00970 If You Change, One.
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(Please make sure to read today’s afterword.)

By the time I came to, a whole day had already passed. In other words, I’d been out cold for a full twenty-four hours.

According to Shin Jaeryong, I’d been in a pretty dangerous state—almost on the brink of death, he said. I laughed it off, telling him not to joke around, but he grew serious and his expression hardened.

“…Well, I remember going twelve rounds, but after that, it’s all a blur.”
Wait, does that mean Han Soyoung kept going even after I passed out? Thinking about it now, it’s kind of creepy.

With a heavy sigh, Shin Jaeryong left me with a pointed request to take better care of my body before turning away. Just as the door was about to close, it swung open again, and the next visitor strode into the office. Shin Jaeryong paused, then bowed politely, so I assumed it was either my brother or Han Soyoung.

But I was completely wrong.

The woman walking toward me with an air of authority was Hwajeong. Come to think of it, this was the first time I’d really gotten a good look at her avatar.

Her sharp eyes gleamed with a clear, vivid crimson. Her long eyebrows arched slightly, giving her a somewhat fierce expression. Her red hair spilled over both sides of her neat part, flowing down past her slender waist like the tip of a brush—drawing the eye. Her delicate features added a strong feminine allure, but overall, she was more than just “pretty.” Even though she took human form, her divine dignity was unmistakable.

…One thing I couldn’t help but wonder: why was she wearing an apron? It was a neat red one, tied with a matching ribbon. It didn’t really suit her.

“Oh my, is it really that hard to get a glimpse of me these days?”

Hwajeong said this with a hint of annoyance, then suddenly reached out. The moment her hand touched my chest, a fresh wave of energy flowed straight to my heart. I felt my body relax, strength returning as vitality surged through me.

Even as she shared her energy, Hwajeong kept grumbling.

“Honestly, if you wake up, the first thing you should do is come find me. You didn’t even realize I was gone? Really…”

Wait—how is her manifestation still holding up?

I was about to ask, but when I saw Hwajeong narrow her eyes, I decided against it. That would just prove I’d completely forgotten.

“What? Speak up.”

Tch. She’s not letting this go.

“Ah, I was just curious what everyone’s been up to.”

“…Busy.”

Hwajeong’s expression was like watching a slippery eel wriggle free.

“Busy, huh?”

“Yeah. Everyone’s busy living their lives, forgetting about someone like you. So you should be grateful I came to check on you. If not me, who else would look after you?”

I wanted to protest the “someone like you” part, but I didn’t bother.

“It’s an honor. You even came all this way yourself.”

“Hoho, yes, yes. It was intense, you know? That thing—rock-paper-scissors? There were so many who wanted in that we agreed to pick just one winner that way.”

Huh?

“Really stupid. How dare a human think they could beat a god? Anyway, you should’ve seen Gehenna’s face when she lost in the finals—so frustrated. The ultimate winner was me, of course. Oh ho ho ho!”

Wait, you just said everyone was busy. What’s this rock-paper-scissors nonsense?

Hwajeong laughed heartily, then plopped down on the bed, crossing her legs. She continued with the air of a champion enjoying her victory—telling me how Gehenna cried from frustration and begged for a rematch on her knees. I realized Hwajeong was lying when I heard Gehenna say she’d just given up and stepped aside.

Thankfully, the rock-paper-scissors story didn’t last long before the conversation shifted to recent events.

Listening quietly, it seemed the “busy” claim wasn’t a lie. After all, the war had just ended, and they still had to sort out the treatment of users from the Old Northern Continent. Lee Hyoeul and my brother were running around like crazy, which made me feel a bit guilty. Han Soyoung leaving early was probably for the same reason.

Too bad. I’d wanted to wake up in the same bed, bathed in sunlight, and share a cozy breakfast together.

“So, what are you going to do now?”

Suddenly, a question broke through my daydream.

“Me?”

“What, you’re not planning to just live happily ever after after all this chaos, are you? That mindset’s not going to cut it.”

In other words, she wanted me to tie up loose ends. I agreed. Now that I had the Zero Code, I had to resolve things one way or another.

I slipped my hand into my pocket and felt something round and small. I fiddled with the little orb for a while.

“Well… take your time to think it over. You’ve got plenty of time. Compared to your past, this is a happy kind of problem, isn’t it?”

Maybe sensing my conflicted feelings, Hwajeong stopped pressing me.

“Yeah, I guess so.”

I agreed bitterly, and then, out of nowhere, Hwajeong grabbed my hand and pulled me up.

“Hwajeong?”

