CHAPTER 67: ONE DOES NOT THINK ABOUT THOSE THINGS SO EARLY

Gesta lunged at Ace, intent on strangling him. She had no weapon. Forcing flame through Seraphina’s weakened body would’ve taken a miracle. So she went for the simplest way to kill a human.

It didn’t work. Ace caught her wrists and stopped her in her tracks. His hands were weak, though, and he toppled backward with Gesta on top of him.

She pressed harder, face close as if she meant to bite him. Chaewon stepped in, grabbed Gesta from behind, and hauled her up before she could hurt Ace.

"I may be a native to this world and only a follower of Sonovaem, but I know the flaws of Rankers!" Gesta said, her cold voice tight with disgust at Ace.

She thought even less of him, as if he were trash.

"And what did your divinity tell you about those flaws?" Ace asked, glaring back at her.

Chaewon narrowed her eyes and listened, intent on learning anything to help Ace.

Gesta’s expression twisted. "Flawed Rankers are humans who can reach The Heaven Gate and enter the multiverse battlegrounds. Without those flaws, they stray from their potential and walk the wrong path."

What is she talking about? I reached The Heaven Gate without flaws!

"What does that have to do with me being a simp?!" Ace asked.

"Aren’t simps men who sacrifice everything for a woman’s sake? Your romantic detachment means you’re the kind of man who’ll sacrifice romance itself for women! You sacrifice your potential for their dreams! It’s so disgusting it makes me think of my father! He was exactly like you! I can’t stand your face now! I have even more reasons to kill you than you just being Tava’Az’s pawn!"

There was clearly a story behind Gesta’s becoming the Priestess of The Withered Shrine of The Immolated. Ace could see where she was coming from.

The memories of his time in The Heaven Gate and his first life’s hardships hit him like an avalanche. He faltered, but Chaewon stayed close, keeping him safe from Gesta’s teeth as she snapped at his face like a wild beast.

It was... a good time. We both pushed forward. We got stronger until that day when... they died. I didn’t stray from my potential.

Still, my final wish was for the Chessboard Apocalypse to stop so everyone could live normal lives. I like the comfort of the modern world and peace, but do I like it as much as leveling up and getting stronger? Can that comfort bring me what I enjoy most—the rush, the adrenaline, the heat of a fight?

I... I reached The Heaven Gate, but that path left the corpses of my women and friends in my shadow. Each death made me hate the Gates and the Apocalypse. It overwhelmed me. But I can’t see myself in a normal life. I see myself in the Gates. Myself—and everyone I loved in my first life!

A jolt of adrenaline hit Ace. He tightened his grip on Gesta’s wrists and drove his forehead into hers, knocking her out again. As she went limp, Chaewon pulled her up and brought her back to the bed.

"She’s a troublesome woman," Chaewon whispered, eyes still on Seraphina.

When she turned back, Ace sat cross-legged, clenching and unclenching his hands.

"Are you okay?" Chaewon asked.

"Yeah. She has a point," Ace said.

"Have you thought about how much that flaw changed you?"

"Yeah. I’m... more calculating and selfish."

"Are you?" Chaewon smiled, bright and sure. "I feel like you’d be much stricter with me if you were really calculating and selfish. You wouldn’t have let so many of my antics slide. Maybe the Camp wouldn’t have happened."

"It doesn’t mean—"

"Yes. That could also be part of your calculations. But I believe in you. I believe you’re yearning for love, affection, and kindness, deep down. You want a balanced world where Rankers and Commoners both have options. Also..."

Ace met her eyes.

Chaewon’s smile softened. "Did you calculate anything before rushing in to save Marko from The Conductor?"

"..."

Chaewon covered her face and grinned. Ace’s expression shifted from blank to embarrassed. She wanted to hug him, but held back. She leaned down and offered her hand.

"Let’s find the balance between your selfishness and love—"

Ace took her hand, pulled himself up, and leaned in to steal a kiss. He didn’t go for a light, simple kiss a virgin like Chaewon could handle. Instead, he drove his tongue into her small mouth, intertwined it with hers, and sucked.

She couldn’t handle it. Her eyes slammed shut as pleasure roared through her, and her heart hammered. She forgot to breathe and stood there, yielding to Ace.

Open and breathless, she melted into his arms as he pressed closer, devouring her mouth—the way Gesta had wanted to.

When he broke the kiss, Chaewon wobbled and leaned on his arms for support. Her face was red, tears shining at the corners of her eyes. She fought for air, her chest heaving alluringly.

"How are... you... so good... at kissing? How many girlfriends did you... have?"

"You’re my first, Chae."

"L-Liar... and... Chae? Hey..."

"You don’t like it?"

"No... I like this pet name."

Ace smiled. He knew she loved it. His heart beat harder, as if love—old and new—was breaking through. He didn’t know for sure, but he was certain of one thing.

"I will forever love you, Chae."

"Me too..."

Afterward, they took their seats again, leaning on each other. Ace grew sleepy, comfortable under Chaewon’s fingers as she stroked his hair.

He dreamed of his first life and everyone he’d met. His resolve was clear and absolute: he would save them all and bring them together. He wouldn’t let anyone die.

His feelings were genuine—and selfish enough that he didn’t consider what would happen if he actually proposed more than one relationship. He might have chosen not to think about it—for now. Even so, he slept well and woke rejuvenated after only three hours.

Cherry then rolled into the room.

Aish!