Chapter 35
I opened my eyes.
“Why aren’t you answering?”
The beautiful face of Winter Orsheus came into view.
Immediately, I turned and started running.
“Crazy bastard! You’re insane!”
Tears streamed uncontrollably down my cheeks, soaking them completely.
I flung open the door and ran without a second thought.
I have to escape—have to get away!
I ran desperately, searching for a way out.
But where? And why is there not a single person in this mansion?
I ran down the stairs like a madwoman, my mind blank with panic.
What’s happening to me?
I clearly died. I died once—no, three times—at the hands of Winter Orsheus!
‘Did I return to the moment before death?’
Regression? But regression is Igrio’s ability, isn’t it?
That’s when it happened.
A loud crashing sound echoed as the entire structure began to collapse.
And just like that, I think I died again.
***
“Gasp!”
I opened my eyes again and stared blankly at Winter Orsheus.
He tilted his head and asked in a hollow voice.
“Why aren’t you answering?”
Tears welled up again, and I clung to him, crying.
“The ‘Unrecordable Crisis’ is sealed in the ocean! I can help you escape from the eternal loop! I’m [Materia]! Please believe me!”
He gently held my chin with his fingers and lifted my face.
His cold, blue eyes gazed at me for a moment—then something flickered in them.
I felt a deep despair.
“This bastard… You don’t doubt that I’m [Materia]…”
Winter Orsheus’ face twisted slightly as he wiped my tears.
He whispered in a calm but dreadful voice.
“I’m so disappointed.”
And then I died again.
***
Disappointed?
“What are you disappointed about? What did I even do?!”
As soon as I woke up, I screamed like a banshee.
Each time I died, the fear of pain faded bit by bit. I was dying like breathing—over and over again.
And now, the fear was being replaced by anger.
Why do I have to die? Why me?
And this regression thing—why is it happening to me?
“I don’t even want to be here!”
Winter Orsheus watched me quietly and rested his chin on his hand.
Then his lips, which usually lacked expression, curved slightly.
‘He’s not experiencing the same regression. Only I am. So he must be guessing what’s happening based on my reactions.’
The boy in front of me looked young, but he had lived through countless lives. He was practically a god.
His level of thinking was something I could never reach.
I trembled and dropped to my knees, clasping my hands.
“Even if I’m [Materia], you’re going to kill me anyway… Please, what do I have to do for you to let me live? I don’t want to die… Please, save me…”
I had never felt so helpless in my life. There was nothing I could do.
I couldn’t even guess what Winter Orsheus was thinking.
Wasn’t he searching for [Materia]?
But once he found out I was [Materia], it felt like he wanted to kill me even more.
So all I could do was beg.
But apparently, begging wasn’t what he wanted from me.
“I’m disappointed.”
I died again.
***
I opened my eyes.
As soon as I saw Winter Orsheus’ beautiful face, I turned and ran.
But this time, I wasn’t trying to escape. There was no point. I’d just die again.
Still, why? Why is this happening to me?
Even as I wondered, I knew my questions were meaningless.
So I stopped thinking.
And when I did, my body just moved on its own. A dull numbness spread through my limbs.
Maybe this is all a dream. Maybe it’s just a nightmare.
Because none of this makes sense.
All I wanted now was to wake up.
My body shook as I searched the room.
I needed something small and sharp. Something dangerous.
Then I spotted it—a fountain pen Lottie had given me.
Perfect.
I grabbed the pen and ran toward the terrace.
“Winter Orsheus!”
I ran straight toward him as he sat at the terrace railing.
He watched me with calm, sea-like eyes. When he sensed something was off, he slightly raised his head.
I crashed into him and knocked him backward.
As we fell, white wings burst from his back.
I realized I was floating in the air, supported by those wings.
This was my chance. Time to pit my nightmare against his.
If Winter Orsheus’ power was stronger, maybe I could escape this loop.
With that hope, I raised the fountain pen and shouted.
“Winter Orsheus! Whether it’s 10 seconds or 15 years, we’ll meet again soon!”
And I stabbed the pen downward.
I didn’t think it would work, but surprisingly—there was no resistance.
A fountain of red bloomed, and I turned my head away.
It had gone in deep. Winter Orsheus would die at my hands this time.
‘I… killed someone?’
My body trembled at the surreal feeling.
Then, I heard a soft laugh.
“…Ha…”
I slowly turned my head.
Winter Orsheus was smiling faintly with the pen still stuck in his neck.
His smile was so beautiful, I could only stare in shock.
He was still holding me in his arms.
As the blood lost its force and the world tilted, he whispered.
“So that’s what it is…”
With a peaceful expression, he spread his arms and closed his eyes, welcoming death.
I was still on top of him, falling together.
I let out a hollow laugh at how dreamlike it all felt.
Of course.
Thunk—
I died right after him.
***
I opened my eyes again.
Damn it!
As soon as I saw his ridiculously beautiful face, I knew my plan had failed.
Apparently, when I die, I go back to just before I died.
If my power and his clashed—mine that returns to the moment before death, and his that rewinds to birth—maybe we could turn time back 15 years.
‘I thought his power would win and rewind the world…!’
Igrio is supposed to be the strongest, so why is my ability beating him right now?
While I was lost in despair, Winter Orsheus stepped away from the railing and came toward me.
Am I going to die again?
I instinctively hugged myself.
I thought I might get burned again.
But the scariest part was… I couldn’t think of any way to escape this endless death.
I shook as I looked up at him.
Suddenly, I jumped to my feet and twisted away from his reach.
Then, I threw myself over the railing.
‘I have to run.’
Maybe, with a one-in-a-million chance, I’ll land safely and escape.
Even if I die, maybe something will change!
I hurled myself over the edge.
‘If this goes on, I’ll go insane.’
And when I realized I was really falling, I smiled.
I was ready to hit the ground headfirst and die.
But just then—
“No.”
White wings appeared in my vision.
They wrapped around me like the skirt of a flowing white dress.
A sickening drop, like a roller coaster, passed—and the next thing I knew, I was back on the terrace, cradled in Winter Orsheus’ arms.
“…Do you really have to burn me every time?”
It seemed he was determined to kill me with his dragon breath—again.
Since he went through the trouble of saving me mid-fall.
Just as I thought that—
“…Now of all time?”
He muttered in disbelief and yanked my arm roughly.
But my fragile wrist wasn’t strong enough to endure it.
“Let go! I said let go!”
At my shout, he released me.
I quickly rolled up my sleeve and saw a deep, dark bruise forming.
When I looked up in shock, he stared down at his own hand.
“I forgot… It’s been too long.”
He reached out again, and I tried to run—but he caught my wrist.
“I’m not putting up with this anymore! Don’t touch me!”
I raised my leg to kick, but this time, his grip was gentler.
Holding my bruised wrist, he mumbled something under his breath.
Finally, I saw his face clearly.
His skin was pale—paler than mine, which never sees sunlight. His silvery-white hair fell around his jaw, making him look intelligent and elegant.
And those piercing blue eyes—like deep, shining topaz.
For a moment, I forgot to breathe.
Because he was so beautiful?
…Well, obviously.
But more importantly…
‘He’s just a kid…’
