A Dramatic Rescue
'As expected...'
I checked the mini-map, and sure enough, it showed not only my position but Yu Seoyeon's as well.
'...She hasn't gone as far as I thought.'
I let out a faint chuckle, pulled my eyes away from my smartphone, and turned to Elena.
"Follow me. We're going straight to find Yu Seoyeon."
"Y-yes, Master."
With that, I immediately started heading toward her location. After walking for a bit, I spotted Seoyeon panting heavily in the distance as she ran.
Her clothes were torn in places, and her entire body was caked in dirt—she must have tripped several times while fleeing. I clicked my tongue at the sight and kept my distance, watching her from afar.
"Agh!"
That's when Yu Seoyeon let out a bloodcurdling scream and tumbled to the ground.
This is bad...
She seemed to have fallen hard this time; she staggered to her feet only to collapse again, clutching her left leg.
...Is she hurt?
As I edged closer to check, blood was indeed oozing from her knee.
Should I reveal myself now? No, I don't have an excuse ready if I show up like this.
At the very least, she needed to burst into tears or scream for help.
"Ugh! Nngh!"
While I hesitated, she gritted her teeth, stifling a groan that threatened to escape her lips, and forced herself back up. It looked like she was determined to keep going despite the pain.
Fine, I'll tail her for now.
I decided and continued following behind her.
"Is it really okay to just let her keep going like this?"
Suddenly, Elena spoke up.
"Is there a problem?"
"Well... If Master says it's fine, then it is. Hehe."
She let out a mischievous laugh. Feeling a bit uneasy, I pulled out my smartphone and checked the mini-map again. Nothing unusual—no cliffs or flat land suitable for a village.
"Ah... Ahh..."
That's when Yu Seoyeon suddenly staggered backward, trembling in fear.
What the—?
I followed her terrified gaze into the dark thicket.
...Huh?
Something white flashed from within the shadows. Eyes—definitely eyes. I held my breath and tracked it. Moments later, the white orbs slowly emerged from the bushes, revealing themselves before us.
So that's why Elena spoke up!
A chilling shiver ran down my spine, every hair standing on end.
"Grrr."
It was a wolf the size of a bicycle.
"Uh... Uhh... Ah... Ah..."
Seoyeon was overwhelmed, her lips trembling soundlessly, unable to even scream. It was a powder keg ready to blow. If that wolf lunged and tore into her neck...
"Damn it... Goblin Summon."
Goblin Summon
I quickly summoned the goblins, snatched a club from one, and continued.
"...If I yell for help, save me."
With that, I sprinted full speed toward Seoyeon.
"Kyaaah!!"
At the same moment, her scream erupted. The wolf facing her had finally launched its massive body at her.
No...!
My vision went dark. Images of the wolf ripping into her flooded my mind. Her dying? That was never the plan. I just wanted to dispel her suspicions, prove I wasn't the culprit.
...Too far!
It was just that, nothing more... "Gasp!"
Just as I thought it was too late, my body was suddenly positioned between Yu Seoyeon and the wolf. There had been over ten meters left, but somehow I was right in front of it.
Why?
The question flashed in my mind, but before I could process it, the wolf's heavy bulk slammed into me. I tumbled entangled with it, unable to dodge.
Then its razor-sharp fangs sank into my shoulder.
"Arrrghhh!"
The pain dwarfed anything from the goblin's club strike. That had been flesh tearing; this felt like my bones were being yanked out whole. I screamed, swinging the club wildly in agony.
Thwack!
The club cracked against the wolf's skull.
"Kyaaang!"
It yelped from the wooden blow and released my shoulder. But only for a moment—it glared at me furiously, tail rigid, red saliva dripping menacingly from its jaws.
"Grrr."
"Y-Yuhyun..."
Seoyeon's trembling voice came from behind, but I couldn't tell her not to worry. Hell, I could barely hold myself together.
