Episode 5. Twisted Salvation and the Swamp of Shadows
Episode 5. Twisted Salvation and the Swamp of Shadows
Han Sohee.
In the original [Hunter's Age], she is the one and only rival to the protagonist Kim Sia, and an executive of the 'Black Wings', a villain organization that betrayed humanity.
Her unique ability is [Shadow].
The black shapes that shimmered at her feet when she kidnapped me are her very limbs.
The clumped darkness interferes by using shadows, which reside in any material object, as a medium.
Not only can she teleport silently to any place within a 50-meter radius of her sight, but she can also grab an opponent's shadow to physically bind them, or even materialize the shadow to wield it as a sharp blade or blunt weapon.
Most terrifying of all is her signature technique, 'Shadow Armor'.
When she gathers all the surrounding darkness and wraps it around her body, she gains invincible defense that no physical strike can penetrate, along with immense, monstrous strength capable of tearing even monsters apart in an instant.
'Of course, she has the fatal weakness that when the sun is at its zenith (meridian passage), her shadow becomes as small as a rat's tail, making her struggle even against an F-rank Hunter...'
Except for that brief moment of vulnerability, she is truly the ruler of the night and a final-boss-level powerhouse.
However, there was another real reason why fans of the original work were so crazy about her.
"Haneul, I've made breakfast, would you like to eat with me?"
The door opened and Han Sohee entered.
It has already been two weeks since I was 'voluntarily kidnapped' to this secret hideout of the Black Wings.
Every morning, she personally prepared delicacies and delivered them to my room.
At the moment of her appearance, I gulped.
Ah, don't get me wrong.
It's not because of that delicious-looking bacon and omelet on the tray.
'...My god, what is that outfit?'
As expected of an anime original that targets men, her outfit was truly outrageous.
The ethical standards of this world, where women are strong and men are protected, were truly desirable... no, it was baffling.
She was currently wearing only a thin, see-through silk slip.
To make matters worse, the chest area was finished with only precarious lace, so every time she moved, her voluptuous curves swayed as if they were about to spill out.
Her smooth legs were blatantly exposed through the side slits that were cut deep up to her thighs.
"I'm not sure if it will suit your taste. I based it on the nutritional food Sojin eats and adjusted it to your preferences."
As she bent down to put the tray down, the front of her slip opened dangerously.
I rolled my eyes, not knowing where to look, but my instincts were honest.
I diligently admired that 'national treasure-class scenery' out of the corner of my eye and sent constant praises in my heart.
Oh yeah, thank you, author!
"Th-thank you, Sohee-nuna. I'll eat well."
"Yes. Eat a lot. You're so frail that my heart aches every time I see you."
She gave a gentle smile and stroked my hair.
But is it just my imagination that I feel a strange sense of intimidation every time her hand touches me?
I stealthily looked around while eating.
Two weeks ago, I perfectly healed her younger brother, Han So-jin, with my [High-Speed Recovery] ability.
Her appearance as she sobbed while looking at her brother who had returned from the threshold of death was clearly sincere, and until she swore eternal loyalty to me, I thought everything was going according to my plan.
But it's strange.
Sojin's condition had long since improved to the point where he could take walks on his own, but Han Sohee showed no signs of letting me out of this hideout.
'She even took my smartphone, saying there was a risk of location tracking, and all contact with the outside world is completely blocked. Even if it's for my safety, this is a bit much, isn't it?'
My plan to use my knowledge of the original work to create a reliable ally was slowly cracking.
I chewed on a piece of omelet and made up my mind.
That today was the day I had to say I was leaving.
"Um, Sohee-nuna. Sojin is all better now, and I think I should start heading back to the academy..."
Bang!
My shoulders flinched at the sudden sound.
Han Sohee was looking down at me as if trapping me, pressing her hand firmly against the wall right next to me.
The so-called 'wall slam'.
Her eyes sank black like a cold shadow in an instant.
"Why? Why are you trying to leave?"
Her voice was a tone lower than usual, and the surrounding air felt heavy.
I was breathless from the pressure, which was even mixed with murderous intent.
Did she catch me looking too blatantly at her outfit earlier? Or was my side-eye too lewd?
"Th-that... there's no big reason, I'm just worried about my academy classes..."
Her brow furrowed as if she didn't like my answer.
"Academy? You want me to send you back to that place swarming with incompetent Hunter aspirants? To that place that couldn't even protect you and left you to be kidnapped?"
"No, that was because I volunteered to be kidnapped..."
