Death Evasion: Leveled Up
Death Avoidance Technique has increased.
“If both my legs were gone... would Yujin stay here with me forever?”
Baek Sehee’s lips moved as she murmured something under her breath. But I couldn’t hear it. I was too focused on keeping my balance with my prosthetic right leg, and her voice was far too soft anyway.
But even if I couldn’t hear her, I could feel something.
...What the hell?
A chill running straight up my spine. I didn’t know the cause. It was just an instinctive sensation, the kind that makes your hair stand on end.
Something was wrong. Very, very wrong. Dangerously so.
But this wasn’t the first time I’d felt it. I’d been through it before.
Ah.
Right. Back when I was Han Minseo. When Choi Seori betrayed me and sent that final ultimatum, declaring she’d “raise” me like livestock. It felt just like this.
The sense that something was spiraling out of control, that an uncrossable line was right in front of me—the point of no return.
It was the same with Yeoreum. When I pointed out Kim Bom’s delusions. When I insisted, “I’m not your father; I’m just your neighbor,” she snapped, choking me until I had a heart attack.
And as Moon Yujin... when I coldly pushed Kang Haneul away. When I told her I’d never speak to her again and headed for the office door. That’s when the sudden shock and agony hit my leg, and I lost it.
And now... Baek Sehee.
Realization struck like lightning. That face, that atmosphere, that darkness. Dangerous. I could die. Lose more limbs.
The thought propelled my body into action. Left foot, right foot. My prosthetic right foot hit the floor. The left followed. I limped, but I didn’t stop. I walked straight toward Baek Sehee.
I reached out, wrapped my arms around her waist, and buried myself in her embrace.
“...Yujin?”
I looked up at her. Her face was blank.
“Sehee.”
“Yes...?”
“I could recover this much... it’s all thanks to you. I’ll repay the favor someday, I swear.”
Baek Sehee said nothing.
“But... things are really tough right now. No legs, no home, no money. Honestly, I have no idea how I’m supposed to survive from here.”
“.........”
“So... I think I need to lean on you if I want to make it. Just a little... can I keep relying on you a bit longer?”
Silence stretched out.
I watched her face. Her expression shifted slowly. The darkness faded, her stiff lips relaxed, her furrowed brows smoothed.
And then—a smile. A strange happiness spread across her features.
“...As much as you want.”
Her arms wrapped around my back.
“Actually... you could lean on me forever, and that’d be fine.”
Her embrace was warm. No, scorching.
...I’m alive.
For now, at least.
I sorted my thoughts in Baek Sehee’s arms.
I dodged it. For now.
Maybe because of the hug, I could hear her heartbeat. ...Faster than I expected. Was she excited?
But that darkness from moments ago was gone. So, safe. At least for now.
I slowly pulled away from her embrace.
“I can’t lean on you forever, but... thank you anyway, Sehee.”
Baek Sehee smiled.
“No need to thank me. And I just told you—leaning forever is fine.”
“Ha, haha...”
I laughed awkwardly and sat on the edge of the bed. Baek Sehee said she’d prepare some snacks and headed to the living room.
Alone in the hospital room, I organized my thoughts.
Why had she reacted like that earlier? Why did her face darken at the sight of the prosthetic? And above all—why was she taking care of me like this?
Let’s break it down.
First, the facts. One thing was clear: Baek Sehee gained nothing from me. Kang Haneul needed my ability to offset her innate rage. Her clinging made sense. But Baek Sehee? My power did nothing for her. She didn’t have anger issues.
Yet here she was, caring for me like this.
Too devoted. No, “devoted” didn’t even cover it. She’d crossed that line halfway.
For example...
First, the time investment. Baek Sehee was an EX-rank Awakener, leader of the Dimensional Gate special response team. Yet she’d spent nearly every moment of the past two weeks with me. She said she’d minimized her duties and used up her vacation days, but this was excessive. How much work must an EX-rank have? And she was spending it all on me. Was that normal?
