Nam Seo-hee (2)
Nam Seo-hee (2)
Baek Ha-na was thoroughly flustered.
The woman who had been sitting comfortably beside the man who mocked the precious name Woo-jin had given her suddenly slapped him across the face with all her might.
"I am truly not involved with this man in any way."
Nam Seo-hee, her sleek black hair falling to her waist and tied back neatly, once again declared her innocence to Baek Ha-na.
However, the first to react was not Baek Ha-na, but the proctor standing before them.
"Candidate Nam Seo-hee. It seems some explanation is needed. Causing a disturbance in the exam hall will of course be reflected in your evaluation, and if the reason is not valid, you may even face disqualification."
Disqualification.
Nam Seo-hee's gaze, which had been directed at Baek Ha-na, shifted to the proctor.
If she were disqualified after barely clearing up the misunderstanding, she would never get to hold that fluffy tail in her arms.
The problem was that she had no plausible excuse to give the proctor.
The pale girl had not started the trouble, and there was no way to prove that this unknown brute—who had fainted from a single slap—had insulted the child standing before her.
She had clearly heard it, but whether the proctor would believe her was another matter entirely.
'...I was too hasty.'
For the first time in her life, she had felt a desire to possess something, and in her desperation not to lose it, she had acted without thinking of the consequences.
-Exam will resume. Please focus your attention.
-Candidate Seo Tae-woong. Please enter.
Fortunately, as proctors overseeing other sections resumed the halted exams, the eyes that had been on them dispersed.
But the proctor in charge of Nam Seo-hee was still watching her, and even called her name again as she struggled to speak.
"Candidate Nam Seo-hee?"
"That is—"
"Excuse me."
The proctor waiting for Nam Seo-hee's answer and Nam Seo-hee, racking her brain, both turned to Baek Ha-na at the same time.
The white triangular ears on top of Baek Ha-na's head twitched as she spoke to the proctor.
"I think it was because of me."
"......I don't quite follow."
The proctor frowned and asked for a more detailed explanation.
Baek Ha-na pointed at Park Cheol-min, sprawled out like a dead frog, and was about to continue.
"Professor Shin."
Another woman appeared, calling out to the proctor.
Seeing the Sky-blue Ring on the woman's finger, both Baek Ha-na and Nam Seo-hee realized that she too was a professor at the academy.
"......Understood."
"Very well."
The woman with the Sky-blue Ring, Kang Han-na, hoisted the unconscious Park Cheol-min over her shoulder like a sack of rice and quickly departed the way she had come.
"...Candidate Baek Ha-na, you've worked hard. The results will be sent by email, so you may leave now."
"Yes. Good work."
Because her transformation rate was at its peak, Baek Ha-na had overheard the entire exchange between the proctor and Kang Han-na. Not wanting to cause any more trouble, she quickly turned around.
"Wait."
"......?"
Baek Ha-na, who had already turned away, stopped at Nam Seo-hee's call and glanced back.
"I'll finish quickly, so wait just a moment."
"......Why?"
"I want to clear up the misunderstanding, and I have something to say."
"Candidate Nam Seo-hee."
When the proctor called her name, Nam Seo-hee stepped toward the summoning device and continued speaking to Baek Ha-na.
"I really only need a moment."
Then, without even waiting for Baek Ha-na's reply, she grabbed a practice sword prepared beside the glass door and entered the summoning device.
The proctor pressed a button on the tablet and said,
"You may start from stage 1 or select any stage you wish."
-Set it to stage 4, please.
A hint of impatience laced Nam Seo-hee's voice, and the proctor let out a short sigh as he operated the tablet.
Immediately, blue particles gathered before Nam Seo-hee, instantly forming the hideous shape of a two-headed dog.
-Beep!!
The moment the starting signal rang, the two-headed dog, its bones visible beneath taut skin, bared its sharp teeth and began drooling at Nam Seo-hee.
Matching its ghastly appearance, the two-headed dog had a ferocious temperament and excellent mobility, often targeting the opponent's back.
Furthermore, because it had two heads, it was not uncommon for a careless attack that seemed like an opening to be blocked by one head while the other landed a blow.
For this reason, it was known as the type of monster Awakened who wielded gauntlets or swords had to be most wary of.
The fully-formed two-headed dog pressed itself against the wall, fixing its gaze on Nam Seo-hee and waiting for an opening.
Without any visible preparation, Nam Seo-hee reversed her grip on the sword and hurled it straight at the two-headed dog.
Boom—!!
Carrying a faint thunder energy, the blade traced a straight trajectory, pierced through the two-headed dog's body, slammed hard into the glass wall of the summoning device, and clattered to the floor.
