Lump of Fat (1)

"Siwoo! Siwoo!"

Erina rushed forward like a madwoman. Repulsive poison gas billowed from the monster's corpse. Her clothes couldn't hold up any longer, bare skin exposed in patches here and there. She didn't give a damn. That wasn't what mattered. She spotted a boy slumped over, head bowed as if dead. Her hands started shaking. Her breath came in ragged gasps. Her pupils contracted, cold sweat pouring down. A chunk of ice sank into her chest. No way. That can't be?

"Siwoo!!!"

Erina threw her arms around Choi Siwoo. His face was ghostly pale. Through his water-soaked clothes, she glimpsed his upper body. A chill settled at the nape of her neck. Tears surged, blurring her vision. She barely choked back a groan that threatened to explode. His torso was shredded and mangled everywhere, pus streaming out. The leaking toxin roiled his insides, sending energies into chaotic reflux. Shattered bones swelled grotesquely, bruised purple. No way could anyone call this a living body.

"C-calm... calm down."

She took deep breaths. Deep breaths again and again. When her gut still wouldn't settle, she bit her tongue hard. Bitter blood flooded her mouth. This wasn't the time. Freaking out and collapsing helped no one. Screaming and crying brought no rescuers. She'd learned that lesson once already—it was a sin beyond redemption. She couldn't lose him like this again.

From her bosom, she drew a golden vial radiating brilliant light. The Elixir of Annals, handed down by the Yulis family for only the direst emergencies. A treasure for the ages, the legendary potion humans could never craft. The kind said to revive even the dead with one dose—she used it without a second thought.

Viscous liquid dribbled onto the boy's lips. It wouldn't go down easily. A precious drop splashed into the water.

"...Siwoo. Sorry. Pardon me."

Erina swished the elixir in her mouth and passed it lip-to-lip. Membranes met. It was cold. Someone once said it tasted like lime. Her precious first kiss, but who cared? Saving him was a thousand times more vital.

Light wrapped around Choi Siwoo's body. But that was all. He remained still, eyes shut tight.

"...Why..."

Why won't you open your eyes? Why, please.

"Siwoo, Siwoo!"

She screamed his name in frenzy. She couldn't send him off like this.

"Please... don't abandon your sister."

Blood or no blood. Acknowledgment or not. He was her one and only precious little brother. She'd kept it unspoken only because he shuddered and hated it. From their first meeting at age five, she'd always treasured him.

Goddess Irelua of Earth and Abundance. If my prayer reaches you, please answer. Please.

Incompetent. She knew it too well. Pathetic. She admitted it fully. The pillar of light on that childish, immature girl. Just a pattern etched on her hand's back, and overnight she was the Hero. But she knew her truth. She wasn't Hero material. Inner frailty dulled her edge. Human bonds tripped her up, halting her advance. That's why it tormented her. Meeting expectations crushed her. Eyes viewing her solely as Hero—not Erina—terrified her. Yet she endured. If she could aid him as sister, any duty was bearable. For that, she'd accepted the Yulis offer. Marched in boldly, struck a deal with the family head. Fulfill Hero duties, and they'd never touch him. Hide their connection, grant his freedom. And guarantee one aid if peril struck. Erina never called Yulis folk family. Her sole kin was Choi Siwoo. Only him.

"...Sorry. Sorry I'm so useless."

She knew he despised her. Naturally. Because of her, he'd lost precious ones. He never spoke of it. But that look lingered unforgettable. So she'd settled for distant gazes. Occasional chats satisfied her.

"...I failed."

Big sisters protect little brothers. It was natural. But she hadn't. Sudden calamity felled him helplessly. She was too late. Too weak to shatter the barrier. What good was all that time? If she'd known, she'd have clung closer, hatred be damned...

"Hic..."

Erina clutched Choi Siwoo like he'd shatter. She gripped his face, tears endless.

Splash. Footsteps neared. Holy power's ripple, plus water-walking sounds.

Turning, pale-faced Yurika panted ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠heavily, eyes fixed here. She'd rushed over.

"Yurika..."

Erina approached slowly. Thrust Choi Siwoo into her arms, gripped her hands crushing-tight.

"W-what do we do? S-Siwoo won't wake. You're the Saintess. Please, please, I beg you."

"Calm yourse— no, calm down, Erina. Panicking changes nothing. You're the Hero? Stay cool always."

"No. I don't deserve the Hero name."

Tears spilled from Erina's eyes ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠again. Yurika stared silently at Choi Siwoo. Her face twisted briefly. What? Why tsk at Siwoo?

"...He's okay."

"Huh...?"