"Grrr... Grr. Kyang. Kyaang."
As we faced off, the wolf suddenly dropped its tail and bolted without looking back.
What the—?
I glanced around, puzzled, and spotted three goblins glaring murderously at it from afar.
...Ah.
The goblins must have intimidated it into fleeing. I sighed in relief and finally collapsed onto the ground.
"Yuhyun!!"
Seoyeon cried out in shock, grabbing my arm tightly—hard enough to make it throb.
"You okay?"
I croaked, sounding half-dead.
"I'm fine... I'm okay... Sniff, what about you? Are you? What do we do? Waaah!"
Tears streamed down her dirt-smeared face. Scratches from branches covered her; she looked worse off than me.
"...The blood... It's not stopping. Sob sob, how do we make it stop?!"
Shaking, she stared at my shoulder, then stripped off her own clothes to wrap it, trying to staunch the bleeding.
"Help me up first."
"O-okay... Oh no... Your body's covered in bruises..."
As she lifted me, she spotted the club marks and grimaced tearfully.
"Anyone around?"
"No... No one's here... We need to call 119, but my phone's gone... Waaah."
Tears dripping, she flailed in panic. I caught my breath and spoke slowly.
"Let's get out of here first. That thing could come back anytime."
"O-okay... Okay."
She nodded frantically and supported me.
"...Ugh!"
But with her own injuries, holding up a grown man proved too much. She buckled, and I hit the dirt again.
"A-are you okay? Yuhyun?!"
She bombarded me with worried questions, fearing she'd hurt me more.
I raised a hand.
"I'm fine. Ugh... At least go by yourself, noona."
"No! I won't! I'm not leaving anymore! I'd rather die here!"
She screamed and hugged me fiercely. Her soft skin pressed against mine, sending a pleasant shiver—especially her breasts against my abdomen.
I'm such a mess.
I clicked my tongue, helping her up.
"We'll die if we stay. Another wolf could show."
"I'll fight! Next time, I'll fight it!"
Despite my pleas, she stubbornly yelled. Peering into her eyes, I saw no more doubt—just exhaustion? Or reluctance to abandon her twice-savior?
Time for the finishing blow.
As I watched her, she suddenly snatched the club from my hand.
"Nng... Nnngh..."
Even holding it made her groan and tremble, but she didn't drop it or sit. Instead, she scanned the surroundings vigilantly.
"...Come out! Show yourself, you pervert bastard!"
She bellowed, calling out the culprit.
"Ah!"
Then Elena, cloaked and masked, emerged from the shadows. The darkness hid her figure and golden hair, but the mask was unmistakable.
"...Aah!"
Seoyeon shuddered violently. Elena shrugged mockingly, then vanished as I'd instructed.
"No! Don't go! Stay!!"
Seoyeon hurled the club at her, but the masked figure was gone. In that moment, I pulled out my smartphone and selected Otherworld Quest forfeit.
Meanwhile, I forfeited the Otherworld Quest on my phone.
Otherworld Quest forfeited.
"...I'll kill you! I'll chase you to the ends of hell!!"
Her agonized scream echoed beside me, chills prickling my skin.
"..."
Back in reality, I shuddered involuntarily and stared at the ceiling.
"Ugh!"
But soon, a burning pain flared in my shoulder. Was I bleeding out? Or would infection from the filthy cloth kill me first?
Call 119 first...
I carefully unwrapped the cloth and reached for my phone.
Riiiing!
It rang—Yu Seoyeon calling.
"H-hello?"
"Yuhyun? Are you okay? You okay?!"
She bombarded me frantically.
"Y-yeah... I'm okay for now. But—"
"119! Call 119!"
"I was just about to."
"I'll come to you—wait there!"
Clattering noises came through the line.
"No, it's fine."
"No! I'm coming—don't die! Don't you dare die!"
She yelled and hung up unilaterally. I sighed deeply and called 119. ==========