Ch.133Giving and Taking – 4

“Nice meeting you, it was fucking awful. Let’s never see each other again. Pervert stalker.”

Crack!—

As I applied pressure with my hand, Hyuk Kwak’s neck snapped instantly.

For a stalker who followed me so persistently, what a pathetic end.

Maybe I should have burned him to make it more stylish since I was killing him anyway?

I carelessly tossed aside the corpse of Hyuk Kwak—or rather, what used to be Hyuk Kwak—after confirming he was completely dead.

Next, I was planning to beat up that Mole bastard who did this to my arm.

“…Ha, that son of a bitch. He ran away in the middle of all this?”

True to his name, The Mole scurried away in that brief moment.

Wasn’t Russia supposed to be a land of real men? A place where they fight bears after downing a bottle of vodka!

That’s the Russia I knew, but this is how a Russian Elder behaves?

Seriously, he’s bringing shame to his country in so many ways. So different from our Seojin oppa.

For a moment, I considered chasing after him.

But right now, there was something more important than that Mole bastard.

My Seojin oppa approaching from the distance! Oppa is more important!

“Rina… HUEEERK!?”

Huh, what now? Why is oppa suddenly having a fit again?

Is it because of Hyuk Kwak whose neck I snapped and who’s now dead?

Maybe I should have moved him further away? Well, a corpse with a twisted neck is an ugly sight.

“R-Rina! D-don’t move! Y-your stomach!”

Stomach? What stomach? …Oh, aaah. Aha! So that’s why.

Hmm, if I’d known oppa would be this shocked, I would have removed it beforehand.

I thought he’d be used to injuries since he gets hurt so often, but I guess not.

The reason Seojin oppa was shocked must be the spear of Hyuk Kwak that completely impaled my stomach.

In his final moment, as I grabbed him, he managed to land one good hit.

That’s why I was so furious that I snapped his neck with a crack!

Ugh, this perverted stalker bastard. Trying to mess with me until the very end.

How will Seojin oppa remember me now?

I’ll be the person who walks around perfectly fine with a spear stuck in her stomach.

This is annoying. I’m a woman too. I don’t want to be remembered as a monster.

I’ve been telling everyone I’m a stunning beauty, always wanting to look pretty…

“Huh?”

What’s this? Why are my legs suddenly giving out?

Before I could react, my body tilted and collapsed to the side.

This isn’t like me at all. I never intended to show any weakness.

I’m not trying to act coy. This is absolutely not what I wanted.

Oppa. Don’t misunderstand. I’m definitely not doing this on purpose.

“Rina! Rina! Hey! Wake up!”

“…Seojin oppa. I’m not dying. Don’t worry.”

“Your face looks like you’re dying! Just be quiet! I’ve already sent for help, the medical team will be here soon.”

“I’m really not dying.”

“Stop saying that! Damn it. Why do you keep raising death flags! Just shut up!”

Wow. This is the first time I’ve seen Seojin oppa genuinely angry.

No one except my mother has ever been angry with me before.

It’s fascinating. Fascinating and somehow, it feels nice.

Besides, I’m really not dying, oppa.

I just moved around too much, so I’m tired, that’s all.

As if this stunning beauty Rina would die without even having sex.

“…Ah. I want to have sex.”

“What crazy nonsense are you suddenly spouting!”

Hehehe. He’s probably going to lecture me about talking like that while still being a virgin?

I still feel a twinge of emotion whenever the topic of virginity comes up.

But to be honest, it’s somewhat okay.

Being a virgin means I haven’t been with a man before.

It means Seojin oppa would be my first, so it’s fine. I actually prefer it.

“Oppa.”

“Just hang on a little longer. Just a little…”

“Can’t you just give me one kiss?”

Because I’m a bit tired, and a bit in pain.

I relaxed slightly and asked in a comfortable voice.

I just suddenly wanted to make such a request.

You know, in movies, everyone kisses after a battle is over.

Whether it’s cliché or boring, people say all kinds of things about it.

But regardless, it’s the standard, so why can’t I do it too?

‘Huh?’

What? Why is Seojin oppa’s face coming so close?

Ehhh? O-oppa? Are you really going to do it? I was just joking around!

While I was thinking this, Seojin oppa’s lips overlapped with mine.

It’s warm. It’s soft. Sweet… well, honestly, I can’t tell.

It’s actually a bit salty. Both of us are covered in blood.

Maybe kisses are sweet when people eat something sweet beforehand?

Ah, anyway! Yaaay! I, I did it! I really did it!

I had my first kiss with Seojin oppa. At a moment like this, I really did it!

Mom, Dad! I kissed a man! I can get married too!!

“You asked me to do it, so I did. Now, hang in there. Just hang on a little longer.”

It’s just that I’m in a bit of pain, and I’m a bit tired.

Since oppa keeps insisting, I decided to just keep quiet and stay still.

I don’t think Seojin oppa would believe anything I say anyway.

“Don’t die, Rina. You absolutely can’t die. Don’t die, Rina.”

Alright. I couldn’t die now even if someone told me to.

I need to tell my mom and dad. That I kissed someone.

And not just that I forced it, but that I was the one who got kissed!

And that annoying fox-like girl, Soohyun Kim, I need to tell her too.