“Come on, get up now. It doesn’t look good for the head of an organization to just lie around ignoring everything.”

“No, wait—”

“Shut up! You think I won the game and used my divine power just to tell you this little story?”

I admitted defeat.

Hwajeong, having finally gotten me on my feet, started humming as she wandered around the room. I watched as she fetched some clothes and helped me put them on from behind, like a newlywed wife helping her husband get ready for work. She even found a ribbon somewhere and tied it around my neck. Surely she wasn’t thinking of it as a necktie? No way.

“Heh… so this is what it feels like. I want to do this forever.”

Muttering to herself, Hwajeong dragged me all the way to the door.

“Well then, off you go! Come back early!”

She waved cheerfully, and suddenly I remembered a conversation we’d had long ago.

‘Still, you’re a god. Don’t you have things you want to do?’

– Of course. It’s a kind of amusement, you know? Like that thing—

‘What thing?’

– Let’s see. On your Earth, they call it the “outside husband,” right? When the husband’s busy and running around, the wife feels a little hurt inside but puts up with it for the family’s sake. That kind of feeling.

‘Ah, a devoted wife.’

– Exactly! Though that’s not really my style. Hoho.

‘And you thought of me as your husband.’

– That’s it… uh, uh?

‘Uh, um, Hwajeong. So… thanks for everything…’

– Shut up! Close your mouth!

She blushed deeply while staring at me, then suddenly her expression hardened.

“What, what are you looking at?”

“…You.”

I pointed at her chest with my finger and said,

“Not as small as I thought.”

Hwajeong’s eyes went wide, and she lowered her head. When she looked up again, her face was twisted in anger.

“Hey…!”

*Smack!*

Sparks flew right in front of me.

*

Holding my stinging cheek, I left the office and saw clan members scattered around. Surprisingly, it wasn’t as noisy as I’d expected. Instead of making a fuss, they just asked if I was feeling okay or greeted me politely. They must have known I hated commotion and were quietly considerate. That’s when I truly felt I’d returned to everyday life.

Driven out by Hwajeong, my steps naturally led me to the first-floor dining hall. I barely remembered having a proper meal since being trapped in the Temple of Promises, so feeling hungry was only natural.

…Or so I thought.

“Oh, Suhyun’s here.”

“See? I knew you’d come here. Glad you listened to me, sis.”

Ko Yeonju, Cha Sorim, Vivian, and Im Hanna were already camped out in the dining hall.

“Hmph. What are you waiting for? Come on over.”

Ko Yeonju stood up eagerly and gave me a sharp look.

“Is this the gathering of those who lost at rock-paper-scissors?”

I smiled awkwardly and asked, “You heard about that?”

“A little.”

“Well… the four of us didn’t lose. We actually gave up early and secured the dining hall. How could anyone beat a god? Even the smart Ha-yeon got knocked out in the group preliminaries.”

“……”

Group preliminaries? Sounds like this competition was bigger than I thought.

“Anyway, sit down. You must be hungry. Let’s eat first, then talk.”

Ko Yeonju went inside and quickly came out with a bowl of clear, fragrant soup, steaming hot.

“Start with this to settle your stomach.”

I had no intention of refusing. One spoonful eased the dizziness, but it also made me even hungrier. Feeling the beggar in my stomach demanding more, I set the spoon down and grabbed the bowl, drinking it all in one go. Ko Yeonju then brought out a sizzling steak.

“Eat up. I cooked it lightly on purpose so you’d have some energy.”

Right. Nothing beats meat for iron. I summoned a bit of dark energy at my fingertips, cut the steak into big chunks, and swallowed them whole. It was buttery and tender, melting in my mouth. Delicious.

Between bites, Ko Yeonju let out a soft chuckle, then rested her chin in her hands and looked at me with the gentle gaze of a mother watching her child. I resolved to eat well.

A moment later, Cha So-rim placed a new bowl in front of me.

“Here, try this too. It’s good for digestion.”

It was udon topped with a strange bird’s egg. Steam curled invitingly from the bowl, making it look absolutely delicious. Without hesitation, I grabbed the bowl and shoveled the noodles into my mouth. The chewy texture was incredibly satisfying.

I finished every last drop of broth just as Vivian, wearing a bright smile, set down another dish. This one looked like a blackened, rotten omelet—whatever it had been in life was beyond me.

“It’s nice to see you eating well! Here, try this too! I put in all kinds of sweet stuff…”

“Ptooey!”

“Ahhh! What are you doing? I worked so hard on this!”

“Don’t get me wrong. I just spit on it. So no one can eat it.”

