Episode 43: Yu Eun-ha [4]

 

After that, Yu Eun-ha woke up in an upscale hospital and blankly stared at the restraints binding her arms and legs.

“……….”

She knew the reason all too well.

But as if the restraints meant nothing, Yu Eun-ha simply cried like a madwoman for a long time.

Even excuses felt like a luxury.

She had been wrong, and had committed unspeakable atrocities against her sister.

Yu Eun-ha even briefly considered suicide to return to a time before her crimes and erase them entirely……

But she couldn’t run away. She had to atone.

“No, I told you to just drop out of the academy and never show your face in front of our darling again?”

“I must… atone to my sister.”

Even when Golden Guild members threatened to kill her on the spot, she dared them to try. Eventually, they gave up and contacted someone.

Then, not long after……

-Clank

“You’ve got some nerve.”

Finally, Eve Maitner appeared.

“I explicitly told them to ensure you never appear before Seah again… I don’t understand why you’re refusing such a generous offer.”

Memory Reading – one of Eve Maitner’s abilities.

Just as she had examined Yun Se-ah’s memories, Eve had likely read hers while she was unconscious.

“……….”

“Seah wouldn’t want you dead… but frankly, I’m having trouble restraining myself.”

-Crackle….!

Electricity began sparking in Eve’s eyes. Yu Eun-ha instinctively knew – one wrong answer and she’d be fried alive by that current.

So Yu Eun-ha chose to confront it head-on.

“I’m… a Regressor.”

“…I know. Only a Regressor would have three memories of dying.”

Eve, who already seemed aware of her status as a Regressor, listened as Yu Eun-ha explained her circumstances.

In her previous life before regression, Yun Se-ah had been a villain who unleashed monsters at Raon Academy, plunging the world into chaos. After regressing and witnessing Yun Seong-ho’s death – someone like a father to her – she’d instinctively labeled Yun Se-ah as evil.

“I never imagined that bastard Yun Seong-ho… could do such things to Yun Se-ah. Especially when I saw her Evil Eye activate during the mock battle with the Vice President… I lost control and attacked her.”

Eve’s expression twisted into genuine discomfort upon hearing this.

Anyone would have sought revenge against someone who killed them three times after harming a parental figure.

“But after forcibly entering her memory vault… I clearly realized everything I knew was wrong. In the past… my sister had been exposed to Yun Seong-ho’s hypnosis and brainwashing since childhood, forced to act according to his will. Even at the moment I died… she must have resisted until the end.”

Eve’s face contorted further with shock.

Perhaps because Yun Se-ah hadn’t explained the full circumstances, Eve’s expression warped in real time with each revelation.

Like someone driven mad by guilt, or someone who’d given up everything to sorrow.

“…I don’t expect forgiveness. But I want… to protect Yun Se-ah. No, my sister Se-ah until the end.”

“…Watch your tongue.”

-Crackle!

“…!”

An advanced spell – [Lightning Chain] – grazed past Yu Eun-ha in an instant.

“The only reason I’m keeping you alive is because Seah wants it. What gives you the right to claim you’ll stay by her side?”

Killing intent condensed in Eve’s words. Despite feeling like she might faint from the pressure, Yu Eun-ha persisted.

“I must atone… no matter what.”

With those final words, foaming at the mouth, Yu Eun-ha lost consciousness.

She awoke thirty minutes later.

…

…

…

Eve muttered irritably as she left:

“What does Seah see in that?”

She seriously considered killing Yu Eun-ha and telling Seah she’d simply dropped out… but sensing that her usual foresight wouldn’t work against Yun Se-ah, Eve clapped her hands to summon someone.

“Guild Leader-nim, you called?”

“What is it? I’m busy.”

“Listen carefully. Yu Eun-ha is volunteering as Seah’s bodyguard. Then she must prove herself. Prove she can perfectly protect Seah.”

At Eve’s words, the two women’s expressions turned vicious.

