Chapter 180: The Poison Human (1)

Hwarin could die.

No matter how capable Hwarin might be, controlling the poisons of both the Human-Faced Spider and the Millennial Centipede within her body and refining them into a poison core might prove impossible.

Her entire body could melt down into a puddle of poison.

“This might be your last conversation with her, so speak without regrets.”

With a grave face, the Hall Master delivered that brutal truth.

I had endured everything and finally obtained the Human-Faced Spider Core, and yet, all of it might be for nothing.

Most people would fall into despair, but I still had one final option.

If I wanted to save Hwarin, I had to kiss her.

Not because she was a sleeping beauty in an eternal slumber.

Not because she was under a beast’s curse and I was breaking the spell.

Hwarin’s body might not be able to withstand the poisons of the two Spiritual Beasts.

So the answer was simple—find a way to make her withstand it.

After some thought, I remembered the night I parted ways with Sohee.

— According to the Diviner of Heavenly Secrets, during the Sung Family incident, because of your sincerity, the Heaven Defier’s energy transferred to me. He said my Murderous Heart wouldn’t suddenly surge for a while.

The kiss that helped bring Sohee to her senses.

Yes, I had a way.

I was able to suppress the Murderous Heart of the Heavenly Slaughter Star’s inside Sohee through that kiss.

Only I, in this world, possess the power to save these women doomed to tragic fates.

It’s worth trying.

My Heaven Defier’s ability had turned Hwarin’s body into one that could endure poison.

If a kiss could momentarily amplify that power…

I asked the Hall Master again.

— Even if she successfully forms the poison core, could she still die because she can’t endure the poison?

— To create a poison core means she’s gained complete control over the poisons in her body. If she can create it, there’s no need to worry further.

So she only needs to survive the moment of core formation.

It’s a challenge worth taking.

I’ve already defied fate once with a kiss, rejecting a heaven-ordained destiny.

Rejecting a man-made fate should be even easier.

But then… a real problem hit me.

Will Hwarin even let me kiss her?

Tang “Iron Wall” Hwarin.

Does Hwarin have romantic feelings for me?

That’s a tough one.

The fact that I even have to think about whether she does says enough.

I can say for sure she doesn’t dislike me.

That much I’m confident in.

She probably likes me.

But does she like me enough to kiss me if I ask?

I’ve seen signs, moments of possible romantic interest.

But I have to consider Hwarin’s uniqueness too.

She’s never had a proper friend in her life.

Certainly no boyfriend.

Even between friends, there should be personal boundaries, but since I’m her first friend, she might never have learned those boundaries.

It’ll be fine… right?

I’m not certain, but I don’t think she’d outright reject me.

I don’t know.

Dealing with martial arts experts risking my life is easier than this romance stuff.

“Wait—how do I even kiss her?”

Fortunately, I’ve kissed two people in my life.

Unfortunately… it’d be more accurate to say they kissed me.

How do I even bring it up to Hwarin?

There’s no time.

The kiss has to happen.

I don’t have time to “set the mood.”

Actually, I don’t even know how to set the mood.

“Wanna kiss?”

In the end, after all the thinking, my conclusion was the awkward, direct swing of a clueless teenager.

I thought I was going to die.

That was how Tang Hwarin felt before she woke up and saw Kang Yunho.

When she first opened her eyes, it felt like being forcibly pulled out of a swamp.

Even afterward, her body felt coated in a sticky layer of mud she couldn’t wash off—a lingering unpleasantness.

But even that discomfort was a blessing.

She had lost control of the raging Yang and poison inside her, fallen into despair, and passed out, only to open her eyes again.

That alone was a miracle.

— Just in time. You need to refine the Human-Faced Spider Core by today to survive. Everyone will give it their all to help.

Of course, continuing this miracle would require another miracle.

She could barely endure the poison from the Millennial Centipede.

Now she had to handle the Human-Faced Spider poison too?

It felt impossible.

Sensing her despair, the Hall Master said.

— Kang Yunho has staked everything on you. You must survive.

The Medical Hall members added on one after another:

— You should’ve heard what Young Master Kang said before the Elders. It was unforgettable.

— It felt like a knot in my heart was finally untied.

They showered her with praise for Yunho’s actions, explaining how hard he fought for her.

Hwarin was quietly absorbing their praise with a fluttering heart when one of the Medical Hall members delivered a bombshell that obliterated the lingering poison and despair clouding her mind.

— When Young Master Kang said “I’m here to protect my woman” before the whole Council of Elders, I honestly thought he was the main character of The Rising Tempest of the Tang Clan.

Huh?

Hhhuh?

— …What did you just say?

