CHAPTER 65…………………………………………

“I recently read a book in the hospital about Azazel, so I had a rough idea. Of course, it didn’t have detailed information about the demon species, but there were hints I could use. That’s how this idea came to me. I’d also seen a video of a demon hunt in India recently, where they used the demon’s traits to their advantage.”

So this was the idea I had wracked my brain over. Ryoo Ji-soo or Kim Jun, who didn’t know much about this species, could have been fooled. Probably Kang Kwon-hoo and Baek So-hyuk would have noticed I was lying, though.

“Was there really no other way? Or if you had just told me beforehand, I wouldn’t have been so shocked.”

As expected, Ryoo Ji-soo spoke as if she believed I was telling the truth, expressing a small regret before stopping.

“I thought it was the least risky option. If we’d continued as we were, the battle would have dragged on, and we, unable to respawn, would have been at a greater disadvantage.”

“You didn’t trust me enough to take that gamble? Or… couldn’t you have trusted anyone else, not just me?”

Baek So-hyuk asked reproachfully. I hadn’t expected him to interrogate me for the truth in front of the guild members, but I hadn’t expected this either.

“You thought I wouldn’t be able to protect you?”

His trembling voice struck a pang of guilt in me, even though I had done nothing wrong.

This wasn’t about trusting someone or not.

I knew the future. That disaster wasn’t caused by someone’s fault or inadequacy—it happened simply because it was going to happen. If I hadn’t acted, there was no way to stop this massive flow.

“I’m really fine. Look, not a single scratch. Seoul’s intact! Almost no one got seriously hurt. We handled a major crisis well.”

I deliberately addressed our guild members, not Baek So-hyuk, thinking of possible abnormal statuses. Even though we cheerfully said nobody was in trouble, no one nodded in acknowledgment.

“Sh-should we get the injured treated first?”

I didn’t want to stay in that fragile atmosphere, so I shifted the topic. But that seemed to irritate Kang Kwon-hoo even more.

“Do you think Woo-jin has the right to worry about others right now?”

I wasn’t worried—I just wanted to escape this inquisition… but I quietly tucked that thought into the box in my mind.

“I don’t have a single injury left now.”

Outside the area where we were gathered, things had grown chaotic. Other guilds had received their status screens and realized the demons had been completely dealt with. People were beginning to leave. While they didn’t fully understand the situation, they seemed to prioritize treating those who had fallen from hallucinations and informing the outside.

“Let’s wrap things up here too, and maybe talk over some meat.”

I brought up a promise we had made before this quest began. It felt better to have this conversation in a calmer situation.

“Don’t even think about running away.”

As guild leader, Baek So-hyuk had a responsibility to check on his members. He made sure I understood that he had been worried about me disappearing, then left.

“By the way, what about Meong?”

I looked at the massive Meong that had been wandering around me all this time.

“Well… even a tamed monster this big will have trouble getting into the dining hall.”

Ryoo Ji-soo replied, stroking Meong’s soft fur.

I wonder if I can bring it home… I’ll have to clean off all the blood, too.

Weong.

At that moment, as if understanding my worry, Meong emitted a light and shrank back to its small size.

“Huh?”

Checking, its rank had returned to normal.

I think I read somewhere that it reacts to my will… maybe it’s related to that.

The now-small Meong yawned and curled up inside the almost-ruined cage as if preparing to rest.

“Good job.”

I said quietly, closing the door.

“I’ll make a call and bring my little brother. Jun-ah, you come too.”

Ryoo Ji-soo took care of Kim Jun, who had been holding back tears. She even glanced at Kang Kwon-hoo before leaving, as if she was giving him space on purpose.

“How much of the future do you know?”

Kang Kwon-hoo’s question carried certainty now. There was no point denying it.

“I don’t know the entire future. I can’t pick and choose what to see, so there probably isn’t any information useful to you.”

He let out a snort, almost amused at my explanation, then grabbed my shoulders firmly.

“Do you think I want that right now?”

His voice trembled faintly.

Has he been holding back his emotions all this time?

I admitted to myself that the Kang Kwon-hoo I knew from the game and the one in front of me now were too different—I wasn’t sure how to deal with him. At our first meeting, he had been curious about my identity and the information I held, interacting lightly. But now, it seemed he considered me at least a comrade. I didn’t know what had changed his mindset, but his reaction made it clear.

“I thought he was cautious, even if he didn’t understand the subject, but I was wrong.”

“Huh?”

His tone grew harsher.

“If we don’t lock you up or something, you’ll just throw yourself into danger again, won’t you?”

“No. This time, I really had no choice.”

Since Kang Kwon-hoo thought I knew the future, I felt it was safe to explain this much.

“If I hadn’t acted this way, Azazel wouldn’t have been defeated in time. You would have lost your left leg too. I don’t know if you’ll believe me.”

“So, you did that… for me?”

His eyes flashed dangerously.

“Well… not only for that, but you could say that was part of the reason.”

“You could have lost your life.”

“That wasn’t possible.”

I deliberately said it firmly.

“Don’t ever do something like this again.”

“I will.”

It seemed that nothing else I said would be allowed.

“If this ever happens again…”

I was extremely curious what would come next, but no words followed.

“You won’t tell me what you’ll do?”

“If you’re curious, try it. You’ll beg me not to do it again.”

Even now, Kang Kwon-hoo hadn’t returned to his usual self. It was like he had removed a mask he always wore.

“I don’t think I want to know. I don’t think I’ll ever need to know.”

I quickly promised again not to do anything dangerous.

Finally, a smile appeared on Kang Kwon-hoo’s face.

“Is this where it hit?”

His hand started moving over my stomach. It was the spot where his arrow had pierced earlier. Even through my torn clothing, his fingers made me squirm.

“You mean your arrow hit me here?”

He muttered almost under his breath. Honestly, I still felt that the only person who could attack me in that way was Kang Kwon-hoo. Yet…

“I’m sorry.”

He looked down at me. I had a premonition that I would never forget the tremor in his eyes the moment his arrow struck me.

“I’m sorry I made you go through that. I didn’t think it would be this hard on you.”

It was genuine. I should have said it from the beginning, but there were too many people around. His busy hands stopped mid-motion. Slowly, his hand rose from my neck to my face, cupping my cheek. I couldn’t turn away and met his gaze. Kang Kwon-hoo’s beautiful face drew closer.

Our noses touched. Even that small contact sent electricity through my skin. Startled, I pushed him away and quickly freed myself from his embrace.

Even with my weak refusal, Kang Kwon-hoo stepped back. I quickly turned my head, not wanting to reveal my flushed face.

“W-what… was that?”

I didn’t want to stammer, but my heart was pounding uncontrollably.

“What do you think I was trying to do?”

Kang Kwon-hoo answered my question with a question, shamelessly teasing me again.

This… this was clearly a kiss attempt.

I dodged just in time, but if I had stayed still, our lips would have met.

I joked about wanting a passing kiss, but that was just a joke.

I didn’t know exactly how my apology had provoked him, but his sudden attempt left me shaken and off-balance.