8. The Bond Map

🌸 WON HAEJIN'S POV 🌸

The transition lounge was bathed in a warm, golden light, creating an inviting atmosphere. The air was filled with the soft hum of music, blending perfectly with the laughter and clinking of glasses.

“To many more successful changes,” I said, raising my glass to Jina and clinking it with hers. The sound rang out cheerfully, echoing our triumph and the camaraderie we shared.

Jina's eyes sparkled with excitement, her smile wide and genuine. "To us," she replied, her voice full of enthusiasm.

The table before us was laden with an assortment of snacks and drinks, a mix of modern and Goryeo-era delicacies, symbolizing our unique journey.

We toasted and laughed, savoring the sweet taste of victory and the promise of more adventures to come.

I picked up a piece of chocolate brownie, one of my favourite desserts, and took a bite, my eyes closing in delight. “This is just perfect!” I exclaimed, my voice muffled by the food.

Suddenly, a soft shimmer filled the air, and Yara materialized in the lounge, her presence adding an extra layer of warmth to the room.

Her appearance was ethereal, her flowing robe catching the golden light, making her look almost angelic. Her eyes glinted with pride as she approached us, her steps graceful and confident.

“Congratulations, both of you. Your success is well-deserved,” she said, her voice resonating with sincerity and admiration.

Jina turned to her, her curiosity evident in her eyes. “Where have you been, Yara-ssi?” she asked, her tone a mix of concern and relief.

“We thought you'd miss the celebration,” I added, extending a glass filled with cola towards her.

The fizzy drink sparkled in the ambient light, tiny bubbles rising to the surface. “Here,” I said, smiling warmly.

Yara smiled, her expression gentle and reassuring. She accepted the glass, her fingers brushing mine briefly.

“I have been guiding the other agents, making sure everyone is on the right path,” she explained, her voice calm and soothing.

“There are other agents too?” I asked, my curiosity piqued as I leaned forward slightly.

“Yes,” Yara nodded her head, her expression serene. “Currently, 127 agents from all around the world are actively working to change the fates of different awakened characters. 128, including you, Haejin.”

“Wow…” I marveled, my eyes widening with surprise and intrigue.

“Can I meet the other agents?” I asked, the idea of connecting with others who shared our unique mission filling me with excitement.

“It depends on the agent's preference,” Yara explained, her voice steady and thoughtful. “Some like meeting new agents while others prefer the opposite.”

She glanced around the room, her eyes lingering on the warm glow of the lights and the cozy ambiance we had created. “Everyone has their own way of navigating this journey.”

I nodded, taking in Yara’s words, feeling a sense of camaraderie with the unseen agents out there. The thought of so many individuals working towards a common goal was both comforting and awe-inspiring.

Yara’s eyes sparkled with curiosity as she leaned in slightly. “How was your experience changing one of the crucial moments of the story?” she asked, her voice gentle yet probing.

Jina and I exchanged glances, the weight of the task we had accomplished settling between us.

“Yara-ssi, we barely managed to prevent that Soo-Wook moment,” Jina informed, her voice tinged with relief and a hint of lingering tension.

She leaned forward, her hands animated as she recounted the events. “I was almost racing against time to reach the residence!”

Yara nodded, her eyes reflecting understanding and concern. “It must have been quite a challenge,” she said softly, her gaze shifting between Jina and me.

“You should've seen my act as I consoled Ha Jin,” I added, my voice brimming with pride and excitement.

“The way I delivered Wook's lines with so much emotion, I can probably lead a drama of my own and even surpass my doppelganger Kim Sohyun in acting!” I gestured dramatically, my face lighting up with enthusiasm.

Jina laughed, her eyes twinkling with amusement.

Yara's smile widened, her admiration evident. “I'm sure you both did wonderfully,” she said, her voice filled with warmth. “Your dedication and enthusiasm are truly remarkable.”

She paused for a moment, her gaze thoughtful. “Let me give you something that will help you further,” Yara said, her tone becoming more serious yet filled with promise.

Curiosity piqued, I watched as she turned her attention to me. “Haejin, summon your Holo-Tab,” she instructed, her eyes locking onto mine.

Nodding my head, I complied.

With a simple gesture, the Holo-Tab materialized before me, its translucent surface hovering in mid-air, glowing softly with an otherworldly light.

Yara extended her hand, her index finger glowing with a delicate, ethereal light.

A thread of light emerged from her fingertip, shimmering as it bridged the space between us.

As it connected with the Holo-Tab, the room seemed to hum with energy, the glow from the Holo-Tab reflecting in our eyes.

Yara’s expression was serene, her focus unwavering as she completed the transfer.

The Holo-Tab absorbed the light, its surface rippling as it integrated the new data.

Suddenly, a new icon appeared on the interface, pulsating gently with a soft glow.

“Now,” she said, her voice filled with a sense of accomplishment, “you have access to the Bond Map.”

“Bond Map?” I asked, curiosity piqued. “Does it have something to do with characters' bonds?”

“Yes,” Yara replied, her eyes shimmering with knowing. “It will provide you with character relationship dynamics.”

Jina leaned in, her interest clearly sparked. “Will we be able to know about every character?”

Yara shook her head gently. “The main characters are the priority,” she informed us.

“In our case, Jina, you are the main character. So your relations will be visible.”

“But Soo and So are the main characters too! Can't we see their dynamics?” I asked, a hint of frustration creeping into my voice.

