Chapter 205
Translator: uly
Chapter: 205
Chapter Title: Part 2 - Chapter 68
A refreshing forest scent lingered at the tip of my nose. I wrinkled my nose bridge and inhaled the familiar smell.
“Haa…….”
A deep sigh laced with pain slipped through my lips.
As awareness hit me that I was breathing, all my senses began to revive.
The cool touch of the blanket against my skin felt nice, but the comfort was fleeting—soon, an even more intense wave of pain enveloped my body.
“Eugh…….”
I let out a short groan and relaxed my rigidly tense body.
Easing my muscles, I slowly raised my upper body and clutched my throbbing head.
“Where am I…….”
I slightly pulled back the black, pristine blanket and blankly turned my head.
“Ah, fuck, you scared me.”
Seol Do-yoon was sitting on a chair right next to the bed, arms crossed, staring down at me coldly.
It was a face I hadn’t seen since graduation.
My last memory of him was that displeased smirk, like he’d been dragged here by the Association President.
His usual fake smile was gone, replaced by a chill that hung over his face.
From what I could gather, this must be Seol Do-yoon’s place.
I blinked slowly and let out a big yawn.
I had no idea how I’d made it back alive, but it was about time to get up and check on the gates.
I cracked my neck a few times and tensed to rise from the bed.
“Lie back down.”
Seol Do-yoon suddenly pressed on the wound near my shoulder and pushed me back onto the bed. A sharp, burning pain flared up—throbbing like fire.
“Ow, hey, you crazy bastard…… It hurts!”
The wound hadn’t fully healed, so I grabbed my shoulder, grimaced, and lay back down.
I could imagine how much he was inwardly mocking me in this state, so I wanted to get out of here fast, but the injury was worse than I thought—my body wouldn’t move easily.
“So now you’re sacrificing yourself for some stranger you just met? Impressive. A hero, Dawn.”
Ah, here we go again.
Not wanting to hear it, I turned over and pulled the blanket up over my head.
Every time I made a choice, he had to nitpick—what was so wrong with it? His cold jabs really got to me.
My body hurt like hell, and all I got was him calling me a sucker, an idiot, a foolish bastard.
“What’re you doing. Look at me.”
Seol Do-yoon yanked the blanket down and forced my face out. His hands gripping my face were cold.
“I’m trying to talk here. At least look at me properly.”
“What about.”
Seol Do-yoon’s face came into view. He looked at me like I was a bug and slowly opened his mouth.
“Over ten bones broken, shoulders and legs pierced by stone shards. It’s all patched up now. What the hell was that for?”
“Wow, it’s a miracle I didn’t die.”
He listed my condition so matter-of-factly that I was genuinely impressed.
Maybe I really was immortal. Maybe my awakening power was immortality?
Seol Do-yoon’s expression twisted as he heard my response.
“Miracle you didn’t die?”
He let out a hollow laugh. After staring at me quietly for a moment, he spoke calmly.
“You joking?”
He asked with a smile laced with suppressed killing intent.
“What joke.”
“Dawn, sacrificing yourself to save people doesn’t make you a hero. Don’t delude yourself. Putting in effort won’t make your life better or turn you into a better person.”
I’d wondered what he’d say and listened obediently, but it was the usual spiel.
I try to do something nice, and he paints me as a hypocritical dogshit.
It’d always been like that. Since we were kids. Back in the orphanage days when we were just snot-nosed brats.
I just follow my heart, but he always has to twist it like that—what’s so wrong?
He’s always got something to say about my life and actions. He’d been quiet lately since we hadn’t crossed paths.
“Hm? Nah, that’s not it. Feels like I’m becoming a better person, though? You wouldn’t get it, but saving lives gives me this rush—like redemption from my shitty existence.”
“Guess your brain’s pickled in self-pity from all the misfortune. How about focusing on your own life instead of chasing cheap virtue?”
“Hypocrisy’s what people like you do when you exploit others. Pot calling the kettle black while grilling fish.”
“Hypocrite or not, at least I know how to take care of my own life. But you can’t even handle yours and keep trying to do more. Pathetic.”
Seol Do-yoon’s words hit right in the gut.
Truth was, I could escape this mess anytime and live better if I wanted.
Maybe if I’d listened to him and stopped caring about others, focusing on my own life, things wouldn’t be this bleak.
I wouldn’t have gotten this deep into the Abyss Project, and I could’ve just wormed my way into another orphanage and lived well with the other kids.
But the more I tried not to care, the more I did. I envied Seol Do-yoon’s ability to stay so nonchalant.
Deep down.
That’s why this kid, so quick to judge my tendencies and situation, really pissed me off.
“Yeah, since I can’t find shit in my own life, I try to add to others’ to console myself. So what if it’s hypocritical? What’s wrong with caring a bit? Who does it hurt? What do I expect in return? Instead of debating virtue versus hypocrisy, fuck off and live your life. Do some soul-searching. You soulless bastard who sees people as chess pieces.”
I unleashed a torrent of curses and started gathering myself to leave this place.
The gate run smelled nice for once—turns out I was wearing Seol Do-yoon’s clothes.
Makes sense; the outfit from the gate was probably shredded. Luckily, under the hoodie, I still had my original black sleeveless top.
Carefully avoiding my wounds, I took off the hoodie and tossed it roughly at Seol Do-yoon. Then I noticed my injuries were completely healed, which felt off.
“You saved me?”
“If picking you up from the bottom of the gate counts as saving, then yeah.”
Not like him to go through the trouble.
As a kid, I’d have thought he did it out of affection, but after living and working together, I knew Seol Do-yoon better.
