By Zephyria 266
Ga-eul clenched her fists and huffed.
“There’s no need to cover for him like that! I’m going to report this to the Doctor. He needs to be scolded properly to come to his senses.”
“Wait, wait a minute. Student Ga-eul, what’s our relationship? What’s the relationship between me and Lee Sa-young?”
“Huh? Why are you asking that?”
“No, I really don’t know. What, what is our relationship?”
“Well….”
Ga-eul blinked.
“Even if you’re not blood-related, you’re like close family, aren’t you? You cherish him a lot. And Hunter Lee Sa-young listens to J well, too. Well, to be exact, he only listens to J.”
“……”
“You always doted on him, calling him ‘my little brother, my little brother.’”
Ah, right. The embarrassment subsided in an instant. I was the one who was overly sensitive because I felt guilty. Eui-jae rubbed his face with both hands, performing a dry wash. At least in this world, kissing? It didn’t seem like they were in that kind of relationship. Although, I don’t know if that was really the case.
If I continued the conversation any further, it might arouse suspicion. Eui-jae deliberately changed the subject.
“How’s my condition?”
“Ah, should I call the Doctor? It would be more accurate to hear it from the Doctor.”
“I want to hear it from you, too.”
Ga-eul grumbled sullenly.
“…You know everything already. You’re even hiding things, aren’t you?”
Ah, I did? But I really don’t know anything. Eui-jae put on an affectation of being sentimental and replied.
“I just want to confirm it objectively. How my body looks to others….”
“……”
“…Is that not okay?”
His throat was dry, and the end of his voice trembled slightly. It seemed like the aftereffects of spitting out blood earlier remained. Damn it, I’m thirsty. Eui-jae coughed lightly and glanced sideways, looking for water. Ga-eul quickly opened a new bottle of mineral water and handed it to him. Did his acting work? Strangely, Ga-eul’s eyes seemed to be moistening.
She sniffled and stood up straight, straightening her back.
“I… I’m not a medical expert, so I’m not sure. Most of it is just hearsay. Please keep that in mind when you listen.”
“Okay.”
“J… becomes weakened after using strong power. During that time, he becomes similar to a civilian, and each time… he’s in a lot of pain. A lot.”
“……”
“I don’t know why. I keep looking into it, but….”
“Okay.”
“The Doctor speculated that J’s power is too strong… and that he receives the backlash severely. It might be a penalty for having such a strong ability.”
After hearing that, he had some idea of what was going on. Tch. Eui-jae racked his brain. If he combined Nam Woo-jin’s speculation with his knowledge.
The Cha Eui-jae of this world was enduring the backlash of turning the world with his strong body and ability. However, power is not infinite, so the amount of power decreases each time he uses strong power. Until that power is restored, Cha Eui-jae goes through near-death experiences.
No wonder it hurts. Eui-jae rested his chin on his hand and sighed. Then, he looked at Ga-eul, who had a worried expression.
“What about the others?”
“Who are you referring to?”
“Um, anyone is fine. I haven’t heard about what’s been happening lately. Anything is fine, so can you tell me? Stories about people are fine, stories about the world are fine, too.”
“Um….”
Ga-eul couldn’t figure out what story to tell. Eui-jae gave a bitter smile and suddenly recalled a slick face. That’s right, if Mackerel exists in this world, wouldn’t he be able to get his help? He would have most of the information.
“How’s the fish market these days? I’m talking about the place that sells information.”
“The fish market? Ah… are you talking about the place in Noryangjin?”
“Yeah.”
Ga-eul fidgeted with her fingers with a troubled expression.
“Um, that area is already undergoing Whitening….”
Eui-jae also widened his eyes. Whitening. The phenomenon of becoming a wasteland. Wait, then Mackerel and the people of the fish market, who had established their base in Noryangjin Fish Market….
“Then… what about Mackerel?”
“Mackerel….”
Ga-eul frowned and rummaged through her memories. Ah, she opened her eyes.
“Ah, are you talking about those twin information brokers? I only heard that they disappeared somewhere. But I heard that only one of the twins survived.”
“Wait, which one, the older or younger brother?”
“Um…. I’m sorry, I don’t know that much. I only heard it secondhand. Actually, the person who had a connection with them was the former Director, but the Director passed away….”
“…What?”
Eui-jae glared. Ga-eul also rolled her eyes in confusion.
“Why, what’s wrong?”
“Are you talking about Director Ham when you say Director….”
“Yes…. That’s right. Director Ham.”
