episode_0021

Hands clenched on my face gradually move upward.

Eventually, I scratched my head vigorously.

I wondered if it was a side effect of the wolf ears.

However, soon I realized that the itchiness stemmed from my discomfort at leaving Anna behind.

It is true that she is a psychopath killer.

But I simply cannot bring myself to run away while watching someone die before my eyes.

Perhaps even Jisoo wouldn’t have acted in such a manner.

Just like the sight of her dying will replay in my mind for the rest of my life.

Moreover, if I abandon her and she returns alive…?

Surely, she would kill me first for leaving her behind.

You must not leave any room for a killer to kill you.

That thought dominates my mind.

Thanks to that, I eventually opened my backpack.

And hastily began searching for a potion that is good for hemorrhaging.

And what I eventually found was…

Grade: ★★☆

Effect: Removes symptoms of hemorrhaging. (If no bleeding, increases strength by 10)

However, due to intoxication, agility and judgment decrease by 10.

Information: A cocktail made with vodka and Kahlua.

With a high alcohol content, it is not recommended for patients.

As I unscrew the potion cap, a strong alcohol scent stings my nose.

The color, coincidentally black, feels ominous like a poison, making me unnecessarily anxious.

If you feed a patient this kind of alcohol, people might call you crazy.

But right now, becoming a bit crazy seems far better than living as a bystander forever.

I sit close to her.

And gently lay my head on her thigh.

Anna’s soft hair caresses my skin.

Although I found that sensation uncomfortable, I believe saving a person takes precedence.

I slowly bring the potion to her dry lips.

Upon smelling the alcohol, Anna’s eyebrows twitch.

“Try drinking some.”

I say softly to her.

However, the white-haired woman just shivers without saying a word, only trembling.

It was when I realized that her trembling was not merely from the cold but from convulsions.

The problem lies with her mouth.

Even in this situation, Anna seemed extremely reluctant to accept help from me.

Is she maintaining her pride even in the face of impending death?

She seemed to be disregarding me as a hypocrite even in the face of imminent death.

Thanks to this unnecessary challenge, I place my finger on Anna’s closed lips.

As my finger slips between her soft lips, I feel a moist sensation.

Soon, her teeth touch, and I start to force them open.

Does this feel like giving medicine to a wild beast?

Suddenly, I was afraid she might bite my finger with her sharp teeth.

But, there was no turning back.

Trainers themselves forcibly give medicine to wild animals, ignoring their sharp teeth.

I finally managed to open her mouth.

Saliva drips down, wetting my finger.

I slowly pour the potion down Anna’s throat.

Though some spills out through her lips, ultimately, I manage to make her drink the entire bottle.

“…”

Gradually, I begin to hear Anna’s breathing.

Feeling her faint pulse against my thigh, I sense that she is starting to recover.

However, this is still not enough.

I reach into my backpack.

And take out all the cocktails I had.

2 bottles of Kahlua Milk, 2 bottles of Gin Tonic.

All potions that boost stamina and vitality.

Excluding the Black Russian with the highest alcohol content, I make her drink the rest.

Sometimes, due to misjudgment, she choked.

But I continued without hesitation.

Eventually, Anna began to regain some strength, and her silent lips started to part slightly.

Thanks to this, she could swallow water to some extent.

“Are you coming to your senses?”

“Th-thank…”

“What did you say?”

“Stop. Feeding me…”

Anna opens her eyes hesitantly.

Her face was awash with alcohol.

The liquor had somehow splattered onto her white shirt.

I momentarily lost myself in the debauched sight of Anna, as if she were drugged.

“Why are you staring like that?”

She asked with a cracked voice.

When I met her thin, white eyes piercing through me, I instinctively stood up.

“What did you see… You were just looking down because I’m sick.”

I grabbed my backpack with trembling hands.

Whenever I was with her, I always felt something strange.

It felt like everything about me was exposed.

A feeling of being laid bare.

