episode_0031

After I got out, I immediately moved somewhere. I couldn’t go that far because I didn’t know much about this place.

After taking my seat, I immediately bent down.

Originally, I planned to hide near Lee Ji-hye, but she refused directly. I think she probably thought it would be better that way, at least to recover her mana.

That’s why I’m currently separated from Lee Ji-hye. Of course, I plan to follow her right away after giving her some time.

I know Lee Ji-hye is anxious, but I’m also anxious about Lee Ji-hye.

I wondered if she was acting strangely for no reason. Especially since the weapon wasn’t the sword I had given her, but something she had brought herself, I couldn’t help but have negative thoughts.

‘I’m sure you’ll do well.’

He’s also an S-class hunter.

Of course, even though he’s only 20 years old, he’s more used to defeating monsters like that than I am, and he probably knows more.

Still, I felt uneasy for some reason, perhaps because I was older than Lee Ji-hye.

*

Lee Ji-hye looked around.

Fortunately, Kim Seo-jin seemed to have followed what I said and moved to another place. I smiled without realizing it, relieved by that.

‘If it were up to you, you’d just follow me.’

At first, I didn’t feel anything. Even if it was Yoo Soo-ho’s words, I wondered if they really looked alike.

I couldn’t understand.

Because the Yoo Soo-ho that I know isn’t like this. He’s more dependable and has a bold personality.

That’s why I followed you today because I was concerned about Yoo Soo-ho’s words. If it were normal, I would have just focused on my hunter work like I usually do.

However, Lee Ji-hye’s impression of Kim Seo-jin changed because of his actions today.

He simply found a mystery that no one in this world could solve. At the same time, he knew that there was a hidden piece and what it was. And using that information, Kim Seo-jin planned something that would benefit him. Above all, he could see that he had the courage to put it into action.

After Kim Seo-jin obtained the hidden piece, we were able to see a different side of him.

After gaining mana, he showed his certainty by using a relaxed smile and speech that was different from his usual appearance. It was as if he was going to solve everything.

That’s why Lee Ji-hye felt relieved when she saw that. At that moment, it really felt like she could see Yoo Soo-ho.

Perhaps from that time on, Lee Ji-hye started to like Kim Seo-jin.

When he was suddenly attacked by a monster that had awakened and collapsed, Kim Seo-jin did not run away but came to help him right away. He even apologized to him, saying that he was sorry for doing this. He said that he brought this place here and that it turned out like this.

The point is that he even has a sense of duty.

Kim Seo-jin even guessed why they were being treated this way. And as I listened, I felt like it was definitely true.

Of course, there was a lack of evidence, but I somehow believed it and decided to just let it go. He gave off a similar vibe to Yoo Soo-ho.

‘They really do look alike.’

They look similar somehow.

The two of them really are similar to the point where you can’t really know each other’s minds.

Now I admit it. At first it was hard to believe, but when I actually saw and felt them together, I could tell. There was a hidden atmosphere between those two.

‘If Kim Seo-jin had been an awakened person.’

It makes me think that even if he had been an S-class, or at least a B-class, Awakener like Yoo Su-ho, his actions would have been different.

Maybe you’re already living your life as a hunter.

‘I want to know.’

Lee Ji-hye wanted to know why she felt the same atmosphere as Yoo Soo-ho. She was curious, and she felt that it would be the same for anyone.

‘Kim Seo-jin, who are you?’

What are you hiding that makes you feel the same way as Yoo Soo-ho?

To satisfy her curiosity, Lee Ji-hye picked up a small sword. She decided to fight to live. She would hold out until Kim Seo-jin’s mana was restored.

Lee Ji-hye smiled at the sound of the monster gradually approaching.

But unlike Yoo Soo-ho and Kim Seo-jin, it was an awkward, carefree smile. Even he knew that, and many thoughts came and went.

‘I guess I can’t follow along.’

That atmosphere wasn’t something that could be easily imitated.

*

Quite some time has passed.

Thinking that this was enough, I immediately stood up from my seat. If I waited any longer, Lee Ji-hye might be in danger.

I couldn’t just stay like this, not even sure if my thoughts were right. I checked the number of magazines and walked slowly.

If you run too fast, you’ll only lose stamina. Anyway, Lee Ji-hye didn’t tell you to come right away, so it’ll be okay.

As I walked down the hallway, I heard a sound that seemed to be getting closer.

It felt like something was breaking and even cracking. I could still be sure that Lee Ji-hye was alive. That was because even though I was still, the sound didn’t feel like it was getting closer.

It was clear that it was not coming straight towards us anymore, even though it had been coming straight towards us earlier.

‘Still, I can’t feel at ease.’

