The Way of Life for a Terminal S-Class Hunter - C100
C100
After receiving treatment from a healer once more during the day, Seo-heon was completely fine. Even the doctor clicked his tongue, saying, “Usually, even with healing, internal injuries remain after a major injury, but this patient has no reason for further treatment.”
Originally, it was because the naturally robust Seo-heon had not slept or tended to his wounds that he had suffered critical injuries. Though it was almost like fainting, they say the deep sleep he fell into greatly helped his recovery.
“Let’s go back now.”
Seo-heon, who stood up after packing his few belongings, smiled slightly.
I hadn’t said anything funny. Why is he in such a good mood?
I was curious but didn’t voice it. Seo-heon provided the reason without my asking.
“I’m happy because you said ‘let’s go back.’”
The ticking of the clock, buried under everyday noises, became loud. Due to heightened nerves, all senses reacted strongly. Tensing up at such words was clearly an oversensitive reaction. I wanted to pretend not to notice, not wanting to show that I was overly conscious, but it wasn’t something I could control.
“I know you didn’t mean it that way, but I’m shamelessly happy. Don’t worry about it.”
I thought I’d be fine after venting my anger once, but my body tensed when he revealed his feelings. It was difficult to say definitively whether I liked it or not. Instead of trying to soothe me or forcibly change the subject, Seo-heon gave me plenty of time to relax.
“We’ll be late at this rate.”
After taking some time to regulate my breathing, I opened the door of the hospital room. Mi-yeon had already prepared and sent the flight tickets for Seo-heon and me to take. I owed her a lot and would have to repay her somehow later.
There was another person I needed to repay.
Mr. K. When I tried to thank him right after coming to my senses, the doctor said he had left after leaving his contact information. The paper had a phone number along with the words, “There’s no need to feel indebted for a small connection.”
When I tried calling right away, I only got a response that the phone was turned off. The doctor, who seemed to know him well, hinted that he was a capricious person and that if I just left a message, he would contact me on his own. It felt heavy to leave without properly thanking my benefactor, but it didn’t seem right to force a meeting if the other person didn’t want it.
***
The flight was quiet. The seats were far apart, so I didn’t have to be conscious of my surroundings. When I closed my eyes, sleep seemed to have been waiting and led me into a deep slumber.
Seo-heon, who seemed to be busy handling work on his guild device, occasionally came to my seat. He would put his ear to my chest and his finger to my nose. When he did this, I would briefly regain consciousness, but it wasn’t strong enough stimulation to open my eyes. So I could pretend not to notice and fall back asleep.
Does he think I might suddenly die on a safe airplane?
Even in my semiconscious state, I vaguely had such thoughts. It was something I could have resolved by waking up and telling him not to worry, but the extreme fatigue wouldn’t go away.
“Woo-hyun, we’ve arrived. Let’s sleep in the car.”
Only after landing did I come to my senses. Once I woke up, my body felt refreshed as if nothing had happened.
“Where should we go?”
As soon as we got off the plane, Seo-heon asked. It was fortunate that he hadn’t tried to pry into the reason for my urgent return to Korea until now. Instead of answering, I asked:
“Don’t you have a lot to do?”
It was a question implying whether he didn’t need to clean up the many things he had done in trying to catch me who had run away. Seo-heon seemed to interpret it as meaning he should stay away from me, as he hardened his expression and looked cautious. This careful attitude was unfamiliar again.
I really don’t know how to deal with this.
It was a natural question like I used to ask before, but it seemed to have a different meaning to him. Just as I became sensitive about certain things, it seemed Seo-heon was the same.
It felt precarious, like a broken bottle forcibly glued together.
“I did stir up some trouble, but it’s not something I need to go handle right away.”
After saying that, Seo-heon added a bit later:
“If it’s something where I need to be absent, I’ll step aside.”
It was clearly a proposal he made with difficulty. It was evident that he didn’t want to do it but was doing it because he had to. Suddenly, I thought, Seo-heon is trying to make an effort.
“No, actually, I wanted to go with you if possible.”
Though we both looked disheveled, I was consumed by the thought that I needed to go there right now.
“Of course I’d be happy to.”