“Why did you save me?”

She muttered to herself.

“No one in this world wants to die.”

If she truly was someone devoid of emotions, she wouldn’t have said this.

But I’ve glimpsed Anna’s past.

So, I dare to think there might be a chance for a slight rebirth.

Moreover… If I don’t save you, you might end up killing me later.

The massacre at the inn still haunts my mind.

I speak, recalling those who were dying.

“You felt it too, right? The pain of those people on the brink of death.”

“…”

I secured my backpack tightly and adjusted my wolf ears.

Lastly, I glanced back at Anna.

“Dying feels like that. It’s the worst.”

Her face flushed red as she leaned against the electric pole, sitting weakly.

“When you wear a mask, make sure to stitch up those wounds first!”

I shouted to her as I headed towards the bushes.

“And don’t go around getting stabbed with knives! Live kindly!”

Before leaving, I repeated these words several times.

But Anna didn’t respond to me at all.

If she had fainted before, she seemed to be asleep now.

I decided not to disturb her any longer.

Instead, I walked leisurely down the path of the pine trees.

The park was very quiet.

The silence of the ruined city was only broken by the chirping of crickets.

Taking that sound as my cue, I leisurely made my way back home.

A small light caught my eye at the far end of the horizon, probably where Sindorim Station used to be.

“…?”

Suddenly, a sense of unease crept over me as I walked.

Leaves were trampled in all directions.

There was no one else on this path but me…

Carefully, I took out my wolf ears.

Then, I listened intently to the sounds around me.

Fortunately, I heard no noise.

Just a passerby, perhaps…

My thoughts were abruptly cut off.

A sharp blade glinted in the forest.

Soon, men with swords emerged from both sides of the bushes.

They wore white robes that concealed their faces.

But one thing was certain.

The white robes, symbolizing purity, were splattered with red blood.

Between their unkempt hair, blue eyes flashed.

One of them swiftly approached and thrust a knife into my throat.

Even though I didn’t hear a sound, how…

“We found him.”

He said in a cold voice.

Then, someone walked towards us from the direction I had been watching earlier.

I was speechless when I saw her.

She was a woman as pale as Anna, with silver hair.

The only difference was that she wore formal attire and looked even thinner.

She covered her eyes with a veil.

“It’s not her.”

She spoke with a clear and beautiful voice.

As the woman spoke, the inspector grimaced bitterly.

“Perhaps you’re mistaken. Could he be a Hunter Killer’s decoy?”

My appearance with the wolf ears must have seemed ridiculous.

But I couldn’t bring myself to lower my hands.

I realized they were all Rankers.

If I acted rashly here, my life would be in immediate danger.

I could only tremble and plead in a shaky voice.

“Just a moment. I’m not that kind of person…”

“Well then, what kind of person are you?”

The inspector asked.

“I’m just a wandering merchant. Check my wallet…”

As I replied, the inspector hung his knife on my card wallet around my neck.

Skillfully, he removed it from my body.

“Han… Siho. 21 years old, incompetent?”

I nodded repeatedly.

“What is an inn employee doing here?”

“Selling potions as a side job at night.”

“At this hour… and an incompetent person at that?”

“Well… because of the rent pressure…”

I muttered under my breath, grasping my arm with one hand.

Why does he keep repeating such trivial facts today?

The inspector chuckled in disbelief.

He seemed surprised to hear such things from me.

“It’s okay, Ilgeom. I don’t sense any evil energy from that child.”

At the woman’s words, the man gradually sheathed his sword.

Then, he bent his knee, aligning his eyes with mine.

“I apologize. I was a bit sensitive as I am currently on official duty.”

The man took out his card from his pocket.

It was a membership card with a sophisticated design.

Age: 32 years old.

Occupation: S-rank Hunter, 7th in domestic ranking.

Ability: Confidential.

Information: A resolver employed by the Hunter Association.

A resolver from the association that I had only heard about…

I never expected to see a figure I had only seen in the news in real life.

