Chemical Bonds (2)
The soft warmth of Yeon Minha's body travels directly up my arm. The usual prickling discomfort I always felt is completely absent. What on earth is going on? Did my arm get severed or something? Or maybe it's paralyzed? But that can't be right—the sensation in all five fingers feels far too vivid.
My throbbing head keeps cycling through fragmented memories of recent events. I clearly remember cutting down the Red Leader and dealing with the rest of his subordinates, but from some point onward, my recollection cuts off sharply, like a broken tape.
“Mmm…”
While I was twitching my hand in fascination, a small moan suddenly escapes the sleeping Yeon Minha. She slowly opens her eyes and heavily lifts her upper body. Her free hand naturally reaches for the white towel beside her. With a tired face, she dampens it, wrings it out gently, and brings the towel toward me.
Does she not realize I’m awake? Or is she still half-asleep, her usual sensitivity dulled…?
“Senior. What are you doing…?”
“Huh…?”
Yeon Minha’s eyes blink a couple of times before widening into perfect circles.
“…”
She casually returns the towel to its original spot as if nothing had happened.
“Ahem. If you’re awake, you should say so.”
“…”
Her lightning-fast attitude shift leaves me speechless. I shift my gaze back to where my right hand had been. The part previously hidden by her upper body is now visible. Yeon Minha’s left hand was clamped around mine like a crocodile’s jaws, refusing to let go. No wonder I couldn’t move it. With her fingers interlocked so tightly, there was no escape.
“Senior. Could you let go of my hand? It’s a bit stuffy.”
At my words, Yeon Minha’s eyes also drift downward. After a brief silence, she speaks in her characteristic pouty tone.
“Am I the one holding your hand? Why don’t you just admit you wanted to hold it? It’s not like I could refuse anyway…”
“You’re the one holding on, Senior. I was unconscious until just now—how could I have moved my hand?”
“Me? That’s ridiculous. It seems your recovery is still incomplete and your judgment is impaired. You’ll need more care.”
Yeon Minha continues speaking with a perfectly straight face. Instead of replying, I silently try to pull my hand free, but it’s blocked by the iron grip of that crocodile jaw.
“Senior. Let go.”
“…”
It was certainly fascinating that I felt no discomfort, but more than that, I wanted to regain control of my body. Yeon Minha glances at me with a clearly displeased expression. Then, as if reluctant, she slowly loosens her fingers.
Only after being freed can I finally examine the rest of my body. Bandages and gauze cover almost every inch of my skin like clothing. They look freshly applied—clean, without a trace of blood. I don’t know how long I’ve been lying here, but the level of cleanliness is remarkable.
I recall how Yeon Minha had just dampened that white towel and was about to press it to my body. Could she have been taking care of me all this time? It’s hard to believe, yet the evidence suggests it’s true. Maybe after surviving that ordeal together, something like camaraderie had formed between us. That would explain both her behavior and my lack of discomfort.
“Have you been looking after me all this time, Senior?”
“W-why would I look after you? I just stopped by whenever I had time. Like just now. Don’t get any weird ideas…”
“I see. Anyway, thank you.”
“H-huh? Yeah… right…”
Lying in bed, I could only manage a slight nod. For a moment, an awkward, flustered look flashes across Yeon Minha’s face, as if she had never expected to hear words of gratitude. She quickly regains her composure and clears her throat, but she seems somehow pleased.
However, Yeon Minha herself doesn’t look entirely well. Setting aside the obvious exhaustion on her face, the glimpse of her body beneath the hem of her white uniform is also wrapped in white bandages and gauze. Come to think of it, she had suffered considerable injuries that day too.
“By the way, are you alright, Senior?”
“…Are you worrying about me right now?”
“Of course I’m worried. After what we went through.”
Despite her cold tone, Yeon Minha’s face brightens again with a warm glow. Seeing this, it seems we still have a long way to go. Am I really the kind of person who can’t even ask something like that? I already know how she usually thinks of me. Still, compared to a few days ago when she called me a perverted lecher, this is a huge improvement.
“…Ahem. You don’t need to concern yourself with me. If I weren’t fine, would I be here like this?”
“I see…”
“More importantly, worry about your own body. Is there anywhere uncomfortable? Any place you can’t move? Any pain?”
To be honest, there isn’t a single part of me that feels fine. While I hadn’t been hit by black magic, my body is covered in physical trauma and the resulting pain. My head throbs and my stomach churns—likely side effects from overdosing on accelerators and stimulants. There isn’t an ounce of strength left in my limbs; I couldn’t even pry Yeon Minha’s fingers off. It feels like it will take quite some time to regain my former health. For now, I should avoid fully unleashing my Predictive Eye.
—Our Hyun is such a good boy, so you’ll listen well, right? If you do it again, the big sisters will tie you up tight with chains…
The warning Chae-won noona gave me when I exceeded the time limit suddenly comes to mind. That terrifying aura is still vivid, sending a slight shiver down my spine. Even I have to admit I pushed myself too far this time. However, the matter of lifespan doesn’t feel entirely real. There’s no way to know exactly how much was shaved off, and I’m not incapacitated to the point of imminent death. If a few years of life were the price for resolving that disaster, it almost feels like a bargain.
