Author's note: I'll be slowing down updates to 2 chapters per week for a few weeks. I got too caught up with my own life and I have run out of pre-written chapters, apologies 🙏

"...I'll merge souls with you." 

The moment Zasiok declared that, his parents appeared relieved and happy. Hana decided to spread the joy as well, smiling along with his parents whereas, Xue remained indifferent, opening up his hand and summoning out his red marble again. 

Cecil was the only person that appeared troubled. 

Xue started to approach Zasiok when Cecil intercepted his path, stretching her arm out and dragging Zasiok away gently. His parents were taken aback by the sudden intrusion, along with Hana.

"Zasiok, come here for a second."

"Ce-Cecil?"

Xue halted in his steps, blinking in shock before narrowing his eyes at the place where Cecil's hand was holding Zasiok's arm. He watched as Cecil brought Zasiok to a corner of the hut, allowing some privacy to themselves, and he felt an itch in his chest as he saw them together. 

He knew that itch in his chest means that he disliked seeing Cecil together with Zasiok, alone. 

He knew that itch in his chest would only dissolve away if he separated them. 

...and so he moved, only to be stopped by Hana. 

"Xu-Xue." 

Xue stopped, glancing down at Hana who blocked his way, his eyes wide. He never expected Hana to take the initiative to talk to him, after what he had done in front of her.

"There's something...I need to tell you." 

"...go ahead." Xue smiled gently, but his eyes strayed towards Cecil and Zasiok, a hint of frustration flitting past his grey eyes. 

***

"Are you sure that's what you want to do, Zasiok?" Cecil asked, letting his arm go.

Zasiok blinked before nodding slowly. "Since it's the answer that makes my parents happy, yes, I plan to merge souls with Xue." 

"Do you know what it means to merge souls with Xue?" 

"I do," Zasiok nodded once more. "I overheard you explaining to my mother." 

"You were awake the entire time?" 

"Yeah." 

Cecil still seemed uneased. "Are you sure, you don't want to spend your remaining time with your parents, in your original body?" 

"My original body?" Zasiok scoffed bitterly. "My soul isn't even my own, it's a small part that belongs to that man you call Xue." 

Cecil widened her eyes. "You finally figured it out?" 

"You..." Zasiok furrowed his eyebrows at her response. "You know about it?" 

"I do," Cecil bit on her lower lip, nodding her head. "I thought you would never know until you were fully absorbed." 

"Why didn't you--" 

Cecil clasped her hands over his, pulling him closer to her as he stumbled. "Now that you figured it out, it's even better. You can spend your last moments with your parents, Zasiok. No matter what happens, Xue will still be able to absorb your soul, it will never disappear." 

Zasiok blinked rapidly, he was perplexed by Cecil's actions and words.

"I'm sorry, Zasiok. It was all my fault, I wasn't thinking clearly and that slight mistake is now slowly killing you." Cecil squeezed her hands over his, her voice shaky. "I will--I will convince Xue to not absorb you for the time being, I-I will find every herb I can to delay your death, I will do everything I can to help you--"

Zasiok let out a breathy laugh, making Cecil halt abruptly. 

"Wh-why are you laughing?" Cecil questioned, bewildered. "How can you laugh at this moment when--" 

"You know, Cecil, you are the first." 

"...the first?" 

"The first person to cry for me like that." 

Cecil fluttered her eyelashes, only realising that tears were flowing down her face. She didn't even know she was crying. 

"Ah, I didn't know I was..."

Cecil reached her hand out to dry her face, pausing when she saw the dried blood on her hands. She didn't have any time to wash it ever since. 

"You were also the first to protect me in the way I did for others, the first person to comfort me in such a strange way, the first...god, there are just so many." 

She was surprised when Zasiok started to wipe her tears away instead. 

"I...I did? When did I do those?" Cecil sniffled and she blinked her tears away, shaking her head. "No, they don't matter now. At the end, I am still the cause of your death, Zasiok."

Zasiok gazed at Cecil, recalling those moments so clearly, where she comforted him, protected him, freed him and showed him such a bright smile.

It meant so much to him.

Yet, to her, it didn't mean much, to her, it seemed like she was a curse to Zasiok.

For the first time in his life, Zasiok understood the meaning when those men admitted their "hearts melting" when they saw someone.

A brief chuckle escaped his pale lips. The entire time, a wide grin remained on his lips, and he leaned down to the speechless Cecil, hugging her.

