Chapter 649: Visible but Intangible and Inaudible, Reachable but Unreachable

Han Yu-Na, who was the second daughter of a wealthy family, left her house to meet another friend beside Oxygen.

Beep-beep!!

In her vibrant red sports car, she sighed briefly and lifted her head.

She had lived a life as if being hunted down by the malicious intent of Go Jin-Seok.

But then, the meeting with this one particular person made her overcome all matters without getting scolded. Thinking about what she had experienced with him made her current situation seem like nothing, and this made her feel so serene. Thanks to him, she dared to deviate from her predetermined path for a journey she herself had chosen. On top of that, her parents seemed touched when she, who had mistrusted others, suddenly started opening up to others, creating a bright atmosphere in the house.

"Let's go, Bumblebee."

Having her own car in her early twenties might seem remarkable from an average person's perspective, but given her family's wealth, it was actually a modest act. Playfully, she let the car's engine roar to life and stepped on the accelerator. She then drove off, heading to the home of a dear friend, whom she wanted to introduce to her other friend who had called her.

She went full throttle on a nearly empty road, stepping harder on the accelerator to speed toward Oxygen's house.

Though Oxygen had been confined at home playing games due to poor health, for some reason, it seemed she was able to move again recently. But remembering Oxygen's advice that too much movement was bad but moderate exercise was necessary, Yu-Na drove to fetch Oxygen, intending to bring her along with her to meet someone.

"Yo! Oxygen!"

"I told you to call me Yun Ji-Ah," Oxygen exclaimed, quite startled by Yu-Na.

Why would they need to use a nickname, even offline?

But Maga only smiled sheepishly and waved quickly at her, saying, "Let's go! Today, I'm treating you!"

"Wow, you?" Oxygen, or Yun Ji-Ah, teased with a chuckle, but she made no refusal to Yu-Na's invitation. She, too, did not dislike breathing outdoor air and enjoying the breeze. "But where did this car come from?"

"Uh? It's my sister's car," Yu-Na fibbed. Because even though it was truly her car, she had no intention of flaunting the fact that she was wealthy.

"Hmm. Your sister would be angry if she knew."

"I asked permission from her to borrow it. She said it's okay even if it gets a bit scratched, so just enjoy the ride." Laughing, Yu-Na opened the passenger door for Oxygen and gently pushed her in. "Come on, let's get you going!"

Even to strangers, Han Yu-Na's boundless trust and affection for Yun Ji-Ah were evident.

With a burst of laughter, Ji-Ah then got into the car and said, "But I thought you were a bad driver."

"Me? It's been ages since I started driving! Look, I even removed my novice driver sticker!"

But Ji-Ah still felt strangely uneasy, despite Yu-Na's assurance.

"What about that bratty kid?"

"Ji-Hwan? He's in Alf Online."

"Ugh, a game addict."

"Haha... As soon as he's done selling his items, he won't touch it anymore."

Maga did not ask any more questions about him. The two of them, who had loved Alf Online, had not been in touch for days and then reappeared somewhat jaded. They couldn't really focus on the game, talking as if they were actually living real lives in Alf Online.

"By the way, are you okay?" Ji-Ah asked.

The question earned her a puzzled look from Yu-Na.

"Seems like I should be asking that of you. Are you really okay? You've lost a lot of weight. You look so skinny right now."

"Hehe." Despite the bitter smile, her expression carried a hint of sadness. "By the way, where are you taking me?"

"Before that, there's a place I'd like to go with you." Saying so, she stepped harder on the accelerator.

"Aaagh!"

A coupe-type sports car, common as it might be, could be terrifying when it speeds up. But then Yu-Na seemed to be thrilled, continuing to race through speedily, despite Ji-Ah's scream.

"Stop! Slow down!"

Yu-Na nodded at Ji-Ah's scream. But then she only made the car pick up its speed.

"Aaaah!"

Only the echoes of their screams remained as evidence that the two had been there.

* * *

"Ugh... Ugh..."

Eventually, they finally came to a stop, and Ji-Ah, who felt extremely nauseous, barely managed to get out of the car before she started retching. Meanwhile, Yu-Na was different. Instead of feeling sick, she was overwhelmed with a sense of freedom and happiness she had not felt in a long time.

"Go ahead, vomit all you want!"

"Ugh... You're really..." Ji-Ah glared at Yu-Na, but then her expression changed, realizing where they were. She then hesitantly asked, "Is this a columbarium?"

Yu-Na quietly nodded in response. "Yeah. There's someone here I really wanted you to meet."

Ji-Ah tilted her head in confusion. "Do you know someone in the columbarium?"

"Not someone who works here, but someone who comes around at this time," Yu-Na explained, and then, with Ji-Ah in tow, she walked into the columbarium like she was already familiar with the place.

Inside, they saw a woman with light brown hair standing serenely in front of an urn niche. Yu-Na then called out to her, softly saying, "Miss~"

Did the title work? The lady slowly turned her head toward them, looking at Yu-Na first and then at Ji-Ah.

