Chapter 33 (1/2)

Hot and stuffy air rushed out from the open door. Acrid and bitter odour of blood and sweat also faintly brushed by Seol's nose.

The two maids that entered before him were supporting the completely exhausted Maria from her sides while leaving the room.

Maria's previously-radiant blonde hair looked as if someone doused it with a bucket of cold water as drops of liquid fell from the strands. Her thin, white ceremonial robe was completely soaked through as it clung onto her figure and revealed more than a hint of her skin.

”Eurph…!”

From her cherry-coloured shapely lips, a mouthful of blood spewed out. The white robe rapidly got stained in the dark crimson hue.

”Miss Maria!” (Seol)

When Seol ran up to her, Maria weakly raised her head up. As if she was already suffering from a high fever, her once-pale cheeks were reddening up.

”Are you alright?” (Seol)

”F*ck it…. Can't you see for yourself….?” (Maria)

”My head's ringing, so please don't shout near me…. I really feel like I might die soon….” (Maria)

Maria coughed and vomited out two more mouthfuls of blood. She regulated her breathing, and then shot Seol with a fierce glare.

”Don't forget.” (Maria)

”I did you a big favour with this.” (Maria)

Seol wasn't a dummy so he quickly replied.

”I understand. I'll never forget about today's matter.” (Seol)

Maria lowered her head again. She was helped along by other maids and soon, they disappeared beyond the bottom of the stairs and out of sight.

Still worried, Seol continued to look on, before s.h.i.+fting his eyes away after hearing the loud exclamation of joy coming out from his quarters. It was the sound of the Yi siblings crying out.

”Time for the main character to make his entrance.” (Hao Win)

Hao Win lightly patted Seol's back. Although the questions regarding why this guy followed him here remained, Seol was more curious to find out Yun Seo-Rah's condition, so he hesitantly took his first step inside.

'Ho-oh!'

Hao Win followed Seol into the room, and ended up gasping out in admiration after seeing the figure of the woman sitting on top of the bed.

The way she sat up on the bed while leaning slightly against the wall reminded him of a beautiful snowflower shyly blooming within a hidden crevice in the middle of winter.

She continuously raised her right arm and then lowered it. Her actions were somehow like that beautiful snowflower not knowing what to do when the rays of warm sunlight fell upon it, after it was forcibly taken out from its deep hiding place and into the open plain.

Indeed, I see why he fell for her. Hao Win silently mused to himself, and then he lightly pushed Seol forward. Thanks to that, the youth ended up stumbling a couple steps forward, which inevitably drew in the attention of Yun Seo-Rah. She flinched slightly and met the youth's gaze.

”H, how are you feeling?” (Seol)

”Is your arm okay?” (Seol)

”……….Ah.”

Her small but shapely lips parted ever so slightly, before closing shut again.

All sorts of thoughts and emotions raced in her eyes, but her lips could only tremble softly. Judging from her small and nearly indecipherable hand gestures, it seemed as if she desperately wanted to say something, but at the same time, she was at a loss as to how she should proceed. So much so, the ones watching on could feel their hearts melt into a puddle.

'Keuh!'

Wasn't this such a heartwarming scene? A wonderfully refres.h.i.+ng sight of romance?

Hao Win was deeply admiring this sight, but then….

”May I know how you managed to gather 82,000 points?” (Yun Seo-Rah)

….Her words brought him back to his senses.

Hao Win quickly stuffed a cigarette on his mouth and shoved his hands down inside the trouser pockets. Then, he c.o.c.ked his head exactly at the angle of 30 degrees, and he jutted his chin out just a bit as if he was looking down on his opponent.

”Oh, that. This is….” (Seol)

”Hiya~~. Congrats, congrats.” (Hao Win)

Just before Seol could make the introduction, Hao Win seized initiative and stepped forward while walking in an extravagant fas.h.i.+on. He placed a hand on Seol's shoulder and scanned the crowd.

”I see that you're all nicely healed and stuff. You can move your arm now, yeah?” (Hao Win)

”Y, yes. It's all thanks to Mister Hao Win…” (Seol)

”Sure, sure. It's all good, all good. However….” (Hao Win)

The ends of Hao Win's lips quivered slightly. As a clearly slimy smile effused on the older man's face, Yi Surl-Ah couldn't help but form a deep frown.

”We've held up our side of the bargain, so…. It's your turn to keep your side of the promise, no?” (Hao Win)

”Of course.” (Seol)

”Oh, good. You see, I just wanted to make sure. I mean, if you somehow forgot, things might have gotten a bit troubling for both sides.” (Hao Win)

”You don't have to worry.” (Seol)

Seol confidently replied. He received a lot from them already, and he was planning to pay them back in full.

Too bad, that's just from Seol's perspective, though. The others, who weren't aware of the details, could only tilt their heads in confusion from those ambiguous words.

”Uhm, excuse me…. What promise are you talking about?” (Yi Surl-Ah)

And sure enough, Yi Surl-Ah took the bait.

