What Are You Guys Doing? (1)

"……"

A heavy silence stretched out.

Yurika doubted her own ears for a moment. She couldn't comprehend what he'd just said. She thought it over again. Maybe I misheard.

But no matter how she replayed it, there was no mistake.

Not just gone... dead. And by Erina's hand, no less.

Yurika steadied her trembling heart. Cold sweat trickled down her forehead. This was far heavier than she'd imagined. What the hell had happened...?

She grabbed Siwoo's shoulder, ready to press him for more details.

"Hey, tell me everything! Someone who claims they can't remember suddenly drops a bombshell like—"

"—......"

No response.

That's when she noticed Choi Siwoo had lost consciousness.

Shit, what am I doing with a patient right in front of me?

He'd just fought a brutal battle on the brink of death. Even if he'd recovered quickly, the fatigue and shock wouldn't vanish into thin air.

She scolded herself. As a saintess, this was utterly shameful.

Carefully, she pulled him into her embrace. Her face flushed red at the intimate pose, like lovers cuddling. His soft breath tickled her ear. The masculine scent mixed with something indefinably alluring made her heart race.

Thank God he's passed out. At least he wouldn't see her soaked clothes clinging transparently to her body.

She continued channeling holy power into him, handling his injuries with utmost caution to prevent any worsening.

A moment later, urgent voices echoed from outside the well. Realizing Erina had brought help, Yurika shouted frantically.

"In here! We've got a patient! Hurry! Come on!"

"……"

I slowly rolled my neck. I checked ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠from my fingertips to my toes, confirming every part responded to my will. A sharp tingle ran through me, my body reacting keenly.

Was worried it'd fail since it's been so long.

I looked around. A circular space unfolded, thick darkness filling it from floor to ceiling, untouched by even a sliver of light. Looked like creating a realistic environment was still beyond me.

It's fine. I was grateful just to be able to train at all—even a temple would do.

I steadied my breath and focused my mind. Static noise crackled through the air.

Suddenly, the two DM-numbered blades ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠from my past life gripped in my hands. Thought about suiting up in reinforced gear but noped out. Pointless against the guy in front of me anyway.

A surging energy rippled ahead. Savage aura spreading from its core revealed a knight in black armor. In his hand, a brutal sword as tall as he was; behind him, a blood-soaked red cape billowed. Finally, a single white dot pierced the pitch-black void of his face, serving as his pupil.

No-Face, rank 2 of the Six Demons Who Defied Heaven.

Differences in details aside, the sensation matched—the strength was spot-on.

"Long time no see, you piece of shit."

"……"

No reply, as expected. Didn't matter. Just trash-talk to shake off the fear.

Irritating, but laying eyes on him flooded me with instinctive dread. I unconsciously rubbed my neck where it'd been severed before, then took a deep breath.

"Hoo!"

I exploded forward like lightning. He didn't twitch. I circled behind him, swinging my blade in the optimal arc and trajectory for a thunderous strike...

Thud—roll roll roll.

My head tumbled away. My body crumpled to its knees.

Again.

This time differently. Faster. Feint with thrusts, then go for the kill...

Again.

One more time.

"...Fuck."

Time to switch tactics. Go for a war of attrition. Adjust sword strikes to fire only sword beams, whittle down his stamina...

This time, play it sly. Imagine spare weapons floating behind me. Grab one. Mana surges up my arm, shattering the weapon's structure to forcibly amp its power. Compress the bursting energy by force. Pour everything into one strike. Treat the weapon as disposable. Maximum power only...

"...Ah, fuck."

This sucks.

Hundreds of severed heads littered the ground. Even in the pitch black, the blood-soaked floor glowed faintly reddish.

Craving one...

I craved it bad. Real bad. Kay would nag like hell, but fuck it.

Thought about it—static, then a cigarette materialized. Snapped my fingers for friction spark. Lit up, and that rich tobacco aroma filled the air.

Took a deep drag. Whoa, fuck.

"So goddamn sweet..."

"It's an imaginary cig, come on."

So picky... I hunched over, eyeing the bastard. No-Face was spotless except for his blade. More annoying: he hadn't moved a single step.

Guess that's my limit for now.

"Kay. That's enough. Shut it down."

"How many deaths?"

"Tch..."

My skills were nowhere near my prime, and I hadn't landed a single hit. A stark reminder of how far I had to go.