Hehehe! Ah, just imagining it makes me tingle! What kind of face will she make?

…Ah, no. A kiss isn’t enough. Should I try to go further from here?

“Seojin oppa.”

“What is it? Are you feeling bad? Can’t hold on?”

“My chest hurts so much, do you want to touch my breasts?”

Seojin oppa makes a strange expression at my words.

Tsk! Was that too much? Okay. We’ll save that for later!

*

One thousand two hundred thirty-three. One thousand two hundred thirty-four. One thousand two hundred thirty-five.

…Ah. I wavered. Damn it. I can’t believe I’m making such mistakes.

I was consistent up to one thousand two hundred thirty-four, but I slightly missed when swinging next.

‘Again. I’ll go again.’

I must swing at least two thousand times. How can I call myself a swordsman otherwise!

To become a great ability user like the Arbiter, I must accomplish at least that much.

“How about taking a break before continuing, junior?”

After catching my breath a few times and grabbing my sword again, Senior Hana Kang spoke to me from beside.

I remember she was also practicing magic concentration next to me.

Glancing over, it seems she’s taking a break because controlling her magical power has become burdensome.

“I’m still fine. I can do more.”

“Come on. Take a break when someone tells you to.”

Someone takes the sword from my hand. I turn to see it’s Senior Dasom Yoo.

“Pushing your body to its limits. That’s good. But you need to think about your body too. If you keep pushing to the limit, when will you recover? How can you swing a sword like that without resting?”

Senior Dasom Yoo swings the sword around with an incredulous expression.

I didn’t particularly feel tired. In fact, I was just starting to get focused, which felt good.

‘That’s a shame.’

I clicked my tongue in disappointment, but there was nothing I could do.

Senior Dasom Yoo always nags terribly whenever I push my body too hard.

If I stubbornly insist here, a storm of nagging will surely follow.

I know because I’ve experienced it several times already. It makes my head ring every time.

Plus, one is the student council president and the other is the student council treasurer. And both are my seniors.

As a junior, it’s right to heed the advice of seniors.

And Arbiter Seojin Baek also emphasized the importance of rest.

“I understand, seniors.”

When I obediently surrendered, Senior Dasom Yoo nodded saying, “That’s right!”

Then she looked at Senior Hana Kang and spoke.

“How many days has it been now, unnie?”

“It’s been three days as of today, right?”

Three days. The unprecedented incident where three Elders suddenly attacked.

I remember the whole country was in quite an uproar because of it.

First of all, three Elders attacked, but it ended in our victory.

We managed to repel two and even eliminated one, so it’s natural.

“The Elder who was eliminated was Hyuk Kwak, right?”

“Yes. The man who attacked the Academy before.”

“In a way, we succeeded in getting revenge. I guess that’s a good thing.”

At Senior Dasom Yoo’s words, I tilted my head in confusion.

Isn’t it obviously a good thing? We took down an Elder.

No country has succeeded in eliminating an Elder in recent years.

The Elder we eliminated was also a traitor, which made it an even bigger deal.

No wonder patriotic videos became the most popular videos!

“Our junior. Judging by your expression, you want to say it’s a good thing, right?”

Gasp. Senior Dasom Yoo, how did you know?

They say all women are supernatural creatures, and that video was right!

“Of course it’s a good thing. The problem is, our side also suffered significant damage. Starting with the Arbiter and even that Rina. I heard they haven’t regained consciousness for over three days.”

I heard about that. Because of it, I haven’t been able to take the grade assessment for a week, and I’m getting restless.

I want the Arbiter to come quickly so I can show off another technique I’ve been honing.

“Soohyun is absolutely beside herself. The Arbiter was injured and taken away again, but this time they won’t even let Soohyun near the hospital room. Same goes for everyone else.”

“He must have been seriously injured. Will the Arbiter be okay?”

“He’ll be fine. We’re talking about the Arbiter, not someone else. I’m sure he’ll come back soon and tell us to take the Silver grade assessment!”

Huh. Why are both seniors suddenly looking at me and clicking their tongues?

Did I say something wrong? I thought hard but couldn’t think of anything.

“Our junior is only thinking about having another match with the Arbiter, right?”

“The Arbiter is truly pitiful. How unfortunate to have such a junior and go through such hardship.”

Hardship? The Arbiter is so happy when I ask to take the assessment!

“Anyway, I’m worried. About the Arbiter and about Soohyun.”

“I should comfort her when I see her tomorrow. Tell her the Arbiter will wake up soon!”

*

Fuck. Save me.

“Why do you keep avoiding me?! After kissing me! We kissed, so now we need to go to the next step!”

You crazy woman. This is a hospital room, not a motel!

You have a hole in your stomach and your arms and legs are broken, and you want to make a baby?!

“Are you worried someone might come in? It’s okay. I personally requested it. I asked them to pretend I’m unconscious for about four days. My injuries are severe, I said I wanted to rest properly! So until tomorrow, no one can disturb us two! Not even Soohyun Kim, that fox-like girl!”

Rina shouted as she kept trying to climb into my bed.

“So hurry up! Let’s do it!”

“Do what?! Get off right now!”

“Oh, oppa, come on! This isn’t something lewd, it’s patriotism!”

What nonsense is this!