362

---

Ignoring the images boring into his mind, Yurian kept running, faster and faster.

In his head, visions of the lofty tower and its master flickered ceaselessly, like subliminal messages slipping into his subconscious.

Kabarun had shattered and melted into the snow, but with the last of his power, he tried to sway Yurian.

A promise of power beyond anything humanity could offer.

Kabarun’s urging to take his hand.

But—

“Shut up!”

Yurian pushed himself to run even faster.

“That’s not what matters right now!”

He grit his teeth.

Was it because of the influence of the snowfield Groo had summoned?

Buffeted by the fierce blizzard near the main school building, Yurian suddenly realized his body had become human once more.

‘I’m finally… back!’

His joy lasted only a moment.

For Yurian now faced a more existential terror than even the destruction of the Gnosis.

The terror that, ‘If I stay near those cursed animals, I could turn back into a dog at any moment.’

Realizing this, Yurian began to run. He had to get away from here, no matter what.

But then, an unsettling chill crept down from the top of his head.

‘What is it?’

A shiver ran through Yurian’s shoulders and his eyes darted nervously.

As if to prove it wasn’t just his imagination, Bailach’s voice rang out from the rooftop.

“Where do you think you’re going, Mount?”

“Mount? That crazy hamster…!”

Shaking with fury, Yurian clenched his fist at Bailach, then tossed his head and started running again.

He’d long known that these mad beasts thought of him as a mount, even if words couldn’t get through to them.

‘Just keep running!’

And so he dashed for his life.

‘If I get caught, I’m screwed!’

He would not turn back into a dog—never!

Gnosis, the tower, none of that mattered now; Yurian’s mind was consumed by that one fear.

“Where do you think you’re going!”

Bailach suddenly leaped from the rooftop and chased after Yurian.

“Don’t follow me!”

“Stop right there!”

Mephisto, at first puzzled, seemed to find the whole pursuit—like master and runaway servant—amusing, and joined the chase.

“Why are you following me, you crazy beasts!”

“Mount!”

“Aaaaargh!”

Bailach and Mephisto swiftly closed the gap with the fleeing Yurian.

By now, the last of Kabarun’s messages had been completely washed from Yurian’s mind, leaving only his frantic desperation.

---

Watching the figures in pursuit of Yurian, Joorim suddenly felt something crawling up onto her shoulder and turned her head.

—At least like this, I won’t look as disgraceful as Bailach, right?

It was Shea.

Now a pure-white lizard, he perched on Joorim’s shoulder, his gaze fixed in one place: Groo.

Joorim, too, looked down at Groo, who slept peacefully beside her.

There seemed to be nothing amiss with Groo as she slept in On Ijo’s arms.

Her cheeks were flushed and round, but it looked more like the afterglow of recent excitement.

Assured that Groo was safe, Joorim turned to On Ijo.

“What are you going to do now?”

Kabarun’s soul had vanished, utterly annihilated.

Yet—

Joorim watched On Ijo as if peering right through him, suspecting there might still be remnants of his past left within.

If there were, Joorim knew what must be done: to stop On Ijo by force if necessary.

She tensed slightly, steeling herself, when—

Thud-thud-thud-thud—

The sound of propellers and a bright searchlight shone down on them.

A helicopter from the special investigation team, belatedly dispatched after receiving Daniella’s request for backup.

“Over here!”

Daniella emerged from the main school building, waving both arms.

Chuen followed behind, brushing dust from his clothes.

Noticing the insignia on the helicopter, he suddenly widened his eyes in surprise.

“Chuen?”

Daniella called to him, puzzled, but Chuen slipped into the shadows and vanished.

“Where are you going, Chuen!”

Daniella tried to give chase, but Chuen was already gone.

“Huh?”

As Daniella looked around in confusion, Joorim sighed.

“Don’t chase after him.”

“Huh?”

“He’s always been kind of like a cockroach.”

Daniella’s mouth fell open.

“That’s… pretty harsh, you know…”

Joorim just shrugged, indifferent to how Daniella took it.

Apparently giving up on Chuen, Daniella nodded and turned her attention to On Ijo.

On Ijo offered a broad smile, making Daniella glance warily at Joorim and whisper,

“Is it… really over?”

“Probably.”

“…?!”

Probably? Then why did you bring the child with you?!

As Joorim indifferently replied, Daniella looked at her with her mouth moving soundlessly, urging her to bring Groo over quickly.

