Chapter 10. The Great Principle (2)
Late at night. Lee Sea, who had come to a large hospital in Seoul, faintly heard a strange sound.
"Mm... ngh..."
Should it be called sleep-talking? Her prim, pretty face scrunched up as she mumbled with her mouth. Before long, her murmurs grew into something closer to actual words.
"Ah, ha, stop, it... I was wrong..."
Curious about what kind of dream could make her utter such ridiculous noises, Lee Sea soon looked down at the figure in front of her with eyes filled with pity.
"Ah... stop... forgive..."
Jin Yu-ri, lying on the hospital bed in patient clothes covered by a thin blanket, was sweating profusely and continuously muttering unintelligible words.
Lee Sea had no intention of wiping the sweat from her forehead even if she had the chance—and she didn't. But seeing Jin Yu-ri, who was always brazenly confident, so terrified like this was pitiful.
...She must have been scared.
Who would have expected terrorists to show up at the auction hosted by her father's company? Jin Yu-ri had even fought one of them.
The Rabbit Mask woman whom Lee Sea had briefly encountered. Jin Yu-ri had been subdued and nearly kidnapped by her. Fortunately, she hadn't run into Lee Sea, or it could have been much worse.
There was one more...
The man in the plain white mask who had fled with Rabbit Mask. He turned out to be the second-in-command of the terrorist organization Phantom, right below the boss—a notoriously vicious criminal. He was also the direct killer of Yeom Ui-jun.
So in truth, not just Jin Yu-ri but Lee Sea herself had barely escaped death today... but.
I don't really feel that way.
When she faced Phantom's members, she hadn't felt particularly afraid for some strange reason. It wasn't like her senses were numb from panic. In the purest sense, she just wasn't scared.
Is it because horror movies with ghosts don't faze me at all?
But this was a real situation on a whole different level. Even she couldn't make sense of it herself, so Lee Sea tilted her head in confusion.
At that moment.
"Ngh... hic, h-hic..."
Jin Yu-ri's sleep-talking, which had been building up, finally reached its peak. Stretching both arms toward the sky from her lying position, she seemed to be pleading with someone in her dream.
"No... don't come... I won't go... with you... I don't want to go with you..."
Go where? Was she dreaming of being dragged to Phantom's hideout? Whatever the nightmare was, Lee Sea couldn't just watch anymore and tentatively reached out her right hand.
The target was Jin Yu-ri's shoulder.
Wake her up first.
The doctor said she needed more rest, but... would thrashing around in that nightmare be any better for her body?
But right then.
"Ngh! Ah, aaah!"
Jin Yu-ri let out a scream-like groan and snapped her eyes open, bolting upright. Her dazed gaze darted left and right before finally settling on Lee Sea.
"...Lee Sea?"
By sheer coincidence, she had saved the girl from being kidnapped and even followed her to the hospital... but they were among the worst-matched pair even among their same-grade classmates.
So Lee Sea skipped the small talk and got straight to the point.
"Remember the auction hall?"
"The auction... uh..."
"The terrorists knocked you out and fled when people chased them. I happened to be right there, so your parents brought us here."
"Oh..."
"They said they'd step out for a bit... but they'd be right back."
Speak of the devil—the hospital room door swung open.
"Yu-ri!"
"Aigoo, my baby..."
Jin Yu-ri's parents strode in and enveloped her in hugs. Her mother endlessly stroked her face, while her father bit his lip, holding back tears.
And Lee Sea just quietly watched the family cherish each other so dearly.
"..."
For some reason, it felt strange. She didn't mind not being as pretty as Jin Yu-ri, or as rich, or having lower grades. She had never obsessed over those things or felt jealous.
But the scene before her eyes... it clearly, chillingly sank her heart.
Unable to watch any longer, she stood up and politely bowed to Jin Yu-ri's parents.
"I'll be going now."
"Ah, right. We've been so caught up we kept you this long. It's late—you should head home. Honey, take her and come back."
At her mother's urging, Jin Yu-ri spoke in a low voice.
"Bye. ...Thanks."
"...Yeah."
An exchange at the peak of awkwardness. Jin Yu-ri's father, Jin Cheol-min, followed her to the hospital entrance and asked,
"Would it be okay if I gave you some pocket money for the taxi since it's so late and you helped my friend?"
"No, I'll just take a taxi."
"Ah, then could I at least give you some cash as taxi fare and pocket money? And ask you to keep getting along with our Yu-ri?"
