SMFC | Chapter 11

The question was delivered so casually that it barely felt like one. For a moment, Yoo Haeon thought Lee Soo was talking to himself, but when Lee Soo tilted his head slightly and locked eyes with him, it became clear that the question was directed at him. The sudden brush of those bright yellow eyes startled Haeon into speaking reflexively.

“Not really.”

“Hmm… Was that too broad? Things like movies, food, colors, books, hobbies, flavors, seasons, or weather?”

“Is this actually a dungeon, or are we on a blind date? Or maybe some kind of matchmaking?”

Haeon muttered incredulously, his expression a mix of confusion and annoyance. Lee Soo chuckled cheerfully, waving off the idea. Tapping his foot lightly, he let out a contemplative hum before spinning his head toward Haeon with a mischievous grin.

“It’s just a simple survey. I told you, I plan to stick to you like glue, so I have to make a good impression.”

“Why are you planning to stick to me of all people? There are plenty of skilled and good-natured healers out there. You’re nice enough that most healers would probably want to help you, right?”

At Haeon’s exasperated tone and sighing, Lee Soo widened his eyes in mock surprise before covering his mouth with his hand, bursting into laughter.

Haeon stared at Lee Soo like he was insane, and when the latter finally calmed down, wiping away tears from laughing too hard, his voice turned monotone, as if the laughter had never happened.

“You think I’m nice? That means you see me as a good person, doesn’t it? Ah, that makes me so happy.”

As if genuinely overjoyed, Lee Soo’s pale cheeks, once tinged only with a bluish hue, flushed faintly pink. His rosy lips stretched into an excited smile as he spoke, his tone lively. Yoo Haeon opened his mouth as if to respond but then snapped his head away with an audible sigh.

Most awakened individuals were proud and prickly, and even healers who understood their value often avoided them when spoken to like this. But Lee Soo seemed to pick out every silver lining in a storm of frustration and smile as if it was the main takeaway.

“You’re so strange. Are you sure the part of you that needs healing isn’t your head or something?”

Haeon muttered with a sigh, but Lee Soo shook his head in denial. Glancing around to ensure no one was paying attention, Lee Soo leaned closer and whispered near Haeon’s ear.

“Actually… I’m terminally ill. I have five years left to live. But I don’t know why. I thought maybe getting regular healing might help.”

Having assumed Lee Soo’s words would amount to nothing serious, Haeon wished he’d move away already. But the confession froze him in place, and his head whipped around to study Lee Soo’s face.

Lee Soo’s golden eyes, bright as sunlight, curved upward as if to block any glimpse into his emotions. Haeon couldn’t read him at all.

When had this man started smiling like that? A chill ran through Haeon’s thoughts as he examined Lee Soo more closely.

If it’s a lie, I’ll just yell at him for joking about something so serious in front of a healer. If it’s true, I’ll drag him to the lab, bombard him with every healing spell and remedy I have, and start planning how to make his remaining time meaningful.

But for some reason, Haeon found himself wishing to react with anger. He figured anyone who knew Lee Soo would feel the same, murmuring inwardly as he grabbed Lee Soo’s wrist and began checking his pulse, simultaneously casting a diagnostic skill.

Lee Soo’s system notifications were soon filled with Haeon’s skills, drowning out alerts from the other hunters. Unlike the healing he had received from other healers, a refreshing clarity spread through his body, making him shiver faintly. The way Haeon lowered his gaze, fully focused on him, stirred a strange mix of intrigue and satisfaction in Lee Soo.

Though Lee Soo had no idea how serious the situation was, he couldn’t help but admire Haeon’s intensity. His thoughts fluttered to how endearing it was.

Death scheduled in advance has a way of making a person strangely calm. The uncertainty of an abrupt end is frightening, but an inevitable one feels oddly manageable.

Haeon glanced up at Lee Soo with an exasperated look, only to be met with another gentle, crescent-eyed smile. The kindness in that expression baffled Haeon.

