episode_0034

The sky wasn’t that dark yet.

After I came out, I slowly relaxed my body. My body felt stiff and uncomfortable somewhere.

No, how many times do I stretch today?

If this continues, I’m going to dislocate my leg.

Anyway, that doesn’t matter.

As I looked to the side, I saw Lee Ji-hye stretching along with me. She looked as uncomfortable as I was.

As I continued to look at her, she turned her head towards me, as if she sensed my gaze.

Our eyes met perfectly.

I felt a little awkward and was worried about what kind of expression I should make. If I made a strange expression, it might make things even more awkward.

Because peace came for no reason, I couldn’t do anything because it felt more threatening than before. I feel like I’ve been thinking a lot.

“Do you have anything to say?”

As I continued to stare, Lee Ji-hye spoke to me first. It seemed like she was being considerate in many ways. She spoke to me before things got any more awkward.

I took a moment to collect my thoughts and then answered with a smile.

“No. I’m just so grateful, you know?”

“What does that mean?”

“Didn’t Lee Ji-hye help me a lot today? I’m so grateful that I’m even thinking about how to repay you.”

It’s not a lie.

Actually, I feel truly grateful to Lee Ji-hye. Even though it was a promise and a favor, she helped me with this dangerous task.

But are you saying now that you have nothing to say about that?

For a moment, I felt sorry for myself.

I really can’t hold a conversation.

In any case, it is true that I have to give her something. Of course, I can give her the sword I got here, or I can give her the heart of the monster.

I’m just wondering which of the two to give.

Since it is certain that I have to give it, what should I do?

“You don’t have to do that. I think I know what kind of person you are today.”

“Yes?”

Do you still think I resemble Yoo Soo-ho?

No, honestly, I don’t know why you’re misunderstanding that. His personality is completely different from mine.

Well, since it wasn’t going to cause any harm anyway, I decided to just let it go. It’s not like something strange is going to happen because of this, right?

“But I’m sorry, so I think you could take either the monster’s heart or this sword.”

“There’s no need for that.”

“Anyway, these were obtained thanks to Lee Ji-hye, so just take them.”

“Well, if you say so.”

Lee Ji-hye is momentarily lost in thought at my words.

When I saw him standing still with a rather serious expression, I also felt nervous for some reason. As time passed, his expression finally changed as if he had made up his mind.

“Can I use this as a sword?”

It seems that he accepted it as better because he had tried it once. However, he seemed cautious somewhere, and I think it was because he thought it seemed rude.

I smiled and answered her like that.

“That’s okay. If you feel like it’s good, just take it.”

“But isn’t that something that affects the drugs you used?”

In many ways, I could feel that he was truly thinking of me. I felt bad about taking it away because it was an interactive object.

What the heck, you were always this kind of kid? I was touched for a moment.

I thought about what to say for a moment and then opened my mouth.

“It’s okay. I know from using it that it’s designed to only affect that monster. It doesn’t make you stronger or anything, so you can just use it.”

When I actually used it, I couldn’t feel it getting stronger.

It didn’t feel like the quality of mana had improved, and it was just harder to use in many ways. That’s why I don’t really mind giving it to Lee Ji-hye.

“Well, if you say so. I’ll use it gratefully.”

“Don’t mention it.”

He said it with a smile.

I slowly raised the sword and handed it to Lee Ji-hye.

Then, I could see that the corners of her lips slightly went up, as if she was happy. I could feel a sense of satisfaction in many ways.

“Then, let’s go back now.”

“Yeah.”

At that moment, Lee Ji-hye asked me a question as if she had some doubts.

“But you’re not going to the hospital?”

“Hospital?”

I think he was worried that I might be hurt.

First of all, I wasn’t hurt that badly.

If I had to say, I was dizzy from using up so much mana, but my body was fine after all, so it was okay to just go back.

Of course, I felt a little tired, but it was something that could be solved with a good night’s sleep.

“There might be a serious injury somewhere, wouldn’t it be better to go?”

“It’s okay. I just used a lot of mana.”

“Okay, okay. Okay.”

“Thank you.”

I turned my body and moved. At the same time, I smiled leisurely and said.

“Then let’s go back now.”

Lee Ji-hye smiled slightly when she saw me like that and spoke in a voice that was completely different from when we first met.

“Yeah.”

After Lee Ji-hye left, I also walked along a different path at the same time. Since the places she and I returned to were different, our paths were not the same.

I didn’t have any regrets, but I could feel a sense of emptiness. I guess it was because I felt such a big difference from before.

I took out the paper I had put in my pocket again. There was still confusing information written on it.

Even if I read it again, I can’t even laugh out loud because there was no trace of it in the original.

I put the paper back, thinking I’d add more later.

I walked down the street. I saw people around me.

It finally felt real to me that I had escaped that gate.

What should I do now?

I thought about stopping by a convenience store and getting something to eat, but I couldn’t do that because I didn’t have any money with me.

I’m a little hungry, so let’s go back to the academy and take care of that.

As I continued to walk, thinking like that, I suddenly felt like the world was spinning. My body started to sway and I collapsed for a moment.

Now that I was out on a fairly large street, I felt a bit embarrassed at the thought that I would be the center of attention of people walking along the street. I wanted to get up quickly, but I still ended up sinking.

