Chapter 172

After leaving Ha Yul’s hospital room and sitting on a chair waiting, Charis started talking to me.

“… Unexpected.”

“… What do you mean?”

“Just everything you did this time.”

“…..”

“Honestly, I thought you were human trash, but it seems you have some feelings after all?”

‘Damn, isn’t that too harsh?’

Being directly insulted like that, I couldn’t even try to put on a good face.

“Hey, isn’t that too harsh? Calling someone trash right to their face…”

“That’s why I said ‘I thought you were trash.'”

‘Sigh…’

Sometimes when Charis acts like this, I feel like telling her off, but since I’ve done things to her, I usually just let it slide.

She knows that too, which is why she acts this way towards me.

‘Ugh… just let it go.’

While I was having some naughty thoughts, Charis kicked me lightly with her foot and spoke up.

“By the way, when are you going to give me that vacation?”

“Vacation?”

“Ha, you already forgot?”

‘Ah.’

Come to think of it, I had forgotten about promising Charis a vacation.

“Haha… Of course, I remember. How could I forget?”

“… Seems like you forgot, but I’ll let it slide. Anyway, give me the vacation you promised. I worked hard too.”

Well, since Ha Yu-ri’s issue is resolved, there’s no urgent need for Charis, so I answered.

“Then take a break starting tomorrow. There’s not much going on in the clan anyway. No, if you want to start today, go ahead. You don’t have much to do anyway.”

At my answer, Charis’s face brightened.

“Really? No take-backs?”

“Yes, yes.”

Clunk.

The sound of the door opening, and Ha Yu-ri came out of Ha Yul’s hospital room.

Judging by her face, she seemed to have composed herself somewhat.

“… How’s your sister?”

“… She’s asleep. She probably needs some rest.”

“Of course. It would be strange if she were fine.”

It’s only natural that Ha Yul needs rest.

Aside from the mental shock, her body has also been modified by Rekalux. It’s definitely different from her original body, so it will take time to adjust.

Ha Yu-ri shifted her gaze from me to Charis and bowed her head in gratitude.

“Charis, thank you for your help. I mean it.”

“……”

Even Charis, who’s always snappy, seemed to know it wasn’t the time for that and stayed silent.

“… Well, as long as you’re grateful.”

“If you ever need my help, just say the word. I’ll help with anything.”

“Then do something about this guy. Set me free.”

At Charis’s words, Ha Yu-ri laughed awkwardly and replied.

“That’s… I’m in the same boat, so I can’t help you with that… Ahaha…”

Charis probably just threw that out as a joke. Knowing Ha Yu-ri’s situation, it was likely just a casual remark.

“Fine. I got my vacation anyway, so I’m going to enjoy some freedom now. You two can figure things out on your own.”

With that, Charis left immediately.

‘Did she leave to give us some privacy?’

Or maybe, contrary to my thoughts, she just wanted to make the most of her hard-earned vacation.

‘Well, whatever…’

… Being left alone with Ha Yu-ri felt awkward.

I had already asked about her sister, and there wasn’t much else to say, so I stayed silent for a moment until she spoke up.

“… Hey.”

“… Speak.”

She seemed hesitant and fidgety, like a puppy, which made her look even more like one.

Ha Yu-ri glanced at me while looking at the floor, then knelt down.

‘What the…?’

Of course, I was taken aback by the situation.

“… Tha, thank you.”

“Why are you doing this? What’s with the sudden…”

I understood she was grateful for helping her sister, but kneeling out of nowhere was really confusing.

“… Don’t, don’t feel burdened. I’m doing this because I’m grateful, really.”

“Wait… get up first. What are you…”

I had to stop mid-sentence because Ha Yu-ri bowed her head to the ground.

And she even placed both hands neatly under her head.

“Really… really thank you. For saving me, and my sister. Really… sniff…”

‘No…’

I knew I shouldn’t be thinking this in front of Ha Yu-ri, but the scene was oddly strange.

A woman kneeling and bowing respectfully in front of a sturdy man.

It was bound to feel weird.

Especially since I was sitting on a chair, and Ha Yu-ri was positioned between my legs.

‘Damn it.’

It seems my mental state has been off lately.

When I first came to Eras, everything was fine, but at some point, my emotions and mood started to go haywire.

“I don’t know… how I can repay you. How to repay this debt…”

And for some reason, my eyes kept drifting to her outfit, which was unusually revealing compared to usual.

‘Crazy bastard.’

I shook my head while Ha Yu-ri couldn’t see me, trying to shake off the thoughts, and then spoke.

“… Enough. What debt? I told you from the start, it was all calculated help.”

“……”

“So get up. Why do you keep kneeling every chance you get?”

“… Because the only thing I can do, or give you, is to fuel your sense of superiority.”

“… What?”

“Doesn’t it feel good? Ha Yu-ri, the proud Ice Witch of the Mardan Clan, willingly kneeling and submitting to you.”

“What are you…”

I suddenly felt the atmosphere shift.

