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Chapter: 28
Outside the window stretched an endlessly blue sea.
It was a breathtakingly beautiful view that surrounded the place, yet strangely quiet—nothing like a lively resort.
“This is…”
It was a small but impeccably clean two‑story house.
When I opened the window and looked down, I saw a garden overflowing with roses.
It felt as though I were experiencing in advance the life that would come after the ending I had dreamed of.
But if there was something strange about it…
“It’s too quiet.”
Far too quiet.
As if there wasn’t a single ant inside the house, nor a single seagull outside.
Even the constantly crashing waves felt oddly lifeless.
On top of that, every object inside the house looked brand new, without a speck of dust.
It was a little strange, but well—
“Since it’s a dream…”
“How unusual.”
“Mom— you scared me!”
When you’re startled badly enough, even in a dream your heart can practically rattle in your chest.
The space I thought was peaceful and empty wasn’t just mine after all.
“A seaside villa… how modest a place you desire, Rohesia. I thought it would be something grand like a palace.”
“Who are you…?”
Someone dressed in white was sitting on a wooden chair.
A man—no, a boy.
“Nice to meet you, Rohesia.”
He had a voice so beautiful it left a deep impression the moment I heard it, yet for some reason I couldn’t see his face.
“And the player of The Sacrifice of the Thorny Golden Flower.”
I flinched at those words.
The Sacrifice of the Thorny Golden Flower was the title of the novel this world came from—something no one in this world should know.
And if he even knew I was the “player,” then…
“Could it be…”
“Yes.”
The boy replied gently, as if inviting me to ask.
Even though I couldn’t see his face, I knew he was smiling.
“You’re the system… administrator?”
“That’s right.”
“!”
The moment he confirmed it, memories flashed through my mind.
[QUEST: Make the male lead ‘Adrian,’ who has lost the joy of living, smile.]
[ADMIN: What do you get when a loach becomes small?]
[I never imagined you’d make such a strange joke.]
And—
[QUEST: Personally perform the lullaby Adrian’s butler used to sing.]
[ADMIN: I never imagined you’d sing it like that.]
Along with countless other humiliating quests that had treated me like a dog.
“You…!”
“…?”
“Let me hit you just once.”
I jumped to my feet.
I knew logically that the administrator had helped me many times.
But it was also true that these ridiculous god‑sent quests had put me through endless suffering from the very beginning.
Even if I didn’t really plan to punch him, I at least wanted to grab him by the collar and shake him hard.
But maybe I rushed too fast.
My steps tangled, and my foot twisted spectacularly.
“W‑wait—!”
My body tilted, the floor rushing closer.
“Damn it—why make a mistake I wouldn’t even make in real life?!”
I squeezed my eyes shut, but the pain I expected never came.
Was it because it was a dream?
No—something else was happening.
I was wrapped in something warm, yet firm.
A pleasant scent filled my senses.
“Huh…?”
“Are you alright?”
At the voice checking on me, I finally realized the administrator had caught me in his arms.
His warmth and faint fragrance felt strangely vivid, even for a dream.
“Ah.”
When he helped me stand, I suddenly felt embarrassed.
“Ahem.”
It would be ridiculous to hit him now, so I decided to let it go.
“Where is this place?”
“This is the System Lounge.”
His face was shrouded in shadow.
Even where the light and angle should have revealed it, the darkness clung to him unnaturally.
“The System Lounge…?”
“A space where players may meet the administrator. It’s modeled after the place your consciousness most longs for.”
So this was the place I desired most.
Well… I had fallen asleep imagining something like this.
“Can I always come here?”
He shook his head.
“You are granted the right to meet me here each time you pass a major capture point.”
“Then I won’t get to see you very often.”
Again, I felt like he was smiling.
“Rohesia. You completed Adrian’s route extremely well.”
“If I did so well, couldn’t you give me some extra rewards?”
“Of course. To overcome the remaining two trials safely, you will need exceptional strength.”
The remaining two trials.
Since Adrian’s arc was finished, the remaining capture points must lie at the end of Nathaniel’s and Erden’s quests.
“Here. Take this.”
Huh?!
You’re really giving me something?
As I stared wide‑eyed, a glowing rectangular card appeared above his outstretched hand.
The moment I took it—
—Ding!