”Oh, that….” (Seol)

”That's right, it's a promise.” (Hao Win)

Seol was about to explain himself, but Hao Win cut him off again.

”It's nothing much. Let's just say, it's kinda like we made a deal?” (Hao Win)

He said it was ”nothing”, yet the tone of his voice or the way he said it indicated otherwise.

”This friend here, I saw him running around like a headless chicken in the morning, you see? And I thought him working his b.u.t.t off like that didn't look so nice. So, like, after I heard his story, the good ol' me decided to lend a hand, so to speak.” (Hao Win)

”In, in that case….” (Yi Surl-Ah)

”He said, there's this la.s.s he needs to save, and that he needs 82,000 points for that. Keuh, so cool. So cool, I say! I was even moved to tears, so I had to ask my family to pitch in to meet that amount, you see!” (Hao Win)

”Y, your family?” (Yi Surl-Ah)

Yi Surl-Ah's dumbfounded gaze landed on Seol, but he could only look back at her without saying anything.

Because, what Hao Win said wasn't wrong, technically. It was true that Hao Win did go out of his way to help and revealed himself to be a unashamed romantic at heart - his own words. And also, one could refer to one's teammates as ”family”, too.

It's just that, because Hao Win's back was facing her, she couldn't see the facial expression on his face, which was a bit of shame, really.

”But, here's the thing, little lady. We ain't running a charity operation here, so like, we have reached a proper~ business agreement between us gentlemen. Know what I mean?” (Hao Win)

In an instant, the whole room became deathly quiet. Seeing Hao Win cackle like some sort of a cartoon villain in an apparent display of joy, certainly got on the nerves of almost everyone present.

”Oh well. For today, celebrate. Celebrate away, I say. But from tomorrow onwards….” (Hao Win)

When he intentionally blurred the ends of his sentence, the unsettling atmosphere got heavier.

”In any case, you've got a lot~ of work to do. I'm sure you know very well that you gotta work hard to keep my family safe and sound, yeah?” (Hao Win)

That was also true. Delphine's team did want Seol's overwhelming attacking prowess, after all. And it was common sense for a Warrior to take to the frontlines.

”I know. I'll see you tomorrow morning.” (Seol)

”Very good. I shall get out of your hair now…. Oh, right.” (Hao Win)

Hao Win turned around to leave, before turning back again to face Yun Seo-Rah as if he just remembered something. She wasn't a dummy - no, on the contrary, she was incredibly sharp. As if she had sensed what was going on, the seriousness on her expression was clear to see.

”Before I go, I should say my thanks first. Your name's Yun Seo-Rah, right? Thanks a bunch.” (Hao Win)

”….What do you mean?” (Yun Seo-Rah)

Her voice was sharp enough to cut human flesh, but Hao Win simply cackled on.

”All thanks to you, la.s.s, the number one man in the Neutral Zone has landed in my hands, you see!” (Hao Win)

Hao Win theatrically mimicked grabbing and fondling motions with his fingers and ominously laughed out.

It was only then Seol realised something was very off, but before he could respond, Hao Win's rough hands violently grabbed his collars.

”A word of advice. Don't even think about running away. If we don't get back our investment here, then we'll get it back in the Paradise. If not, then well, we'll just get it when we're back on Earth.” (Hao Win)

Seol was going to query what the heck was this all about, but once more…

”Oh, well…. I haven't met a fool who did that after hearing the name of the Triads before, so….” (Hao Win)

Hao Win released Seol's collars, leaned in closer, and winked at him. With a refres.h.i.+ng smile on his face, he strode right past the confused and stunned Seol. Soon enough, the noise of the door closing was heard.

Seol fixed his clothes and let off a soft sigh. Not only was that man noisy, he was also quite indecipherable sometimes, as well.

In any case, today was the day for celebration. Yun Seo-Rah needed a few more days of recuperation, but by healing her arm, Seol certainly did wonders for Kim Hahn-Nah's reputation. Now that the most difficult task was over, the rest should be comparatively easy as pie.

Conveniently enough, it was now around dinner time. Seol was about to suggest that they should enjoy a feast to celebrate Yun Seo-Rah's recovery, but then….

….He couldn't help but fall into a deep confusion.

The complexions of both Yi Surl-Ah and Yi Sung-Jin were poor. They stood around like a pair of statues, gazing at Seol with eyes rapidly moistening up.

”Actually, I…. thought it was strange….” (Yi Surl-Ah)

”Eh?” (Seol)

”Just how…. You were able to gather so much points in such a short time…. I was so curious….” (Yi Surl-Ah)

Her halting words were wet with emotions.

”All…. All because of us….” (Yi Surl-Ah)

As if all strength abandoned her legs, Yi Surl-Ah suddenly plopped down on the floor. And finally, from her reddening eyes, thick tear drops began pouring out. Now in panic mode, Seol hurriedly waved his hands around in denial.

