“But why are you here Commander Dok in the treatment room…? Where are you injured? Did I hurt you by any chance?”
It was Pyeong-ari’s voice.
A little while ago, when she regained consciousness, she showed symptoms of a seizure. Then, upon seeing her colleagues and Jong-sik, she calmed down. Kang Chang-soo explained to Pyeong-ari what had happened just before.
Pyeong-ari, who showed abnormal symptoms after being caught in the black rain.
She fainted, with the help of Jong-sik who appeared just in time.
Jong-sik, who protected his colleagues and soloed the dungeon.
Jong-sik, who brought demons, beings from another dimension.
Due to the commotion outside, they were instructed to rest a little longer.
Afterward, access to the treatment room by the members of the raid team was prohibited for the absolute stability of the patients.
And now,
Jong-sik and Pyeong-ari were lying side by side on their respective beds. Pyeong-ari was still confused.
“I’m not injured, I just felt tired and wanted to rest for a moment.”
“Phew, I see…”
Perhaps that’s why unnecessary words began to spill out of her mouth.
“It was a really strange dungeon. The environment, the black rain, the black sky, the unbearable stench, and things I wanted to forget…”
“….”
“So, I wondered if I mistook Commander Dok for that person and attacked him, or if I just imagined it because of fatigue.”
“I’ll say it again, it’s just fatigue.”
At his words, Pyeong-ari turned to lie on her side. Through the slightly open curtain, Jong-sik could be seen. The man who saved her. She looked at Jong-sik intently and asked.
“Aren’t you curious? About what I saw?”
“Not really.”
“Hallucinations that tainted minds usually aren’t that interesting. Hallucinations that bring anger, pain, and sadness. So what’s the point of listening?”
However, Pyeong-ari continued speaking without waiting for an answer.
“I saw my dad. He passed away, and I’ve never seen him in my dreams, but just a while ago, he appeared vividly in front of my eyes. It was like he was alive.”
A family secret that she had never told anyone.
She doesn’t understand why she’s revealing such things to Jong-sik, and she doesn’t understand it herself. But once words start flowing out, they can’t be stopped.
“I really didn’t want to see him dead. That person, my dad.”
“Hmm…”
“This sounds strange, doesn’t it? Especially for Commander Dok to hear. Commander Dok has extraordinary family affection. Every time I see him, I’m always amazed, and I envy Yeona.”
Sometimes, Pyeong-ari’s words about being envious of Yeona come to mind.
‘I thought it was just a polite remark, but maybe she was sincere.’
“Why do people say such things? That a daughter’s love is for her dad. Especially Commander Dok, even though he’s like a big father figure, he loves Yeona so much. But my dad wasn’t like that. Whenever our eyes met, fists would fly. At first, he’d only hit my mom, but eventually, he hit me too…”
Pyeong-ari’s eyes trembled. It seemed as if terrifying memories were resurfacing.
“He’d hit us if we came home late, hit us if we came home early, hit us if we didn’t smile, hit us if we did. It’s funny, isn’t it? Just hitting us for no reason.”
“I got the same treatment. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, you know?”
“Hmph. Unexpected answer, isn’t it?”
“It’s sincere.”
“Hmm. Did he really deserve that? But in the end, I just killed him.”
The unexpected words came from Pyeong-ari’s side. Jong-sik turned his head momentarily.
With her hands clasped, she lay on her side, her eyes tightly closed.
“?”
“I still vividly remember that day. It was pouring rain. I ran into my dad on the way home, and he suddenly started hitting me. I don’t remember what I said then. Oh, it was because I greeted him late… just because I didn’t see him because I was using an umbrella.”
“So what did you do?”
“I just took it. I was being hit for a while, then suddenly, an expulsion gate appeared in front of him. And that day was the day of the Great Cataclysm.”
The day buildings collapsed, and the ground split.
And along with the gate, monsters appeared.
Pyeong-ari’s dad was fatally injured by a goblin. At the same time, Pyeong-ari awakened as a ‘healer.’
“If I had tried to save my dad, maybe I could have. But I just ran away. The goblins were scary, and my dad was scary too. So even though I knew what would happen if I left him like that, I ran away.”
“…”
That’s how Pyeong-ari confessed the secret she had buried in her heart.
It felt refreshing. At the same time, she regretted it.
She was afraid of Jong-sik’s gaze upon her.
‘Yes, I shouldn’t have said something like that.’
Regret flooded in. Yet she wanted confirmation. Finally, she opened her moist eyes and met Jong-sik’s gaze. Jong-sik was looking at her with an indifferent gaze. Eventually, Jong-sik spoke.
“What else can I say? Did you say you killed him? he was just attacked by that monster, nothing else. And Pyeong-ari, you were lucky to survive.”
It wasn’t a clumsy attempt at comfort. Yet, her heart warmed slightly. It wasn’t her fault. Maybe she had hoped someone would say that. That’s why she confessed.
Strangely, Jong-sik seemed like the one who would say that. And her expectation was correct.
“Do you really think so?”
“Anyone, not just me, would think that way. Pyeong-ari Team Leader, you didn’t kill him. So don’t blame yourself with unnecessary guilt. There’s so much ahead of us. Especially at times like this, you need to keep your wits about you. Understand?”
