Chapter 94

As soon as I opened my eyes, I saw Leila.
She looks seriously conflicted. With a grunt, she moves her hand to the pile of fruit on the shelf.
“Ouch.”
That’s when our eyes met.
“Well, no, I was going to cut you a slice of apple because I thought you might be waking up.”
He coughs unnecessarily and pulls his hand back. The shrug is obvious.
“Then why don’t you cut me a break.”
“I see, just give me a minute!”
Chapter smiled as Leila grabbed the apple and guado and began to peel it with her tiny hands. Her enthusiasm was delightful to watch.
As I watched wordlessly, Leila lifted her head and smirked.
“What’s wrong?”
“No, I’m just a little surprised.”
“What?”
“I knew Hyun would be the first to check out his surroundings upon waking up.”
It made sense to me.
I used to spend almost every day like that, especially when I was out on missions. Even when I fell asleep in bed, I would lie in an uncomfortable position to avoid a good night’s sleep.
“But you don’t show it, because you’re focused on me.”
Leila snapped out of her thoughts.
“Does that mean I’m trusted by Mr. Hyun?”
The obvious.
Who Leila is: The person who saves you from the beginning and is always there for you. She’s the one who keeps on giving, even when some of the other agents have broken character.
“Players are the most reassuring.
There are some who question Leila’s humanity. “Isn’t that actually gaslighting?” They say, “The whole lab is acting to make the professor dependent on Leila.
It’s a joke, of course.
Even when Kim was no longer a professor, Leila was Leila.
“Sure.”
Leila’s eyes widen at my easy affirmation, but she soon drops her gaze in embarrassment. A croaky laugh was a bonus.
After a moment, she changed the subject.
“Oh, come to think of it, I didn’t have a contextualization yet.”
You place the plate with the apples on the shelf. Despite my clumsy hands, the peel had been neatly removed. This is because the peel was cut in such a way that even the flesh was not left behind.
“This is the hotel in Magnu where we were staying, and it’s been three days since then.”
“Three days.”
“Yes, sir. It’s a good thing, because we were all worried when Mr. Hyun didn’t open his eyes.”
Kim looked down at my body. Lightly dressed, though not in patient clothes. His wrists are ringed. Her left arm was completely wrapped in a sling.
“When did I lose my mind?
I can’t even remember straight. I guess that means I was pushed to the limit. I don’t think I’m pathetic, but rather I’m glad I survived. I pushed my body and mind like never before.
“Mr. Ainoa was also very concerned, and when he heard the news, he offered to treat me at Wangseong several times, but unfortunately I had to decline.”
I felt the stares.
Leila’s eyes were on Kim’s skin. Crystals have grown on the backs of her hands and neck. There is also a foreign sensation on her ankles, though it is not visible.
Most of the time, we don’t want to be seen.
They’re being considerate.
“How did the battle go, any survivors?”
“We somehow managed to evacuate, and we were lucky that it was small, or maybe we were unlucky that we were in the middle of a disaster.”
At least no agents died in the catastrophe.
“The soldiers… didn’t survive much.”
“Yes.”
As harsh as it may seem, Leila wasn’t as sullen as he was, more relieved that the agents were safe. Not everyone’s values were the same.
I have a bad feeling about this.
“If the military saw it, they’d think I’d blown my nose without touching it.
A troublesome group of private soldiers had been disrupted by an “unavoidable accident. They had revolutionized the military so much that they were forced to be treated as regular soldiers.
“Whatever.
It was of no concern to outsiders. The battle was over, one way or another. The Godmother would be forced to retreat. It would be up to Kushan to orchestrate things from here on out.
There’s more to it than that.
“Mr. Hyun.”
Leila said, her head pounding.
“Answer me one question, Mr. Hyun, what is your connection to the Legion?”
“What?”
“He used to be coy, and I never really pushed him, but after seeing his condition, I couldn’t.”
There was no accusation in her tone; her eyes held only concern.
“I don’t think you’re a mole for the Legion, quite the contrary, and if you had anything to do with them in the past, I’d like you to tell me, for Hyun’s sake.”
I feel warmth in my hands.
A feeling deeper than ordinary camaraderie. It’s not a male-female affection. Leila considers everyone in the lab, whether researchers or agents, to be family.
You know it. He realizes he’s on the fence. You feel some gratitude.
But there was only so much I could say.
“There is no such thing.”
“Are you sure?”
“I know this, I know that, and I have some animosity towards the Legion, but it’s not because I’ve been treated badly by them. It’s more complicated… I don’t know, for reasons I don’t really understand.”
We still don’t know what caused the Polaris to fall. I don’t even have a clue. I don’t have time to contemplate it. I don’t know if I’ll be a guest one day.
You have to live with it.
