Eve 04: Yeonseo and Mikael
Yeonseo and Mikael. Their reactions couldn't have been more different.
In Yeonseo's case, there was no change in her expression. She kept her hazy smile, gazing at them calmly. But the color slowly drained from her face. She was literally just smiling. Even in her mind, Yeonwoo was still her oppa. But now, an oppa who had become a woman. A pitiful one at that, with zero defenses against other women. Watching that Yeonwoo clinging to some strange woman like this stirred up all sorts of complicated thoughts.
She'd heard her oppa was an amazing hunter who'd put on a hell of a show. But in the realm of women, he was like a kid left by the water's edge. And the opponent? Some rude, trashy thug of a woman who looked like she'd rolled out of a gutter.
"……."
She looked dangerous at first glance.
In contrast, Mikael. His expression darkened openly. His gaze and head slowly dropped. His shoulders, robbed of confidence, hunched ever so slightly.
Mikael wanted to stay by Yeonwoo's side on that journey. Not in a physical sense, but in a noble, spiritual one. The 21 days in the Ant Nest had been precious time that showed him a new path. He'd seen Yeonwoo's actions, responsibility, and will. Her selfish ways had even made him rethink his stuffy standards of goodness.
And that wasn't all. For some reason, being near Yeonwoo felt less uncomfortable. Her straightforward treatment was a huge comfort.
But why. The more people gathered around Yeonwoo, the fewer chances Mikael had to get close.
So, he envied the one who could stick right by her side like that. Maybe it was jealousy.
"What's with you two?"
Of course, Yeonwoo had no idea about their tangled inner thoughts. She was too busy keeping an eye on Shin Gaon stuck to her side—she was guarding her, really. What Shin Gaon had done to her? She'd gotten revenge and taken plenty in return, so she could tolerate it. But if that shameless bitch tried pulling the same stunts on Yeonseo or Mikael? No way in hell. That, she wouldn't forgive.
"Heh, hehehe."
Whether she sensed it or not, Shin Gaon just laughed. Her lips curled up almost to her ears. Her face flushed as she scanned the hospital room.
"This place is the best."
She couldn't help it. Shin Gaon had sniffed it out like a hyena. Honestly, she didn't give a damn if those two liked Yeonwoo or not—it was none of her business. But their hostility and wariness, each in their own way? That hit her like pure adrenaline.
She couldn't hold back.
"I'm like this by nature, y'know?"
"What the hell are you on about?"
"I tend to get clingy."
"Not me. Get off."
The moment Yeonwoo shook her off in disgust, trying to shrug her shoulder free—
"What's wrong with girls sticking together? Huh?"
"……."
Shin Gaon's instincts were spot-on. Without knowing a thing about Yeonwoo's situation, she nailed the perfect line to restrict her using pure gut feeling.
"Well……."
Yeonwoo might be a woman now, but she didn't know women well. So this distance? She had no clue if Shin Gaon's words were true or bullshit.
"Right?"
And Shin Gaon even tossed the question to Yeonseo, turning the arrow right to her mouth.
"……Well. Sure."
Yeonseo answered reluctantly. She had no choice. She couldn't just blurt out that the woman was actually a man. It was a precious memory she had no intention of sharing with outsiders.
"See?"
Shin Gaon grinned and patted Yeonwoo's shoulder like she was dusting it off.
"……!"
"……."
Naturally, Yeonseo and Mikael's reactions intensified. Shin Gaon devoured every bit of it.
"Kuh! This is it! You're the best……!"
Shin Gaon's face lit up with ecstasy. At the same time, blood trickled from her nose. Too much blood rushed to her head. Or maybe it was aftermath from the beating. Her nasal bone was still slightly crooked.
"Hey, hey! What's wrong?!"
That crooked nose softened Yeonwoo's resolve. She quickly tilted Shin Gaon's head back and pulled her into her arms.
"Tissue! Yeonseo, grab some tissue!"
"Uh, yeah……?"
Yeonseo moved fast. Or tried to. But the moment she saw Shin Gaon grinning from Yeonwoo's embrace, she froze in place.
Burn her alive. That'd stop the bleeding, right?
Surprisingly, Yeonseo wasn't the only one thinking that.
"I-I'm going! So stay bright!"
Mikael had the same idea. He poured out every ounce of holy power he had.
A brilliant light filled the room!
"Uwak!"
It was a startling surge of holy power. Way too much just to fix a nosebleed.
"Hunter Yeonwoo!"
"My ears are ringing."
"Lay her down! For the patient's stability! Hurry!"
"Got it."
Yeonwoo laid Shin Gaon down. Whatever holy power Mikael had jammed in there fixed even the crooked nose completely.
"Ha. This house is great."
"What are you even saying?"
Yeonwoo shook her head. She was starting to regret bringing her here—fatigue hit her hard. No mood to stand anymore, she pulled out a blanket and crashed right on the floor.
