Chapter 88: Unfoldable Connection (Part 3)
The sky was silent… painfully silent.
Hanuri floated there like a broken feather_no strength, no hope, no purpose. Her eyes were empty, her body unmoving, her soul nearly erased by the tragedies she carried.
She didn't even sense it…
The soft, divine glow approaching her.
White.
His presence sliced through the silence like a warm sunrise.
He paused.
Something about this aura this icy, shattered yet boundless power felt strangely familiar.
White (thinking): So… she's the one who caused this? This cold… this emptiness…
He moved closer.
---
The Meeting of Two Lost Forces
White (calmly, beside her):
"Hmm… so you're the one who did all this, right?"
Hanuri finally turned her head.
But the moment she saw someone beside her, panic struck.
She didn't see White-she saw another threat.
Her eyes widened, glowing with unstable ice.
Hanuri (trembling):
"S-stay away… I-I don't care if you came to kill me-just do it… I'm already finished…"
She began preparing an attack_an instinctive reaction born from trauma.
But White raised a hand lightly.
A flash.
Her attack vanished_completely interrupted.
White:
"Okay, okay, I get it. Relax.
I'm not here to kill you."
Hanuri's tears froze mid-air.
Hanuri (shaking):
"S…so you came to betray me too?"
White:
"Not that either."
He leaned slightly closer, voice steady and gentle.
"I want you to come with me.
I'll give you anything---clothes, food, a place to stay… even the things you desperately need."
Hanuri's eyes turned dull, hopeless.
Hanuri:
"And you think that will work on me?
I don't need anything.
Just leave me alone…"
White stared deeply at her.
Then_
he figured it out.
White (thinking):
It's not things she wants… it's… them.
He smirked confidently.
White:
"Then what about… friends?
Happiness?
People who love you?"
The empty girl froze.
Hanuri (voice cracking):
"W-w-what… did you just say…?"
White:
"Exactly what you heard.
I'll give you all of that---everything you desire.
All I want in return…
is for you to be my loyal servant.
And I promise_
I'll never let you do dangerous things again."
Hanuri's lips trembled.
Hanuri:
"S-so… that's all…?
If I… if I become your servant…
I… I get friends…?
A family…?"
White (soft smile):
"Yes.
So… do we have a deal?"
Hanuri:
"Y-you're… not lying… are you?"
White:
"I never lie.
You can trust me."
A single teardrop fell from her eye.
Hanuri:
"O-okay… but if you try anything strange… I won't let it slide…"
White (laughing lightly):
"Yeah, yeah. Fair enough.
Now then…"
---
The Angel of Ice Awakens
A blinding flash erupted from Hanuri_
so bright it could blind even the strongest being.
Within seconds…
her appearance transformed.
Her ragged clothes shifted into the angelic outfit she now wears, glowing with frosted purity.
White:
"So? Do you like them?"
Hanuri touched the outfit gently.
Hanuri:
"Y-yeah… I do…
Umm… h-how is your place… m-m-master…?"
White chuckled softly.
White:
"Not too far. Just stay close to me."
He opened a shimmering white portal.
Hanuri followed him inside.
They stepped into_
---
The White Holy Castle
Fruxiya remained in her tower.
Ixia was on the ground floor, taking care of Flux.
Pearl and Natalie stood at the gate, waiting to welcome their lord.
The moment White appeared, they bowed deeply.
White (smiling):
"Hehe, as expected, you two are here."
Pearl's eyes shifted immediately to the shy girl hiding behind White.
Pearl (curious):
"Hmm? And who is this cute little one?"
Hanuri instinctively hid more.
White:
"Hanuri, no need to be shy. They're my servants too.
And they're friendly very friendly."
Hanuri (soft, scared):
"R-really…?"
Pearl kneeled down with a gentle smile.
Pearl:
"Of course, my little girl.
How are you?"
Natalie joined with a warm expression.
Natalie:
"Yes, we're not enemies.
You can be yourself with us."
Hanuri's heart began beating fast.
For the first time…
she felt something she never tasted
warmth.
Natalie leaned toward White and whispered:
Natalie:
"Lord… the information was true, wasn't it?"
White nodded.
White:
"Yes.
She became lonely because of her overwhelming power."
Natalie:
"Then… let's make sure she gets all the happiness she deserves."
White:
"Of course."
He turned to leave.
White:
"Alright, I'll be going.
Oh—and Pearl, Natalie…
I'll let you both experience IOP later.
So you can understand what she's endured."
Pearl, Natalie, Hanuri (in unison):
"Okay! Goodbye, Lord!"
They waved as White disappeared inside.
---
Author Note
Next chapter reveals even more about Hanuri. Stay tuned!