Chapter 139

The first attempt of the Seo Han-gyeol Awakening Project was to use the “mosquito” from F2’s experience.

Of course it was a bit disappointing that it wasn’t a seaside mosquito, but we decided to try it anyway.

“Hmm.”

And the first attempt was a total failure.

Perhaps because it wasn’t a seaside mosquito, it had no effect. Far from awakening, Han-gyeol just ended up covered in bites.

“It’s okay. We knew it wouldn’t be easy from the start.”

Luckily Han-gyeol had no schedule. His limbs—and even his face—were a mess of welts.

“You really think this method will work, Roy?”

“I told you it would.”

When I first decided to force Han-gyeol’s awakening, I planned to push him mercilessly. But seeing his swollen, mosquito-blasted face made me feel sorry. I was in the middle of kindly applying ointment myself when his distrustful remark made me uncomfortable.

“Don’t you believe me?”

“I do, I do. But what is this? It’s amazing.”

Instinctively sensing danger, Han-gyeol quickly changed the subject. He showed interest in the treatment tube in my hand. After all, just by applying it, the swelling had vanished—and even the cut from his Kyū card yesterday seemed to have magically disappeared.

“Don’t you know? I just grabbed it from home.”

“Let me see.”

With a nonchalant tone, Han-gyeol took the treatment tube. He turned the glue-stick–looking object over in his hands and his eyes went wide.

“This is an A-rank item?!”

“Is it? I don’t know. It’s my sister’s.”

“W-what does your sister do to have something this rare...?”

“She goes to an English kindergarten.”

“Y-you mean...?”

“An English kindergarten.”

I retrieved the item from Han-gyeol’s frozen hand. A rare item, worth whatever someone would pay. I’d thought it was just a handy ointment lying around at home—but suddenly it felt precious.

“Since you’ve applied it, get some rest. You probably didn’t sleep a wink.”

Han-gyeol looked at me suspiciously, but I feigned ignorance.

“Thanks. But... I still have to sleep outside again today, right?”

“No. We’re not using this method anymore.”

“Really?!”

“You sure like it, huh? You’re making me feel bad.”

It was best to discard failed methods and try another. I still had twelve awakening accounts left—like F1’s, who awakened watching a horror movie with his crush; Anna’s, who awakened smashing a wooden board; Dong-yoil’s, who awakened on a roller coaster. These were the high-level intel I’d been collecting for today.

“There’s a lot to do this afternoon, so get a good sleep.”

“We’re going out? Where to?”

“The amusement park and the cinema.”

“...?”

Seeing his displeased expression, I asked seriously,

“What? You don’t like that?”

Han-gyeol jumped and waved his hand.

“No, I like it! It’s just... I’m worried you’re overdoing it. You’ve got someone else to look after.”

His eyes flicked behind me to Hojin, who stood there ready to burst into tears, clutching a nose-ball in one hand and my shirt in the other.

“I’ll take care of him. You just worry about your own work.”

Always sticking his nose in. Hojin’s separation anxiety was my problem—I didn’t need Han-gyeol’s concern.

“Anyway, go to sleep. You’ll be busy when you wake up, so be prepared.”

“Got it. But you’re pretty Spartan for someone we thought would be exhausted.”

Han-gyeol looked surprisingly energetic for someone who’d stayed up all night. Maybe his acting days taught him resilience. Half-seriously, I said,

“Since you’re still chatting, I guess you’re fine. Wanna go out now?”

“No way. Good night!”

He darted into his room like he’d been shot, so I’d dealt with one, and now it was time to handle the other. Turning around, I saw Hojin looking pitifully resentful, clearly wanting to say something.

“What is it? Say it.”

Hojin just fiddled with his nose-ball, head down, saying nothing. Had the treatment failed? My money down the drain. Over ten thousand reviews had been fake? The nose-ball hadn’t just been useless—it seemed to have made Hojin’s condition worse. My attempt to cure his separation anxiety had failed. I hadn’t expected an easy fix, but I hadn’t expected deterioration—and I felt unsettled.