Even so, Lee Ji-hye is probably still fighting. I guess she’s still in a dangerous situation.

So, I prepare to fight in advance. It doesn’t really matter since I’m fully loaded, but my posture itself was quite wrong. I naturally walked to get into a good posture.

So I entered the side street. What came into view was none other than Lee Ji-hye lying on a rock.

“Fuck, I knew it!”

Why are you talking about running away on that topic!

I just pulled the trigger on the gun I had loaded.

bang!

The bullet’s power was weak because I still had to conserve mana. However, I pulled the trigger repeatedly several times, and the bullets flew without delay and continued to hit the same spot.

Thanks to that, I couldn’t inflict any damage, but he turned his head towards me as if something was bothering him.

My eyes met with his. He slowly approached me.

I aimed for the weakest point as much as possible. I couldn’t really hurt him, but I kept pulling the trigger, thinking it was better than doing nothing.

It was the moment when the monster gradually approached me.

Suddenly, Lee Ji-hye flew in quickly, picked me up, and jumped towards the other side. The speed was so great that it caused me, who had an ordinary body, quite a lot of pain.

Lee Ji-hye, who landed safely, looked at me and opened her mouth wide.

“Why are you here!”

No matter how much I think about it, I don’t seem to like the current situation. But what can I do? I’m so anxious that I can’t sit still.

I opened my mouth after thinking about what to say for a moment.

“I’m worried. I wonder if Lee Ji-hye is being affected.”

“Do you think I’m weak?”

I guess I hurt his pride.

“No, that’s not true. That monster is just too strong, and you never know what might happen.”

I spoke lightly and stepped away from Lee Ji-hye. I reloaded my gun, replaced the magazine, and prepared to fight.

“So I’m going to try to solve it right away.”

“Resolved? Is your mana finally restored?”

I shook my head at Lee Ji-hye’s words.

My mana was still lacking and small. It was true that it had recovered more than before, but it was still difficult to use it properly.

“Then what are you going to do?”

“To put it simply, it’s like this.”

The monster was running towards us. But I didn’t pay any attention to it and pulled the trigger leisurely. The bullet hit the pillar a little in front of the monster quite naturally.

When I looked at Lee Ji-hye, she seemed not to understand what was happening.

That was the moment.

The pillar collapsed very quickly, crushing the monster that was running towards him. Lee Ji-hye looked surprised from the side.

“If you do this, you should be able to fight well, right? So don’t worry.”

I said with a light laugh. Then, Lee Ji-hye laughed in vain as if it was absurd.

“You had this kind of confidence?”

“You could say yes, or you could say no.”

Of course, when I said I would be left alone, I had thought about this battle method to some extent. However, I was not sure if the wall would actually collapse properly or almost collapse. Even though it was a maze inside and there were walls everywhere, it was still a possibility, but it was true that I was anxious.

But thanks to Lee Ji-hye, I was able to fight with certainty.

Of course, I can’t give that monster a single proper wound, but I can buy some time. So now, I just need to buy more time and restore my mana.

“Can you help me?”

Lee Ji-hye was dumbfounded at my question and then said.

“As expected, they look alike.”

who?

Yoo Soo-ho, the guy I mentioned earlier?

No, he and I are completely different people. He’s the kind of guy who doesn’t hesitate to sacrifice himself, so to think that he’s the same as me makes no sense even when I think about it again.

I debated whether to say something, but decided to just ignore it.

“ Okay, I’m helping you, right?”

“Of course. Otherwise I would have already left.”

I smiled briefly at Lee Ji-hye’s words.

“Huh? Why are you laughing?”

“No. It’s quite different from how you usually speak.”

“Ah.”

Lee Ji-hye let out an exclamation as if she now knew.

After a moment of contemplation, he opened his mouth.

“That’s just my natural way of speaking.”

“Are you saying that the way you speak now is your natural way of speaking?”

“Yeah. Just let it be known. It means I like you that much.”

Those words made me feel briefly happy.

For some reason, the original protagonist Seo Jae-hyeok became close with Lee Ji-hye, but unlike the original where it was awkward, I felt like we became quite comfortable with each other.

Actually, I know that her current way of speaking is her real way of speaking. The way she has spoken up until now was just imitating Yoo Soo-ho, so she said in the original that it was actually a bit uncomfortable.

Even though it was something I already knew, I felt good hearing it directly from Lee Ji-hye’s mouth that the way she usually spoke was in fact fake.

I felt like I could do better.

“Then, let’s go right away.”

“Yeah.”

Lee Ji-hye immediately moved to the left. I pulled the trigger to aim the rickety pillar-like object at the monster, aiming it at Lee Ji-hye.

