GTLTGIDES chapter 61

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Regression, possession, reincarnation. In short, “REPORE.”

There are numerous reasons why “REPORE” has become a dominating keyword in genre fiction, but the biggest reason is likely because it’s easy to deliver a sense of vicarious satisfaction.

Personally, I found solace in darker stories, but mainstream preferences lean more toward refreshment than frustration, and “REPORE” is an element that can maximize that sense of relief.

In short:

“Once someone possesses a body, they can wreak as much havoc as they want, as long as they set their mind to it.”

And I’m no ordinary possessor. I was a heavy reader holding onto ‘The Genius Guide’s Melancholy’ until the brink of death. And now, I’m living on borrowed time.

They say that people without a future are the scariest of all.

Of course, the timeline in ‘The Genius Guide’s Melancholy’ hasn’t fully kicked into gear yet.

But since ‘The Genius Guide’s Melancholy’ is both a grim 19+ story and a problem-solving narrative, there’s a ton of scattered information throughout the work.

If I piece that together, I could certainly turn it into my strength.

I may not know exactly how “Polwel” will act going forward, but there’s surely a way. Elizabeth Polwel’s ability to see the future isn’t omnipotent.

[Have you given more thought to my previous suggestion?]

Grinding my teeth, I organized the useful information I had and refined my plans.

Just as I had completed about half of it and was about to take a break, in perfect timing—as if speaking of the devil—I received a message from Maria Polwel’s side.

[Shall we meet now?]

I could have simply replied with a blunt refusal, but since they had the nerve to declare war to my face, it’s only right I return the favor in person.

I grabbed Eunsoo’s hand, and we headed to the Bureau together, talking about stopping by a bookstore on the way back to get books for Eunsoo’s studies.

As soon as we entered the Bureau, I felt strange gazes on us, but I ignored them.

Eunsoo, commendably, didn’t look scared at all.

“Are you scared?”

“Not at all. Are you?”

“It’s them who should be scared.”

Eunsoo blinked in surprise at my confident answer, his eyes saying, “What in the world is this guy thinking?”

But soon, a smile spread across his face.

His pale face, as he looked up at me, seemed to be enjoying the situation.

When they wouldn’t let Eunsoo into the interrogation room, possibly wary of his special abilities, he looked at me with concern but trusted me enough to wait obediently.

The door to the interrogation room opened.

Memories of the physical pain I endured here, as though my bones were breaking, sent a chill down my spine, but the warmth of Eunsoo’s hand lingered, giving me reassurance.

‘I can do this.’

Some say that having someone precious becomes a weakness.

That making someone precious is just creating your own vulnerability, a luxury you can’t afford.

But that only applies to people who are perfect on their own. I wasn’t.

My body and mind were too fragile.

If I had been alone in this unjust situation, I would have done nothing.

I probably would’ve given up, thinking, “I’m going to die soon anyway.”

But because of Eunsoo, I stood here strong.

I straightened up and looked at Maria Polwel, who was sitting before me.

My mind was startlingly clear.

“Hello, Yang Heewoon. No need to stand; please, have a seat.”

“I don’t feel the need to sit. This won’t take long, so I’ll speak while standing.”

“That’s not exactly a welcoming statement.”

“I reject your offer entirely.”

Even at my words, Maria Polwel’s expression didn’t change.

But I could see the emotion in her green eyes—like she was looking at a worthless ant crawling up her leg.

“Eunsoo is innocent in all this. It’s wrong to fabricate crimes just to force a confession. That’s why I didn’t even consider your offer. If it weren’t for the sudden incident, I would have rejected you right away.”

“Won’t you regret this? Surely, you know about Polwel.”

“I will never regret this, and as Eunsoo’s guardian, I will stay with him to the end. Do as you please. Whether you frame me or not, I’ll face it. But let me say just one thing.”

But whether I’m just an ant or a wolf capable of sinking my teeth into your weak spot—you’ll have to see for yourself.

I remembered how Eunsoo would put on a bold front, lifted my chin, and spoke arrogantly.

“Don’t misuse your power, which was given to protect the weak.”

I knew it wasn’t my usual style.

But I did it for Eunsoo.

Even though Eunsoo wasn’t here, had he been, he would have responded to Maria Polwel in exactly this manner.

If it’s the Eunsoo I love and have loved.

“Yang Heewoon.”

“I’ve said my piece.”

“Heewoon, wait!”

Just as I was about to turn and leave, Maria Polwel shot up from her seat.

She moved so quickly that her chair clattered to the floor.

The atmosphere in the room shifted as well. The tense, uncomfortable air had vanished.

Maria’s voice, as she called me, had changed too. I stopped in my tracks, startled, and turned to look at her.

“Please. Just give us a little more time to talk.”

Maria Polwel smiled brightly, the same pure smile she had when I first met her—the same look she gave when she saw me, weak as I was, standing up lightly from the bed.

At that moment, I realized this situation was unfolding in a completely different direction than I had anticipated.

“…You weren’t serious?”

And my intuition was spot on.

It was all a lie. Everything she said in the interrogation room.

Maria Polwel, her previous arrogance gone, bowed her head deeply.

“Yes, I deceived you. I’m truly sorry.”

“Ah…”

What in the world is going on?

Her sudden change in demeanor left me suspicious, but her sincerity in her words and actions was undeniable.

Feeling deflated, I slumped into a chair.

It was a complicated feeling. I had come ready for a fight, but it was all a lie.

I felt both relieved that things hadn’t escalated and deflated that the confrontation had been for nothing.

“We at Polwel wanted to know what kind of person you were. We heard that Eunsoo trusts you implicitly. We had to gauge the character of the person influencing Eunsoo. But we realize our methods were wrong. We shouldn’t have tested or deceived you. I’m deeply sorry.”

“Hah…”

I pressed my hand to my forehead.

The situation was absurd, but at the same time, everything finally made sense.

Polwel had been set up as the major supporter of Eunsoo, despite Jake’s eccentricities creating a disastrous first impression.

They were meant to be the surprising ally in the latter half of the story.

“So they weren’t completely off track from the original work…”

Whether she knew my identity or not, Maria Polwel had always used her healing abilities on me without hesitation, and when I was attacked by Cha Younghwan, she was the first to step up, furious and ready to resolve the issue.

It was too genuine to be an act.

Now, everything fit perfectly.

This was right. Everything before had been the anomaly.

“Wait… did all of this happen under the head’s orders?”

“Oh, yes! That’s correct!”

Maria Polwel blurted out, clearly flustered, and then quickly covered her mouth, looking surprised.

“Wow, not only did you figure out my identity, but you deduced that as well.”

A brief headache hit me.

The way they were speaking—wasn’t it as if I was supposed to know everything?

Of course, an ordinary B-grade guide like “Yang Heewoon” wouldn’t know anything about “Polwel.”

The reaction showed they knew a decent amount about “me,” not “Yang Heewoon.”

I realized in that moment that the person I was dealing with was indeed a prophet, and the realization gave me chills.