Still, there’s no need to tell Yeon Minha the truth. This must stay secret from my sisters too. When they get truly angry, even the team leader walks on eggshells around them… they’re that scary.
“I’m not doing too badly. If I rest for a few days and recuperate, I should be fine soon.”
“How can your answer be exactly what I expected? No matter how much men love to put on a tough front…”
But Yeon Minha immediately refutes me as if she had been waiting for it.
“No matter what you say, early discharge is out of the question. Keep that in mind…”
“…?”
Her cryptic remark makes me tilt my head in confusion.
“…Understood. By the way, is this the Cradle?”
Yeon Minha nods.
“Yes. We reserved an entire ward in the Cradle’s infirmary.”
“If it’s alright, could you tell me what happened while I was out? My memories are hazy from the middle onward.”
“You don’t remember…? Then how far back do you recall…?”
Suddenly, Yeon Minha flinches and asks.
“Up to the point where I slit the leader’s throat and fought his subordinates. After that, during the fight, I have no memory at all.”
“…”
For some reason, Yeon Minha’s sharp expression grows even more intense. She soon lets out a deep, resigned sigh and begins to explain.
According to her, after I killed every single one of the enemies gathered in that canyon, I lost consciousness on the spot. Several hours later, the central army from the gateway city arrived, entered Jinling, and began cleaning up the scene. We were then transported straight to the capital. I remained unconscious for several days due to the aftermath of the battle, while she had been busy with treatment and giving statements.
Jinling had suffered tremendous damage but avoided total collapse. The surrounding agricultural districts were barely contaminated, narrowly preventing a catastrophic food shortage. This was thanks to the black mages being wiped out before they could fortify the area and spread their demonic corruption. Fortunately, none of the students who accepted the request had died. The students scattered throughout the canyon and Jinling’s urban areas were all rescued afterward. While several, like me, had sustained serious injuries, none were in life-threatening condition.
I had apparently suffered the worst injuries and woken up the latest. The company that had delivered the request to Yeon Minha was undergoing intense investigation, including raids, but they were likely victims as well.
Suddenly, I remembered the bespectacled man I had killed in the city, who had been babbling strange things about revelations. When I told Yeon Minha, she said she had heard similar words from the leader and had reported it to the investigation team. However, because I had killed everyone on site without taking any prisoners, uncovering the full truth would take considerable time.
“That strange power of yours…”
And then the one thing she had been worried about slips from her lips first.
“Is it the same as that power…? The one that makes me feel at ease…”
“…Yes, it is. But perhaps…”
“So it really was… Don’t worry. I haven’t told anyone about it. There must be some circumstances…?”
“There are some circumstances, yes. Thank you.”
“Why are you thanking me for something like that? It was written in the contract anyway…”
A sigh of relief escapes me at Yeon Minha’s words. Yet her expression still clearly shows lingering curiosity. Perhaps someday I would need to explain the general situation to her as well.
However, it seemed Yeon Minha still had more to say. She fidgeted with her fingers for a long time before finally speaking, as if steeling herself for a difficult question.
“Hey. Why did you do something so reckless?”
At her question, I feel a sharp pang in my chest.
“…Didn’t I tell you? For the benefit of me and my sponsor, Senior, you…”
“Do you really think that makes sense…? Even if that’s true, you risked your life? Is that really all there is to it?”
Of course that wasn’t all. And I probably knew the real reason. Perhaps I had projected my own subconscious sense of deficiency onto her. But I couldn’t possibly say that honestly.
“That’s right. And honestly, it wasn’t that reckless. I succeeded in the end, didn’t I?”
“You call that a proper answer…!”
Yeon Minha looked ready to explode, but she suddenly softened her momentum and let out a light sigh.
“…Fine, I understand. Get some more rest. I have to go back to the investigation team…”
Just as she was about to stand after speaking, Yeon Minha suddenly turns back and says,
“…By the way, you seem to have a lot of female friends?”
“Pardon?”
“Two or three came to visit, and they were all girls. You haven’t been doing those kinds of things all over the place without any restraint, have you?”
“What kinds of things?”
“…Never mind. Anyway, I sent all the girls who came to visit away. You need to rest and stabilize, so you can’t waste mental energy on unnecessary things, right? So just relax and sleep deeply.”
Leaving only those words, Yeon Minha abruptly left the hospital room. The visitors were probably Yena and her friends. Two or three isn’t that many. Looking at the visitor log, I also see names like Mu-yeong and Seung-heon, who aren’t her. Still, it feels a little heartwarming to know I have friends who would come visit me while I’m sick.
Yeon Minha’s handling of it was a bit excessive, but I could pass on my regards after I recover a little and leave the ward. I remember how worried Yena had been before she left. Who could have known that worry would become reality?
With that thought, I stroked Ttangkong’s soft back and fell back asleep.
“…You. Take off that mask for a second.”