novelraw Chapter 224 : Chapter 224
Chapter 224 : Chapter 224
Chapter 224: Relationship (2)
Looking at the flustered So-hee, Smiley shrugged her shoulders.
“At most, 1 or 2 years. At shortest, three or four months?”
What surprised So-hee, in turn, was her completely nonchalant attitude while speaking of her own death.
She asked back dubiously.
“……Why.”
“It’s not a very surprising reason. My body simply can’t hold out. Is it because I already died once?”
The disease that had originally been eating away at her body, she had cured that perfectly.
That’s why she thought there would be no problems, but.
Separate from that, the fate of death was chasing closely behind her, trying to swallow her up.
And this fact, not the leader of the Society, not the affiliated scientists, not even Smiley's fake persona knew.
Only one person knew.
Only the ‘real’ Smiley, standing in front of So-hee, knew.
“Well, whether it’s the body’s homeostasis, or fate, or maybe a side effect of resurrection itself. Whatever it is, it’s actually a relief.”
She let out a genuine sigh of relief.
At least, Smiley genuinely thought her own death was a relief.
Even if she disappeared now and the destructive, harsh persona completely took over the body, the extent to which it could throw this world into chaos would be drastically reduced.
“It’s not that I’m obsessed with death or life itself, but still.”
But if there was one lingering attachment.
“I just want to set my twisted relationship with Ho-cheol straight as much as possible before I die.”
It wasn't just for her own satisfaction.
Although it wasn't her real self, if the last memory she left him was of her ugly side.
That would be too sad and she'd be too sorry.
“……Such a.”
So-hee momentarily gasped.
That tone, those words, that gaze, expression, atmosphere.
The consideration for the other person felt almost like an obsession.
Everything was similar.
For a moment, she saw Ho-cheol's face superimposed over Smiley's.
“That's why I need your help. In order for me to die as my complete self, without anyone getting hurt.”
A rainbow-colored light shimmered over So-hee's pupils.
A Trait that distinguished the other person's remarks by color.
Smiley already knew about So-hee's Trait through her investigation.
Whether her own remarks were true or false.
She was being checked, but Smiley didn't stop the action at all.
No, rather, she had been waiting for this moment.
In truth, the reason she had sought out So-hee wasn't just because she had a close relationship with Ho-cheol.
Her Trait, the Trait that could confirm the other person's true feelings, was the only way for the current Smiley to reveal her sincerity.
The other humans around Ho-cheol, to be honest, were impossible to persuade.
No matter how much Smiley tried to persuade them, they would doubt her words and rack their brains several times to figure out her intentions.
But the civil servant in front of her was different.
According to the information, her ability was to grasp the other's true intentions.
Thanks to that, even if she didn't want to believe it, she had no choice but to believe.
How much time had passed.
The light that had been swirling over So-hee's pupils disappeared.
She let out a faint sigh.
“How about it? I'm right, aren't I?”
Looking at Smiley, who asked with a grin, So-hee gave a small nod.
She was certain through her Trait.
Everything Smiley had said just now was the truth.
And something was strange.
The current Smiley she had heard about from Ho-cheol was violent and a true villain who would stop at nothing.
But that person.
No.
She was absolutely not that kind of human.
Looking at Smiley, So-hee asked.
“Just who are you?”
At the first question thrown, Smiley smiled faintly.
“I am……”
She leaned her body forward.
And as if it were a great secret, she whispered.
“Just me.”
Even that answer was so similar to Ho-cheol that she couldn't just brush it off.
“So, can you help me?”
“……What if I say no?”
“I'll have to give up and find another way. I don't want to be hated any more than I am.”
So-hee asked again, as if she still couldn't understand.
“……Can't you just confess everything as it is?”
“I can't do that. Unfortunately, many people have already been hurt by this body. To kill me, who has already become a villain……. Mm. I won't explain any further. Above all, there are more reasons why I can't.”
Improving her relationship with Ho-cheol.
