episode_0250

Sometimes the truth is more painful than a pretty lie. And that’s exactly what happened to me right now.

It’s funny, but only now do I understand a little bit about Yeon-i’s feelings from two years ago.

So, it was even more important to not lie.

How painful it is to be left without knowing English… I know this better than anyone else.

“… That’s how it happened.”

I was facing two schoolgirls in an empty lot along the back road of the garden. I forced my mouth open and began to confess everything that had happened.

Because he had received power and magic through his body as an insensitive person, his body was being overloaded, and as a side effect of having to push his power to its limit repeatedly in that situation, his lifespan was gradually decreasing.

… and then the fact that I have less than two months left to live.

“Ah, ah… ”

I glanced up at the trembling moan. Two empty golden eyes came into view. Yeon-i, who was standing, was swaying dangerously as if she would fall over at any moment.

“Okay, it’ll be okay… ”

She barely opened her lips and let out a stammering voice.

“Let’s go to the hospital first… There’s a good place in our Paecheon Mountains… Let’s go and get a thorough checkup… ”

“… You know it’s useless.”

But that’s just a pointless rant. When the captain first took me in, my body was already in shambles. I barely managed to keep myself together through constant management with them.

-Your body is falling apart?

-The power that Soo-ah gave me… Now I have to use it without fail…

-The most terrible and miserable death, the death in which existence itself is erased…

The mocking taunts, the tearful appeals, and the warnings. All of those words clearly pointed to only one path.

My end.

“Ah, ahh… ”

And Yeon-i, who couldn’t bear it any longer, collapsed. Tears welled up in her eyes.

Paradoxically, it was only through such a reaction that I began to realize my own death. Of course, watching him was also… extremely painful.

“It’s all because of me, because of me… ”

The fallen Yeon-i roughly grabbed her hair and tore it out. The shiny hair she had been proud of had long since become a mess.

“I, I left you… I left you alone… Like this… Ah, ah… ”

“… Yeon-ah.”

There’s no need for her to feel guilty again about what happened.

It was something I had already decided to let go of. Even if it hadn’t been for that, the problem would have come up someday. What I have now is too powerful and vast a force to be contained in a frail human body.

“Don’t do that.”

I went over and helped Yeon-i up. Her two eyes, filled with sorrow and no comfort, were filled with nothing but sorrow.

“It was bound to happen someday. It just happened a little sooner.”

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry… It’s all, it’s all my fault… It’s because of me that you… ”

“It’s not your fault. This was all my decision. I was the one who decided to use force, even though I knew it was dangerous.”

“Ugh… Hyuna… ”

“Thanks to this power, I was able to survive and meet the captain and my sisters. I was able to enter a prestigious academy as a lowly country bumpkin, and I was able to protect the people I care about from danger. I am so satisfied with those days. So… ”

“Ugh… ”

“So… I don’t regret it.”

This was definitely my true heart. I said it with a smile on my face, but I don’t think it was conveyed well. Yeon-i was shedding big tears without even realizing that her makeup was smudged.

“And… ”

Then I turned my head.

He stood there with his head bowed and without saying a word, feeling sorry for her. He stayed like that for quite some time.

I pondered the meaning of that static reaction. Rather, I was prepared for an emotional turmoil under the impression of compassion, so I guess I should say that it was fortunate.

“… Senior Min-ha.”

“… ”

Compassionately, there was still no word. I hope that they will not feel as sad as possible. I had no choice but to tell them the truth, but I do not want them to suffer under the shadow of my death.

I looked at the two with such hope and carefully opened my mouth.

Watching Yeonminha’s expression, he acted as if it was nothing special, as if he was trying to lighten the mood…

“That’s it. So… I don’t think I can choose both. I’m sorry, but forget about me now… ”

-Kwaaang!!

And before I could finish my prepared words, my body spun around in the air several times. Beyond my dizzying vision, the sound of metal clanking loudly rang in my ears.

Even as I lay on the ground, tasting the dust, I could clearly feel the stinging pain in my cheek. I lifted my hand to check the mask. And I could feel the texture of the surface, which was sunken in the shape of thin fingers.

“Say that again.”

