Chapter 21

21.

Lee Seong-han collapsed, blood scattering everywhere. It was because of the massive blade embedded in his abdomen.

“Is he dead? R-really?”

Kang Jin-young steadied her ragged breathing. The sight before her was unbelievable.

It had been exactly 5 minutes and 32 seconds since Lee Seong-han’s movements stopped.

Continuing the fight any longer was impossible.

‘Act like a professional. He’s still alive. He can’t die.’

Kang Jin-young thought.

Though not perfect, she had fought the Hatchling one-on-one.

How could he die?

He was a fool who would throw away his own life to save others. Just like when they first met.

Would the heavens really take such a talent away so easily?

‘He’s mine. Mine. I won’t give him to anyone.’

Kang Jin-young steeled her heart.

Even if he breaks, it doesn’t matter. If he dies, I’ll just bring him back.

No matter who shatters him or steals him away.

I’ll just stitch him back together.

[Kang Jin-young’s ‘Mental Barrier’ responds to mental instability.]

“First, that bastard.”

Kang Jin-young chanted several spells in one breath.

“Lightning Strike!”

“Ice Spear!”

“Fireball!”

The target?

The Ronin Puppet, catching its breath.

Since an ally had shed blood, it was only right to return the favor.

[Kang Jin-young’s trait, ‘Double Magic,’ activates.]

Double Magic.

A normal mage can only chant one spell at a time. Any more, and their brain would fry. Common sense.

Kang Jin-young was different.

Double.

Triple.

Quadruple.

She could use any number of spells simultaneously.

Though the power was slightly reduced, it was better than her brain frying.

“Kill that bastard.”

Kang Jin-young flicked her hand.

Quantity over quality.

She unleashed a barrage of projectile spells like [Fireball], [Ice Spear], and [Lightning Strike].

“Kuh!”

The venomous spells.

They struck the Ronin Puppet one after another.

[The ‘Lone Swordsman’ is overwhelmed by the intense firepower.]

[HP 37%: ■■■□□□□□□□]

A massive explosion erupted as the spells hit.

The Ronin Puppet’s remaining health was drastically reduced.

While Lee Seong-han bought time.

She had reinforced her spells.

“Kuh!”

Whoosh───!

The Ronin Puppet used [Iaido], closing the distance to Kang Jin-young in an instant.

“Blink!”

If Kang Jin-young hadn’t teleported backward, it would have been within 3 meters.

If she had been just a few steps closer?

Her head would have flown off.

The blade aimed at Kang Jin-young, as if to pierce deeply.

A direct hit would mean instant death.

“Barri─”

As Kang Jin-young was deploying a defensive spell.

Clink!

“Tch.”

The Ronin Puppet charging at her with incredible speed.

So fast, it was hard to believe it was being controlled by strings.

Kang Jin-young fell to the ground.

The blade came down on her.

She twisted her body to the side.

Thud.

The ground caved in as the blade struck.

“Get off. You damn bastard!”

“Kuhhh!”

The Ronin Puppet properly mounted Kang Jin-young.

It tried to stab her heart with a reverse-grip sword.

“You’re not getting away that easily, you bastard.”

Kang Jin-young grabbed the blade.

Though there were differences in physical abilities among Awakened Ones, she had pushed her body to its limits by concentrating mana.

‘I have to hold on.’

Even as she clenched the blade, buying time, it was natural she was being overpowered.

An A-Rank Hunter. Not as strong as an S-Rank, but still one of Korea’s top-tier forces. And she was loaded with all sorts of buffs.

“Kuhhh.”

But the Ronin Puppet’s condition was strange.

Its hand holding the sword trembled, as if it was about to collapse. Its strength was fading.

“……Kuhhh.”

[The ‘Lone Swordsman’s’ strings are about to snap!]

It was as if its strength was being drained.

Just as Kang Jin-young’s energy was nearly exhausted, the strings binding the Ronin Puppet snapped with a ‘pop.’

[The ‘Lone Swordsman’ has been defeated.]

“Ugh!”

Kang Jin-young pushed the puppet off her. It was as heavy as the original. Someone staggered over from a distance.

“Seong-han?”

“Hahaha. I got it.”

Lee Seong-han awkwardly smiled, revealing his teeth.

He waved the strings with his still-intact right arm. The strings connected to the Ronin Puppet.

‘Is… is he still alive?’

Kang Jin-young carefully got up, catching her breath.

His arm was on the verge of being severed.

His entire body was drenched in blood.

A complete mess.

Kang Jin-young hated Lee Seong-han. Acting on his own again. And this time, it was way too dangerous.

‘……’

[Kang Jin-young’s obsession manifests.]

* * *

“I-I’m fine. Were you worried?”

Lee Seong-han approached Kang Jin-young, feeling something strange.

Korea’s top narcissist.

Number one in being loose-lipped!

Yet this woman was silent, as if her mouth was zipped shut.

Was it human pride? It was completely gone, replaced by dead eyes staring at him. It sent shivers down his spine.

