Chapter 1: Adapting to Anomalies-1
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 1: Adapting to Anomalies-1
I don't know how it is these days, but back when I was in school, we had something called "classroom decorating" at the start of the semester.
Led by the homeroom teacher, kids would gather in small groups to decorate the room. It was only fun for the kids who actually worked hard at it; for someone like me, who lacked any manual dexterity, it was a miserable time.
I can’t count how many times I ended up slicing my own hand with a utility knife while trying to cut paper with my tiny, clumsy fingers.
The reason I’m bringing this up is that I’m terrified of blades... you know, sharp things that look like they’ll draw blood.
That chilling sensation when you get cut makes my skin crawl.
Maybe that’s why I’m so terrified of this woman holding a knife in front of me right now.
“In-ho, why are you suddenly swearing? You don’t actually believe what that woman said, do you? Right? Right? I told you... everything she says is a lie. They’re all bold-faced lies meant to ruin what we have.”
The woman twirled her hair with her finger, her gaze darting restlessly. She looked emotionally unstable.
“Who are you?”
Ah, that was a stupid question.
The woman tilted her head to the side and stared at me.
Her eyes, which had been darting around like a chameleon’s, locked onto me instantly, like a predator spotting its prey. She glared at me with a faint, simmering rage.
“What did you just say?”
Frozen by the sheer intensity of her voice, the words I was about to say died on the tip of my tongue.
“What do you mean by that? Huh? Right? Right? Are you going to pretend you don’t know me now? It’s me, Hye-jeong. Your girlfriend, Lee Hye-jeong. Did that bitch tell you to do this? Or do you just want to see me go crazy? Answer me, In-ho. Well?”
The woman’s head jerked and rattled like a broken toy robot.
She began to edge closer, still clutching that ominous blade.
“That’s not... Ah...”
I tried to tell her that wasn't it. But I couldn't finish my sentence because of a sudden, foreign sensation.
Ah... it hurts...
Did she just stab me?
God... it hurts...
The woman gripped the handle of the knife with both hands and began to churn it inside my abdomen as if she were turning a millstone.
“Ah... it hurts...”
It was a pain that defied language. A raw expression of agony born from primal instinct.
But my voice didn't reach her.
“It hurts? I hurt more... My heart tears apart whenever you ignore me. It hurts a hundred, a thousand times more than being poked with a little knife like this.”
No... fuck... it hurts so much...
The sensation of the foreign object grew stronger, and blood surged up from my throat.
The pain blooming from my abdomen cycled through being cold, then stinging, then burning, then heavy.
My vision suddenly cut to black, as if a dark cloth had been draped over my eyes. In my fading consciousness, one voice rang out clearly.
“Ah... so these are In-ho’s insides. They’re beautiful.”
Crazy bitch.
My consciousness extinguished rapidly, like sinking into deep water.
*
“Aaaagh!”
I bolted upright, startled out of my wits, only to find myself in a bed.
Warm sunlight filtered through the curtains, and a mysterious needle was stuck in my arm. Judging by the setup, it was an IV drip.
But wait, am I alive? More importantly, how did I get out of there?
“Huh?”
I fumbled over my body, but something was wrong. If I had been stabbed that many times, my stomach should at least be wrapped in bandages, but it was perfectly clean. Instead, bandages were wrapped tightly around my legs and head.
What on earth is going on...?
The door clicked open.
“In... ho?”
A woman with long brown hair called my name. Seeing her in a school uniform, was she a student?
“You’re In-ho, right?”
Her grey eyes were trembling violently, as if she were looking at a ghost. She walked over slowly and reached out to touch my cheek.
Hmm... her hand is soft.
Starting from my cheek, her touch moved to my jaw, neck, and then my shoulder, moving with the precision of a master craftsman handling a luxury watch.
“In-ho...”
Large tears began to well up in her eyes.
“You’re awake... In-ho...”
She broke into a wide smile and pulled me into a hug.
It felt awkward to just leave my hands hanging, so I lightly hugged her back. I didn't know what was happening, but I figured I should play along for now.
Whatever was bothering her, she buried her face in my chest and sobbed loudly.
Without knowing why, I patted her back, and each time I did, her weeping grew more sorrowful.
It felt like thirty minutes had passed. Having finally reined in her heightened emotions, she pulled away from my embrace and looked at me with bloodshot eyes. She was still hiccuping occasionally, not yet fully calmed down.
I found the sight somewhat cute and let out a soft smile.
Alright, time to assess the situation.
First, I need to find out how I got here.
What was that crazy bitch’s name again? Right, Lee Hye-jeong.
I was definitely being held in some kind of basement; I should start by asking how I ended up in the hospital.
“Hey... I have something to ask.”
“Yeah! What is it?”
“You know... Lee Hye-jeong, right?”
I asked as cautiously as possible, trying not to sound suspicious. I tried to frame it as, 'That girl you and I both know.'
“Lee Hye-jeong? Who’s that?”
Ah, I guess she doesn't know her. Then I'll change the question.
“Never mind. I must have been mistaken.”
Just as I was about to pivot to another topic, she grabbed my hand.
“I’m asking you. Who is Lee Hye-jeong? Why do you know a woman I don’t?”