Sword Saint (4): Midnight Obsessions and Haunting Regrets
From the very beginning, the sisters had no emotions. Swept up in others' feelings since birth, they could only watch, cower, evade, and submit. There was no one they could talk to—only each other, their sole connection to another human being—but even then, they never expressed their feelings. Emotions simply didn't exist for them. For these girls who knew only misfortune, the closest thing to an emotion might have been despair.
But the sisters changed. Saved by a single ray of light named Lee Seojin, they grew little by little while living together. They learned what emotions were, felt happiness, discovered affection, and came to like another person. Through cell phones, TVs, and various media, they gained knowledge too, steadily building their intellect, emotions, and abilities.
Yet there was one overlooked fact. One that neither the sisters nor Lee Seojin realized: the sisters had matured mentally far beyond their years. Starting from nothing, an empty vessel that fills up later—who knew what it would become? In the end, whether it turned out good or bad was anyone's guess.
"Heehee… Oppa looks so handsome even when he's sleeping."
Yu Sua gazed down at the sleeping Lee Seojin. Unlike in his previous life, he now slept deeply once he was out. So soundly that someone could carry him away without him noticing. Even with the sisters moving beside him, he didn't wake, just let out soft breaths.
Of course, his ability to detect ambushes or danger hadn't dulled. His body might be weaker, but his mind was sharp. With no war raging, he judged there was no need for vigilance and slept soundly.
"Oppa suits sleeping the best. He looks cool from this angle, handsome from that one."
Yu Se Eun twisted and turned, scrutinizing him. After shaving his beard once, he'd been meticulously maintained, so his appearance hadn't changed a bit.
"Heehee."
"Hehe."
The sisters smiled as they watched Lee Seojin.
When did this start? If they thought about it, it had been from the beginning. The night they said they were scared of the dark and slept together. Lee Seojin had slept soundly just like now, but the sisters couldn't fall asleep easily. Being saved felt more surreal than they'd imagined. The happiness of staying by the side of someone they liked felt alien. Endless thoughts kept them tossing and turning, but it led to a surprising discovery: Lee Seojin slept deeply once he was out.
"Oppa is so defenseless… If he sleeps this soundly, he wouldn't notice if we did anything, right?"
"Hey now, Se Eun. Don't say things like that."
"Hng~ But Unnie likes it the most."
"Ahem! Anyway, you can't say that~"
Yu Sua let out a fake cough, her face beaming with a goofy smile she couldn't escape while looking at Lee Seojin. Because they always did this at night, the sisters woke up later than him and had indulged their affections. Of course, he'd do it if they asked while he was awake, but not everything. Doing it secretly while he slept felt better, so it became a nightly ritual.
"This time… let's try this."
Yu Sua took Lee Seojin's hand, interlocking their fingers. Then she scooted close, pressing herself tightly against him and hugging him firmly. Through their thin clothes, she felt his skin—the firm build and solid muscles giving off a strangely sensual sensation.
"Oppa has such a sturdy body… Hehe. His hands are a bit rough but soft. It always feels so good."
"Oppa's body is just that great. So~ I have to do it too!"
Yu Se Eun did the same, interlocking fingers and gently caressing his body, feeling him carefully. Even though Lee Seojin was in deep sleep, they moved extra cautiously just in case he woke.
That night, the sisters satisfied their desires by holding hands and clinging tightly to his side.
"…I'm glad Oppa's so wonderful."
"Even better that he's not popular."
"…Yeah. Right."
The sisters looked up at the soundly sleeping Lee Seojin. As they began to feel emotions bit by bit, the first one they truly grasped was obsession. Not affection or love, but a sticky, deep-rooted fixation that burrowed into their hearts. That's why the desire to monopolize him surged faster than learning emotions themselves. They wanted him all to themselves, without other women, forever by their side.
But sadly, that wasn't possible.
"Can we become prettier than Unnie Sujung?"
"Of course. That's how we'll make Oppa only look at us. No—make him cling to us. Make him cry and beg."
"Hehe. Let's do that!"
Han Sujung was a massive rival, a formidable foe with overwhelming specs. She'd met him first, their bond deeper by far. They wanted to eliminate her somehow, but they couldn't. No power, no ability—and above all, they knew Lee Seojin would hate it. So they resolved to become more attractive women themselves.
But Han Sujung was too enormous an enemy.