“You don’t like it? Doesn’t suit you?”

He nodded. Maybe so sulky he’d refuse to talk. He wouldn’t even let go of my shirt. I stared at his hand gripping my T-shirt. Feeling my gaze, he gripped tighter.

“Okay. Come sit here.”

I sat on the sofa and patted the seat beside me. Reluctantly, Hojin sat, still clutching my shirt.

“I have something to say. I did something wrong to you.”

I knew my wrong first stitch had caused Hojin’s obsession. His abnormal clinginess was my fault. To be fair, the skill hadn’t been under my control then. But now it was, and today I had to set things right and restart our relationship—I sensed a big incident was coming if I left it. Even if part of the skill was locked, I’m S-rank after all. I couldn’t be weaker than Hojin.

“I wanted to talk slowly, but—”

“No, Roy. I’m sorry. It’s all my fault. It won’t happen again.”

See that? He apologized before I even spoke, terrified of what I’d say.

“Look. You’re still saying I’m wrong.”

“I’m sorry. I was jealous. I felt like I’d lose you...”

“No, I should be apologizing. You’ve been anxious because of me.”

“Me? Am I anxious? No, I’m not anxious at all. Really.”

Nonsense. Seeing me silent, tears welled in his eyes.

“I’m sorry. If you say so... I’ll fix it. It’s all my fault.”

Tears brimmed in Hojin’s eyes. So fragile—how would I fight a Blood Fiend?

“No. You’re the one who should apologize to me. I’m sorry I made things hard for you.”

I gently took Hojin’s trembling hand. It gave me chills, but Hojin was okay. When he calmed, I let go and met his eyes again.

【Skill ‘Gods-lighting’ activated.】

“I have lots of friends now, and I’m doing well at school. All because of you.”

“...!”

“So from now on, take care of yourself first. If something’s wrong, come to me first. Promise?”

I offered my pinky. Out of habit from promise games with Rose, my hand moved. He just cried silently.

‘What’s wrong?’

I’d chosen my words carefully—and he just sobbed. His tears shook me. I blurted more than I should have.

“Still, you know you’re my favorite, right?”

“U-uh, really?”

“Of course. You’re the best.”

I gave two thumbs up with a big smile. Only then did a faint smile break across Hojin’s face.

“So starting today—”

“Yes! I’ll work harder so I’m a brother you won’t be ashamed of. Promise.”

“Huh? What did you think I said until now?”

“I thought you said I was the best... wasn’t I?”

After all that talking, that’s all he remembered? Did the skill not work? Sweat formed on my brow.

“No, listen again. From now on live your life, not mine. Erase me! Forget me!”

“...Why?”

His tears rose again.

“So you really are cutting me off—”

“No...! I didn’t mean cutting off. It means you don’t have to take care of me anymore. I’m grown up, and you know my rank.”

I spoke as gently as possible, emphasizing that he wasn’t someone who needed protection.

“So from now on think only about yourself—”

“But you’re my brother...? Of course I should look after you...”

Argh! I pinched my brow and closed my eyes tight. Then Hojin spoke again, and I opened them wide.

“If I’m gone, who’ll report the ex-First Army Commander types?”

“Report what?”

“Ex-First Army Commander.”

“...?”

How would he know that? My brain froze. How did Hojin know my permanently banned community nickname? I decided to test him.

“Who’s that?”

“There is. He’s a pathetic social misfit who insults others. A worthless piece of trash who doesn’t deserve to breathe. I hope he falls and breaks a leg.”

I’d never seen Hojin hate someone so much. The ex-First Army Commander, that pathetic social outcast trash... I, who’d been searching for my enemy so long, couldn’t say a word.

‘Kim Hojin, how did you—!’

I could only tremble.