Ryu Hyerin did not believe or accept everything Bae Jaemin had said, but, some of his words lingered in her mind. Those words whirled around in her head even after she returned to her home and laid in bed.

Hes going to get married to a woman with strong family background

So, that woman had a respectable pedigree.

Ryu Hyerin recalled the womans face; come to think of it, she wasnt very good-looking. The girlfriend could be called cute, but that was it. That shabby woman couldnt be compared to someone like herself who often received offers to model for photoshoots daily.

However, that woman was supported by a family of legal powerhouses. It was an insurmountable gap for her; her parents sold their daughter for less than 1 billion won.

So unfair

The world was too harsh if she couldnt attain the one thing Seo Dawon considered important.

Now, Ryu Hyerin even thought she acted like an idiot. She recalled how, not long ago, she proudly stated, in front of him, how she had finally paid back her parents sale price with the money she earned.

He must have found me so ridiculous.

It was no different from boasting about her status as a woman with no family, no proper backgroundnothing.

She wanted to die; she told him about those matters because she wanted attention from the Mage. She was ignorant; she just wanted to hear his compliments. Instead, she just confirmed that she was a woman not worth dating.

Days later, she even began to think that Seo Dawon ignored her feelings because of her impoverished background. From then on, she developed severe insomnia.

* * *

Are you alright?

After two weeks of being unable to sleep, Ryu Hyerin eventually faced her physical limit during a critical point in a raid. She kept exposing herself to monster attacks because, even though she was wide awake, her body couldnt move at all.

She couldnt even loudly exclaim and express her shock due to the sudden threat of imminent pain; she closed her eyes tightly. However, the pain she expected didnt arrive even after a few seconds passed; someone had supported her falling body. That person wasSeo Dawon. The mage rushed to the rear to save her.

Ah Unable to endure the sudden deluge of exhaustion, her head drooped into his arms, and she fell asleep as if she had fallen unconscious. For a few moments, just before her eyes fluttered shut, she locked gazes with Bae Jaemin, whose brows were furrowed. However, she was unable to think further.

After two days of continuous sleep, Ryu Hyerin was able to open her eyes. As soon as her eyes slit open, she saw Kim Olim standing beside her bed. The Paladin stroked her forehead with rough palms. Hyerin-ah.

Im sorry. My body just wouldnt listen to me, suddenly.

Dont apologize. Whats wrong? You didnt look so good.

Its just I havent been able to sleep much lately. After giving a nonchalant answer, Ryu Hyerin bit her lips; perhaps she shouldnt have said anything.

But, Kim Olim patted her awkwardly without questioning her further. Im sorry. I should have immediately noticed.

Her voice sounded deeply guilty, but Ryu Hyerin felt only annoyance. In fact, as soon as the Priest opened her eyes, she only wanted Seo Dawon to be by her side, so nothing the paladin said really penetrated her ears. Her brain was full of curiosity about the Mages activities and whereabouts.

Hes probably worried for me, right?

Physically, her condition was still dreadful because her fatigue had not been completely alleviated, but her mouth kept smiling. She thought about asking Kim Olim about the Mage but swallowed her question as she remembered Bae Jaemins words. Then, she closed her eyes and pretended to sleep.

As expected, Kim Olim left after carefully patting her head a few more times, leaving her some space to rest. Only then could Ryu Hyerin relax. While clapping her feet against each other, she repeatedly savored the memory of what happened just before she collapsed.

He came to save me

The feeling of his strong arms wrapping around her waist was still vividly clear. His downcast eyes, his faint frown, the monsters that rushed closer even the dust that rose into the air from the fight

I cant give up

Ryu Hyerin kept tossing and turning and biting her lips. What did she need to do to possess the Mage wholly? However, unless she could reincarnate, she was far from the woman of his dreams.

At this rate, shell lose him forever. Anxiety and frustration enveloped her.

At that moment, the hospital room door opened quietly, and someone slipped inside. Ryu Hyerin awkwardly rose to a sitting position; her eyes narrowed when she saw that it was Bae Jaemin who was silently approaching her.

You should have at least knocked, she said.

So youre awake Olim-noona said you were sleeping Bae Jaemin locked the door behind him. Though Ryu Hyerin didnt trust the man, she lied back down again without showing outward distrust.

Even though the other perceived her reluctance, he sat beside her without hesitation. Ryu Hyerin had grown to dislike Bae Jaemin, who acted arbitrarily now that she showed him her true colors. Therefore, she thought she would ignore whatever he was going to say.

