BJ Villainess Chapter 296

To be honest, it wasn’t that I hadn’t thought about marrying Ozworld. As time went on, I grew more certain that this was how we would continue to live and that I’d never fall in love with anyone else. But the stronger that certainty became, the harder it was to ignore the problem I had been desperately trying to forget.

 

[Be sure to refuse the proposal. Otherwise, you’ll never be able to return home.]

 

The man had explained to me as though accepting his proposal would be something terrible for me. It seemed to imply that I was trapped in this world because of Ozworld and that I actually belonged elsewhere. But that idea didn’t quite resonate with me.

Is this connected to those memories that were sealed?

I tried to laugh it off playfully. “I’m only 24, and we’ve only been dating again for less than a year.”

“Whether it’s a day or ten years, my feelings won’t change.”

“It’s not about doubting your feelings. There are just practical issues…”

But the truth was, there were unresolved problems between us. I still didn’t know who he really was, what the ‘dungeon quest’ meant, or even where this so-called home of mine was. Yet, I couldn’t bring myself to ask. Having lost him once before made me hesitant.

 

Bzzzz! My phone vibrated. I seized the moment as an excuse.

 

“I’ll just take this call real quick. You can wait in the car.”

 

Thankfully, Ozworld didn’t make it difficult for me and got into the driver’s seat. Judging by the sound of the engine, he had turned on the heater.

 

“Hello?”

On the line, Senior Seonga began whining immediately.

 

-Are you really not coming? It’s graduation day! Everyone is telling me to drag you here!

 

A chorus of voices urging me to come followed.

 

I should’ve just gone to the gathering after all. But the proposal had already happened, and retreating awkwardly wouldn’t solve anything.

After calming Senior Seonga down with promises to meet later, I hung up.

 

Now that the proposal is over, the letters hidden in the dungeon quest must have revealed themselves, right? Before getting into the passenger seat, I opened the quest details on my phone.

 

[Dungeon Quest: Zero Base Seoul]

Most of your memories are currently locked. It’s okay. In ‘Seoul,’ you will surely be rewarded for your efforts. But remember, at the moment of choice, picking one means losing the other forever.

▸Accept: Live as ‘Jiwoo’

▸Refuse: Live as ‘Theresa’

 

Sure enough, the previously obscured text was now visible.

“Theresa…”

The name felt unfamiliar.

 

Bzzzz!

[Sender: Broadcast Genius Theresa]

[Finally, the word ‘Theresa’ is unblocked! Now I can use it again for sponsorshipㅜㅜ.]

 

“So I’m Theresa, huh? But what’s wrong with your name? Do you know me as Theresa?” When I asked the constellations, a reply came immediately.

 

Bzzzz!

[Sender: Lawful Good]

[We can’t tell you that yet.]

 

“So I need to gather more clues before you can talk about it. This feels like a mystery game.”

 

I quickly pieced my thoughts together. Accepting the proposal seemed to mean I’d continue living as Jiwoo. But I couldn’t grasp how living as Theresa would be a bad thing.

 

“Does living as Theresa mean losing Ozworld?” I let out a short laugh. “This makes Ozworld sound like the villain.”

 

I stared at the car, hope creeping into my thoughts. If Ozworld truly loves me, wouldn’t he tell me the truth?

 

It was then that a voice called out to me.

“Senior!”

A woman I didn’t recognize was running toward me, breathless.

 

Who is she?

 

“Oh, thank goodness you’re still here! Congratulations on your graduation!”

 

“Uh, thanks. But who are you…?”

“It’s me, Kim Younghee! You don’t remember me, do you?”

 

Kim Younghee? Did I have a junior by that name? I apologized quickly, not wanting to hurt her feelings, but then stopped short. Kim Younghee? Could she be related to Kim Cheolsoo?

 

Younghee handed me a gift wrapped neatly. “This is a graduation gift. I’m a big fan of yours, Senior. I even wrote you a fan letter, but it’s embarrassing, so please read it when you’re alone.”

“…Okay, I will.”

 

Before leaving, Younghee held my hand tightly. “I hope this gift helps you. Please be happy.”

“Thank you.”

 

Younghee left with a cheerful smile but turned back once to say, “I really am a fan!”

 

Why is she emphasizing that? There didn’t seem to be any hidden meaning, but I couldn’t figure it out.

I glanced at the gift and put it in my bag. Judging by its shape and texture, it felt like a book.

 

Click. As I got into the passenger seat, Ozworld asked, “Who was that?”

 

Pretending to know, I replied, “A junior from my department. She came to congratulate me.”

 

Ozworld seemed indifferent, responding, “I see,” before taking my left hand and playing with the ring on my finger. Intertwining our fingers, he asked, “Shall we head home?”

 

I nodded, gripping his hand tightly.

 

Let’s talk.

 

I resolved to check the gift and make my decision about the proposal.

 

* * *

The new house was a luxurious residence overlooking the Han River. Personally, I would’ve been happy with a modest apartment. But sensing Ozworld’s subtle discomfort with his previous home, we ended up moving into this extravagant villa. Hand in hand, we explored our new bedroom, study, dining room, and workspace.

 “It’s nice,” I admitted.

