up.

Person that had opened the door and entered the room was Eve.

“……”

Add could only repeatedly open and close his mouth like the fish out of water. Eve was holding a

cherry aid in her hand as she examined the scene inside the room with a cold gaze.

Add who was sitting on the bed and half-naked Ara(Actually Eun) beside him.

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“Please have a good time.”

“No!! Wait!!”

Eve spoke coldly despite Add’s shout then back-stepped out of the room.

He just bought an absurd misunderstanding. Add immediately got up from the bed and tried to run

after her then stopped. Eun had held out her spear in front of him even before he realized.

“I know how you feel. But there’s no point in you going after her right now.”

“Whose fault do you think this is……?”

Add growled for a moment then stopped. No matter how much Eun liked to tease him, he didn’t

think Eun would act like this in this type of situation for no reason.

Eun seemed to have read Add’s a.s.sumption because she shook her head.

“No, I didn’t look into the future. I’m just saying this as a woman. It’s much more effective to go

after some time gap in this situation.”

“…..”

What she said wasn’t too reliable but it was already too late to go after Eve now. Eun calmly

continued explaining.

“Also, there are festivities going on currently in this Wally’s Castle. Use your disadvantage to your

advantage. You’ll be able to win the girl’s favor greatly if you can use this chance well. Although it

depends on boy’s efforts.”

“I got it, I got it so…..”

Add covered his face with one of his hands as he held out his other hand.

“Hand over my jacket.”

Eun was still wearing Add’s jacket on top of her naked body. Nothing had changed about Eun’s

appearance despite how he had given her some time to get dressed……

“This jacket is rather nice. Can you also make me one later?”

“I got it so hand it over!!!!”

Add finally exploded.

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Door closed after Add left and Eun remained alone in the room. With a light wave of Eun’s hand,

her beautiful bare body was covered with clothes.

Well, she didn’t lie. The part about clothes getting dirty was true. It could have been solved with a

simple trick like this but she just didn’t choose to.

Eun clicked her tongue after sitting on the bed with her legs crossed.

“This is troublesome. Swaying with this method is starting to be less effective so I’ll have to think of

something else.”

While Eun knew about the depths of human feelings, she lacked subtlety. To be precise, it was

probably more correct to say she had no particular interest in such things.

Was it because she had lived for so long?

“I can’t even begin to think what can be done now. There’s no one to discuss this matter with

anymore…..”

Eun narrowly opened her eyes then shook her head.

A fight had ended today. Being restless with worry wasn’t like her. She also had to return the body

to Ara soon.

Today was supposed to be a day when the fight had ended. It was a time for celebration. Ara who

had fought hard should enjoy it too.

Eun thought this but her body dropped backwards. While lying on the bed, she narrowed her eyes

and sighed.

“This is worrisome, worrisome indeed. That obsession will bring about ruin and destruction.”

Elder’s militia were successful in capturing the Wally’s Castle thanks to the El Search Party’s efforts

in the front lines. All of the soldiers surrendered and every one of the captives escaped safely.

It was a happy occasion and celebration was held naturally. Castle’s hallways were filled with people

moving about with foods and drinks in their hands. Add frowned as he moved through the hallways

jam packed with people.

“I absolutely hate noisy places…..”

There was a mute feature installed on the Dynamos. But he couldn’t use it now because he was

looking for Eve. Add muttered as he searched while pus.h.i.+ng through the crowds.

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He had already guessed it when he saw that the castle’s hallways packed with people, but the garden

was packed with people as well. Sounds of meat being cooked, singing and cheers…..It was

completely a festival atmosphere.

“This is driving me crazy.”

Although Add didn’t pay much attention to the festivities, he guessed that there were around

thousand people here. How was he going to find Eve in here? Dynamo’s scouting mode still didn’t

have the ability to find a specific individual yet.

Of course, Eve was a perfect Nasod. She’s bound to stand out……

“But why am I trying to find her again?”

Add walked while muttering to himself with hands in his pockets. He then stopped to question

himself. He already confirmed Eve was safe. There won’t be any Demon attacks for while. So it

didn’t matter at all for Add if Eve misunderstood.

Shouldn’t he be making plans to steal Eve’s Core again?

“…..Hmm.”

Add stopped and thought deeply while stroking his chin. That was the logical course of action but

his emotions couldn’t accept it.