Youre not going to ask what our guildmaster-nim is currently doing?

However, Bae Jaemin was already aware of her inner thoughts. Ryu Hyerin, who laid with her back turned to him, fixed her posture, and stared up blatantly. Bae Jaemin swept a sticky gaze from her face down to the base of her neck before slowly continuing, Hes with that woman.

Almost automatically, Ryu Hyerin clenched her fiststhe ones holding the blankettightly. Right now?

I heard its his girlfriends birthday.

If you developed any expectations because he saved you from the dungeonsStop now. You already know you shouldnt.

My heart aches just watching you like that Bae Jaemin said before reaching out to her; Ryu Hyerin bitterly pushed him away.

Slap!

Are you doing this on purpose? Im not interested in you, so youre trying to make me give up? She shouted.

Did I ever tell you I wanted to know all that?

Bae Jaemin took back his hand, completely unfazed. However, he didnt back down.

In the end, Ryu Hyerin shed her long-held tears. Although she didnt want to show her crying face to him, his sympathetic face made her feel so unbearably wretched.

Wiping tears off her sallow cheeks, she angrily screamed, Just leave. I dont need anything or anyone, so get out!

However, Bae Jaemin did not exit the room. He looked at her with a creepy gaze, as if he were looking at an almost-caught prey. She had only seen that gleam for an instant, but it sent shivers down her spine.

Soon, though, Bae Jaemin erased the expression, grabbed her pushing hand, and pulled her towards him. While she stood awkwardly, he leaned in close and whispered into her ear, Should I block his engagement?

What? Ryu Hyerin tried to laugh at the audacitycould he really do something like that? She froze, though, when she saw his eyes. They shined with a cruel but confident gleam, as if he knew something. She swallowed dry saliva.

It wouldnt be all that difficult. Ive already figured out Seo Dawons personality.

Honestly, I believe its easier to fool a genius than to fool ten idiots. What do you want me to do?

She chewed her lips, conflicted, at his whispered question.

As if he already knew the cause for her hesitation, Bae Jaemin added gently, Well, even if it doesnt work, Hyerin-ssi wont be implicated.

After all, Im the only one doing anything.

What do you want? Ryu Hyerin knew Bae Jaemin liked her, so she felt disgusted by this conversation and the narrowing distance between them. Despite his interest, Bae Jaemin definitely wasnt the type of person to help her out of the pure goodness of his heart.

In lieu of answering, Bae Jaemin slowly brushed back her hair past her thin, trembling neck. When her pale, fine skin was revealed, he bowed his head to her, as if to kiss her there.

Ryu Hyerin couldnt stand the sudden surge of disgust and tried to push Bae Jaemin away. But, before her hand could touch his shoulder, he coolly rose from his seat.

Bae Jaemins shoulders shook with laughterhe surely knew what she had imagined. She looked up at him blankly; he stared back and giggled, What I want is for Hyerin-ssi todevelop an eye for good men. Thats it.

When she realized he was teasing her, she raged, Dont make me laugh. Youre absolutely worse than Seo Dawon.

Correct. But, I wouldnt make Hyerin-ssi ill.

As soon as her hands paused, Bae Jaemin had already turned around. The door to her room had opened quietlyas quiet as it was when the Priest entered her room. Just before the door closed, she heard a small voice telling her to Rest.

Ryu Hyerin didnt answer.

After that night, seven days later, Seo Dawon broke up with his girlfriendthe very same girlfriend that had been embroiled in the engagement rumors.

TL: I definitely think the novel takes care to show Ryu Hyerins sympathetic past and abhorrent nature to avert the trope of Sad background absolves all but to also show how entering User society as a child can warp you. Like, dang, how does one think like this about love? To think that someone doesnt love you just because of your financial backgroundand thats the only reason. Like, man, when the world is might makes right, social morals get wonky. Also the way she described the ex-girlfriend/fiance reminds me of the way that people describe Lee-kyung: not good-looking but perhaps cute.

Total aside, but a lot of comments have been talking about being sad about Seo Dawons previous body count. Thats never been something that Ive been bothered by since I also have a previous dating life as well. (Instead, I find literally everything else about Dawon objectionable haha) I found it super interesting to know that people do care, and its been great to read a lot of dissenting and concurring opinions. (I just think I love reading peoples hot takes and opinions tbh)