Chapter 236

EP.236 The Second Collapse

The machine that the doctor showed great interest in was a medical device.

Upon examining it closely, the doctor felt as if she had gained a new perspective.

It was clearly a masterpiece infused with the essence of futuristic science. Who on earth could have made this?

It was two or three steps ahead of the devices used at headquarters.

As the doctor inspected various parts of the machine, she couldn’t close her mouth at Sehwa’s words.

“This was made by Marcella.”

“M-Marcella made this…?”

“Yes.”

To create such high-tech devices at such a young age…

If she was that smart, why did she ask me about futuristic science?

To mock me? Or to test my level?

No, most of Marcella’s questions were about futuristic weapons.

It was clear she didn’t have much knowledge in that area.

The doctor looked around with Sehwa at various items.

Most of the machines used here were on par with those in the laboratory.

All of them were machines made by Marcella, especially the camouflage and jamming technology, which were extraordinary.

To the point where no one could catch up.

‘So that’s why this place hasn’t been discovered…’

The doctor envisioned a future working with Marcella.

What if I managed the weapons, and Marcella managed other areas, and we had various discussions?

Just imagining it made her excited.

Collaborating with an excellent scientist, regardless of enemies, was that thrilling.

After a long time of just visually inspecting the machines, the doctor said,

“I think I’ll stop looking… If I keep looking, I might want to start working.”

“You could just work.”

“Huh…?”

“I wish… you would work for us… no, for me.”

“For… you…?”

Working for Sehwa?

Thinking about it made her heart race.

She wasn’t sure if it was excitement in a positive way or a negative way.

Sehwa, who was gently stroking the doctor’s cheek, smiled softly.

“I’m not forcing you. I have no intention of guiding you with strange words. I just wish you would.”

“Ah… okay…”

“Now, shall we go for a walk? The weather is better than yesterday, so we can enjoy the fresh air for a long time. Just bundle up.”

“Don’t leave me behind under the pretext of testing like last time.”

“I won’t do that again. I felt so guilty back then… I truly regretted it. I still do.”

Sehwa, sounding genuinely sorry, began to gently stroke the doctor’s waist.

The doctor’s face turned red, and her legs trembled.

She remembered the embarrassing incident in the room.

Sehwa, with her lips close to the doctor’s ear, softly asked,

“Were you really mad?”

“A… a little…”

“And now?”

“Now… it’s all gone…”

Satisfied with the answer, Sehwa removed her hand from the doctor.

The doctor, whose legs gave out, almost fell to the floor, but Sehwa caught her, preventing an undignified display.

Why was she, not a lesbian, sexually aroused by Sehwa’s touch?

It was clearly because of Sehwa’s blood. She didn’t know the exact mechanism, but…

She didn’t dislike it. Her identity wasn’t confused either.

It was just… another joy in life.

The doctor thought so.

“I’m glad it’s all gone. Shall we go now?”

“Okay…”

The doctor, bowing her head in embarrassment, followed Sehwa, but suddenly had a thought.

Does Sehwa know that the child in her womb is Jihyuk’s?

The medical devices in the lab couldn’t even detect the child’s genetic information yet, but would the devices here be the same?

Probably.

If Sehwa knew who the father of her child was, she wouldn’t be so kind.

If… Sehwa knew, how would she react?

She was scared. So, it might not be bad to tell her in advance.

It’s better to be the first to strike, and if she was honest, Sehwa might forgive her.

“Hey… Sehwa.”

“Yes?”

“I have something to say.”

“Go ahead.”

“It might be a long story… Can we talk in the room?”

“A long story…? Should we postpone the walk then?”

“Yes. I’d appreciate it.”

Sehwa readily agreed.

“Alright.”

So, the two returned to the room.

The doctor smiled brightly seeing the room neatly organized.

Looking at the ceiling, the annoying camera was gone.

She felt a sense of relief. But now, she had to hold back her joy.

They needed to have a serious conversation now.

Seeing Sehwa naturally sit on the chair, the doctor sat across from her.

Then, she cautiously brought up the topic.

“Sehwa. Um… about my child…”

“Yes.”

“Do you know who the father is?”

The doctor expected Sehwa to say she didn’t know.

But, Sehwa’s answer was far beyond her expectations.

“Let’s stop talking.”

“Huh?”

Confused by Sehwa’s interruption, the doctor was stunned.

Then, her heart sank.

Because Sehwa was smiling softly.

Seeing that face, the doctor was sure. Sehwa knew who the father was.

The doctor’s pupils shook as if an earthquake had occurred.

Cold sweat dripped down her face, and she couldn’t keep her gaze steady.

The atmosphere became uncomfortable in an instant.

She wished Sehwa would say something, but Sehwa just looked at her lovingly.

As the doctor fidgeted, unable to do anything, Sehwa stood up and approached her with a gentle smile.

Then, she placed her hand over the doctor’s.

“Don’t say anything. Don’t think about anything. I won’t harm you or your child.”

“…..”

“I really love you. Not in a homosexual way, but I love you as a person. So, I can let it go. I just don’t want you to be hurt.”

