Chapter 98

<Episode 99> Ah, yeah. This one I’ll admit is on me.

Hmph, how did things end up like this?

While pondering this, Yu-jin lightly moved his arm.

Tink! Something caught it.

It was handcuffs.

You might think he went to the police station for some crime, but there’s no way that’d happen.

Yu-jin isn’t just anyone—he’s the successor of Hwagcheon.

And there are only a handful of cops nationwide bold enough to cuff someone like him.

In other words, whoever did this must’ve been out of their mind.

“Yu-jin, are you okay? Not uncomfortable anywhere?”

The class president pokes her head in and asks worriedly.

If she really cared, she could just unlock them, but there’s no sign of that happening.

Yu-jin glanced around with just his eyes.

Looks like we’re in one of those ever-present nurse’s offices.

He was lying on a bed, his wrists cuffed.

“Hehe, I’m fine! Just stay still and nothing bad will happen. Actually, I’ve got something good planned.”

The class president flashed a grin, and Yu-jin sighed.

Thinking back, when exactly did things go wrong? It all started with the morning plans…

“It hurts… I’m exhausted… I feel like I’m dying…”

Lying on the bed, Rime groaned.

Jikil had collapsed, and Young-hee regained her memory.

With no need to stay at Hwagcheon Mansion anymore, the class president and Young-hee left.

Now, as always, only two remained in the room.

But Rime wasn’t in any condition for business as usual.

“You should’ve used your magic more carefully.”

“If I could control it, do you think I’d have gone through all this trouble…?”

During the last fight, Young-hee used a wide-area blessing to save Chul-soo.

It was powerful enough to obliterate every monster nearby.

Of course, there’s no way Young-hee could’ve summoned that much magic power alone.

Rime made up the difference.

And now, the result lay before him: a golden-haired girl sprawled across the bed like a porcelain doll.

“So this is what happens when a slime uses too much magic, huh?”

“Well, I’m an exceptional case. You could say my body is basically a lump of pure magic.”

She explained it like someone wearing full makeup, heels, and dealing with sudden period pain while riding a crowded subway during rush hour.

Though Rime tried to make it relatable, Yu-jin—being a guy—couldn’t fully grasp it.

All he knew was that she was utterly drained.

“Can’t you even enter my body?”

“Are you asking me to ride a high-speed bus while seasick?”

Normally, Rime resided inside Yu-jin.

But in her current state, even that was impossible.

Still, they were in Hwagcheon Mansion.

More specifically, in Yu-jin’s room as the successor.

Nothing major would likely happen unless extraordinary circumstances arose.

Typically, whenever Yu-jin thought everything was fine, something inevitably happened.

But he never noticed until it was too late.

Anyway, Yu-jin asked anxiously:

“Should I skip school today?”

“Planning to turn me into a burden, huh?”

Absolutely not a burden, but saying that wouldn’t help this prideful slime.

As if reading his thoughts, Rime smirked faintly.

“I’m kind of glad you only make that face in front of me.”

“Huh?”

“……Forget it. Anyway, I’ll recover in a day. Plus, if you skip now, rumors will spread about the illustrious young master of Hwagcheon getting injured.”

The successor of Hwagcheon must always be the strongest.

What would people think if word got out that Yu-jin got hurt battling monsters and skipped school?

Who knows? Maybe another Jikil would appear.

Thanks to Secretary Park and Chul-soo’s efforts, the anti-Yu-jin faction has lost much of its influence.

Things are finally stabilizing, so there’s no need to give them any excuses.

Not that Yu-jin cares about such things.

Even if he warns her, Rime will insist on bearing the burden herself.

Best to follow her advice for now.

“Alright. I’ll tell everyone not to disturb you. I’ve already stocked the fridge with porridge and fruit, so make sure to eat.”

“What’s gotten into you? So organized all of a sudden?”

“How can I just sit by while you’re working so hard?”

Yu-jin knows Rime pushed herself pretty hard during the last incident.

She dislikes humans yet stayed close to them 24/7, which must’ve been stressful.

He appreciates her sacrifices for his sake.

“Fine, thanks.”

“Yeah, yeah. I’ll try to come back early today.”

“As if you even have anything to do after classes end anyway.”

“Can’t help it if I’m an unsociable loner!”

Technically, Yu-jin lives a pretty disciplined life.

He goes to Academy, comes straight home afterward, and spends his time either studying or training.

There’s nothing else.

Naturally introverted, he doesn’t join clubs, hang out downtown with friends, or waste time.

Without the Hwagcheon background, he’d probably be considered the most exemplary student.

“Anyway, rest well. Don’t overthink things—just sleep.”

“…If you fool around with other girls while I’m gone, I’ll kill you.”

“There’s no way anyone would want to date a loser like me.”