The guy who dragged Kim Woo-sung down with betrayals, manipulations, fabrications, and political plays—he was extremely calculating in relationships.
“You’ve been quiet lately—must be plotting something again. What do you want?”
Realizing someone needed me for something actually eased my mind a bit.
Even if it was humiliating that it was Seol Do-yoon.
I figured he’d spill right away, but surprisingly, he stayed silent for a long time.
“…….”
Lost in thought, his smooth brow furrowed, no words.
“…….”
“What’s with the pause.”
“…….”
Mana flared—his eyes tinted blue—and after a moment, he spoke.
“……Nothing.”
So unlike Seol Do-yoon, his voice sounded genuinely timid.
“Nothing in particular.”
He avoided my gaze and continued.
“You’re going crazy, so I’ll swallow my pride and say it.”
He paused again after that.
“Honestly, I just saved you. Acted on impulse, no real thought.”
I was purely impressed by that act. This guy’s gotten better at faking sincerity with age.
As kids, it felt a bit off, but now it was chillingly convincing. Hanging with the Association President turned him even scarier.
“And you’re misunderstanding—I don’t see people as chess pieces. Don’t say childish shit.”
“Then what do you see them as.”
“Just as they are—independent beings. If I saw others as chess pieces, I’d have to admit I’m just a piece to someone else eventually, and I hate that thought. Even I, to someone…….”
He wanted to be seen as special, I guess.
The end was mumbled, but the smooth delivery screamed pre-rehearsed template or memorized script.
I kept listening in admiration.
“……And you.”
“Me what.”
His low voice continued, saying he saw me as family, and I burst out laughing.
Hearing that from his mouth gave me goosebumps—I had to rub my arms.
You’ve gotten ruthless, Seol Do-yoon.
The front half had me doubting if it was real, but this confirmed it was all a ploy.
“Bullshit. Family my ass. Stop pretending no ulterior motives and summarize it in an email. No more boundary-crossing. I’m done with you.”
He laughed in a pretty dejected way. It looked so genuinely hollow it threw me off again.
“And honestly, I prefer clear intentions. You types are so confusing—straightforward’s easier.”
“……Yi Sae-byeok, you hopeless bastard. You’re more twisted than me now.”
“Yeah, yeah. Not listening. Fuck off. Twisted or not. You said you take care of your life, so do that and stay out of mine.”
“Not meddling. Just die already. Wonder why I even bothered.”
“Pfft, why? Not obeying, so useless now?”
“Guess so. Only let useful ones in the house, so get out of mine already.”
I wanted to leave on my own feet, but he kicked me out barefoot first. I wiggled my toes and hit the bell.
“Hey! My shoes!”
The door opened, and a pair of shoes flew in. Mine, but super clean—and damp.
He must’ve washed them while I was out.
I tilted my head, slipped my feet into the soggy shoes, and took a few steps.
They squelched unpleasantly with each step. Not a bad feeling—I folded the half-dry shoes and walked out.
* * *
Leaving Seol Do-yoon’s place, I habitually reached for my phone for today’s gate scouting.
‘Oh, right. My phone’s probably smashed.’
Clicking my tongue, I shrugged and crossed my arms tight. Phones broke easily on gate runs—not a big deal.
I hit up a nearby phone shop, flashed my hunter ID, and got a gate-rated phone.
It deducted from the Association’s monthly stipend, so pretty cheap for a new one.
Powered it on, linked my account, and synced data from the old phone.
[This is Shin Surin.]
[Please contact when you wake up.]
Looks like she closed the gate safely.
How’d she get my number? Oh, guild master must’ve given it.
I scratched my nose, debating whether to reply.
Do I really need to? As I went to turn it off, Seol Do-yoon’s words—“You’re more twisted now”—flashed back, and spite made me text.
[I’m up.]
Barely five minutes later, the phone rang. Shin Surin’s number from earlier, bell chiming.
I picked up.
“Hello.”
《Dawn! Are you okay?》
“Yup.”
My short reply brought sobbing from the receiver. A kid’s voice faintly asked why mommy was crying.
《Ah, sniff. Sorry, I’m such a mess.》
《Mommy, who?》
《The big sis who saved mommy……》
Not sure what to say, I just held the phone quietly, embarrassed.
《Got time to meet? I’ll treat you to something yummy. To say thanks……》
“No need.”
I hadn’t saved her with saintly intentions—no thanks wanted. Just overcoming inferiority.
《Sis! Thank you!!》
Suddenly, the bright, lively kid’s voice from before piped up, whiny now.
《Thank you for saving mommy!! Get better soon!!! Hurry and get well, write letters too!!!》
“Ah, yeah.”
《Where are you? Lend car too? Made presents myself, bring them!!》
Listening to her chatter brought a rare smirk. Couldn’t make out all the words.
Roughly, she wanted to visit my house. So carefree for her age.
Kinda cute.
“Kiddo, I’m a ghost.”
《Huh?》
“Already dead, turned ghost…….”
《Huh?》
Her innocent echo was funny.
“I’ll drag you to hell if you come to my house!!!!!!!”
I yelled with force to scare her, and wails erupted from the phone—terrified sobbing.
Didn’t expect tears; a bit flustered.
《She says she’s a ghost…… Ghost…… Sis’ll take me away……!》
《No, no. Don’t cry, stop. Sis was joking.》
《But your voice is so loud…… You’re not a ghost, sis?》
I held the phone to my ear quietly, enjoying the muffled kid-mom chatter.
Knowing I’d saved this conversation felt pretty good.
Zoned out listening, then hung up and opened the gate app.
Current accumulated mana: 75.5%