Chapter 89
Chapter 89
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 89
Chapter Title: Frontline (7)
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Myth crossing paths with Frontline was, in a way, inevitable.
Aside from the Koron incident, she'd gone to see Legend every single day she could.
Being by his side constantly meant she saw his parents often, too.
"Hello."
…Kid. You don't have to go this far."
"I'm doing it because I want to."
Early on, Seol's school friends had come by a lot too.
Of course, after about a month, no one showed up anymore. It wasn't weird of them.
The truly weird part was her showing up without fail for six whole months straight to see Seol.
The story of Myth coming to see me every time never failed to tug at my heartstrings.
If Myth had been the one to collapse—if the roles had been reversed—could I have done the same?
I was determined to, but whether I actually could have was another question.
Seven years is an incredibly long time.
High school kids who were just students get married, start jobs, even get promotions.
A long, distant stretch of time.
How could I not love someone who waited for me through all those years?
I pulled Myth into a light embrace.
She startled for a second, then smiled brightly as if she loved it, accepting my touch.
We stayed like that for a moment, sharing our warmth.
"You didn't do anything weird while I was out cold, did you?"
…Ahem."
My teasing question made Myth turn her head and clear her throat awkwardly.
Wait, did she actually...?
"Whoa, I was kidding, Myth?"
"Ah, whatever. Aren't you gonna let me tell the story? Stop interrupting!"
I think it was around June of the first year you were bedridden.
I finished my stream as usual and headed to the hospital, exchanging nods with the nurse who didn't even need to ask where I was going anymore, then entered your room.
A dark room. The sound of your breathing, the scent of air freshener.
I pulled up a chair and dragged it to your bedside—a place more familiar than home now.
- Screeech.
The chair scraped against the floor, echoing through the silent room.
I could have picked up the light chair, but I dragged it like this hoping you'd hear even that and open your eyes.
Of course, you didn't today either.
"Hey, I did a great stream again today."
Thanks to the avatar you gave me, the life you saved.
With each passing day, my feelings of love, guilt, and longing grew uncontrollably.
This time, Myth suddenly pulled me into a tight hug.
As if she'd never let me go again—or rather, begging me never to leave.
I adjusted my position to make it easier for her.
"What? Why the sudden hug?"
"Just felt grateful all of a sudden."
I had a rough idea what she meant.
For me, I had no awareness of being in a coma at all—I just woke up and the world had changed so much.
But for Myth, it must have been an eternity of anguish, with no guaranteed hope.
"Yeah."
"Anyway, so."
In the dark room, without even turning on the light, I breathed the night air and talked endlessly about my day beside you.
I knew there'd be no reply.
So this was pure self-indulgence.
I was spilling out my love, trying to shed my guilt.
But feelings never obey like that.
The more I poured out love, the fiercer it burned; the more I tried to shake off guilt, the heavier it piled.
"I miss you."
The words from yesterday, the usual words, again today.
And surely tomorrow too. Until you woke up. Or until we both collapsed.
Others might say it was pointless for someone so hopeless.
Whatever.
That's what love is.
If you had to pick the most irrational, chaotic human emotion, it'd be love for sure.
That's when the door creaked open.
Myth's head whipped around toward the unexpected visitor.
"You."
"You."
There she was.
Someone Myth had met only once, but who'd left an unforgettable impression: Frontline.
Legend's older sister was standing there.
I jumped up in surprise.
Wait, Older Sis had come to Korea? But you said she hadn't contacted the parents in seven years?
"Older Sis came?"
"Not just once. Pretty often, actually. Like four times a year."
Myth counted on her fingers, recalling from memory.
How does she know all this?
"How do you know all that?"
"Because I went every day. So I met her every time. She'd stay all day whenever she came."
Myth said it casually.
…Ah, right. She was there every day, so of course she'd see when Sis visited.
The weight of love in that offhand answer was so heavy, I found myself bowing my head without realizing.
I wonder if Myth knew this hit harder than a kiss or groping.
…"
"Hehe, your face is red."
Myth poked my cheek cutely as the story continued.
"You..."
An unexpected encounter. They weren't close to begin with.
Their first and last meeting hadn't gone well—no, it had been a total disaster—so Myth tensed up.
That day, she'd yanked Myth's hair like a maniac and swung punches.
Not long after, she'd gotten beaten like a dog by the uncle and fled in tears.