Lee Sea hesitated for a moment. She occasionally received pocket money from her parents' acquaintances, but the Jin family led the forefront of the nation's economy. Refusing a three-digit sum would be tricky, but surprisingly, Jin Cheol-min knew his limits. It wasn't even two digits.
With a warm smile, he handed her a 10,000-won bill and repeated,
"You've seen me before, right? Not on TV, but at school."
"Yes."
She remembered twice—no, probably three times. Jeil Middle School entrance and graduation ceremonies. And Jeil High School entrance ceremony.
Jin Cheol-min never used his wealth to influence the school, and his visits to National Academy 1 to see Jin Yu-ri were only those three times.
At the middle school entrance, she wouldn't have known who he was anyway, but she had seen him standing next to Jin Yu-ri at graduation and high school entrance.
"I've known you were Sea's friend even before she told me. She talks about you so much at home."
"...About me?"
This was news to her. She knew Jin Yu-ri saw her as a rival, but she hadn't imagined it came up at home.
Jin Cheol-min smiled softly and continued.
"Ever since middle school, she's studied so hard. When I'd subtly ask why, your name would come up sometimes. So I've always been grateful."
At that moment, Lee Sea resolved: Fortunately, Jin Cheol-min seemed unaware of the classroom brawl incident between her and his daughter, so it had to remain a secret forever. She'd remind Jin Yu-ri of that too.
As she steeled herself, Jin Cheol-min spoke apologetically.
"Our Yu-ri's grown up pretty and spoiled, so she acts immature sometimes... but please don't fight too harshly. I'd be so grateful. I'll scold her sternly at home too. It'd be even better if you two got along."
"...Yes."
She wasn't oblivious. No matter how much Jin Yu-ri hid it, it wouldn't escape her father's ears. Yet he was showing her this kindness... not just because she saved Jin Yu-ri.
Because he cherished his daughter so much. Because he wanted Jin Yu-ri to grow into a good, upright person. Because he judged Lee Sea could positively influence that.
That was probably the biggest reason.
A taxi appeared in the distance, and Lee Sea bowed her head.
"Goodbye."
"Alright, take care. Next time there's a chance, I'll have Yu-ri invite you over so you can eat something delicious."
"...Yes."
In the taxi, Lee Sea looked out the window. Jin Cheol-min was hurrying back into the hospital. To her Awakener eyes, his steps were terribly slow since he wasn't one. But how many steps in the world could match the urgency of rushing to one's child? she thought.
In the taxi speeding along the road, she pulled out her phone to call Lee Dojin...
...Ah.
Her phone had died without her noticing, powering off completely.
She'd have to wait until she got home.
"..."
Unconsciously, Lee Sea brought a hand to her eye. It felt hot around her eyes.
She was angry, more upset, her whole body aching.
Why didn't you pick up...?
Family, my ass. It wasn't just Jin Yu-ri in danger. She had nearly died too.
Why was Jin Yu-ri surrounded by her parents while she called unanswered numbers over and over, only to ride home alone in a taxi?
Logically, she understood. He knew she went out to meet friends, but not about terrorists rampaging in Seoul. He might have been busy with his girlfriend, unable to hear the news. And...
What's the point.
Such assumptions offered no comfort. It didn't matter if he knew or not. What mattered was that her brother had worried her without contact, oblivious to her danger.
She had wanted him to know she was safe back then. She wanted him by her side now.
Lee Dojin was nowhere, and her heart was already bruised.
Near home, she got out of the taxi and walked lonely.
What to say when her brother got home? Complain about meeting terrorists and him not answering? She wanted to, but part of her didn't.
He'd apologize, she'd get angrier at his sorry face, making things awkwardly worse.
She wasn't rational enough to think calmly now...
And then, arriving home.
Ah...
She saw him. Lee Dojin standing with an anxious expression.
Lee Sea's heart pounded fiercely.
Scuff— She deliberately made her footsteps loud.
Lee Dojin turned toward the sound and rushed over. His urgency rivaled Jin Cheol-min heading back to the hospital—no, it was incomparable from the start.
Jin Cheol-min cherished his daughter; Lee Dojin cherished his sister. Each to their utmost. No comparison possible, nor should there be.
Reaching her, Lee Dojin asked in a trembling voice,
"You okay?"
Lee Sea countered,
"...How'd you know?"
"Checked my phone—missed calls, news about the driver and Zeta, said you were there too..."
"So... you came right away?"
Lee Dojin nodded, endlessly apologetic.
"Phone was off. Heard you went to the hospital but already discharged, so I waited here. You're not hurt anywhere, right—wait."