 

Though the house’s opulence was a bit overwhelming, I couldn’t deny its beauty. Everything from the artwork to the furniture reflected Ozworld’s impeccable taste, making it a joy to look around.

 

Ozworld hugged me from behind and said, “This place will be great for raising our baby. There’s even space for live-in staff.”

 

Flustered, I turned bright red and smacked him lightly. “You just proposed, and you’re already talking about a baby?!”

 

“Why? I want to marry you soon, have kids, and live happily ever after.” He picked me up in a tight hug, planting kisses on me with a smiling face. “So, will you marry me? Please?”

 “You’re so sly.”

 He knew I was weak to his cute antics and affectionate gestures, charming me like a sly fox.

 “I’ll be good to you, Jiwoo.”

 “…Alright, now put me down. Let me think about it while I shower.”

 “Want me to join you?”

 “Keep joking, and I won’t answer for another ten years.”

 

Ozworld must have sensed positivity in my attitude because he laughed cheerfully and put me down.

 

“Go take your shower. I’ll go grocery shopping in the meantime.”

“Just order delivery.”

“It’s a special day, so I want to cook for you.”

“Alright. Be careful out there.”

“Okay.” He kissed my forehead, grabbed his car keys, and left.

 

As soon as Ozworld stepped out the door, I headed to the bathroom to check the gift. As I expected, it was a book. But the title was unusual. The Sand Saintess? The cover was a dull, sandy color with a rough texture that gave it an odd, mysterious vibe.

 

I opened the first page. There was only one line written in the center.

 

[The planet we settled on this time was fortunately rich in resources.]

 

An SF fantasy novel? Why would she give me a novel? I couldn’t see how it related to my current situation. Then, I turned to the next page.

 

[Judging by the planet’s potential, it seemed capable of sustaining itself for about five generations of civilians unable to use divine power. The previous planet had been too fragile to withstand the amount of divine power Emperor Signio used and had died prematurely. Even the Sand Saintess, Gufel, couldn’t save a planet from being destroyed by its ruler, who was born for that purpose.

 “I hope this planet lasts a bit longer.”

The skies here were unusually blue. The green leaves were lush, the rivers clear, and the animals alive. It was rare to find such a beautiful planet. The people who had migrated to the new planet couldn’t hide their awe. Everyone looked at the Sand Saintess, Gufel, with eyes full of hope.

It was time to build their home. Gufel, the most powerful saintess alive, placed her hands on the ground. The data copied from previous planets before they were abandoned began to manifest. The city grew—no, it truly grew. It was the only way to describe the sight.

“You’ve worked hard, Gufel.”

Frea, known as the most beautiful saintess, appeared with her dazzling silver hair flowing in the wind. Unlike Gufel, who was born a commoner with plain brown hair, Frea’s noble lineage was evident even in her appearance.

The people glanced back and forth between the two saintesses, their expressions filled with curiosity. Who would become the emperor’s wife? Would it be Gufel, the emperor’s mentor and the possessor of unparalleled divine power? Or Frea, the noble-born beauty with captivating charm?

One thing was clear: Frea loved Emperor Signio passionately. But that didn’t mean the two saintessess were on bad terms. They were rivals but also long-time friends and comrades. Even now, Frea handed Gufel a cold drink imbued with her divine power and tenderly wiped the sweat from her brow. It was an affectionate gesture that might make onlookers mistake them for lovers.

“Are you going to survey the planet now?”

Frea asked, and Gufel nodded.

“I should. While His Majesty inspects the surrounding planets, I’ll check the aftermath of using divine power. Take care of the people in the meantime.”

“I will, Gufel. Don’t overdo it.”

“You too. You’re not exactly in robust health yourself.”

Frea smiled like a flower swaying in the breeze at Gufel’s gentle scolding.

The beautiful friendship between the two saintesses was a source of pride for the people, who watched with warm smiles before raising lively voices.

Gufel mounted her black steed and rode forward. Using divine power on a planet sometimes resulted in repelling forces, like a body producing antibodies against a virus. On planets as healthy and beautiful as this, such reactions were often more pronounced, so checking the surroundings was a necessary task. Gufel hoped she would only encounter manageable spirits or beasts as she searched the area, but then she saw something unusual.

“…A baby?

There, lying in the middle of the field, was a male infant who clearly wasn’t one of the emperor’s protected subjects.

“Is he a native of this planet?”

Gufel hurriedly dismounted and carefully picked up the baby. The child had soft black hair and astonishingly beautiful pink eyes that were wide open, having just woken from sleep.

“You’re not a native, are you?”

Gufel realized the baby was the ‘vaccine’ produced by the planet to counterbalance her divine power.

“Awo!” The baby giggled, tugging at the mask covering Gufel’s face.

“You little rascal.”

Gufel was at a loss. She couldn’t kill the baby, nor could she leave him to die. He was far too adorable—she had fallen for him the moment she laid eyes on him.

“I’ll make you my son.”

Although people believed the emperor’s wife had not yet been chosen, that wasn’t true. Gufel had been designated from the beginning. But she had been content to remain the emperor’s mentor, delaying the announcement.

Marrying the emperor, whom she had practically raised, didn’t appeal to her. But it worked better. She could live quietly, raising her son, while Frea became a kind empress who cared for the people.

Gufel named the baby.

 “Your name will be Hardy.”]