What Happens When The Second Male Lead Powers Up [EN]: Chapter 580

Finding the Rainbow (5)

What is this?

It’s not just a KakaoTalk room, but an open KakaoTalk room?

“······You can see this?”

Gain’s eyes sparkled.

“Yes. Here, like this, a purple square with decorations. It looks like there are words written on it······?”

“Heok.”

I was so surprised I felt like my tongue would fall out!

The terrified ‘Hyun Seo-chang’ trembled before the protagonist’s ability.

I took a deep breath and dragged the Crown Prince and Sir Johann inside.

Rustle, rustle! The Cardinal chuckled softly and whispered a greeting.

From his arms, the fire lizard GuGu poked its head out.

After thoroughly checking Lophy, Tite, and the sleeping Lesser Pandas, I looked around again.

The Juliette Garden wasn’t as wide and grand as the Imperial Palace garden, but it had charming attractions, and today it was bursting with guests.

No one paid attention to us hidden in the maze. That was a great relief.

“Hoo······.”

-Whee— whee-ho-whee-ho-wheet! Whee— whee-ho-wheet!

The sky was clear, warblers sang from here and there, and everyone was in a festive mood.

Rumors and gossip bloomed like colorful summer flowers.

“······Good heavens, Madam! Is it really true?”

“I heard it directly from Count Andre’s husband, so it’s certain. The Bacari family is finally revealing ‘that treasure’ this time. It’s been nearly seventy years.”

“There were rumors it’s a fake······.”

“Oh, Monsieur Weiss. Surely they wouldn’t present a fake as an engagement gift for their eldest child? The shipboard ball is the most anticipated event after His Highness the Crown Prince’s investiture [formal ceremony of conferring rights and powers].”

“Well, if they’re receiving that much dowry, it’s a different story.”

“How much is the dowry?”

“Well, as much as two thousand······.”

Rustle, rustle. We quickly moved to the deepest part of the maze.

Since I wasn’t alone, I should be able to find the way out easily.

Meanwhile, the murmurs of the nobles seeped into my ears.

The volume and timbre of the guests’ voices were also varied.

Beyond the beautifully landscaped flowering trees, all sorts of trivial stories scattered like pollen.

I swallowed hard and opened my mouth with determination.

Everyone else is enjoying the peace, but I’m the only one filming a thriller.

“······Your Highness and Sir Johann, can you see this?”

“······.”

“······.”

One man narrowed his brow, and the other drooped his eyebrows as if in regret.

It was a clear negative response.

Fizz! Hyun Seo-chang twisted his lower body as if wringing a rag and then collapsed.

Anyone could tell he was sighing, which was absurd.

I don’t know if this is fortunate or unfortunate. At least it’s not an open KakaoTalk.

“So, it seems only Gain and I can see it for now. And maybe the divine beasts too.”

-Awoo.

-Nyaoo.

“Gyuya. What about you?”

When Gain turned to ask, the little lizard immediately gave a lively answer.

Its tail tapped Sir Johann’s shoulder happily.

-Tap tap!

“······Correction. It seems the divine objects can see it too.”

“Then the reason I can see it must be thanks to Changhae’s blessing. The blessing has been giving me quite a lot of information lately. Ever since that fight with that loofah thing.”

Lin Isenia, you mean.

“You said you could see the opponent’s weaknesses?”

“Yes, like this!”

Whoosh—! Her hand flew towards Sir Johann’s left side without warning, and thud! Just before it grazed his skin, the Cardinal’s large hand blocked the attack.

Gain’s wrist was now completely hidden and invisible.

The teacher lightly curved his mint-colored eyes.

“You’re still ten years too early, disciple.”

“Too bad. It really seemed possible today!”

“Surely not.”

“Speaking of which, Sir Johann, how are you handling the Aether deficiency? It seemed like you used too much power coming here······.”

“I’m resting well thanks to meeting good people. I’ve spent the laziest few days of my life, and it seems I’ve already recovered more than half.”

“That’s good. I’m really relieved.”

His answer put my mind at ease. I was even able to smile broadly in this situation.

Since no one knew our identities and no one expected anything, these past few days must have been quite peaceful for him, who had been acting as the group’s protector.

I glanced at the quiet snail-glasses man—he looked well-fed, so he must be eating well too—and then returned to the main topic.

“This is······. Ahem, this is called a ‘Status Window.’ Since you two can’t see it, I’ll explain it with actions. It’s like a semi-transparent, square bulletin board. About this size. It usually appears at my eye level, I think.”

