Creeakk!

Afterwards, I heard a strange noise originating from the doorknob and started to slowly retreat even further. However, the doorknob soon stilled and no more signs of rattling or turning rang out.

Instead, a faint light flickered from behind the door. Koo Hui-seo grasped at my hands even tighter; it hurt so much that I almost released a groan, but I endured by biting my lower lip.

Bang!

Then, once again, something slammed into the door. As my shoulders flinched, Koo Hui-seo burrowed into my arms. I wanted to push him away, but I couldnt afford to do that in this situation.

A long while later, a welcome voice greeted me from outside the door.

[Choi Lee-kyung].

Woo Ragis voice.

I went straight to the door and tried to open it. I last saw him being swallowed by a monster, but he must have quickly revived and ran awaylike when he had been beheaded.

However, Koo Hui-seo was faster. He heard the voice, blocked my mouth, and dragged me back with incredible strength. I couldnt beat him in a physical competition. With my eyes, I asked what he was doing, but Koo Hui-seo, hands still clamped over my mouth, started shaking his head desperately.

[Answer me. Are you inside? Open the door.]

You mustnt open the door

[]

Koo Hui-seo whispered into my ears in a barely audible voice. I wanted to push him away, but the desperate expression and the strange cold feeling from outside the door stayed my actions.

It was then

[Choi Lee-kyung. Choi Lee-kyung? Choi Lee-kyung. Choi Lee-kyung? Lee-kyung-ah.]

[Lee-kyung-ah, open the door.]

The voice calling out to me suddenly started changing every second. At first it was Woo Ragis voice, but soon it changed to Kim Olims. Like a glitchy recording, a mechanical voice flowed out.

Then, at the end, I could hear Seo Dawons voice. The voice was further away from the door, as if the thing had faltered while trying to control its vocal cords. Koo Hui-seo supported my weight as we stepped backwards together.

We stood for a while like thatthe shadow that could be seen through the gap underneath the door disappeared. It was as if that thing had been waiting for that entire pause. In addition, with the shadows disappearance, the strange chill I felt began to fade as well. Only then could I release the breath I had been holding in one deep gasp. Haah, haah

L-Lee-kyung-ssi Over here. Before I could rest, Koo Hui-seo dragged me away from my short break. The emaciated cheeks that revealed sharp cheekbones and eyes laden with anxiety still lingered on the young Koo Hui-seos face.

Because I could never read Koo Hui-seos emotions so clearly on his face as an adult, that differencethe opennessmade the child before me so unfamiliar. It was as if I was gazing upon someone that merely looked similar.

I could not resolve this unfamiliar situation and anxiety over whether or not I could follow Koo Hui-seo in this situation. Nothing seemed to work as it should in this place.

However, Koo Hui-seo must have assumed I wasnt following him for another reason. He looked at me nervously, bit his fingernails, and soon asked with a shocked expression, L-Lee-kyung-ssis leg! Why is your leg like that?!

His gaze alternated between my swollen leg and my face before quickly kneeling down at my feet.

I felt flustered, but the sight of Koo Hui-seos skinny back shut my mouth. He was wearing an exceedingly thin t-shirt; when he bent over, I could clearly see his bare skin underneath that cloth.

Koo Hui-seo stammered and continued, as if he were ignorant to my stares, F-For now, you should get on my back I can carry you

Why arent you getting on? I-I Im really only going to give you a piggy-back ride.

Lee-kyung-ssi?

L-Lee-kyung-ssi, can you not move even that short distance? Are you in great pain? Nnnngh What should I do? Koo Hui-seo shot darting glances at the door, fidgeting, when I didnt move. He even tried to cautiously pull at my sleeve.

After he urged me several times, I was able to swallow my pooling saliva and asked, Koo Hui-seo-ssi, your back

Yes?

Whats wrong with your back?

My back? Koo Hui-seo fumbled around his back as if he had no idea what I was talking about. Ah, oh

Then, after he realized I was referring to the gruesome scar on his back, a short, solemn silence flowed between us. As if he were walking on eggshells, he cautiously looked at me and answered with a distorted smile, Th-This is where Mother hit me a while ago.