“Though slightly irritating… if it means more meat shields protecting Seah within the academy… it might not be bad.”

“Hmm… Then if she wants to be our darling’s guard, shouldn’t she prove her worth?”

Though seemingly contradictory, Eve recognized their intent to observe first. Something about the short-haired woman’s tone felt oddly unpleasant.

“Hmm… Right. But why do you call Seah ‘darling’?”

“…Hmm, good question?”

Though one hero suffered an unexpected electrocution accident midway, the meeting continued.

“Fine. Han-ra and Dain will take responsibility for making Yu Eun-ha give up on being Seah’s guard.”

Thus began Operation: ‘Give Up If You Can’t Take It’.

Along with docking three months’ salary from one A-rank guild member.

…

…

…

Yu Eun-ha expected abandonment or death threats upon waking, but found the magic-sealing restraints gone.

“You’re finally awake.”

Looking up, she saw a striking woman with orange eyes and russet hair gazing down at her.

“Congratulations. The Guild Leader-nim has decided to grant you qualification as Seah’s guard.”

“…Really?!”

Yu Eun-ha’s voice rose with sudden joy at the good news, but…

“Of course, after passing a test.”

Though disappointed by the condition, Yu Eun-ha asked what it entailed…

“Simple. Show satisfactory results in a mock battle against me… and another hero.”

Despite having grown stronger with hidden pieces, Yu Eun-ha could only stare blankly at Yu Han-ra delivering what seemed an impossible mission.

Her goal was to last five minutes. In her still-developing state, she thought that was her limit……

But that assessment proved completely wrong.

-Crunch…!

“Guhk…..!”

-KABOOM!

“Kuaaak…!”

Yu Eun-ha instantly lost consciousness from abdomen-shattering impact.

The cause? Taking Yu Han-ra’s spinning kick head-on while she wore gauntlets and steel boots.

“Pathetic. Those flashy skills are wasted on you.”

The Golden Guild’s basement – called the Punishment Room – had special devices.

A reverse field generator doubling received damage, and a complete healing device regenerating severed limbs in 4-10 seconds.

Thanks to these, Yu Eun-ha could keep fighting after 1-2 minutes unconscious, even with broken bones and severed limbs.

“Well, since you’ll keep trying anyway, the Guild Leader-nim set a time limit.”

“…Time limit?”

“Before the young lady returns to the academy. If you fail by then, abandon guarding her.”

“…Fine.”

Only 2-3 days remained.

-Crunch…!!

“Kuh… Aaak!”

Bones shattered.

-THUD!

“Aaaaak…..!”

Abdomen and vital areas burst repeatedly… but Yu Eun-ha never gave up.

She’d committed an unforgivable sin.

“…Will you give up?”

“…Never. I could do this all day.”

“Unfortunately, I can’t. Shift change.”

With those words, Yu Han-ra removed her blood-soaked steel boots and gauntlets, storing them in a dimensional pouch. Muttering “Will the young lady notice?” she sprayed deodorant to mask the bloodstench before rushing off.

“Hey brat, stop spacing out?”

-CRACK…!

“………….!!!”

The next opponent appeared, instantly kicking Yu Eun-ha’s abdomen.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Song Da-in.”

“Ghk!”

Clad head-to-toe in steel armor, Yu Eun-ha instantly recognized her as a Defender.

“Striker position, right? Let’s test how long you can hold the frontline.”

Yu Eun-ha’s stats were typical for a fragile Striker specialized in long-range attacks.

Against a high-defense/high-stamina Defender, attacking would yield little return. And if she took even one hit…

-CRUNCH!

“Ughk…! Uwaaak!!”

She immediately took a critical hit, suffering consciousness-threatening damage.

An A-rank Supporter healed Yu Eun-ha. Combined with the recovery field, her eyes quickly refocused. Song Da-in yawned and swung her hammer.

“This armor our darling designed works great. Is there anything she can’t do?”

Seeing Yun Se-ah being affectionately called “darling” and trusted by Golden Guild members, Yu Eun-ha felt relieved.