"Yu-Na."

"Hyun-Ah, when did you get here?"

"Just arrived."

Ji-Ah felt like she had seen the lady somewhere before, and it didn't take her longer than a couple of seconds to realize who she was. "Wow! Sacred Group..."

At Ji-Ah's astonishment, Yu-Na looked surprised. "Oxygen, do you know her?"

"Ah... That... That..." Caught off guard, Ji-Ah puzzled over how to deal with this unexpected revelation. "Well, she's famous? Always on TV..."

"I've never been on TV."

"Oh."

"It doesn't matter, so don't worry about it."

Ji-Ah fidgeted uncomfortably until Yu-Na patted her shoulder to comfort her.

"Actually, Hyun-Ah is someone I really wanted you to meet. When I was going through a tough time, she was one of the only people by my side."

Ji-Ah avoided her gaze, still feeling embarrassed, while Hyun-Ah simply continued her silent prayer.

"Was it... someone important to you?" Ji-Ah cautiously asked.

Hyun-Ah simply nodded quietly.

"It's her brother," Yu-Na explained. "He passed away a long time ago."

At those words, a look of compassion appeared on Ji-Ah's face.

"Oh... You must have really liked your brother."

Hyun-Ah shook her head. "We fought every time we met—calling each other names like squid and octopus, always fighting, and barking at each other."

As Hyun-Ah answered, Ji-Ah could not completely comprehend why she was feeling so depressed.

"But in the end, I wasn't there to see him."

"Oh..."

"My sister and I both had a hard time, but the one who probably had the hardest time was our brother... The moment he was dying... I wasn't there."

It was then that Yun Ji-Ah realized what emanated from the woman's demeanor—regret and sorrow. Although there were no tears to show such emotions, they could still be felt, surging intensely from her.

Ji-Ah took a moment to really observe Hyun-Ah, noting how she had an elegant and noble princess-like aura. Then there were the clothes she wore, which seemed extremely expensive, although not in an obvious manner. But to those who knew, it might be noticeable how luxurious they really were. After all, if she was a lady from the Sacred Group, what more was there to say? Even in wealthy families, there must have been sorrow from parting with someone.

"Please, stay strong."

"It's okay. It's been several years now," Hyun-Ah said softly. She then diverted the somber topic, saying, "I've heard a lot about you from Yu-Na, Miss Oxygen Bear Soup."

Ji-Ah nearly burst into laughter at being called Oxygen Bear Soup with such a serious face. She desperately pinched her thigh hard to prevent her laughter from coming out. In the end, she could only nod her head in response.

"It was the first time Yu-Na told me she had such a wonderful friend."

"Well... Your brother must be doing well in heaven. Hyun..."

"Please call me Hyun-Ah. If you're friends with Yu-Na, then we're the same age."

"If you are doing well, that will make him happy in heaven."

"..."

Was what she said a landmine?

Yun Ji-Ah herself was surprised at her own words and repeatedly slapped her lips.

"Ah... It has begun..." Han Yu-Na, who realized something, groaned.

"Our brother... The stupid octopus-looking brother we had..." Gently touching the glass that housed an urn, she murmured in a reserved voice, "Go and make sure to eat well..."

It had been several years already. So how could she be so tearful?

Yun Ji-Ah then realized Hyun-Ah did not just like or dislike her brother. The longing and bond that only a family that deeply cared for and looked after each other could create was quite evident.

"Go and make sure to eat well..." Her voice quivered in the silence. "I'm so sorry... for not being there by your side on the day you left..."

Eventually, sobs began to escape Hyun-Ah, and Yu-Na turned her head away, her eyes reddening. Meanwhile, Ji-Ah strangely felt another emotion other than sorrow. It was a feeling that nagged at her that Hyun-Ah had a resemblance to someone else.

* * *

"So you're saying that if you wear these Chirvat Earrings made from the substance of the Malicious Spirit, you can enter Earth as a spirit that cannot interfere with anything physical, at least?"

"Yeah. Wearing the earrings, the number of people who can go is about two. Whether it's the right ear or the left doesn't matter. You can wear them on both ears or just one."

"What's the penalty?"

After nonchalantly throwing a half-dead Cat Tower, who was exhausted from overwork, on the bed, Verdandi put an earring on Davey's left ear and said, "Nothing specific. But if your will becomes stronger and your power to actually materialize gets too powerful, then there might be a problem. Want to give it a try?"

So she meant that even if he went to Earth, he must not have thoughts about causing unnecessary interference with reality.

"If something's happening right before your eyes, even if someone is being murdered, don't step in. If something comes, something goes. If you don't want to be trapped or completely shattered, do not interfere."

Davey quietly nodded at her words. He then fully fitted the earring on his left ear. Similarly, Perserque received the other earring from Verdandi and wore it on her left ear.

"Don't worry. Do I look like someone who holds onto any memories or attachments?"

"We'll see about that."