“…How are you even alive?”

The question hit Lee Soo like a bolt from the blue. He blinked slowly, lips rounding in faint surprise before clicking his tongue as though lamenting being scammed. From beside him, On and Jin giggled softly into his ear.

[On: You made a promise, didn’t you?]

[Jin: A promise, that’s right. A promise is eternal.]

[On: Even if one of you dies and another comes, the promise must endure.]

[Jin: Fulfillment, yes, fulfillment. Our promises were made under the shadow of death.]

Isn’t it obvious you’re just barely alive?

The ominous whispers sent a chill down Lee Soo’s spine. Haeon, however, seemed oblivious to their words, confirming that they were audible only to him.

So, it wasn’t an incurable disease but something tied to his connection with the spirits. Haeon hadn’t considered asking about Lee Soo’s relationship with the spirits, and they had never offered the information.

As Lee Soo grumbled internally about how unfair it was for the spirits to drop such a bombshell, he turned to Haeon with a bright smile that pretended nothing was wrong.

“That’s just how it is for necromancers. So, do you think healing would help?”

[On: Lee Soo, our Lee Soo. This can’t be fixed with healing.]

[Jin: That’s right, it can’t. Even if it could, it would cost the other person’s life—a crazy thing to do.]

The mournful, unsettling voices from On and Jin swirled like a dirge. Lee Soo fought the urge to frown, turning his attention back to Haeon. Against his expectations, Haeon broke his silence.

“I can’t save you… but I think I can buy you a little more time.”

“…How much?”

“In your current state… six months.”

Ah. Lee Soo gasped softly, breaking into a radiant smile. Six months—a time long enough for two seasons to pass. It was enough to see Haeon escape all the dangers and live a normal life.

“That’s more than enough.”

His cheerful voice rang out with a warmth that belied his situation. Haeon stared at him as if he were insane, shaking his head.

“Only six more months.”

“No, it’s six months plus five years.”

“What if you die before that?”

As if it were the most innocent question in the world, Haeon’s words made Lee Soo pause. Before he could respond, the spirits chimed in, loud enough for Haeon to hear this time.

[On: We’ll protect Lee Soo.]

[Jin: At least until the moment the promise is fulfilled.]

[On: Lee Soo can’t die.]

[Jin: He can’t fully die.]

The hauntingly distorted yet calm voices left both men silent. Lee Soo gently stroked the spirits, chuckling softly. He worried the message hadn’t reached Haeon, but judging from his conflicted expression, it had.

“You heard them, didn’t you? I won’t die.”

Lee Soo spoke with a detachment that bordered on eerie, as if discussing the most ordinary thing. His hair, tied loosely, swayed softly with his movements, and the spirits around him flickered eagerly, trying to cling closer.

Something felt off. Lee Soo’s calmness resembled someone who had already seen their own death. Watching him with heavy eyes, Haeon found himself swallowing the questions he couldn’t bring himself to ask.

Even as Lee Soo’s pale face smiled serenely, the spirits spun around him in an almost sinister dance. Feeling unsettled, Haeon pursed his lips and turned away abruptly.

“……”

His favorite person had just turned his head away from him—right in front of his face.

I didn’t even do anything, Lee Soo thought, blinking slowly as he tilted his head. He touched his cheek, wondering if something about him was off, but brushed it aside just as easily.

Lee Soo’s nonchalance came from knowing Haeon’s personality well from the original story. Haeon, realizing his reaction might have been too harsh, darted his eyes toward Lee Soo, observing him quietly.

The necromancer sat calmly, gazing straight ahead, not offering a word of complaint.

So, he doesn’t smile when he’s not looking at someone.

The strange observation stuck in Haeon’s mind. He thought back to how no one else had remained so quiet after his bouts of irritation. Feeling conflicted, Haeon’s gaze lingered on Lee Soo longer than he intended.