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Chapter 422

Dawon’s expression, which didn’t even try to hide his suspicion, soon softened into a smooth smile; his skepticism disappeared as if it had been washed away. Of course, even though his expression changed, it didn’t seem like he trusted me, but Dawon hugged me, pretending to be happy.

He whispered, "I\'m overjoyed."

"…In return, answer one of my questions honestly."

Again, Dawon looked at me with an incomprehensible expression. He answered gently, "What are you curious about?"

"The monkey doll that came here with me. Where is it now?"

"……"

Dawon didn\'t change his expression at my question, but I could sense the conflict in the brief silence that followed. It seemed he hadn\'t expected me to ask about the whereabouts of the monkey doll and found himself caught off guard.

I spoke as if I didn\'t notice his unease, "This is very important to me. I need that shikigami."

"Huu…. Alright. I\'ll order the others to search for it." After hesitating for a long while, Dawon finally nodded. I bowed my head, a little relieved. I didn\'t think it would be prudent for him to see my expression.

After a long bath, I was led to lie down on a giant, fluffy bed. Dawon quietly observed me as I lay down and closed my eyes. Then, he pulled back the curtains and left the room.

Only when the bells that followed him had completely disappeared did I open my eyes and sigh, "Haaah…"

Something was bound to change in or for me after the midnight wedding. In short, I had to escape and release Jo Chan-young\'s chains before then.

I recalled Jo Chan-young and reflected on what he said.

[If there\'s a Shikigami that\'s bothering you, it\'s better to check it first to save time.]

At that time, I was referring to Dawon, but… I was wrong. The dagger couldn\'t cut Dawon.

Then, where was the ‘key\'?

"As I thought, it must be in my body…"

I pulled my gown back and looked down at the flat stomach.

There were a few reasons why I came to this conclusion. First, when I held the dagger, I felt afraid…like the other monsters.

After Dawon, I was convinced that the dagger could only damage Shikigami. And, Dawon couldn\'t be cut down with its blade, so he must be human. Dawon said that he was a shikigami that I made, but, when I saw the numerous dolls on the mansion\'s second floor, I immediately realized he had lied.

Moreover, the Shikigami and I had a lot in common. Even though Dawon deliberately commanded a "different" shikigami in front of me to make it seem like I was human, the same effects that applied to a shikigami also applied to me.

‘Before I lost consciousness, I definitely heard him clap.\'

As soon as Dawon clapped his hands, I lost consciousness–that meant I was a shikigami that belonged to him. Of course, as I hypothesized, I still held suspicions.

I looked down at my stomach.

‘Is there really a key in there?\'

Maybe this was all a trap– to make me hurt myself and hurtle straight into a game over.

"……"

However, these suspicions could only be tested through dirrect confrontation. And to safely confirm this hypothesis, I definitely needed the monkey doll. Of course, I wasn\'t sure if Dawon would willingly return it to me…

‘I was going to run away before midnight anyway.\'

I did not intend on acquiescing obediently. I pulled my robe tightly around me, burrowed under the thick blankets, and closed my eyes. I wanted to push away these worries that were beyond my control, but, as soon as I closed my eyes, darker thoughts kept creeping in.

The worst thought among them, of course, was the possibility of being trapped here and never being able to meet the real Dawon again. That was the only ending I feared—having to live with someone who merely resembled Dawon but wasn\'t him.

"If I\'m right, then… Jo Chan-young… Why on earth didn\'t he give me any hints?"

I was a little annoyed at that. Had Jo Chan-young explained things properly, I wouldn\'t have to go through all this… Or, perhaps I\'m wrong.

‘Haah… I can\'t be certain.\'

Just then–

Jingle, Jingle–!

As I sighed deeply and shook away my complicated thoughts, the sound of bells ringing approached closer.

I quickly composed myself and wiped the pout from my lips; opening my eyes under the blanket, I looked carefully outside. An attendant stood near the bed, where the curtains were drawn, pausing as if to check on me. After a moment, they carefully placed the tray they were holding on the bedside table.

Clatter–!

I wondered what was the thick object on the tray was, but I waited, laying still and breathing shallowly, and pretended to sleep until the sounds of the bells disappeared.

Jingle–! Jingle–!

Fortunately, the servant soon left the room. I listened until I couldn\'t hear the jingle anymore and then leaped to my feet when complete silence fell in the bedroom.

"…Monkey-ah."

I found the monkey doll sitting quietly on the table, good as new.

I was a bit taken aback by how Dawon had fulfilled his promise so quickly, but I was relieved to see the doll intact–without a burst or any ripped seam.

"…Huh?" However, the monkey doll did not move like before–even if I held it in my hands and looked over it.

"What the… Why isn\'t it moving?"

Clap–!

It stayed the same even though I clapped my hands after placing it down on the bed.

I stared blankly at the monkey doll before discovering a stitched seam on the doll\'s back. A noticeable white thread was stitched into its spine.

"……"

I stared at the thread for a moment before starting to pull it apart with my fingers. But it was so tightly wound that I couldn’t even slip a fingertip between the stitches. In the end, I had to bite the thread with my teeth to tear it apart.

And within the open seam, there was a black stone embedded in the doll\'s center. I took the stone out and held it.

[——.]

I couldn\'t guess the stone\'s purpose or use. All I knew was that the stone was cold, and its surface was dry… as if it had reached the end of its lifespan.

"……"

Similarly, the doll no longer moved. It felt as if it had died, leaving only its skin behind. With that thought in mind, the once-cute doll now seemed like an animal carcass. The feeling was horrific.

"…Goddamn it…"

Just then–

A sudden thought crossed my mind, and I cautiously began to feel my back. It took a while to find it due to my stiffness, but eventually, I sensed the texture I was looking for around my lower back.

"……"

When I realized I also bore a sewn-thread mark, I momentarily froze. Though I had expected this, confirming this reality made me disassociate.

However, soon I clenched my teeth and began to scramble at my back. I didn\'t have time to waste.

Rrripp–!

"Nnngh…"

Not long after, a foul, iron-y, damp smell filled the air, accompanied by excruciating pain, but I didn’t stop pulling. Finally, I managed to extract a slick, blue stone from my back.

"Haah, haah…"

[Pulse–! Pulse–!]

Unlike the monkey\'s black stone, the blue stone throbbed and pulsed; it\'s color was brilliant and beautiful.

"……"

I peered into the stone for a moment and looked at the monkey doll. And, hoping my choice wasn\'t the wrong one, I clenched the blue stone in my hand.

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TL: Sorry I\'m taking so ungodly long to translate guys. I\'m… so busy. Second year of PhD is kicking my ass.