To secure victory, you must rise to the position of mayor. In Miranglune, the mayor is chosen not only by achievements but also by citizens’ support. Fortunately, the current mayor has held office for quite some time and has expressed his intention to retire.

“War is the last thing I want. Velond City has withdrawn for now, but no one knows when they’ll strike again…”

“It wouldn’t be strange if they declared war again as soon as tomorrow. They’ve prepared thoroughly.”

So just hand it over to me and get some rest. Of course, even if the mayor said, “I’ll hand it over,” things don’t move overnight. The general populace’s support was sky-high, but among the other council members and power brokers, some found a suddenly emerging young man’s rapid rise unsettling.

That is to say.

“Hello, Chairman Marang. I’ve heard a lot about you.”

I hosted a banquet to commemorate stopping the war by rallying the mayor and council members, inviting the city’s movers and shakers. This time I dressed properly and focused my mind. Eun-hye also displayed her skills after a long hiatus. Of course, I didn’t look in a mirror. Such is life.

“Councilman Three, I’ve admired you for a long time. I look forward to your guidance.”

“Your fashion sense, Administrator, is far better than the rumors suggested. I was deeply impressed by your latest column.”

“Not at all. I’m still so young and inexperienced that I need to heed the words of those more advanced in life.”

“Honestly, I worry whether I can do well. I wish I had someone to rely on.”

“If it’s all right, may I ask for your advice? I’ve only just stepped into the council, so there’s much I don’t know.”

“You’d like to arrange a private meeting? I’d be delighted. Contact me anytime.”

I quietly whispered to everyone that they must look to me for leadership. My achievements were startling enough to be respected, yet my youth made it easy to think, maybe we can coax him, guide him from behind the scenes.

Perhaps my appearance helped: the balloon dolls quickly fell for the “Will you help me?” look. It’s true that good looks inspire more trust. One shouldn’t judge by appearance, but people rely heavily on what they see.

“Councilman Han Yujin! No—Councilman One!”

Mari, dressed in a bright pastel-toned dress of sky blue and light pink, waved at me. Beside her, Samir stood. Samir’s outfit is gorgeous.

“Hello, Chef Mari.”

Mari, who had taken over the dining hall in place of Seong Hyunjae, was still thriving. She beamed and hopped up to me, the heavy hem of her dress swaying lightly, earning gasps from the balloon dolls.

“Dance with me.”

“I’m sorry, but I never learned to dance.”

“That’s fine. Samir didn’t know either.”

Samir smiled and gave a small wave. He must have been dragged around by Mari for quite some time.

“Then just a little…”

“Just follow me. I’ll take it slow.”

And with that, Mari swept me up into her arms. Wait a moment! Yuhyun, who had accompanied me as my aide, widened his eyes. I quickly gestured that I was okay. Don’t spin me! The crowd applauded us—more precisely, Mari.

“I know we’re in the middle of something important.”

Mari set me down gently, speaking softly.

“But it’s so much fun! It’s like living a completely different life in a completely different world.”

With a swift pirouette worthy of ballet, Mari’s dress flared out like a blossom in full bloom.

“We might crash and burn spectacularly, but that doesn’t change the fact that it’s fun.”

She looked radiant. I envied her. If you wanted to enjoy yourself, you could ➤ NоvеⅠight ➤ (Read more on our source) make it endlessly entertaining. It’s a virtual-reality life game, after all. How could it not be fun? If nothing truly mattered, I would’ve simply screamed “Ahhh!” at any odd outcome and moved on.

“You really are a flighty one.”

“So what? It’s allowed for you, Mari.”

“You’re so kind, Han Yujin.”

“Thank you. Ack!”

Don’t toss me, don’t toss me! What kind of dance is this? Mari set me down perfectly. Yuhyun caught my staggering form. Energetic/passionate is fine. Oh dear. Go, Samir, go.

“Ugh, I just need to avoid a six on Seong Hyunjae’s dice tonight.”

I strolled onto the quiet balcony, stretching. The sky had grown dusky, but today’s dice had not yet appeared. My mayoral election would be decided by tomorrow morning’s council session. After a day of effort, it seemed I would have no trouble becoming Miranglune’s mayor.

How long have I been here? You can do it too—starting from a 2.5-ton delivery truck to become mayor.

“You look tired.”

Yuhyun said with concern. Everyone else told me to go home and enjoy a good meal and rest. I couldn’t bring Riette to the banquet, and I worried about Yerim too. If she hadn’t greeted me each time with “City’s most beautiful uncle!” she could have come along. Leaving just the two of them behind felt uneasy, so Noah stayed, and naturally Yuhyun accompanied me.

I do love our team… But honestly, Peace seems more mature and reliable than Riette. Not that I disregard Riette—she’s amazing in her own right.

“My clothes are so heavy.”