Vivian’s furious glare softened a bit, as if she bought the lie.

“…What do you mean?”

“It just looked the best. I’m the type to save the tastiest food for last and savor it. Didn’t you know?”

“Really?”

“Yeah. I’m going to eat this after I finish all the others, once I’m back in my room.”

I almost let my true feelings slip. I was in the middle of enjoying my meal, and suddenly my appetite just vanished. Honestly, I was a little annoyed. Whether she noticed or not, Vivian awkwardly scratched her cheek and twisted her body.

“But it’s better to eat it while it’s hot…”

“I’d appreciate it if you didn’t interfere with my eating style. Otherwise, I’ll have to blame you for making such delicious-looking food.”

“Y-yeah, sorry. My bad… hehe. But now that you say it outright, it’s kind of embarrassing. I even feel bad in front of the three of you here.”

“?”

“All of us worked hard to make this for you. I appreciate your words, but next time, please praise us all together. It’s awkward otherwise.”

“……”

Vivian, that’s not true at all. If anything, I’m looking at you with understanding eyes, knowing you have to say things like that.

After finishing everything except Vivian’s dish, Im Hanna brought out dessert to cleanse our palates. The pudding, perfectly fitting the plate, was large and silky, with golden honey overflowing its edges. Taking a bite, the sweet, nutty flavor of the milk spread gently, oddly reminiscent of biting into Im Hanna’s soft chest, which made me smile involuntarily. So I ate as slowly as I could.

Then—

“Clan Lord!”

Just as I was halfway through the pudding, the restaurant door opened, and a man called out cheerfully. Jo Seung-woo appeared, carrying a stack of documents and smiling warmly. I had been planning to sneak out before finishing the pudding, so his arrival was a welcome surprise.

“Oh, work? You must be swamped. Hand it over—I’ll take a look.”

“Uh… yes, it is work. But it’s stuff I need to handle. How could I assign tasks to someone who just woke up?”

Trying not to be noticed, I desperately tried to point at the rotten omelet. But Jo Seung-woo set down the papers with a thud and exhaled deeply.

“More importantly, a visitor has arrived.”

“A visitor?”

“A messenger. From the temple.”

“The temple…?”

At those words, my spoon froze mid-air. Jo Seung-woo looked uneasy.

“Did I do something wrong…?”

“No, no. They came looking for you.”

The reason for the messenger’s visit was obvious. Now that I had the Zero Code, they were probably coming to see me.

But aware of Vivian’s presence, I forced myself to keep a serious expression.

After an awkward silence that lasted about three minutes, I finally sighed deeply, setting down my spoon.

“Temple, huh…”

“Go Yeon-ju, do we still have any elixirs left?”

“Huh? Yes, we do.”

“Bring me one. I’m going to drink it.”

“…Got it.”

Sensing something was off, Go Yeon-ju hurried out of the restaurant.

“And Hanna.”

“Yeah?”

“I’m going to wash up. Get my gear ready. Especially make sure Excalibur is there.”

“I’ll bring it right away.”

Im Hanna disappeared quickly as well. Judging the atmosphere was serious enough, I bit my lip and stood up. Of course, I didn’t forget to say one last thing before leaving.

“Sorry. Something important came up. I’ll eat when I get back.”

“Uh, okay. No, go ahead. I’m fine.”

Seeing Vivian nod with a worried look, I smiled inwardly.

Even if the sky falls, there’s always a way out.

—————————= Author’s Note =—————————

It feels good to write about everyday life again after a while. Haha.

(And sorry for the delay. ㅜ.ㅠ)

Hello, readers.

Today’s note is about a break in the serialization.

It won’t be just a day off like before, but a rather long hiatus.

There’s no particular reason—just that I’m really exhausted.

Episode 1 of the current arc has just ended, and now only Episode 0 and the epilogue remain.

Episode 0, titled “Code Name, Zero,” is planned to run for about 6 to 10 chapters, and the epilogue will be about 4 chapters.

In other words, Memorize will be complete within roughly 14 chapters.

I thought it better to take a few days off and come back refreshed to finish the series cleanly, rather than dragging it out in a half-hearted state.

I actually felt my limits earlier, but I wanted to finish Episode 1 before resting.

The break will likely be from Friday, August 28, 2015, to Monday, August 31, 2015—a total of four days.

Serialization will resume on Tuesday, September 1, 2015, and I’ll wrap things up neatly by the end.

During the break, I’ll try to catch up on messages and visit the garden when I can.

I kindly ask for your understanding.

Sincerely,
Ro Yoo-jin