The blade was swung and the body of the rushing four-legged beast was neatly cut in half.
Then, a strange wind blew on the blade, which was swung in a large circle.The beasts touched by the wind made a horrifying sound and were sucked into the vortex, where they became mushy.Or they bounced off into the distance and were struck hard.
Either way, it was an unwelcoming result for them.
"Wow… ."
And Kim Yoo-Hyun, who was watching from the side, stuck out his tongue in admiration.He was holding a halberd, but before he knew it, he had forgotten what he was supposed to do and was just watching the scene in a daze.He wasn't the only one.
The mock dungeon class, most of Team 11's gaze was focused on one place.And the place where those gazes were focused was none other than me.
"What the hell, guys?"
I took a short breath, and most of them shook their heads as if they had come to their senses at my words.Among them, Kim Yoo-Hyun, who had a halberd in one hand, scratched the back of his head as if embarrassed, and burst out laughing.
"Hey, sorry. I should have helped earlier, but honestly, I couldn't stick with you because I thought it would bother you if I joined."
Smiling cheekily, he stuck his tongue out once more as he looked around me.It seemed this was due to the fact that there were over 20 corpses of dire wolves scattered here and there around me.These creatures, which are characterized by the fact that they roam in packs, were not something to be taken lightly, not even individually.They had huge, agile bodies, and because of their tenacious nature, once they had their sights set on a target, they would never let it go.
Originally, Kim Yoo-Hyun and I were supposed to draw their attention, Jin Ye-Seul block, and Ivan and Han Soo-Young pour out their attacks, and steadily catch them.But now, with just my body, I had dealt with them faster than when we all rushed in.It was no wonder he was surprised.
"Wow, but it's really too much… ."
Kim Yoo-Hyun shook his head.
"What the hell was the reason for hiding this ability and using daggers all this time?"
After saying that, he seemed surprised himself and covered his mouth with his hand.He seemed to have said it out loud without realizing it.He immediately looked around him and realized that everyone had heard what he had said, and put on an awkward expression.
"Uh, that's… I'm sorry. I didn't mean it in a different way.. ."
"No, it's okay. It's not anyone else, and you guys deserve to say that enough."
I waved my hand as if saying, it's okay.And then I spat out the excuse that I came up with to get around the others without making a mistake.
"You know, um… Things were a little too complicated. So I was told not to stand out... ."
"Ah… ."
He immediately nodded.Perhaps in his mind, the fact that I was a hidden member of the World Tree clan, the recent events, and many other things had come together in harmony to create a piece of drama.
"You stupid bast*rd! Think before you speak, I... !"
Lee Hyun-Seung slapped Kim Yoo-Hyun on the back and spat out a few swear words.Kim Yoo-Hyun, who would normally have bickered with him, just silently and gently stroked the back where he had hit him.
As I was feeling a new emotion, Ivan clapped and focused our attention.
"Okay, thanks to Ji-Hyuk's hard work, we were able to save a lot of energy. The smell of the dire wolves' blood will keep the others from coming for a while. It's a little disgusting, but we'll take a break here for a while and then try to force our way to our destination."
Everyone nodded at Ivan's words to clear up the situation.As soon as he finished speaking, Lee Hyun-Seung and Kim Yoo-Hyun, without anyone being first, approached the corpses of the dire wolves and began to remove the molars to use as evidence.It was when I approached to help.
"Ji-Hyuk, get some rest!"
"Yeah, you caught them all by yourself. We have to do something like this."
Kim Yoo-Hyun and Lee Hyun-Seung stopped me by saying that.I gladly decided to accept their favor.
As I was wiping the blood off my sword, someone came up to me and wiped my face with a handkerchief.It was Jin Ye-Seul.
"Oh, wait…There's something on this side, too."
She gently grabbed my chin and turned it, wiping my face meticulously, but on the way my eyes met Han Soo-Young's, who was staring at me indifferently.
"…… ."
For some reason, with a dour expression on her face, she stared at us, then walked and began cleaning up with Lee Hyun-Seung and Kim Yoo-Hyun.
… After that day, Choi Hyun-Woo and Han Soo-Young treated me without any difference in their attitudes.Obviously, both of them must have been very confused by my story, but I could tell that they were trying their best to be considerate of me and not show it.It was when I felt guilty to her for some reason.