The anxious doctor felt a heavy weight lift off her chest upon hearing Sehwa’s answer.

Sehwa’s eyes were filled with sincerity. It wasn’t a lie.

How could she be so benevolent… If she had known, she would have told her sooner.

And she felt that she could entrust her child to such a Sehwa.

Crack-!

At that moment, a cracking sound came from near the doctor’s shoulder blade.

Not just that. Her tailbone felt uncomfortable, her eyes itched, and her lower abdomen felt itchy.

“….?”

It didn’t hurt. It was a strange feeling.

As the doctor examined her body, tilting her head, Sehwa’s excited voice came.

“Let’s not go for a walk today. Rest well.”

“Rest…?”

“Yes, take a nap. You must be tired now.”

Tired? Was she tired now?

Listening to Sehwa, she felt fatigue creeping in.

She couldn’t make a proper judgment.

Right, she must be sleepy. She should take a nap as Sehwa said.

Thinking so, the doctor replied.

“Okay… I think I’m sleepy…”

“Let’s go to bed quickly. I’ll help you.”

@@

“Mmm…”

The doctor woke up with a refreshed expression and sat up.

How long had she slept? Since she didn’t feel the usual grogginess upon waking, it must have been a short nap.

It felt like she just closed her eyes and opened them again.

Naturally getting up and heading to the bathroom, the doctor was startled when she saw her face in the mirror.

“Huh…?”

Her face had noticeably become younger.

She had thought so before, but now the difference was stark.

It was as if… she had returned to her prime in her early 20s.

No, she was even more beautiful than back then.

Her white skin, lips tinged with red, and firm skin harmonized, exuding charm.

The doctor examined her arms, legs, and abdomen.

Her skin had become so pale that veins were faintly visible. There were no other changes.

Swallowing hard, the doctor remembered the dream she occasionally had.

After pushing Edward into the abyss, she had shared a deep kiss with Jihyuk in her dream, and the dream version of herself resembled her current self.

That meant…

‘I’m changing…’

She was changing now.

The cause was clearly Sehwa’s blood.

Continuously consuming the blood of Sehwa, who had become a demon, was definitely causing changes in her body.

So, was she becoming a demon too?

Turning into a demon that kills humans without batting an eye, craving blood and flesh?

Would her child also be affected and turn into one?

‘No… No…!’

Terrified, the doctor rushed out of the bathroom.

Looking for the intercom, she was startled to find Sehwa standing at the door.

When had she arrived? She hadn’t made a sound…

But that wasn’t important now. She was more worried about her changing self.

Walking briskly towards Sehwa, the doctor tearfully asked,

“Sehwa… am I… turning into a demon…? Were you feeding me your blood to turn me into a demon…?”

Normally, she should have been angry.

But the doctor couldn’t even think of that.

She just wanted to hear the truth from Sehwa, who cared for her so much, and be comforted.

Sehwa, with a gentle smile, shook her head.

“You’re still human now.”

“R-really…? Not a demon…?”

“Of course. Do you think I would turn you into a hideous demon driven by instinct? Even if my master ordered me to turn you into a demon, I would refuse. I would never let that happen. Do you believe me?”

The doctor felt relieved at Sehwa’s confident words.

This was what she wanted to hear. Sehwa was indeed the best.

“Yes… I believe you… I believe you unconditionally…”

“You’ve just been consuming my blood, reversing your aging. You’re incredibly beautiful now. You know that?”

The doctor’s face turned red, and she bowed her head deeply.

Embarrassed and not knowing what to do, Sehwa, who was fixing the doctor’s bangs, continued.

“I consider you my family.”

“Fa… mily…?”

Why did her heart race so much at the word ‘family’?

She was happier than when she married Edward.

It was as overwhelming as when she found out she was pregnant with Jihyuk’s child. The doctor was feeling such emotions.

Looking up at Sehwa with teary eyes, the doctor asked,

“You think of me as family?”

“Of course. And I hope you think of me as family too. Just as I can do anything for you, I hope you can do anything for me.”

Of course. She had already thought of entrusting her child to Sehwa, so what couldn’t she do?

Sehwa was already her family. With a bond stronger than blood.

But she couldn’t say it outright.

Instinctively, she hesitated. It felt like saying it would change something drastically.

Did Sehwa notice her feelings? Sehwa hugged the doctor tightly and said,

“I want to hear it directly from you… I know you’re not ready yet. I’ll give you all the time you need, but when you decide, just tell me. That you want to be the same family as me.”

The same family as Sehwa?

Analyzing Sehwa’s words so far, it seemed she was entirely different from a demon.

Well, it was hard to call her a demon since she retained a human form.

Then, what exactly was Sehwa?

She didn’t know. She shouldn’t think about it now.

Sehwa’s embrace was too warm to think about anything else.

“Okay… I’ll do that…”

“That’s all I need. Shall we go back to bed now?”

“Can you stay like this for a while? I was scared…”

“Of course. I’ll stay as long as you need.”

Feeling Sehwa’s hand stroking her head, the doctor twisted her body as she felt an itch near her shoulder blade and tailbone.

She had felt this before going to sleep… Maybe her body was stiff from not moving much lately.

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