"No. You're still in danger. Other executives of the Black Wings are targeting you, and if the Hunter Association finds out about your ability, they will try to use you as a test subject or a tool. Only here, inside my shadow, are you safe."
She stroked my cheek gently, but her eyes were glistening with a danger I had seen somewhere recently.
Seeing my terrified expression, she seemed to realize her mistake, quickly pulled her hand away, and gave an awkward smile.
"...I'm sorry. I've been on edge lately. The Association's pursuit is fiercer than I thought. Please, just bear with it a little longer. It's for your own good."
She left the room as if running away.
I was left behind, dazed, staring at the cooling breakfast.
'That look just now... it was the same as Kim Sia's. No, it seemed even more dangerous.'
A cold chill ran down my spine.
It felt like I was f***ed.
As soon as I entered the room and locked the door, I gasped for air.
My heart was pounding as if it would burst.
"Haa... haa..."
Stupid b****.
Haneul got scared.
I didn't mean to make such a scary face.
But the moment I heard him say he wanted to 'leave', I couldn't stop the shadows inside me from running wild like they were going berserk.
The past two weeks have been the happiest time of my life.
Checking his sleeping face every morning, feeding him carefully prepared food, and seeing him smile.
Bringing Haneul, who had been surrounded by those vulgar women at the Hunter Academy, into my own private space was the best choice of my life.
We were like newlyweds.
Whenever I saw Haneul's back as he nursed Sojin, who was lying in the hospital bed, I felt like I was going crazy wanting to approach him and hug his slender waist.
In fact, when I hugged him from behind a few times, the warmth of his body touching my chest and his cute reaction of being startled and blushing...
Even at mealtime, I deliberately prepared food that was easy to get on his lips.
If sauce or cream got around his red lips, I would wipe it off with my finger, put it in my mouth, and lick it.
Watching Haneul's eyes, flustered and not knowing what to do, was my greatest pleasure.
Even a few days ago... I was holding my breath secretly at the entrance of the shower room, listening to him hum.
Just imagining the sound of water heard from beyond the door and his transparent silhouette almost made my whole body heat up, and I almost lost my self-control.
'If only we could live like this forever.'
But Haneul wants to leave.
He wants to leave my embrace and return to that dangerous world, perhaps to the side of that crazy Kim Sia.
"Absolutely not. I will never let you go."
I threw myself onto the bed and tore at my hair.
What should I do?
Should I break all of Haneul's legs and arms so he can't even lift a spoonful of food without me?
Or should I put a small amount of drugs in his food every day so he can only settle in my arms with a hazy mind?
"No, if I do that, Haneul will hate me."
Haneul is too smart, and he's an excellent recovery ability user.
He would quickly heal any clumsy drugs or injuries.
Above all, I hated the thought of hatred for me filling those clear eyes more than death.
A justification to make Haneul stay by my side voluntarily.
I needed shackles to use his kind heart to keep him from leaving this place.
Then, a thought flashed through my mind.
"...Ah."
A bizarre smile spread across my lips.
My only weakness and precious treasure that made me a villain.
My younger brother, Han So-jin.
"I'll... hurt Sojin again."
Words that I wouldn't have dared to think of just two weeks ago flowed from my mouth.
If Sojin gets sick again, kind Haneul will never be able to leave him behind.
What if I deliberately break the treatment device or secretly inject my shadow poison into Sojin's body?
Haneul will have to stay here every day, consuming his own magic to save Sojin.
Eating the food I give him,
Sleeping in the bed I provide,
He will be under my protection solely for Sojin's treatment.
Guilt about pushing my brother, who was my whole life, back into hell?
That had long since disappeared.
If I could have Haneul, Sojin's pain was nothing.
I only have to torment him just enough so he doesn't die anyway.
Because Haneul will fix him.
"Yes, this is it... Haneul, you're so kind, so you won't be able to abandon my brother, right? Let's live here forever, taking care of Sojin together with me. Okay?"
My shadows, filling the room, seemed to twist bizarrely and cackle.
I looked at myself in the mirror.
A monster, crazed with love, willing to sacrifice even what she held most dear, stood there.
"Wait just a little, Haneul. Sojin will be [sick] again soon."
A happy laugh burst out, enough to make tears well up.
My savior, my treasure, my Park Haneul.
You can never escape this swamp of shadows now.
Haneul must be trembling in his room, knowing nothing.
But don't worry.
Because I will make you the happiest 'patient caregiver' in the world.
She did not know that the look in the mirror was now burning with a madness more dangerous and darker than any other villain...