Second, the level of physical contact. She helped me shower. Dressed me. Fed me. And... slept in the same bed. Every night. Holding me through the phantom pains. This went beyond pity or duty. No goodwill or sense of responsibility explained it.
Third, her recent odd reactions. Thinking back, she hadn’t liked seeing me walk with crutches. And when the prosthetic arrived? Her face went completely dark, dissatisfaction plain.
Why?
With a prosthetic, I could walk on my own. Rely on her less. She hated that.
So the conclusion was obvious.
Baek Sehee... wants me by her side.
Wants me close. Doesn’t want me leaving. Why? I had no idea. Moon Yujin was just an ordinary guy, nothing special.
But the facts pointed there. She wanted me to stay with her.
...So.
Was this a crisis? I pondered deeply. Yes, if she bound me to her, I’d lose my freedom.
But also an opportunity. Consider my situation: no home, no job, no leg, barely any money. Goddess trials or whatever—survival was the immediate problem. Manual labor was out. I’d scrape by somehow, but I wasn’t confident.
Yet here was Baek Sehee, wanting me around. So... why not stay? By her side.
Yeah.
I could rely on her. It’s what she wanted. Not exploiting her—I was genuinely grateful. She’d saved my life. This was mutual. She wanted me near; I needed her help. Win-win.
Turn crisis into opportunity. Survive that way.
Like when I was Han Minseo, Yeoreum, Ma Hyuksu, and now Moon Yujin. I always found the best path in the situation.
Though the results haven’t been great so far.
Anyway, this time was different. I could make a better outcome. If she wanted me, I’d stay, recover, prepare for the next step. Bonus: find someone to clear the trial with.
Good. Plan set.
A few days passed. I was getting used to the prosthetic. The foreign sensation faded daily. From the hospital room to the living room, then the yard. Little by little, I regained my balance.
And today, I went for a walk with Baek Sehee.
Outside. Real outside.
A small path lined with trees and benches. The sunlight was warm, the breeze cool, the scent of grass fresh. I never knew walking could feel this good. The prosthetic was still awkward, but standing and moving on two legs was gratitude enough. Things I’d taken for granted before now felt precious.
Baek Sehee walked slowly beside me, matching my pace.
“Yujin, you okay?”
“Yeah, I’m good.”
“Don’t push yourself.”
“Got it.”
She was still cutting back on work to stay by my side. I was truly grateful.
But... it was also stifling. My world was limited to her standalone house and its surroundings. Not good. I had to pass the three goddesses’ trials. Stuck here, I couldn’t do anything. I needed a job, someone to love.
Time to bring it up.
We sat on a bench along the path. She sat beside me.
“Sehee.”
“Yes, Yujin?”
“I... have something to say.”
“What is it?”
“I don’t want to keep freeloading here forever...”
I paused, gauging her expression. She smiled faintly.
Okay, safe to say it.
“...I want to get a job.”
The smile vanished from her face the instant I finished.
Not okay. Landmine confirmed.
“Yujin.”
Baek Sehee spoke.
“Do you need money?”
“That’s part of it, but...”
“Then I’ll give you an allowance.”
“Huh?”
“Allowance. As much as you need. How much a month? A million won? Two?”
That’s not it...
Honestly, two million for doing nothing was tempting. But that wasn’t my goal. The real purpose was deeper.
“Thanks, Sehee, but... I don’t want that.”
“Then what’s the problem?”
Edge crept into her voice.
Tread carefully.
It felt like Kang Haneul right before exploding. Of course, Baek Sehee wasn’t violent—she wouldn’t kick me like that.
“I... want to use my experience.”
“Experience?”
“Yeah. I was Kang Haneul’s manager, right? I want to leverage that.”
The moment I said “Kang Haneul,” her face changed. Eyes wide, pupils tiny like pinpricks. Chillingly expressionless. The air felt colder.
Oh no.
Mistake? Bringing up Kang Haneul?
Too late. Words couldn’t be unsaid. Better to push forward.
“Using that experience... could I help with your work?”