How to Survive as a Supporting Male Lead - Chapter 9.1

Adding a solemn atmosphere much like the game characters who delivered such lines, Iann quickly glanced at Yuhwa’s reaction. Fortunately, she seemed to understand what he was saying—perhaps she, too, was familiar with games.

“Ahem.”

Iann cleared his throat and subtly moved his fingers. A faint halo formed behind him, just enough to be noticeable but too faint for others to take seriously. Yuhwa’s mouth fell open slightly.

Iann didn’t stop there. This was the highlight.

“Descendant from another dimension.”

Yuhwa’s dark eyes began to tremble visibly.

“There is another light within you. Follow it.”

The faint halo behind him grew stronger.

“Use your holy power to save others. That is your duty, having crossed the darkness of death to reach this world.”

Iann closed his mouth, pausing for effect. Caught up in the drama of the moment, he’d unknowingly implied that Yuhwa had died to arrive here.

The problem was, he had no idea if she’d actually died before coming here or had drawn some kind of portal spell. Once again, his mouth had gotten him into trouble. In the novel, Yuhwa’s story began only upon her arrival in this world—anything before that was a mystery.

‘What if I said something wrong?’

While his mind raced with worries, his hand was already gently covering Yuhwa’s. A small gesture to heighten the dramatic effect.

Just as he’d planned, Yuhwa’s gaze wandered briefly, surprised by the warmth of his hand. Then, after a moment of hesitation, she met his eyes with a determined expression.

“What must I do?”

There it was. The situation was shaping up to be the perfect beginning to a role-playing adventure, and relief softened Iann’s smile. Soon, Yuhwa would take on her quest and, like a true protagonist, would resolve her tasks and become the greatest Saintess in the land. Maintaining his smile, Iann stood.

“My aide will go over the details with you.”

He had decided to delegate the responsibility without prior notice, and Derrick silently mouthed a curse at him, looking thoroughly displeased. Despite his irritation, Derrick took a seat before Yuhwa and managed to regain his professional composure, explaining the plans in his calm, thorough manner. Iann, feeling quite pleased with himself, left the room.

While Iann spent the rest of the afternoon “productively” tweaking his autobiography in his study, Derrick—unfortunately sacrificed to the unjust hierarchy—eventually returned, looking thoroughly worn out.

“Took you a while.”

Iann said it casually, but Derrick glanced around, searching for something throwable. Alas, he found nothing. Instead, he settled for ignoring Iann’s comment.

“You were gone for a good hour. Did you get close with the Saintess?”

“…..”

“What, no response? Did you really hit it off? Closer than we are? Hey! You two had fun without me, didn’t you? Couldn’t you have called me to join?”

“…..”

“Did it feel good to chat away while I was here working alone?”

Derrick couldn’t take it anymore.

“Shut it, Iann.”

Derrick pulled out his resignation letter and waved it menacingly.

“Sorry. I went too far.”

Iann conceded immediately, his imaginary tail drooping.

“What’s with you?”

Derrick asked, his voice exhausted as he slumped into a chair. Iann, feeling a little guilty, set down the documents he’d been holding and replied in a slightly huffy tone.

“You wouldn’t answer me.”

“This isn’t the first time I haven’t answered your questions….”

Iann turned away with a petulant huff. Derrick frowned but quickly let the conversation drop, settling into silence.

“…..”

Just what Iann had wanted. He began tidying up the draft materials for his autobiography strewn across his desk, hoping to cool down his irrational irritation. But seeing Derrick stroll back into the study with such ease after preparing himself for a grim farewell through writing had, admittedly, made him a bit irritable.