“I can’t accept this….”

Attempting to use force to steal Eve’s core was the fastest way. But he won’t be satisfied with doing

just that. That’s right; didn’t he make up his mind already?

That he’ll only be satisfied when he made that pompous Eve who only looked at Elsword look at

him instead.

“Yes, that’s right.”

Add accepted as he spoke to himself. Long as he had the ability to time travel, he could attempt

same things over and over again. Just like how he had tried and tried again to stop Eve from getting

destroyed. He should be able to change the fact that Eve only looked at Elsword with the same

method.

Since Add went through so much trouble to keep her safe anyways, he wanted to finish things

perfectly.

“The problem was…..”

The exact details on how he was going to achieve that. Add groaned in deep thought. Then he heard

someone call him from end of the hallway.

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“Add, you’re up now?”

A beautiful women with impressionable light green hair, it was Rena. Rena asked to be excused from

the people around her then approached Add with light footsteps.

Judging by how she held a gla.s.s cup in her hand, she must have been socializing with those people.

“Why did you come? You should have just continued to talk with them.”

“Everyone was worried because you collapsed. Are you okay?”

“There’s no problem.”

Was it because of Eun’s powers? He couldn’t feel any particular anomalies in his body. Rena seemed

relieved hearing this and nodded.

“Thank goodness…..”

“Enough about my health. What’s with this ruckus?”

Add already had a guess but he wanted to hear the detailed explanation. Rena answered with a kind

voice.

“Yes, people of Elder were successful in overthrowing the tyrannical castle Lord Wally. So they are

celebrating.”

“Is that so? Did Wally escape?”

His secret weapon, Wally Robot was destroyed and reinforcement from his Demon allies had

stopped as well. Wally must have had no other options.

“Kukuk, running away on an airs.h.i.+p. He went and did something bothersome….”

“Hmm? Do you know how he ran away?”

Rena’s eyes turned round as she asked. Add stopped murmuring and stared back at Rena. Rena

spoke as if she was confused.

“Wally wasn’t inside the castle from the start. Everyone thought he ran away but even the soldiers

said they didn’t see him.”

“….”

Add tilted his head at Rena’s explanation. He had just spoken that line almost by reflex so he didn’t

know why he said it.

Was this an after effect of time travel? Add thought for a bit then noticed Rena’s gaze. He bluntly

changed the subject.

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“So did you find the Ruben’s El?”

“Yes, we found it. We just sent it back to Ruben.”

“….I see.”

Add was nodding then stopped. They found the El. Then….What happens to the El Search Party

now?

“Then what should we do now? Do we disband?”

“No. El is scattered across the land so we just have to find them and entrust them to the

government.”

This was welcome news for Add who didn’t know about the situation in this age. Since Add only

joined abruptly because Eve was in this group, he hadn’t known about this kind of background

information.

Rena smiled beamingly when Add breathed a sigh of relief.

“Could it be that you were worried about being separated from everyone else?”

“Kukuk, there’s no way I’d worry about such things.”

“Hmm, I know. It would have been very sad if everyone had to separate.”

“…..”

She’s continuing the conversation without listening to him. This was similar to Eun….but it was

different in that in Rena’s case, it wasn’t unpleasant.

“Everyone will be able to travel together just like before. Do you feel more at ease now?”

“I told you I wasn’t worried. Listen to what I’m saying.”

Rena nodded as she smiled.

“So how’s your body? Is it fine for you to move? I’ll carry you on my back if you’re having trouble.”

“…..Don’t treat me like a kid.”

“Hmm, I’m sorry if you were offended.”

Add couldn’t say a thing anymore when Rena apologized while smiling brightly. He somehow got

caught up in Rena’s pace whenever he talked to her.

“Anyways, where’s Eve? I have something to talk to her about.”

“Didn’t she come to your room earlier? You guys must have missed each other.”

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Add thought things would get complicated if he explained the situation in detail so he just kept silent

and just nodded. Rena spoke proudly.

“Eve was also very worried about you. She said she didn’t think you’d fight so desperately. It looked

like she changed her opinion of you.”

“…..Don’t say something useless.”

Rena didn’t seem offended at all by Add’s blunt remark.

“Then should I go ask the other people about where Eve is?”

“It’s fine. It’s not that big of a deal.”