For a moment, a filter seemed to cover Pyeong-ari’s eyes. Maybe it had been there all along. It was a filter called “prejudice.” That’s why Jong-sik looked different. And his words sounded different too.
“What lies ahead…?”
It probably wasn’t meant in that sense, but strange thoughts crossed her mind. Before she knew it, she was envisioning grandchildren. Perhaps it was because of her random imagination. Even her mouth moved on its own.
“I don’t need to think about what others think. Your thoughts are the most important to me…”
“What did you say? My thoughts?”
“You’re my team member! Ah, anyway, thank you. Thank you, Commander Dok, for saving me and for being here with me now.”
“Oh, and about today’s schedule, it could be considered part of our duties, so let’s not count it as part of your month-long vacation. Just in case.”
“Hmm.”
Meanwhile, the other patients lying in the treatment room.
They had already regained consciousness a long time ago.
But the atmosphere between the two was so strange that they couldn’t open their eyes.
“Oh my, Commander Dok. You said you don’t need to think about what others think.”
“Look at that, he seems like a loner.”
“The atmosphere was nice. Why say not to count it as part of the vacation!!!!”
They sighed at Jong-sik’s response and quietly shook their heads.
***
At that moment.
Iron Blood Guild’s Iron Blood Love Hospital, effectively operated by the guild. The expressions of the medical staff working in the VIP ward were brighter than ever.
“Congratulations on your discharge.”
The patient who had been hospitalized for six months in the VIP ward’s single room.
It was the day of discharge for that man they had long awaited.
The patient’s name was Park Won.
Undoubtedly, he was the successor of the Iron Blood Guild.
Six months ago, he was hospitalized as a VIP patient at the Iron Blood Love Hospital. Of course, he wasn’t ill. He had all his limbs intact. He just ended up here as a form of banishment, not to exile.
In any case, after his hospitalization, the medical staff experienced hell. How many medical staff had quit because they couldn’t bear it?
There were even rumors of someone committing suicide due to harassment from Park Won, who had been lying down and resting all day. Was his name Dong-sik?
Every day, Park Won, who tormented them just because his name sounded similar to Jong-sik’s. Of course, the medical staff had no idea about such a reason.
“Anyways, the methods of torment were diverse, and Park Won’s bullying went beyond imagination. So, it’s a day of discharge for such a man, and the medical staff can’t help but be happy.
“Everyone seems unusually cheerful today. Is it because I’m leaving?”
And he was a man who wouldn’t miss such a reaction from the medical staff. Park Won scanned their expressions and teased them.
“No!”
“Or maybe you want me to stay a bit longer?”
“….”
“Hehehe, just kidding. Relax, everyone. I won’t be coming back here again, so loosen up.”
“….”
“Even if you relax?”
A malicious tone. But his gaze was fiercely intimidating.
The nervous medical staff hurriedly replied.
“Yes, yes!”
“Anyone would think you’re about to be devoured. Anyway, since everyone gathered here to see me off, I should thank you for your hard work. Kick, you’ve all worked hard.”
“No!”
“Anyway, you all do well. Oh, and.”
For a moment, a reflection of a man appeared in Park Won’s eyes.
The person who met his gaze shrank back involuntarily.
“Our director. The coffee you served every morning was delicious. Is it because you’re a doctor? You always made it just right.”
“T-Thank you. If you ever come back, I’ll gladly make it for you again.”
“Hmm? Is that a poor choice of words? Gentlemen who know everything about my exile here are telling me to come back. That means…”
“Oh, no! That’s definitely not what I meant!”
“Is that so? You almost made a misunderstanding if you hadn’t clarified quickly.”
With that, Park Won patted the director’s shoulder and left the hospital.
“Anyway, I’m really leaving now. Take care, everyone.”
That’s how Park Won ended his six-month exile.
He looked at Director Kim, who had come to see him off with a cunning look.
“Director Kim, should I report now?”
“Yes.”
In response to his question, Director Kim answered. He reported on the guild business conducted during Park Won’s hospitalization, the current trends and important matters of the Hunter Association, and even the schedule of the upcoming International Guild Federation meeting next week. Finally, he cautiously added.
“That’s all you need to know. And…”
“What else?”
“Hunter Dok Jong-sik. Currently, not only our government but also the United States sees him in a friendly light. There’s also information that he will attend the International Guild Federation meeting. So, what I mean is…”
“Ah, don’t interfere? I heard you, so there’s no need to worry about that with Father.”
“Pardon?”
“We already know everything that will be reported to Father, so there’s nothing to hide. Director Kim, just convey exactly what I said. And I want to go alone, so let’s move separately.”
Park Won gestured towards the vehicle.
“Yes, understood. I’ll see you shortly.”
Director Kim opened the back door and nodded respectfully.
A moment later, the vehicle departed with only Park Won inside.
Director Kim watched the departing car and smirked. He couldn’t quite put his finger on it, but he felt like this wasn’t the same Park Won he knew.
“Has his time at the hospital had an effect? It seems different from before. How strange.”
