Ch.183183. Catastrophe

Life doesn’t always flow according to plan.

For Do Jonghyun, Seo Jinwon following and attacking him was a deviation from that plan. For Eun Serin, her child suddenly disappearing was something completely unexpected.

‘Where did you go?’

She became frantic.

What if the child killed someone on impulse? What if they discovered the taste of murder through impulse rather than orders?

That would be impossible to control.

Eun Serin searched desperately, but the child was nowhere near the house.

To Eun Serin, the child was both precious offspring and an experimental subject. If that child disappeared, she herself would be in grave danger.

But where on earth could they have gone?

Though startled, her phone soon rang. It was from Do Jonghyun.

“Jonghyun?”

With a trembling heart, she heard Do Jonghyun’s voice.

“Noona, I’m in Gapyeong right now. There’s a kid here calling you their mother. Do you know anything about this…?”

“I’m coming right now.”

Eun Serin ran frantically. Even the subway was a luxury. She was literally running all the way to her destination.

‘What should I do? Did they fight each other?’

Over the phone, he implied he was keeping the child with him. How could he be keeping the child?

Jonghyun didn’t express any particular doubts, which suggested he hadn’t subdued the child in a fight.

The problem was that the child had called her “mother.”

While it was publicly known that Eun Serin had a child, that child was supposed to be a one-year-old.

Her actual child was around first grade in elementary school. Obviously, this didn’t match up.

‘As long as the child doesn’t say anything unnecessary.’

Of course, Eun Serin wasn’t a fool and had sufficiently instilled the thought patterns necessary for functioning in society.

‘But why did they run away now of all times?’

Had the child followed her all the way to Gapyeong out of frustration?

‘The child is too attached. This isn’t good.’

Given their origin, it was natural that normal social interactions would be lacking.

That’s why they were so attached to their mother and anxious when she wasn’t around.

But this time, they had clearly crossed a line.

It was too dangerous. And of all people, they’d gone to Do Jonghyun.

‘If necessary…’

She might have to kill the child here. Hiding her dismay, Eun Serin finally arrived at her destination.

There, she witnessed a strange scene.

Her child, who never approached anyone but her, was nestled in Do Jonghyun’s arms.

‘…How strange.’

She stared blankly until Jonghyun’s call snapped her out of it.

“Jonghyun. What happened?”

For now, she put on an act, pretending she had just arrived.

Understanding the situation was crucial.

‘How much does he know?’

She needed to carefully probe the situation. Do Jonghyun hesitated for a moment, then lifted the child.

“Noona, did you have a child? But considering your age, that’s impossible…”

“Ah, can I whisper something to you?”

Eun Serin proceeded according to the scenario she had prepared.

“This is my cousin’s child. Since their parents aren’t around, I’m taking care of them temporarily. They’re mentally unstable, so please don’t say anything about it.”

“Ah… I see. Honestly, to have a child this age, you would have had to give birth right at twenty, which seems impossible.”

“So just go along with it. Don’t worry about them calling me mother.”

Eun Serin took the child in her arms and spoke with a smile.

“Now, you need to speak properly. I’m your cousin, not your mother.”

Eun Serin looked at her child with a stern expression.

“But…”

“Cousin.”

“Cousin…”

The child’s expression turned sad as they lowered their head and nodded.

Do Jonghyun cleared his throat awkwardly, trying to change the uncomfortable atmosphere.

“The child is very kind. I collapsed, and they helped me.”

“You collapsed?”

“Yes. Seo Jinwon… attacked me. But when I woke up, I wasn’t sure what happened.”

Eun Serin’s mind was racing.

“Jinwon was probably possessed by a monster. But since there’s no body, someone must have dealt with it. I’ll protect you, so don’t worry.”

Eun Serin grabbed Do Jonghyun’s hand and pulled him close.

“Just keep quiet. You’re the victim here.”

“…”

It would be meaningless later, but Eun Serin was protecting Do Jonghyun for now.

After all, this was Jonghyun’s final test: how would he react when his life was endangered while in human form?

Eun Serin needed to create this scenario and report on it.

After this test, she would finally devote all her resources to killing Do Jonghyun.

In this process, her current protection was no different from raising livestock for slaughter.

‘No.’

“Noona.”

Just then, Do Jonghyun stopped her.

“You seem in a hurry.”

“Do I? I guess I’ve been caught up in all sorts of situations lately…”

“I told you before. I’ll help you. Is there anything I can do?”

Eun Serin’s heart raced as she looked at her disciple’s confident face.

It wasn’t simply attraction.

It was his desire to help her stay on track, even though he didn’t understand her situation.

The directness with which he expressed that sentiment.

“…It’s okay. For now, at least. You always speak so sweetly. That makes me happy.”

She needed to fabricate a story for Do Jonghyun’s sake. Seo Jinwon and Do Jonghyun were attacked by a monster, and only Jonghyun survived.

Something like that.

‘After that, I need to conduct the test as soon as possible.’

It was frustrating. Glancing back, she saw her child and Do Jonghyun walking hand in hand.

The three of them looked like they were within the boundaries of a family.

Exactly the feeling Eun Serin longed for.

“By the way, Noona, what’s this child’s name?”

“Huh?”

Eun Serin was momentarily speechless when the question of a name came up.

The only names she ever called the child were “baby” or “Number Two.”

‘I’m sure I decided on one at the beginning?’

