Chapter 108
A throbbing headache jolted me awake—the sun was already high in the sky. The space beside me was empty. I pushed my bangs back and called out to Yu Hyunjae in a hoarse voice.
“Hyunjae.”
“Yeah.”
The sound of hurried footsteps approached, and Hyunjae rushed to the doorway. His eager expression made me smile, and he grinned back, the corners of his mouth lifting.
“Don’t you have a headache?”
“I only had one drink. If my head hurt from that, I’d be a total lightweight.”
“You are a lightweight, even without the headache.”
“You’re not exactly a heavy drinker yourself!”
I kicked off the blanket and got out of bed. A spicy, tangy scent filled the air.
“Wait, did you actually cook something?”
“I tried, but I failed.”
“Then what’s that smell?”
“I read that people eat haejangguk after drinking. So I got some from a place nearby.”
When I reached the table, a few side dishes and utensils were already neatly arranged. We sat across from each other, eating the hangover soup in comfortable silence. After a few bites, Hyunjae spoke first.
“The doctor said he could get here by tomorrow.”
“That’s fast. Faster than I thought.”
“I figured he should be here before the surgery. And it’d be better if he came while Han Jaemin’s surveillance was lax.”
“Then now is the best time.”
“So…”
“Hm?”
“What do you want to do today?”
“What?”
“We’ve got time, right?”
“Shouldn’t I rest up if I’m meeting him tomorrow?”
“Why? We’re just meeting. You said you wanted to enjoy this time, remember?”
“I can’t say I’m still hungover even after eating this haejangguk,” I thought, but I’d never admit it out loud. Hyunjae’s eyes sparkled as he turned on his phone and started searching for “date spots” nearby.
“Let’s go without Han-gyul.”
“Yeah. Go Hankyul told us not to call him for a while anyway.”
“Rose garden? This place looks nice.”
“A bit cheesy, don’t you think?”
“Why? Flowers are pretty.”
For a moment, I inexplicably recalled the wilted flowers left at my doorstep a long, long time ago.
“You always like flowers.”
“Huh?”
“Remember when you gave me flowers?”
“During the selection test?”
“Yeah. But not just then—you gave them to me a long time ago, too.”
“Uh… you mean… when you…”
“Before I died.”
“Yeah. Before you died.”
“In every life before this one, you always loved flowers. But sometimes I’d take them, and sometimes I’d just leave them there.”
“I see.”
“Was that wrong?”
“No. You must’ve had your reasons.”
“Aren’t you just blindly trusting me?”
“You had your reasons, didn’t you?”
“…Yeah, I guess.”
“See?”
“Why are you so confident?”
“Because I know you better than anyone else—except maybe you.”
His words sent a strange wave of déjà vu through me. It reminded me of what Han Jaemin had once said: “I know everything about you. Even the things you don’t know yourself.” Between Hyunjae and Han Jaemin, who really knew me better? Without hesitation, I looked at Hyunjae.
“Yeah.”
“Huh?”
“You do.”
“…What?”
“You’re the one who knows me best.”
“Got it.”
“Then… can I be the one who knows you best, too?”
“Why ask? You already are.”
Hyunjae laughed. I laughed with him. It felt like the first time in an eternity that we’d laughed together so often.
“So, we’re going to the rose festival?”
“…Yeah, I guess.”
It didn’t seem like a bad date.
***
The next morning, Hyunjae left early to pick up the doctor. I should’ve slept more, but once he was gone, I couldn’t fall back asleep. I sprawled out on the large sofa, staring at the blank white ceiling. It was so plain that I turned on the speaker and played an Edensouth song. The loud electric guitar filled the room instantly. I closed my eyes, letting the music wash over me—or rather, letting the noise drown out my thoughts. Maybe no one else realized that the reason I listened to “loud music,” as Hyunjae put it, was usually for this exact purpose.
What would happen when the doctor arrived? We’d talk to him, and maybe this power would vanish in an instant. Or perhaps we’d summon Dohyun again and transfer it to him. If that happened, what would Han Jaemin do? Would he try necromancy again to find a new host, or would he search for another way to climb higher? I had no idea. Still, I decided to praise myself for making it this far.
The thought of praising myself felt unfamiliar, but not unpleasant. After all, in my long, long life, I’d never once praised myself. Never told myself I’d done well, never encouraged myself.
“You did well.”
I patted my own shoulder, lightly and deeply, like athletes do after a game.
That’s when the phone rang. I assumed it was Hyunjae, but the caller ID showed Jeon Jeongwoo. He’d never contacted me outside of work before. I answered, feeling a strange unease.
“Hello?”
[Yu Chanhee?]
“Yes, that’s me. What’s going on?”
[Come to the hospital. Now.]
“Now? I can’t. I have plans…”
[If it’s not now, we can’t do it.]
“What do you mean? I thought it would take a week…”
[Come. I’ll wait for you.]
Jeongwoo’s stiff, commanding tone left no room for argument. He hung up before I could respond. My heart pounded as I tried to steady myself and called Hyunjae. He didn’t answer. I forced myself to stay calm. If I didn’t listen, it would be fine. Hyunjae had found the doctor, and he’d figure out another way. I could separate this mana from myself without Han Jaemin’s power.
That’s when the text came.
[Han Jaemin: Don’t even think about scheming. Come now.]
When I didn’t reply, he sent more messages.
[Han Jaemin: Not coming right now is]
[Han Jaemin: Your choice?]
Your choice? I remembered the text Han Jaemin had sent before my parents died. A chill ran down my spine. He was asking for my choice again.
[Han Jaemin: Only make choices you can take responsibility for.]
I splashed water on my face and stood up. Instead of replying, I hit the call button. Han Jaemin answered immediately.
[You’ve grown a bigger head, but your judgment’s gotten quicker.]
“When you order people around, give a reason. Don’t use others to deliver your commands.”
[Dr. Jeon is disappointed. He told me to call you.]
“What happens to him if I don’t go?”
[You’d know that better than anyone. He’s useless to me if you’re useless.]
“You’re the worst.”
[I’m tired of hearing that from you.]
“Is that the best threat you’ve got? You act like lives are a joke.”
[You must have a lot of free time to worry about useless lives.]
“You’d be in big trouble if you were actually a ranker.”
[Stop wasting time and get here.]
“…I have plans. I’ll go after.”
[You think this is some neighborhood meetup?]
“…”
[I’ll give you an hour.]
“…”
[I don’t know who Hyunjae’s picking up, but I hope you make the smart choice.]
“…”
The call had ended, but I still held the phone to my ear, exhaling deeply. I knew Han Jaemin would find out eventually, but the way things had unraveled so quickly left me hollow. I still blamed myself for being powerless as I stood up. A life was at stake. I made one last call to Hyunjae. Surprisingly, he answered.
[Hey, Chanhee.]
“Where are you?”
[I’m on my way back after meeting the doctor. Why?]
“I’m going to Hansung Hospital.”
[What?]
“If I don’t go, someone dies.”
[What are you talking about? I’m coming. Just wait a little longer.]
“I have to be there in an hour. If I wait for you, it’ll be too late.”
[…I got it. I’ll handle it. And Chanhee.]
“Yeah.”
[Listen carefully.]
Hyunjae’s voice dropped. Without realizing it, I clenched my fists, waiting for his next words.
[I was going to tell you when we met, but I need to say it now.]
“What is it?”
[I’m going to kill Han Jaemin.]
His voice was steady, without a hint of hesitation. I couldn’t respond, my eyes widening in shock.
