The Protagonist’s Guardian Angel

Hongryeon could only think, “I see…” in response to the Sword Saint’s reaction.

Hongseong had extended a hand when she was struggling, and had also saved her during Simma’s crisis.

And they were always there to lean on, a person so large and dependable.

There wasn’t any reason to dislike him, so it wouldn’t be strange if the Sword Saint ended up having feelings for him if just a little spark occurred.

“Is this just shock…?”

It was her romantic rival Chaejin, but also her master, elder sister, and sometimes even felt like a younger sibling—all these roles filled by the Sword Saint, yet her mind was oddly calm about the situation.

Hongryeon thought she should say something to the Sword Saint, who looked as if she would burst into tears with just a light poke.

But what could she possibly say?

If only they were like Chaejin, always fighting and bickering, then it would’ve been easy to say, “Whether you like him or not, what’s that to me?” They could have argued over who would win in a duel, something like that.

But the person in front of her was different.

“The idea that a master and disciple could both like the same man isn’t even found in romantic tales.”

If she had read such tales, at least she would have a clue on how to respond, but since she hadn’t, Hongryeon was at a loss for words.

“Uh…”

“…Um.”

An awkwardness settled between them that they had never experienced despite being together up to this point.

As they both opened their mouths, their confusion was evident as they looked at each other.

“Y-you go first.”

“No, you should speak first, Master…”

Another silence filled the room.

Finally, it was the Sword Saint who broke the silence.

“Well… It seems a bit difficult to discuss anything right now, so why don’t we think for a bit and talk when we’ve processed everything?”

“That sounds good.”

Yeah, talking now would only lead to each of them stating their own positions. So Hongryeon accepted the Sword Saint’s suggestion.

As the Sword Saint returned to Hongseong, Hongryeon went back to Yu Wol’s office.

What had felt like a comfortable heart just moments ago now seemed terribly complicated.

Hongryeon approached the bed. Seeing him sleeping soundly unaware of the world, she couldn’t help but sigh.

Irritably, she poked his cheek with her finger, and he frowned slightly in his sleep, which made her smile wryly.

No matter how much they say that first to love loses,

Just being by his side in such a situation brought her comfort.
Just being here makes me feel at ease.

Isn’t this a bit too much of a defeat?

Hongryeon sighed as she fiddled with his cheek.

It was the truth.

It was really true.

Hongryeon really liked Yu Wol.

Her heart was racing like crazy. The confusion created by the fact that someone precious to her liked another precious person continued to shake the Sword Saint’s heart.

Is that why?

Even after returning to Hongseong and sitting down in her garden to meditate, the Sword Saint couldn’t focus.

What should I do?

No matter how hard she racked her brain, there were no good answers.

Does someone have to give up?

Then should it be me?

Thinking about being distant from him felt like her heart was being torn apart.

Then should I ask Hongryeon to yield?

She recalled the face of Hongryeon she saw earlier.

That longing, that bittersweet expression was the face of a woman who liked Yu Wol just as much as she did.

How could she say to someone with such a face to yield?

Surely she liked him just as much as she did.

Knowing the pain of loss, the Sword Saint couldn’t bring herself to say that.

Let alone Hongryeon, who had spent the longest time with her.

“Ahhh…”

The Sword Saint buried her head in her hands. She felt as if her head was spinning, standing up only to crouch and hop around, groaning, and then sighing while covering her face.

But the pounding wouldn’t go away.

The tension wouldn’t dissipate.

What on earth should she do? Her mind, thick with fog, was desperately trying to find an answer.

– Kill her.

Simma, who had become significantly weaker after his help, lifted his head slightly. The Sword Saint frowned at this.

To obtain him, she should kill Hongryeon? Is he out of his mind?

Of course, she thought, “How dare you take your master’s favorite man?” But isn’t it not wrong for a person to like another person?

Especially if that person is that charming guy…

– Then there’s only one way.

At Simma’s voice, the Sword Saint tilted her head. Was there another way?

– Create a fait accompli. Isn’t it his fault for walking around smelling like lust?

This… is quite a sweet suggestion.

Right. The problem was with him.

Because he was so charming that he seduced people like crazy.

