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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Chaos
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‘What the hell is going on?’
I looked around and saw a pool of blood on the floor.
My hand and wrist, where Eve’s ring was, were covered in it.
‘Did she…?’
Did she get so excited that she sucked not only my cum but also my blood?
I chuckled, and Choi Ah-hyun shouted.
“He’s awake!”
“What?! Pour more!”
“Okay!”
Splash!
Cold potion splashed over my head.
It must have been straight from the fridge.
I jolted awake.
“I’m up, so stop…”
“He’s talking!”
“It’s working! Pour more!”
“Okay!”
Splash!
“I said I’m awake, you crazy bitches!”
“More! Pour it until he dies!”
“Okay!”
“Goddammit!”
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, they calmed down.
Apparently, Han Yuri had gone to the hospital to pick me up, but I hadn’t answered her calls.
Then she’d come to the dorm and found my door locked.
She’d called my name, but I hadn’t responded.
A sense of dread had washed over her, and she’d broken down the door.
And there I was, lying in a pool of blood.
With blood on my wrist, they’d thought I’d tried to kill myself.
“Give me that defective ring. I’m going to burn it.”
“No, it was just an accident.”
“Accident my ass! What if it sucks all your blood while you’re sleeping?! You’ll regret it when you’re dead! I’ll get you a better weapon, so just give it to me.”
Seriously?
“I agree with Yuri. But it feels wrong to throw away a gift.”
“Not you too, Ah-hyun…”
“Hmm… I know! Let’s do this!”
Judge Choi Ah-hyun’s verdict:
“If this happens again, you have to use a different weapon. Keep the ring stored away. Yuri, is that okay with you?”
“Fine… but…”
Han Yuri still looked dissatisfied.
She chewed on her lip, then…
“Whatever. Do what you want.”
She stormed out.
“Thanks, Ah-hyun.”
“Hehe. This is what a devoted wife does! Right?”
Devoted wife, my ass.
Anyway, another crisis averted.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
My first day back at the Academy after being trapped in the dungeon.
Despite my absence, my reputation as a troublemaker remained intact.
I ignored their stares and entered the classroom.
Kim Ji-hoon greeted me with a grin.
“Hey, Lee Seong-hyun! You could have at least called your hyung when you got out of the hospital. I’m hurt.”
“I did call, you asshole. You ignored me.”
“Ahem. I was… busy.”
Probably with a girl.
“Here, a get-well-soon and apology gift. Your favorite flavor!”
Mint chocolate chip ice cream.
“I’ll forgive you because of this.”
We went to the back of the classroom, eating our ice cream.
Lee Seol and Choi Ah-hyun were chatting.
“Hyeon-ah, you’re here?”
“Hey, Seong-hyun.”
“Hey.”
Another day had begun.
At first, I’d been shocked by Lee Seol sitting next to me.
But humans are adaptable creatures.
Now, I could even fall asleep with her beside me.
“Hyeon-ah… Hyeon-ah… wake up.”
Nope. Not happening.
“Time for this!”
Choi Ah-hyun pinched my thigh.
Her little hands couldn’t even scratch me.
Sweet slumber.
I felt like I’d finally outsmarted Irena.
I drifted off to dreamland.
And I would come to regret it.
The next day.
Three minutes before class.
I leaned back in my chair, ready for a nap, when…
“Hyeon-ah, want to try this?”
“Huh?”
Lee Seol held out a small pill.
“What is it?”
“An energy supplement. You seemed exhausted yesterday, probably from being trapped in the dungeon.”
“Oh… thanks.”
A minty flavor filled my mouth.
I felt more awake.
And Lee Seol’s strange behavior continued.
I was just about to doze off when…
“…”
…I felt someone interlock their fingers with mine.
I opened my eyes.
“Hehe. Finally awake…”
Lee Seol was holding my hand, smiling.
Her hand was soft and warm, sending shivers down my spine.
I tried to pull away, but…
“No, it’s working right now.”
“Working? What’s working?”
She separated our hands slightly and showed me what she was holding.
A small, fingernail-shaped talisman.
“It’s a talisman that increases health regeneration. Dad made it for me. It only works when I’m holding hands with someone.”
“I’m fine, really. I don’t need it…”
“Liar.”
Her eyes met mine.
A distant look, the same look she’d given me when I’d broken my promise about the fireworks.
“You’ve been falling asleep all day.”
“That’s because…”
“You haven’t fully recovered from being trapped in the dungeon. And it’s my fault you were trapped there, so let me help you.”
‘I don’t need your help, dammit!’
