Impulsive Decision

Sunday, and the agonizing dilemma dragged on.

In truth, I hadn't accomplished a damn thing up to now. I'd just been preparing nonstop.

Preparing to inflict massive trauma on those bastards who tormented me.

But I haven't even started my revenge yet.

So why now? Why this timing? Why the hell am I agonizing over this right now?

Shouldn't I focus on getting stronger first? Isn't my revenge the top priority?

I could protect Ha-eun after I've achieved something, right?

But if I were in her shoes, would I want that?

Me, branded as a powerless loser, just waiting for someone to help me...?

Of course, if someone had helped me when I was struggling, I would've been grateful. Beyond grateful, even.

But that pathetic feeling I'd endured. The bone-deep realization of my inferiority. The endless humiliations from the rank battles.

Was I really going to let Ha-eun go through all that too? Just because I'd been through it and survived, so she could too?

"Haa..."

I spent the entire day lost in this pointless torment. My head was such a mess I couldn't do a thing.

I didn't even watch the anime I always binged on Sundays. Couldn't be bothered to eat properly. Hell, I didn't even open Bread Dream once.

Still gotta do the daily check-in, though...

I fired up the game and logged in right away.

But even after the day ended, I still hadn't reached a conclusion.

The next day, Monday.

I headed to school, entered the classroom at the Hunter Academy.

- Heard that villain bastard awakened?

- He ditched the black nameplate? It suited him, though.

- Awakening now won't do shit. Rank battles are right around the corner—what can he even do?

- God, I hope I get matched against Yoo Ji-min! That's a free win!!

Those fucking pricks...

My teeth ground together hard enough to ache.

They wanted to face me in the rank battles?

Fine by me. I wanted it just as bad.

Just you fucking wait, you pieces of shit.

I sat at my desk, and there was a piece of paper in the drawer.

What the hell is this...?

I pulled it out and read it.

The gist was this: She'd blacked out from shock and lost her memories. When she got back, I was branded a rapist. She figured it wasn't true but wasn't certain. Plus, since I was "dead," she let the timing slip by without speaking up. Now she was saying, belatedly, not to misunderstand.

"Ha... haha..."

What the actual fuck? You kidding me right now?

So she had a vague idea I didn't do it? But she missed the timing? Figured since I was screwed anyway, might as well let the rapist label stick while I rotted?

It was so absurd a laugh nearly burst out—then I pictured Han Min-young writing the note.

In my imagination, her face was twisted in utter disgust. The revulsion when she touched my desk. The way she'd handle something filthy.

She'd written it just like that.

Thump thump thump thump thump thump.

My heart pounded like mad. Tears pricked at my eyes again.

You fucking bitch...

I shredded the letter to pieces and chucked it in the trash.

Then I pulled up the system window in front of me.

I wanted to activate it right now and smash everything. Those sneering cadets, Han Min-young forcing down her disgust to write that note— all of them.

Sure, causing trouble outside sparring hours meant ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠unknown disciplinary action. But I didn't have the patience left to care.

Anyone starts shit with me today, and I'll beat them half to death.

Luckily or unluckily, homeroom passed without incident.

Mondays had level-based classes, so I quietly reined in my emotions and headed to E-Class.

As always, I sat far from the others. And, as always, Ha-eun plopped down next to me.

"S-S-Sunbae... h-hello..."

"Hey. Morning, Ha-eun."

"H-Here, have this..."

"Thanks... whoa...?"

Ha-eun handed me castella injeolmi. The stuff from yesterday's gacha pull, right?

I'd scarfed it down yesterday without much thought ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠since I couldn't be bothered to cook, but damn, it was insanely good. Top of the rice cakes I'd ever had, hands down.

"Th-this is really good. Seriously..."

"Really? Th-thank you. I'll enjoy it."

"Hehe..."

Ha-eun sitting next to me every day. Chatting with me every day. Handing me snacks every day.

It was just ordinary routine. The same old thing on repeat.

But for some reason, today that normalcy hit me extra hard. Felt incredibly special.

