Chapter 40

"Death."

It was a vague word.

Especially in this world.

Until now, whether it was world destruction or whatever, I'd only thought of it as something in the distant future. It wasn't like monsters were running rampant and killing the characters around me right now.

Besides, this is just inside a novel, isn't it?

'But for these people…'

It must be reality.

The moment I realized that, a tightness gripped my throat. My mouth felt parched.

"……"

I forced myself to swallow and looked at Hayden's family, still engaged in their harmonious conversation.

The topic had somehow shifted to how the two of them first met.

"But really, it was like magic—this handsome blond man just brushed past me! So I grabbed him right away and asked him out on a date."

"I fell for that boldness."

At that, his mother laughed happily. She seemed delighted to bring up old…