Chapter 69

All that surrounded me was the vast ocean and the rock I stood upon.

It was a place where the word "expansive" seemed to fit perfectly.

Like a person stranded in the middle of the sea.

Though the wind howled, and thunder roared, this rock remained calm and steady.

“It’s been a while, Seiren.”

My words echoed, but there was no reply. Of course, there wouldn’t be—there was no one here but me.

The jagged rock barely looked like it could fit three or four people, yet here I stood without any safety gear.

It wasn’t because I was reckless. I simply didn’t think there was any real danger.

“Show yourself, would you?”

Even as I spoke, no answer came.

The only sounds were the sharp whistle of the wind and the deafening crash of thunder.

But then—

Bloop, bloop, bloop.

Bubbles rose to the surface of the water directly in front of the rock.

Splash!

A figure emerged from the depths.

“…It’s been a while, Sanya.”

The figure was a mermaid straight out of a fairy tale, staring directly at me.

She was breathtakingly beautiful, yet her fishtail made it clear she wasn’t human.

“Yeah, it’s been a while.”

Smiling at her response, I sat down on the rock. It was wet with seawater but surprisingly not slippery.

The mermaid, Seiren, silently observed me for a moment before climbing onto the rock herself.

Neither of us spoke. We simply stared at the sky and sea together.

“Did you forget about us?”

“I tried to.”

The sound of the waves lapping against the rock grew heavier, almost scolding me.

Her face showed no emotion. The bright, cheerful demeanor I remembered from the painting [Seiren] was nowhere to be found.

“I’ve already died and been reincarnated. I have no connection to you anymore.”

“Yeah, I know. Wu Hua told me himself.”

“My mentor did?”

“You didn’t know? I thought you might have met him already.”

Seiren chuckled softly, reaching out to stroke my hair.

Her hand was cold and damp, but it didn’t feel unpleasant.

After all, Seiren was a part of me once.

Not anymore, of course. I was here because of the connection we had in the past.

“Do you know where my mentor is?”

“Who knows? Time doesn’t exist here.”

“Right. I forgot about that.”

Seiren shrugged and leaned back onto the rock.

‘That looks painful.’

Stretching, she let out a satisfied sigh.

“Ahhh, Sanya.”

“Huh? What is it?”

The look in her eyes sent a chill down my spine.

“You seem happy.”

“…Yeah, I guess? The life I was born into this time is pretty good.”

“Some of us can’t even sleep properly because of the constant thunder.”

“Well, uh… Sorry about that.”

Seiren sighed deeply before sitting up again.

“I don’t intend to be jealous. Or maybe I do, a little. But the truth is, we know you, Sanya.”

I felt a weight on my shoulder. Seiren had leaned against me.

“Singing is hard now. Even smiling feels like a chore.”

“I don’t know what to say to that.”

“Don’t worry about it. Actually, we’re happy. It seems like you’re living a good life this time around.”

“…Thanks for that.”

With a faint smile, Seiren dove back into the water.

The splash sent water droplets flying everywhere, but strangely, my clothes remained dry.

This was a world of illusions—a place where nothing was real.

While masterpieces could show illusions, true great works like this one could create entire worlds.

Worlds that were true to the essence of the painting.

Seiren swam gracefully around the rock, moving with the ease of a fish in the water.

She didn’t swim like a person, relying instead on her tail for speed.

It looked like a free, unrestrained existence, but in reality, it was a lonely life spent in a barren world.

The only thing here was the relentless force of nature, intent on crushing her.

“Ahhh, the water feels amazing!”

“Aren’t you always in the sea?”

“You wouldn’t understand. It’s different for humans and mermaids.”

Her playful laugh brought a faint smile to my face.

“But it is a bit lonely. Before you came, there was this chatty woman who kept me company.”

Her words made me pause.

“My daughter-in-law adored [Seiren].”

So that’s how it was. The former Chairman must’ve spent time here with Seiren.

I fell silent, hearing the wistfulness in her voice.

Seventeen years had passed since I was born. During that time, these great works must’ve been left to their own devices.

Maybe they visited each other’s worlds. That’s what I hoped.

I wondered if they resented me for being late.

“I have a lot to ask you, Seiren.”

“I know. I’ve been waiting.”

[Seiren] was a painting inspired by the demon of envy.

Her life was consumed by jealousy—not just of others, but even of nature itself.

And that was true of my past life as well.

“So, was it Wu Hua who brought all of you here?”

“Yeah. He moved all seven of us, each to a separate place.”

One question answered. On to the next.

“Did he tell you anything in particular?”

“Not that I remember.”