Add spoke then started to walk away. This was something that could be solved easily by meeting and

talking with Eve quietly.

Eve was a Nasod, this problem can be resolved easily by talking to her with reason.

“Hey Add.”

“What?”

Add answered without stopping his steps. Rena behind him finished her words.

“Thank you.”

“…..It’s nothing.”

Add didn’t know what she was thankful about and could have ignored her. But he answered

accordingly regardless. He had a pretty good guess at what face Rena was making without having to

turn around.

She’s probably smiling brightly.

I absolutely hate noisy places. Add frowned as he pushed through the crowds of people. Then

unexpectedly, he gradually started to feel better.

Elder’s citizens were all busy laughing, talking and drinking with smiles on their faces. Honestly, it

didn’t matter at all to Add whether they were happy or sad but…..This was a scene he hadn’t seen

before.

After repeatedly time traveling, Add was finally successful in changing the future.

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He protected Eve and liberated Elder.

The sense of realism finally started to sink in. Add’s heart throbbed for some reason. He stopped

walking and looked above towards the sky. He didn’t dislike today’s sky dyed in red by the setting

sun.

It was definitely different sky from the one in his memories dyed in red by the flames.

“Kukukuk, it seems I became sentimental too.”

Add mocked himself as he lowered his gaze. Since he created the result he wanted, it was time to

enjoy the result. But he couldn’t even begin to guess where Eve could be. Should he have accepted

Rena’s offer to help after all?

“…..”

If Add did that, Rena will find out how he was with naked Ara(actually Eun) alone in the room. He

wanted to minimize the amount people who knew about that incident. Since it’s going to become

annoying to explain.

“That d.a.m.ned fox….”

Doing the legwork by himself was the best solution. Add muttered and was about to start moving

again. But then he heard a sound of familiar squabbling.

“I told you I like apple juice better.”

“And I told you already that lemonade is better for your health.”

Add was dumbfounded after discovering a boy and girl that were squabbling in front of the snacks

bar. But he started to approach them regardless.

“That’s sour. Can’t we just get different things? Why are you trying to force me to drink that?”

“Because it will be over budget. Didn’t I tell you already that your spending habits are bad?”

Red haired boy and the perfect Nasod. The store owner was watching the two of them argue with a

merry smile. It wasn’t just the store owner, people around were also watching them with a peculiar

smile.

Add was about to approach the two but stopped after noticing the surrounding atmosphere. Add

stared at them vacantly together with the crowd of people that were observing.

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They were squabbling over something trivial like a juice price……but it was a scene that looked like

they suited each other well. That’s probably why surrounding people were watching over them with

a smile.

Ba-dump

“…..”

After getting swallowed by an unexplainable sense of distaste, Add struggled with the choices that

conflicted with one another in his heart. A thought of wanting to go talk to Eve like he had

originally intended and a thought of wanting to turn around and leave this place. Add suppressed

these two thoughts that furiously conflicted with one another in his heart.

He didn’t know if this was the right choice, but his feet were already moving forwards.

“Kukukuk, can’t you just buy both? Could it be that you’re short on money?”

“Oh, Big brother Add. You’re awake?”

Elsword turned around and spoke lightly. After answering him with a slight head gesture, Add stole

a glance at Eve.

Eve was expressionless as always. She didn’t say anything after seeing Add. Elsword chatted to him

instead.

“You think apple juice is better too right?”

“Can’t you just buy them separately? Why do you have to buy pair of the same thing?”

Well seeing the menu board, there was a discount for buying the same menu for two people. Were

they arguing because they couldn’t spare couple of cents?

When Add stared back at them with a sense of disbelief. Eve explained.

“Elsword lacks sense of economy. So I have to manage it.”

“….Who was it that didn’t buy water and foods and almost made me dry up to death again?”

“Nasods don’t have particular problems with lack of food or water.”

“I have lots of problems!! Not only that, even when you finally started buying foods, you’ve been

only giving me plants!!”

Elsword seemed he had pent up complaints. But Eve looked like she didn’t understand why things

he mentioned were problematic.

“It was a diet that perfectly took into accounts both price and amounts of nutrients. Why are you so

unhappy about that?”

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“It tastes bad!! It really tastes bad!!”

Elsword must have been really resentful. But Eve responded while nodding with an expression that

she couldn’t understand at all.