[ITEM: Specialized Skill Acquisition Ticket]
[In addition to your basic skills, you can obtain a specialized skill perfectly suited to you.]
[Save the world of The Sacrifice of the Thorny Golden Flower in your own unique way.]
A specialized skill ticket.
I had just leveled up and gained five new skill points.
I’d been debating whether to invest more into my overpowered skills or unlock something new, since the skill tree was so broad.
And now, a specialized skill ticket appeared at the perfect time.
“Jackpot!”
I found myself desperately hoping this wasn’t a dream.
“How do I use it?”
“It will activate shortly after you awaken. Before that…”
I stared intensely at the boy’s face.
It felt like if I focused hard enough, I might pierce through the unnatural shadows.
“I’ll allow you a few more questions. Rohesia—what would you like to ask?”
Questions.
How do I survive?
But I already knew that answer—follow the system’s guidance and complete the quests.
So instead, I asked something else.
“Is it true that the system is trying to prevent the world’s destruction?”
“Yes.”
“Why is the world being destroyed? How does it happen?”
Is a meteor falling or something?
“That is…”
The system boy fell silent.
Not because he didn’t know what to say—rather, as if there was too much to say.
“There is a force trying to devour the world.”
“Like… some kind of villain organization?”
The phrase must have sounded funny, because he let out a quiet chuckle.
Then he took my hand, palm facing upward.
There was no personal intent—just a calm, neutral touch.
He raised a finger and began drawing on my palm.
First, a shape like the Korean letter ㄱ.
Then, starting from its middle point, he drew a large circle.
“A snake biting its own tail.”
“…?”
“They use this as their symbol.”
A bad feeling crawled up my spine.
The system wanted to save the world from destruction.
The evil force wanted to destroy it.
So the system chose me as a means to stop them…?
“Wait. Does that mean I have to fight the villains?”
My face drained in horror.
The strongest enemy I could reasonably handle would be someone like Melisandra.
But despairingly—
“Ha ha.”
The system only laughed softly.
“Do not worry. You have me to provide you with maximum support.”
“Then why don’t you do it yourself instead of making me do it?!”
“Ha ha ha.”
His angel‑like laughter only made me more irritated.
“Do you have any other questions?”
Of course I did.
“Yes!”
I wanted to know who he really was.
“What exactly are you, Administrator?”
“That is—”
At that moment, a sound cut through the quiet.
The roar of fierce wind.
It grew closer—like the thunder of massive wings slicing through the air.
“…What is that?”
I looked around, and in the next instant—
Crash!
“Eek!”
Glass shattered as something burst in through the window.
Through the gaps between my fingers as I shielded my face, I saw the administrator swiftly pull me behind him.
The warm golden light I often saw in the system window wrapped around us protectively.
Through the hazy glow, I caught a glimpse of his hair.
“Platinum blond…”
When the wind finally died down, not a single shard of glass had touched me.
Then the administrator spoke.
“What do you think you’re doing, Teraphim?”
His tone was cold—nothing like the gentleness he used with me.
“I could ask you the same thing. What is this supposed to be?”
Though this was a dream—no, the System Lounge—anything might be possible, but the intruder had literally smashed in through the window with wings.
Despite the violent entrance, the one called Teraphim looked noble and holy.
With pure white wings, he resembled an angel straight out of mythology—perfectly living up to his name.
The administrator shielded me carefully, but Teraphim was tall—fully grown.
Meaning he could clearly see me behind him.
“So much pure mana…”
Teraphim clicked his tongue in displeasure.
“Mana?”
I whispered, unable to suppress my curiosity even now.
The power source of holy magic—pure mana—was coming from me? Someone who’d never learned magic?
“He sensed the system’s energy residing within you,” the administrator explained briefly.
Meanwhile, Teraphim continued complaining.
“And you even granted her a direct meeting? Isn’t that far too generous?”
“Too generous,” the administrator repeated softly—but icily.
“From the beginning, I made it clear that whatever I provide to her is entirely my discretion.”
“Even so…”
“If the plan fails because support was withheld, who will take responsibility then?”
Teraphim had no rebuttal.
The administrator sighed.
“It seems today’s meeting must end here.”
“What? Already?”
I hurriedly grabbed his sleeve.
I still hadn’t gotten the answer I wanted.
As if sensing it, the administrator whispered—
