Hospitalization (4)
The next morning.
Last night, Liliana and Scarlett had filmed their video and left right away. Scarlett said she'd installed a camera in my hospital room, but she refused to tell me where it was, claiming I'd start acting self-conscious if I knew.
"What, is she a movie director now or something?"
She'd said she'd bring Nam Da-eun early this morning, so I'd just wait for now.
The chairman had announced the academy's official stance last night. He'd presented irrefutable evidence—from the artifact I'd blown up in the Heavenly Palace during the festival, to the magic circles used in the terrorist attack, projected casualties, and more.
Why didn't that damn old man do this sooner when he had all this good evidence?
Anyway, the guys slandering me were pretty much gone now. Even that idiotic group called 'Lee Ho-yeon's Hidden Truth'—shortened to 'LeeHideTruth' or whatever bullshit—were getting flamed left and right.
"The world's finally turning right."
The weird era where talents like me got mistreated at the academy was finally over.
"Met him in person, and he's truly impressive. Felt like a glimpse of our country's future."
"I think he's the talent who'll lead Korea's hunter society from here on out."
"Yeah, yeah."
Bugs like that get filtered out on their own. Shin Young Guild hadn't issued an official statement on the controversy yet, but they couldn't stop the leaks pouring out one after another. It was all starting with that kind-looking uncle at the helm.
Of course, a massive guild like Shin Young wouldn't crumble from this alone. Still, it'd take a huge hit... so they probably wouldn't stay quiet for a while.
'Professor Kang Hyo-lyn just needs to bring back evidence on Buyer Guild.'
Buyer Guild would notice Nam Da-hee was gone soon. Hell, they might have already. Even if Professor Kang Hyo-lyn had set up the magic circle, it'd been days now.
I was idly scrolling through the community sites, lost in those thoughts, when—
Knock knock.
"Cadet Lee Ho-yeon. You have visitors."
The knock interrupted my train of thought. It was my assigned nurse's voice.
"Who is it?"
"Someone named Scout, plus two others."
"Ah... yeah. Send them in."
Scout. That must be why—probably using it as a cover so Ellis wouldn't catch on. The other two had to be Nam Da-eun and Nam Da-hee. I sat up in bed, ready to greet my guests.
*
Scarlett, Nam Da-eun, and Nam Da-hee were on their way to the hospital room where Lee Ho-yeon was staying.
"…."
"Feeling tense?"
Scarlett spoke to Nam Da-eun, who had been silently quiet since getting permission to visit, as they headed up to the room.
"A little."
Nam Da-eun was agonizing. Why had he helped her? Why go that far? She had so many questions.
"It's fine, sis. Oppa’s super close friends with you, right?"
"…Yeah. But we gotta be quiet in the room."
Nam Da-eun's smartwatch buzzed.
Buyer Guild
Buyer Guild kept calling, but she ignored them all. Because Nam Da-hee was right there with her.
Lee Ho-yeon, who had saved her sister, told her not to answer, so Nam Da-eun obeyed.
Bzzz—
Something vibrated against Scarlett's chest. It was Liliana in necklace form. She'd been fidgeting and complaining of stuffiness ever since they left the dorm.
Scarlett gently stroked the necklace to soothe it.
"We're almost there. Just hang on a bit."
They arrived at the room shortly after.
"No long visits. Have a good time!"
The nurse led them to the room and vanished somewhere.
Knock knock.
"Master Ho-yeon. It's me."
Scarlett knocked on behalf of the group.
—Come in.
They opened the door at the voice from inside and entered. Lee Ho-yeon was leaning against the wall in bed, coming into view.
"You're early this morning. Sit wherever, make yourselves comfy. No snacks, but drinks are in the fridge—help yourselves."
Lee Ho-yeon spoke as he watched Nam Da-hee and Nam Da-eun look around.
"Hi! Pretty oppa. I came with unnie."
"Yeah. Hi."
He turned to Nam Da-eun after seeing the demure Nam Da-hee greet him. Nam Da-eun was staring intently at Lee Ho-yeon's face with her usual blank expression.
'...What does that look mean?'