“Ah, I’ve seen it in webtoons [South Korean digital comics] sometimes! Awesome! Our Princess Consort has something like that······.”

“Webtoons?”

“Status Window? Does that mean ‘a window that shows your status’?”

“Y-yes······.”

The name is too straightforward, isn’t it? I feel embarrassed when the Crown Prince acts like that.

While Gain and Sir Johann were talking about ‘webtoons,’ I whispered and explained the new concept.

Soon, the three people’s gazes were focused on my face.

“This window has a function where······. Usually, an entity or group that knows much more than the user gives the user various tasks and provides rewards accordingly.”

“Hmm.”

“Ahem!”

“······.”

Gain seemed to find it interesting, but Sir Johann and the Crown Prince were clearly wary.

Of course. I would be too!

“There are several types of windows.”

“Why would they do such a thing?”

“Well, to help the user obtain what they want more efficiently······. Or to force them to obtain it. It’s a kind of command system. The words of the Status Window aren’t suggestions or offers. Generally, I understand that there are many compulsions. In my hometown, it’s also used as a device in novels to stimulate the reader’s interest. Because you can’t predict the next move of the Status Window······.”

“It sounds like you’re being oppressed by an external force.”

“No, not oppressed exactly.”

“Have they found a weakness?”

“That’s not entirely wrong······. Wait a minute, so.”

I tried to appease the Crown Prince, who was starting to make all sorts of faces, and then turned to Sir Johann, who also had a serious expression.

Finally, after confirming that our protagonist didn’t seem to want to help—

I decided to just say the conclusion. It’ll never end if we keep going like this.

“This is my brother.”

“Huh?”

“Yes?”

“What?”

-Fizz!

Even the person in question fluttered intensely, but there were no more lies between us.

The purple Status Window rippled as if seasick.

【What are you doing?】

Whether my brother tried to stop me with his mangled grammar or not, I decided not to care.

If he wanted to, he should have shown up two years ago!

“My brother, who is at home, spoke to me for the first time through the Status Window. It happened just last night.”

“······.”

“He says he will help us return to the original world line. He has devised a special one-time device, so we just need to follow his instructions.”

“······.”

“I don’t know how that’s possible, but······. Yes. Anyway, it’s definitely my brother.”

“······.”

The silence was very long.

Gain, who had been smiling all along, had a blank expression, and the Crown Prince was frighteningly quiet.

Only Sir Johann was watching me with a neat smile.

If he hadn’t been there, I wouldn’t have been able to handle the nausea.

My mouth kept filling with saliva, and I felt hungry even though I had eaten well.

Hyun Seo-chang had disappeared from my side.

After a long time, a questioning voice came out.

“Then is it the Chief God?”

“Yes? Ah······.”

It was Gain. I was very flustered and looked around in the air.

Even though my brother has secrets, he’s not a cowardly person, so he knew what I was looking for and came back quickly.

The purple spark flashed quickly.

-Fiz-zit!

【Chief God? Isn’t the Chief God the only god in this world?】

Are you asking me that now?

“Right? So, that means my brother is the Chief God. He created this place himself.”

【······Ah. You could see it that way.】

“You could see it that way? What does that mean? You don’t even know for sure?”

“I don’t want to hear any more.”

“No, we have to hear more. We have to go home no matter what!”

The Crown Prince spat out coldly, and Gain reacted hotly.

Thump! She grabbed the hem of the man’s clothes as if to tear them off as he tried to leave.

‘Personal actions are forbidden in times like these, Your Highness.’ The scarlet eyes sparked as the sharp words followed.

The two’s gazes flashed in an instant. Just as he raised his arm to brush her hand away—

-Flash flash!

“Ugh, what is it!”

-Awoo!

【Status Abnormality: You must return to the original world line. Don’t forget, it’s at war!】

【Hidden Quest: Finding the Rainbow!

You and your friends have become interstellar maze runners. Find the sacred rainbow to summon the bridge of space-time. If you want to cross the world line, gather the seven blessed pieces and infuse them with the power of the Chief God. Dazzling grace will guide you back to your place.】

“······What?”

Why are you talking so professionally all of a sudden?

I couldn’t help but admire the text pouring out without warning.

Where did the KakaoTalk window that acted like a robot or Jung Hyun-seo go? A screen that was truly ‘Status Window-like’ was unfolding right in front of me without any frills.

Gain also saw it, as her eyes widened.

Perhaps aware of our surprise? This special effect became more and more dazzling······.