So Yu Wol, it’s your fault.
“Am I going crazy…?”

At that moment, the Sword Saint’s eyes, which had lost their light, regained it. She patted her face and shook her head.

“Yerin, Yerin. Get a grip.”

No matter what, thinking of ambushing him like that…

That’s just not right. That can’t be it.

– “Do you really think that’s not it?”

At that sweet voice, the Sword Saint froze for a moment.

Honestly, it is a bit attractive…

But she soon shook her head.

Still, even if that’s the case, forcibly hugging him would only bring a moment’s joy.

She had no intention of giving up everything for that.

The Sword Saint sighed, deciding to ignore Simma’s nonsensical ramblings.

Before she knew it, dawn was breaking.

Had she really spent so much time just pondering for a moment?

The Sword Saint hesitated and got up from her spot.

“Ha…”

In the novels she’d read, a rival in love was someone to be hated more intensely than a mortal enemy.

Yet, even as the time was approaching for an un-hateable rival to arrive, she still couldn’t make a decision, leaving her feeling conflicted.

She hadn’t slept a wink until morning.

She couldn’t figure out what to talk about with her Master.

Just then, she heard a sound from the office, as if he had woken up.

“Are you awake?”

“Um… why do you look like that? Is something wrong?”

Not exactly something wrong, but a complicated problem indeed.

“Yu Wol, the Master says he likes you.”

“What should I do?”

“Should I step back for the Master’s sake?”

“He’s always sacrificed so much for us, but should I step back now?”

“But I don’t want to.

“I don’t want to yield to anyone, not even him.”

“Even if he’s my Master?”

“But is that really what a disciple should do?”

Countless thoughts swirled in her mind. After much contemplation, she only managed to mutter a short phrase.

“You…?”

“Um?”

“If you have to choose between two things, and have to give one up… what would you do?”

“Your Master, and love.”

You have to choose one of the two.

Hongryeon spoke earnestly, and Yu Wol replied casually.

“I’d somehow figure out a way to have both.”

“…..?”

“What? Did you not expect such an answer?”
“Did you do it?”

“Um… yes. You seem to have no greed…”

“Hm? I’m actually the most greedy person out there. I just know how to distinguish between what’s necessary and what’s not.”

Yu Wol approached Hongryeon. She lightly grasped her shoulder and made eye contact.

“If there’s something you absolutely can’t give up, ponder over it and ponder some more. Then you’ll find your answer.”

Ponder.

Right. Let’s think this through.

While switching with Ryuhyun and returning to Hongseong, Hongryeon continuously cycled her thoughts.

“Senior Sister! You’re back?!”

Suddenly, a bright shout came from the entrance of Hongseong. It was Sayoon. She must have been in the middle of training. Watching her with a sword, Hongryeon smiled softly.

“Yes. Are you in training?”

“Yes. But Senior Sister, you look a bit off… Is something wrong?”

With concern in her voice, Hongryeon gave a wry smile. Lately, things were good, but just one fact could shake her up so much.

But there was no need to say that. She gently tousled Sayoon’s hair.

“Nothing serious. By the way, where’s the Master?”

“She was demonstrating earlier and is in the garden now.”

“I see. Got it. Oh! And I need to have an important chat with the Master, so can you tell the other disciples to stay away from the garden?”

“Yes!”

Sayoon, beaming with a bright smile, dashed toward the training area. Watching her, Hongryeon let out a small sigh.

Right. I can’t keep avoiding this.

She calmly made her way to the garden. The path that she usually took lightly felt truly rugged today.

“Oh.”

“Ugh.”

On her way to the garden, Hongryeon froze. This was inevitable since she spotted a woman walking towards her from the other side, carrying something.

It was the Sword Saint.

In her hand was a small box.

The kind of high-quality sweets served when guests arrived.

“…Master, what’s that for?”

“Um… Uh. I think I’m having a bit of a headache, so something sweet… and, well!”

The Sword Saint shot her a slightly hunched look as she spoke.

“…There’s one for you too.”

The Sword Saint had been waiting for her as well.

Hongryeon couldn’t help but chuckle at the slightly scared expression, like a shriveled rabbit.

Ah, Master.

You’re really being petty.

It’s hard not to love you when you act like that.

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