Two on the floor. One on the bed. And one in the corner. What a ridiculous gathering.
The patients were the ones on the floor, too.
"Anyway, introductions."
Yeonwoo waved her arm lazily. Whatever, at this point.
"Yeonseo. My little sis."
"Mikael here. Uh, a sort of—no, no. Priest of Eden."
Mikael mustered courage to pitch himself as brother-figure material, but sadly, he lacked the guts to say it outright and gave up.
"Aha. Shin Gaon. No need to be so wary."
Shin Gaon was already sprawled sideways, eyeing Yeonseo and Mikael in turn. Her lips curled up again.
"You call her sis, but you don't look alike at all."
She jabbed at Yeonseo. Then,
"You're cute-looking, but that height. Yeonwoo'd tower over you in heels."
She poked at Mikael next. Rudeness came as easy as breathing.
Naturally, the two bristled, ready to snap back—
"But having a stylish sis like that? Explains why she barely glances my way."
"……Pardon?"
"Plus, Yeonwoo doesn't seem into the big ones anyway."
"Oh, uh, is that so……."
She tossed out carrots like it was nothing. Then propped her chin, watching their reactions with delight.
"Cut it out, you psycho."
Yeonwoo finally couldn't take it, whispering harshly as she nudged Shin Gaon with her toe.
"Ha. I love this house."
Shin Gaon was lost in the thrill, nothing else mattered.
"So, wanna share status windows or something?"
Sharing status was the ultimate sign of trust among hunters—but super rare. Even joining a mega corp, you only showed the leader. Jeong Eunhye at the Hunter Center had freaked out and told her not to.
Showing it now would just burden them.
"No status crap. Just stay put."
"Why? Can't do this much for the one who saved your life?"
"Sigh."
Yeonwoo let out a deep breath.
"Keep that up, and you'll vanish in a gate without a trace. I'm dead serious—the one who saved your life is telling you."
"Hmng."
Shin Gaon hummed instead of answering, peering at Yeonwoo with curved eyes.
"Decision!"
"What."
"We're teaming up."
"Since when do you decide?"
Yeonwoo's face crumpled, naturally. Yeonseo and Mikael's expressions eased a bit at the rejection.
"I'm Tier III. I'll be useful?"
Shin Gaon thumped her chest confidently. Figures she's strong. Tier was high, as expected.
'Battle Eve entry was up to low Tier III, right.'
It fit the event conditions perfectly. But.
Could she trust her?
'That smug face pisses me off.'
Announcing Tier III with that gloating look? Couldn't resist a jab.
"Lost to a Tier II, though?"
"Whoa! Yeonwoo, you're Tier II?!"
Backfire. Losing a fistfight to a Tier II was huge stimulus—she crawled across the floor like a bullet.
"Hey, hey! Back off!"
Yeonwoo desperately blocked with her foot.
"……."
The two watching this farce looked sour. Talk of tiers made it feel like their space. Especially Yeonseo—annoyance bordering on resentment. She lamented how little time she had with her.
"I-I reached Tier III too……!"
Mikael couldn't hold back, blurting it timidly.
"Oh, for real? You leveled up already?"
Yeonwoo whipped her head around. Totally different from with Shin Gaon.
"Impressive!"
This time, she rolled across the floor to Mikael, reaching out to ruffle his hair.
"Ah, ahaha. Ha……."
Mikael ducked his head, letting out an awkward laugh.
"Good kid, good kid. Such a cute little guy."
His gynophobia wasn't fully gone. But Yeonwoo's touch? He could endure it.
"P-please stop."
"You brave boy."
As Mikael's sweet discomfort continued—
"Ah. Eden!"
Shin Gaon's voice cut the happy moment.
"Wait. The saintess of the Ant Nest... that was you, Yeonwoo?"
"Uh, yeah?"
Yeonwoo's face stiffened. She hated that title. Her playful hand on Mikael's head froze.
"Hoo. Interesting."
Shin Gaon narrowed her eyes, scanning Yeonwoo. Not enough—she framed a square with thumb and finger, slimy-gazing her whole body. Face. Figure. Vibe. Skills. Nothing lacked stimulation.
"We've seen enough of each other now. We're in the same boat, right?"
"Well……."
"Yes or no. Answer."
Yeonwoo hesitated. She had to think.
'Definitely pros.'
Strong, first off. Her reckless, creative fighting style appealed. Proper support? Cut risks, max efficiency. They'd synced well despite first meeting today.
"Eh. Maybe."
A vague answer slipped out. But to Mikael watching close by, it rang positive. He even startled.
"W-wait. The event... you two...?"
He spilled about the Battle on the Eve of the Wild Sanctuary Gate event. The latter half was pairs. Top secret he'd told Yeonwoo himself.
"Event?"
Shin Gaon, naturally, hearing it for the first time.