Weed ~The One’s Gardener~ - Chapter 88

No matter what, at that time, he had respected her decision. He had tried to gently persuade her, and although Hana had felt sorry for him, she had agreed to his wishes.

If Hana had been as determined back then as she was now, she might have accomplished her goal. Weed likely wouldn’t have clung to her so desperately, either. But back then, she had been more indifferent toward him, and Weed hadn’t been as desperate as he was now.

She hadn’t foreseen this outcome.

Somewhere along the way, they had changed each other. That change had undoubtedly brought them happiness despite the circumstances they now faced.

Had Weed expected things to turn out this way? He had worked so hard, just as he’d promised. He had done everything he could to help Hana find happiness in this world, but did he know it would lead to this?

“Hana, don’t go. Don’t go….”

Hana tightened her hug around him.

There was a time when she had resented him.

She had thought that perhaps Weed would have acted the same way regardless of who had arrived as the sacrifice. As long as someone had crossed dimensions, it wouldn’t have mattered who it was—anyone could have filled the role. And for that, she had felt a small, bitter sense of resentment.

“Hana. Hana…”

But how could that have been true?

He was holding her so desperately now, clinging to her as if his life depended on it, calling out her name, not anyone else’s. Why had she ignored his feelings and only caused him more pain?

Could she really leave him like this? Crying as if his heart would break. Her resolve began to waver.

“Don’t go. That, that was always meant to be my role. I was supposed to do it. You shouldn’t be the one to die. It was supposed to be me. Always me….”

“What are you saying? Weed, what do you mean it was supposed to be you?”

Weed pulled Hana closer, burying his face into her shoulder. His voice, hoarse and heavy from emotion, filled the silence like a solemn vow.

“So… you can’t go.”

“Weed?”

Whoosh.

The sound was sharp, like a giant cracking a whip, and then came a loud thud as though the ground itself were quaking.

Startled, Hana clung tightly to Weed.

More noises followed—something breaking, shattering, and the pop of fireworks. But soon, the chaos subsided.

‘Fireworks?’

Hana, still in Weed’s arms, whipped her head around.

It was the tree. A massive tree trunk had crashed down onto the wand of light. The magical orb shattered, scattering the powerful energy of the kingdom’s national treasure. The wand had snapped in two, and the magic orb was now in pieces.

‘The wand was no longer usable…!’

Hana was horrified and pushed Weed away.

“Weed! What are you doing? How could you! What do we do now?”

Hana stood up, stomping her feet in frustration before darting toward the broken wand. However, Weed grabbed her before she could get far, pulling her back with a terrifying strength. He held her by the arm, though it was enough to keep her completely immobilized.

“Didn’t I say I would do things my way?”

“Weed! Let go of me!”

“No! Even if I listen to you, you’ll just leave me!”

“Weed! Ah!“

He suddenly lifted her into the air. It was the first time Weed had ever been this forceful!

“Put me down!”

“No! We’re going back.”

“Please, just let me go! My goodness, that wand…”

“…Hate me if you must.”

“Let go!”

“Hate me if that’s what it takes. I can’t let you go.”

“Weed!”

Weed clenched his jaw.

They were both stubborn. There would be no compromise, and in a battle of strength, Hana, who was weaker, stood no chance.

The forest didn’t hinder Weed’s steps.

He moved swiftly, almost leaping, as he retraced the path Hana had painstakingly traveled. His long, flowing, jade-colored hair danced in the night breeze.

“Weed!”

No matter how much she yelled his name, he remained silent, his lips pressed into a thin, determined line. Despite the fact that she thrashed in his arms, desperately trying to break free, his solid grip only tightened. She had never felt more frustrated by her own physical weakness.

She couldn’t allow them to go back!

Overwhelmed and realizing her strength couldn’t match his, her mind instinctively turned to the only one who could rival him.

‘Void!’

She didn’t say it aloud. Hana closed her eyes tightly, mentally calling out again, hoping for an answer. Void would surely help. It was in his interest as well.

‘Void, I know you’re there! Answer me!’

[ Yes. You’ve called for me. ]

‘What do I do? He’s got me, and we’re heading back! Weed won’t listen to reason!’

[ Yes, he’s quite an unbearable one. I truly don’t understand why you like him so much. ]

Void’s tone sounded irritated. He never liked it when Hana called for him while Weed was around, and this time was no different. But she wasn’t reaching out to Void to confirm his dislike for Weed again.

She quickly explained the situation.

‘What should I do? The wand’s broken!’

[ You can simply do it. Just come without it. You don’t need the power of the wand. Your body alone is enough. ]

‘What do you mean? Speak clearly!’

[ But first, you’ll need to hand over the pain management. Ah, how unpleasant. I don’t like it at all. ]

‘What?’

Void’s words were always halfway comprehensible, while the other half was completely cryptic. Hana repeated his words to herself, trying to make sense of them.

Hand over the pain management. What could that mean?

When she had drawn her blood and scattered it into the void before, she had felt pain so intense it was as if her body was being torn apart. It was only with Weed’s help that the pain had subsided.