SRW | Chapter 25

After humoring Kim Jaeyoung’s moods for about two days without complaint, he seemed to be in better spirits. If I keep placating him like this, can I really avoid the predetermined future? What else should I be doing? No matter how much I racked my brain, I couldn’t think of anything more to offer.

My body had completely healed, but lying around didn’t suit me, so I abruptly got up. Hwang Sooyeon had visited a few hours earlier and given me a dagger. It was more of a short sword, long enough to reach from fingertips to elbow when held. The blade came in an elegant case and could be worn on a special leather belt at the waist. Not exactly what I’d wanted, but the expensive craftsmanship made it acceptable.

“Are you going out?”

Kim Jaeyoung frowned as I fastened the belt and sheathed the short sword. What, did he expect me to stay cooped up here forever, this obsessive bastard?  I swallowed my true thoughts and gave a calm nod. Fortunately, he didn’t seem intent on restraining me yet.

“Yeah. Just scouting around briefly.”

“I’ll go with you.”

“No need. You said you cleared out all the monsters nearby. Hwang Sooyeon’s been moving around alone just fine.”

That day, many monsters had left the school grounds. While I was unconscious, Kim Jaeyoung exterminated the creatures near the science lab, and the cafeteria group followed his lead to gain combat experience while cleaning up the area. Now the vicinity around both locations was completely monster-free.

“I’ll be back, so wait here.”

When I made firm eye contact and spoke decisively, Kim Jaeyoung nodded reluctantly while clearly displeased. I recalled a TV program saying animals with separation anxiety improve when they learn their owners always return. Honestly, this feels like raising a clingy puppy.

“Come back soon…”

Now that I thought about it, it was kind of cute…

*

Outside the building, chairs with empty drink cans dangling from them were stacked around the cafeteria. If monsters appeared, the collapsing chairs would make noise by knocking the cans together. I didn’t know who came up with the idea, but it was simple and effective.

Entering the cafeteria, I first noticed how much cleaner it looked. They’d moved the tables and chairs outside, converting the spacious student dining area into living quarters. Bear was the first to approach me.

“Sun Eunsoo-sunbae, are you feeling better now?”

“I’m fine. Looks like this place has become more livable?”

“I feel a bit embarrassed, just sitting back while everyone else is struggling. It would’ve been nice if I had awakened, too…”

Bear hadn’t awakened. With his large frame and strength, he would’ve become quite powerful. It was a real shame.

“Lee Hyunwoo said he had something to discuss with you, sunbaenim. He’s out back. Should I bring him?”

“No, I’ll go.”

I stopped Bear from fetching Hyunwoo and headed toward the back door. I could feel others glancing at me, their looks were devoid of welcome. I’d thought at least some might view me positively by now, but apparently not. Whatever. I’d acted for my own survival, not for their approval.

Outside the back door, I found Hyunwoo, Yoo Yeonha, and Nam Jinsu having a serious discussion that stopped when I appeared. The class president continued glaring at me hostilely while Nam Jinsu kept nervously glancing between us.

“Sun Eunsoo-sunbae, have you recovered?”

“As you can see. Hwang Sooyeon’s ability works wonders. But why are those two bandaged? Couldn’t they ask Hwang Sooyeon for healing?”

Nam Jinsu had his leg bandaged while the class president’s arm was wrapped. Hyunwoo sighed and shook his head.

“Hwang Sooyeon-sunbae’s ability doesn’t work on non-Awakened. And while Yoo Yeonha-sunbae is Awakened, Sooyeon-sunbae refuses to heal him. There seems to be lingering resentment.”

“Really? Must be tough having beef with your healer. Better be careful.”

“Hah.”

The class president scoffed at what he took as sarcasm, shouldering past me into the cafeteria. This little shit? As my expression darkened, Nam Jinsu quickly followed him inside, leaving just Hyunwoo and me.

“Why does he hate me so much? Ridiculous. What did I ever do to him?”