I spent the entire class wide awake.
Finally, break time arrived.
I immediately pulled my hand away and rushed to the bathroom to wash it with soap.
When I returned to the classroom…
“Hyeon-ah, have some of this.”
“What is it now…?”
Lee Seol was pouring something into a cup.
“Herbal medicine.”
“…”
The dark liquid looked like poison.
“Here.”
She offered me the cup.
I took it and glanced around. Everyone was watching us, amused.
‘I’m so screwed.’
The situation was spiraling out of control.
That evening, during dinner, Han Yuri casually asked,
“Are you taking some kind of tonic these days?”
“No. Why?”
“You smell like herbal medicine.”
“…”
Lee Seol had force-fed me so much that I actually smelled like it.
Choi Ah-hyun, sensing my discomfort, chimed in.
“Seol’s been taking care of Seong-hyun because he keeps falling asleep in class. She’s been giving him all sorts of things, like that health regeneration talisman and energy supplements.”
“Hmm… is that so?”
Han Yuri’s eyes narrowed.
She spoke calmly.
“By the way, I’m going to start attending classes tomorrow.”
“Huh? I thought you were going to study on your own?”
“I’m stuck on a few things.”
“Yay! That means our whole team will be there! We’ll get more credits!”
Choi Ah-hyun cheered, while Han Yuri seemed lost in thought.
And I was…
…dreading tomorrow.
The next day.
The classroom buzzed with excitement at the sight of Han Yuri, Choi Ah-hyun, and me all present.
“What? They’re all here?”
“Wow. The world must be ending.”
“I should go buy some stocks.”
We made our way through the commotion and saw Lee Seol already standing up.
“Hyeon-ah… oh? Yuri, what are you doing here?”
“Just… I was getting bored studying alone.”
“Ah… I see…”
“…”
“…”
Lee Seol’s uncharacteristic silence.
They just stared at each other, and Choi Ah-hyun stepped in.
“Okay, okay, Yuri, let’s go. I’ll even give you my prime seat!”
“Thanks.”
Now there were four of us in the back row.
Choi Ah-hyun, Han Yuri, me, and Lee Seol.
I’d thought Lee Seol would leave me alone since I hadn’t fallen asleep yesterday.
I was wrong.
She was even more insistent today.
Ginseng for my joints and back, candy to reduce muscle fatigue… I’d lost count of how much she’d given me.
“Here, Hyeon-ah. This juice purifies your blood.”
“…”
I stared at it, with my stomach already full.
Han Yuri spoke up.
“He doesn’t want it. Just stop.”
“Hyeon-ah, do you not want it?”
Lee Seol stared at me, with a gentle smile on her face.
But her eyes… they held a predatory glint.
Like she would pounce if I dared to refuse.
I had to say something.
This couldn’t continue. I was going to die from stress.
I opened my mouth to speak, but…
“He said he’s fine.”
“What the hell are you talking about? He didn’t say anything!”
Han Yuri’s voice rose, and…
“Ahem!”
…Irena called for order.
“Tsk.”
Han Yuri turned away, annoyed.
An uncomfortable silence.
After being reprimanded, Lee Seol stopped offering me things.
Class ended, and as soon as Irena left…
Slam!
“Yuri!”
Han Yuri stormed out of the classroom, with her fists clenched.
‘This is a mess…’
Choi Ah-hyun ran after her, and I got up as well.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Han Yuri didn’t return until sunset.
Remembering the D-rank test fiasco, I called her, and she sent a text:
[Bitch: I’m getting some fresh air.]
At least she hadn’t run away.
I told Choi Ah-hyun, who was pacing anxiously.
“She said she’s getting some fresh air.”
“Thank god. I almost had a PTSD flashback…”
We’d both been traumatized by that incident.
“I’m tired. I’m going to bed. You should too.”
“Okay, Seong-hyun. Good night!”
Back in my room, I glanced at Eve, glowing faintly on my index finger.
‘About a week left.’
The cooldown from being forced out of Eve’s mindscape.
I’d planned to focus on awakening Eve, but now I had to deal with the situation at school.
I lay down, and sleep claimed me instantly.
The tension I’d been carrying all day finally eased.
I don’t know how long I’d been asleep when…
…I was woken by a rustling sound in my room.
‘Is it Ah-hyun…?’
She sometimes came in to borrow things.
But the rustling continued.
And then…
…I felt Eve slip off my finger.
Then I felt a sharp pain in my left arm.
I opened my eyes.
“What the hell are you doing…?”
Han Yuri was implanting a chip in my arm.
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