Chapter 1357. Visit (7)

I had no choice but to take another careful look at that quack doctor. This time, I had a bit more composure than earlier. I looked at everything around him as well. The mansion, the props, and every little detail... I burned them all into the retina of my eyes. It looked like a pointless act, but it was my desperate attempt to get even a little closer to the answer I was seeking.

‘Does he have an artifact? Or is the system interfering somehow?’

Perhaps I had been relying too much on Mind’s Eye. Mind's Eye wasn't omnipotent, and it couldn't even fully understand those hexagrams. The continent—no, the dimension was vast, and it made sense to assume that there were traits or abilities capable of neutralizing Mind’s Eye.

“Could it be that... you’re experiencing symptoms similar to Mr. Hyun-Sung’s?” Doctor Michele asked.

I decided to keep all possibilities open, but even then, nothing really changed. Perhaps all of this was just my way of denying the current situation. Deep down, I had already acknowledged that the doctor’s reasoning wasn’t entirely wrong.

‘If I’m the one who’s mistaken.’

Would that even matter? The fact that Kim Hyun-Sung’s condition was improving was something both he and I could feel. If this treatment were allowed to continue, the problems within Kim Hyun-Sung would naturally be resolved. But still...

‘The price is too great.’

If that price was the

Regressor Instruction Manual

, which was the bond between Kim Hyun-Sung and me, then it wouldn't be worth bringing up.

From the very beginning, I had never been rational enough to let go of what was mine. It was selfish, but if I had to choose between our bond and Hyun-Sung’s suffering, I would still choose the former.

‘There’s no point in thinking about it.’

“...”

“...”

This bastard was dangerous. Whether or not he actually manipulated Kim Hyun-Sung didn't even matter at this point, as Doctor Michele had become an obstacle to me.

Perhaps Kim Hyun-Sung was just unlucky, as he ended up becoming Doctor Michele's patient by sheer coincidence. However, Hyun-Sung trusted him and was willing to follow him, so he was undeniably a threat to me.

He was denying the

Regressor Instruction Manual

. He was explaining that denying its existence was the way to treat Kim Hyun-Sung.

Just then, an idea came to my head—getting rid of him would definitely feel extremely satisfying. Feeling that there was no longer any point in staying, I rose to my feet, and I caught a glimpse of slight bewilderment on the doctor's face.

“It would be best to end our conversation here,” I suggested.

“...”

“There doesn’t seem to be any point in continuing. Thank you for all your efforts up to this point, Dr. Michele. Thanks to you, Mr. Hyun-Sung was able to rest comfortably. I’ll send someone later to give you a proper reward. I’ll include a fine bottle of wine as well,” I told him.

“

Uh

... Father Lee Ki-Young. I have something to say,” Doctor Michele said.

“Even if it's because of that excessive academic zeal of yours, your pride as a professional, or your genuine concern for Hyu-Sung, it doesn't matter. Let’s just stop here, Doctor.

"There’s no need for you to go this far, is there? After all, it’s simply a relationship between a patient and a doctor... There’s no need to hang yourself over it,” I said.

“...”

“You’re doing this job to earn some gold and make a living, anyway. If you’re holding on because you’re worried about money, you don’t have to be. I acknowledge that Hyun-Sung received help from you. The Blue Guild and I never forget favors.

"Or could it be that... there's another reason behind it?” I asked.

“...”

“I'm starting to think that... perhaps you approached him with an impure motive, not just for money or some gold. Maybe... you're aiming for something better,” I added.

“I believe Mr. Hyun-Sung should decide for himself,” Doctor Michele said.

“That's laughable. Do you really think some guy who came in here to treat people can make that call? I'm his guardian, and he’s my guardian, Doctor. I don't know what grand achievement you're trying to make by cozying up here, but if you don't want to see things turn ugly, I suggest you let him go when the time is right.

"Surely you can make a living elsewhere, can't you?” I threatened him.

“You’re very different from the rumors. If not that—”

“Don't play these pathetic games. Just disappear before I tear your mouth apart,” I cut him off.

There was no murderous intent in my voice, but if he were an ordinary man, he would certainly feel pressured by that alone. Still, his expression didn’t change. He was too calm, and his eyes were both steady and unshaken.

I quickly understood why he irritated me so much.

‘This bastard... is completely unshaken.’

“...”

“...”

It turned out that there really was someone like him out there.

He wanted nothing for himself and purely wanted to help Kim Hyun-Sung. Of course, I could be wrong, as one couldn't truly read someone's true character from a brief glance.

However, he was an upright individual; he was the type to give up everything for what he believed in.

Hyun-Sung probably saw that before me, and I believed that was the reason he started leaning on that quack. Although the two were fundamentally different, he reminded me of Light Ki-Young, someone who would help others without hesitation and would never bow to any oppression or force.

Now, things I hadn't noticed before were standing out. The quack doctor's hands were trembling, and he looked a little nervous.

I finally realized that the man wasn't facing me as the Saint of Sacrifice and Revival but as the human being, Lee Ki-Young.

‘I must kill him. This bastard must die.’

“Anytime...” Doctor Michele mumbled.

“...”

“You may come back and talk to me anytime you like, Father Lee Ki-Young,” Doctor Michele added.

I kicked the door and left. I immediately saw the fool standing there, looking dazed.

“Mr. Hyun-Sung, come with me,” I told him.

“Pardon?” Kim Hyun-Sung asked.

“We’re leaving here right now,” I said.

“W-what are you talking about?” he asked.

“This place gives me a bad feeling, and he gives me a bad feeling... I want to respect your wishes, Mr. Hyun-Sung, but I just can’t. For now, we’re leaving. I have a bad feeling about this. Maybe it’s—”

“Didn’t I tell you I’m not going anywhere? I said that just a little while ago...” Kim Hyun-Sung interrupted me.