Hwarin, wide-eyed in shock, asked to confirm what she’d just heard.

The Medical Hall members, grinning, went into more detail.

— In front of everyone, he gave up his claim to succession just to save his woman. It really made me believe that’s what love looks like.

— He stood before the Clan Head and the Elders and declared: “Hwarin is my woman.”

So she hadn’t misheard.

“My woman”? He said that in front of everyone? Yunho? That clueless Kang Yunho?

Hwarin’s face turned crimson.

“That idiot. What the hell did he do…?”

Curses left her lips, but she couldn’t stop smiling.

“Messing up other people’s marriage prospects and all…”

Guess there’s no choice now but to marry him.

Hwarin shyly fidgeted with her fingers.

I’m going to die.

He said I’m his woman in front of everyone.

I’m so embarrassed I could die.

But also…

Yunho called me his woman.

I’m so happy I could die.

I could die soon, but I’m so happy, even death doesn’t scare me.

The Medical Hall members silently smiled at Hwarin’s blushing, flustered expressions.

Yunho will be here soon.

Hwarin could hear his voice beyond the door.

— I’m here to protect my woman.

What even was that line?!

So cool!

Hwarin kept replaying the image of tall, proud Kang Yunho declaring to the world that she was his woman.

This isn’t good for my heart.

What will Yunho do when he comes in?

Will he suddenly pull me into his arms and say, “Hwarin, you’re my woman”?

The mere thought of it made her grin uncontrollably.

She was embarrassed, but she couldn’t stop imagining it.

Ahhhh, what should I do if Yunho looks at me with those loving eyes?

Hwarin began to worry.

After all the emotional pain I went through… I can’t just say yes that easily.

Right, I’ll pretend to push him away… no wait, what if he runs off again?

Ugh, but if I say yes too fast, I’ll look too easy.

No, but still… ughhhhh!

Her head was a mess.

She couldn’t stop smiling.

She couldn’t contain her joy.

Still, she wanted to see Yunho already.

Time to prepare.

First, manage her expression.

Hwarin decided to start reciting the Poison Human formula the Tang had taught her, as a way to calm her face.

At last, Yunho entered.

Hwarin slightly cracked her eyes open, so he wouldn’t notice she was already awake.

It’s been so long… and where are you even looking?

She almost wanted to comment, but stopped herself and opened her chest confidently.

Go ahead.

Look all you want.

The majestic waterfall of fabric spilled downward, steeper than ever.

Yunho tried to hide his breath of awe, but Hwarin, laser-focused on him, didn’t miss it.

That admiration, that gaze, fueled her confidence completely.

I want to hear Yunho’s confession.

Soon, she’d have to swallow the Human-Faced Spider Core that Yunho had obtained.

No one knew what would happen after.

So she resolved herself, thinking just a bit ahead into the future.

She’d open her eyes, speak about the frustrating dream, and then… she’d hear his confession.

“Wanna kiss?”

That… was not the confession Tang Hwarin had imagined.

What’s Yunho even saying!?!?

No matter how hard she tried to process it, it made no sense.

Who?

Kang Yunho.

Said what?

A kiss.

What on earth is happening?

This wasn’t the situation she had pictured.

She thought he’d say, “You’re my woman.”

Then she’d say something like, “Says who?” feigning a slight pushback, and the moment he looked like he’d retreat even a little—she’d cling to him like glue.

Is this really Yunho?

No, it was.

She pinched his cheek just a moment ago.

That was definitely Yunho’s skin.

But his words had thrown her so far off that she had no choice but to think even more absurd thoughts.

Yunho… this is way too sudden.

They’d shared feelings.

Grown affection.

Eaten together.

Held hands.

Whispered in secret places…

…We’ve done all of that already.

They even lived in the same house.

Same room, no less.

Hwarin suddenly realized… the only thing left was the kiss.

“Hwarin…”

While she was still lost in thought, Yunho’s face was slowly drawing closer.

Is he really going to do it?

Really?

“W, w-wait!”

Hwarin’s voice shook as she pressed both palms against Yunho’s approaching face.

She should’ve been dragging that face in with both hands—and yet, the more she pushed him away, the more disappointment welled up in her chest.

It felt like she was kicking away her chance, but she couldn’t help it.

“…Sorry.”

Yunho’s face darkened, embarrassed by the rejection.

“N-no! It’s not like that!”

Hwarin hurriedly denied the meaning behind Yunho’s expression.

“Then…?”

I want to hear it first.

She looked at the confused Yunho and thought to herself.

“Yunho, answer me.”

“…Yeah?”

Even if they were going to kiss… she needed to hear it first.

She had to.

“What… what do you think of me?”

She wanted to hear his confession.