It was the first time Myth had seen a woman rolling on the floor getting pummeled like that—burned vividly into her memory.
"Wait, beaten like a dog...?"
Wasn't it just a few slaps...?
Myth smiled awkwardly at my question.
"Huh? Dad didn't tell you? Back then, he really... uh, never mind."
…I can kinda see why Sis got pissed and left Korea.
How hard did Dad hit her for Myth to avert her eyes like this?
Myth continued the story.
What to do.
If she lunged again, I'd take the hits.
But getting my hair yanked hurt. I didn't want baldness before Seol woke up.
I didn't want her to see me bald. That'd look way too ugly.
'No way, can't risk it.'
Hair first.
The face and body heal, but baldness? No cure even after seven years, guaranteed.
Myth curled up, protecting her hair like an armadillo.
Come at me, Legend's sis. I'll take all that rage.
'If it helps her vent over losing her little brother...!'
As Myth squeezed her eyes shut, Frontline's voice came.
"Sorry."
Sorry?
Didn't expect an apology here.
Myth cautiously lifted her head, guard still up.
This woman was crazy.
No telling what she'd do. She even gripped her phone ready to dial 112 just in case.
There was Frontline, bowing at a perfect 90 degrees.
"I-I won't hit you. You don't have to do that."
Fear faded a bit; being so sincere made staying guarded feel silly.
Still scared, but Myth mustered courage to ask.
Phone still clutched tight.
"Um... want to talk?"
Frontline nodded slightly.
The two barely-adult women sat on the sofa.
Far apart, with Frontline's breathing as background music.
Too awkward to sit close yet.
"Sorry."
Another apology.
The older one on the sofa hung her head with dead eyes.
"You were a victim too, and I did something unforgivable."
…You're more normal than I thought?"
"What?"
"I really thought you were insane back then."
Myth slipped in the dagger with a gentle smile.
Cough.
Frontline let out a small breath.
…Well, fair enough. She looked soft but spoke her mind. Spirited type.
Frontline clutched her chest at the bold words and just bowed her head silently.
Nothing to say.
"Can't deny it. I really was out of my mind."
Myth glanced sideways at Frontline's eyes.
Emotions there—familiar ones.
Nah, no way. Not toward her own brother.
Awkward silence hung over the sofa.
Had to say something, but how to start.
Oh right, she was a pro Hawatch gamer.
Saw on the news she'd debuted and dominated the European league.
"Uh, good luck with your pro career."
…Thanks. Didn't think you knew."
"You're the world's most beautiful pro gamer—made the news."
"Gross."
"Come on, even I think so."
Frontline stared at Myth in disbelief.
How could she be so friendly after that fallout?
Friendliness like a giant dog. Absurd enough to laugh.
…You've got a great personality."
"You're not mocking me?!"
"No, really impressed."
Myth and Frontline burst out laughing together.
Moments later, Frontline opened her bag and pulled out stacks of documents.
Pages crammed with complex English—dizzying.
Myth knew some English, but this was a barrage of unfamiliar terms.
Definitely not normal paperwork.
"Here, give these to Seol's doctor."
"What's this?"
"Data from prominent UK orthopedic surgeons and vegetative state experts."
While in the UK, she'd asked her agency to gather them.
Armed with Legend's diagnosis from Korea, she'd traveled Europe, collecting expert opinions from over ten specialists, doctors, and professors.
She trusted Korean medical facilities, but more info was always better.
…Thank you."
"Whatever, not for you."
"Still."
And so the two women's friendship began to bud—
"Time out! Time out!!"
I paused Myth for a sec.
What was this, some feel-good teen drama?
Wasn't this supposed to be a dark tragedy...? With Sis getting beat by Dad and moping alone?
My head wasn't processing.
"Sounds way too normal from this."
"Yeah, she was super normal up to this point."
Myth nodded.
Up to this point.
That phrase grated.
"Up to this point" meant something happened after. Hard to guess what.
Dad said he hadn't seen Sis in seven years—what happened?
And why avoid the parents if she was this fine?
Because of the beating...?
No. Maybe at first, but not for seven years.
Questions swirled in my head.
Maybe she's still normal, just some circumstances keeping her from the parents?
…Up to this point? Sounds ominous."
…Just hear the rest first."
Myth's eyes darkened.
As if dredging up a memory she didn't want to recall.