The prevailing theory was that the class president had feelings for Kim Jaeyoung. Otherwise, why such intense dislike?

“You said you had something to tell me. What is it?”

At my question, Hyunwoo’s face clouded over. His hesitation suggested difficult words were coming. I leaned against the wall and waited.

“I know this is harsh to say to someone who just survived death… but I’d prefer if you stopped taking the lead from now on.”

“…What?”

“Whenever you’re involved, situations… tend to go badly. The others feel uneasy too.”

I was speechless. He wasn’t entirely wrong, but… it stung. After all the times I’d saved his ass, this was his response?

“So now that things are stable, you’re ditching me?”

“That’s not-! Not ditching. Just… we’d prefer you stay quiet. I know it’s shameless after all your help.”

Seeing my expression darken, Hyunwoo gulped and confessed his secret:

“…I can tell when people are lying. And I keep seeing you lie. Kim Jaeyoung-sunbaenim too. You’re both hiding something, so we can’t trust you. That’s why we can’t let you lead anymore.”

Hyunwoo revealed his ability to discern truth from lies. And since I’d been mixing the two so much, he must’ve been confused for a while now. Fine, I understood logically. But emotionally? Hearing this from someone I’d favored left a bitter taste, especially after nearly dying.

I clenched and unclenched my fist. Seeing that, Hyunwoo leaned in.

“…You can hit me if you need to.”

THWACK!

Now that he wouldn’t die from one punch, I put my full strength into it. Hyunwoo staggered and fell, his cheek swelling and lip bleeding instantly. Yet my anger didn’t subside.

“…I’m still not satisfied.”

More than anger, I felt hollow. Even after suppressing my personality and avoiding trouble to change the future, I remained the villain in their eyes.

“You can hit me ag-“

“Forget it.”

There was no point in continuing. I turned toward the cafeteria door where the class president stood in the slightly open doorway. Spotting me, he threw the door wide and shouted:

“Sun Eunsoo! What the hell are you doing?!”

Fortunately, no monsters were nearby to hear his yell. But it was loud enough to draw a crowd. He rushed past me to help Hyunwoo up.

“Hyunwoo, are you okay?”

“Ah, Yeonha-sunbae, this is-“

“You think violence solves everything?! You haven’t changed one bit!”

Hyunwoo tried explaining, but the class president kept shouting. The commotion drew cafeteria survivors, including several Awakened who surrounded me. They were holding the very weapons I’d nearly died to obtain.

“If you thought awakening first gave you the right to rule over us, you’d better reconsider.”

“…What?”

“That attack on the clubroom happened because of you. Your behavior caused misunderstandings that got people killed! Same with the pharmacy! Hyunwoo didn’t want to go, but you forced him! He almost died too!”

What the hell was this? Everyone was looking at me with hostility. Even timid Oh Hanbit was pointing a weapon at me with surprising vigor. Behind them, Bear tried pushing through the crowd toward me, but the Awakened blocked his path.

“Everyone, stop! You’ve got it wrong!”

Hyunwoo’s protests only worsened the situation.

“No need to defend him, Hyunwoo.”

“Exactly! We’ve just been following Sun Eunsoo’s lead until now. We’ll protect you.”

“We have power now too!”

Did they… really hate me this much? They had never shown it before, but now it was all coming out at once.  Even Mrs. Kim Boksoon, who’d always been kind, glared at me.

“In times like these, we should be standing together, but you go around hitting your own people? That’s not right, Eunsoo! You’ll be punished for this!”

I don’t know how I escaped. Had it been one or two people, I wouldn’t have been so shaken, but being collectively condemned left me dazed. Is this how celebrities feel reading hate comments?

“…Sun Eunsoo-sunbae!”

“…Kang Deokho.”

Bear was the only one who followed as I staggered back toward the science lab. Catching his breath after running after me, his pale face tensed as he spoke.