“Come to think of it, I noticed that humans perform something useless called cooking…. I can’t

understand such act at all. But it’s not like I forbid you from cooking.”

“How can you cook with just plants?! At least allow me to buy some seasoning!! We also ran out of

salt!”

“I deemed it as an unworthy product for purchase considering the amount contained in such a little

bottle for its price”

The two now started bringing up old stories as they argued again. The store owner was looking at

them with a merry smile and the other people watching in the crowd were the same.

But despite this surrounding atmosphere, Add felt unpleasant and quietly ordered some juices from

the store owner. After purchasing an apple juice and lemonade according to the two’s wishes, Add

held them out towards the two.

“Here it’s all good now right?”

“Wow! Thank you Big brother Add!”

Elsword accepted with a smile but Eve didn’t accept. She stared at Add with a strange gaze.

“Kukukuk, how long are you going to make me hold this?”

“Elsword will get bad habits. Try to watch out next time.”

Eve accepted the lemonade after she spoke. Elsword frowned at her words but didn’t argue back

anymore. It seemed he didn’t want to ruin the pleasant mood while they drank their juices.

“Well, then….”

He found Eve and even managed to resolve her argument with Elsword. Add stole a glance at Eve

who was drinking lemonade and thought about his next course of action.

They would have to talk in private in order to clear up the misunderstanding from before….How

should he go about doing this?

“Big brother Add, aren’t you going to drink?”

“I don’t feel like it.”

Elsword nodded when Add answered half heartedly.

104

“Oh, that’s right. Eve brought you one right?”

“What?”

“I didn’t.”

Three of their words didn’t connect. Elsword looked at Eve as if he couldn’t understand.

“But you bought one earlier for him as a get well gif.….”

“I drank that one myself”

“Cherry ai….”

“I drank that one.”

Eve cut off Elsword’s words with a stiff tone. Elsword scratched his head and sent Add a gaze

asking what happened.

What happened? He got caught being together with half naked Ara(Again, Eun).

“Should I go talk with Big sister Rena for a bit?”

Seeing the lack of response from Add, Elsword sighed and stepped back. Eve was staring at her

lemonade as if she hadn’t heard anything.

Add understood why Elsword brought up those words right now and became quite surprised. To

think he’d read the atmosphere and leave by himself. So it wasn’t just his size that grew?

“…..Just go ask when we’ll be leaving this place.”

“Alright, I’ll go ask.”

Elsword sent Eve a worried look for a moment then nodded as he turned around. Eve still didn’t

say anything even after Elsword disappeared through the crowd.

They were now alone like Add wanted….. But for some reason his head started to ache.

“Let’s change places….”

For some reason, the gazes of people that were watching them started to become more excited. Eve

slightly moved her eyes to stare at Add at this suggestion to talk somewhere else in private

For some reason Add felt very uncomfortable.

105

When Add was suppressing his uneasy heart while waiting for her answer, Eve wordlessly started to

walk. Add realized late that this was a sign of approval and quickly started to follow her.

A feeling that something seriously went wrong and a feeling of unknown uneasiness got mixed up

inside his complicated heart……But this wasn’t something he could avoid.

The top of Wally’s Castle watchtower. It was a place with cool breeze.

“…..Why did they give so much?”

Add was taken aback at all the snacks and drinks that filled his arms. Of course, he didn’t buy them

because he had a sudden urge to eat.

Someone asked Add as he followed Eve if he was an El Search Party member and he answered yes

without any particular thought. Then it turned out like this.

Well, the El Search Party fought in the front lines during the battle to overthrow Wally. They played

an instrumental role in the battle so it was obvious for them to be treated well like this.

Eve had arrived before him and stood behind the castle walls looking out into the distance. Add

carefully dropped the foods as he stood beside the girl who was watching the sunset.

Eve still didn’t say anything. Add was forced to speak first.

“You could have got many drinks as you wanted if you said you’re from the El Search Party.”

“Elsword will get bad habits.”

Eve’s tone was as if she already knew that. Nothing good could come from bringing up Elsword in a

conversation with Eve…..but he had already started this conversation.

“Guys are supposed to grow up with bad habits. Kukuk”

“I would at least like him to not get into the habit of stealing.”

Eve finally turned her head towards Add. Add unknowingly winced at her cold gaze.

