Bailonz Street 13

Liam’s blood, his complexion, the way he couldn’t stand for a while with his sword in hand—all these things converged into a single thought. Owen pressed my flailing hand down into the saltwater, submerging it completely.

“Regrettably, yes. He self-harmed.”

“What, what did you say?!”

My shrill scream echoed. I heard someone cough somewhere, but I didn’t care.

Self-harm? Liam Moore did?

“He branded his soul. He did it himself. Even Greenwich had never seen such a case before. It seems he reversed his power, driving himself to the brink of death. It’s not something one would do in their right mind unless faced with extreme danger.”

The additional explanation that it was unbearable, almost inconceivable pain, only added to my confusion.

What happened after I died?

I simply returned. All I could see was the white text loading. I came back without any pain. But then, a question arose.

‘What happens to the world after I die?’

What if the world continues as it is, and only I am removed from it? What if there’s no London I first arrived in?

Damn. I was getting more confused.

“I need to see Liam.”

I grabbed and removed the blindfold. A room with extremely dim lighting came into view. Fortunately, the sudden brightness wasn’t blinding.

Owen offered me a hand, pressing his aching head. I could see his hand only after my eyes adjusted to the shallow light.

“Get up slowly.”

My clothes, soaked from the water, clung to me. How long had I been lying here?

People around me were checking my condition. Owen handed me a coat from them. Putting it on over my wet clothes felt a bit uncomfortable, but I wore it without a word and put on my shoes.

“Liam is resting in another room. Greenwich people are stabilising him, but honestly, we can’t guarantee anything. His lifespan might just be shortening for nothing.”

“To that extent….”

“Who can know what’s really inside him?”

Owen cautiously opened the door. The bright corridor of Greenwich slowly came into view. My eyes didn’t hurt or feel uncomfortable; perhaps my vision was adjusting.

“The missing people inside were well protected. Those in good condition were sent back with their memories erased under supervision. The others are recovering in Greenwich before returning. They mostly targeted single people or vagrants with no contacts.”

“Did you find the hidden space inside?”

“Of course. I’m an expert in those things. We handled everything appropriately.”

I nodded.

He’s really fast. Or maybe I was unconscious for a long time?

“How long have I been asleep?”

“About a week.”

So, Liam had been lying down for the same time.

“This is the room.”

Liam Moore was not far from the room I had been lying in.

When the door opened, there were murmurs from inside, but they stopped upon seeing Owen. His face seemed like a pass. How high-ranking is he?

Following Owen inside, I felt the air prickle. It felt as if it was bristling with tension towards us, especially towards the centre of the room.

White, glowing vines (or threads? I couldn’t tell) grew from the ceiling, forming a forest. Many plants I’d never seen before filled the room with light. It was a beautiful yet dangerous atmosphere.

People greeted us as they passed by, although the greetings were directed at Owen. They looked at me like a strange creature. Their eyes met mine briefly before darting away.

At the centre of the room, Liam Moore lay on a bed, staring at the ceiling. He turned his head towards me, a mixture of surprise and joy on his face.

“Jane!”

I forgot I was a patient who had just woken up and ran to Liam. He enveloped me in a warm embrace, his body as warm and familiar as I remembered.

“Why did you do it, you idiot!”

Liam’s eyes widened at my sudden scolding. He hadn’t expected a reprimand, but there was no escaping it. What Liam Moore needed was rest and a good scolding. I should have fixed his reckless mindset long ago. Seeing him in this state, I regretted not doing so.

Liam Moore pouted defiantly, as if it didn’t matter if he got scolded. I shouted, on the verge of tears.

“They said you were dying. I never wanted you to go to such lengths!”

“How did you know that… Damn, Owen Cassfire.”

“Don’t tell me you planned to keep it a secret. I’ll really be angry.”

Liam’s defiant face turned sheepish. From one corner of the room, new plants were constantly brought in, and dead ones removed. What kind of place was this? Would Liam Moore get better here because of some ‘Greenwich’ treatment?

After a brief moment of reunion, Liam Moore pulled away slowly. He was still sturdy, but his shirt seemed looser than before. He fidgeted with his fingers before speaking.

“Sorry, but could you all leave for a moment?”

One by one, the people filling the room began to leave. Once even Owen had left and the door closed, Liam spoke again.

“I suppose I should start from the moment you died.”

My memory cut off there, so I didn’t know what happened to Liam after. I listened attentively as Liam spoke, sitting calmly on the edge of the bed.

“It seems the world doesn’t want you dead.”

I reflected on Liam’s words.

A force powerful enough to interfere with the soul of a living being? It wasn’t surprising to think a god existed, but the idea that such a god was reversing the world after my death was astonishing.

“That old man. The one who saved me. He said I was cursed.”

“…Cursed.”

“Using the notebook to come back like this—it’s probably best to reduce it.”

Liam pondered for a moment, then nodded.

“We don’t know whose power we’re borrowing. But if a lethal danger arises, don’t hesitate to use it. There’s no guarantee this won’t happen again.”

Now I even had to doubt people. There was no one to trust in this world. Maybe Inspector Jefferson or Jonathan? But only while they believed I was Jane Osmond.

But why did Liam seem so unbothered? He knew I wasn’t Jane. Yet he acted like it didn’t matter. I couldn’t remember what I’d told him, but could it have been enough to satisfy Liam?

“Do you feel betrayed?”

Liam looked up at me, his grey eyes gleaming.

“Not at all.”

The reply was immediate.

Liar. I vividly remembered Liam on the train, asking who I was. I asked, feigning indifference.

“Someone else possessed the body of your perfectly fine assistant. Doesn’t that creep you out?”

“Jane, considering the number of strange incidents we’ve faced together, ghouls and ghosts are scarier.”

“Oh, so I’m not that bad?”

Liam chuckled, pressing his forehead against mine. He slyly pulled me onto his lap.

Trying to brush things off? Not this time. I demanded a straight answer.

“Tell me when you first noticed.”

“…Well, when Herschel kidnapped me. I thought something was odd the moment you came to save me. It felt like it had happened before. While I was feverish and delirious, I distinctly remember seeing you once. Owen didn’t know. Then, there were times you said things that you hadn’t actually said before.”

Liam is quick-witted. He would have figured it out soon with a few clues. I let my guard down because of my weakened state, and Liam exploited that gap well.

“Honestly, it doesn’t matter anymore. I worked with Jane Osmond for quite a while, but the only one who truly knows all my secrets is you.”

He continued.

“You saved me, you know my secrets, you’ve seen the depths of London with me, and you’ve taken risks. I told you, I’ve grown fond of you.”

It was fascinating. We shared the same feelings about each other.

I had grown quite fond of Liam Moore. I risked my life to save him, and he seemed willing to do the same for me.

19th-century London really makes people mad about each other.

I pressed Liam’s cheeks with both hands. He laughed, the small tremors spreading beneath my palms.

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