When Elurian regained consciousness, he found himself in his Master's home, specifically in his own room. The room was quite luxurious, as his Master had a fondness for beautiful things.
Pink diamond gems adorned the crystal lamp holders on either side of the walls. The bed was incredibly comfortable, and Elurian was also given extra care in the form of food, knowledge, and training. If it weren't for his peculiar Master, all this luxury would have been quite impressive, especially in such a cruel world.
Ah, no wonder I've become a target because of this rare luxury. But something doesn't feel right. Elurian rubbed his aching head and sat up.
He was certain his Master would be curious about why he had ended up in such a dangerous place. All he could do now was wait for him to arrive.
Just as he expected, moments later, his Master appeared out of nowhere, suddenly standing beside his bed.
With an otherworldly presence that captivated anyone who saw him, Rex Violet, as his name suggested, had red eyes on the right side and violet eyes on the left. Both were distinctly different. His hair was also unique—a blend of violet and red that resulted in a bright magenta hue.
He always wore a red robe with a hood and adorned himself with jewelry, much like a wizard. Elurian was never quite sure if his Master was truly a wizard or something else entirely.
"Glad to see you awake. What happened?" Rex Violet asked, stepping closer to examine Elurian's pale face.
His deep voice reminded Elurian of his older brother from his previous world. As Rex Violet's sharp gaze bore into him, Elurian came to his senses. Of course, he'd be angry. I was naive, too easily deceived by others.
I didn't know fellow guides could become enemies. Elurian began to explain why he had ventured into the Twilight Forest.
A week ago, when Ahn Seohyun first awoke in Elurian's body and was suddenly brought to the town hall, he had seen Rex Violet for the first time.
Still confused by his new identity, Elurian had temporarily followed the instructions of the guides. When he placed his hand on the test orb, he immediately caught Rex Violet's attention. Without hesitation, Rex had taken him as his disciple, preventing the other guides from claiming him.
At that moment, Elurian realized he had changed the original story. Rex Violet was never supposed to have a disciple.
Is it okay if the main plot changes too? Elurian still thought of the people around him, including the protagonist, as fictional characters in a novel. Perhaps that entity intentionally wanted to change it to make it easier for me to carry out my mission?
His mission was to save this world from an impending apocalypse caused by the Tower of Desire. That goal made him overlook the most crucial thing—he was now living in this world, and the people around him were as real as he was. His underestimation had led to his current situation. He felt that, in a way, he had disappointed his Master, just as he once disappointed his older brother.
With a guilty expression, Elurian briefly explained the situation. "Master, I made a mistake by not considering whether you had actually called me there. As a result, I ended up trapped without any protective equipment."
The Twilight Forest was far more dangerous than he had anticipated. A madness had washed over him when he was trapped there during the blizzard. In the central area of the Twilight Forest, one of the towers linked to the Tower of Desire stood tall.
Elurian might have turned into a monster if not for the privileges granted by the entity that brought him to this world. However, even the privilege of maintaining one's sanity had its limits.
Rex Violet leaned against the wall to the right of Elurian's bed, near the red-curtained windows. He listened with arms crossed, his expression unreadable. Though he had expected it, hearing it firsthand still made him angry, as his disciple had been used as a pawn.
"Who?" Rex Violet asked, his question sharp and direct. His eyes focused on the small, pale figure of his disciple.
Elurian knew exactly what his Master was asking. Who dared to set a trap in the Twilight Forest under his Master's name?
Should I tell him? Elurian hesitated, realizing that his Master likely already knew and was simply testing whether he would reveal the culprit. But exposing them could have harsh consequences.
"I'm not sure," Elurian replied carefully. "I thought you were testing me because I received a letter with your initials on it, instructing me to go to the Twilight Forest."
It wasn't a lie. Rex Violet often used his initials for instructions when he wasn't around. But Elurian had left out the part where he saw who had sent the letter.
I didn't lie, I just didn't tell everything.
Elurian watched his Master nervously, his fear growing as he realized that the man before him was not just a fictional character. Rex Violet was his protector, his teacher.
"I see." Rex Violet nodded, as if understanding Elurian's unspoken thoughts. He moved from his spot. "Rest now. I'll handle it. This won't happen again," he said, gently patting Elurian's head.
As Rex walked out of the room, he paused by the door, as though something had just occurred to him.
"Little rabbit, next time, I won't send you a letter. I'll contact you another way. Don't let yourself be fooled again," Rex said in a tone slightly warmer than usual.
Then, he left.
Elurian's mouth twitched at the strange nickname. But at the same time, he felt a sense of relief. His Master cared for him far more than he had expected. In the novel, Rex Violet was portrayed as someone detached, who never bothered helping or protecting others.
How could a guy like that be the protagonist? But, of course, the interesting part was his extraordinary power, his unique nature, and the goals that shaped the fate of this world.
Elurian knew what his Master's true goal was. But that would be a conversation for another time.
For now, he needed to correct his view of this world and its people. They weren't just characters in a story—they were real, just like him.
***