Chapter 32

I looked at the scattered corpses and thought. I don’t want this anymore.

That was a sufficient reason to stay hidden underground for a year.

Inside the café.

Until the medical center arrived, I emptied my white bingsu and got up from my seat.

I grasped the tray in my hand and placed it down on the counter, tidying up the last bits.

Since I was up, I entered behind the counter to grab a mop. I soaked the mop in the water contained in the bucket and grasped the long handle tightly.

It was heavy. Is this body incapable of anything without magic power?

With my frail arms dragging on the floor, I stood in front of the lobby. I began to poke and push the corpses aside and started wiping the red blood little by little. There was much to clean as the chairs and tables were all broken and strewn in the back.

[Are you okay in the injured areas?]

“Just where the bullets hit.”

Memories of fighting against that girl from the game came rushing back as I remembered getting shot hundreds of times by her. What was her name again? The heavy weapons girl?

The pain still hasn’t adapted. Reality is several times more bitter.

“I’ve removed everything, so it’s okay.”

I tore into my skin and reached in.

It wasn’t as much as I expected.

Around 937 bullets.

“It’s too wide.”

Clearly, what I was holding was a mop, yet as I cleaned, it felt like I was alone cleaning a vast plaza.

Moreover, how should I handle those corpses? There seem to be over ten.

Should I fetch a large bag or something?

I paused for a moment and sighed.

That seems too difficult. With this pitiful girl’s body.

Ding.

As I leaned against the mop, the refreshing sound echoed.

It was the director and the medical personnel.

I didn’t even have the strength to greet them, so I just smiled faintly. Did they have a rifle hidden somewhere? The uniforms were much larger than the ones I had seen.

Well, with just a pistol, I wouldn’t be able to shoot much before being subdued.

They’ve had a hard time.

“Starting with Erica.”

The director frowned and shoved the three pale medical personnel forward.

It was the place where Akira had been seated.

“What is this?”

“It’s an honorable death.”

Watching them pass by, glancing at me, I opened my mouth.

“It’s an enviable end.”

The director looked at me.

“Isn’t it a gain for you, Director? The Union Department was quite a nuisance, wasn’t it?”

“It was a nuisance.”

The blood on the floor was trampled.

“But I never wished for them to die.”

“I thought you were someone who would kill agents without hesitation.”

The director turned to look at me.

“When are you talking about?”

“When that newcomer in the association got addicted to a demon?”

I shaped my hand into a gun. My index finger went up, and an invisible bullet was fired.

“That kid wasn’t human.”

“Even though they were trembling and begging for their life?”

The director put a cigarette to his mouth. That looked incredibly bitter.

“Yeah.”

He paused for a moment.

“Well, if I had left that kid as is, the entire area would have been contaminated! Good job! Holding onto the heart with embedded bullets and displaying those hollow eyes! And even your tears watching that!”

The director turned away.

“Beautiful!”

A chair that had emerged from the broken furniture fell helplessly to the ground.

That is not beautiful. This isn’t a beautiful world. An ending where no one is happy is not brilliant.

The world is still dark.

“The association is a profit-driven group.”

The smoldering tip of the cigarette burned. The director inhaled deeply and exhaled smoke.

Ah, I should have brought some cigarettes. I regret that.

“It’s a natural choice.”

“Was sending Erica here alone also a natural choice? If the Union Department members had been alive, Erica would have been in big trouble!”

It’s obvious. They would have thrown themselves to protect them.

I would have been pulling my hair out.

“I appreciate that about you.”

“Oh…?”

“I want to bow and thank you for quickly taking them down.”

Saying such things with a blank face evokes no reaction.

“Is Erica that precious to you?”

“Of course she is…”

“I value her even more. It’s unfortunate, but please look out for someone else.”

The director looked at me as if in disbelief. That was the most revealing expression I had seen from him lately.

Did he act like that because there were many watching back then?

Now he seems to have learned how to compromise, asserting they are a profit-driven group.

“Today, Erica’s makeup is pretty, so I’ll make an exception.”

The few remaining medical staff held him back as they exited. Their hurried footsteps seemed pitiful.

I carried Erica and entered the lounge inside.

I was quietly watching her lying on the makeshift bed.

The treatment was completed, and now all I had to do was wait for her to slowly open her eyes.

Her mind was already awake.

No matter how I looked at it, she seemed beautiful. The golden bob had long since become my taste. Her smooth skin and graceful posture always caught my attention.

It’s been a long time since I fell into her swamp.

I might be in love.

But that’s all there is to it.

Love means nothing if it’s not reciprocated, right?

I’m not a bad girl to the point of forcing my love on someone.

I twisted my hair briefly.

On the table next to the bed were the Americano and café mocha I had brought.

It doesn’t matter, does it?

This is enough for me. I just need a simple pleasure.

The bingsu is gone now, but I guess today I’ll have to settle for drinking coffee together.

“Ugh…”

I had been lost in thought, and before I knew it, Erica was clutching her forehead and sitting up.

Until she regained her senses, I was managing my facial expression.

Is it better to smile? Or should I look sad since it’s in front of a patient?

Given she likely despises me, it might not be great for the first thing she sees to be me smiling.

Let’s pretend to cry.

I pressed my lips together. The blood flowed to my cheeks, and tears began to well in my eyes.

My expression must be one that has lost the world.

I lowered my face.

“Huff, huff…”

“Ah, what is it? My head…”

A moment of silence passed.

“Ugh, Erica… you can’t die…”

“Hah, seriously.”

“Erica!”

I urgently raised my face.

“What’s wrong? Are you crying?”

“No, I’m not…”

“Seriously, this is ridiculous.”

I was somewhat sensitive. I had thought no tears would fall, but with the help of magic, it seems it is possible.

“I’m sorry… Erica…”

“No, it’s you.”

“Ugh… ugh…”

“You made me this way, didn’t you? What is this…?”

A flustered expression crossed her face, mixing with anger.

“I never thought you would get injured so severely…”

I buried my face into her shoulder.

“Don’t come off me? What are you doing…?”

“Ah!”

I nearly had my hair pulled out.

“Get out, really. I’m going.”

“Don’t…”

“Move aside.”

“No.”

I smiled gently. The tears had dried long ago.

“Let’s drink some water first. Hydration is important.”

I handed her the water filled with ice. The cup, perhaps because it was from the café, had a nice design.

She had no choice but to drink, thinking this might be it. Maybe she’d be so moved by my kindness that she’d smile.

Suddenly, my arm was pushed hard.

The cup full of water floated in mid-air and shattered on the floor.

“Move.”

I felt a strong impact on my body. Erica brushed past me.

I grabbed her pant leg.

“Erica, I also prepared your favorite café mocha. Just that…”

“Hah.”

A chilling gaze met mine.

“Shut up and let go of this. You crazy girl.”

At her sunken voice, I unconsciously let go. My uniform remained crumpled.

“I’m sorry.”

I smiled.

With a click, the door opened and closed once, and I heard departing footsteps.

After a few seconds, silence returned.

I twisted a strand of hair.

Should I have given her the café mocha instead of the water? She probably hates plain water, being one for sweet things.

But I thought it wouldn’t be good for her to drink coffee right after waking up. It’s bad for the body. Giving water was the right choice.

Although Erica, who has a picky palate, rejected it.

I stood up and picked up the broken glass shards with my hands. The sharp sensation hurt as blood flowed from my hands.

It hurt.