Chapter 102

9 p.m.

I looked out the window. The light in Bjorn’s room was off.

“Good. He’s asleep.”

The nocturnal Bjorn going to bed early? A miracle worthy of a national holiday.

I carefully bundled 200 flowers—byproducts of Ilgeom’s supernatural ability—so they wouldn’t get crushed, hugged them to my chest, closed my eyes, and tore open the scroll.

Zip.
The sound hit like a water balloon bursting.

When I opened my eyes, laughter and the scent of flowers greeted me.

A forest blanketed in blooms.
A small stream winding through trees.
Floating lanterns shimmered overhead like fireflies, the leaves glowing and shifting colors with their light.

“You’re back!”

Two users with their feet in the stream waved at me.

I waved back, then looked past them—and there it was.

A marble mansion nestled among ancient trees, grand as a palace and hidden like a secret.
The kind of place that looks like it charges rent in fairy dust.

I heard the Prima Donna built it up here for “practice.” Sure.

Trying to take it all in, I took a few steps back.

Thud.
“Ow.”

I turned. I’d walked right into a tree.

I looked up. Its trunk stretched endlessly into a night sky filled with stars.

Among the branches, tiny lights floated—what I thought were fireflies.

But they weren’t.

Near me hovered a small glass orb, glowing faintly. Inside was a cube-shaped stone.

I stared, mesmerized, and reached out.

“Careful.”

A voice beside me. I yanked my hand back.

Then came a laugh—light and playful.

“That’s an expensive magic stone. If you break it, I’ll cry.”

I turned.

A woman stood by a hut made of woven branches, her waist-length red curls glowing in the light. She tilted her head slightly—and the lanterns responded, shifting, brightening, illuminating the forest.

Her golden eyes gleamed.
Tattoos trailed down her neck to her fingertips like inked constellations.

She was stunning.

I swallowed. “Um… are you the Witch’s Daughter?”

Her gem-bright eyes met mine.

A long, dangerous pause.

Then—
“That’s right.”
She smiled and stepped forward, offering her hand.

I took it.

“My name is Daisy Maya Estrella of Spring Country. I’ve been on the timeline for about two months, currently staying at the Ieter Palace.”

“Ah! You’re the one who posted the free flower giveaway, right? I applied too.”

I almost handed her all 200 flowers on the spot.

No! Focus. People requested specific types.

I gripped my bundle tighter.

“I applied for the purple roses. Don’t forget to give them to me.”

“Of course. I’ve got some byproducts of my own. Want any flowers in return? I’ll bring some next time.”

“Haha, I’ll just take your kindness. The performance’s about to start—I wouldn’t want to trouble you.”

She smiled again and glanced toward the glowing garden.

That’s when I noticed her outfit. Tight trousers. A bare-shoulder top.
Neither medieval nor modern.
Definitely recluse-core.

She gestured toward the stage. “How’s it look?”

“Perfect,” I breathed. “I’ve never seen anything like it.”

“Thanks.” She hopped down from the railing. “Come on, I’ll introduce you to Barbara.”

“Barbara?”

“The host.”

Beat.

“Full name’s Prima Donna Young-ae.”

---

We walked toward the mansion.

The lawn buzzed with nobles drinking, laughing, arranging food. Dozens of users filled the garden.

Then I saw her.

“Young-ae, can I have a drink too?”

“No, you can’t. You’re a minor.”

“Only my character is! I’m an adult!”

“Ah, the possessed girl’s pulling out her real ID. Just drink your juice quietly.”

Tiny frame. Silver hair in a cotton-ball bun.

“…Larisa Young-ae?”

She turned, spotted me, and lit up.

“Newbie Young-ae!”

She ran at me like a puppy let off leash.

“Larisa—careful—!”

I crouched just in time to catch her.

She giggled and rubbed her cheek against my arm.

“I was worried you got dragged off with the exploration team. Are you okay?”

She was good.
A moment ago, she’d been lobbying for a beer. Now, full toddler mode.

“I’m fine. You?”

“Fantastic!”

Her emerald eyes sparkled.

“I have a favor, though…”

She gestured for me to lean in.

I did.

“Please sneak me a drink.”

Before I could reply, Witch Young-ae stepped in.

“Larisa, not a good idea. Your body’s still that of a child.”

“But it’s a festival! Just one beer!”

She pouted, stamped her tiny feet. Sniffled.

And the crowd lost it.

“Oh my god, she’s adorable.”

“Someone get her a snack.”

“Her feet must be tired!”

Larisa doubled down, puffing her cheeks and blinking those shiny eyes.

“I’m the healing heroine,” she declared solemnly.

As if it was her civic duty to be cute.

“…What are you doing?” I asked.

She beamed. “Sharing joy.”

Yep. That tracks.

I took a step back, watching Witch Young-ae try not to snort-laugh.

“I’m going to say hi to Prima Donna Young-ae,” I said.

“Okay~ see you later!”

She waved like royalty and scampered back to the bar—still juice-only.

---

Everyone was here. All the active users.

Except Diana and Isis.

Diana was preparing her New Year’s speech.
Isis was leading a midnight prayer.

I felt a pang. I missed them.

“Missing someone?”

I turned. Witch Young-ae raised an eyebrow.

“Yeah. Diana and Isis couldn’t come.”

“You’re close?”

“How’d you guess?”

She grinned. “Only main characters miss parties for work.”

“…Fair.”

She handed me a glass of ale. “Cheers.”

“Thanks.”

“You’re impressive. Making friends with the timeline’s top players in just two months?”

I felt a little pride. Too much, maybe.

I leaned in, smug.
“We bonded over the Demon King’s charm.”

The second I said it, I wanted to erase my own existence.

Witch Young-ae blinked.

Then smiled.

And took a tiny step back.

“Right… Charming.”

---