Chapter 39
Meanwhile, Han Chasu was isolated inside the treatment room, focused on the system window. It was thanks to the soundproofing material that perfectly blocked outside noise, and the windows through which the outside could not be seen from within.
[ To maintain the subject’s life, the effect of the skill “Regeneration” will be temporarily altered. ]
[ Will you enter a state of suspended animation? ]
[ Y / N ]
[ No selection was made within the time limit. Automatically entering a state of suspended animation. ]
[ Warning: Any bound items currently equipped may be released! ]
‘So this is what popped up right before I passed out.’
His eyes were serious as they moved back and forth between the system message window and the status window. Setting aside the fact that he had found a way to release bound items.
‘Han Chasu, that bastard. For a villain, he has quite the useful skill, doesn’t he?’
Han Chasu was purely impressed.
The Regeneration skill was already overpowered in and of itself, yet it could even be modified like this. It was truly astonishing.
‘If he had this kind of ability, he should have long ago….’
No, that wasn’t it. Han Chasu stopped the thought that had been continuing.
The inferiority complex he had felt from the original Han Chasu through the dream was an emotion with extremely deep roots. It was no different from the very foundation of the original Han Chasu. Even if he had been born S-rank, he would surely have envied others and suffered from feelings of inferiority.
Shaking off his useless thoughts, Han Chasu focused on the system window again.
And he discovered one fact.
‘The conditions are pretty strict….’
It seemed that two conditions had to be met for the Regeneration skill to enter a state of suspended animation.
A fatal injury that directly threatened his life. And insufficient time to treat it.
It seemed to have happened because, while the ability of “Regeneration” itself was overpowered, the skill’s rank was only B. His guess was that the skill had independently judged that there wasn’t enough time to treat the fatal injury, immediately entered a state of suspended animation that maintained his life energy at the bare minimum, and secured time that way.
‘There’s no other explanation that makes logical sense.’
He didn’t know whether he should be surprised that a mere skill was so quick to grasp the situation, or whether the system was smart enough to give him a chance….
‘I can’t let this opportunity slip by.’
A chance to escape from the earring that Geum Myeonggyeol was constantly eyeing. He couldn’t let this heaven-sent opportunity pass him by.
‘Then how should I go about getting fatally injured?’
Just as all sorts of gruesome injuries flashed through Han Chasu’s mind—
Srrrk.
He heard the heavy door open, and Jeong Iheun appeared with trembling eyes.
“G…!”
Ah, right. My voice won’t come out.
Han Chasu reflexively grabbed his throat. It wasn’t because it hurt or anything; it was truly an unconscious action.
However, the repercussions of that small action were tremendous.
Jeong Iheun, who had been approaching with a sorrowful face, froze in place. His pale face hardened in an instant, and he quickly came over and knelt beside the bed.
He thought he heard a small scream from beyond the crack in the door.
With a face so serious it was solemn, Jeong Iheun declared,
“I will take full responsibility.”
And Han Chasu felt dizzy. He immediately shook his head. His instincts had warned him.
He had to stop Jeong Iheun right now. Whatever words were about to follow, he couldn’t let him say them.
Otherwise, forget releasing bound items or anything else—his life was going to become truly miserable. His instincts whispered to him.
But… his voice wouldn’t come out.
“Ugh… uuu, u…!”
Han Chasu’s eyes widened. If words wouldn’t come out, he could express himself with gestures.
He diligently grabbed both of Jeong Iheun’s hands, shook his head from side to side, and sighed.
Of course, it was no use. Jeong Iheun’s face as he looked at him only grew more sorrowful.
“You’ve become much weaker.”
“Uuu….”
“I shouldn’t have left you alone….”
No, no, you idiot. Han Chasu shook his head urgently. To begin with, he didn’t even know why this guy was acting like this. The person he had saved was Baek Seon, not Jeong Seoheun. So why was he acting like he was his older brother?
He tried to thump his chest in frustration, but even that hand was caught.
“That’s dangerous!”
The most dangerous thing to me right now is you!
Just as Han Chasu was cursing him with his eyes—
“Do you think I let you in first so you could spout bullshit?”
Baek Dam appeared, muttering coldly. Normally, Han Chasu would have wondered why he had come, but right now he was simply glad to see him. He had never thought the day would come when Baek Dam’s characteristic sarcasm would feel like welcome rain in a desert.
Without realizing it, Han Chasu stared at Baek Dam with eyes full of relief. Noticing that, Baek Dam walked toward the bed and smiled brightly.
‘Yes, come and heal me. And while you’re at it, get Jeong Iheun out of here.’
Judging by that smile, he would surely be subjected to an insane amount of nagging, but that was fine. It was better than hearing Jeong Iheun say again that he would take responsibility for him for the rest of his life.
However, Han Chasu’s expectations were brutally shattered.
“Mr. Han Chasu.”
“……?”
“How would you like to become the second son of my family?”