“I don’t plan to tell anyone about what you were doing with Ara Haan. You don’t need to worry.”

“…..That’s was a complete misunderstanding.”

“Even I know what it means for human male and female to be together without clothes.”

It was only Ara(For her sake, let’s correct this as Eun) that was naked. Add’s head started to hurt

extremely from facing Eve’s stiff att.i.tude.

106

Objectively, what Eve said was right. It was futile to pa.s.s this as a misunderstanding. Add didn’t

know what he could say to make Eve understand this situation. Anything he said felt like they’d only

sound like excuses.

‘…..Why do I have to suffer through this?’

Add asked himself as he let out a fake cough.

“I told you it’s not like that. You should already know that I was unconscious.”

“I have no idea what you mean.”

“…..”

Add couldn’t continue his words at such an absurd reply. Eve spoke with a tone as if she didn’t say

anything wrong.

“Doesn’t doing something like that with Ara Haan means that you weren’t injured?”

…..Was that sarcasm? Add’s heart instantly got lifted up in delight. No way. She can even make

sarcastic remarks? She was one unimaginably delicately constructed Nasod.

Eve’s stare became much colder when Add made a delightful face.

“This story is over.”

“Wait. It’s not over yet.”

Add was so burned up in his desire for research that he was late in coming to his senses and replied

hastily. But Eve’s att.i.tude was that she had finished all she had to say. Her head was turned around

looking forwards again.

“…..First of all. I definitely don’t have that kind of relations.h.i.+p with Ara.”

He didn’t know if she’d believe him but there was no choice but to speak out. Ah… he almost felt

like turning back time to before Eve entered that room.

“Is that so? Then what kind of relations.h.i.+p do you have?”

“…..”

His throat felt dry. Add picked up one of the drinks below his feet without looking at its label,

opened the drink and gulped it down. He couldn’t even tell what flavor it was because he was

thinking too desperately to solve this situation.

To make Eve understand, it was faster for her to meet Eun. But knowing Eun’s personality, would

she take Add’s side during the explanation? He couldn’t imagine Eun doing so.

107

Then Add could just explain about Eun himself. But that would complicate the story. He’d have to

explain why he was having secret talks with Eun, then about how he found out about Eun’s

existence within Ara.

If the story got deeper, he’d have to reveal about time travel too. That was…..

“I said I won’t tell anyone about your relations.h.i.+p with Ara Haan.”

For some reason, Eve emphasized this again after seeing that Add wasn’t able to answer. Eve spoke

clearly facing Add’s gaze.

“So you don’t have to worry about Rena finding out.”

“Even if Rena knew…..”

Knowing Rena’s personality, I don’t think she’d forbid it? Of course she’d give Add a strict warning

but...

No. He didn’t have anything with Ara in the first place….. Add muttered in his head then he heard

Eve’s next words and froze up.

“Aren’t you doing this because it would be troublesome for you to advance your relations.h.i.+p with

Rena?”

“…..What?”

Add finally started coming to his senses after seeing Eve’s cold stare.

So how Eve understood this situation right now was…..

1. Add and Ara were together in the same room. For reference, Ara was naked.

2. Add was afraid of this getting known so he followed Eve in order to stop her from talking about

this to anyone.

3. Add’s reason for No.2 is because he doesn’t want Rena to find out about No.1

4. The reason Add wants No.3 is because he wants to do the same thing in No.1 with Rena someday.

5. Womanizer Add.

It was a mess even if you tried organizing it in numbers. So she thinks that Add wants the incident

with Ara to remain a secret because he has a desire to do indecent things with Rena?

108

“…..Just what kind of delusion is that?”

Unlike what he just said, a dry sweat was dripping down Add’s back. He realized that Eve hadn’t just

misunderstood, she had misunderstood gravely.

“Rena is extremely beautiful.”

“I know that, but you seem to have a strange delusion.”

Add’s senses returned after he spoke this out loud for the second time. Eve continued to explain

calmly.

“I think all human males would turn their gaze towards Rena. And in reality, all of the human males’

reactions were the same.”

“No, No…..”

Add shook his head. Of course, he admitted that Rena was beautiful and she was easy to be around

with.

“And you and Rena looked very close together.”

“…..I told you it’s not like that!!”