If there’s such a thing as control over the mood, it felt like Ha Yu-ri had taken it.

Even though I was the one looking down at her.





“Do you really not want anything from me? That’s not true, is it?”

“That’s… I said it’s the power of military strength and the clan…”

“Why are you deceiving yourself? I can see it in your eyes…”

‘…..’

“You know what? Every time I subtly fuel your sense of superiority, you make this face that looks like you’re enjoying it.”

‘What?’

Unconsciously, I touched the corner of my mouth at Ha Yu-ri’s words.

“Sigh…”

“Now you get it, right? You said yourself you’re not a good person. Just accept yourself a little.”

There was a strange desire in Ha Yu-ri’s eyes.

“I’m not blaming you. How can anyone be purely good? Everyone has their honest desires and dark sides.”

“…..”

Ever since that day with Wi Ho-yeon, it feels like something in me has come loose.

No, even now, this excuse is just blaming Wi Ho-yeon.

After all, I, as a human, am fundamentally flawed.

“… So?”

“… Huh?”

I thought the expression I was making now probably didn’t look good to others.

“I clearly told you I wouldn’t ask for anything else from you, but are you saying that besides being the Ice Witch and the Mardan Clan, you can do anything for me?”

Ha Yu-ri swallowed hard and answered.

“…. Yes.”

“Whatever it may be?”

“…. Yes.”

‘Crazy woman.’

I couldn’t understand why Ha Yu-ri was willingly jumping into hellfire.

“Think carefully. Honestly, helping your sister wasn’t for this purpose at all. But you’re the one pushing it, aren’t you?”

In a way, it’s a dirty excuse. Just shifting the responsibility onto Ha Yu-ri.

“… Yes, that’s right.”

Yet, even knowing that, Ha Yu-ri agreed.

“Sigh…”

Strangely, Ha Yu-ri’s face looked flushed. She also seemed to notice the sudden change in my demeanor.

Without realizing it, I lifted her chin with one hand and met her gaze, just like when I turned her into a drug offender.

“Eek…”

She flinched at my sudden touch.

“… You.”

All sorts of thoughts ran through my mind. No, should I call it a dilemma?

‘… Sigh, crazy bastard.’

Only when I met Ha Yu-ri’s trembling eyes did I come to my senses.

It felt like someone had poured cold water over my head.

I let go of her chin and spoke.

“… Instructor Ha Yu-ri, you should go in now.”

“… Huh?”

As my heated tone turned calm, Ha Yu-ri seemed confused.

“What are you sighing for? Anyway, I get your feelings, but there’s no need to go that far. If you really want to repay me, buy me a meal later or something.”

“Ah…”

Ha Yu-ri looked utterly bewildered.

‘She’ll be fine with time.’

Given some time, both Ha Yu-ri and I will clear our heads.

“I’ll come to check on your sister every few days, so don’t spout nonsense like this again. What’s with the trembling and fear…”

“Ah… no, that’s not it. I wasn’t scared…”

“I’ll take my leave now. Take good care of your sister, and contact me if anything happens.”

“Ah…”

… And just like that, I left the Mardan Clan.

******

Right after Lee Yun-seong left, Ha Yu-ri sat down in a daze.

“……”

Ha Yu-ri recalled the desire-filled eyes that had been reflected in hers just moments ago.

The gaze that had meticulously scanned every part of her.

‘Why…’

She couldn’t understand why he had suddenly regained his composure.

His eyes had clearly lost their reason. The eyes that had opened due to her provocation.

She had put a lot of effort into understanding his psychological and emotional state.

When she fueled his sense of superiority, he would make this subtle expression that seemed like he was enjoying it. It was one of the characteristics she had noticed about him.

Others probably wouldn’t be able to tell. Because he suppresses his emotions and feelings to an extreme degree.

Honestly, it was quite a struggle to figure it out.

‘… It was almost done.’

She hadn’t planned to rush things like this.

Originally, she had intended to slowly draw him in, but she was genuinely grateful for everything he had done and for saving her sister, so it was an impulsive action.

And above all, setting aside other thoughts, she just wanted to hold onto him in some way.

‘Sigh…’

It was true that she was scared by the change in his attitude due to her provocation.

‘Stupidly… I couldn’t hide that fear…’

In that moment, she couldn’t hide her fear, and he noticed, suppressing his instincts.

“Sigh…”

She let out a sigh and stood up.

She didn’t know if she would get another chance, but she thought it was too early to give up.

The best way to approach him, as she thought, was to get close without giving him any sense of responsibility or burden.

At first, she didn’t know. But as she watched him from the side, she realized.

He avoids taking responsibility.

It’s not that he’s cowardly. It’s more like he tries to avoid situations where he has to take responsibility.

‘In other words, I can’t ask him to take responsibility for me.’

She shouldn’t approach him with a heavy relationship. She needs to be recognized as someone who doesn’t burden him.

If she covets a heavy position from him, she feels like she won’t even be able to stay by his side.