Of course, she had chosen a name to tell other instructors and acquaintances.

What made her hesitate was the realization that she had never actually called the child by that name.

“Eun Jiho… call him Jiho.”

“Ah, that’s a nice name. Eun Jiho. But Jiho seems amazing. He healed my body. He must have already awakened his magical powers.”

Do Jonghyun was actively engaging the child in conversation to keep them from feeling sad.

But Eun Serin was anxious. What was the source of that power?

The only consolation was that Eun Jiho seemed to be in a good mood.

That was it.

Having barely brought Do Jonghyun back, Eun Serin was now reporting to the school.

The death of an academy student. This incident was causing another major disturbance.

*

Though he had barely returned, the atmosphere was strange.

“Seo Jinwon is dead.”

With another victim, the academy was in turmoil for various reasons.

Eun Serin claimed he was controlled by a monster, but wasn’t that suspicious?

Perhaps Eun Serin was involved in this plan.

Otherwise, why would she specifically come to see me? What was she trying to confirm?

Yet she could have attacked me anytime but didn’t and left.

She did come back because of Jiho, but that was unexpected.

Or was it? If Jiho was playing around here, it means he was nearby.

Anyway, it’s suspicious.

While pondering at my desk, I noticed red hair moving.

Then I saw Ariel’s face, full of suspicion.

“Suspicious.”

“Huh? What is?”

I was startled, wondering what she had noticed, but Ariel brought up Eun Serin.

“Eun Serin was at school, so why did she bring you back?”

“The instructor probably came looking because of Seo Jinwon.”

“Why go to such lengths? Why?”

Ariel kept probing me.

“Don’t suspect people carelessly, Ariel.”

Seol Yuhwa intervened.

As always, an argument broke out, but the recent atmosphere had been strange.

“Too little suspicion causes problems too. Are you clean enough not to be suspected, Miss Representative?”

“…”

With this remark, it felt like the battle lines had retreated. Seol Yuhwa seemed to be losing these power struggles lately.

Of course, considering Yuhwa’s family background and usual behavior, Ariel had hit a nerve.

Wait, unless she’s projecting, could Ariel actually know?

Does she know about Seol Yuhwa’s family situation? Is that why she’s taunting her?

That would be the worst.

While Yuhwa has no reason to reveal it herself, if Ariel truly knows?

It’s strange that Ariel, who is so ambitious about being number one, is being so quiet.

And it’s not just this. The overall class atmosphere is unsettled.

They say it’s because of Seo Jinwon’s death, but there are also suspicious glances directed at me.

“Isn’t it weird how Jonghyun keeps getting involved in incidents?”

“Last year too…”

“Come to think of it, monsters seem to appear when he’s not around?”

Ominous whispers continued.

How should I react? While I was trying to sort out my thoughts,

Ariel suddenly slammed her desk.

“Is this a gathering of cowards? So much chatter. If you have something to say to Do Jonghyun, say it directly. Don’t whisper behind his back when he can hear you. It’s disgusting.”

The room fell silent at Ariel’s outburst. Geum Dohyun also quieted down.

“I know everyone’s upset because a friend died. But Jonghyun is usually the victim in these situations. The victim.”

I’m fortunate to have people defending me.

But Ariel, still not satisfied, grabbed my hand.

“Enough. Enough. Today just isn’t our day.”

She pulled me forcefully.

“Let’s consider this an early dismissal. Anyway, it’s self-study time now because of the emergency meeting.”

Ariel dragged me outside.

At times like this, her drive is impressive.

I whispered to Ariel:

“Thank you.”

“…I just couldn’t stand the sight. If you have something to say, say it directly. Right?”

She’s right. I’ve always appreciated Ariel’s straightforward personality.

“I used to think it was peculiar how you always said whatever was on your mind.”

“Why, don’t you like it?”

As we passed through the school gate, Ariel turned to look at me.

“No, I like it.”

“Good, that’s how you should speak clearly.”

Ariel clasped her hands behind her head and walked close beside me.

“Nothing else to say?”

“Like what? That you and Seol Yuhwa should get along?”

“Not impossible. If that fake girl bends first, maybe.”

Ariel’s response was unexpected. Usually, she would take a harder stance.

“Why?”

“…You want us to reconcile, right? People can’t always be on bad terms…”

“I’d be grateful if you did. You two would be a great help in humanity’s victory. I just want peace.”

I wonder why her mindset has suddenly become so peaceful? The important thing is that it’s a positive signal.

“But isn’t there something we need to clarify first?”

“Huh? What?”

“…I don’t want to say it myself.”

Ariel looked at me cautiously. Could she know my identity?

I might have to tell her someday, but not now.

“Is that really what you want, for you two to get along and improve… huh?”

At that moment, Ariel grabbed both my cheeks. She shook them roughly in frustration.

“Oh, really? So you can’t say it? Ugh, how frustrating. I’ll just say it myself.”

My heart pounded violently at these words. Was she really going to reveal my identity?

Ariel took several deep breaths as if trying to speak, clearly excited as her cheeks flushed red.

She must have figured it out.

Just as I was preparing myself, Ariel’s expression suddenly hardened.

“What’s wrong?”

The moment I asked this, Ariel had already thrown me aside.

She stepped in front of me, and after that, I’m not sure what happened.

All I could see was blood flowing from Ariel’s neck as she turned toward me.

“Ariel!”

Chaos was unfolding.