Seo-heon’s hand naturally led me to the car we had parked. It wasn’t a conscious action but a long-standing habit. There were moments when such actions felt heartbreaking. On such days, I would be filled with hatred for myself for harboring such feelings towards a friend.
Not anymore. However, it didn’t bring a great sense of elation or satisfaction. Just the fact that I didn’t have to hate myself was somewhat comforting.
“We’re going to a place we couldn’t go together last time.”
I tried to answer not too heavily. It took practice to reveal long-accumulated emotions lightly. Despite my efforts, Seo-heon, who was about to open the passenger door, stopped and stared at my face. He must have recalled when “last time” I mentioned was.
“The columbarium where my parents are.”
When I added this belatedly, Seo-heon closed his mouth and nodded. If he had said he was sorry or tried to explain his circumstances at that time, it might have unintentionally made me tense again, but his clean response actually made me feel more at ease.
“Get in, Woo-hyun.”
This time too, he opened the passenger door for me. It was a bit funny to be escorted by someone of his build. But it also seemed odd to argue in front of an open door.
“I have hands too, you don’t need to do this every time.”
“If you don’t like it, I won’t do it anymore.”
It meant he would continue if I didn’t say I disliked it. This aspect seemed unchanged yet changed, making me miss the timing to respond. As I instinctively fastened my seatbelt, the car moved smoothly.
Regarding my parents, I had unconsciously tried not to think about them, being preoccupied with my own affairs. Perhaps that’s why, after resolving to live on, I felt determined to visit the columbarium first. The reason was simple.
The sense of debt I had tried to ignore resurfaced.
“There’s nothing else you’re hiding, right?”
I asked while looking out the window. I don’t know why such a question popped out, but it was like an irresistible impulse.
Seo-heon seemed surprised and braked more abruptly than usual. Whether he hadn’t expected me to ask such a question suddenly, or if it was a question that made him feel guilty, it was clear he was shaken.
“I’ve told you most of the important things. If there’s anything you’re curious about or suspicious of, ask.”
“And you’re willing to answer honestly?”
This time I spoke sharply on purpose. It wasn’t out of a desire to be needlessly aggressive, but because I didn’t want him to lie for my sake again. Unable to confidently convey that feeling in a refined way, I purposely asked pointedly.
“In my own way, the things I did thinking I was protecting you all ended up ruining you. In fact, it was all for my own sake, so it’s a natural result.”
The atmosphere sank further. Seo-heon’s voice tried to maintain the same pitch as before, but it crumbled at the end. The arrogant man confessing his failure continued with difficulty.
“It won’t happen again. I won’t gamble with you anymore.”
His words, like a pledge, reassured me. Humans don’t change easily. However, if one constantly pays attention to and recognizes their mistakes, it’s possible to correct habits. When that becomes ingrained, changes gradually come. We needed practice in being honest with each other and trying to be equal. It was an optimistic thought, but for now, I wanted to believe that days of being okay would come.
“Okay.”
After giving a short answer, I looked outside again. The stone-like things that had been oppressing me slowly weathered away.
“It’ll take about 40 more minutes. Sleep a bit more.”
“I’m fully awake now, so it’s fine.”
We’d had this conversation before. With the passing déjà vu, another question popped out.
“Why did you suggest we go see the sunrise last time?”
I hadn’t gotten a proper answer then. He glanced at me, let out a shallow sigh, and tapped the steering wheel with his finger. It was Seo-heon’s habit when pondering something.
“When we went to see the sunrise together, that was the first time you opened up to me sincerely.”
I thought I had asked a piercing question, but Seo-heon instead shared a sincerity I hadn’t expected.
“You’ve always had a habit of swallowing your words and enduring alone. But after that, when you felt like you couldn’t bear it, you would come to me. After the incident with your parents, you closed up again though.”
Seo-heon, who had artificially softened his expression, continued explaining step by step.
“I took you there hoping you would recall that time. I was sure you were hiding something, but it didn’t seem like you would open up.”
It was quite an emotional reason to call it a calculation.
“What’s that about.”
Despite him having been full of secrets at the time, he wanted to hear my inner thoughts – I should have been angry, but I just laughed.