How to get on the protagonist’s flower path

“I found out that I actually hate being lonely more than being in a harsh environment.”

“…”

I replied with a smile to Choi Ga-ram, who remained silent.

“But the person in front of me is openly saying they’re going to make me lonely again.”

“Nahyun, that’s…”

Yes. I’m not a child. I won’t throw a tantrum.

“I know. The GAH filter is that important. It’s your magnum opus that encompasses your entire career and my mother’s legacy. Completing it would just be a hassle for me. So, I won’t act spoiled anymore.”

But I can sever ties with someone who leaves me behind.

“There are things that are more important than me. Let’s go. I’m okay now.”

“But you…!”

“You all said I was a particularly mature child. Don’t worry.”

So, I don’t need you. Just get lost.

“Rather, finish all your tasks first and then come to me. Otherwise, I’ll never see you again.”

I resented those who made me realize once again that my mom valued the filter more than me, and those who valued it more than me.

But I still like you.

“If you come back after everything is done, I’ll accept you then.”

So perhaps, as time passes and these feelings fade, I might be able to smile calmly with you.

I left the room, not wanting to know what expression Choi Ga-ram had on her face.

“Ha…”

I had completely messed up. I sighed and looked up at the sky.

Now, there was only one way left.

Honestly, this idiot should have at least demanded the orphanage’s operating expenses! I had reacted emotionally for no reason.

I cursed my past self.

Still, at least the after-service was solid. The hunters safely took me back to the orphanage.

“Thank you!”

I entered the orphanage.

The entrance was being guarded by a hunter. So, I had to use the small hole. I never imagined I would come to appreciate the numerous holes in this useless orphanage wall.

I peeked at the heads of the hunters sticking out while looking outside and widened the small hole. Dirt covered my entire body.

Suddenly, one of the hunters turned around and looked at me.

“…!”

Did he catch me? My body froze.

But he just tilted his head and casually said something.

“Don’t play in the dirt too much~.”

It seemed that the hole was hidden by the tree and he couldn’t see it.

“Phew…”

I let out a sigh of relief and watched the hunters chatting among themselves as I gradually squeezed my body through the hole.

As soon as I crawled out of the wall, I dashed into the alley where the hunters weren’t present.

My heart raced uncontrollably. I was scared of getting caught, worried that something might go wrong…

A mix of emotions tangled within me.

I carefully walked down the alley, then ran towards the wall I had noticed earlier.

I looked around, but the area was eerily quiet with not a single person in sight. After the hunters were stationed around the orphanage, criminals stopped gathering in the vicinity. So, there were relatively few people passing by this wall.

I recalled the memory from the novel while staring at the wall. I began to recite the spell.

“The creator of the tower, his first creation,”

There was only one thing I could offer to the Black Scales.

“The one who judges and changes the world, the fairest of all,”

While I recited the incantation without hesitation, another part of my mind questioned me.

Is that really possible?

After all, this place isn’t the real world of the novel; it’s more like a parallel world, and I’m fundamentally different from the protagonist of the story, so the transaction might not even go through.

“I request a transaction with the Black Scales.”

Just as I was shaking my head to rid myself of negative thoughts, darkness engulfed me.

Suddenly, I found myself standing in a vast, dark space.

Before me stood a door. Two massive statues glared at me, stomping their feet.

“What will you wager? What will you take?”

“Those of no value must turn back! Those of no value will be discarded!”

I took a deep breath.

“I have come to trade with you—!”

“What will you offer?”

“To free Gemini from their bindings!”

At that, a delicate laugh echoed from behind the door. The statues ceased their movements.

“Let her in.”

The door opened automatically, sliding aside.

Inside, a woman veiled in red stood before me. Only the silhouette of her holding a pipe briefly reflected against the veil. I swallowed hard.

“Do you dare to claim that you can solve my greatest task, little one?”

It was the Black Scales.

If there is something of value, she is the mistress of the scales who will trade it for anything.

As long as the price is right, she can warp time and space, and even partially control the gates and towers.

She is a being that must never become an enemy.

I tried to calm my pounding heart and spoke.

“Yes. I can distinguish ‘Gemini.’ I can break the bindings placed upon them.”

“Proof?”

“I am a soul from another realm.”

At my words, the Black Scales hesitated for a moment, pausing her hand holding the pipe, and then leaned forward.

“What do you wish in exchange for saving Gemini?”

A chilling atmosphere enveloped the woman.

She looked at me with a curious smile, as if amused by my insignificant struggle, a condescending smirk on her lips.

I needed to be careful. I chose my words with caution.

“I wish for you to grant citizenship to the teachers of the orphanage where I live, and relocate all the children there to a safe zone.”

This was the thing I desired most desperately.

I could only hope that “saving Gemini” had enough weight to fulfill my wish.

“Hmm. Alright. State your wish to the scales.”

As the Black Scales clapped her hands, the shadow of a massive scale appeared on the wall.

Screech, bang—!

I heard the sound of something enormous collapsing in the empty air, and the shadow of the scales tilted heavily to one side.

The Black Scales chuckled softly.

“Well, what do you know, I have some change left over. Speak another wish.”

“In that case…”

I recalled the time I had been kidnapped. I thought of the children who had almost been sold off.

This world is far too filthy for us, the young and weak, to live in.

“I wish for the teachers and all the children of my orphanage to never become entangled with criminal organizations.”

So, I wish for your safety.

“Very well. But you are the exception. A soul from another realm always brings the storm.”

As the Black Scales moved her pipe, the scales shifted. Now they were completely horizontal.

“Well, that only applies if you are truly from another realm.”

She chuckled again, leaning back against her seat and exhaling smoke.

The cold air enveloped me.

As if to say, how dare you be here.

Despite the chilling aura surrounding me, I stood tall and resolute.

“If you pay the price I have set, everything will be granted. But if you cannot pay, you know what I will take, right?”

At those words, I nodded.

“I understand.”

Still, I was here.

What I feared most was not losing something to the Black Scales.

I cherish the people who love me. I love the people I love.

And losing those loved ones and becoming lonely is terrifying.

“Very well. Then come forth, Gemini.”

So, I resolved that if I couldn’t save them, it would be better to die here.

I bit my lip.

I heard giggling. The laughter of children. I could hear the light footsteps of two kids.

“Hello!”

“Hi, hi!”

“Nice to meet you.”

“Nice to meet you!”

The voices of the two Geminis echoed together. They spun around me in circles, chattering excitedly.

“Oh my!”

“Oh my!”

“It’s real!”

“It’s really real!”

At that, the Black Scales rested her chin on her hand and spoke.

“Hmm? So you really were a soul from another realm? How fortunate, Gemini.”

“Yes.”

“Yep!”

The Geminis each took one of my hands and said.

“Find our true name—”

“—for us!”

A magic circle appeared from the hands connected to the Geminis. Suddenly, my mouth began to move of its own accord.

“The original name is the hand that builds the tower.”

At my words, the Geminis jumped with excitement.

“That’s right!”

“Correct!”