Seiren chewed absentmindedly on a piece of seaweed she must’ve found somewhere.

“Hmm. Then is [Angel] connected to my reincarnation?”

“…Yes. But I don’t know the details. Wu Hua might.”

After a pause, she nodded affirmatively.

“So I really do have to find my mentor…”

It was a headache. Was that old man even still alive?

“How did my mentor end up in this world?”

“No idea. But I do know this—he came here after you died.”

That damned old man. Always making things complicated.

“Ugh, fine. I’ll deal with him when I find him.”

I kept asking questions after that.@@novelbin@@

The bright and cheerful Seiren I once knew was gone, replaced by a tired, jaded figure.

She looked like she belonged in a breakroom, exhausted after a long shift.

Feeling guilty, I changed the subject.

“What about the others? How are they doing?”

“I haven’t seen them in over three years. They’re probably fine on their own.”

She turned away, disinterested, and dove back into the sea.

“But you’re the eldest…”

“So what? They don’t listen to me anyway.”

Her dismissive snort made it clear she’d had enough of their antics.

As guilt turned to pity, she spoke again.

“Sanya.”

“Yeah?”

“Be careful of [Angel]... our youngest. Wu Hua must’ve done something to it.”

“…I know. That’s why I need to find him.”

The raging storm seemed to echo her emotions.

“Honestly, I hope you don’t need to come back here again.”

Her detached tone made me pause.

Seiren looked at me steadily before flashing a familiar smile.

It was the same serene smile as the mermaid in the painting [Seiren].

“Forget about these lingering feelings, Sanya. Just live your life properly.”

“I am living properly. And you’re still a part of—”

“Who was it that said we’re no longer connected?”

“…Why?”

“Because you already know the reason. This body of yours can’t handle us.”

Seiren covered her mouth, stifling a laugh.

‘This body really is fragile.’

Lee Ha-Eun’s body was too weak to handle the power of a great work.

“Even now, your real body is under a lot of strain. It’s time to part ways.”

“We just met.”

Her soft, bittersweet smile returned as she shook her head.

“I’m worried about you, Sanya. What if you die again?”

“…Fine. I’ll visit again someday, though I can’t promise when.”

Seiren’s expression brightened, glowing like the sun.

She smiled brilliantly, full of vitality.

“Ah, I suddenly feel like singing.”

“Hmm. Hey, before I go, I have one request.”

“Oh? What is it? If it’s something I can do, I’ll do it.”

“One of my friends is an idol. Can you help her out someday?”

“Anything involving singing, I’m happy to do.”

She leaned on the rock and looked up at me.

“Thanks. I’ll bring her here next time.”

“Hmm, so it’s a promise, then.”

Her gentle smile made me smile as well.

“And this time, my name is Lee Ha-Eun. Sanya no longer exists.”

What a terrible pen name that was—Black Mountain.

What was I thinking in my past life?

“…Alright. I’ll call you Eun, then. Easier that way.”

“Do what you want. Oh, one more thing.”

“What now? If you’re not careful, your body’s going to break down.”

“I’ll be fine. I won’t die. And if it’s okay with you, I was thinking of changing this place a bit.”

Seiren tilted her head in confusion.

“Is that even possible?”

“It is. I just need permission.”

From Seiren and the Chairman.

“Don’t you think it’s time you lived a little more freely?”

I reached out my hand, smiling faintly.

Seiren, leaning against the rock, took my hand naturally.

“You don’t have to endure envy anymore, Seiren.”

“…You’d better keep that promise, Lee Ha-Eun.”

Her narrowed gaze was the last thing I saw before the world turned dark.

***

"Agh, my head feels like it’s about to split open."

I clutched my head with one hand and pressed the other against my chest.

My heart was racing, and the headache was unbearable.

“If I were just a little healthier, this wouldn’t be happening.”

I slumped down in front of Seiren, taking a moment to catch my breath.

Behind me stood a single grave.

The grave of the woman Seiren had called a chatterbox.

[Lee Ah-Ram]

‘…There sure are a lot of Lees.’

I knew that in Korea, Kim, Lee, and Park were the most common surnames, but I hadn’t expected to see it so often.

Still, the name felt oddly familiar.

Lee Ah-Ram… Lee Ah-Reum?

The thought hit me like a bolt, and I blinked a few times.

“…No way. That’s ridiculous.”

I let out a faint laugh, dismissing the thought as I tried to clear my mind of unnecessary speculation.

Then, I lifted my head to look at the Seiren painting.

“Choi Ye-Seo, just wait a little longer. I’ll give you free singing lessons soon.”

The moment I get her hooked, she’s as good as mine.

A new servant to add to my collection.