He suddenly stopped. Then, with an emotion Lee Sea couldn't quite pinpoint but looked truly heartbreaking, he said,
"Sorry I couldn't pick up right away. You must've been worried. Oppa’s sorry."
"...Whatever."
Gruffly replying, Lee Sea walked ahead. Following cautiously, Lee Dojin ventured,
"Dinner? You look fine but must've been shocked—get checked—"
"I'm hungry."
Not a lie. She hadn't noticed until now, but with tension gone, hunger hit suddenly. And it wasn't just that.
I'm fine, no need to apologize—that's what she meant.
Lee Dojin caught on, his voice gaining a bit of cheer.
"Not sure what ingredients we have. Or since it's late, order your favorite?"
"Just want rice."
Heading home together, they turned on the living room lights. Lee Dojin headed to the kitchen to prepare dinner; Lee Sea went to her room and plugged in her phone immediately.
The moment it powered on.
Bzzz— bzzzz—
Texts arrived notifying missed calls. All from Lee Dojin, with messages too.
Saw them now, sorry for late reply, text back when you see since phone's off, waiting out front.
"Sea, food's ready—come eat."
His voice from outside. Over twenty minutes had passed in her room. Emerging, a appetizing meal with her favorite side dishes awaited.
Sitting beside Lee Dojin with spoon in hand, Lee Sea glanced at him.
"What?"
"...Nothing."
Dodging his question, she took a sip of bean sprout soup. And silently apologized to Han Se-ra.
Tell you later...
She had wanted to say if you're meeting your girlfriend, at least break off the engagement first.
But after the warm soup, she didn't want to today.
Lee Sea said something else.
"...Thanks for worrying."
Late though it was. Though her heart was bruised. Though Lee Dojin wasn't perfect, never once hurting her.
Weighing good and bad, she was still grateful to her brother.
Grateful it was him who worried.
"Oppa keeps doing things he has to apologize for to you."
Lee Dojin smiled bitterly, apologizing again. Lee Sea didn't know the true depth of those words.
Seo Yeon-hee walked the night streets alone. Having sent Phantom members away, eliminated the Hand of the Demon, and slipped into central Seoul unnoticed.
"Haa..."
A sigh escaped. She understood there was no reason to feel slighted, but a little sulking alone was fine, right?
Things go wrong when they tangle.
Lee Sea, out with friends, happened to be near the auction. Hearing from Lee Dojin, Seo Yeon-hee dismissed the members first.
And their brief talk while eliminating the Hand of the Demon.
Rabbit.
Yeah? Why her?
Someone I know?
Hmm...? No comment.
Her empty wish—related to me?
No comment on that either, but I'll tell you one thing without invading privacy.
What?
Rabbit's empty wish was set after joining Phantom.
Cryptic words, but that was all she could share. Lee Dojin seemed to want more questions, but it wasn't urgent, so they postponed.
Around then, a call came from him.
"Yeah, hello?"
Seo Yeon-hee spoke brightly, as if nothing happened. Sulking yet understanding—mixed feelings she didn't want to show.
Over the line, Lee Dojin said he met Lee Sea out front. It could be soothed, sorry to her.
Tomorrow's fine, or next weekend. I'll clear a day—use me as you want.
"Really? You sure you can handle it?"
If not, I should anyway. Got sins to atone.
"Hmm... really? Got that resolve, huh?"
Now anticipation outweighed disappointment. Fixing it so quickly might spoil him, but... how could she help feeling better?
They chatted softly for a while, then Lee Dojin asked,
Sometimes it happens, right? Trying to do well but it tangles more, unsure if it's right.
"Doesn't happen to me."
Assume it does. Anyway, what would you do?
"What're the options specifically?"
Do what I want originally, or take a small loss for the safe path. Those two.
"Weird question. Don't you know best?"
Seo Yeon-hee chuckled dryly. Then, backlit by city lights piercing the dark night, she told him,
"Dojin, you know?"
What?
"Among everyone I've seen in my life... you're by far the greediest."
So he wouldn't change. He'd push full throttle like always, unchanged.
Seo Yeon-hee supported that Lee Dojin.
After finishing chores and showering, I entered my room. Lying on the bed staring at the ceiling, I summoned the hologram.
Question:World Guardian's protagonist Lee Si-hyeok and heroine Jeong Se-bin, Birth of the Demon God's protagonist Lee Dojin, Kill the Evil's character Lee Sea. What is the way for all four to survive simultaneously?
The hologram presented the choices.