I am Ho Cheon-an.

“Phew.”

I’m sighing heavily in the room.

Yesterday, I got kissed by the Black Cat. Not just once, but constantly like a madman.

“Haa.”

The Black Cat, greedily claiming my lips, glanced at the training hall where various noises were coming from and, looking disappointed, said,

“I’ll look forward to the next reward, Senior.”

And then she left gracefully.

…Well, the place where we had tea wasn’t exactly small, and the accommodation we used at Podalap Palace wasn’t tiny either, but it was indeed a dangerous location in many ways.

Let’s admit what needs to be admitted.

The Black Cat was no longer an innocent child who knew nothing about relationships. She had grown into a companion who could help others of her own will, so I had to take her determination seriously.

Including the matter of Miss Yeo Il-ye, which I had been holding back.

“Hoo.”

Thinking about Yeo Il-ye and the Black Cat made my chest feel heavy. Before even considering whether to choose Yeo Il-ye or the Black Cat, I had mountains of issues to resolve first.

Becoming lovers with someone.

Everyone has different views on romance, but I believe that at least a minimal promise is necessary to be in a romantic relationship.

At the very least, if we’re going to start, there has to be a determination to take responsibility for the end, no matter what the outcome. But I was in a position where I couldn’t make such a determination.

I am Ho Cheon-an.

I say I am Ho Cheon-an, but is this body of Ho Cheon-an that I truly use “my body”? What happened to my body after facing the Rebirth Truck? Realistically speaking, I should be dead or at least severely injured, but how could it make sense to think “realistically” when being reincarnated into a martial arts game?

All I know is that [Rebirth Truck] intentionally threw me into this Martial World.

What the hell did [Rebirth Truck] want from me after putting me in this Martial World? Was just putting me here its goal? Or did it think I would achieve what it wanted without needing any specific direction?

Alright, let’s just put the Rebirth Truck matter aside.

The real problem lies in ‘I am Ho Cheon-an’ itself. The evidence that someone artificially injected the trait of blood retention into me remains in my body, but do I know anything about my current condition? No.

So far, there have been no issues, but that’s probably because everything has been quietly sealed away, and as my Fame Value continues to rise and my name becomes known in the martial world, who knows what might happen next?

Both the Black Cat and Miss Yeo Il-ye are charming and wonderful women.

Honestly, if I were still modern, I would’ve been thrilled enough just to see one of them smile at me to roll around on the asphalt.

If they brushed fingertips with me, I might’ve been planning the wedding and naming the children by now.

But right now, being ‘I am Ho Cheon-an’ changes everything.

If at any moment a pathway for me to return should open up, what would happen to this body of Ho Cheon-an? I wish I could explain the situation to both of them, but what if I end up unable to do anything and helplessly return to the modern world just like when I came into this Martial World?

What happens to those left behind?

Minimum responsibilities that come with becoming lovers. I was a body that couldn’t even take on that minimum responsibility.

My situation is uniquely special in a way that’s unlikely to exist in the world, and I’m just a single citizen caught up, being tossed around in that special circumstance.

Of course.

This might just be an excuse, and I might simply be a coward unable to muster courage.

Yeah, that’s right.

I am a coward.

I am so chicken that if I can’t wash away the anxiety in my heart, I feel like I won’t be able to face either of their feelings.

Both of them… could be loved by any man. Miss Yeo Il-ye was a patient and mature person, while the Black Cat could now act to support others with a kind heart.

I hope both of them can be as happy as possible. But can the two connected to me right now truly be happy?

I just couldn’t shake off the thought that no matter whom they ended up with, it would be better than being with me right now.

Bang! Bang!

At that moment, someone knocked on the door of my accommodation. I had done nothing wrong, yet I felt nervous, staring at the door.

“Instructor? Are you skipping morning training?”

It was Okryong.

“….Has it really gotten that late?”

“Oh no, it seems I’ve disturbed your meditation. Should I tell the others that we’re skipping morning training today?”

“No, I’ll head over soon.”

I am Ho Cheon-an.

Though I’m a coward, I couldn’t just hide away to avoid the Black Cat.

Taking a deep breath, I headed to the training hall.

The companions are all fundamentally martial artists. Even someone like Tang So-yeol, who’s the embodiment of a laid-back life, consistently spends time honing his martial arts skills.

Once I entered the training hall, I could see everyone warming up. Miss Yeo Il-ye was doing light exercises, Tang So-yeol and Tang Do-yeon were checking their Hidden Weapons, and Okryong was practicing some dynamic movements.

And the Black Cat was…

Talking about something with Sara, who was clinging tightly to her.

The Black Cat met my gaze and flashed a mischievous smile for a moment before quickly turning her attention back to Sara.

Phew.

For some reason, my tension eased, and a sigh escaped me. Is it true that people can’t live without committing sins? Maybe I felt guilty for not having reached a conclusion in my heart.

Should I consider this as having momentarily passed a crisis?

…I should say I’ve bought a little time to think.

As I started to breathe a sigh of relief, I locked eyes with Sara. Her playful smile and sparkling eyes reminded me of a little mischief and a sense of impending doom.

“What?!”

Suddenly, Sara jumped up and shouted loudly.

“Yesterday, you kissed Ho Cheon-an, the magician?!”

“Sara!!”

“Ugh! Ugh!”

The Black Cat gasped and tried to cover Sara’s mouth.

But it was already too late; everyone in the training hall had stopped moving and was just rolling their eyes in shock.

Oh, crap.