ISTV 30

The name of the sword technique that surfaced in her mind was the “Winter Sword.”

“He’s going to teach me the Winter Sword? The founding lord’s swordsmanship? And not just any level—but top secret?”

In the route of “A World Where All Beauty Resides”, Sayla becomes strong enough to survive.

That strength was largely thanks to the “Frost Sword,” a technique she had acquired from the Queibec family by chance.

“According to the setting, the Frost Sword was a Level 2 technique within the Queibec family.”

For reference, Queibec swordsmanship was classified into Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3.

• Level 3 techniques were common enough to be shared with friendly factions.

• Level 2 was taught only to important figures in branch families or vassal houses of Queibec.

• Level 1 was reserved strictly for direct descendants of Queibec, their spouses, or benefactors who had saved a direct member’s life.

That was the known classification, but in reality, there existed swordsmanship that ranked even higher—a top-secret level above Level 1.

“Only the chosen heir of the Queibec line, selected by the head of the family, was permitted to learn those top-secret techniques.”

Sayla, having learned the Queibec family’s Level 2 sword, the Frost Sword, had become strong enough to survive the attacks of the “Three Pretty Boys.”

But what if she could learn the Winter Sword—a top-secret technique beyond even Level 1?

“Then my chances of survival will skyrocket!”

Temanon continued speaking.

“This is a superb swordsmanship technique passed down in utmost secrecy within the Queibec family. However, it has one fatal flaw—it can only be learned by those whose bodies are naturally attuned to the extreme cold, to the point of housing winter itself. In the family’s history, only a handful have ever truly mastered it.”

“Is it really okay for me to learn such an incredible sword?”

“Well, you’re a benefactor to our family, aren’t you?”

Temanon leaned down and whispered into her ear.

“And to be honest, part of it is my personal curiosity and hope to see the full power of this sword technique. It’s just that so few people have the right constitution to learn it. So work hard and show me something amazing.”

She had a hunch.

Temanon was teaching her the Winter Sword entirely on his own initiative.

“Does the Lady of Queibec know about this?”

“It’s always easier to ask forgiveness than permission.”

Temanon winked.

She couldn’t tell whether he was joking or serious.

“Oh, but to learn it, there’s a tiny little problem we have to solve first. It has to do with your constitution…”

“A problem with my constitution?”

“Yeah, well, it’s nothing too serious.”

Despite saying that, he looked clearly troubled and mumbled awkwardly.

“You see, um, we need a bit of help from the Bigongju. I already sent her a letter, but honestly, who knows where she even is most of the time? And even if she hears our story, I doubt she’ll come help. Arsagil’s such an eccentric. Still, it’d be a waste to have someone with Sayla’s potential only learning the Frost Sword.”

Before he could even finish his sentence, someone burst breathlessly into the room.

“A crazy woman claiming to be the Bigongju is causing a commotion at the western gate of the estate!”

“She doesn’t have a Blue Jade Pendant or a family pass. However, her spell was so mysterious that all the guards at the gate were knocked out. The Swordguard is being dispatched to subdue her—”

Temanon frowned as he listened to the report.

“Just let her in.”

“Pardon?”

“I mean, what kind of lunatic would dare impersonate the Bigongju?”

In the past, there had been quite a few who tried.

Because the Bigongju was so elusive and her whereabouts were unknown, some con artists had once claimed to be her.

Most of them ended up mysteriously dead or went missing, leading to rumors that impersonating the Bigongju led to death.

After that, nobody dared do it anymore.

“B-but still!”

“If her spells are powerful enough to knock out all the gatekeepers, she’s probably the real deal.”

In the end, the Bigongju was brought to Sayla’s residence under the “escort” (surveillance) of a Swordguard warrior.

As soon as she stepped into the building, Temanon could feel her presence.

“She’s here.”

He spoke gently to Sayla.

“The Bigongju is like a stubborn frog—if you ask her directly, she’ll just say no. But I’m the one person who can handle her. Just trust me.”

Sayla refrained from responding directly.

‘You’re literally the worst person at handling her…’

This was a fundamental flaw in his character.

The Bigongju, Arsagil, was designed as a genius strategist.

Temanon was designed as a man of righteous stubbornness.

