Eve 06: Festival Whispers
Yeonseo turned her gaze toward the window as she asked, "When's the event?"
Yeonwoo looked out the window as well. "It's tomorrow already."
Midnight had passed quite some time ago. So, by the calendar day change, the event was just one day away.
"You must be busy with preparations."
In truth, it wasn't a question born of ignorance about the event date. Yeonseo, ever meticulous, couldn't possibly not know. The reason she asked anyway was simply to quell the thoughts bubbling up inside her.
Yeonwoo was working so hard, staying so busy. It felt wrong to call her out just to quash some silly rumor.
Yet, as her hesitation proved, Yeonseo's desire to enjoy the festival together was just as strong. She wanted to show her, to share it with her. Even though she'd become a woman, Yeonwoo deserved an invitation to that youthful space of revelry, to spend a joyful day there. It would be a brief respite in their harsh lives—a chance to breathe, to discover more joys. That's what Yeonseo thought.
"What're you thinking so hard about?"
"...Busted?"
"It's obvious."
Yeonwoo smirked. Then she ruffled Yeonseo's hair into a total mess.
"Ah, cut it out."
"Then just spit it out."
"No. I mean, well... y'know."
Yeonseo reluctantly opened her mouth—or pretended to. Being as thorough and calculating as she was, she always had a backup plan ready.
"Where'd you get that wallet?"
"...Hmm."
She buried the festival talk and pivoted straight to Yeonwoo's weak spot.
"This? Uh, it's compensation I got."
Yeonwoo answered honestly. No point in lying; it'd be seen through in a second. At least this was the truth, unvarnished.
"For real. I was gonna give it to you anyway, Yeonseo."
"That's a decent chunk of cash."
"I'm dead serious, it's fine. I won it fair and square."
It wasn't exactly a lie. Shin Gaon had bragged about giving it all herself, personal differences aside. Yeonwoo had just beaten her soundly and taken it.
"I swear. Would I ever give you shady money?"
"Well... no, I guess not."
Yeonseo finally nodded. Only then did Yeonwoo pull two 50,000-won bills from the wallet.
"Here, take 'em."
She shoved them roughly into Yeonseo's back pocket and handed over the whole wallet.
"This is way more than I thought."
"Right? She had her own car, top-tier gear, looked flashy as hell—and lives like money's no object."
"What kinda bets are you even making?"
"Anyway, you handle all the money stuff."
Yeonwoo pressed the wallet into Yeonseo's hands, cupping them together and patting the backs firmly, as if to say don't let go.
"Hey."
"Yeah?"
Yeonseo ventured cautiously. She hesitated a moment. But still, no festival talk emerged.
"Take another 10,000."
"I'm good. At my level, I won't starve anywhere."
No bluff—just proven fact from hard experience.
"Jeez. Who'd let a face like yours go hungry?"
"Heh."
"Anyway, take care of yourself."
"You know it."
Yeonwoo flashed a confident grin.
She hadn't lied about not starving.
The next day, food arrived in Yeonwoo's bedroom as if it were the most natural thing. No longer a patient, it wasn't hospital slop either: a Caesar salad with apple slices and boiled eggs, a neat sandwich trimmed of crusts, and creamy kabocha squash soup. And finally, Mikael himself.
"Start with the vegetables."
The same setup sat before Mikael, who was perched at a careful distance.
He was the one who'd brought it in the first place.
"Do I look like someone who leaves food?"
"Pardon?"
Mikael tilted his head. Yeonwoo did look like the type, so he'd chosen light fare.
"Eating first settles the stomach."
"What are you, my mom?"
Yeonwoo chuckled. But the sincerity was touching—and cute—so she dove into the salad.
"This hospital's got good eats."
"Do you like it?"
"Yeah, solid cooking skills."
Yeonwoo mumbled around a mouthful of sandwich, polishing one off in seconds and licking sauce from her fingers.
"Ah...!"
Just a glimpse of tongue, and Mikael stiffened, turning his head away.
"Wish I could eat like this at home every day. Tastes great."
"It's not that good..."
"I can feel the care put into it. But why're you taking credit? Though, yeah, it's thanks to you I'm eating."
"...Shall I introduce you to the chef, then?"
"No need for that. Just pass on that I enjoyed it."
Mikael broke into a subtle smile. She says it was delicious. He murmured it happily to himself.
"Done. Message delivered."
"Already? You're efficient."
The meal wrapped up quickly. Still hungry, Yeonwoo scarfed an extra sandwich piece from Mikael's plate.
"Speaking of, it's almost time."
"The event?"
"No, the festival."
"...Festival?"
Yeonwoo double-checked. It was a totally out-of-left-field word.
"Yes. Timing-wise, it should be around now. Probably right after the Battle on the Eve of the Wild Sanctuary Gate event wraps."