"Okay, it's done."
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtJin Ye-Seul said so, put something to my cheek, and pressed it with her fingers.When I touched it, I found it was a band-aid.
"I saw a slight scratch. You can't leave a scar on your face."
"Okay, thanks."
"He."
Jin Ye-Seul looked at me and smiled playfully like a child.I carefully grabbed her wrist as she quickly turned to leave.
"Can we talk for a moment?"
"Yes… ?"
Jin Ye-Seul looked surprised at my words.I turned to Ivan for permission, and he nodded.
"Don't go too far, and don't stay too long."
"Don't worry. We'll talk where you can see it."
"Then well… ."
Ivan shrugged as if it didn't matter, helped the other team members to turn over the dire wolves' body, but remained vigilant about his surroundings.
Meanwhile, my eyes met Han-Soo-Young's who looked at us, but unlike before, she gave a small smile and nodded, as if to say good luck.… Perhaps she noticed what I was going to talk about.
"What are you going to talk about?"
Jin Ye-Seul, who moved a little further away from me, asked that.I took a moment to catch my breath before opening my mouth to her.
"Can you meet me alone this evening for a while?"
"Huh? Don't you want to talk here?"
"It's kind of important."
And if I'm right, maybe… .I looked at her, desperately swallowing the rough texture I felt in my mouth.
Jin Ye-Seul.Her black, long straight hair had a color that was too dark to come out naturally.It's a clichéd expression, but her hair was like silk, as if it had been melted out of the night sky.
Her purple eyes sparkle differently each time they are bathed in light.Sometimes it looks like a bellflower flower, sometimes like seeing purple amethyst.
With her long legs like a model and her tall stature, she was taller than Han Soo-Young and Lee Ye-Eun, and there was not much difference in the eye-level between her and me.
Her appearance looks like a well-made porcelain doll from the outside, but I roughly knew how dangerous what was hidden inside was and how much I had to be careful.And the fact that she, who always seems unshakeable and straight, is actually as fragile as a porcelain doll.
… And she was staring at me like that, too.
"So is it possible?"
"Yes."
Jin Ye-Seul nodded.
"Ji-Hyuk, you said that. Anytime is fine."
"… If you have something urgent, we can do it later."
"No. It's really okay. I have nothing urgent today."
Saying so, she asked me where and when we would meet.
"The place where we first met alone. Do you remember?"
At my words, she blushed slightly and nodded.
"Like we first met there. Let's meet like that."
"Do I have to...? Is it that important to do that?"
"Yes."
I nodded.Jin Ye-Seul, who stared at me without saying a word, suddenly reached out and placed her hand on my chest.
"Thump thump thump thump thump thump… ."
She muttered in a whisper.
"It's a lot more stable than last time. Yes, I guess it's okay."
She looked at me with a light smile.
"It's a relief."
Raising her hand, she muttered, mumbling her lips.
"I'll do as you say. Just like then, would that be okay?"
"Yes."
"Okay. I'll remember for sure. Oh, right."
She said to me, nodding her head as if she'd almost forgotten.
"My mother was making a fuss."
"Your mother?"
"Yeah, why didn't you tell me that he's a member of the World Tree clan, and why did you hide that he's a member of the main clan with the right to succession? I changed my number, how the hell did she know and called?"
She let out a small sigh, as if she was genuinely annoyed.
"That's why it's crazy. The person who once shouted at me to go out and die, told me to bring you home and that I should pay her a visit back home at least once. She's playing the coquette, so nasty.... ."
Along the way, she made a retching sound as if she was nauseous and covered her mouth.I don't know if she was acting, but she covered her mouth for a long time, then apologized to me.
"Anyway, sooner or later, I think she'll also contact you. So I hope you don't get it in the first place, but... in case you get it, just say random nonsense and hang up. Because it's a place where there's not a single good thing about going."
"Yes."
I nodded.
In my head, I was reminded of my younger sister's words, which I had been able to recall a few days ago.This kid's parents are complete trash just like ours.At that time, the child said it with a laugh, but now I can't laugh at all.
Because she and we were the same.
