Chapter 14

-In Mallory’s Room-

After finally getting back into her own room, she stared at her desk, the book Remon gave her still intact ever since she received it.

“… Rein,”

“You abandoned me.”

"I need you to finish this book and publish it."

“I think the only person who can finish this book, the only person who fits to end it, is you. Please, Mallory. His dream was to get his book published."

The voices reappeared as Mallory looked at the book. With hesitation, she reached out, her fingers brushing against the cover. Nothing special, just a plain book with a one-tone color and a handwritten name, 'Rein.' She slowly opened it to the first page—the same page she saw when they found the book in Rein’s room.

Seeing his handwriting sent a wave of sadness crashing over her, but she wanted to keep going. She missed Rein. Maybe reading his story would make her feel better, she thought.

At first, she took her time, letting each word sink in. Minutes passed, and with every page, the sadness began to fade, replaced by curiosity and longing. She kept reading and reading until she reached the end of the story. Mallory was stunned. 'No way he wrote this... but he did?' she thought.

Just as she was about to close the book, her eyes caught an unusual page. She stopped and read it. It was Rein’s little diary, fragments of his thoughts and feelings. Her heart clenched as she read the content.

“Update. I don’t see a point in writing again. I met her. Someone who understands. She’s finally here. I just wrote out of longing to be understood, but now… I don’t think I need to continue.”

“We’re dating. I’m so happy. I never want to let her go. She’s my everything.”

“We’re about to have our first date! I’m so hyped, I can’t sleep. I’m so impatient.”

Those were the last three things he wrote before he passed away. Mallory's eyes filled with tears, and she eventually broke down, sobbing quietly. Her hands felt weak, and her whole body seemed to sink under the weight of her grief. She missed him—missed him so much she wanted to redo everything, to hold him just one more time. She felt loved. Unconditionally. That maybe she never realized it before.

After a while, the exhaustion from crying pulled her into sleep, the book still clutched tightly in her hands.

-In Void World-

“We need you to remember your past! It’s important!”

“Yes! You must remember your past if you want to move on peacefully!”

“This world isn’t real!”

“You already died, Rein, this world is temporary. Soon, you’ll vanish without a trace.”

The voices echoed in Rein’s mind, looping endlessly. He sat on his throne, his legs bouncing restlessly. For the first time, the security of his kingdom felt fragile, like it was slipping through his fingers. Questions gnawed at him, whispers of doubt creeping into thoughts he’d always considered absolute.

Suddenly, Blam!—the grand doors flung open with a force that shook the room. His guards fell one by one, collapsing as if struck by an invisible force. Through the chaos, a figure strode forward with deliberate steps.

He was taller than Rein, dressed impeccably, with wings sprouting behind his ears and a sword strapped to his side. His eyes were sharp, unyielding, and brimming with contempt.

Rein scrambled to his feet, trying to maintain composure, masking his shock with practiced coldness. When the person reached him, they locked eyes—both of them looking at each other with a sharp look.

“What do you want?” Rein’s voice was sharp, dripping with authority.

“Let’s skip the formalities,” the stranger replied, voice low and unyielding. “I’m the one who brought you into this world. You’d better listen to those Void Travelers if you don’t want your pretty little kingdom and everything in it erased by me.”

“Who are you to tell me what to—”

Before he could finish, the man’s hand was around Rein's neck, his grip iron-clad. Rein hadn’t even seen him move. He was lifted effortlessly, legs dangling, breath escaping him in ragged gasps.

“I am the Voidkeeper, though my peers tend to call me the Wretchsmile,” the stranger said, voice calm and unhurried. He leaned in, his eyes gleaming with something sharp and unkind. “As I said, you will obey those Void Travelers. If you don’t…” his grip tightened, “…I can tear this place apart, piece by piece. Your little kingdom? The one you so carefully built? I’ll destroy it without a second thought.”

Rein clawed at the Voidkeeper’s hand, eyes glaring with defiance even as he choked for air.

“These people only follow you because they fear you. What do you think would happen if they saw you crack? If they saw the truth? That none of this is real? This kingdom of yours? It’s nothing but a mirror of your insecurities. A safe haven you built to hide from reality. Pathetic.”

Rein’s teeth clenched, fury burning in his gaze. He tried to pry off the Voidkeeper’s hand, but it was like trying to move stone.

Finally, the Voidkeeper released him, letting him crumble to the floor, gasping for breath, palms scraping against the cold ground. He coughed violently, the taste of iron sharp in his mouth. He had never felt so powerless—so small until this moment.

Looking up, Rein saw the Voidkeeper staring down at him with those piercing eyes, unimpressed and unwavering. The tension in the room was suffocating, heavy with unspoken threats.