NOVEL NEXT Chapter 4 - This is Really Bad for My Heart (4)
Chapter 4 – This is Really Bad for My Heart (4)
Seo Ji-hyun was extremely bewildered as she was dragged to Lee Seo-u’s house without knowing what was happening.
Why is he doing something he’s never done before? I was definitely dragged to some secluded dungeon and raped before, but suddenly he’s taking me to his house? When there was no driver at first, I thought this incident might proceed as it originally did, but going to his house? Has he decided not to deal with the aftermath?
Until now, everything had flowed exactly as before without any changes. I even deliberately limited my magical power during the regular hunter rank tests to stay at C-rank, matching the original timeline.
Since Lee Seo-u was using driving as an excuse, it didn’t seem like he would respond no matter what I said, so I just quietly leaned back in my seat. I considered shaking his shoulder harder to cause an accident, but decided to leave it for now. Even though I’d returned to the past, my magical power remained the same, so I was confident I wouldn’t get hurt if I used buffs, and I judged that I could save Seo-u as long as he was still breathing.
Still, it’s interesting to see a small change in this life that had been flowing exactly as I remembered, so I’ll just observe for now.
As I quietly watched his face concentrating on driving from the back seat, memories from before my regression came flooding back.
How could I forget? That day when I was expelled from the guild I had trusted and been part of for six years, betrayed by people I believed in, and then raped, turning my first experience into a complete mess. I still don’t remember exactly what happened, but somehow I survived and discovered the hidden conditions of my ability that day.
Well, I can’t say it was fortunate, but it was the catalyst for gaining power that others couldn’t even approach. As for revenge, I had my fill of it before regressing, to the point where I was even considering just letting myself be raped again up until I got in the car.
Of course, I had no intention of letting him go after that. Whether going for revenge or dungeon raids, I always desperately felt the need for someone with exploration skills, and Lee Seo-u was a competent mage mentioned quite often in various circles. I thought it would be beneficial to let it happen once and gain a slave in return.
‘But this might complicate my plans a bit.’
From what I can see now, I don’t sense any malice, so he probably won’t make the first move. Even though I experienced such a thing before coming back, I had resolved all my grudges and lingering attachments before returning. Despite having lived somewhat crazily, I didn’t want to bring up past events from before my regression and cause trouble first, as long as he didn’t make the first move. But I never expected the first blow to not come at all from the beginning.
Of course, according to my original plan, after acquiring Lee Seo-u, I would have to confront not only Guild Master Yu Su-jeong but also her father, Yu Ji-hyeok, and possibly even the Hunter Association. But since I had already destroyed them all before regressing, I was confident. If only things had gone according to plan. Still, I wanted to live somewhat quietly in this life, so should I let Lee Seo-u go now?
While weighing the benefits and losses of each possible action, the journey home, which had felt quite long, came to an end.
A two-story penthouse with the ocean visible right in front. Since we hadn’t been driving for hours, it was probably somewhere in Incheon. Looking at the white, luxurious-looking house, Seo Ji-hyun thought that while his car seemed ordinary, he had spent money on his home.
‘Let’s go in for now.’
Seo Ji-hyun, who had been dragged all the way to the front door with her hand held by the urgently insistent Lee Seo-u, let out a long sigh as soon as they entered the house and snapped her fingers.
-Snap.
‘I should have just done this from the beginning.’
With the crisp sound of fingers snapping together, Lee Seo-u froze in place, still holding her hand as they entered the hallway. Seo Ji-hyun pulled her hand free, approached him directly, and held his cheeks with both hands, stroking the corners of his eyes with her thumbs.
‘Haa… these dead eyes really turn me on every time I see them.’
After regressing, she didn’t need to live as desperately as before, so during her abundant free time, she had experimented with expanding the utility of her ability and gained a new hypnosis power as a side effect. She hadn’t particularly needed it, but since it allowed her to see those lifeless, dead eyes that only appeared after completely destroying someone’s life, she occasionally used this power as masturbation material. While it was also convenient for controlling people, this was the first time she was using it like this.
‘Can you hear me?’
‘…Yes.’
That distinctive gaze along with a voice that seemed to droop. Honestly, she hadn’t been certain whether it would work, but she had pressed down with her magical power, and thanks to Lee Seo-u not being on guard at all, he seemed to have fallen under her spell easily. Anyway, since he was hypnotized, she could speak more comfortably.