[ You have met the requirements for triggering another secret mission. ]

[ Secret mission #3: Zasiok, the Bodyguard
Objective : Assist Xue in assimilating with his fifth fragment, Zasiok.
Clue : You are the first person to ever treat Zasiok so sincerely. He will never forget what you did for him, even if you don't remember what it was.
Time limit : 1 hour
Reward : 3270 points ]

Cecil became as still as a statue, both from the shock of getting hugged by Zasiok and the announcement from AI500.

"I've never made someone so endearing like you, Cecil Lan." Zasiok tightened his arms around her, his breath tickling her ear, still smiling. "I...I don't think I'll ever regret shielding you from that damn arrow."

"..."

Cecil's arms hung limply at her side, still unable to recover.

What...what did I just see? Another secret mission...another alter...

Zasiok withdrew from the hug, rubbing his neck. "Oh, sorry, I lost control there. I had this biggest urge to just hug you."

"..."

"You asked if I really want to merge my soul with Xue? If that is what I really want?"

"...y-yes." Cecil stuttered out, still unable to recover properly.

"Just answer me a few questions."

"...yes?"

"Wherever Xue is, you'll be there. Am I right?"

"Yes."

Cecil didn't like where this was going.

This feels like deja vu all over again!

***

"Xue, did we actually...meet a very long time ago?"

"We did." Xue nodded, his expression gentle.

"So, what I saw was true after all?" Hana brightened up. "You were there, with long hair, and the very pretty wings, and--and you were helping me with the--uhh, uhh guardian beasts...?"

"Hana, you remember where we first met?" Xue raised his eyebrows, surprised to know that Hana was recalling her memories.

After Veau baited her, he put her under a curse that only Veau himself was capable of removing. Using Hana as a trap, Veau lured Xue over and in order to save Hana, Xue had to sacrifice himself, going through an arduous process to split his entire soul up.

Even Hana wasn't spared from that process, she lost her memories completely.

Hana hummed thoughtfully, grinning happily. "So that's where we first met? Ohh! It was really, really pretty. Ah! You were very handsome too, Xue! Your hair was so loooong!"

Xue smiled, patting her head out of habit and they paused, both recalling a certain bad memory.

The smile dropped from Hana's face, and she started to pout.

Why...why am I feeling so afraid of Xue?

I said so myself...that Xue isn't a bad guy, so he isn't a bad guy!

This man, ever since they met, has never once hurt her in any manner. Thus, Hana didn't understand why she had to be afraid of Xue.

Xue wanted to withdraw his hand but Hana leaned into his touch, smiling.

"I'm okay, Xue."

Even though the memory still frightened her, she couldn't bear to give Xue a cold shoulder, not to the Xue who has been nothing but kind to her the entire time.

He was surprised by Hana's actions and words, feeling relieved...and guilty.

"Thank you, Hana."

"Why are you thanking me?" Hana giggled, looking up at him.

Xue continued patting her head, his expression gentle.

Hana still hasn't changed.

She is still as simple.

Only me...it's only me that changed.

His eyes grew dark as he moved his hand away, and his gaze strayed over to Cecil.

That was when he froze.

Kai: "H-he is hugging Cecil!"

Alric: "Not fair..."

Xue's breathing hitched and he heard something snapping within his mind, whipping out the red marble. He felt his eyebrows twitching as he stormed his way over.

"Xue? Where are you going?" Hana asked, tilting her head.

Xue didn't answer Hana, and the burning feeling in his chest died down when Zasiok separated from the hug.

"Just answer me a few questions."

"...yes?"

Xue overheard their conversation as he got closer, furrowing his eyebrows.

"Wherever Xue is, you'll be there. Am I right?"

"Yes."

"That means, if I merge my soul with him, I'll be able to see you the entire time?"

"...yes..."

"That's fine, I want to merge," Zasiok nodded, his lips stretching into a lopsided smile as he gazed down gently at Cecil. "I want to be able to see the woman I like, everyday."

Cecil choked on her saliva, coughing. She couldn't believe what Zasiok just said!

Crack!

The two of them heard a cracking sound behind Cecil, and Cecil turned to look at the person behind her, who was none other than Xue.

The marble in his palm has been shattered into pieces, and there was a gloomy aura around him.

This sight gave Cecil another scare, causing her to cough even harder, her face growing red.

"You here to claim your soul?" Zasiok questioned, taking a step towards Cecil, patting her back in concern. "Are you okay, Cecil?" 

Cecil nodded her head vigorously, still coughing, trying to shake off Zasiok's hand, utterly distressed.