“Remember, Haejin,” Yara said patiently, “Jina is the priority. If Soo and So have indirect bonds with Jina, then we’ll be able to see the dynamics.”

I couldn’t help but pout, feeling a bit slighted.

“My main couple has become the second couple here!” I whined, crossing my arms in mock defiance. “I shouldn’t have suggested the merging in the first place!”

Jina chuckled softly at my reaction, her eyes twinkling with amusement.

Yara simply smiled, her expression a mix of understanding and encouragement, waiting for us to fully grasp the new tool at our disposal.

“Let’s take a look at the dynamics,” Yara said, and with a gesture of her finger, activated the Bond Map.

A holographic relationship dynamics chart floated mid-air, casting a soft, ethereal glow around the room.

Out of all the relations, a particular one caught my attention.

“What the... Did you replace Hae Soo!?” I yelled, glaring at Jina.

Jina looked taken aback, her brows furrowed in confusion. “No! Why would I?”

I pointed at the holographic chart. “Look, this arrow indicates that you and Wang So are childhood friends!”

Jina’s eyes widened as she took in the display. “Oh… That's why his behaviour was different.”

“Different? In what sense?” I questioned.

“He seemed... concerned,” Jina responded, her brows knitting together as she recalled Wang So’s recent interactions.

“Con…cerned? That's a dead end!” I exclaimed, feeling a surge of frustration. “This complicates everything!”

Turning to Yara, I pleaded, “Yara-ssi, is there a way to undo the merger? I'll help Jina first and then change the plot of Moon Lovers. But... Please undo the merger!”

Yara’s expression softened, her eyes reflecting empathy. “Undoing the merger is not possible, Haejin. The bonds and dynamics have already started to intertwine.”

I glanced back at the Bond Map, the web of connections now feeling more like a tangled mess than a helpful tool. “But it’s messing with the original storyline,” I insisted, my voice tinged with desperation.

Yara placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder. “I understand your concerns, but remember, this new dynamic can lead to new possibilities and growth for all the characters involved.”

Jina nodded slowly, her eyes still fixed on the chart. “Maybe this is a chance for us to create a new story, one that’s ours.”

I took a deep breath, trying to calm the turmoil inside me. “I just hope we’re making the right choice.”

Yara smiled encouragingly. “Trust in your instincts and the Bond Map. It will guide you through these changes.”

Jina turned to me, her eyes filled with determination. “We’ll navigate this together, Haejin-ssi. We’ve come this far, and we can adapt to whatever comes next.”

“I don’t know, Jina.” I sighed, shaking my head. “It’s the Wolf-dog we’re talking about. Friendship or love... It’s all the same for him!”

Frustration bubbled up inside me, and I couldn’t hold it back any longer.

“Why did I even rush? None of this would’ve happened if I didn’t suggest the merger!” I threw my hands up in the air, my voice rising in agitation.

Jina looked at me with concern, but I couldn’t stop.

“What if So and you end up together? What if you end up taking Soo’s fate? Will I... fail?” The thought of it all going wrong drained the strength from my body, and I felt my legs giving out.

As if sensing my distress, the magical bean bag materialized out of nowhere, its soft form catching me as I collapsed into it.

The cool, plush surface provided a strange comfort, wrapping around me like a gentle embrace.

“Haejin-ssi,” Jina knelt beside me, taking my hand in hers. Her touch was warm and reassuring, grounding me in the moment. “I don’t know about everything, but there’s one thing I can guarantee you.”

“What?” I raised my head, looking at her through a haze of uncertainty.

“Wang So and I will not end up together,” Jina declared, her voice steady and filled with conviction.

I couldn’t help but smirk. “Easier said than done. He’s the main lead. How will you resist his charms?”

“He’s Go Ha Jin’s main lead,” Jina corrected, her eyes sparkling with determination. “Besides, I’ve already pledged my heart to my husband, Prince Junso.”

“Wait, when did you get a husband?” I asked, surprise evident in my voice. “I’m sure you’re single in this narrative.”

“My husband from Shadows of Regrets, I mean,” Jina clarified, her lips curling into a soft smile.

“But you’re currently single,” I pointed out, a hint of confusion still lingering. “Besides, didn’t you say it was a political marriage? What if your husband ends up falling for someone else?”

“Don’t worry,” Jina said with a confident smirk. “I’ll make sure he ends up falling for me and me only.”

Her words hung in the air, a testament to her resolve and the strength of her character.

Jina's unwavering determination and the fire in her eyes gave me a glimmer of hope, even in the face of the daunting challenges ahead.

I nodded, taking in her words. “You’re right. We can’t change what’s already done, but we can adapt and make the best of it.”

Jina gave me a reassuring smile. “Exactly. Let’s focus on what we can control and move forward from there.”

Yara stepped closer, her presence calming. “Remember, you have the Bond Map now. Use it to your advantage. Understand the dynamics and use them to guide your actions.”

With renewed determination, I stood up from the bean bag, feeling a surge of resolve. “Alright, let’s dive into the Bond Map and see what we’re dealing with.”

Yara gestured to the holographic chart still floating in the air. “Study the relationships carefully. Each connection is a potential path to influence and change.”

Jina and I exchanged a determined glance.

“Let's navigate this together,” she said.

I took a step closer to the Bond Map, ready to face the challenges ahead.

“Together,” I agreed, feeling a new sense of hope.

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