Add suddenly shouted. If someone else had said these things, he would have just laughed it off and

wouldn’t have cared. But for some reason that he couldn’t understand, he reacted like this when he

heard this from Eve.

It felt suffocating.

“Is it not?”

“Yes, it’s honestly not!!”

Eve expressionlessly stared at Add. He couldn’t tell if she believed him just by looking at her face.

Add scratched his head and spoke clumsily.

“Rena and I…..that is….we happened to spend lots of time working together for this mission.

There’s nothing more. Do you understand?”

“Well, although this actually doesn’t have anything to do with me.”

Add received a cold reply from an explanation he struggled so much to say. Feeling depressed, Add

couldn’t think of what to do. He somehow started getting angry.

So cruel.

109

“How can you say that? Just who do you think…..Who do you think I’m doing all of this for?

“Who is it for?”

Add’s head started getting heated even though he knew he shouldn’t answer. Add clenched his fists

then opened his mouth…..But he shut his mouth after seeing Eve who was staring straightly at him.

“…..”

He couldn’t say it. That he fought without caring about ways and means in order to prevent her

from getting destroyed. That he even tried sending other members to their deaths in order to do so.

That he was even willing to join hands with a strange being in order to achieve that goal.

He couldn’t say it.

“….I can’t say it.”

It wasn’t because he thought that Eve wouldn’t understand even if he told her. He just shouldn’t say

this. Add instinctively decided to himself.

He was finally able to surpa.s.s all the hards.h.i.+ps and avoided the result of Eve getting destroyed. He

didn’t intend on bringing up the past events anymore.

Even if she didn’t understand, even if she misunderstood, it didn’t matter. Add could only nod in

response.

“Fine. Think whatever you want. Tell Rena if you want to. Do whatever you want.”

“I already said I had no intentions to tell.”

“I said do whatever you want!!!”

Add barely managed to hold back his temper after seeing Eve wince at his abrupt shout. His head

had already finished the calculations and made the decision……but his heart couldn’t follow.

Nothing good was going to come from continuing this conversation. Add was about to turn around

but stopped. Something held his hand.

Eve had stretched out her hand to grab his.

“Do you have….something more to talk about?”

“There’s something else we have to talk about.”

Add stopped and stood still at Eve’s words while thinking about what more could they possibly talk

about.

110

Maybe I should apologize for shouting…..

“How do you know about Junk Break?”

His throat got clogged up.

Eve stared straightly at Add who was frozen stiff. Eve waited for a while then asked an additional

question when Add couldn’t answer.

“How do you know about the skill that I haven’t used once since I joined the El Search Party? And

also so accurately? Up to the detail of how I couldn’t move for a while after using it.”

“….That’s.”

Eve’s doubt was obvious. Since the event from the time when Eve destroyed Wally Robot with Junk

Break doesn’t exist anymore. He will obviously look suspicious if Add acted like he knew the skill.

But Add was in such a dire situation when facing the Shadow Master that he couldn’t think about

this at the time.

Eve waited quietly for Add’s answer. Keeping silent would only look more suspicious.

“Kukukuk, there are ways to know….”

“What are those ways?”

He trailed his words on purpose to buy more time but she asked back immediately. It seems he

couldn’t get out of this easily.

Add desperately ran his brain. Add’s future plan was to satisfy his grudge by making Eve who only

looked at Elsword turn around to look at him instead…..Then steal her Core. Getting suspicions

from Eve here wasn’t going to help his future plans at all.

“I’m actually an engineer.”

“I already know that.”

This was something he had already revealed the day when the El Search Party was formed when

they were introducing themselves. But Add shook his head.

“This story is going to get long. Aren’t you thirsty?”

111

Add grabbed a random drink that was under his feet and held it out to Eve. How should he say this

story to avoid suspicion? This drink was mainly a method to buy more time, but he was actually

thirsty too.

“Nasods don’t have any problems operating without water.”

“Drink some anyways. It’s not a story I can bring up easily.”

When Add insisted, Eve took the drink and brought it to her mouth. Looking at her sideways, Add

also drank his juice.

Random story he made up on the spot wouldn’t make sense anyways. Then he just have to give her

part of the truth.

“My family researched Nasods for generations.”

“You had a family?”

Eve made an expression as if this was unexpected. Add answered her question with a head gesture

then continued his story while recalling his past memories.