He could read Liliana's eyes after all this time, knowing exactly what she wanted to say just from a glance. But not Nam Da-eun yet.
(For the record, Liliana had already turned back into succubus form from the necklace and was rummaging through the fridge, pondering which drink to snag.)
Current State: I have to ask why... why did he save Da-hee?
'Ah...'
That topic was tricky to bring up with others around. Lee Ho-yeon locked eyes with Scarlett.
"Like I said yesterday, I brought everyone toda—"
He desperately signaled with his eyes that he wanted to talk to Nam Da-eun alone. Scarlett caught on.
"Ahem... Miss Nam Da-hee. Lady Liliana. Let's step out for a bit."
"Why?"
"I need a drink. Plum juice."
"It'll just be a minute. I'll buy you one."
Pat pat pat. Scarlett led the two out temporarily.
'Scarlett's the best.'
Lee Ho-yeon nodded slightly, then looked at Nam Da-eun.
"Uh, feeling better?"
He opened cautiously.
"...Not something for the guy in the hospital bed to say."
"Fair point."
"…."
Nam Da-eun chewed her lip. She had too much to ask. Why save Da-hee? How was he holding up? And why help her like this?
But she couldn't voice it. Saying it out loud terrified her. What if he bound her like Buyer Guild? What if he demanded payment for his help? She knew he wasn't like that. But Park Min-gyu had seemed fine until he wasn't.
Nam Da-eun bit down hard at her pathetic self for hesitating over "what ifs."
"They calling from Buyer Guild?"
Lee Ho-yeon spoke first.
"Yeah. Not answering, like you said…."
"Good call. Those bastards are vicious—don't pick up no matter what. My people are digging into their corruption now; it'll blow up soon."
"…Why are you helping me?"
Nam Da-eun finally asked the question she'd held back. She hadn't shared anything deep with him. Yet he'd mobilized his forces, helped wholeheartedly, and saved Da-hee. No demands since, even handling the aftermath.
It was starting to scare her what he might want. An elephant trained from youth by its handler never rebels, even as an adult. After all Buyer Guild's abuse, she couldn't help suspecting others.
"I-I got nothing. No way to repay you, though I'll figure something out for this…."
Lee Ho-yeon watched Nam Da-eun ramble. Her shoulders and hands trembled faintly. Tension and fear etched her stiff eyes and lips.
Freedom felt awkward after so long. How badly had Buyer Guild broken her to react like this? Pitiful.
"No real reason."
"Huh?"
Nam Da-eun's eyes widened at his words.
"Found out about you and Buyer Guild while investigating Shin Young Guild. Figured I'd free you while taking out those dirty-job lackeys. That's it. Don't sweat it."
"B-But... it's too big a debt to ignore."
"Then pay it back someday, like you said. You're free now—live with your sister, do what you want, find a way to repay me later."
Honestly, he didn't need repayment. Not short on cash, and she had no connections. Gratitude was enough; he'd take that.
"…."
Nam Da-eun bowed her head, trembling. Still sinking in, probably.
Soon, sniffles escaped as she quietly cried. Lee Ho-yeon waited until she calmed.
"Th-Thank you. I'll repay this somehow... whatever it takes."
"Yeah. Oh, speaking of—something I heard from Da-hee. What was it? Cafe, meals, movies... when did we do that?"
Before the party, he'd relayed exactly what Nam Da-hee said. To lighten the stiff mood, he cracked a slight smile.
Nam Da-eun's face flushed red, tears still in her eyes.
"...Sorry. Made it up 'cause I had nothing to tell her. Keep it secret from Da-hee."
"Aha... gotcha."
Weird, he'd thought. Turns out he was the only one she could think of for the lie.
"...Sorry. If it bothered you, let me apologize properly…."
"Cafe first, then?"
"Huh?"
"Do all that stuff you said. Then it's not a lie anymore."
Nam Da-eun was a fresh 20-year-old girl too. Bet she wanted to hang with friends, go out, all that. Hence the fib.
She wiped her tears, her blank face blooming into a radiant smile.
"...Yeah!"
Brighter even than when talking to her sister.