It was over in a heartbeat.
The proctor, who had worn a dumbfounded expression, watched the two-headed dog dissolve into particles with a hint of surprise and said,
"Stage 5. Will you challenge it?"
-No. I'll stop here.
Without lingering, Nam Seo-hee retrieved the thrown sword and immediately exited the summoning device.
"Good work."
"Yes. Your results will be sent via email."
After giving the proctor a slight nod, Nam Seo-hee turned around and quickly searched for Baek Ha-na. She found the pale girl standing a short distance away from her original spot.
She had moved beside the exit so as not to obstruct others passing through.
Nam Seo-hee's eyes, upon spotting her, filled with bewilderment.
'Ears... tail....'
The fluffy beast ears and tail had vanished without a trace.
But she quickly composed herself and approached Baek Ha-na.
They had not been absent from the beginning; they were simply hidden. She figured that if she just put in the effort, she would one day be able to embrace that fluffy tail.
"Let's go outside first."
"Okay."
Nam Seo-hee nodded at Baek Ha-na's suggestion.
She didn't particularly like rowdy places either.
Moreover, the fact that a few people were still staring in their direction because of the earlier incident was already fraying her nerves.
Just as the two passed through the exit and stepped outside.
"Oh?"
"......Hm?"
Maria and Idni, who had been waiting outside for Baek Ha-na, blinked as they saw Nam Seo-hee coming out alongside their friend.
"...That's Nam—"
Smack—!!
"......?!"
"Just. Shut up, for god's sake."
Idni let out a silent scream and squirmed, while Maria pushed Idni aside and walked toward the two.
"I'm Nam Seo-hee."
"...I'm Maria. The idiot over there is Idni."
Maria lightly took Nam Seo-hee's hand as she extended it in greeting, then introduced herself and Idni.
"......What happened?"
"I don't know. She suddenly said she had something to say and asked me to wait."
They had become entangled because of the Park Cheol-min incident, but since Baek Ha-na knew she had misunderstood, she didn't mention it.
"Is that so? Then... let's go to the temple for now. Too many people pass through here."
"Do we need to? Wouldn't it be better to just go home...?"
As Baek Ha-na tilted her head, Maria let out a small sigh and answered.
"You plan to bring her too?"
"......Is it not okay?"
The only person known to have traversed the Infinite Labyrinth was Claire, alone.
That was because Baek Ha-na, Maria, and Idni always pulled the concealment cloth over their heads when they crossed the maze, erasing their presence entirely.
Baek Ha-na was pondering for a moment when—
-~♥
A notification sound that was somehow grating came from Baek Ha-na's wrist.
After checking the smartwatch Baek Woo-jin had given her, Baek Ha-na gave a faint smile and said,
"Woo-jin says it's okay."
"......?"
Maria quickly looked around.
The only people in sight were other examinees who had come to take the exam.
There was no trace of Baek Woo-jin to be found.
That made it all the more spine-chilling.
"Let's go. You don't mind either, right?"
"Yes. I'm fine anywhere as long as I can talk with you."
Baek Ha-na moved first, and Nam Seo-hee followed right behind her.
Smack—!!
"Eek?!"
"What are you standing there like an idiot for? Let's go quickly."
"Aish...."
Maria glared at Idni's back as she sprinted after Baek Ha-na like she was making an escape, then quietly began to walk.
**
Nam Seo-hee, who had followed Baek Ha-na, found the situation a little hard to accept.
They had gone to a place that was suddenly eerie, and then Baek Ha-na had pulled a white cloth from her pocket and draped it over both their heads.
That part was fine.
She could simply accept that she was a slightly peculiar child.
The problem was what happened after they put on the cloth.
"Okay, come in."
The Infinite Labyrinth.
It was so famous that Nam Seo-hee knew about it too.
"......Excuse me."
That was why it was so difficult to understand.
She could not comprehend that she had just passed through the Infinite Labyrinth, and that at its end, instead of a special artifact, there lay a small mansion where people lived.
"Were we like that the first time?"
"You even had drool dripping down."
"......Bullshit."
Maria and Idni took off their shoes and entered the house. Nam Seo-hee, belatedly snapping out of it, likewise stepped inside.
The first thing Baek Ha-na did upon arriving home was wash her hands. Naturally, Maria and Idni did the same, and Nam Seo-hee wound up copying them in a daze.
"So? What did you want to say?"
The four of them entered Baek Ha-na's room after washing their hands.
Perched on the bed, Nam Seo-hee opened her mouth at Baek Ha-na's question.
"First, let me say again, I met that man for the first time today."
"Okay. I believe you."
"......Thank you."
