Location: Myriad Realms, Lil. Red Storm, Seed World, Main Section
"Hey, hey, hey!" Corey hurriedly interrupted as Park offered herself to Wyatt. She hysterically made her stance clear: "You are mine! You can't go making promises like that. I don't . From the looks of it, you wouldn't hesitate to sell me to him if he asked you."
"Corey, I'm hurt. I would never do that," Park replied, though she had already sold Corey to Wyatt once before-without him even asking.
"Whatever. This turned out to be such a disappointment. I thought I'd be getting a physique or trait like the ones in those videos or like Aurelia, but my luck is garbage," Corey dismissed Park's words and cursed her luck. She seemed deeply dissatisfied that she wouldn't be getting a physique or trait.
"Corey, no need to be sad. I wouldn't leave you hanging. After all, you're doing your best to help me date Susan. That's why I spent a year in sector WS9909 searching for the perfect trait for you. Take those pills, get accustomed to your title demon core's darkness and then I'll help you acquire that trait-" Wyatt paused, noticing Corey's lack of reaction. Instead, her eyes were red and teary, as though she was trying too hard not to cry. Concerned, he asked, "What's wrong? You don't want a trait but a physique? That's not worth crying over."
"No-no, a trait is fine. But I don't deserve it," Corey confessed, her voice trembling. "I never planned to help you date Big Susan. I just wanted to trick her into going out with you one, then take the hourglass relic from you, and kick you to the curb by asking, "Who are you?' or something. Park, I didn't understand what you said. I'm not worthy to be a good friend or a good demon merchant. I'm just a selfish monster who won't stop, even at the expense of the people who love her." She began to wail, tears and snot dripping from her reddened eyes and nose.
Wyatt was speechless as he watched Corey pour out the truth. All the guilt he thought he had buried came rushing back at once, leaving him paralyzed. His heart grew heavy, and he found it difficult to breathe. But seeing Corey so vulnerable, his gaze hardened, thinking, Not today.'
He stepped forward and pulled Corey into a hug, resting her head against his chest. "Come here, sweetie. I'm sorry. I was just kidding, okay," he muttered softly.
Corey didn't hear a single word. She simply rested her head on his chest, her tears still flowing. Her soft hand slowly clenched his jacket lapel, pulling it closer, as if trying to shield herself from the world with his warmth.
Wyatt, with his heightened senses, could feel the depth of Corey's pain, and it only made him feel worse about his actions. He whispered softly, "I'm sorry that I wasn't there for you as your friend-your best friend."
As if his words had reached her, Corey's wailing softened, and she confided, "It's hard, Wyatt. Living is hard, especially knowing that you have to make up for mistakes spanning two lifetimes." Her grip on his jacket tightened as she struggled to speak clearly through her sobs. "I'm trying so hard, but sometimes I feel like I shouldn't wake up from my sleep. I know I shouldn't have thoughts like that-my life doesn't belong to me. I owe so many people, especially my mother from my past life, but I can't help it. It's too hard, Wyatt," she wailed, pouring out the heavy burden she carried on her shoulders every day.
In that moment, Wyatt understood something profound: Corey's origin card didn't need fixing-it was perfect as it was. The problem wasn't the origin card; it was that Corey was a sensitive soul. Her origin card could protect her from the backlash of regaining past-life memories, but it couldn't save her from herself. Nothing could truly save someone from themselves-there were ways to delay the pain, but salvation had to come from within.
"I'm sorry you had to go through all of this alone," Wyatt said, his voice heavy with guilt. He didn't know what else to do but apologize over and over for not being the friend she needed.
The more Corey spoke, the more Wyatt remembered the day she had approached him and Susan after Susan's first auction. She had apologized sincerely for the mistakes her family had made. She didn't offer excuses but shouldered all the responsibility. With remarkable bravery, she even asked Susan to employ her. Most people in her position would have been afraid of retaliation, but Corey wasn't. She apologized with genuine remorse and pursued what she wanted with unwavering resolve.
From the moment they met, Corey had been a kind and courageous soul. It wasn't surprising that she would dare to shoulder the debts of two lifetimes in an instant. Anyone else would have sought to use those memories to make their life easier, but Corey focused on the mistakes and debts her past selves owed. More importantly, she chose to bear them even when no one was demanding she do so.
This was Corey's true self-the brave little girl that Wyatt saw himself in, desperately trying to redeem herself in her own eyes. She didn't seek forgiveness from others; she just wanted to be able to live with herself. Wyatt finally understood why he was so attached to her. Despite all her mistakes, his heart always found room to forgive her and offer her more. She has always been the same Corey only he failed to see her past her mess.
Suddenly, Corey shifted, resting her forehead against his chest. Both her hands gripped his jacket collar tightly, tears and snot still flowing. In a desperate, pleading voice, she begged, "Wyatt, ask me anything-anything but Susan! I'm sorry. I'll get or give you anything in this myriad realm, but not Susan. Please, don't make me do this." Wyatt gently held Corey's head between his hands, lifting it so she had no choice but to meet his gaze. Staring into her teary, red eyes, he promised in a deep, steady voice, "I won't ask you or myself-to pursue Susan for you. After all, a bro's mother is off-limits. But what if Susan wants to be with me?"
Corey, though taken aback by his promise, met his eyes with determination and declared, "I will give her everything she needs and wants. If it's you she wants, then I will give you to her."
Wyatt smirked, his tone turning teasing. "So, it's okay for your mom to go after your best friend? Don't I get a say in it-" Before he could say more, Corey punched him squarely in the gut. Then, he burst out laughing, "Hahahah!" she started playfully punching him more on his shoulder.