Killing the Possessor - Chapter 45

“Is he really that scary? From what I remember, he was just good-looking.”

“Well, he is good-looking. It’s the PTSD that’s the issue.”

Just recalling it made my shoulders tremble again, and Bali chuckled softly, shaking her head. I understood her reaction, but the unjust frustration building up inside me made my face burn with heat.

Do you have any idea how much pain I went through back then? How horrible it was that I developed PTSD!

Madame Marion, the contact point for connecting with Hongik Ingan. Her Rouge tailor shop had become the secret meeting spot where I met with Bali.

I never knew when Ren Abyss would burst in and drag me off to an interrogation room, and with my plan to find a husband falling apart, Hongik Ingan’s help was absolutely necessary.

That’s why I contacted her, but it seemed Bali had found amusement in teasing me. It wasn’t until I shot her a glare filled with resentment that she finally turned around and thoughtfully reflected on what I’d said.

“So, this Priest Vice is the one who exorcised you when you first got here, right?”

“That’s right. And it really hurts, you know? I’m not just saying that!”

“Spiritual crash landing… that’s a rare case. You’ve been through some things I’ve never heard of.”

Even though the conversation seemed to be slightly veering off course. I tried to convince myself it was just my imagination and looked at her with pleading eyes.

“What am I supposed to do now? I can’t stay in this illegal status forever.”

“What do you mean, what should you do? Either you overcome your fear, or you roast that little brat living in the palace.”

Bali answered carelessly, as if my inner turmoil didn’t matter, but then, suddenly, she exhaled a chill and added coldly,

“The investigator’s off-limits, okay? Don’t get any ideas like some people.”

“…I never thought about it.”

Looks like she had her own PTSD going on. I sighed deeply and thought about my bleak future.

Which would be easier? Trying to lure out a man with such a ruthless, cold nature that he’s almost impossible to understand in such a short time? Or persuading a mama’s boy prince and turning him into a rebellious type?

“Both are max difficulty.”

As I muttered to myself, Bali suddenly handed me a bundle of papers. Surprised at what she was giving me, I looked at it and saw it was a pamphlet with information about an organization and a request for support.

“Rainbow Orphanage?”

“That’s where Priest Vice volunteers regularly.”

I had been reading it half-heartedly, but I straightened up at her words. A quick glance at the bottom caught my eye—an address not too far from here.

“Why, this is like a romance cliché, isn’t it? When accidental meetings keep happening…”

“…It could turn into love?”

Although my first impression was nearly ruined, if we meet through volunteering, it could still be redeemed, right? Bali smiled with a quiet laugh and added her hopeful spin.

“Just go and give it a shot. No man will turn down a pretty and kind woman.”

“This appearance isn’t too bad.”

“It seems like Ilui Hope visits here often, so don’t forget to check in whenever you can.”

“Is the female lead coming?”

Hearing that, I suddenly became anxious. Isn’t it the female lead, Ilui Hope, who usually ends up with the male leads?

While I naturally support our hopeful female lead’s romance, one of them has to make way for me.

Ideally, it would be the investigator. But life doesn’t always go as planned.

The next day, with a fluttering heart, I went to the orphanage, but the person I met was neither Vice nor Ilui.

“…Sir Ren?”

Why are you here?

I stared at the silver-haired man who hadn’t been part of the plan. Just when I was feeling uneasy about when I’d be summoned because of dealing with the evil spirit without any divine power, I never expected to run into him here.

“Miss Camilli.”

He too recognized me and widened his eyes in surprise. It was a look that seemed very unfamiliar compared to the formality of his usual uniform or the attire he wore at parties. He was now casually dressed in a loose shirt and pants.

Ren set the laundry basket he had been carrying on a nearby shelf. Trying to avoid looking at the biceps showing from his rolled-up sleeves, I watched him as he wiped his brow with a towel around his neck.

Then, he slowly walked toward me with his slightly disheveled hair swaying freely in the breeze.