"Like a church thing?"
"What? No, Sanggong University's festival."
"Huh?"
"I went last year with the cardinal. It was wonderful."
As Yeonwoo puzzled it out, Mikael clasped his hands joyfully, reminiscing.
"Crowded and uncomfortable, sure, but seeing all those people pursuing their values, cooperating as individuals to create such harmony... It was a great blessing to me."
"Hold up. I never heard a peep about this from Yeonseo."
"Odd. She must be deep in prep right now."
"Yeah, then..."
Yeonwoo finally recalled last night. It clicked what Yeonseo had been trying to say.
"Ha, that stubborn girl's got some nerve."
She let out a smirk.
"When exactly does it start? Can you tell me?"
"Of course. Easy enough."
"Thanks."
Still, why hadn't she mentioned it? It nagged a bit.
Maybe she thought I'd be too busy.
Thinking back, even before the regression, Yeonseo had never brought up Sanggong University. Back then, scraping by left no time for home.
Alright. This time, I'm going no matter what.
Even if told not to. Right after the Wild Sanctuary event? Perfect timing.
I've gotta live better.
Happier, even. She resolved it then and there.
Yeonwoo returned to the Battle on the Eve of the Wild Sanctuary Gate. The event loomed tomorrow. If changes kicked off early morning, less than 12 hours remained.
She'd come for a final check. Yeonwoo fused all the weapons she'd gained yesterday—six in total. New base options emerged:
She hadn't collected every mid-tier yet, which stung a bit, but at 20% efficiency each, combining with her low-tier buildup rivaled legendary base stats.
Special options too: Trajectory Mark, Mana Transfer, Blood Hunter. And the crown jewel: Must Cut.
Yeonwoo had fused them all into her weapons.
"Whew."
She felt power surging faithfully within. Fusing weapons might outpace gate hunting for growth.
"Hunters' styles vary wildly."
Hunters were commonplace now, but they shattered old rules—mysterious beings. Personal differences defied standardization.
And I've got the gender swap to top it off.
But she wasn't one to dwell. She'd seized the chance, awkward and itchy as the path was. No helping that.
Now for inspection.
-Grrrrr!
-Woof! Arf!
Wolves menaced her. Five of them—a tough solo fight. Winnable, but zero scratches? Doubtful. Yesterday, anyway.
What to use?
Yeonwoo flicked her wrist.
Shink—
The weapon shifted form. A dagger this time—opposite yesterday's streetlamp distancing.
No reason needed. Too obvious to think twice.
Yeonwoo charged. Her signature agility closed the gap cleanly.
-Grrrr!
It bared teeth to bite. Yeonwoo smashed the dagger's hilt into its nose.
Crack!
-Yip!
It recoiled violently. Vital hit shattered its momentum.
Yeonwoo didn't miss a beat. Casually, indifferently—
Stab.
Into the eye.
-Kii...!
Her wrist twisted 90 degrees precisely. Not content with piercing, she shredded internals. Instant death.
-Grraaang!
-Grrrk!
Pack beasts. Two flanked her.
Yeonwoo stayed cool. Her lips even quirked faintly.
One reason: I feel it now.
Staring down wolves, her superiority screamed. Any number, she wouldn't lose.
She ducked low, sliding near the ground.
-Grrk?!
The charging wolf sailed overhead. Yeonwoo thrust her dagger upward.
Slash—
Especially its weak belly. No swing needed; it gutted itself.
Thud!
They collided from her dodge.
Yeonwoo sprang up, stabbing the other.
Stab. Stab. Stab!
Flank, dodging ribs, pure organ carnage. Targets for instant, efficient kills were obvious now.
Three down.
No pause. Dagger drawn back over her shoulder.
Throw.
Visible.
Trajectory Mark activated. Unreal yellow arrow traced the path—straight to another wolf's forehead as it lunged, jaws wide.
Whoosh—Splash!
-Kreeek!
Too shallow. Yeonwoo followed as the next projectile.
Leaping, she heel-smashed the hilt.
Crunch!
Skull split on the dagger. Massive leap sent Yeonwoo airborne.
Whoosh.
Now bare-handed midair. Below, the last wolf awaited, maw agape.
No panic. Pure dominance as she reached out.
Whoosh—
Tier II trait Recall Weapon answered, flinging the dagger skyward.
It returned to hand.
Crunch!
Two-handed overhead stab.
"Whew."
The pack cleared in seconds. Not a hunt or fight—a slaughter of the species. Nothing more, nothing less.
"Inspection... complete."
Yeonwoo's face lit up. Results exceeded expectations.
Tomorrow's Battle on the Eve of the Wild Sanctuary Gate event—like most—would stage competitively.
Unknown environments or twists later? Unpredictable. But the opener? Obvious.
Who kills the most, fastest.
That was it.