WAV 34

chapter 34

“Ha… how is this even possible?”

I let out a hollow laugh, too incredulous to do anything else.

No matter how much the story differed from the original, the heroine being kidnapped and disappearing? That was unthinkable.

Even in a different story, sure, but in How to Save a Forsaken World, this just didn’t happen.

In this novel, apart from one-off extras, the villain was none other than Edith herself.

She was the one who orchestrated the heroine’s abduction, led her to the gate’s origin, and put her in danger. Edith’s schemes ultimately caused the heroine to be abandoned even by those she once cherished, ending in a cruel and tragic fate.

‘Ah… there’s one more possibility.’

Suddenly, I remembered someone besides Edith who could abduct the heroine. A bitter laugh escaped me.

It was none other than Male Lead 4.

“After a dramatic encounter with Relin at the royal palace banquet, Serge stays in the capital for a while, continuing to meet her.
However, many others also crave Relin’s attention.
Serge grows increasingly possessive as he witnesses her meeting with other men.

Then one day, after Relin returns from a two-day stay at Ethan’s villa, he sees her and, in a fit of rage, kidnaps her, taking her to his own estate. And…”

“…Insane.”

Recalling the events of the novel, I grimaced in disgust.

This wasn’t about the heroine’s nightly… nonsense. What I wanted to know was:

Who? When? Why?

I tried to calmly consider who might have abducted the heroine and what their motive could be. Then, Tolren came to mind.

― Since the purifier wasn’t coming back, I ran off with my younger sibling.

― Perfect timing! While you’re here, could you check on my son too? I’ve practically melted him already!

The Magi Corruptors in Tolren, frozen by Relin and Ethan, hadn’t been purified. Could anyone have harbored resentment while waiting for a purifier?

I shook my head immediately.

‘Ordinary people wouldn’t break into the palace.’

Even if they were awakened, without the monstrous abilities of someone like Male Lead 4, there was no way they could avoid the mana traps.

‘Then who…?’

That’s when I heard it.

Thump, thump…

Faint footsteps approached from afar.

“…!”

Startled, I froze and pressed myself quietly, straining my ears.

‘The heroine? Or some other noble in a nearby room? Wait…’

As my mind raced, one possibility struck me.

‘Right, a thief!’

Why had I assumed it was only a kidnapping? With so many nobles attending the banquet, it was the perfect time for petty thieves to move around.

‘I need to check the dressing room.’

Thinking it might not be a kidnapping gave me a small spark of hope. I waited calmly for the footsteps to stop.

But…

Thump, thump, thump.

The footsteps didn’t stop—they were getting closer.

‘…Could they be coming this way?’

My heart sank. It should have stopped by now unless they were staying in the next room. I stared at the door with trembling eyes.

‘What if it’s the heroine?’

Right now, nothing could be worse than being caught by the room’s owner. Not only had I snuck in, but the room was a mess! Rumors had already spread that the purifier was harmed.

If I were caught hiding in her room, the Duke and Ethan would want my head.

Thump, thump.

The steps drew closer, nearly at the adjacent room.

‘I need to hide, fast!’

I quickly blew out the candle I was holding and left it haphazardly on a nearby table, then dashed to the bed.

The only possible hiding place in the well-lit room was the wardrobe. I opened it carefully, trying not to make a sound.

Inside were only extra blankets and pillows—a cramped but sufficient space to hide. I shoved myself in without hesitation.

Thud—

As I slammed the wardrobe door shut, the footsteps abruptly stopped.

And then…

Click.

The doorknob turned, followed by a deep, resonant voice.

“…Your Highness, the door is open.”

I flinched but forced myself to stay still.

‘The Duke…?’

There was only one duke in this story: the one who had gone berserk at the banquet earlier, throwing monster corpses around like a madman.

“How strange. The room is empty… so why is the door open?”

Male Lead 4—Serge Belnac.

The familiar voice was followed by a sinister creeeeak as the door opened.