I keep wanting to get up, but I can’t.

‘Oh, shit.’

I need to wake up quickly, but why isn’t my body moving?

When Lee Ji-hye told me to go to the hospital, should I really have gone? When I realized that my body wasn’t in a normal condition, I started to feel regret.

“Huh? Seo Jin-ah?”

A familiar voice came from somewhere. I knew exactly who it was. I looked up and saw Seo Jae-hyeok and Yoo Seo-ra together.

“Hey, what happened! What’s wrong with your clothes! Hey, wake up!”

Seo Jae-hyuk stuttered and came straight to me. Looking at his worried eyes, I just wanted to get up by myself.

Because it was too burdensome.

“It’s okay. It’s nothing.”

I shouted as if I was fine and immediately put strength into my legs. As I slowly tried to stand up, I fell down again.

No, shit, when I was with Lee Ji-hye, I was fine, so why is this happening all of a sudden?

“No problem, I see you can’t get up right now. I’ll help you. Should I carry you?”

Seo Jae-hyeok said that to me with pure intentions. However, the look in Yoo Se-ra’s eyes next to her changed dramatically and she immediately glared at me. It almost seemed as if she was jealous.

No, what the fuck are you guys thinking about, you two.

“No, it’s okay.”

Was it because I saw Yoo Seora’s gaze for no reason? I tried harder to move on my own. Of course, I ended up collapsing again.

“I’ll help you.”

Shit.

There’s nothing I can do about it. People are already staring at me, and I need to get help. I sighed at the thought.

“Yeah. Help me out.”

It was at that moment that Seo Jae-hyuk was about to lie down.

“Jaehuk, I’ll carry you.”

“Huh?”

“Jaehuk is having a hard time. Don’t waste your energy and leave it to me!”

Yoo Seo-ra spoke to Seo Jae-hyeok, smiling as if she was excited. Seo Jae-hyeok, who was momentarily embarrassed, looked at me as if he was troubled. It seemed as if he felt a little sorry.

“Yeah, since he’s an S-class awakener anyway, just leave him to it.”

One thing I can easily throw away is a will.

Of course, I also felt uneasy that he might kill me, but I couldn’t help it. On the other hand, if I were carried by Seo Jae-hyuk, I would probably go to heaven tomorrow.

“Okay, I understand. Sorry, Sera.”

“Hehe, no. I’m fine!”

As soon as she said that, Yoo Seol-ra picked me up. Of course, I couldn’t help but be flustered for a moment. What kind of crazy thing is this!

“Hey, what the hell are you doing?”

Why are you saying this?

Do you think I’m some kind of box? It’s embarrassing to even carry a baby, so why are you doing this?

“Why?”

Yoo Seo-ra tilted her head as if to ask what the problem was. It was even more annoying because it was an expression of genuine ignorance.

That kid really pisses me off.

“People around you.”

I said it as if I had noticed. Then, Yu Seo-ra, who made an expression as if she understood, raised the corners of her lips slightly and continued speaking.

“Does it really matter? I think I got all the attention I deserved anyway.”

“Fuck. Okay, just let me down, I’ll be able to lean on your shoulder.”

As if he understood what I meant, he lightly placed me on the ground. Then, he immediately leaned on my shoulder and helped me walk.

“Haha, you guys are still close.”

Seo Jae-hyuk said that while listening to me swearing.

How can you say we look so friendly? You still call me Yuseo and use formal language.

“Jaehuk, but you’re the only one for me……!”

“Yeah, fuck, just tell me that when I’m not around.”

I covered Yusera’s mouth without thinking. Then, she spoke to me in a voice filled with embarrassment.

“Dirty.”

“What should I do?”

I find it more revealing when you talk like that.

“Oh, okay. Thanks for helping. Honestly, it was a bit difficult.”

Strangely, my body did not move as I wanted it to.

It wouldn’t matter if my legs were shaking, but they weren’t, so it was a strange feeling. My strength kept draining away, so I couldn’t move anymore, and as a result, I ended up lying on the floor the whole time.

“It’s natural to help friends.”

Seo Jae-hyuk answered with a smile. The note next to me didn’t say anything, and since that was typical of her, I decided to ignore it.

“Are you going back to the academy for now?”

“Yeah. Right.”

“Then let’s go back quickly.”

I was so tired that I wanted to go straight to bed. More than anything, I didn’t want to hear Yusera say any weird lines, so I wanted to go right away.

“Okay. Let’s go right away, then.”

At Yusera’s words, I started moving again. Naturally, because of me, they were walking very slowly, and I could feel a surge of guilt rising because of it.

“But what happened to make it like this?”

Yusera asked me a question.

Naturally, it was ambiguous to answer. That’s because I have to hide my information as much as possible, and to do that, it would be better not to talk about what happened today.

I hesitated for a moment, thinking that if I didn’t say anything, people would start to doubt me.

“That’s right. Seo Jin-ah. What happened?”

After hearing Seo Jae-hyuk’s voice, I thought about it roughly.

“Something came up.”

One day, the two of you will realize that I have mana. Especially since it’s a will, you’ll know in just a few days.

But for now, let’s hide it.

I felt it was better than adding words while my thoughts were still unorganized.

Yusura looked at me with suspicion.

I’ll tell you separately, so just close your eyes.

I was sincere.