I don’t intend to confide in anyone until it’s clear one day. Even if I die without knowing what it is, this much hasn’t changed.
Leila saw the anguish in Kim’s frown. She considered the possibilities. Maybe she was suffering from some kind of amnesia, just like the professor.
“……I understand, but I want you to know this. I’m not doubting you, Mr. Hyun, because you saved our lives, you lent us your strength, and you care.”
“That’s easy for you to say.”
“We just have secrets from each other.”
We’ve talked about this before.
But it wasn’t quite the same conclusion.
“I think there’s a difference between someone you can trust and someone you can tell anything to.”
“Is that so?”
“If we had met and talked, it would have been more casual. I think the reason he’s so cautious is because he doesn’t see us as a ‘maybe’.”
I believe so,” Leila giggled.
“And one more thing, Mr. Hyun, you’ve been pushing yourself too hard lately! This time, we’re the ones who did the dirty deed, so I don’t have anything to say… but please cut us some slack. We’ll try.”
“Uh, uh, uh.”
“Health is wealth, Rosetta always says, and even if you work and save your ass off and become rich and famous in the future, how sad it would be to live in a hospital room.”
A barrage of nagging questions followed. Overwhelmed by the momentum, Kim just nodded.
“Sounds like a typical Yolo mindset.
It was a video of what happens when you catch a pod. He cares about his health as much as he cares about his agents. Moreover, I was at a loss for words.
‘I’ve definitely been on a bit of a roll since coming to Bastitera.
It was time for a break.
The Godmother has blown up an entire army. With Camellia dead, the Legion will be forced to be passive for a while.
There are no episodes where you need to get your hands dirty in a hurry. Of course, if you’re busy, you can get involved in the agents’ side stories, but too much of a good thing can kill you.
“I wouldn’t even say it’s very relaxed.
It was time to deal with an internal issue. I’m worried about a different direction from the main episode. I don’t feel comfortable coddling and appeasing people.
And I don’t think it’s going to be solved by asking.
“And Asterike?”
“What? Oh, that’s right…….”
The reaction that it’s hard to talk. I’m already anticipating a struggle.
* * *
I spent two more days in bed.
As far as she could tell, she was fine from the start, but Leila was the one who made her dry.
The Professor and Ghost are also told that the patient should go to sleep. Pablo and Chelsea giggled about how they were being told off for some reason, but were eventually reprimanded by Leila.
We stayed in the same hotel, and half the time other agents showed up. There was never a dull moment. It was also the first time I’d ever interacted with agents from the lab in private.
‘It was crazy, but I’m glad I took a break.
I recovered somewhat. My left arm didn’t seem to have any after-effects. It’s still in a cast, but I’ve been told that it will heal with good rest.
“Huh?”
As I walked into the lounge, I bumped into Rosetta. Her red hair disheveled. Her piercing eyes are dazed and unfocused. Her face is flushed.
It smells like alcohol.
“What the hell, you, man. You just got out, can I?”
“You look worse than I do. You’ve been drinking in broad daylight.”
“No? I mean, uh, yesterday… 11:00! I’ve been eating since then, since the night before. You don’t know that, do you? You think you’re so smart, hehe!”
Kim turned his head and checked the hallway clock. It was currently around 2 p.m. That means he’s been drinking for 15 hours.
You must be psychotic.
“You, you!”
Rosetta’s hands landed on Kim’s shoulders. Her eyes shot up at him. A groaning belch made me dizzy.
“Ahhhh! I like it. I don’t know, a man’s got to have, uhhhh, gumption. The Westcreek guy’s a meanie under a friendly exterior. The Pathfinder guy’s a slimeball. Castle Rock, eh? He’s a good-looking guy, but he’s a horror-movie wimp.”
Click, click!
He taps you on the shoulder and starts talking.
I was lucky that my right arm was the only part of my body that was still intact. I don’t know if he had any brains left to recognize it, or if it was just a 50 percent chance.
That’s when a man as big as a mountain appeared behind Rosetta’s back.
“……I’m sorry for being a dick.”
“Yeah, fuck life, you gotta know how to play when you’re playing!”
Unsurprised, Rosetta turned and glared at Castle Rock, the truth like a painting. Castle Rock sighed as he watched with bored eyes.
“I get it. It’s not supposed to be like this… hmm.”
He thought for a moment, then corrected himself.
“This is how she is. I think she stepped in shit.”
“It’s a lot of work.”
“It’s a pitiful state of affairs, and as long as there’s an agreement, it’s going to be a pitiful state of affairs.”
The bitter smile on his lips quickly softened.
“I know it sounds weird coming from someone who hasn’t even been to the hospital, but it’s hard to take the time to watch a kid who’s obviously going to be an embarrassment to the patient.”
