Chapter 98
“Does Baek Yeong… treat you well without hurting you?”
“….Well, he does treat me well.”
It wasn’t a lie. Gangster or not, he was reasonable, non-violent, mature.
His biggest strength: never forcing his feelings on her.
She knew his intent but deliberately didn’t clarify.
At her answer, he smiled bitterly.
“I see. Good. That you met someone who treats you well.”
But somehow, that answer irked him too—he’d probably complain if she pinched his cheek for getting jealous.
‘If roles were reversed, I’d be furious if Seo Do-gyeom met someone else already. Is he just lingering, or does he truly not care as long as I’m safe?’
He sighed deeply. Then, hesitating, Seo Do-gyeom slowly released her hand.
He seemed to mistake her sigh for frustration at his lingering despite her having someone new.
“I was looking for you because I had something to say. Others wouldn’t pass it on, and I wanted to say it myself.”
“What did you want to say?”
“That you don’t have to hide because of me anymore. You probably guessed I’d regret it and come looking—and I did.”
Seo Do-gyeom paused to breathe before continuing.
“I’ll… go far away. So live normally.”
“……”
“I wanted to apologize and say it in person. I figured you might not believe it from someone else.”
“Do you still like me?”
At Baek I-hae’s question, Seo Do-gyeom nodded slowly.
“Then why give up? I thought… you’d want to possess what you like. You have the power if you want.”
In the game, hadn’t Seo Do-gyeom obsessed over the protagonist, ignoring her opinions and confining her?
She’d worried that even if he said he’d let go, he might turn coercive if things went wrong.
As if her fears were groundless, he said,
“I don’t want to do anything that makes you sad anymore.”
What about your heart?
His actions, always for her sake to the end, were so foolishly selfless. The problem was, this time, it didn’t make her hate him.
[Player: Neither of you is greedy—they’re alike in that.]
Greed.
Yes, from the moment Baek I-hae met Seo Do-gyeom, she’d drawn lines knowing he had a destined protagonist.
Even on the day they started dating, she’d vowed to step back if his true love appeared. As the player said, they were quite similar.
Not a pleasant realization.
As if that was truly all, Seo Do-gyeom hesitated. His arm twitching suggested he wanted to embrace her.
Should she let him this time? As she pondered silently, he closed his eyes tightly and turned away. His retreating back, as if this were goodbye forever, rooted her feet.
‘I want to hold him.’
But could she now? After all those harsh words. When he’d resolved to let her go.
As the hesitant Baek I-hae unconsciously stepped toward him, someone covered her mouth from behind.
“Stay still.”
This time, definitely Baek Yong-jo’s men. Startled, she struggled as the man dragged her toward a van parked at the intersection.
She knew accomplices were watching nearby, but going quietly would arouse suspicion.
Her only wish: that Seo Do-gyeom not notice until the end. She didn’t want him hurt by getting involved.
So she thrashed without screaming, watching his fading figure—when suddenly, he turned.
Even from afar, his expression twisted in near-horror.
“Baek I-hae!!”
She wanted to tell him not to worry, not to come—but he sprinted desperately.
Mouth covered, Baek I-hae shook her head frantically, but he showed no sign of stopping.
“Tch, why’d she have to be with that guy?”
The man covering her mouth sighed irritably, glancing at the van.
Large men poured out, as if prepared for this.
“Don’t make noise. If she resists too much, kill her.”
At his words, they drew weapons. A chilling scene straight from a movie—she genuinely wanted to scream in terror.
‘Why isn’t he running!? They have knives—run! Player! Are you listening? Help Seo Do-gyeom escape!’
[Player: The one in danger might be you.]
‘That’s not the point right now!’
[Player: Hmm.] [Player: The more I see, the more alike you two are. Seo Do-gyeom wasn’t originally like this either.]
The man forced Baek I-hae into the van, taping her mouth. Then binding her hands and feet—her eyes stayed fixed on the fighting Seo Do-gyeom.
“Mmph! Mmph!!”
She wanted to yell run—but he showed no intent to flee. Desperately felling approaching men, eyes only on her.
Even as blades cut his skin, as if painless, unable to look away. No matter how well he fought, that distraction could get him seriously hurt any second.
‘There are people around—they’ll help Seo Do-gyeom, right? Please, even if it ruins the plan, help him.’
Unable to properly plead, tears streamed down. The door closed, erasing him from sight.
If she left like this, would he survive? What if they killed him for witnessing the kidnapping?
“Baek I-hae!!”
Amid chaotic fears, his voice rang out loud.
“Wait!! I’ll definitely come rescue you!!”
The door shut. In the departing van, his voice—trying to reassure her to the last—echoed in her ears.
‘Help him.’
Baek I-hae cried silently.
“Yes, boss, we’re bringing her now. Some other guy interfered midway, but he’s just a kid—no need to worry.”
The man didn’t seem to know Seo Do-gyeom’s identity.
The “boss” on the phone was likely Baek Yong-jo. Listening, her eyes met the driver’s in the rearview mirror.
He slowly blinked twice while holding her gaze. The man on the phone didn’t notice.
‘One of Baek Yeong’s plants.’
She recalled Chai Ryeong mentioning disgruntled former Baek faction members coerced by Baek Yong-jo, cooperating with Baek Yeong—and protecting her in emergencies.
‘Was one among those fighting Seo Do-gyeom? If so, I hope they help keep him safe.’
She still wore the necklace from Seo I-heum; her phone’s location was trackable.
[Player: Worried about Seo Do-gyeom?]
‘Of course.’
[Player: Then I’ll help. But this is the last time. Whether to use this chance for yourself or him—your choice.] [Player: Remember, you could lose your life in this quest.]
Though the player warned her, Baek I-hae’s answer was set. She pleaded inwardly.
‘Save Seo Do-gyeom.’
[Player: …….]
The player seemed speechless at her answering before options appeared. How much help it could give Seo Do-gyeom was unknown.
‘They won’t kill the male protagonist easily.’
She could only believe and hope.
As if reading her thoughts, the player spoke, genuinely baffled.
[Player: I don’t understand you. This isn’t why I brought you here.]
Why I brought you here?
She wanted to ask, but soon arriving, she was roughly yanked from the van.
Steadying her stumbling legs, clenching her teeth as she walked, the player’s window appeared behind her.
[Player: Do you still think it’s okay to die if it helps someone?]
Baek I-hae couldn’t see the window, so there was no answer she could give.