“You keep her.”

Suddenly, On Ijo handed Groo to Joorim.

Cradling the child with care, Joorim met On Ijo’s gaze.

“What are you going to do?”

“It’s time for me to become the father Groo deserves.”

On Ijo smiled softly.

Thud-thud-thud-thud—

The special investigation team’s helicopter was touching down nearby.

Standing with his back to them, On Ijo slowly raised both arms in surrender.

Now was the time to take responsibility for everything he had done.

Chapter: Reprieve

Orchestra Supporters ‘Actors’ Community

Admin: GrooMasterNimUnmaskEqualsDeath

[Title: Gidan uploaded a photo from hospital discharge on Insta!]

Written by: GidanIsFuture

(A photo of On Joorim and On Suhyeong standing at the VIP ward desk, talking to a nurse)

(A photo, zoomed in, of the white lizard on On Joorim’s shoulder)

(A photo of a man in a mask bowing obsequiously to Jin Siwon, while Gidan poses with a V-sign)

(A photo of Groo and Nayeon sharing out ice cream)

(A photo of Sergey with one arm in a cast, struggling to open an ice cream bag)

FinallyDischarged #WeLoveOrchestra #DidNotFightSergey #WeAreFriends

[Comments]

• LastingCareer: Who’s the guy in the mask?

JoorimMom: Eyes look kind of like my Joorim

• AAPantySizePlease: Says they didn’t fight Sergey lolololol

SpicyOrchestra: lololol Gidan and Sergey totally fought, and Jin Siwon tried to break it up and all three ended up hospitalized—how does that make sense~~~!! Now there’s the official story, so stop with the rumors!

JjangRomi: Is that the only photo of JjangNayeon?

• OrchestraGhost: Why does On Joorim have a lizard on his shoulder?

JjangRomi: Oh? You’re right? lolololol

OrchestraLove: What the heck lolololololololololololol

GrooMasterNimUnmaskEqualsDeath: Even Joorim-hyung was actually envious of Groo!

YareYareGongJoorim: Apparently, it’s because the White Flame Dragon sealed in his left hand was released! lololol

OrchestraGhost: Is that why he took off his left glove? What a concept freak, ffs lololol

FaceLoveSpring: He doesn’t look it, but our hyung is the world’s biggest concept maniac, love you

[Title: So what actually happened?]

Written by: JoorimDrawsBadPics

Did all three really end up hospitalized because a terrorist came for revenge on Orchestra?

[Comments]

• OrchestraGhost: Coming for revenge on Orchestra[[ That line raises trust by 500%
• PpyorongPpyorong: The news kept saying the cause was under investigation, and I was worried it was an S-Class gate, but if it’s just Orchestra revenge, I’m relieved lol

FaceLoveSpring: Same lololol

SergeyLick: You feel relieved? Is this really a fan site?

AAPantySizePlease: lolololol

OrchestraGhost: We love Orchestra so much, we even trust their infamy…

YareYareGongJoorim: For real lolol

[Title: Groo is cute again today]

Written by: FaceLoveSpring?

(A photo of Groo handing ice cream to Mask Man)

(A photo of Groo holding not just her own, but Joorim’s ice cream in both hands, smiling)

(A photo of Joorim, Mask Man, and Groo together)

[Comments]

• RocketGalaxy: Where are these photos from?

FaceLoveSpring: Snagged them from Suhyeong’s Insta

SergeyLick: Who’s Suhyeong?

FaceLoveSpring?: On Suhyeong, Doan Group chairman lol I follow him

GrooMasterNimUnmaskEqualsDeath: lololol no one expected Suhyeong’s true identity lololol Chairman is into Insta, grandpa’s love for his granddaughter shows!

• JoorimMom: Looking closely, Mask Man kind of looks like On Ijo, doesn’t he…—_—?

FaceLoveSpring?: Here come the On Ijo rumors again, sigh

PpyorongPpyorong: lolololol For real, would be wild if it was On Ijo

[Title: !! Groo lost her puppy today !!]

Written by: RocketGalaxy

(Photo of a white Maltese baring its teeth)

It’s a white Maltese that looks like this

If you see it, please report to Orchestra

[Comments]

• GidanIsFuture: Galaxy? Could it be Uju?

RocketGalaxy: No idea who that is.

GidanIsFuture: I never said it was a person…

RocketGalaxy: (This comment has been deleted)