Yuhyun lifted the hem of my outfit for me. Heavy attire, but light steps. It’s hardly a good custom; isn’t it wasteful? Resources are precious. A simple outfit would have sufficed.

“I’d like to shed these wings, but wearing them all day makes the embarrassment dull a bit.”

When everyone around looks like this, having two eyes in a one-eyed world would seem odd. If I continue living here, I’ll come to see elaborate formalwear as natural.

“Hyung.”

Yuhyun looked down at me leaning on the railing.

“It’s okay to lose.”

“Huh?”

“Even if we lose a few countries, you shouldn’t feel guilty. It’s not your fault.”

“But—even if it’s just a few—our nation could be at stake.”

“It’s unfortunate because it’s a land we shared, but it doesn’t matter. Wherever you are is home, and you’ll thrive as always. And it’s not your fault.”

That’s true. Those rampaging to seize our world are the villains; failing to stop them isn’t our wrongdoing.

“But others won’t see it that way.”

“You won’t either, right? That’s why I’m saying this. If you get hurt, it’s pointless. Trying to protect strangers—I don’t understand it, but I accept it. That’s who you are. But nobody’s flawless.”

His gaze settled on me with weight as heavy as night.

“Hyung, I’d give up everything for you.”

“Yuhyun.”

“It’s no grand sacrifice. It’s like you catching fish to feed me, gutting and grilling it over a fire. It’s natural and no big deal.”

Killing a person or a fish makes no difference in a child’s eyes. Moreover, S-Ranks can live alone; outside society’s framework, one ranks value by oneself. A hundred-million-dollar check only matters in a human society that accepts it.

“I’m not asking the same of you. Even if you pursued something no one else on earth could understand, I’d still do my utmost to help—so long as you don’t get hurt.”

“…That’s the thing. It’s not up to me. I can’t always say it’s okay.”

At my words, Yuhyun’s expression drooped. He looked unsure how to console me. I can’t lock him away like before. Suddenly, little Iryn whispered in my ear.

Hyung, maybe it’d be okay to end things with Yuhyun.

“…Iryn.”

Then Iryn would hug both of you and go to sleep happily.

You said you like Yuhyun. You said you needed both of you to live long. Fire elementals are hard to understand.

“Yuhyun, come here.”

I opened my arms and embraced my brother.

“Don’t worry so much. I know it wasn’t my fault. But still, part of me can’t help thinking I should’ve done better. Do you have any regrets about how I raised you?”

“No, of course not.”

“But sometimes I still feel sorry, thinking I should’ve cared for you better.”

“I was truly happy. I’m glad you were by my side.”

“Still, I feel a bit unsettled. So I try to do better, understand more—that’s all. I won’t dwell on guilt this time. And there’s a clear target to blame, right? I’ll feel down, but I’ll rise up screaming ‘Down with the transcendents!’”

My heart did ache already. The burden was heavy. But I press onward because I’m not alone. Even trying to stay lighthearted wasn’t easy. Better to keep holding my brother. Looking back, if I’d relived my life, it would’ve felt well spent—but the future remains pitch-black.

[Today’s Dice!]

At that moment, the oblivious dice popped up and the board unfolded. Seong Hyunjae’s dice was a 4—two spaces from the goal. A relief.

“You might become mayor and finish after all.”

Assuming no dice appears at dawn. It seems they don’t come while you sleep, so I’ll go to bed early tonight. I spun once alone, spread my arms wide.

“I’m dressed to perfection—too good for politics! I’ll quit the council and become a fashion model! Yuhyun!”

Yuhyun pulled out a camera and snapped my photo. I struck poses—grasping the railing, lifting a foot, perching—feeling awkward with only him around.

“Ahem, truly perfect… damn.”

Let’s just roll the dice. It tumbled, then stopped.

[6!]

Mini-me advanced and landed on the same space as mini-Seong Hyunjae. Mini-me glared, then extended a hand. Was he offering reconciliation at the end? Mini-Seong Hyunjae smiled and shook. Mini-me let go and hopped one space ahead, then looked back at mini-Seong Hyunjae triumphantly. Ha, even if he rolled a 2, I’d still reach the goal first.

“What comes at the last space…?”

Mini-me peered down at his space, then alternated gazes between me and mini-Seong Hyunjae. What’s this? Did something strange appear?

[Blessings upon your life! Did you enjoy the journey? Choose a partner to share your ending!]

“…Huh?”

[Select one person you’ve interacted with significantly so far! Your love is guaranteed to come true! Proceed straight to the wedding hall♡ This final bonus will not affect your profession★]

“…I’ll quit modeling and return to politics. It’s not my calling.”

Marriage? Getting married? Even in a game, this is sudden.

“I’m a confirmed singleton, though.”

[You must choose one!]

Life, huh. And so I ended up getting married.