“Our family secretly pa.s.sed down knowledge of Nasods for generations. So I also know a lot about

Nasods. I probably know more about them than you.”

“That’s impossible.”

Eve thought this was nonsense and looked offended. Add felt that Eve bought his story and made a

cold grin on purpose.

“Doesn’t the fact that I know you can use Junk Break already prove it? Don’t make light of the

history us humans have built up upon generations. In some sense, I can say that I know more about

you than you know yourself.

“….”

Eve looked distressed. Add didn’t say anything and continued to drink his juice. What he said right

now was something he wove up in order to avoid Eve’s suspicion……but in some sense, it was true.

All of Eve’s appearances that Eve from this timeline hadn’t shown. That is, Eve’s appearances from

other timelines. Add remembered every one of them vividly.

Even how Eve disappeared into the light covering for Elsword.

“That’s end the story. Are you curious about anything else? Should I tell you about your battle

abilities in more detail?”

112

Add made a cynical remark so he wouldn’t look suspicious. Eve shook her head after thinking

deeply.

“It’s hard to believe there was a family that knew so deeply about Nasods….But it must be true. It’s

quite surprising.”

Eve must have withdrawn her suspicions after hearing Add’s explanation. It was information that

went beyond Eve’s common sense. But she seems to have at least accepted it.

Add breathed a sigh of relief but froze after hearing her next question.

“May I meet with your family?”

“….Why would you want to do that?”

Add could tell clearly that his own voice had turned sharp. But Eve’s voice remained calm.

“If they researched about Nasods this deeply, then I could maybe get some hints about reviving the

Nasod civilization from them. I would like to speak with not only you, but your family as well.”

“That’s impossible.”

It wasn’t because Add’s family was in the past.

“They’re all dead.”

Because they were not of this world anymore. Eve blinked for a while at Add’s reply then spoke

carefully.

“I’m sorry.”

“No, don’t be. Humans tend to die easily. Kahaha.”

Add chugged the juice down his throat after laughing. He never had any alcoholic beverages before

but he wanted to drink some right now.

“Because Elsword was so nostalgic when he spoke about his sister so…. Losing such family must

have been really difficult. I was thoughtless.”

Eve shouldn’t be able to sympathise with human’s death, with family’s death, yet she was honestly

apologizing. Add was extremely surprised at this reaction and yet frowned at the name that popped

up again.

“…..Elsword again?”

“I learned many things from him as we traveled together. Family is one of them.”

“I see.”

113

Add felt displeased but he didn’t speak anymore. Eve gets angry if he spoke ill about Elsword.

This was a precious time he earned after preventing Eve’s destruction. He didn’t want to build a bad

relations.h.i.+p with Eve.

“Although he’s thoughtless, reckless, impatient and idiotic….. He’s helpful sometimes.”

“That sounds like a compliment.”

“It’s an overly generous …..Compliment for him”

Eve had her eyes narrowed and seemed to be nodding off. Add wondered about this sudden strange

reaction from her……Eve rubbed her half closed eyes.

“This is strange. My bodily functions are decreasing suddenly.”

“This is the first time I heard about Nasods not getting enough sleep.”

Nasods could continue functioning without eating or breathing. On the other hand, they could eat,

breathe and sleep if they wanted to.

Conditions that were essential for humans to survive were optional for Nasods.

“….I can see two of you. Why is that?”

Just when Add was beginning to realize that Eve’s condition was strange…… Eve’s body tilted

sideways. Surprised, Add reached out his hands to catch her.

Plop.

Eve basically fell sideways plunged her face into Add’s chest. Add couldn’t believe this situation and

couldn’t move as he was stunned by such an unexpected turnout.

“Could this be….?”

Could it be that something happened to her as an after effect of the battle? Add’s heart sank as he

examined Eve’s condition. Then he was able to find out something unexpected.

Eve’s eyes were closed and she was fast asleep. She wouldn’t even know if someone were to carry

her away.

“…..Hey.”

She didn’t wake up even when he called her. Add looked down at the girl in his arms and thought

about what he should do.

She was completely defenceless.

114

1. Use this chance to steal the core.

2. Use this chance to take the core.

3. Use this chance to…..

Add numbly organized his thoughts as he repeatedly questioned himself but he couldn’t make up

the next part of the sentence.