Baek Dam said something insane with a smiling face.
“Wouldn’t it be better to become part of a warm and harmonious family full of affection, rather than some bleak contractual relationship like a lifetime contract or partnership?”
At this new form of lifetime contract proposal, Han Chasu’s mind went blank.
‘Does psychological shock not count as a fatal injury?’
[ Warning! ]
[ The subject’s energy is being depleted at a rapid rate. ]
[ External stimuli will be blocked to conserve energy. ]
No, wait.
Han Chasu was horrified by the system message that appeared as if it had been waiting for this. But it was already too late.
[ Time remaining until external stimuli are blocked: 3 seconds, 2 seconds, 1 second…. ]
[ Blocking external stimuli. ]
Han Chasu lost consciousness just like that. He heard someone shouting something as if from far away.
***
“I told you that you had to be careful!”
“His condition is stable, so it shouldn’t be a major problem, but… we’d like you to refrain from visiting for a while.”
Jeong Iheun and Baek Dam were immediately driven out of the treatment room. The medical staff, who had been intimidated by them just moments ago, were merciless when it came to matters like this.
“Mm….”
“Haa.”
It was a good thing that the medical staff were taking such special care of Han Chasu. The two S-ranks exchanged awkward looks and left.
They could have watched Han Chasu through the large window attached to the corridor, but that didn’t particularly appeal to them. They had already looked through it until they were sick of it when they first brought Han Chasu here.
‘They said this used to be a laboratory.’
Why would a magic mirror be installed in a treatment room? That was a remnant of the past. Traces of the various experiments conducted in the early days of the Awakened Management Bureau on Awakened who had been forcibly registered.
Just thinking about it made displeasure rise to Baek Dam’s throat, and he quickly left the area. Jeong Iheun followed him in silence.
It was when they had left the medical wing and reached the vicinity of the courtyard.
Jeong Iheun suddenly asked,
“Are you serious?”
“Yes.”
Instead of asking what he meant, Baek Dam smiled prettily, his eyes curving. Jeong Iheun’s eyes sank coldly.
“Why? Don’t tell me you’re planning to interfere in your guild member’s family relationships too. If you do something like that, you’ll be sued as a stalker.”
“That is my line.”
“What did you say?”
“Mr. Han Chasu is a victim who was deeply wounded because of you, Hunter Baek Dam. Yet not only did you suddenly show yourself in front of such a person, you even told him to become your family…. Just how frightened must he have been to collapse as soon as he saw you?”
“Wait. Are you saying Han Chasu lost consciousness because of me?”
“There’s no other way to explain the situation.”
“Ha… ha! This is ridiculous. Honestly.”
Baek Dam felt a sharp throb at the back of his head.
“I was wondering why you were following behind me like a mangy dog, and now you’re saying it was so you could pick a fight with me?”
“Watch your words, Hunter Baek Dam. This isn’t picking a fight. It’s a warning. This won’t do. It would be best if you didn’t show yourself until Mr. Han Chasu is mentally stable.”
His face was calm, but it was no different from a threat. Otherwise, there was no explaining the heat that could be felt right now.
Baek Dam laughed as if dumbfounded.
“Are you going to kill me here?”
“Of course not. You’re the nation’s one and only precious S-rank healer, after all.”
Kwaaang!
It was then that, along with the sound of an explosion, acrid smoke rose into the sky from the distance.
“……!”
“What is that now?”
“I’ll go to Mr. Han Chasu. He may collapse again if he sees you, so don’t think of following me.”
“That insolent bastard.”
Baek Dam ground his teeth and glared at his retreating back. He should follow him right now…. No.
“Damn it.”
Han Chasu, who had rolled his eyes back and collapsed the moment Baek Dam spoke to him, came to mind. Baek Dam ran his fingers through his long hair and spat out a vicious curse.
Kwaaang!
A second explosion followed. Baek Dam glared toward the source of the explosion with his hair in disarray.
“Crisis Management Teams 2 and 3 remaining at headquarters, listen up. An explosion has occurred at the detention center. Form teams centered around those who can deploy barriers and prepare to enter!”
A group of people began running toward the direction of the smoke. Baek Dam’s eyes hardened coldly.
The detention center for ability users located near the Awakened Management Bureau. Imprisoned there were the criminals who had attacked him and injured Han Chasu.
“You fucking bastards.”
The detention center was attacked with perfect timing, just as Han Chasu woke up.
“Ha.”
This situation was far too obvious.
Baek Dam’s eyes blazed as he stared at the detention center. Before he knew it, a whip shining as brilliantly as gold was in his hand.
“Actually, this is better. If I catch every last one of the bastards hiding behind this, things should be fine.”
If Han Chasu had fainted because seeing him made him recall the horrors of that day, then he only had to remove the cause.
If he found all of them and cut off their limbs, Han Chasu would be able to rest easy.
Baek Dam smiled white and began to walk.
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