Jane... Jane...?!

Why... Why is Viora’s name being mentioned beside that psychopath? No. No. It shouldn’t be like this.

Viora isn’t that girl, right?

But, the news suggested otherwise. They were telling exactly what I didn’t want to believe.

The television went silent for a moment before the reporter’s voice rang through the corridor again.

—"Hunter Jane has yet to respond to the allegations regarding the Crimson Gate Incident involving former A-Rank Hunter Viora."—

The name felt even heavier than the first time. I kept staring at the screen and was unable to move my eyes away from it.

Jane’s blood-covered face was shown on it. Her clothes were also drenched with crimson and her face was expressionless.

The moment I looked at her closely, something in my mind resurfaced.

"...!"

As the news continued to ring in my ears, the hazy memories of the book’s middle part came to my mind.

Snow. Everywhere, and everything was covered in snow. The hospital building was destroyed completely and the snow falling through the broken ceiling fell onto two certain girls.

Jane.... And Viora....!

My breath hitched for a moment and more fragments of memories rushed into my mind before I could process the first ones.

The whole hospital was stained with blood. Every patient, doctor, nurse and even normal people were laying dead in it.

And in the middle of all that was Jane. Crying and looking at the blind girl standing in front of her.

At first I didn’t understand who Viora was but now I know why I couldn’t remember. She is the victim of the Crimson Gate Arc who didn’t get much importance in the story.

I staggered back and nearly lost my footing.

"W-what the hell...?"

I placed my hand on the nearby wall for support and my heartbeat was becoming uncontrollably loud.

Thump!

Thump!

Thump!

The memories weren’t complete. They were fragmented because it had been long since I had read this part of the story.

But one thing became painfully clear. If Jane found Viora then...

"...No"

I turned around instantly and began running. My steps echoed loudly throughout the corridor as I rushed back toward the room Viora was in.

’Why was I panicking this much?’

The memories weren’t clear. Maybe the thought of something happening to Viora made my chest feel suffocatingly tight.

My footsteps echoed loudly throughout the hallway.

Tap!

Tap!

Tap!

My pace quickened and I nearly bumped into a nurse while turning a corner.

"Sorry—"

I didn’t even stop to finish apologizing. I just kept running.

’Please, be there. Please be safe.’

I didn’t get the chance to think further because I had reached the room. With a single push I opened the door.

Huff... Huff... Huf...!

My breath was uneven and my eyes instantly fell onto Viora’s bed.

"..."

Viora was there. Quietly laying on the bed. Her head slightly turned toward the sound of the door.

For a moment, neither of us spoke. However, looking at her peaceful expression made the tension in my body loosen up a bit.

"U... Ceme... Bak...?"

Her soft voice reached my ears but I didn’t reply immediately. I just stood there staring at her.

The memories of Jane were still lingering in my head and were refusing to leave.

Then, Viora tilted her head when she didn’t get anything back as an answer.

"Did... Sam... Thin... Hapen..."

Even now, she sounded more worried about me than herself. That alone made something twist painfully in my chest and I forced myself to answer her.

"No... It is nothing."

My voice was quieter than I expected. I slowly walked to my bed and sat on the edge.

What I told Viora was a lie because I have that horrible feeling that something terrible was approaching us, to be more precise, her.

’Why does it have to be her?’

She is just a weak girl who just wants to live her own life without troubling anyone. She is someone who smiles even if it hurts. She has already been through too much.

And yet she is destined for a fate even worse. Jane has already taken everything from her, I can’t let her do the same again.

Their relationship isn’t as simple as hatred or enmity. It is far worse and more complicated than it appears to be. I also know whatever happens, Jane isn’t going to leave Viora alone even if it means one of them has to die.

She will go as far as making the whole world her enemy just to get rid of Viora. That is the kind of bitch she is.

’I can’t let that happen.’

If Jane wants to die then she can go to hell for all I care, but I can’t let her do anything to Viora. I have to protect her, whatever happens. 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

And there is only one way to do that. I have to use my system. I have to make Viora my wife, heal her and help her get strong enough so that she can protect and save herself, and get revenge if possible.

’No, I will make it possible. I have to.’