Was it the contrast with those asshole cadets' attitudes earlier? Or Han Min-young's letter tanking my mood into the gutter? Or just overwhelming gratitude toward Ha-eun?

"Ha-eun."

"Y-Yes...?"

"You free after class today?"

"...Huh...?"

I made the impulsive call.

"I really need to talk to you. Can you make time?"

"Ah... s-sure..."

I'd use it on her.

"Not a confession or anything, obviously. Just clearing that up so no misunderstandings."

"Ah, got it... that's fine. Sure..."

True losers often blurt out confessions outta nowhere, right? So I drew the line early just in case.

"Alright, class ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠dismissed for today. Rank battles are coming up fast—prep well, everyone! Check the app notifications for your matches right away!"

E-Class wrapped up without issues. Nothing much to learn with rank battles looming anyway.

And school was out.

I went with Ha-eun to an empty classroom near E-Class. Everyone else had gone home, so it was deserted outside too.

We slipped into the quiet room, pulled chairs to the back, and sat.

"This should work."

"Y-Yeah..."

I thought for a sec, then spoke.

"Ha-eun, you know I awakened recently, right?"

"Y-Yes... I do..."

I showed her first. Just a tiny bit of hardening—the palm-sized patch I could do at the start.

"This was all I could manage initially. That's what I used in the mock battle too."

"Ah... so that's why your ability wasn't visible then...?"

Yeah, I'd only hardened around my ribs under my clothes, so it wouldn't show.

"But now it's way different. Watch."

I pumped in an extra 20% stamina, applying it across my whole body.

Cracklecrcrk—

"Whoa..."

Ha-eun gasped in awe.

"Just two weeks passed. And the range expanded this much."

"Th-that's amazing...!"

"You get what this means, right?"

"Huh...?"

I explained to her puzzled face.

"I have a way to boost mana short-term."

"Whaaat?!"

Ha-eun yelped in shock.

"Technically, I converted boosted stamina, but details don't matter. Point is, I can massively amp mana for sure."

"Whoa... th-that's incredible. I'm so jealous, sunbae..."

Right? Pretty damn impressive, huh? Even I'm like, am I nuts for this?

"So... I want to use it on you."

"Wh-what?! What did you say?!"

Wonder what face she's making? Eyes probably wide as saucers.

Couldn't tell, though. I sure as hell wasn't looking at her face.

"I want to boost your mana. If you're okay with it, that is."

"I-Is that even possible...?"

"Yeah. Can't explain how, obviously—just one of my awakened abilities. It's legit, no side effects."

"......"

Bet her jaw's on the floor now. Kinda dying to see that reaction. That's the real fun part.

"It's possible? But you really powered up too... so it must be real..."

Ha-eun mumbled to herself. Fair enough—sudden mana boost offer? Total shock.

"I've only seen this much effect on me, but with your strong imagery, it'll hit harder. Huge help for rank battles too."

"R-Really? You can really boost my mana?!"

Her urgent shout trembled faintly at the end.

"For real."

"C-Can I please ask you to? You can do it for me?!"

I kept my eyes on the floor, but I felt her step closer for sure.

"Yeah. If you're cool with it, I want to."

"I am! No, please do it! I need it so bad!!"

Yeah. I knew. She'd been hiding it, but she was desperate. Made my chest ache a bit.

"Alright. Let's do it."

"Wh-what do I do...?"

"Never tried on anyone else... just stand still for now?"

"O-Okay..."

I opened the gacha system window and targeted Ha-eun.

Whew...

No backing out now. Already spilled it. Days of agonizing over this.

Yeah. This is right. Sweet potato bullshit, sure, but I wanted to.

I steadied my shaking hands and glared at the screen.

YES.

Huh? What the—?

When I used stamina amp on myself, it applied instantly... Preparation? For what?

Perform? How the hell?

Hand on her back or something?

But the next message...

"......"

You crazy son of a bitch!!!

Why the fuck tell me NOW!!!!!