[At around 1pm today, a group of monsters appeared in Seoul, but fortunately there were no deaths or injuries during the attack.]
A new anchor was reporting today's incident. With a deep sigh, Chae Shinhyuk stroked the bedridden patient. His pale skin seemed to stab his father's heart.
Although Nayun was an adult who would soon become a hero, she was still like a little girl to Chae Shinhyuk.
[According to the investigation, the group of monsters was led by the intermediate grade 1 monster, "Inciting Beast". With the size of a man and the shape of a badger, this monster had never appeared in Korea before. The Association believes that the monster was brought in by a third party and is conducting a search].
"Hmm."
At that moment, Chae Nayun opened his eyes. Chae Shinhyuk immediately called for a doctor.
"You've woken up. How are you feeling?"
"Fine."
Chae Nayun lifted her weak body. A doctor came running to check her pulse, but she pushed him away with a smile.
"I'm fine, Dad."
"Really?"
"Of course. I'm not hurt. Didn't the doctor tell you? It was just mana exhaustion."
"Yes, I did."
Said the doctor, speaking inadvertently. Chae Shinhyuk was a powerful figure who had control of the country's economy in the palm of his hand. He knew that provoking this man's bad side would only make his life more difficult.
"She looks fine, so you can go now.
"Yes, sir."
The doctor rushed out. Looking at the closing door, Chae Nayun said briefly:
"P-father!"
"Yes, daughter!"
"Did you meet someone called Theo?"
"Yes, I did. He's the one who brought you to the hospital."
Chae Nayun's eyes shone for a moment.
"He brought me?"
"Yes, he carried you in his arms to the ambulance and then stayed with you until I arrived."
Chae Shinhyuk answered neutrally, but his expression didn't hide his curiosity.
He still didn't know what to think about Theo Sagan. However, the fact that his daughter seemed so interested in him... It set off a little alarm inside him.
"Did he stay with me until you arrived?"
"Yes. He even told you to text him when you woke up."
Chae Shinhyuk continued, watching Nayun's reaction carefully. And, as he suspected, the mention of Theo's name made Chae Nayun look away.
'My daughter... Interested in a boy?'
Chae Shinhyuk didn't know whether to laugh or sigh. Since his wife's death and his son's coma, his daughter had closed herself off completely, preventing herself from even making friends for fear that they might take advantage of her.
"Do you want me to call him to visit you?"
He asked, feigning disinterest.
"What?! You don't have to!
She replied quickly, raising her hands in protest.
'So that's how it is...'
Chae Shinhyuk crossed his arms and thought. This Theo Sagan... He definitely deserved further investigation.
...
Yun Seung-Ah could fool the public, but not me. That facade of exemplary heroine, the friendly smile, the impeccable posture, it was all just a well-constructed mask.
Behind that image was a pragmatic woman, someone who would discard anyone when they were no longer useful. She was the kind of person who would throw away a piece that was no longer valuable; for her, the survival of the fittest was what mattered.
'Pretty she is... But too bad, looks aren't everything. Sigh!'
I turned the contact card over in my hand, looking at her name engraved in elegant letters. Yun Seung-Ah. Deputy leader of the Association's Team of Heroes.
"Tsk. As expected, she wants something from me."
It wasn't hard to understand why. After what happened at the museum, my name was probably already circulating among the association's superiors.
You ask me: how? Simple, someone with a bit of insight must have already put the pieces together and deduced that I was responsible for eliminating the monsters.
Ah, but weren't you using invisibility magic?
Yes, I was using it, but the bolt of lightning I threw inside the museum, as a way of stunning the Djinn, came from the same direction as I left shortly afterwards. If they looked at the security camera footage, they could see me.
I don't care if they find out anyway. It doesn't matter to me.
'Should I send a message?'
I hesitated for a moment, but before I could decide what to do, I felt my smartwatch vibrate. A notification appeared on the holographic screen.
[Nayun: WHY DID YOU BRING ME TO THE HOSPITAL?!]