The monster quickly avoided the collapsing wall, but was unable to avoid Lee Ji-hye’s attack. The monster was momentarily surprised by the sword blade flying towards it and fell down.

Boom, the whole place resonates. Lee Ji-hye takes advantage of that moment and rushes towards the monster.

“You must not go!”

When I shouted loudly, Lee Ji-hye stopped moving and immediately turned her body and jumped to the other side. At that moment, the monster picked up a huge rock next to her and threw it straight at her. Thanks to my shouting in advance, Lee Ji-hye dodged it perfectly.

I wasn’t sure if Lee Ji-hye could have avoided it if I had spoken even a little later.

‘Okay, if we keep going like this.’

The battle itself was simple.

I kept fighting like this over and over again, and thanks to that, I could feel my mana gradually recovering. When I felt that it had accumulated to a certain extent, I immediately prepared to use my sword.

At this level, I can use my mana sufficiently. I should be able to attack, so I tried raising my sword.

‘No, wait a minute.’

But can I approach that monster?

As that thought crossed my mind, I couldn’t help but stop moving in a daze. It would be dangerous if I approached it without warning.

As that crossed my mind, I was left speechless.

“Oh, shit.”

I had no choice but to grit my teeth.

Here again, I felt uncomfortable because I wasn’t an awakened person. Of course, I could get help from Lee Ji-hye, but it was true that it was still dangerous.

“What are you doing now?”

As I was standing still, he came right up to me, as if he was dissatisfied. I kept my mouth shut, unable to say anything. But suddenly, as if in doubt, he tilted his head toward me.

“Is there a problem?”

Lee Ji-hye thought for a moment and then said.

“Yes. It seems like it’s become harder to attack.”

“Attack?”

“Now that I can use mana, isn’t it dangerous?”

Lee Ji-hye opened her mouth as if she noticed what I said.

I continued to think without paying much attention to her. If I were going to attack, it would be better to do so at a weak point. If I attack anywhere without any risk, I might just lose my mana in vain.

‘What should I do?’

Now that I’m deep in thought, I’ve finally come to the conclusion that there is no answer.

No matter how hard I tried, there was no way to attack that monster safely and reliably. So there was nothing I could do.

They fight so aggressively that it can almost be considered gambling.

“Let’s just fight for now. Ms. Lee Ji-hye, can you help me?”

Lee Ji-hye nodded at my words. I wanted to at least say thank you, but the monster in front of me didn’t wait.

Just then a rock flew at me and Lee Ji-hye picked me up and moved me to the other side.

“Can you just make some space?”

“Well, if that’s the case, I guess it would work… … .”

Because I thought I could knock him down with just one hit. Of course, the fear grew because there was a high chance that it wouldn’t. I hesitated and felt like things would go in a bad direction for no reason.

“Then I’ll make room for you.”

“Yes?”

“Of course, promise me in return. I can definitely take you down.”

What the hell.

This means that all my guesses should be correct. It just makes me more anxious.

“Can you do it?”

I cursed inwardly.

As if to ask why this happened. But why? I don’t know why, but I became convinced.

For some reason, the patterns I had seen on the walls seemed to appear before my eyes. I concluded my deductions within this gate with the conjecture that the meaningless lines that had seemed so far were actually the number 1.

“Of course you can tell.”

I smiled leisurely and bitterly. It was true that I was afraid, but I was still leisurely.

“Okay. Then I’ll start right away.”

“Yes, I understand. But how… … .”

When I asked her a long question, Lee Ji-hye laughed. Then she put me down on the floor and picked up the small sword.

“Go.”

As Lee Ji-hye’s voice muttered softly, mana began to appear from her body. Something like an aura rose from her body, giving off a sense of intimidation.

I took a slight step back, looking at my surroundings shaking violently.

Lee Ji-hye struck down her sword hard.

The surroundings are blown away with a very strong sound of a crash. Stone fragments fly here and there, and the black energy is directed at the monster. I can confirm that the attack that flew without my eyes hitting the monster’s torso perfectly.

“ is… … !”

I jumped at the sound of her voice.

I wonder if I’m doing well. I felt relaxed even though I wasn’t sure. I felt like I could handle it.

I couldn’t hide my excitement. I ran to that extent, unable to control my emotions.

I got right up to the monster.

I picked up the sword. I use the mana in the sword and the mana obtained from the potion together.

It feels like a strong flavor.

It felt like the whole place was shaking as mana rose out of my body. Soon, pain came quickly.

I gritted my teeth and raised my sword.

My thoughts were cut off, but I was able to take the next action. I swung my sword down with all my might. I remember it was aimed exactly at the heart.