Chapter 62

<Episode 63> D–1: The Girl Just Wanted to Apologize

“Chul-soo’s hospitalized?”

!…..

!

………

Yu-jin heard the news just as dawn was breaking.

It had been such a good day until yesterday.

He’d gone on a fun date with Rime for the first time in ages.

Even after getting home, their conversation wouldn’t end.

And then, lying side by side on the bed, they fell asleep.

He thought they’d start another great day together…

That is, until Biseo Park came in and delivered the news.

“Yes, he’s currently admitted to a hospital near the Academy.”

“Hmm, probably got into another fight. I even gave him protective gear so he wouldn’t get hurt.”

Yu-jin said it casually.

No matter what, Chul-soo being hospitalized wasn’t exactly surprising.

That guy’s like some LN protagonist who gets injured every day.

‘He probably got dragged into a fight while trying to help someone again.’

That’s just Chul-soo’s nature.

He’ll probably take a few days off from the Academy and come back soon.

Rather, I’m more worried about his attendance not falling behind…

But today, Biseo Park’s expression seemed unusually serious.

“…This time, it’s serious.”

“Serious?”

“He might die.”

Biseo Park stated it in an utterly dry tone.

Of course, that was natural for him.

After all, to him, Chul-soo was merely one of Yu-jin’s tools.

While Yu-jin genuinely considered Chul-soo a friend,

Biseo mistakenly believed Yu-jin was simply using him.

His emotional range barely extended beyond ‘one less card to play.’

However, since he understood the relationship between Yu-jin and Chul-soo to some extent,

he was careful in how he spoke.

“Might die… Are you sure? Chul-soo has great grades at the Academy and is skilled with a sword.”

Yu-jin asked, still unable to believe it.

So flustered was he that he unconsciously used honorifics.

Biseo didn’t point it out and replied instead.

“Three major wounds. All fatal. It’s bizarre he’s still alive at all.”

Yu-jin sat there, momentarily stunned.

Honestly, he couldn’t grasp it.

He knew better than anyone how strong Chul-soo was.

They’d dueled countless times.

Not only that, but together on the island, they’d slain dozens of monsters.

That giant snake’s neck? He cut it clean off in one stroke.

Who could possibly have wounded someone like Chul-soo?

“What happened?”

“They’re still investigating. We’ve contacted the hospital under Hwagcheon’s name too. They’ll surely do their best… But they can’t guarantee survival.”

The hospital staff must be doing everything they can to save Chul-soo.

Even if slightly inferior to Yu-jin,

objectively speaking, Chul-soo is an extraordinary talent.

A future genius swordsman destined to become a legend.

He’s only treated poorly because of Hwagcheon’s pressure.

If Hwagcheon allowed it,

neither the Hero’s Association nor any Guild would hesitate to support him.

Still, his condition is severe enough that even with all that, the outcome remains uncertain.

“Apparently, his physical state wasn’t good either. The doctors worked all night to keep him alive. Now, it’s up to his willpower.”

“…”

Yu-jin silently slumped onto the bed.

Honestly, it didn’t feel real.

Death.

In a world filled with monsters and villains, this might be a daily occurrence.

Yu-jin himself had narrowly escaped death numerous times.

The reason he hadn’t fully grasped its gravity?

Because Yu-jin was strong enough to crush anything thrown his way.

Now, faced with his friend’s situation, a chilling realization washed over him.

“Have they found the culprit?”

“Still under investigation.”

“Is this the police’s investigation or Hwagcheon’s?”

“……Shall I look into it?”

Hwagcheon, the largest guild spanning the entire nation.

Naturally, their capabilities and connections go beyond imagination.

When it comes to the ‘shadows,’ they have deeper reach than even the Hero’s Association.

No, from the police to underworld crime syndicates, they’re all tied to Hwagcheon.

If Hwagcheon seriously investigates, finding the culprit wouldn’t be difficult.

“You don’t need to push yourself. But please try your best to find out.”

“Understood.”

Though he says it like that, for Biseo, it’s akin to ordering him to risk his life.

And Biseo was confident he could do it.

Of course, assuming the opponent wasn’t ordinary.

‘…Is Lord Yu-jin planning to wage war against the executives?’

The person responsible for Chul-soo’s demise.

It’s easy to deduce they’re connected to Hwagcheon’s executives.

The anti-Yu-jin faction among the executives viewed Chul-soo as merely a sword wielded by Yu-jin.