The bleeding has stopped now So, you can climb onto my back.

Im serious. A-Are you unable to touch it because it looks so disgusting? However, Lee-kyung-ssi, you wont be able to run away on that leg

I forgot what I was going to say and could only look at Koo Hui-seos desperate face. In the end, I was forced to carefully clamber onto his back.

It may be true that Koo Hui-seo was beaten before, but he was able to raise my weight and straighten his knees without a groan. He rose from his prone position, carrying me on his back, pressing hard against my thighs with his arms. Like that, he started running into a new roomjust across the hallway.

Tap, tap, tap

The sound of bare feet hitting the marble floor echoed softly throughout the hallway. Koo Hui-seo often stumbled because the weight was a little too much to handle, but, still, the boy progressed at a fast pace.

I buried my face into his back, peering at the large and small paintings that hung in the hallway.

I wasnt the paintings subject this time around. The painted man was Koo Hui-seothe backgrounds were all terrible. Scenes of Koo Hui-seos pastsuch as dangling soldering irons from his tongue, Chairwoman Shin standing behind him with a whip, or plunging the young Hui-seo into a lakewere depicted in stark clarity.

Gasp, gasp

If youre having a hard time, you can just support my weight as I walk.

No! M-My room is just over there Koo Hui-seo shook his head stubbornly even though his neck was drenched with sweat. That made me realize that Woo Ragi, who had even used his skills while carrying me on his back, was quite extraordinary. At the same time though, my heart felt heavy when I recalled the last time I saw the swordsman.

Meanwhile, Koo Hui-seo clenched his teeth and managed to arrive at the small room at the edge of the corner while carrying me atop his back. He opened the door, placed me on the bed, and sprawled out on the floor.

I watched Koo Hui-seo sweat buckets for a short while before turning my gaze out the window. I could immediately see a round lake and a beautiful, forested garden. Koo Hui-seo-ssi. How can I escape this place?

By the time I turned my attention towards the ex-chimera again, he stared back with a pale expression. He looked like he had something to say.

It was a strange expression on his faceone mixed with awe and anxiety. I looked at him quietly without rushing him; Koo Hui-seo shed tears while staring at my face. After big droplets fellwiped by his sleevesthe floodgates opened, and he began to bawl.

Why is he crying?

I observed him, feeling a little bewildered and uncomfortable. At that moment, Koo Hui-seo began to talk again, bowing his head as if he had committed a crime. Thats

Yes?

A-Actually, Ive also made great efforts to escape this place

However, after that, he fell silent for a long while again. I didnt want to rush him, but honestly my legs were now numb and my body was just so tired.

Koo Hui-seo stared at my exhausted face as he continued speaking with that pleading voice. The issue, though, was that his words came out as babbles. I frowned and had to cut him off, Say it againwhat did you say?

That is to say We cant leave..

What did you say?

W-With my strength We cant leave Sorry Ive been looking for a way out, but

I didnt mean to interrogate him, but it seemed like my questions just filled him with more guilt. Of course, when I think about the reason we fell into this place, I suppose its true that the fault laid in Koo Hui-seo

It doesnt seem like he intended for this to happen though Something dire must have happened before he managed to barge into my home.

I didnt want to forcibly ask him to explain himself, but Koo Hui-seos attitude was deeply frustrating. He seemed way too depressed and hopeless for someone who intended this sort of situation.

Of course, though our dilemma may be unintentional, it was still annoying. I really wanted to hit him. However, my priority would be to find a small clue to solve the problem rather than to strike someone who wouldnt even rebel anyway.

I had no choice but to beckon the ex-chimera closer. Koo Hui-seo approached hesitatingly while wiping away his tears. I tried not to be annoyed by the way he shuffled forward, like a worm.

In the end, Koo Hui-seo sat down on the mattress a small distance away from me.

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TL: D: D: The voice-changing scene scared me. Like, Nope! Def not becoming a User.

Also, how is Koo Hui-seo simultaneously the most contemptible but pitiable man.