“What are you doing, you son of a bitch, come out here and see me, yes, I’ll give you a very! I’m gonna give you a muksabal!”
“I’d like to see that, that would be fun to watch.”
I didn’t care for him because he’s a guy and he’s not particularly good at anything, but he’s become more likable.
“Right, now that you mention it.
Suddenly, a question popped into my head. The timing was perfect.
“Is that, is that the kind of relationship you have?”
Kim alternately pointed to the two. Not the malicious woo worms, but the rice cakes that are often talked about in the community. Castle Rock was often shown complaining but taking good care of Rosetta.
However, as far as he knew, there was no official setting. Even though they were both government officials in the main episode, their relationship didn’t progress, and many users wondered what happened between them.
Kim was one of them, and I wanted to hear their side of the story, so I asked, and Castle Rock’s expression quickly turned sour.
“What the hell are you looking at…….”
“Huh? What are you talking about, whoops!”
Rosetta grabbed Castle Rock’s arm. Her face contorted. Gradually, Castle Rock’s complexion turned a deep shade of blue. Meanwhile, Kim, anticipating a disaster, immediately distanced himself.
It was a wise decision.
“Gooooooooooooooo!”
“Holy shit…!”
Your clothes are stained with filth. Castle Rock’s gaze has turned vicious, as if he could kill a man. His clenched fists tremble.
But it didn’t take long for the energy to drain from my body.
“Ha, I’ll have to punch him while he’s sober.”
He mumbles something and looks at Kim in disbelief.
“Does that answer your question?”
“That, hmm. I’m sorry.”
That’s all I could say.
“Excuse me, I made an ugly mess. I’ll clean it up.”
“……It’s a pain in the ass, man.”
“Thanks for noticing.”
Kim ducked into the lounge as if to escape. Castle Rock’s bitter expression bothered her, but she didn’t want to get involved any further. No more annoying backstabbing.
The inside of the lounge I’d taken refuge in was pretty bad, too.
There are liquor bottles everywhere. Not surprising. This is where Rosetta had been drinking for 15 hours straight, and she wouldn’t have done it alone.
In the corner, Chelsea was half slumped over the table, munching on her appetizer. As I sat down across from her, she slowly looked up.
“Hey, boss, are you feeling better?”
“I can move. Why are you stuck on your own?”
“Not really, I just don’t know anyone personally.”
“Ah.”
Outside of the game, life at Chelsea is a tight-knit group. Kim himself is of the mindset that if he has time to chat, it’s constructive to train.
“I’m not asking you to care, don’t get me wrong, I’m comfortable with this.”
“Then why bother with the hustle and bustle.”
“I don’t want to talk, but maybe you want to hear it, like a radio.”
“You know what. I see what you mean.”
It’s like having the internet on when you’re on vacation and it’s quiet. But that doesn’t mean I’m intrusive, so Chelsea pushes me along with plenty of water and a kettle.
I asked, chewing on a piece of dried fruit.
“How’s Asterike?”
“You’re so sweet, man. Does it bother you that much?”
“Of course, I brought him.”
“Accountability, or something.”
He nods, then lets out a snort.
“It’s the same, you’re stuck in your room, asking how the boss is doing, but you’re too scared to actually meet him. I get what you’re thinking, but ….”
Chelsea scratched her scalp nervously.
“Originally, I was rooting for Mr. Asterique, but I’m starting to wonder if this is right. He’s too young, or should I say, too twisted.”
“Hmm.”
“As long as you’re the boss, everything else is good, which is kind of the opposite of being the boss.”
She was living a life of self-sufficiency until she was picked up by Kim. She was given clothes to wear, food to eat, a place to rest and a job to do.
I sigh when I think of how badly Asterike’s sense of value has deteriorated. A convenient use of her power, one might say.
“What are you going to do? If you don’t mind staying the way you are, it’s just a matter of words.”
“I don’t really want to do that.”
It’s not often that you’re forced to borrow Asterique’s power, as you were with Kilikia. Her presence wouldn’t have made much of a difference in the outcome.
If you want to use me as a tool, that’s fine, but if you want to treat me as a lover and a coworker, I don’t know. Given our relationship so far, I’d like to keep her sane.
“I can think of a way.”
The means to foster independence have been around for a long time.
“I’m going to have to bring him in sooner or later.
With someone to care for comes responsibility, and their chemistry has already been proven in the game. Maybe it will be easier than expected.
If you have any other issues, please contact…….
“When is this ever going to end?
From the moment I woke up, there was a phrase that made its presence felt in the corner of my vision.
[Calculate the damage rate for the scenario].
[Now Loading…….]
Kim was convinced.
At the end of the day, when the tally is complete, we’ll have reached 4 stars.