Anyways, this was an important chance. He could even take Eve and run off right now.

But of course, he was already determined to only steal the Core only after he made her look around.

He went through all that trouble after all…..

“But just touching them should be fine….”

Add couldn’t suppress his curiosity and slightly touched Eve’s forehead where the Core was with the

tip of his hand. It was smooth.

“Hmm….. So this is.”

Add unknowingly licked his lips at the treasure in his hands. Add’s hand was stroking the Core then

in one moment, his hand touched a part of her skin.

“T, this is…..”

What a surprisingly soft feeling. He had thought already from the point when he saw her skin that

she was perfect. But this was basically no different from a human. Add went ahead and stroked

various parts of Eve’s face in admiration.

Of course, it would be troublesome if she woke up so he touched only touched slightly.

The tip of Add’s hand went down to her chin then started moving up but stopped. Eve’s lips were

in the hand’s trajectory.

“….”

Eve’s face and her body were basically no different from a human. Then probably….her lips would

be the same as well? So many questions came up in his mind in that instant. Add unknowingly

hesitated for a moment but daringly moved his hands up.

A researcher couldn’t back down in front of his test subject. Even if it lead to something irrevocable.

Just when Add’s fingertips were about to touch Eve’s lips.

115

“Big brother Add? What are you doing over there?”

A familiar voice came from behind him. It was Elsword.

“….”

See? Something irrevocable.

Add thought desperately while carrying Eve. Just what could he say to fool Elsword? Should he just

attack first and turn him into minced meat?

Just when Add was confirming that no one else was watching. Elsword grabbed a drink from

bottom of Add’s feet and drank it without any signs of doubt.

“Wow, this is good. It’s peach flavor.”

“….”

“Why are you looking at me like that Big brother Add?”

Elsword who was drinking peach juice gave Add a gaze asking if there was something wrong.

Just when Add was struggling to figure out how to react, Elsword stared at Eve in Add’s arms and

scratched his head.

“Eve looks like she can’t keep herself up. Did something happen?”

“That’s….”

Yes Add was so distracted by this sudden chance that he hadn’t had the time to think about this.

Why did this suddenly happen to Eve? Add quickly remembered that Eve had drank something and

examined its contents.

Sour but somewhat pleasant smell, it was alcohol.

“…..She drank alcohol.”

“Oh, she did? Then she probably won’t get up for a while.”

Elsword replied as if it was nothing. It sounded like he had experienced this before. Add became

displeased at this fact and asked Elsword quietly.

“Did this happen before?”

“She drank it one time by mistake. She fell asleep quickly.”

116

It was illogical for Nasods to be affected by an external liquid and get their functions diminished.

But since Eve was a Nasod ever so close to human, she could be somewhat different. He should be

able to find out how her metabolism worked if he could just dissect her.

“Isn’t it heavy carrying Eve? Should I carry her?”

“….She’s not heavy at all.”

When Elsword held out his arms, Add instinctively increased the force on his arms carrying Eve and

slightly backed off. As if he didn’t want Elsword to touch her.

“Really? It’s going to be heavy if you keep carrying her like that. You should bring her to her room.”

“…..Shall I?”

Add was about to take Elsword up on his suggestion then stopped. Why was Elsword making this

suggestion?

Come to think of it, Elsword and Eve were traveling together even before the El Search Party was

formed. Also, Eve who did not have any emotions (really?) got very angry if someone spoke ill

about Elsword.

That was the proof that Eve thought of Elsword as someone important to her.

“You….”

But how did Elsword think about Eve? Add couldn’t help but to ask even though he thought that it

was a stupid thing to ask.

“How do you think of Eve?”

“Friend.”

Elsword answered without any hesitation despite Add’s sudden question. Add couldn’t respond

right away to such a clean and refres.h.i.+ng answer.

But that wasn’t the end of Elsword’s answer.

“She’s a precious friend of mine. During our journey, whenever I was having difficult times,

whenever I was sad, she was always beside me. Of course she’d still be my friend even if she didn’t

do that……But she’s now my precious friend.”

There was a shadow on Elsword’s face unlike the Elsword that Add had known. Add couldn’t help

but to reply in a twisted way.

“All that and you’re just friends?”

“She’s a precious friend.”

117

When Add responded sarcastically, Elsword became serious and glared back a