Chapter 34: The Healer Visits the Aquarium
With the massive round of interviews finally over, he could breathe a little. The golden holiday he'd barely managed to snag had arrived at last.
Today was the day to meet Jeong Ye-na. She'd reached out, insisting on repaying him for that dinner at the department store, and he'd gotten roped into it. It was hard to turn down her repeated texts.
Every time he checked his phone after those grueling interview days, there were always new messages waiting.
Even now, thinking back, dinner at the department store had been chaotic. The moment he'd said, "Let's focus on eating," everyone had quieted down and finished up. But honestly, he had no idea how to act afterward. If she was just her usual self, maybe he'd been the one reading too much into it.
Time to stop drinking kimchi soup.
He arrived right on time, and there she was by the fountain—a familiar face, seemingly checking her reflection in her phone's selfie camera.
Jeong Ye-na looked radiant in a wrinkled yellow blouse and light blue jeans. The cool beauty had transformed her vibe completely with her outfit.
"What? Why are you out here so early?"
"Oh, Oppa? I've only been here a bit myself."
Jeong Ye-na beamed innocently. The girl sure smiled a lot. Had she been like this before his regression? Maybe this was her true self. Unlike his previous life, she hadn't lost her legs.
"By the way, did any of the other sisters say anything?"
"Not really…."
He'd just slipped out without a word. It wasn't like he had to report it. He'd called a cab first thing in the morning, so who knew.
He wasn't a kid, after all.
"Shall we head out then? I said I'd treat you to the full course today, right?!"
"Sure. Guess I'll let you treat me."
"Ah, what? 'Let you treat me'? That's hilarious!"
Was it that funny? Her genuine laughter was so infectious that he couldn't help chuckling too.
Well, at his age, even a falling leaf might make him laugh.
Jeong Ye-na lightly tugged his sleeve, leading the way. For a split second, he recalled Lee Soo-jung, head bowed as she clutched his collar.
Their destination was the aquarium. This was her "full course"?
"An aquarium?!"
He'd guessed from the location, but he feigned maximum surprise. She'd clearly put thought into picking this spot.
It was a weekday, so not too crowded—peaceful and quiet, just how he liked it.
"Yep! They say there are tons of fish here. Photos should come out great, right?"
"Yeah? Sounds good."
"Then wait here a sec, Oppa. I'll grab the tickets!!"
"Ah, no need to—"
Jeong Ye-na dashed off before he could finish.
While waiting, he casually scanned the area. Next to the entrance was a gacha machine. A few kids kept feeding it coins.
Was that what they called a "gacha"? Curiosity piqued, he approached. It dispensed cute animal figurine keychains.
Come to think of it, he had some coins from the cab change.
Found 'em!
Dr-r-ruck.
He inserted 500 won and turned the knob. A round plastic ball popped out.
Jeong Ye-na had returned with the tickets and was watching him.
"Oppa, whatcha doing? Whoa, it's been forever since I saw one of these. I'm dying to know—open it quick!"
He was curious too. What would it be?
Pop!
A gentle twist revealed a puppy figurine keychain inside.
"Whoa, so cute!!"
A yellow-furred dog model. It really was adorably made, just like she said.
"Yeah?"
A smile tugged at his lips unbidden. This was fun, even if it was pointless.
She stared down at him as he sat on a tiny plastic chair, probably wanting it.
Well, he didn't need it anyway.
"…Here. You take it."
"Huh?! Really?"
"Weren't you eyeing it 'cause you wanted it?"
"Ah! Yeah. Thanks, Oppa! I'll clip it on my bag!!"
Her expression shifted oddly before blooming into a bright smile. Looking at her like this, it was hard to believe she'd ever been called the "Ice Witch." The idea that everyone except Kang Ga-young had trembled around her icy aura felt unreal.
With quick fingers, Jeong Ye-na attached the keychain to her bag. Honestly, it didn't quite match, but it gave her a cute vibe.
"Shall we go in?"
"Sounds good. I did my homework, so just follow me, Oppa!"
They entered the aquarium at a leisurely pace, enjoying the gentle breeze. The weather was perfect.
"Whoa, Nemo and Dory are so cute!"
Jeong Ye-na pointed at the clownfish and blue tangs—characters from that famous movie.