As I sat up, the voice I heard was Yeonminha’s voice, heavy and deep. The gaze looking at me from right in front of my nose was eerily sharp.

“Senior… ”

-Pfft!

And then a stabbing pain shot up my chest.

“Say that again.”

-Bam! Bam! Kaang!

The dull thud of a muscle being struck, and the metallic sound of another slap to the cheek behind. It feels as if the seams of the mask are loosening.

“What? Is that so? Sorry, but have you forgotten about me now?”

-Bam! Bam! Bam!

◦ ◦ Tell me again!

Compassion finally erupted in anger like an erupting volcano.

“How, how dare you say such things to me…! How dare you…!”

-Bam! Kwaang!

“You said you’d be by my side. You said you’d always be with me! And you said that, and you said that, how could you…!”

The fists that were filled with anger were becoming more and more violent.

“You said you’d make it yours! You said you’d make me drunk!”

-bang!

“What are you talking about when you make such big promises?”

“What a pity…! What are you doing to Hyun-i!! Get off me!!”

“I’ll eat you like a dog!!!”

My vision was spinning around in a daze as I punched him. Even in the midst of all this, my consciousness was clear. Yeon-i stopped Yeon-min-ha with a tearful voice. Yeon-min-ha was climbing onto my body without paying any attention and was swearing.

I’ve certainly said something with that nuance. It seems a bit distorted, but… there’s not much difference.

Yes. There is no way Yeonmin-ha would accept my death calmly. It was absurd from the beginning.

I had no intention of stopping her from throwing a punch. Anger is a right under complete compassion. I can’t stop him.

If only I could relieve even a little of the resentment that was built up inside… That little bit of whining is all it is.

“Ugh… And then… How… !”

Despite his determination, the strength of his fists was gradually weakening. On the contrary, the moisture in his voice was becoming deeper. The anger that had nowhere to go was gradually changing into sadness.

“How…you… ”

I have to admit it. What I just said was a huge slip of the tongue.

The moment I was about to spit out the words, “Forget it,” even I couldn’t express the unpleasantness. It’s so hard to say things you don’t mean.

Actually, I hope they won’t forget me, no matter what happens or how much time passes.

That is my true nature and my remaining desire. Even if I get criticized for being selfish, there is nothing I can do about it.

And the moment I realized it, I couldn’t help but offer a soft apology.

“… Sorry.”

“Black… ”

“Ugh… ”

I was completely devastated and collapsed with pity for him. I barely managed to get up, my body covered in wounds.

The two girls were in a mess, crying and weeping. I probably looked no different from them. If someone saw this sight, they would probably hold their stomachs and laugh.

***

I continued my story when their tear ducts dried up.

The dream of the leader and his sisters, the witch who sent the leader’s arm, and his plan to go find the witches himself before his life ends to confirm their life or death.

And in conclusion, I had to stay in the cradle for one more day.

The two of them stopped me with one voice. After seeing the precious sight of the unity of the rebels and the enemy, I could only nod my head.

I thought maybe she needed some time to prepare herself mentally. If this was the case, I wondered what the hell the fight with the principal was about… But I don’t think she’ll grab me again now.

Because I’ve already told you all the details.

Of course, I couldn’t sleep comfortably. As my hot head calmed down, I was able to observe the current situation a little more rationally.

It is said that the end is a predetermined fate, but no matter what happens, I cannot die until I at least confirm the life or death of the captain and his sisters. For that, thorough preparation is necessary. Extra weapons, food, transportation, movement path, etc.

I stayed up all night, thinking about such things. On the other hand, I was also thinking about the possibility that Yeon or Yeonmin-ha might come to visit me without warning.

And to the dismay of the contrast, nothing happened that night.

The sky is starting to turn pale at dawn. Anyway, the time I promised them was only for one night. I packed my bags before dawn and left the dorm.

… that was the plan.

Before I saw two schoolgirls standing in front of the door.

“… You guys?”

“… ”

The two of them had already completed all their preparations. I could tell at a glance that they were heavily armed. The particle-proof uniforms visible under their casual clothes, the particle array, and various magical tools, as well as their luggage that was not at all inferior to mine.

“What are you doing now… ”

“We decided to go together. With you.”