-Sparkle sparkle! Blink blink!

“Hey, it hurts my eyes, so tone it down a bit······.”

-Shalalala, shalalalalala!

【♡Hidden Quest Achievement Status♡

Red: Acquired

Orange: Acquired

Yellow: Acquired

Green: Not Acquired

Blue: Acquired

Indigo: Acquired

Purple: Not Acquired

You will need a lot of help to complete this quest. Good luck!】

······Heo?

“Heo······.”

“······Princess Consort, what is your brother saying?”

“Ah. You can’t see the letters?”

“That’s right, well. It’s the same as the last warning window.”

‘Tsk.’ Gain shrugged with a regretful expression—or perhaps a relieved one.

This time, I sighed as I looked at the Hyun Seo-chang, which was swaying proudly.

I’m grateful and welcome the fact that he’s giving such specific clues, but on the other hand, I’ve lived my whole life without a Status Window, so this is too awkward······.

“It’s really a bit frustrating. It feels like I received a final exam assignment without any warning?”

So that’s why the protagonists of web novels hate Status Windows.

【I get cursed no matter what I do.】

“I don’t need help from the enemy.”

“Your Highness, please wait!”

The Crown Prince finally started to walk back through the maze.

The darkness in his eyes and the boiling voice pressed down on one side of my heart like a boulder.

I turned pale and hurriedly chased after him.

Gain and Sir Johann followed immediately.

We had no home or property, and I was absolutely against us scattering again.

I can’t even begin to fathom your feelings, but you have a place to return to.

Please, just this once······!

-Rustle!

“Ehehe······. Ahaha! It tickles, Young Master! Take it slow!”

“Keep your voice down. It’s my first time here.”

“First time? For you? Lies!”

Wait, what was that sound just now?

“······Your Highness?”

Beyond the back of the man standing like a totem pole, the faces of the three guests were barely visible.

I had an ominous feeling. I instinctively stood on tiptoe—

“Ubeub!”

“Hide! Hide quickly!”

The hand that moved like lightning slapped my mouth shut, and I was dragged back into the shrubbery without knowing why.

To exaggerate a bit, it felt like I was eating all the leaves I would eat in my life today.

After rustling around for a while, I finally came to my senses, and we were huddled together in the middle of the bushes, somehow cramming in various sizes.

I hesitated for a moment and then fixed the Crown Prince’s crooked glasses.

Then he glared at me as if to cut me with his eyes.

“What was that just now? Were we caught?”

“Oh my, it would have been nice to play together.”

“Heok······.”

I gasped at the silhouette visible beyond the leaves.

The men and women in question were located about a dozen steps away from us.

Two women with their shoulders exposed, and one man with his upper body similarly half-visible.

My cheeks flushed at the sight, and my eyelids slammed shut.

I startled and hurriedly covered the sight of the precious ones.

Crazy! That crazy human!

“Jibril, what should we do?”

“It doesn’t matter if we continue, does it? How many people come to the corner of the Cold Palace [euphemism for a secluded or neglected place]?”

“······It doesn’t matter. It’ll be annoying if it gets into my sixth cousin’s ears.”

The man ruffled his hair irritably. At the same time, the Crown Prince frowned.

Hey, I know you don’t want to endure it, but you have to endure it······.

“What? Since when have you cared about him?”

“Ah, forget it. Let’s go to the salon.”

“Geez, the mood is all ruined. I don’t want to bother calling a carriage!”

While the three men and women bickered, we exchanged glances silently.

Gain had the words ‘That bastard is really disgusting and annoying me to death’ written in large letters on her forehead.

It also said ‘I feel like I’m going to throw up’ on her chin.

I pressed her pressure points to calm her nausea.

Finally, Sir Johann nodded and said casually.

“······Youthful, aren’t they.”

“Youthful? Is youth all dead? It’s like I’m the only one who didn’t send condolences to the youth funeral [sarcastic expression for feeling old].”

“No, over there.”

The Cardinal, who made a short sound in his throat, pointed to the other side with his index finger.

Three pairs of eyes moved all at once. And—

“Heok.”

My jaw dropped to the floor.

For a moment, my molars felt stiff and my cheeks tingled.

“······Isn’t that what you want to think? Aren’t you just believing that because you want to push me away?”

“You’re being rude.”

A thrill ran through my body, and I naturally looked up at the sky.

I closed my eyes and offered a prayer to someone high above.

Christel de Sarnese and Cedric Riester—the male and female protagonists of were right under our noses.