“……”
Mackerel’s twins’ base, the fish market, disappeared, and the twins became alone. Ham Seok-jeong died. The situation was more serious than he thought. Eui-jae rubbed his mouth and muttered.
“Tell me more. Focus on the Rankers. Everything you know.”
After Ham Seok-jeong’s death, Jung-bin was recommended as the next Director. However, he declined the offer and remained as a team leader, so the position of Director is still vacant. A-rank Hunter Song Jo-heon led his Guild and fought against the Monster Wave, dying valiantly. Not only Korea but also various places around the world are paralyzed by Whitening, and Gyu-Gyu has been out of contact since going abroad, so his whereabouts are unknown. Bae Won-woo and Matthew are working hard in their respective positions. Ga-eul muttered.
“Whitening has progressed in various parts of Korea, and the Awakened Management Bureau headquarters has also been affected by Whitening…. So the Seowon Guild has become the second headquarters.”
“Um.”
In short, it means it’s going to ruin. The whole world is going to ruin together. Eui-jae stared at the white ceiling. Well, I expected it since it’s already a Destroyed world, but I saw it in Ga-eul’s Fragment, so I expected it.
‘It’s really serious….’
Terraforming has already progressed considerably. Most of the major forces have either died or disappeared, and in addition, he is scheduled to die in 162 hours. How chaotic will it be when he dies? Ga-eul added, tidying up her fallen hair.
“And The Artisan is secluded in some remote mountain.”
“Not being protected by the Awakened Management Bureau?”
“Um, yes…. I heard they said not to look for them.”
For someone who loved the secular world so much to shut himself up in the mountains. There was a high probability that Hong Ye-seong here had also contacted the ‘Hong Ye-seong’ of the first world. Once my body gets better, I should go find that guy first. Eui-jae smiled.
“Thank you.”
“Was it helpful at all?”
“Yeah. It was a great help.”
“Hehe, then I’m glad.”
Ga-eul smiled brightly and arranged the roses in the vase.
The Ga-eul of this world also affects the Student Ga-eul he knows. She can see the past, and she’s also the one who saw him right before he died. Then, what if I reveal in advance that I’m going to die in a week? Eui-jae opened his mouth.
“Student Ga-eul…. No, Yoon Ga-eul.”
“Yes, J.”
“I….”
I’m going to die in a week. To be exact, in 162 hours. The moment he was about to say those words.
No voice came out. As if his throat was blocked. Eui-jae glared. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t even make a sound. Ga-eul asked with a puzzled expression.
“What’s wrong?”
“……”
Red letters appeared in his vision.
[Warning 1! You must not interfere with the past. Do not disclose future events.]
[Caution: You will receive a penalty if you accumulate 3 warnings.]
Damn it!
Eui-jae clenched his fist. The warning window spun around in his vision several times as if to make sure he saw it clearly, then disappeared. Only then did his blocked throat loosen. Eui-jae stroked his neck.
“J?”
“……”
It said not to disclose it. Then, what if I give a hint? Eui-jae glared. The number of roses Ga-eul was touching was a total of seven. Eui-jae reached out towards the vase.
“Who put these roses here?”
“Sometimes I or the Doctor put them, but usually Hunter Lee Sa-young replaces them himself.”
“……”
Hoo, Eui-jae took a deep breath. Then, with a sentimental and sad face, he stroked the soft rose petals.
“If all these roses wither…. Will my life end too?”
Fortunately, his throat wasn’t blocked this time. I guess it’s okay because it’s a question. Eui-jae glanced at Ga-eul. Ga-eul was looking at him with a shocked expression.
“What, what do you mean?”
“No…. I just suddenly had that thought.”
“Don’t think like that! I’ll replace them with new flowers before they wither!”
Ga-eul shouted, on the verge of tears. No, Student Ga-eul. Eui-jae looked at the roses and smiled.
“How many roses are there in total?”
“There are seven….”
“What comes to mind when you think of 7?”
“Um…. A seven-colored rainbow?”
“There’s a rainbow too. What else?”
“Um…. A week?”
That’s right! That’s exactly it! Eui-jae smiled brightly and nodded. Ga-eul, who was looking back and forth between the roses and Eui-jae, widened her eyes. Then, she muttered seriously.
“Ah, I understand. You mean to treat these flowers like J.”
Is that so? Well, it’s similar for now!
“And.”
Ga-eul nodded vigorously towards Eui-jae.
“I’ll definitely replace them with new flowers every week! Even if J isn’t in the hospital room!”
That’s not it!
Eui-jae screamed silently.