Chapter 22: Preemptive Strike (1)
Chapter 22: Preemptive Strike (1)
Kang Yujin and Grace couldn't fall asleep as quickly as Han Shin had.
Both were aware that the other was still awake, as they had only just laid down, but an awkward silence hung in the air.
They had only met today and were essentially rivals for Han Shin’s affections. Unless there was a pressing need to clear the air—like their brief exchange moments ago—there was no reason for them to talk.
Since Han Shin was already asleep and she had to enter a Portal with him for training tomorrow, Grace forced her eyes shut and adjusted her position on the bed, trying to summon sleep.
Watching her out of the corner of her eye, Yujin noticed that Grace was still wearing her white tracksuit even in bed. It was a stark contrast to Yujin, who was dressed in pink pajamas.
She really only has that one outfit.
To be honest, Yujin hadn't paid much attention while they were getting ready for bed after their earlier conversation. Her mind had been a mess, worried that she might lose ground to Grace in the competition for Han Shin... and she had simply assumed Grace had something else to change into.
But now, lying in their respective beds, she could see the white fabric of the tracksuit peeking through the gaps in the blankets and covering Grace’s exposed arm.
Yesterday, Han Shin had suggested buying Grace more clothes, but Grace had declined. She believed that clearing dungeons and training Han Shin were more important.
While Grace’s treasures meant they no longer had to worry about money, it would take time to liquidate them. For now, any spending required using the card Yujin had provided.
Since Grace herself insisted it wasn't urgent—claiming she could keep her clothes spotless using a Cleanse Artifact—Han Shin had found it reasonable to follow her lead.
Yujin, unaware of the artifact, found it irritating that Grace was still wearing the clothes and underwear Han Shin had bought her.
"Go shopping with me tomorrow," Yujin said, her tone a bit blunt. "It’s not right to live in just that one outfit. It’ll get dirty..."
Despite the sharp tone, Grace could sense a hint of concern. She took the suggestion well.
Yujin had turned away toward the edge of the bed as she finished speaking, which made Grace suspect she was acting out of embarrassment. Finding Yujin’s behavior somewhat amusing, Grace smiled and agreed.
"Alright. I'll pay you back later—"
Yujin cut her off immediately. "Forget it! Just consider it a gift for teaching Shin well."
"...Thank you."
Seeing this side of Yujin, Grace began to understand why Han Shin followed her so devotedly, even though they weren't blood-related.
She’s definitely kind-hearted, even if she’s overly protective of Han Shin.
Having felt the tension ease slightly, Grace eventually drifted off into a peaceful sleep.
Yujin, however, remained wide awake.
Through her conversation with Grace, she had realized with certainty that her position was not as secure as she’d thought.
Throughout their lives, Yujin had always been the "Noona" closest to Han Shin, quietly brushing away any "pests" that tried to cling to him without him ever knowing. She had always been composed and confident.
But now, facing the possibility of being pushed aside by Grace, she felt anxious and restless.
She tried not to dwell on it. She thought back to what Grace had said—that in the end, the choice belonged to Han Shin. Grace trusted and loved him, but...
I hate to admit it... but Grace is an attractive woman.
Though she had denied it emotionally at first, Yujin had to acknowledge the truth. Grace had well-maintained, platinum-blonde bobbed hair and a healthy, toned physique from her years of training as a knight.
She probably had plenty of men courting her... though it looks like she turned them all down.
It was also clear that Han Shin felt some level of attraction toward Grace, even if it wasn't love yet. It was a situation where those feelings could blossom into a romantic relationship at any moment.
Yujin was too uneasy to simply sit back and trust Han Shin. When she thought about how he and Grace would be spending more time together, fighting side-by-side and relying on one another...
Sigh... Shin...
Yujin called his name in her heart.
She glanced toward Grace. Hearing the rhythmic breathing and seeing the slight rise and fall of the blankets over her chest, Yujin was certain she was asleep.
Once confirmed, Yujin hesitated for a moment.
What she was considering was a massive step for her, but it didn't take long to make up her mind.
Using her psychokinetic powers, Yujin silently slid open the drawer next to her bed. Without her even touching it, the drawer moved, and she pulled a small, necessary item into her hand.
To remain as quiet as possible, she used her psychokinesis to lift the blanket aside... and then she levitated.
Floating inches above the floor, Yujin moved toward the door, opening and closing it with bated breath.
Had Grace still been a knight in her prime, she surely would have noticed. However, she didn't view Yujin as an enemy, and knowing that Earth was relatively safe had allowed her to relax mentally. The fact that she was sharing a room with Yujin made her feel secure enough to fall into a deep sleep.
It was a lapse Yujin hadn't expected, but it worked in her favor.
Having slipped out of the room, Yujin headed straight for the door across the hall.
Han Shin’s room.
Gulp.
She swallowed hard, staring at the familiar door as she hesitated one last time.
The fear of losing Han Shin to Grace at any moment drove her toward a sort of reckless impulse.
Steeling her resolve once more, Yujin used her psychokinesis to unlock and open Han Shin’s door.
She slipped inside soundlessly.
She closed the door behind her with her power and approached him.
Han Shin, who used to have restless sleeping habits, had become a quiet sleeper after two years of hardship. He lay there peacefully on his back, a sight familiar to Yujin.
However, there was one glaring difference.
Before, Han Shin had been paralyzed from the waist down. Because he couldn't move much and had been bedridden for so long, he had been thin and lacked muscle.
Now, his body looked remarkably fit—one could feel his renewed health just by looking at him.
While she had nursed and cared for him, the most affection Yujin had ever shown while he slept was a stolen kiss on the lips. Back then, she was too worried about straining his fragile body to do anything more.
But things were different now.
Han Shin finally had a body that could handle her affection.
Yujin’s original plan had been to slowly develop their relationship until they naturally became a couple. But with a threat like Grace appearing, her plans had to be revised.
If it’s come to this... I’ll just have to... do it with Shin first.
Yujin was well aware of her own beauty and the effect she had on men. From her days in the orphanage to her school years and her brief time at a company, men had always hovered around her, showing interest.
Because her heart belonged to Han Shin, she had rejected them all. She also knew that while Han Shin saw her as a "Noona," he also saw her as a woman.
They weren't related by blood. Before he was injured, Han Shin would often get flustered whenever she initiated skinship under the guise of "taking care of him."
Fearing he might dislike women who seemed "easy," she had never worn revealing clothes. Yet, even in casual wear like a round-neck tee and dolphin pants, she would occasionally catch him looking at her with a certain gaze.
Yujin had always pretended not to notice.
In truth, those looks from Han Shin were a source of joy for her. She was happy that he unconsciously viewed her as a woman rather than just an older sister figure.
That was why she had been so confident during her argument with Grace earlier.
But now, fearing Grace might make a move first, Yujin had arrived at the extreme conclusion that she should be the one to cause an "accident" first.
It was an action she never would have taken if she were still composed and certain of her advantage. That was how much Grace’s arrival had rattled her.
When she used to warn off other women who showed interest in Han, her superior beauty and abilities gave her confidence. But Grace was different. She was just as beautiful as Yujin and possessed abilities that were actually useful to Han Shin. It was only natural to feel a sense of crisis.
Carefully, Yujin climbed onto the bed. She hovered over the soundly sleeping Han Shin and slowly lowered herself, sitting down on his stomach.
He’s so firm...
Through her skin, she could feel the texture of his solid abdominal muscles. It hit her once again how healthy and strong his body had become, and she liked it.
In her hand, she held a single strip of condoms wrapped in silver foil.