Isn't it natural to cheat a little… just to gain an edge? With thoughts like that, the sisters grew bolder in their actions toward the sleeping Lee Seojin.
"…I wish we could grow up faster. Hehe."
"We have to grow quick so Oppa sees us as women."
"…But what if Oppa meets other girls?"
"Pfft. Then we scold him and stop it. 'You can't do that!'"
"Pfft. Yeah."
Whenever they looked at Lee Seojin, unconscious thoughts or fantasies bubbled up in the sisters. What if—just what if—he got badly hurt. And the only one he could rely on was them… Such ideas fueled their desires, spawning more twisted imaginings.
If I break his legs so he can't move, I could take care of him forever, right?
If I cut off his hand or arm, wouldn't he depend on me?
Could I lock him away where no one finds him, so he only sees me forever?
Make him beg, utterly dependent on me alone…
Unconscious thoughts and fantasies like that. But they could never act on them. It might be ideal, but Lee Seojin would hate it. Being hated or resented was worse than death. Better to end their own lives than face that. The sisters instinctively rejected anything that would distance them from him.
Of course, these were just in the corner of their minds, not dominant thoughts, so they didn't influence much… yet. Only time would tell.
"I wish we had power. Then we could stay by Oppa's side more."
"It's okay. If we work hard, it'll work out. Oppa promised, remember? He'd always… stay by our side."
"…Yeah, Unnie. He did. Hehe."
The two sisters exchanged gentle smiles.
"Then let's do our usual and sleep?"
"Yeah!"
They released their interlocked hands and hugs, sitting up. Gazing intently at Lee Seojin, they slowly brought their faces close. Mwah. A kiss on the cheek, then they pulled back, blushing furiously.
"Heehee…"
"Hehe…"
Their faces flushed deep red with happiness. They could have kissed his lips to satisfy their desires, but it wasn't time yet—they held back. But how far would that limit stretch… who knew.
"Okay, Se Eun."
"Yeah."
The sisters lay down beside Lee Seojin. But this time, they did something a bit different. Interlocking fingers again. Wouldn't this feel natural? they fantasized. They seemed ready to sleep, but Yu Se Eun whispered softly, as if she had something to say.
"…Unnie."
"Yeah?"
"Let's never fight, no matter what."
"…Of course. Promise?"
"Yeah. Promise."
Maybe something they'd seen in media. The sisters gazed at each other and smiled, sealing their vow.
※
"Han Sujung. Don't go on this mission."
Inside a building, Lee Seojin urgently grabbed Han Sujung from behind as she walked.
"Huh? What're you talking about, Sunbae?"
"Exactly what I said. Don't participate in this operation."
"Come on~ How can I? This mission's super important. And with so many people going, I can't be the only one sitting it out."
"Just do as I say and don't!!"
Lee Seojin shouted, and Han Sujung's eyes widened in slight shock. He'd never raised his voice before—always annoyed or cold. But now, his face was troubled, trying to stop her. Like he was worried about her.
"This mission important? What bullshit! It's a suicide run! You're the bait!!"
"…What? Are you actually worried about me right now?"
"…Yeah. I am. So… don't go."
Han Sujung was shocked again. She never thought she'd hear words he'd only thought to himself. He'd never cared for or worried about anyone before, so she asked curiously.
"Why the sudden change?"
"…I don't know. I just am."
"What~ That's such a dry answer."
She sidled closer, tilting her head with a grin. Her eyes pleaded for a reason. Finally, Lee Seojin reluctantly explained.
"…After Hoyeon hyung died, I realized how precious the people around you are."
"Hng? And?"
"What 'and'? You're precious! Maybe 'cause you nag all the time, but I've gotten attached. There!"
He yelled, turning his head sharply, cheeks faintly red with embarrassment. Han Sujung burst out laughing. "Pfft."
"What? You really were worried? Wow, Sunbae caring about me. Never saw this coming."
"…Yeah. So don't go."
Lee Seojin looked at her gravely, pleading desperately with his eyes. But Han Sujung smiled and shook her head.
"Sunbae, I can't. I have to join this one. I'm not the type to ignore orders from above just 'cause you're my sunbae."
"…What? That's—" Lee Seojin started incredulously, but her words kept coming, leaving him speechless.
"Sure, you're super strong now and always get results, but I can't do that. War has hierarchy—if everyone ignores orders, it falls apart. We're already losing badly after less than a year. Can't have that, right?"