As she watched the fish, she turned to him. "Oppa, what do you wanna eat for lunch later? Like sashimi? I heard there's a great place nearby…."
"Let's decide slowly."
Talking food in front of diligently swimming fish felt rude.
They moved to the next exhibit. He liked the bouncy echo of their footsteps on the floor.
"Whoa, what's this? Oppa, photo time!"
A school of small fish swam by, and Jeong Ye-na grinned like a kid. She pulled out her smartphone, switching to selfie mode.
"Your arms are longer, Oppa—can you take it?"
"Sure."
Click.
He stretched as directed. They had to press close since they wouldn't both fit otherwise. Not satisfied, she asked a passing couple for full shots.
"…Kinda iffy. Sir, could you be a bit more affectionate?!!"
For some reason, the couple got fired up and took several more.
He felt drained, but her joy made him nod along.
"Look at that catfish, Oppa. It's got so much moss inside, right?!"
"Yeah. Cleaning that'd be a nightmare."
"That's a piranha? I'm scared—can I hold your arm, Oppa?"
"It's fine. Go ahead."
Monsters looked way scarier. Anyone might think they were on a date.
Maybe it was all the water around them, but he felt his energy draining, a chill creeping up his spine.
Noticing his weary expression, Jeong Ye-na dashed to the rays' tank and started an odd dance, beaming.
"Stingray dance!!"
Her arm-waving, hip-swaying moves cracked him up. She didn't care about the stares.
So innocent, like a child.
"Ah! Oppa laughed."
She giggled, walking back—then a vibration buzzed from somewhere.
Vrrr—!!
It was from Jeong Ye-na's crossbody bag. She irritably checked her phone, then froze.
"Ah… who is it? Oh no. Oppa, I…."
"Yeah. It's fine. Go take it."
She nodded apologetically and slipped away from the crowd.
Waiting for Jeong Ye-na, he blankly watched the fish. It hit him—this was his first time at a place like this. He was grateful she'd made it happen.
Murmurs rose around him. Looking up, he saw something unbelievable.
The water at one spot changed color, slowly turning red like bath bombs had been dumped in.
"What? That's creepy."
Screams erupted.
Honestly, he almost yelled too.
"Kyaaah!! What is this?!"
"Someone's getting eaten inside!!"
It was shocking, like a disaster movie scene. Horror flicks he'd seen flashed by.
A grotesquely shaped shark was devouring a person—too late to save them now.
Sharks usually didn't eat others with ample food supplied. But a person?
The massive shark glared with blood-red eyes, mouth agape to reveal razor-sharp teeth. Eerily pointed fins, powerful tail. Was that even a shark?
No way.
"Wait, how did a person even get in there?!"
"Shouldn't we save them?!"
The crowd buzzed, but everyone knew: run.
Thud—!!!!!!!
Thud thud!!!!!!!
The monstrous shark slammed the glass. It had to be reinforced—it had to be.
Crack—!
Craaack—!!
Cracks spread. They had to escape now.
His legs shook in the sudden chaos.
"Get out now!!"
Someone yelled, and the crowd bolted. Pure pandemonium.
He scanned around. "Ye-na!! Jeong Ye-na!!!"
People fled in panic. A crying child had fallen; luckily, a guardian scooped them up.
Crack—!
Shatter—!!
Glass exploded, water about to flood.
"Oppa, you okay?!!"
Ice boulders erupted from the floor, densely blocking the surge. Only thin trickles escaped the gaps.
A massive, sturdy ice wall. Jeong Ye-na had reached this level already?! Unthinkable growth speed.
Her skillful casting was veteran-level.
With her ice between them and the glass, they faced the shark monster. No natural creature looked like that.
Aquarium dungeon break. Underwater dungeons were notoriously tricky to clear. Lucky it wasn't a lake or ocean.
Better to suppress early than let it escalate.
"Thanks, Ye-na."
Her lips curved up. She shouted confidently.
"We can do this. With you here, Oppa. We can definitely clear it!"
The crowd paused, turning back as the water halted.
He bellowed in frustration. "Don't gawk—run!!"
They scattered again. The monster's red eyes gleamed through the transparent ice.
"Looks like we're the only ones who can clear this anyway."
Holy Faith designated on Jeong Ye-na. A halo of light formed above her head.
He quickly took position behind her.