* * *
"Oh, hey! Here!"
It was after class, when I had finished a simple arrangement.I heard a somewhat familiar voice coming from behind me.When I turned my head to look in that direction, I found someone completely unexpected.
"Senior Yeon-Kyung?"
"Ahaha… ."
She was none other than Kang Yeon-Kyung, a member of the archery club and Lee Ye-Eun's only best friend.She looked at me and approached me with a quick glance around.
"Um, I'd like to tell you something for a moment… ."
"What, why are you using respectful words all of a sudden?"
"That's..."
She answered with an awkward smile.
"Uh, I don't know if you know, but I'm actually a member of the collateral side. That too at the very end of the line... Ye-Eun, no, no. So, the Clan Head ordered me to treat her normally, but in the case of Young Master... ."
She stopped talking, and instead raised her finger and pretended to cut her throat.
"If I say something wrong, I'll get into serious trouble. Since now officially the rank of Young Master is in one hand... a person at the end like me is actually in a situation where it is burdensome to talk recklessly... ."
The fact that she was an end member of the World Tree clan was one of the memories that came to mind recently.Originally, she would not have met anyone else from the family side other than Lee Ye-Eun.Therefore, it was completely unexpected that she would come out this low key.
"Um, senior. I really don't care about that. I don't even intend to treat others that way because of my unexpected position."
I said so and looked at Kang Yeon-Kyung.I honestly didn't want to see her like this, who always stood by Lee Ye-Eun and supported her firmly with a confident appearance.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm"So, senior, just treat me the way you used to. You don't need to use respectful words."
"Uh, but… ."
"Do I have to give orders like the Clan Head?"
"Then… ."
She said, looking at my expression.
"Really, is it okay to treat you the way I used to...?"
"Yes. please."
"Haa… ."
She sighed deeply and shook her head as if relieved.
"That's a relief… I didn't think it would happen, but I was really worried about what would I do if you were sensitive to such things, Ji-Hyuk."
"… Was my image like that in senior's head?"
"Hey, it's not like that, but no one knows what people are like, right? To put it bluntly, you can tell me to attend to you as a mistress tonight! Even if you tell me that, I just have to laugh hehehe."
"What, my God… ."
As if amused by my reaction, she giggled.
"It's a joke, a joke! It's the 21st century now, and if you did, I would have told Ye-Eun right away."
She laughed cheekily and patted me on the shoulder.Then she said to me, still looking around.
"That, Well. Actually, I came here because of Ye-Eun's request."
"Senior.… No, Clan Head's request?"
"Um, well. It's a request from Ye-Eun, the Clan Head, and your sister."
Kang Yeon-Kyung nodded.
"There is something she told me to give to you, and I have something to tell you to be careful about, but… It seems like it would be difficult to talk right now, so why don't you come to the club room later?"
"Sure. I just need to get there later today?"
"Yes, but it is better if you come as soon as possible."
She nodded.As I wondered why she visited me about something that could have been done over the phone, she grinned, perhaps noticing my thoughts.
"Actually, calling you without your permission is a punishment. How dare someone like you call a person who has the right to inherit the main clan recklessly."
"… You're joking, right?"
"I wish this was a joke too."
She shrugged her shoulders.Then she waved her hand at me with a look that said she didn't really care.
"Then, I'll be waiting. See you later."
"Yes, senior. Bye."
"Yes. Bye."
As she was going back, she suddenly stopped and looked at me.Then, with a light smile and her characteristic cheerful smile, she said.
"Thank you for being the same. If you had behaved differently from what I expected... Well, I think it'd have been a little sad."
Then see you later!With those words, she disappeared immediately.
After looking in the direction she disappeared for a moment, I headed to the classroom to listen to the next class.Perhaps it was because I was a little lazy, but the time was pretty tight, so I hurried my steps.
"Huh?"
Meanwhile, I could see quite a few students gathered in front of the poster board and buzzing.
"What the… ."
What the hell.I got closer out of curiosity, and as soon as I saw the handwritten poster on the poster board, I swallowed my breath without realizing it.
[Shocking Truth: Professor Alice Blesbuck conducted dirty human experiments!]
The large, bright red letters were written in sharp handwriting on the handwritten poster.