“…!”

Frozen in place, I held my breath. Awakened humans were far stronger than ordinary people, and Male Lead 4 was a monster who could control his powers enough to avoid mana traps. One wrong sound, and he’d notice me immediately.

‘Damn it. Why him of all people…?! He’s supposed to be hosting, not attending the banquet!’

I gritted my teeth, cursing the insane story.

I thought being caught by the room’s owner was the worst, but clearly, worse was coming.

“The room…!”

“Perhaps a thief? This situation’s getting interesting.”

“I’ll check first!”

A man, probably one of the Duke’s attendants, entered and began searching the room.

Clack, clack.

Every flicker of light from the lantern through the wardrobe door made me feel like my heart was shrinking. Luckily, the attendant didn’t check inside.

“No one here, Your Highness.”

“Were we not informed the purifier was in the room until the afternoon?”

“Yes. According to the maids, the palace visit was around 3 PM, and she bathed at 6 PM. No one else entered after that.”

“So it hasn’t been long since the kidnapping.”

As for the thief theory, it was clear now: Serge immediately assumed “kidnapping.”

“What of the Emperor or Crown Prince?”

“They’re unaware.”

Thump, thump.

Another set of footsteps entered. It had to be Male Lead 4.

He circled the bedroom, muttering to himself.

“Hm. The culprit probably broke in through the balcony… Or did the maids leave the door unlocked?”

“That would be…”

“Or perhaps a guest.”

My heart dropped.

Even speculation as a “guest” would terrify me…

“Yes? But aside from the guards, no one has entered or left,” came another voice.

“The candle wax hasn’t fully hardened. She must have been here just moments ago.”

Damn. Just one glance, and he noticed the slightest evidence. Incredible perception.

“I’ll bring the search party.”

“No need. If they were escaping, they’d have already left.”

“Still, they probably haven’t left the palace yet.”

“Then take them around once and return.”

“Yes, sir!”

Their deduction left me in despair. I was terrified they’d discover me hiding in the wardrobe.

Pat-pat!

Footsteps rushed out of the room—only one set.

‘Damn, why isn’t he leaving?’

Male Lead 4 remained. I couldn’t fathom why he was lingering in an empty room.

“Hmm, hmm…”

Thump, thump.

He hummed as he strolled casually around.

‘Please, just leave already… please…’

Biting my lower lip, I silently prayed.

“Hide well, don’t let your hair show…”

Suddenly, he began chanting a rhyme.

“Hide well… are you in the bathroom?”

“….”

“…Not here?”

He seemed to actually check the bathroom.

‘Damn… this psycho…’

Male Lead 4, singing a hide-and-seek song while looking for me, was utterly insane. Fear gripped me.

I opened my eyes slowly and raised my hands to cover my mouth.

“Hide well… in the dressing room?”

“….”

“Not here either.”

Otherwise, I would scream.

“Hide well, don’t let your hair show…”

Thump, thump.

The light flickered again through the wardrobe door.

Step.

Suddenly, the footsteps stopped right in front of me. Silence followed.

‘I’m scared…!’

I squeezed my eyes shut. Tears pricked.

I only came to check if the heroine had truly disappeared… why did it feel like I’d walked into a horror scene?

“Under the bed, then!”

Whoosh!

The sheets were roughly lifted. My shoulders jumped despite myself.

“Haha, interesting.”

“….”

“Then only one place left.”

No. There was nowhere left. I denied his words fiercely in my mind.

Thump.

But the sound was right in front of me.

‘Should I open the door and run? Act bold…’

A million thoughts raced, but remembering the cruel look he had at the banquet made me freeze.

‘He suspects me of kidnapping the heroine—what if he kills me on sight…!’

Then I realized something: it was quiet outside.

“…?”

Curious, I opened my eyes slightly.

And through the silently opened door, I locked eyes with jet-black eyes staring directly at me.

“…Found you.”