If Arsagil wanted to, she could wrap Temanon around her finger.

She just didn’t bother because it was too much trouble.

Eventually, Arsagil reached the front of Sayla’s room.

Creak—the door opened, and a chilling blue aura poured out from beneath her feet.

The cold froze everything around her. Frost clung to the floor and walls.

Temanon said, “She must be very agitated.”

“Not really.”

Temanon, smugly, explained, “This is what I meant. Arsagil acts like a contrary frog. When she’s emotionally stirred and heated, she gives off an aura of freezing cold.”

“…Is that so?”

Sayla knew this well.

The Bigongju, Arsagil.

She was the character with the most traits of anyone in <That Girl, That World>.

‘Her contrarian behavior comes from the trait [Too Contradictory for Her Own Good].’

That trait triggered when her emotions became unstable.

That’s why she always tried to remain calm and composed.

‘But why is she shaken now?’

She wasn’t sure of the reason, but the intensity of the chill meant that the Bigongju was definitely emotionally disturbed.

Even trying to guess was difficult, since her expression was hidden behind layers of mystery.

“It’s an honor to meet you. I am Sayla d’Bvernon, the third daughter of House d’Bvernon.”

A few days earlier.

Lee Juhwan looked around.

‘Dizzy…’

Too much was flooding into his mind at once.

All the memories he had set up as data were now crashing into him.

It felt like his brain was about to explode.

It took a long while before he could recover his composure.

‘The possession seems to have worked… but damn, this is nuts.’

His consciousness kept flickering in and out.

If he let go for even a moment, he’d black out.

It felt like being blackout drunk.

‘It’s probably because of the Bigongju’s [Mental Barrier] trait.’

That trait protected Arsagil’s core self.

From her perspective, Lee Juhwan was an external intruder, and her mental barrier was constantly rejecting him.

‘I need to find Lee Sohyun.’

Luckily, with the Bigongju’s abilities, finding Sayla’s location was easy.

‘To the Queibec estate I go.’

His mind was still a chaotic mess.

Which memories were Arsagil’s? Which were Lee Juhwan’s? Which were truly his?

He was confused and overwhelmed.

But there was only one thing that mattered to him:

Helping his sister, who was constantly facing threats of death, and reaching the true ending of “A World Where All Beauty Resides.”

But it clearly wouldn’t be that easy.

‘These damn traits are seriously driving me insane.’

The Bigongju, Arsagil, had the most traits and the most complicated personality of any character.

The three traits bothering Lee Juhwan the most were:

• [Countless Secrets]

• [Longing for Death]

• [Too Contradictory for Her Own Good]

Arsagil had been designed to hold countless secrets.

That trait made things very uncomfortable for Lee Juhwan.

—Lee Sohyun.

“……”

He couldn’t even mention her name—she counted as a “secret of the outer world.”

This made it almost impossible to reveal that he was Lee Juhwan.

Any attempt to explain himself indirectly disrupted Arsagil’s core identity.

That, in turn, triggered [Longing for Death], causing severe depression and lethargy.

So severe that death felt preferable.

For the record, within two days of possession, he had attempted suicide seven times.

Thankfully, Arsagil’s mysterious body had defensive traits that prevented him from dying.

Otherwise, he would’ve died right after possession.

‘[Too Contradictory for Her Own Good] is just as annoying.’

If his emotions leaned too far in one direction, his words and actions would start contradicting his true feelings.

He had to remain perfectly composed.

But that was easier said than done.

Especially now.

‘She looks like Sayla d’Bvernon…’

But in 3D, she was unmistakably Lee Sohyun.

Lee Juhwan knew it instantly.

‘Damn it. My heart’s all over the place.’

He wanted to run to her and say, “Are you okay? I’ll help you.”

But he couldn’t.

Lee Juhwan—now Arsagil—crossed his legs and listened to Temanon speak.

‘Don’t even look at Lee Sohyun.’

If he looked, his calm would shatter.

He’d start saying things he didn’t mean and acting against his true intentions.

If he tried too hard to help her, he might end up hurting her instead.

‘Yeah. It’s better to ignore her. Being cold is actually better.’

Thus was born the tsundere Bigongju.