“Aww, shut up.”

At that, Rime seemed to want to say something but stopped, instead pressing her forehead as if a headache hit.

Eventually, confirming Rime was asleep, Yu-jin headed off to Academy.

On the way back, he thought about buying some jelly-like treats for her.

And then, time rewinds to the start of Episode 1.

“Kim Yoo-Jin!!”

“Was this your doing again?! Today, I’ll finish you!”

“Don’t act so high and mighty, bastard…”

‘Ah, this is awkward.’

Yu-jin and Chul-soo decided to carpool to school together.

However, both sat silently, staring out the window without exchanging a word.

These two have never been on good terms.

Sure, they teamed up last time, but that was purely a temporary alliance.

It’s like Korea and Japan teaming up to fight aliens.

Once the battle ended, there was no way they’d suddenly become buddies.

‘Thinking about it, this is the first time I’ve commuted with Chul-soo.’

Actually, it’s the first time Yu-jin’s ever commuted with *anyone*.

Would’ve been nice if it happened under better circumstances.

Who would’ve guessed erectile dysfunction would lead to commuting alongside a friend?

The world truly works in mysterious ways.

“Alright, let’s strike up a conversation.”

Breaking the silence, Secretary Park spoke up.

“HAHAHAHA! Mr. Kim Chul-soo’s ‘it’ doesn’t work… HAHAHA!”

“Stop laughing! I’ll kill you before you finish!”

“Ah, apologies. But honestly, I can’t stop laughing.”

Secretary Park seemed genuinely amused.

From their perspective, the situation was laughable to the point of tears.

“First off, this whole thing has absolutely nothing to do with us.”

“How do you expect us to believe that? Knowing you guys, having bizarre potions isn’t unusual.”

“Well, we *do* have plenty of strange concoctions, but why would we develop something that causes erectile dysfunction? What’s the point?”

Secretary Park shrugged casually.

“Hwagcheon is, at its core, a martial organization steeped in tradition. We excel at killing, not medicine.”

Hwagcheon accepts anyone regardless of status, gender, nationality, ideology, or even species.

It’s a powder keg of a group where even the heir can stage a coup against the leader.

They care solely about ability.

“Unfortunately, we don’t have anyone within Hwagcheon who possesses such knowledge or power. Though, if we did, it would’ve been quite entertaining.”

“So you’re saying you’re completely uninvolved in this mess?”

“While we’ve done questionable things in the past, this one is entirely new to us.”

Chul-soo nodded silently.

“Hmph, the Hwagcheon bunch wouldn’t stoop to such underhanded tactics. Especially not someone like Kim Yu-jin.”

Not that they’re saints, but they wield overwhelming power.

They have no reason to resort to such petty tricks.

They’re the real villains who take what they want by force.

‘So maybe Jikil pulled some trick before dying? Or maybe it’s related to my hair turning white.’

Either way, he couldn’t face Young-hee like this—not because of physical reasons, but emotional ones.

He resolved not to stand before Young-hee again until everything was resolved.

“By the way, why is your hair like that? Did you finally decide to move on from Young-hee and start anew?”

“Bullshit. I don’t know why my hair turned white either.”

One thing’s certain: his fight with Jikil had an impact.

It was a battle where he faced death multiple times.

Any severe physical effects wouldn’t be surprising.

Truthfully, he was prepared to die right there.

‘But turning my hair white wasn’t part of the plan.’

Other than that, there haven’t been any significant changes.

His overall health remains the same.

He didn’t undergo some dramatic awakening like a manga monkey whose hair shoots up when angry.

Nor does he feel physically ill.

Or… maybe losing “that” function counts as being in pain?

“Didn’t I hear that people experience bodily changes after a complete transformation?”

“My equipment not working?”

“Well, isn’t this like losing one of a man’s biggest weaknesses? Could be seen positively, right?”

“If we weren’t in a moving car, I’d drag you out and beat you senseless.”

“Haha! Try it if you can!”

Chul-soo’s face darkened further at Secretary Park’s laughter.

Normally, Park wouldn’t joke around or speak so casually.

Clearly, he finds this situation hilarious.

Damn it, every single member of Hwagcheon seems insane.

Turning toward Yu-jin, who maintained silence, Chul-soo asked:

“Kim Yu-jin, what do you think about this situation?”

“Me?”

Having fought alongside Chul-soo against Jikil, Yu-jin might’ve experienced something similar or felt some clue.

Right now, even the smallest hint could be useful.

That’s why Chul-soo gritted his teeth and asked despite his reluctance—but—

“Why not just get a sex reassignment surgery? They do great work in Thailand these days.”

-KWANG!

The car door burst open as Yu-jin and Chul-soo grabbed each other by the collar and tumbled violently onto the road.

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