“Listen to me this time. As a doctor, he is surely helpful, but I have a rough idea what you’re thinking, Mr. Hyun-Sung,” I said.

I tried to grab his hand and pull him away, but he wouldn’t budge at all.

“I... still...” Kim Hyun-Sung mumbled.

‘God, this guy’s so damn frustrating.’

“We can talk about it later, but for now, let’s go home first and discuss it there,” I suggested.

“I’m not going,” Kim Hyun-Sung said firmly.

“What?”

“I can’t go back yet. I...” Kim Hyun-Sung paused.

“

Ah

, seriously. Just come with me, will you? I’ll explain everything later,” I said.

“But...”

‘He’s driving me insane.’

“What’s the problem, exactly? Going home? You’ll get treatment back at home, and you’ll be helping others, too. What’s so bad about it that you keep resisting it?” I questioned.

“I already told you,” Kim Hyun-Sung answered.

“And who cares about that? I told you I don’t care either. It’s fine. So let’s just go. It really doesn’t matter,” I begged.

“It matters to me,” Kim Hyun-Sung said.

“

Ah

... damn it,” I mumbled.

“How could I possibly forget?” Kim Hyun-Sung said.

“...”

“It’s still vivid in my mind... How could I erase that memory? I remember everything that happened that day. The cold sword in my hand, the blood running down my arm, and the sight of you sprawled out on the ground, Mr. Ki-Young...

"The thoughts that have been filling my head since then... I can’t even put them into words. There's also the burning hatred that followed... I remember everything. No matter how much I try to forget them, they'll reappear.

"I thought I was fine and that it was all over, but somehow, I'd always end up right back where I started. No one knows better than I do how unstable I am right now,” Kim Hyun-Sung explained.

“...”

I could feel heat rising from him.

“I’ve just taken a single step forward. Just one. If I can’t move beyond this, I know I’ll be stuck here forever. You always say it’s fine and that it doesn’t matter, but there’s no guarantee that it’ll keep being fine. I’m broken, unlike you, Mr. Ki-Young,” Kim Hyun-Sung added.

‘No, you’re not broken.’

“We don’t belong together,” Kim Hyun-Sung said.

“That’s not...” I trailed off.

‘Damn it, how am I supposed to explain this?’

His trauma from the “stabbing incident” had clearly resurfaced, and it was all because of what happened during the Rohen incident.

“I keep... I keep having dreams where I kill you,” Kim Hyun-Sung confessed.

‘Okay, that’s kind of terrifying. Don’t confess something like that.’

Clearly, he needed some genuine comfort here. Things were finally starting to make sense. A little pat on the shoulder, a hug, a few reassuring words like “It’s not your fault,” and perhaps he’d calm down.

“It’s not your fault, Mr. Hyun-Sung. That was—”

“You always tell me that it's not my fault! How can you keep saying that you’re fine after going through something like that?!” Kim Hyun-Sung yelled.

‘Ah, he’s losing it again.’

“Are you out of your mind or what?! Damn it!” Kim Hyun-Sung continued yelling.

It seemed that telling him over and over that it wasn’t his fault had become the very thing that pushed his buttons. I realized that I had made a mistake, so I tried to take my words back, but his voice only grew louder.

“Do you really think that it's normal to always put yourself in someone else’s shoes and to always think about other people? Mr. Ki-Young, you already died because of me. You died a horrible and miserable death. In Rohen... you almost died again. Do any of those look normal to you? Does this really feel like it’s not my fault?” Kim Hyun-Sung questioned me.

“...”

“Whenever you say you’re fine and that it wasn’t my fault, I'll always feel like I’m crumbling. You keep saying it’s okay. You keep saying that everything will get better and that there’s no problem at all.

"I'll end up believing it because you keep on repeating it. I'll end up believing that everything’s fine and that you truly think that none of this is my fault, but stop trying to comfort me, damn it!

"Just call me crazy! Say that I’m dangerous! You’re just going to keep saying that it doesn't matter and that it’s not my fault before taking all the blame. How can someone be that damned self-destructive?!” Kim Hyun-Sung yelled.

He was too close.

‘This is bad.’

The situation had gone sideways again. Hyun-Sung looked at me like he had just realized his mistake, and his face twisted. Due to the big difference in our physiques, he had to have realized that he looked like he was threatening me.

Even though nothing had actually happened aside from his sudden outburst, he naturally assumed that he was the aggressor.

‘Well, this much should be fine, right?’

That was what I thought, but I stiffened in surprise.

Then, I quietly reached out and placed a hand on my stomach.

Even though I kept telling myself that it was fine...

‘My body is reacting otherwise.’

My body reacted to the wounds carved into my soul. Of course, I snapped back to my senses right away, but there was no way he hadn’t noticed that brief instant.

With tears on his distorted face, he looked at me and coldly said, “It’s late. Please go back.”

"W-what did you just say?” I asked.

“No matter what you think and no matter how you try to persuade me, my decision will not change, so please go back,” Kim Hyun-Sung said.

“...”

“Go back,” Kim Hyun-Sung said.

‘Why are you speaking so coldly?’

“...”

‘Why aren’t you looking at me?’

He really seemed to have made up his mind.

No matter what I would say, it wouldn’t make a difference.

‘Why aren’t you saying anything?’

In the end, I had no choice but to gnash my teeth.

𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

“You know...” I trailed off before pointing it out. “The color of your eye... is fading away."

A cold voice echoed in response. “Something like that... isn’t more important than your safety, Mr. Ki-Young."

‘Something like that?’

“...”

‘Something like that?’

“Please go back now,” Kim Hyun-Sung said.

‘Something like that?!'