“W-what happened nearby?”

I asked, trying to divert the attention focused on me.

In response, Dae-eun adjusted the blood-stained cloak on his shoulder and replied.

“I can’t provide details to civilians. However, I’m looking for a wanted criminal.”

He took out a photo from his pocket.

As soon as I saw the person in the picture, it felt like all the blood drained from my body.

It was the person I had saved earlier by selling all my belongings.

“She’s an extremely vicious criminal. She ruthlessly killed young boys at the inn and even committed arson in the past.”

My lower lip trembled.

With each word he spoke, I couldn’t help but feel like I was the culprit.

I blinked my stinging eyes and tried to focus.

It’s okay, I’m not the criminal…

“If you haven’t seen this woman, have you seen any other suspicious individuals?”

“Oh, suspicious individuals…”

As if reading my mind, the inspector fixed his gaze on me.

Wait, am I also involved in the crime?

“If we find anyone who helped her, we will interrogate them to find her whereabouts. She’s that dangerous.”

Interrogate…

Sweat trickled down my forehead.

The distance to Anna is only about thirty steps.

Just beyond the bushes, she would be visible.

Should I turn myself in here?

I looked up at the inspector.

His blue eyes gleamed like madness.

“According to the Association’s laws, aiding a fugitive is a serious offense. Regardless of the reason, you will face severe punishment.”

His cold voice made any thoughts of surrender disappear.

Even if I reveal the truth, he probably won’t let me off easily.

I took a deep breath and made up my mind.

Yes, instead of being caught for helping her…

Let me help her one more time.

For my sake.

“I saw her, actually.”

I slowly spoke, putting my finger to my lips.

“Really?”

The inspector asked eagerly, as if he had finally solved a difficult puzzle.

“Yes… the woman with striking white hair and unnaturally bright eyes, right?”

“That’s correct. You’re precise.”

He looked at me with hopeful eyes.

“I saw her heading towards Decube City earlier.”

“Decube City?”

“Yes… I thought about helping, but she was so covered in blood that it scared me…”

I stammered.

I’m an expert at this kind of pathetic acting that could earn me an Oscar.

The inspector nodded as if understanding.

“Indeed, anyone would freeze at her eerie appearance.”

He sheathed his sword and turned away.

“Let’s go, Your Excellency. We’ve found his trail.”

I carefully scrutinize the young woman’s demeanor.

Somehow, it feels like her gaze is directed towards me.

Even though she covered her eyes, it’s evident.

The woman referred to as a councilor approaches me slowly.

Then, she places her hand on her chest and elegantly greets me.

“Thank you, Mr. Siho. Your tip has been a great help to the association.”

She must be from the association.

If she’s a councilor, that means she’s one of the top 100 key figures among hunters…

“I will remember you.”

Her pale face comes closer to mine.

At that moment, I felt a chill.

It was because the aura I felt from her was similar to nothingness.

A figure with no color on her white skin.

Elegantly raised nose and lips even though her eyes were covered.

Things like an eye patch couldn’t hide all of the woman’s beauty.

It’s a sacred beauty that is hard to approach, like looking at a precious piece of art.

“Yes, thank you…”

Her smile widens upon hearing my response.

Eventually, the woman walks towards Cube City with a man.

Go there a hundred times.

That’s where I met Se-ah’s party.

All they’ll see is the carcass of a wolf.

The inspector hurried ahead, covering his face with a hood.

The woman’s figure gradually diminishes until it completely disappears.

But even after they vanished completely, I still feel uneasy.

The inspector’s movements were eerie to the point of being soundless, and the woman’s final words were unsettling.

Saying she will remember seems to refer not to my tip but to the ‘misdeed’ she helped with.

This unease urged me.

“I have to go back…”

I took off my jacket and firmly secured it around my waist.

Since I’ve helped her, Anna can’t be caught.

I quickly ran back towards the bushes.