Even without her, these people would become her sister’s shield.

“But if I leave like this… I’d be too ashamed to face her.”

Remembering her crimes against Yun Se-ah, Yu Eun-ha refused further healing and slowly stood up.

“Huh, still want more?”

“Yes, I have something I must tell my sister.”

Song Da-in smiled seeing Yu Eun-ha rise despite countless fractures.

“I like your guts.”

Then, using rocket boosters on her back, Song Da-in instantly closed the distance to smash her hammer down on Yu Eun-ha’s abdomen… but sensed something wrong.

-KABOOOM!

It missed.

A guaranteed hit if aimed center-mass, unless deliberately diverted.

Two hypotheses formed:

First: She deflected the hammer’s force.

Second: She moved faster than the hammer’s swing.

But the hammer’s speed made evasion impossible for most. Song Da-in concluded Yu Eun-ha perfectly deflected it… yet couldn’t comprehend how.

Moments ago, she’d been a barely-standing wreck needing healing.

Without martial genius, perfect deflection was impossible… yet…

“…So that’s how.”

Yu Eun-ha’s white hair was stained red with blood, but her purple eyes – identical to Yun Se-ah’s – burned like fire…

“…Alright, no more holding back.”

Song Da-in unconsciously realized she might lose.

“Seong-woo, elapsed time?”

“Uh… 2 minutes 45 seconds, boss.”

“Good. Two minutes is plenty to finish this.”

Yellow flames erupted from Song Da-in’s back at maximum output.

-WHOOSH!

Instantly appearing behind Yu Eun-ha, Song Da-in swung her hammer with speed that made her previous attacks seem childish.

-KABOOM!

But Yu Eun-ha altered the hammer’s trajectory with precise sword strikes, narrowly dodging each swing.

The hammer’s wide range and Song Da-in’s massive armor created perfect blind spots. Yu Eun-ha danced through them, evading by hair’s breadths.

Seeing this, Song Da-in’s lid finally blew off.

-CRACK!

“Kehk?!”

-WHIIIR-CLANK!

Her massive armor disassembled with heavy mechanical sounds, revealing a woman in her late twenties wearing a skin-tight black bodysuit.

“Hoo…”

Raising one hand, she gathered armor fragments into a massive steel fist nearly 1.5 meters wide.

With truck-crushing force, Song Da-in smashed it toward Yu Eun-ha’s abdomen.

Yu Eun-ha tried blocking with her sword, but…

-SHATTER!

Song Da-in’s iron fist shattered the blade and crushed Yu Eun-ha’s side.

-THUD!

“Kahak…?!”

-KABOOM!

Vomiting blood from the unexpected impact, Yu Eun-ha lost consciousness again.

Her arms completely broken, fingers unable to twitch – Song Da-in recognized her limit.

“…Give up. You’re still too young.”

As Song Da-in prepared to finish her with full power…

-KABOOOM!

“Outside the reverse field, Da-in sunbaenim.”

“…My mistake. Thanks for stopping me, Han-ra.”

“Don’t mention it. If she dies, the Guild Leader-nim and all of us would lose our heads to Seah.”

After throwing Yu Eun-ha back into the recovery field, her rapid regeneration began.

“N-not… done yet.”

But upon recovery, Yu Eun-ha stood clutching her broken blade.

Blood streamed from her hands as she stabbed the blade into her trembling body to steady herself.

“…Shall I take over?”

“No, I’ll pass her.”

“Sunbaenim?!”

“She’s only eighteen. We went overboard, but… her talent is undeniable…”

Seeing this, Song Da-in surrendered and left.

“I’m done~”

“…Sigh, very well. I’ll inform the Guild Leader-nim that Yu Eun-ha has sufficient qualifications.”

Yu Han-ra also acknowledged her, heading upstairs via elevator to report… Yu Eun-ha had finally earned recognition.

She only learned this later after passing out standing up…