‘Why did you bring me to your house?’
‘…To hide you…’
‘Hide me? From whom?’
‘…Crystal Guild…’
‘Hmm?’
It seemed this was Lee Seo-u’s independent decision.
‘Why?’
‘…Because I want to live…’
‘You want to live?’
She hadn’t expected this answer. Somewhat surprised but curious about what was happening, she continued.
‘Who do you want to live from?’
‘…From you…’
‘From me?’
‘…Don’t want… revenge… against me…’
The moment she heard those words, she felt her blood run cold and unconsciously removed her hands from his face. Does he already know about me? But I never got that impression until now?
‘Do you know that I’ve regressed, oppa?’
Seeing him slowly shake his head, I guess that’s not it.
‘Or have you developed some new ability to see the future?’
‘…No.’
It’s not this, and it’s not that. Then what could it be? Is this even the Lee Seo-u I knew in the first place?
‘Who… exactly are you?’
**** ◈ ◈ ◈ ◈ ****
Suddenly feeling tired, I closed my eyes and when I opened them, Ji-hyun was somehow blocking my way. What? Since when was she this fast? Or did I doze off momentarily because I felt relieved to be home? Well, honestly, just considering everything that happened today, it’s been a while since my brain exceeded its processing capacity.
‘So answer me now. What was so urgent that you left all my luggage in the car and brought me home?’
She was almost glaring at me as she asked, radiating a determination not to let this go until I explained, so I carefully began to speak.
‘…Ji-hyun.’
‘Yes?’
‘Actually, I have something to tell you.’
‘Something to tell me?’
‘It’s about the contract the guild made with you.’
‘Contract…?’
Honestly, no matter how much I thought about it, although I wasn’t the one who did it, the money had already been taken through an unfair contract, and I had told the guild master I would handle it. Since I had rushed in with the sole intention of protecting her even if it meant hiding her, I couldn’t think of a better approach than telling her the truth directly.
I don’t know how she’ll take it, but if I at least tell her about Yu Ji-hyeok, who is backing Yu Su-jeong, she might understand. After that, maybe I could arrange some kind of identity forgery for her.
‘It’s funny to tell you this now, but did you know the guild was embezzling money?’
‘Yes.’
‘First, I’m really sorry… Huh?’
‘I knew. Even though I entrusted all money-related matters to the guild, I’m a healer, so I roughly figured something was lacking.’
‘Oh, I see. So you knew.’
This isn’t right? I’m pretty sure in the novel I remember, she didn’t know. Or did I not tell her about the embezzlement?
Suddenly I felt confused about my memories, but since she already knew, it would be easier to explain. Actually, why does this even matter? The most important thing is to convince Ji-hyun and protect her.
‘So to keep that contract from being discovered, the guild master ordered me to deal with you.’
‘Deal with me?’
‘Well, simply put, the easiest way to silence someone is… you know, dead people tell no tales.’
‘Ah… then…’
Suddenly she distanced herself from me, her eyes trembling with fear, so I waved my hands in denial.
‘I have no intention of doing that! You’re the most precious person to me, Ji-hyun. How could I ever do such a thing?’
‘Then…’
‘Actually, the reason I brought you home was to hide you. I planned to keep you here until things calm down.’
‘At the Vice Guild Master’s house?’
‘Yes. I judged that my house would be the safest place for now.’
‘I see…’
Fortunately, she seemed to accept my explanation without requiring further details, and I breathed a sigh of relief. I didn’t want to give a lengthy explanation that might reveal my awkwardness if she listened too carefully, and above all, I didn’t want to say anything that would hurt my precious Ji-hyun.
…Huh?
‘If that’s the case, thank you. I’ll be in your care for now.’
‘Sure. I’m hardly ever at home anyway. Just make yourself comfortable like it’s your own place. I’ll give you a card for food, so order whatever you want. Don’t worry about the money. It’s just returning the money you earned anyway.’
‘I feel like I’m just receiving too much…’
‘It’s not like that at all, so please don’t worry about it.’
For a moment something felt awkward, but I’m glad Ji-hyun understood. It wasn’t a sin I committed, but if I could seek forgiveness like this, that would be fine.
‘I’ll show you your room first. I’ll help you move your belongings later.’
‘Yes!’
And so Ji-hyun and I began a strange life together—the protagonist of a revenge story living with the mid-boss who had been the target of that revenge.