“……”

“Uh, Jin-young?”

Kang Jin-young approached with a heavy presence.

She tightly hugged Lee Seong-han, drenched in blood.

Like a giant teddy bear.

[You have angered ‘Kang Jin-young.’]

‘Uh.’

Crack───

The sound of bones and flesh breaking.

A pain Lee Seong-han had never experienced before coursed through his body.

‘Block. Block. Block.’

[Since it’s a form of affection, the trait ‘Block’ is ineffective.]

Damn it.

Lee Seong-han awkwardly smiled, enduring the pain.

“Uh, I can’t breathe.”

“Shut up.”

A cold tone.

If he said more, she might really kill him.

She hugged him so tightly his clothes started to tear.

[You have triggered ‘Kang Jin-young’s’ possessiveness.]

[Kang Jin-young reveals her obsession with you.]

Lee Seong-han accidentally met Kang Jin-young’s gaze.

Cold blue light.

From what Lee Seong-han remembered, her eyes turned like that when she used her abilities.

‘What? Why is she using her skill now?’

Zap───!

[Essence Grasp Lv. Max]

[Inquiry Lv. Max]

[Memory Scanning Lv. Max]

…

…

…

[These skills may negatively affect favorability, so ‘Block’ removes their influence.]

[From now on, these skills cannot affect you.]

When her abilities didn’t work, Kang Jin-young clicked her tongue.

“Not working. I thought it might this time.”

She tilted her head.

She stayed close, inspecting each other’s wounds.

Her eyes burned. Like only ashes remained.

“Seong-han.”

“Yes. Agent─”

“Name.”

“…Yes, Jin-young.”

“Do you want me to dig through your memories?”

“N-no.”

“Why do you do such dangerous things, huh? Without even consulting me.”

Lee Seong-han avoided her gaze.

Because that was the plan.

‘Besides, Kang Jin-young. I can’t put her on the front lines.’

It was a perfect strategic blunder.

A physically weak mage on the front lines would just get sliced in half after casting a few spells.

“Look at me.”

“Sorry.”

“That’s an order. Look at me now.”

Snap!

“Look at me. Why do people keep ignoring me? Answer me. Why? Without even asking my thoughts.”

Lee Seong-han reluctantly met Kang Jin-young’s eyes.

There was no light.

A gaze as cold as ice.

It chilled him to the bone.

“I thought I had to protect you.”

“Would you die if someone told you to? For someone you don’t even know?”

“No.”

“You just did it again. Charging in despite the danger, half-dead.”

Crack───

Lee Seong-han, grabbed by the collar, let out a faint groan. His wounds stung.

The pain was gradually returning to normal.

“There’s a line for everything.”

“I know.”

“I have one too. A line in my heart. There’s a limit to how much I can care for someone. So why do you keep crossing it?”

Her pupils disappeared.

Like a corpse’s eyes, blank and lifeless.

｢Should I cut off your limbs?｣

Lee Seong-han felt a chill hearing her inner thoughts.

“Sorry. I’ll refrain from acting on my own from now on. For safe mission execution, I’ll follow the agent’s orders─”

“Name.”

“Huh?”

“Name.”

A murderous tone.

Her blue pupils turned purple.

“Call me by my name. Don’t use any other titles. I told you to call me by my name in front of others too. Is it that hard? It’s my job to protect you. What am I supposed to do if you act like this?”

Lee Seong-han lowered his head.

It was indeed too dangerous.

“Sorry.”

“If I’m alive, don’t you dare pull that crap again. Especially in front of my sister. I’ll really turn you into a cripple and stuff you in my office.”

She spoke coldly, smiling.

The atmosphere was like a thin layer of ice.

Like a funeral home.

Lee Seong-han had his own reasons to explain.

“This was the only way.”

“That’s why. Why do you act on your own? You should’ve at least said something.”

Kang Jin-young sharply replied.

She bit her lip.

She knew it too.

Fighting in such a cramped space was like battling a fully armored knight. Extreme measures were necessary.

Her trembling eyes.

They kept fluctuating, filled with mixed emotions.

“Sigh.”

A low sigh.

Kang Jin-young quietly released the strength in her hand.

“…I’m glad you’re alive.”

“Being alive is better.”

“Yeah. I don’t want to lose the National Intelligence Service’s lifelong talent, or rather, Korea’s best investment. Just follow my lead. Got it? Don’t overthink it.”

Kang Jin-young hugged him warmly.

｢Don’t die. Stay with me for a long, long time.｣

[You have unlocked ‘Kang Jin-young’s’ obsession.]

[Additional abilities are unlocked based on the bloomed trait.]

[Self-Rationalization]

– ‘Kang Jin-young’ will judge any negative actions she takes toward you as right, inevitable, and natural.

[Extreme Possessiveness]

– ‘Kang Jin-young’ will apply various psychological pressures to possess you.

“You look unhappy. Do you dislike it?”

“It’s the best!”

For now, just survive.

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