Yurika cradled Choi Siwoo. Knelt carefully, pillowed his head on her lap. Soft light bloomed in her palm. Her pinnacle holy spell as Saintess took effect.

"Weak, but breathing. Recovering fast too... You fed him something good."

"Yeah, the Elixir of Annals..."

Yurika's eyes bulged.

"W-what!? That priceless stuff?!"

"Priceless? Not compared to Siwoo's life."

"...A-anyway, he's safe. Just exhausted blackout."

Erina sighed relief at last. Yurika watched, then coughed awkwardly.

"Ahem, sorry Erina, but he needs more healing. Fetch the instructors? They're all frantic now."

"Ah... right..."

"Don't worry. I'll handle and watch him."

Erina hesitated. Wanted to stay beside him. But healing-wise, Saintess Yurika unbeatable. She'd just hinder. Recalling her role, Erina bit her lip. Nimble leap, out of the well.

Moments after Erina vanished.

"...So, get up already?"

"Puha."

Fuck, thought I'd die of shame.

My wrecked body screamed in agony. Looking up, sullen Yurika peered down.

"When'd you wake up exactly?"

"Dunno. Blinked out short, woke to her clinging and bawling..."

No, wait. Face too damn close.

'No fucking way?!'

Horror hit; I whipped my gaze. Nose-to flawless calf, sun-kissed perfection, damp cloth sheer inside—goosebumps exploded.

Classic lap pillow dawning, pure panic.

"Uwaaa fuck!"

Yelled, scrambled back.

Yurika gawked, baffled.

"Y-you evil bitch. Dare plop me on that filthy spot? What if I get tainted?!"

"W-what!? Tainted?! You! What d'you call a Saintess's lap?!"

"What else? Thick-ass fat lump."

"F-fat?! Know how hard I've dieted lately! Take it back! Take it back! I quit weekend chocolate cake for you!"

"Yeah. Needed to."

"Eeeeek!"

Yurika flushed crimson. Flailing stubby arms to smack; I dodged easy. Cut to chase.

"So... telepathy sent her off as asked. Why the act?"

"Told ya... er, told you. She clocked it, clung hard. Awkward wake-up, plus today's shit seemed perfect catalyst."

"...Catalyst?"

"You know. Hero Erina's all hot air. Sharp eyes on you too."

"True..."

"Her talent? Peak history. That's it. Drive to grow? Blurry. Always crushed. Needs venom. Self-hate fuel to push forward."

"...You providing it?"

Hell no. Ain't my hassle.

"Provide what? Situation handled it. Win-win for Saintess, yeah?"

"...Fair."

"Erina stalls, I'm screwed too. World rules: Demon God immortal sans Hero."

"...! H-how d'you know oracle-only lore!?"

"Don't matter... Anyway, shared goals. Cooperate where feasible."

Yurika's lips twitched. Silence, then arms crossed, wary.

"...One question?"

"Nah."

"Eek! Fine, whatever! What really went down between you two."

"..."

"Said it: crushed by something. Yeah. First saw her power, figured output throttle. Nope. Ability flawless. Just—"

"—Her issue. Right?"

"Yep... Powers need body-mind sync for full output. Defects or trauma? Permanent nerf."

"......"

"Erina's flesh? Perfection. God-carved hyperbole barely covers."

"Right? Unlike Saintess fat lumps."

"You ass! Skip the bullshit! Point: mental block cripples her power."

Yurika stared dead serious—rare sight.

"What... exactly happened."

"......"

Fuck. Interrogating a near-corpse... Saintess or demon spawn?

No duty to spill, but...

...Gotta pay healing tab.

I snapped my fingers. Phonemes linked, birthing a contract scroll.

"...!"

"My power. Secrecy mutual. Aid on request, clause for unreasonable refusals. Read, confirm."

"...Rarest mental-type Awakener, huh."

"In?"

Silent nod. Light flared; parchment dissolved.

"...Whew, per contract: truth is, I barely know."

"...What?"

"Memories gone. Fragments only."

"No way..."

Lie, obviously. Memories sharp. Why fib? Simple.

I'm not Choi Siwoo.

Body's original owner elsewhere. Possessed as adult—no toddler recalls natural. Not clueless though. Past life, Erina snippets; curiosity dug more.

He self-imposed the contract.

Probed via Kay once. Incomplete—shattered, tangled like scratches. Trauma-induced autism, they say. Fragments and scenes only.

"Listen close. Once only."

Panting. Eyelids drooped. Potions, heals aside, this abuse warranted crash—sleep tugged.

Yurika gulped. Before blackout, lips barely parted.

"Parents..."

"Huh?"

"Choi Siwoo's... his parents..."

Were killed by the Hero Erina's hand.