After sleeping all afternoon, this is the first message she's sent me?
[Theo: I don't understand. Say it again...]
[Nayun: You said yourself that it was just magical exhaustion! That can be solved with a few hours' rest! Then why the hell did you bring me to the hospital?!"]
[Theo: Ah... There wasn't much of a reason, really. I just wanted to avoid any problems with your father. I've heard rumors that he's quite clingy when it comes to you, so in order not to annoy my future father-in-law, I chose the best option.]
[Nayun: Damn! Because of you, I got a warning here!]
[Theo: Your fault.]
[Nayun: I lost my temper and cursed too loudly... The nurse lectured me.]
[Theo: Hahaha! So it's really your fault. I'm innocent].
[Nayun: You shameless bastard!]
[Theo: No shame, really.]
[Nayun: Argh! I swear I'll hit you one day...]
[Theo: Try. But for now, let me do it to you in bed].
[Nayun: Idiot...]
I smiled as I looked at the floating screen in front of me.
[Nayun: Wait... You still haven't told me how you carried me to the ambulance.]
[Theo: Huh? In my arms, obviously.]
[Nayun: AS A PRINCESS?!]
[Theo: Exactly.]
[Nayun: YOU FUCKING GUY!!!]
[Theo: Wow, what an overreaction. Did you want me to drag you by your feet?]
[Nayun: You're lucky I'm stuck with this serum.]
[Theo: So I'm guaranteed a few good hours of life.]
[Nayun: When I get out of here, you're dead.]
[Theo: Great. I've already chosen my coffin. Can you bury me in style?]
[Nayun: Aff... Fuck you!]
I laughed out loud this time, closing my eyes for a moment. She was definitely okay.
[Theo: Tomorrow you go back to Cube, right?]
[Nayun: Yes, I only didn't go back today because of my dad...]
[Theo: Owl father...]
[Nayun: You have no idea. Even after the doctor said I was fine, he insisted that I stay here another day for observation.]
[Theo: That makes sense. He must have been startled to hear that you had faced a Djinn. It's normal for him to be worried.]
[Nayun: Yes, I know... But you didn't have to exaggerate so much. If I hadn't sent him away, he'd still be here now.]
Chae Shinhyuk had always been a man of unshakeable principles in the business world. His name carried weight, his word moved entire corporations and his presence alone was capable of making men tremble.
But when it came to his daughter, Chae Nayun, he was just a father dealing with invisible wounds.
The loss of his wife devastated him. His son's coma was another deep scar. Now, Nayun was his only remaining light. If something happened to her... He knew he wouldn't be able to bear the loss any longer.
Nayun understood this, even though she complained about his overprotectiveness. She knew it was his way of holding her close and preventing another piece of the family from being lost.
The conversation continued for a few more minutes, full of teasing and light comments, until we both realized how late it was.
[Theo: You should rest.]
[Nayun: I should say the same to you.]
[Theo: I'm made of steel. Spending a sleepless night doesn't affect me.]
[Nayun: Hmph.]
[Theo: I know it might be difficult for you, but try to get some sleep. You don't want to arrive in Cube looking like a zombie.]
[Nayun: Yes, I know... Thanks to you, I'm less anxious now.]
I let out a sigh, staring at the holographic screen floating in front of me.
Tomorrow was Sunday. The day I would eradicate the "Devil Seed" from Chae Jinyoon's body.
In the original timeline, Kim Hajin had to kill him to stop the seed from germinating.
But now, things would be different.
I got up and went to the window of my dormitory, looking out at Cube's night sky. The artificial lights of the academy illuminated the horizon, and the cool night breeze caressed my face.
Tomorrow would be a day of rebirth for Chae Jinyoon.
And a blessing for Chae Nayun.
With one last glance at the smartwatch screen, I typed the last message of the night.
[Theo: Sleep well and dream of me.]
The reply came almost instantly.
[Nayun: You too, asshole.]
I smiled, closing the screen before throwing myself on the bed.
Tomorrow would be an important day. And I would be ready for it.
...