In truth, she hadn't explained it properly to So-hee, but this was ultimately just about finding a place for herself to die.
Besides, if the new persona found out that her life expectancy was short, she didn't know what it would do.
In the first place, the reason she had asked So-hee for help was because she didn't have time.
If not for that, there would have been no need for this.
Even under So-hee's still hostile gaze, Smiley didn't lose her smile.
It wasn't as if she expected an answer right away.
She stood up and smiled faintly.
“Contact me anytime when you've decided. Just not too late.”
If it was too late, she'd really be dead.
It would be better to be rejected coolly so she could find another way.
So-hee, who had been staring blankly at Smiley's retreating back, chewed her lip.
If she thought about it coolly and logically, she should naturally be relieved by this situation.
A clear enemy.
There was no reason to help that enemy.
But if it were Ho-cheol.
She let out a long sigh.
In the end, she called out to stop Smiley.
“Wait a minute.”
If someone asked for help, he would definitely have helped.
Yes, Ho-cheol would have, for sure.
So-hee laughed hollowly.
I didn't think so, but I've been influenced quite a lot.
Toward Smiley, who had stopped, So-hee said quietly.
“There's a condition.”
Smiley turned around and asked.
“A condition?”
“I need to hear about your past. Why you're so obsessed, and why Ho-cheol is clinging to you.”
“You'll help me if I just tell you that?”
“……Yes.”
Smiley grinned, strode back, and sat down again.
“It's not like I can't tell you.”
A precious past she wanted to monopolize and not share with anyone, but not at this moment.
The memory of her happiest days, which she held most precious and never wanted to forget.
She slowly opened the treasure box wrapped in silk.
***
“Damn it! There's no end to the villains!”
As Ye-jin shouted, dry ice popped out of her mouth and fell.
But she didn't even have time to pay attention to it.
Villains were still pouring in.
Kwakdeuk—!
She twisted her body to avoid the attacking villain's fist, and at the same time, clenched her fist and brought it to her mouth.
She gathered her breath and shot out wind as if exhaling sharply through the gap in her fist.
The wind flew and struck the villain's ear.
The power itself wasn't strong, but its core was the chill that the breath itself held.
The villain's ear froze in an instant.
The chill instantly penetrated the eardrum and inner ear, seeping even deeper.
The villain screamed and collapsed to the ground.
How long had she been fighting like that.
Ye-jin, who had defeated all the villains in the area, hid her body in a nearby alley to catch her breath for a moment and calmed her breathing.
She wiped the sweat flowing down her forehead and muttered.
“Strange. It wasn't this bad.”
After catching her breath for about 10 seconds, she came out of the alley again to fight.
She had only taken care of her assigned area; the other heroes were still in the middle of fighting.
I have to join them quickly and provide support.
“This area is all cleared…… huh? Huh?”
The senior sidekick she had entrusted her back to just moments ago had suddenly disappeared.
The senior, who was nowhere to be seen, and even the surrounding villains had all vanished.
It was a situation as if she had been left all alone in a completely different space.
If there was any relief, it was that Da-yeon, who had been shooting her bow from the top of the wall right next to her, was still there.
“Huh? Where did everyone go?”
“……I don't know.”
It wasn't as if Da-yeon understood this situation either, so she was just as bewildered.
This had happened in the short time she had gone to clear another section.
And it wasn't long before they were able to figure out the culprit who had created this situation.
At the sound of footsteps coming from within the building's shadow, the two of them simultaneously entered a combat stance.
“You fight pretty well. Your reactions are fast too.”
But the two of them brightened upon seeing me, who walked out of the shadows.
“Professor!”
“Wow, I never imagined it was you!”
“I'm not a professor or anything right now.”
“Aww, what do you mean. Once a professor, always a professor.”
At least, I was that kind of existence.
The two of them put down their weapons and ran up with quick steps to stand in front of me.
“What's going on?”
Da-yeon hurriedly tried to tidy up her disheveled hair from the battle, using her fingers as a comb, while Ye-jin bounced up and down on her heels.