When Baek Ha-na believed her innocence more easily than she had expected, Nam Seo-hee moistened her lips slightly and continued.
"This is sudden since we just met... but I hope we can be friends."
"Friends?"
"Friends."
Nam Seo-hee anxiously stared at Baek Ha-na's lips, waiting for her answer.
"I don't really mind, but...."
"Thank you. Could you put your number in here?"
"Huh? Uh, oh, sure."
At how swiftly Nam Seo-hee offered her smartphone, Baek Ha-na blinked and gave her number.
Nam Seo-hee immediately sent a message to that number.
"That's my number."
"Uh... okay."
While Baek Ha-na saved Nam Seo-hee in her contacts, Maria, who had been watching from the side, struck up a conversation with Nam Seo-hee.
"If you're Ha-na's friend, then you're friends with us too."
"...Right."
Since Nam Seo-hee had heard them mention the temple earlier at the exit and knew they were apprentice clerics, she exchanged numbers with them as well.
"Well then...."
Having accomplished her goal for today, Nam Seo-hee tried to rise from her seat.
"Wait."
"......?"
Maria smiled as she grabbed Nam Seo-hee's wrist.
"Do you have to go back quickly by any chance?"
"......No, it's not that...."
At Nam Seo-hee's answer, Maria sat her back down on the bed and pulled out her smartphone.
"Then stay and hang out a bit more. Is that okay, Ha-na?"
"Huh? Oh. It's fine."
Once Baek Ha-na gave her permission, Nam Seo-hee hesitated for a moment before nodding.
She saw no reason to refuse when they were giving her an opportunity to build a rapport.
However, she had overlooked one thing.
"Seo-hee, do you play games or anything?"
"......No."
"Really? There's this game called The Guild. Let's play together. All three of us started a little while ago. First...."
Namely, that Maria was extremely talkative and forward.
**
"Ugh. What on earth doesn't he like about it?"
"If I were him, I wouldn't work with you either."
"Yeah, look at your face."
"......Cheeky brat."
Before anyone knew it, Nam Seo-hee had blended in between Maria and Idni and was thoroughly absorbed in The Guild. Baek Ha-na, leaning her head against Nam Seo-hee's back, was also playing The Guild.
This addictive game created by the God of Amusement had instantly drawn the four of them close.
"......!!"
Right in the middle of enjoying the game, Baek Ha-na suddenly shot to her feet, threw open the door, and dashed outside.
"......Did something happen?"
"The professor's here, so."
"......The professor...?"
"You come out too."
Nam Seo-hee followed Idni out to the entrance hall.
And there, she met Baek Woo-jin, who exuded a subtly heavy atmosphere.
"Hello."
"We were playing quietly with Ha-na."
Maria and Idni greeted Baek Woo-jin, and Baek Ha-na stepped slightly aside and said,
"She's a new friend I made today."
Baek Woo-jin's gaze shifted to Nam Seo-hee.
"I see."
"......!!"
The moment Baek Woo-jin spoke, Nam Seo-hee's eyes flew wide open.
Her heart pounded fiercely at the mellifluous voice that seemed to melt her ears.
"......Ah, I, I'm... Nam Seo-hee."
Baek Woo-jin nodded once and said as he hung his coat on a hanger,
"I'll prepare dinner, so go back to playing."
"Thank you very much!!"
"Professor. About the rosé pasta...."
Smack—!!
"......?!"
"Please shut your mouth."
Maria dragged Idni off back toward Baek Ha-na's room.
Just then, Baek Woo-jin addressed Nam Seo-hee, who was standing there blankly.
"Do you have something to say?"
"Ah... uh, um... sh-should I... help...?"
She had never cooked a day in her life—what did she mean by offering to help?
Even after the words left her mouth, Nam Seo-hee was flabbergasted by her own statement.
"I'll just accept the thought."
"Ah...... y-yes, yes... then I'll also...."
Nam Seo-hee quickly gave a deep bow and fled into Baek Ha-na's room.
Left alone with Baek Woo-jin, Baek Ha-na wrapped her arms around his waist from behind and clung to him like a child.
"What."
"It's okay if I help, right?"
"......Forget it. Go back and play."
"Tch~"
Clicking her tongue playfully, Baek Ha-na turned her head away as if sulking and headed toward her room.
At her usual playful antics, the corners of Baek Woo-jin's mouth faintly curled upward.
But Baek Woo-jin did not notice.
He did not notice how the eyes of Baek Ha-na, which had been glaring at the fleeing Nam Seo-hee's back, had gone coldly still.
He did not notice that Baek Ha-na, as she ran contentedly to her room, had not been humming a tune.
Baek Woo-jin did not notice.