Flicked the butt—the darkness crumbled. No-Face's form dissolved away.

Still, good news. My real body was too wrecked for training, but this fight proved I'd grown enough for mental training.

A week since I passed out after the mana beast attack. Now hospitalized for intensive care.

Not hooked up to beeping machines or anything—just chilling in patient garb all day.

Nothing beats rest for recovery.

Side note: Prunel Academy was in chaos afterward. Heard Hero Alliance sent an official dispatch with inspectors. Investigations, interrogations... total shitstorm.

Cheonwigwang's already half-bald; this'll finish him off.

Kay was right. Joking aside, it was touch-and-go. That mana beast was way too strong—if not for me, B-classers would've been toast, and spillover would've wrecked C-class rooms too. Casualties would've dwarfed my past life.

Oh, speaking of casualties—Yoon Jiye got transferred and treated fine. Quick action meant minor injuries; she checked out before me.

"...That shit's a reward?"

—"Waaah! Thank you, Cadet Choi Siwoo. No, Siwoo-nim! I'd be dead without you."

-"Got it, just back off a bit..."

—"Hooeeek, waaah, heee. Thank you so much. Really. Dying single? I'd haunt the afterlife as a virgin ghost. Truly grateful."

-"F-fuck... stop rubbing your cheeks on my face! Back off!"

—"Hwaaaang!"

-"Ah, don't shove your tits in my face!!"

Cheolwangguk, Song Junho, and the rest of the class kids all survived too.

-""Choi Siwoo!""

-"...My ears. Why're you here all bandaged up... Wait, no—don't come closer. I warned you?"

-""So glad you're safe!, dude!""

-"Fuck! I said stay back! No hugging! Don't touch me, you filthy dudes!"

"......"

Anyway, we pulled through unscathed.

Crack!

Darkness shattered, light seeping in. Still immature, huh? Took a while to exit the mental realm.

Bathed in that bright light, I slowly opened my eyes.

"Mm..."

Unfamiliar ceiling. Or familiar now? Spiral tile patterns and fish motifs screamed hospital room.

Kay, meals on auto?

...Kay?

Before I could speak, a spoonful slid into my mouth. Bland, warm porridge—tasteless hospital slop.

Thought it was auto-feeding fine, then realized someone was spooning it for me.

I jerked my head around in surprise.

"...H-heh. Hehe."

A girl with big blinking eyes sat beside me. She blushed beet red at eye contact, steam practically puffing from her ears.

"Ohana?"

"Y-yo! Siwoo-kun. Finally awake, huh?"

"What? When'd you get here?"

"W-well... been here a bit. Dunno why, but you were eating with eyes closed. Kept spilling, so... uh... ahem! Th-this body fed you."

Ohana stammered, averting her gaze. Her eyes spun, barely containing the embarrassment.

Kay.

Tch...

Getting cocky lately... Time for mint choco with perilla leaves.

Nope.

We brushed past the farce and chatted with Ohana. But after a bit, she clammed up—her usual chatterbox self vanished.

"Not like you. Why so quiet? Usually yapping nonstop."

"...Sorry."

"Outta nowhere."

"Couldn't help..."

Here we go again. Must've hit her hard. Ohana hung her head like a guilty pup.

Too cute—I chuckled involuntarily. My hand naturally went to her head. Soft, glossy short hair brushed my palm. Kinda wished it was long; I'd messed with it plenty in my past life.

"...Siwoo?"

Oh, shit.

Ohana stared, wide-eyed. Her green eyes went huge—like a bunny.

"Sorry. Habit."

"N-no, it's fine! Just startled... Never really had this. Not even family. That's all. Um, hey."

"Yeah?"

"M-maybe... not bad? Kinda nice...? P-pat a bit more, and I might... know?"

She peeked ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠slyly, urging more. I smirked. Seeing her flustered, I stroked from her crown like old times.

She purred like a purring cat, savoring it.

Nice, but...

Why's she nuzzling my cheek...?

Felt like a real cat.

That peaceful moment shattered.

Thud.

"Huh?"

Something dropped. I turned—a girl with tied-back platinum blonde hair stared blankly at us.

"Erina?"

"...Siwoo...?"

Erina's pupils shook like an earthquake. Then the light faded, her gaze darkening bit by bit.