Her face was even flushed red with excitement.
It wasn't just about meeting me; the words I had just said were a clear compliment.
“The speed at which you enter a combat stance has definitely gotten faster. And your fighting styles are much more refined.”
For the two of them, who aspired to be heroes, there was no greater praise.
Especially if it came from me, whose approval they had always craved.
“Still, work harder. That way……”
If something happens, you'll be able to kill me for sure.
I swallowed the words that had risen to the tip of my tongue.
It was a sorry thing to say directly.
“So what's the matter?”
“Ah, about that.”
I briefly pursed my lips and scratched my cheek.
“I'm here to do a kidnapping for personal reasons.”
“……Huh?”
Ye-jin couldn't understand my words for a moment and blinked.
A kidnapping?
Me?
Why?
Who?
While she was lost in such questions, Da-yeon quickly and perfectly understood the situation.
For her, who had always lived under the threat of kidnapping, she could clearly tell what I wanted right now.
That's why she even put down the bow in her hand.
“Here.”
She gathered both wrists and held them straight out.
While making a coy expression, her actions were so very obedient.
If it's a kidnapping, then I must be the target.
It was a posture that was extremely easy to be kidnapped in.
Throughout her life, dozens of kidnappers had targeted her, but this was the first time she was looking forward to what would happen next.
But seeing that, I, with a much more perplexed expression than before, pursed my lips.
After wetting my lips with my tongue several times, I gave an awkward laugh and gently pushed Da-yeon's two wrists down.
“W-well, I did come to kidnap someone. It's just not you.”
“……Eh?”
Da-yeon made a foolish sound for the first time.
And Ye-jin's eyes also widened, as if puzzled.
“The one I came to kidnap is……”
I raised my empty hand and pointed at Ye-jin.
“This one.”
“Huh?”
“Wha-?!”
The two of them made stupid sounds at the same time.
“Well, I don't plan on kidnapping you for long. So come along quietly.”
I tried to tie Ye-jin's hands with the rope I had brought for appearances.
No, I was trying to.
Before I could, Da-yeon hurriedly pushed her wrists between the rope I was holding.
She looked up at me.
Take me too!
Her eyes were saying.
I laughed awkwardly again.
It wasn't that I couldn't, but.
“If I kidnap you too, things will get too big.”
That Sword Demon guy was someone even I couldn't figure out.
Even though he was a hero, I didn't know what he would do.
Taking Da-yeon too was too big of a risk.
Meanwhile, Ye-jin, who had been covering her mouth with one hand, deep in thought, looked up at me again.
“Uh, um. Professor.”
“Yeah.”
“Is this about what you talked about back then. About my family?”
“Yeah. It's a problem related to your family.”
I readily affirmed it.
At that answer, Ye-jin fell silent again and pursed her lips. Watching my expression, she said.
“Of course, I believe this is a decision you made for me, but……”
She continued to watch the atmosphere and my expression, but she finished what she wanted to say.
“I still. I still don't know why you're so concerned about me because of that. At all.”
It was something to be grateful for, but in a way, it was favoritism, and special treatment.
For Ye-jin, this had always been as uncomfortable as a fishbone stuck in her throat.
“Maybe. Why do you keep showing me such favor. Before I get kidnapped. No, protected, I want to hear that first.”
I bit my lip, momentarily at a loss for words.
I had thought she might ask someday, but now that the situation had come, my mouth wouldn't open.
I asked, just in case.
“For me. For you. For everyone. That kind of answer won't do, will it?”
“……No.”
At her firm answer, I ended up giving a bitter laugh.
Of course, I could just take her by force without saying anything.
But what meaning would that have.
“In that case……”
I let out a faint sigh and sat down on a nearby pile of rocks.
Fortunately, while clearing out the nearby villains and heroes, I had also given an order so that no one could approach for about 30 minutes.
There was still time.
I brought my hands together, touching all five fingertips.
“Where should I begin.”
I slowly retraced my memories and began to tell the story of the past.