”No, no!! Wait a minute!! You guys are misunderstanding something!” (Seol)

”It's a m, misunderstanding?” (Yi Surl-Ah)

”That's right!” (Seol)

”But, you had to borrow the points, no?” (Yi Surl-Ah)

”But, uh, that….” (Seol)

Seol became rather speechless. Well, it was true that he did borrow the points. Suddenly, he didn't know where to even begin his explanation. However, as soon as Yi Surl-Ah's elegantly defined facial features began crumbling and soft sniffling noises came from her nose, Seol couldn't help but hurriedly blurt out.

”I didn't borrow a lot, though! I already took care of the 82,000 points, and they just added a few more so I can get a couple of equipment for myself, you know? I'll be able to make that up through a handful of missions.” (Seol)

”R, really?” (Yi Surl-Ah)

”Of course!” (Seol)

”But, he said you fell into his hands….” (Yi Surl-Ah)

”He was just messing around. I'm telling you, you don't have to worry. Really.” (Seol)

”But, what about you meeting up tomorrow morning…?” (Yi SUrl-Ah)

”Seriously now, it's nothing to worry about. I've joined his party, that's all. They needed my strength, so we're going to carry out missions together.” (Seol)

It was at this point where Yi Surl-Ah completely broke down and cried even harder.

He had to use his body to get those points - that was how she took it, no matter how hard Seol tried to explain. She made up her mind simply through the actions of Hao Win.

'It's all because of me!' (Yi Surl-Ah)

The orabeo-nim, who was better than anyone in this place, had fallen so far to become nothing more than a meat s.h.i.+eld, all because she had to flap her gums so insolently. The cras.h.i.+ng tidal wave of guilt forced even more tears out from her eyes.

Since Seol had no idea of such dark thoughts taking nest in her head, all he could do was crumple to the floor, his soul abandoning him. The whole thing was like a lightning striking him out of the blue.

'But, why?!' (Seol)

The more he tried to pacify her, telling her that everything was okay, Yi Surl-Ah seemed to cry more and more.

”H, hey, Yi Sung-Jin….?” (Seol)

Seol s.h.i.+fted his gaze over to Yi Sung-Jin, wanting to egg him to do something about his sister, but the story for the Yi boy wasn't any better. His head was lowered, his sight fixed to the ground, and his fists were tightly clenched and trembling - perhaps in rage.

'What's the matter with him now?' (Seol)

Seol's neck creaked noisily like a rusted machinery as he turned his head around.

Yun Seo-Rah was in the middle of wordlessly staring at Seol. When their gazes met, she flinched grandly and hurriedly avoided him, and then began glaring at the poor bed sheets.

It was the first time Seol saw such a display of raw emotion from a girl who always seemed taciturn and disinterested from the short time he had known her.

However, he felt a sense of deja vu when even Yun Seo-Rah began biting her lower lip.

”Sob…”

Yun Seo-Rah couldn't hold back anymore, and she too began crying. She covered her face with those thin pair of hands, and her shoulders began quivering ever so gently.

”I'm…. I'm sorry….” (Yun Seo-Rah)

She quietly sobbed, and after seeing her like that, Seol could only glare at the ceiling in helplessness.

'That guy, really….' (Seol)

On a day well-suited for celebration, the whole room became a sea of wails, instead.

On the other hand, as the multiple choruses of crying escaped from the room, Hao Win let off a long smoke out from his lips as he leaned against the door, his arms across his chest. Now that his work was done, he flung the dying b.u.t.t of the cigarette away and moved on.

The expression on his face as he climbed down the stairs was one of satisfaction.

He sniffed and wiped his nose once while slowly nodding his head.

'Yup, humans are emotional animals.' (Hao Win)

The following morning.

Unable to win against the sorrowful atmosphere of his quarters, Seol made his escape at early dawn. He decided to get his gear ready in time for the meeting later in the morning.

'Let's see…. The remaining points are….' (Seol)

….14,780 points, although he gave 600 away for his guests and their meals for the day, so now, 14,180 remained. Yi Surl-Ah completely refused to take the points, but when he used Yun Seo-Rah's recuperation as the excuse, she took them with thick tears in her eyes.

'What should I buy?' (Seol)

Normally, the pricing of defensive equipment started from around 1000 points. Since they were designed to keep you alive for as long as possible, they were naturally quite expensive.

After entering the store, Seol looked around hesitantly, before an Asian maid discovered him and trotted to his position. She was a cute girl with braided hair.

”h.e.l.lo there~! What brings you here today?” (the maid)

”I came to buy defensive gear.” (Seol)

Hng~. The maid swept her gaze over Seol and nodded her head.

”What is your allotted budget?” (the maid)

”It's around 14,000 points….” (Seol)

”Since you're a Gold Mark, you get 30% discount! So, we can budget you for around 20,000 points, yes?” (the maid)

'She knows who I am?' (Seol)

Seol stared blankly for a bit, before asking her.

”By any chance, do I also get the first-place discount as well?” (Seol)

The maid smiled refres.h.i.+ngly.