Xue zoomed in on Zasiok's hand, ripping it off and stepping in front, blocking Zasiok and forcing him to take a few steps back. Zasiok was clearly unhappy at being unable to see Cecil, stretching his neck.

"We'll start the process now." Xue demanded, the shattered marble in his hand started repairing itself. "Right. Now." 

"Wa-wait, Xue!" Cecil called out in a hoarse voice, her petite hand wrapping around his wrist.

Xue halted, looking at Cecil and Zasiok leaned towards the side to peek at her. 

"Once you merge, can you let Zasiok out to see his parents? Please?" Cecil implored, her voice still hoarse. Her face was still rather red, and due to the constant coughing, she was tearing up. "It would be too cruel to not let them see their son for the last time." 

Zasiok felt as if someone had shot an arrow at his heart, gazing at Cecil, lovestruck. 

Xue's lips twitched, a hint of annoyance evident in his eyes. He opened his mouth, immediately planning to reject Cecil's request. Alas, seeing Cecil's red face, and her teary, pleading eyes, what came out from his mouth was completely different.

"Okay."

Xue: "..."

Kai: "...for once, I feel pitiful for you, Xue." 

Alric: "I-I know how it feels to have a mouth not listen to you..."

Xue: "..."

"Thank you, Xue!" Cecil beamed.

The lord protagonist is getting more and more reasonable! He is easier to talk to now! I...I feel so teary!

Cecil felt like crying tears of joy for the improvement in their relationship. She recalled how months ago, he clearly detested her. Forget about listening to her, he wouldn't even pay attention to her if she called him.

He would even throw her a disdainful look at times.

That smile only made Xue swallow back his words to decline Cecil. He could only remain silent, brooding.

At that moment, the poison in Zasiok's body started acting up again, causing him to cough violently.

"Zasiok!"

***

Cecil was adamant on not allowing the parents to see the process of their son's body disappearing, however, they were insistent in remaining here. Cecil could only sigh, and they crowded around beside Zasiok.

Zasiok was still conscious, lying on the bed, but he was growing weaker by the second. Xue was standing the closest to Zasiok, everyone giving him space for him to absorb Zasiok's soul.

Currently, Cecil was staring blankly into space. She was still trying to recover what just occurred moments ago.

"AI500, can you...can you bring up...the secret mission details again?"

Cecil was struggling to even ask that question. She was still reeling in shock at the newest secret mission.

[ Which secret mission are you asking for? ]

This reminded Cecil, clearly, how many alters she had stolen from Hana. It only made her want to dig a hole for her to hide in.

"The latest one." Cecil furrowed her eyebrows. "...are you doing this on purpose? Reminding me of how many secret missions there are?"

[ Secret Mission #3: Zasiok, the Bodyguard
Objective : Assist Xue in assimilating with his fifth fragment, Zasiok.
Clue : Zasiok likes you.
Time limit : 1 hour
Reward : 3270 points ]

The system ignored her the questions, pretending not to register it.

"Wait a minute, you changed the clue! It-it wasn't this short and this...this..."

[ The alter, Zasiok, changed it. I am not allowed to change the mission details according to my whim. ]

"...what have I done?"

[ Congratulations on once again, capturing the heart of another alter! You are amazing, Cecil Lan. ]

"...I...I have failed the protagonist and--and the heroine."

[ You are truly amazing~ ]

"Please, stop talking!"

Cecil raised her palm to her face, sighing heavily into it. She peeked at the wooden wall, feeling extremely tempted to ram herself into it.

Is there some miracle dark magic...to make someone hate me instantly?

Cecil cried internally, she knew nothing like that existed in this world.

If only something like that existed in this world...then maybe, something like this wouldn't have to happen.

She glanced between Zasiok on the bed, and his parents, feeling awfully guilty.

***

Pt. 1

《 start 》

Combining souls with him?

Of course, I do not want that, but everything seems to be pointing me towards it.

My parents, my soul, even my own thoughts.

...but if I was completely dead, I wouldn't be able to see you anymore.

If it's like that, I would rather combine souls with him, to be able to see you everyday.

...to not be able to see you, I do not ever want that.

《 stop 》

***

Pt. 2

《 start 》

Why do I find it so hard to reject her again and again?

Why did I feel that...anger pass through me when I heard him say that she's the woman he likes?

Why do I feel the strong urge to rip off anyone's hand that keeps touching her?

And why...why is my mouth having a mind of its own?!

《 stop 》