"No, but…!"
"And this op isn't total crap. You're going too, right? If I do well, it helps you. Sure, it's a diversion so I'm on the other side, but hehe."
"Hey, Han Sujung!"
Frustration boiling over, Lee Seojin was about to snap at her. But he couldn't. Her smiling face looked… somehow sad.
"Sunbae. You know?"
"…Know what."
"Back when we were Team 1… Teams 4, 5, 6—even 2 and 3—trashed us, right?"
"Why remember trash talk from nobodies?"
"Ahaha… But I couldn't forget. Lemme see… You were a lone wolf swinging a useless sword like an idiot? No, a dumb musclehead."
"We're not here to talk that—!"
As the conversation circled, Lee Seojin tried to steer back. But when Han Sujung shook her head smiling, he couldn't continue. He'd always been indifferent and cold to others, but not this time. Foolishly not.
"Sunbae. What'd they call me back then?"
"…Dunno."
"Ahaha. Knew you'd say that. Not that I wanna say…"
She stepped close, stroking his hair like a lover's final farewell. Gazing at him with pitiful eyes.
"Thanks for saving me back then."
"…So what're you trying to say."
"Hm~ Who knows? This op's crucial but dangerous, so… save me again, Hero? Heehee."
"You…!!"
Her casual smile ignited fury to the top of his head. He didn't know why—just blind rage he didn't question. Like a child throwing a tantrum for not getting his way, he stormed off.
"That all you had to say?! You don't even get how people feel?!"
Han Sujung watched him go… with an expression he'd never know. Forever.
"Fine, do whatever! Die on this 'important' op for all I care!!"
No.
"That's what you say to someone worried? Just past stories?!"
Don't.
"I'm the idiot for caring. Shouldn't have said anything."
Don't go. Please.
Grab her. Cry, beg—stop her. Or run away with her. You can. Lee Seojin. Do something. Please…!!!
"Gasp!!"
He snapped awake. Harsh breaths escaping, drenched in cold sweat, soaking the pillow.
"Haa. Haa. Haa…"
Blinking, he took in his surroundings. Home. Lying in bed.
"…Haa…"
Slowly sitting up, he noticed someone holding his hand. Sua and Se Eun's. In his panic, he'd grabbed theirs without realizing. Carefully extracting his hand so as not to wake the sleeping girls, he wiped the sweat from his dry face.
"Hoo…"
A deep sigh. He recalled the dream. That day. When the crucial op was planned and personnel assigned. He'd tried to stop Han Sujung but ended up yelling and leaving. A desperate counter for the heroes, who were being pushed back. Seize a major villain base. But it required a diversion… and Han Sujung was one of them.
They dressed it up as a reversal, noble sacrifice, great stepping stone—but the diversion team was cannon fodder.
The old him might not have cared, but after Kim Hoyeon's death, he'd changed a bit, realizing others' value, and tried to stop her. But the result was the worst. For the last time… he'd snapped.
Back then, he thought he'd changed upon feeling it. But it was delusion. Looking back, those words were empty—no inner shift. He'd ignored others, thought only of himself, stared ahead blindly, missing Han Sujung's feelings entirely.
The op began. He performed better than ever. Last words nagging him, he rushed to finish and support. But when he arrived…
"…Haha."
He came to in a sea of blood. Staring blankly at her corpse. That's when he began to crumble. Without the Hero…
"…Sua-ya."
He glanced carefully at Yu Sua beside him. Her sleeping face, so cute and pretty like a little sister. Stroking her hair gently, she smiled goofily in her sleep, mumbling.
"Ehehe…"
"…Se Eun-ah."
Next, Yu Se Eun, drooling a bit with a smile. The Demon King, villains' hero, the enemy he had to kill first. Once hated… now a lovable, cute little sister. Stroking her hair like Yu Sua's, she let out an odd sleep-talk.
"Eehee… Ungh…"
"…You two."
Petting the sisters' heads, he thought blankly. Horrifying. Beyond horrific—despairing. Agonizing pain. He'd vowed to change after, but still fell short. So he'd sworn never again, to alter fate.
But had he succeeded? War might or might not erupt. Still, things had changed, so maybe less worry.
Yeah. A nightmare. One he never wanted to relive. Never dream again. One that would never happen.
A nightmare.