More accurately, Yu-jin had led them to believe that.

In fact, they’d gathered over ten pieces of information regarding the assassins who attacked Chul-soo.

Though they tried to cover their tracks, ultimately, following the leads always led back to Hwagcheon’s executives.

‘Maybe one of those random assassins finally succeeded by pure luck?’

Until now, Chul-soo remained unscathed because he was strong.

Considering he can even spar with Yu-jin,

ordinary assassins couldn’t even pose a threat to him.

However, this time, Chul-soo’s condition wasn’t optimal,

and unfortunately, his opponent was too powerful.

This was how Biseo interpreted the current situation.

‘Anyway, from Lord Yu-jin’s public standpoint, he lost a valuable subordinate he’d been nurturing. Using this as leverage, he could both gain moral high ground and practical benefits, even earning praise for caring about his subordinates.’

Could he have planned all this from the start?

Was deliberately exposing Chul-soo to danger all part of the plan?

Biseo felt chills run down his spine.

Truly a method worthy of Hwagcheon.

The audacious and ruthless way of wielding given resources.

Something no one else could dare replicate.

Just how far into the future is Kim Yu-jin seeing?

‘There truly is no one more suited to be Hwagcheon’s successor than Lord Yu-jin.’

With that thought, Biseo bowed respectfully and exited the room.

Left sitting alone, Yu-jin clenched his fists tightly with a cold expression.

Contrary to Biseo’s assumptions, he was seething with anger more calmly than ever before…

Young-hee woke up basking in the morning sunlight.

She rubbed her eyes and stretched.

Following the class president’s advice, she ate congee and rested well, feeling much better.

She turned her head toward the window where sunlight streamed in.

‘…I miss Chul-soo.’

That was the first thought that crossed her mind upon waking.

For a while, thinking about Chul-soo made her head ache.

Strangely, it even brought a chill and fear.

But now, she’s mostly recovered from that inexplicable state.

Rather, she wanted to see Chul-soo’s face.

She wanted to see it and feel reassured.

Most importantly, she wanted to apologize to Chul-soo.

‘Yeah… I was wrong.’

On the island, Young-hee had said something hurtful to Chul-soo.

Insulting him, crossing lines, making him angry.

She even said she wished he’d die.

Why did she say such things?

She herself doesn’t understand.

It was too strange to attribute it to simply losing control of her emotions.

Sure, maybe she was slightly upset that Chul-soo saved the class president first.

But shouldn’t there be limits?

‘Saying “I wish you’d die” was too harsh.’

She regrets it hundreds of times in her heart.

In her dreams, she must have stopped herself from saying those words dozens of times.

But regretting alone won’t change anything.

First, she needed to meet Chul-soo, talk to him, and properly apologize.

‘I don’t know if he’ll accept my apology…’

To Young-hee, Chul-soo is someone more precious than anyone else.

She hopes he hasn’t been hurt.

She doesn’t want him fighting Yu-jin because of her.

That’s why she’s pretending to dislike him as much as possible.

But that doesn’t mean she wants to hurt him.

Isn’t that completely backwards?

‘Let me meet him separately and tell him I’m sorry.’

Frankly, she’s scared of how Chul-soo will react.

Still, she needs to muster her courage now.

If she sincerely apologizes,

at least Chul-soo won’t blame himself unnecessarily.

Young-hee knows Chul-soo better than anyone.

He must still be carrying guilt, thinking he made a mistake.

Even though it’s entirely her fault.

He’s probably wearing an expression showing he can’t bear the pain.

She doesn’t want Chul-soo to feel that way.

For his sake, she needs to convey her true feelings now.

‘…Let me freshen up first.’

Glancing at the mirror, Young-hee sighed.

Her hair was messy, her skin rough, and her eyes sunken.

Despite priding herself on having decent looks,

no man would be pleased to see her in this state.

Especially not Chul-soo, after such a long time since they last saw each other on the island.

She should shower, do her makeup, and wear something nice.

Deciding that, Young-hee steeled herself and stood up.

Just as she was about to grab a towel and head to the bathroom…

– Uuuung.

Her smartphone on the desk suddenly rang.

Checking the caller ID, it was the class president.

Come to think of it, the president had taken care of her until yesterday.

Is she calling out of worry this early in the morning?

She should thank the president too.

With that thought, Young-hei pressed the call button.

If only she had made her decision just a little sooner, would things have turned out differently?

For Young-hee, the next few days would feel like hell.

Starting right about now.

---