The ceremony hall was a seaside villa. Beyond the large windows, the moonlit sea played the waves.

“Can I kill you after the wedding?”

Yuhyun asked.

“I think Han Yujin’s suggestion is worth considering. No need to keep you alive, right?”

Yerim added.

“It might be dangerous for Yujin… I agree.”

Noah spoke seriously.

“Boil or roast?”

Riette licked her lips. I looked at my spouse—a gigantic octopus barely fitting in its large wheeled tank, its tentacles writhing outside.

I swear to heaven my ideal type is human. Even if of another species, I prefer someone similar in appearance who can speak my language. Up to four legs—if they could transform into a human, that’d be fine, but five legs is too much.

“Wow… hyung……”

“It’s not like that, Hyun-ah. Don’t get the wrong idea, Director Song.”

“…I was surprised, but I don’t think Han Yujin is marrying an octopus out of affection.”

“Isn’t it out of love?”

Mari tilted her head. Mari has no prejudice, like Yuhyun.

“Humans have diverse─”

“No, Samir.”

I hate octopuses! Living ones, not cooked! But—

“The dice forces you to fall in love, and you can’t choose a normal person…”

True. Even if only temporary, choosing someone I know felt unsettling. Even the balloon dolls had dialogue and shared experiences. Only one felt comfortable—no, one creature.

My fishing rival.

We had significant exchanges. Though not human, the system accepted the choice. Pongpong, among my deep-bonded beings, might’ve worked too, but plants were off-limits. We decided on a modest ceremony with only close acquaintances. Luckily here, weddings need no officiant—just five witnesses to confirm.

“Good thing it’s not too late.”

Seong Hyunjae appeared with a bouquet.

“I heard Velond City issued a warrant, yet you made it here.”

“Didn’t Han Yujin earnestly ask me? To be here.”

Seong Hyunjae, more flamboyant than ever, strode forward and offered the flowers.

“I never dreamed an octopus would steal the spot.”

“Velond City’s police are right here.”

When I took the bouquet, the octopus extended a tentacle. Don’t come, don’t come.

“Han Yujin! I want that bouquet! Me!”

“Me too! Sir! Over here!”

“It’s not a bouquet.”

They don’t do bouquets here. Seong Hyunjae, why are you even here? Don’t drag Director Song. Hyun-ah, don’t shove him. Riette, don’t hand it to your brother.

“Hyung… I really don’t want you to marry. Let’s kill him now.”

“It’s a game, it’s a game. I have no intention of actually marrying, and no real partner. Anyway, let’s say we got married!”

The guests tossed the bouquet high as they wished. Riette leaped swiftly but Seong Hyunjae’s chains moved faster. They struck the bouquet and sent it straight toward Director Song’s chest. He tried to dodge, but Hyun-ah grabbed him. Just before the bouquet hit his chest, Yerim teleported it, and Mari reached out. Their hands tangled, but Mari’s caught it first.

“Mari’s! Next time I’ll find a kind prince!”

Mari laughed, waving the bouquet. Of course, that’s best. One Seong Hyunjae was more than enough.

“I now declare the marriage of Han Yujin, Councilman One of the Family Love Party, and the 31st mayor of Miranglune null and void. I, the former mayor, pronounce…”

Now the ex-mayor looked at me and extended the mayor’s staff. I took it and smiled toward those gathered and the broadcast cameras.

“Citizens, thank you. I will dedicate my life to serving Miranglune City.”

Though my time left was only until today’s dice appeared. I returned to the mayor’s mansion. My substantive duties began tomorrow—but tomorrow would never come. The thought gave me an odd feeling.

“Let’s rest until the dice appears.”

With nothing left to change and Han Yujin ending beloved as Miranglune’s mayor, if this were real life, it would mark a new beginning—harbor and commerce development, keeping Velond City in check.

“Change into pajamas and lie down, hyung.”

“I’m not sleepy. Oh my, Yerim.”

“I brought out every cushion, pillow, mattress, and blanket in the house!”

The living room had become a giant bed. Riette tumbled among the cushion piles. Mari bounced at her side. A smile came unbidden.

“Let’s invite everyone else. I have their numbers… Oh, Hyun-ah! You’re not working tonight, right? Bring plenty of drinks! Yerim, there’s something you’ll like.”

I changed and flopped onto the cushions. Yerim and Mari threw pillows at each other. Yuhyun, sitting beside me, fended off incoming pillows. Riette didn’t touch Noah, who said he’d rest on the mattress instead. She joined Yerim and Mari’s pillow fight.

Before long, Hyun-ah, Director Song, Samir, and Seong Hyunjae arrived. We rolled around on the cushions, eating snacks and drinking. No cleanup worries—just relaxation.

[Today’s Dice!]

As night fell, the dice reappeared.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep