While I was struggling over what to do with the spirit item, Simeon, looking relaxed, continued to speak freely.
"An apostle who'll heal your leg is coming soon."
"An apostle?"
I was curious about who it might be, but there was no guarantee they'd be friendly to me. My displeasure must've shown as Simeon slowly shook his head, reassuring me.
"Don't worry. He likes people."
He likes people… Is he introducing me to a guild member or a pet? Still, if what he said is true, then I'm a bit relieved. I'd rather not deal with a bodyguard who ignores me a hundred percent of the time or an apostle who casually feeds me sleeping pills with only 'Oops', to say in response.
"In the meantime, I'll go get you something simple to eat."
Simeon, who'd pulled the blanket up to my waist, suddenly stopped as if something had occurred to him.
"Oh, and…"
His calm, black eyes brushed past my face and settled on my neck.
"I promised to tell you the conditions for removing the collar, didn't I?"
"Oh…!"
In all the chaos, I'd forgotten the most important thing. Finally, I could take off the collar. Of course, I still had no idea what the condition was, but in any case, getting out of Simeon's grasp was only a matter of time. Surely, he set a condition I could fulfill.
As I held my breath, he deliberately leaned in slowly, drawing out the moment. Before I knew it, his face was right in front of mine. I could see my stiff expression reflected in his lake-like, serene eyes. Just as I swallowed dryly, his faintly red lips parted.
"When you no longer think about me."
"…What?"
"That's when
...What? For a moment, I doubted my ears. Even though he said it to me from this close, I thought I misheard. But judging by the smirk creeping up on Simeon's lips, I had heard him correctly.
"W-What kind of condition is that?"
"Why? Isn't it favorable to you?"
Simeon's eyes carefully roamed over my startled face as he spoke.
"People you love or hate never disappear from your mind, no matter what you do, wherever you are…. When love and hate combine, it becomes an even stronger emotion."
A brief melancholy glint passed through his pitch-black eyes before quickly fading away.
"On the other hand, it's very easy to forget someone for whom you have no feelings at all."
"So, what exactly are you trying to say?"
Feeling a growing sense of foreboding, I urged him to continue. Simeon smiled gently.
"You said you neither like nor dislike me, didn't you?"
"Then it should come off in no time."
His soft whisper pulled me down into the pit of despair.
Now I understood. Why Simeon always looked so satisfied whenever he saw my collar. By wearing this uncomfortable collar, I'd been proving that I was thinking about him, that I hadn't forgotten him, not even for a moment. Whether that thought was love or hatred, I constantly affirmed that he occupied a place in my mind. And the collar would never come off.
"Why… why are you doing this to me?"
Madman. Formerly, he was like a younger sibling to me, but now, only that one word comes to mind.
"I understand that I resemble that person."
"Just wait a little longer."
"But you said they weren't precious to you, that it was a misconception. So if that's the case, why keep me by your side like this?"
"I'll make something easy for you to eat."
"Is it because that person left without a word, and you're taking it out on me instead?"
"You don't have an appetite, do you?"
There's no getting through to him. He's deliberately ignoring anything I say that's related to Johan. Eventually, as Simeon turned to leave for the door, I called out to him.
"Hey!"
Luckily, he stopped walking. But he didn't turn to face me. I tried to get up, but my leg wouldn't move. The pain only intensified; there was no improvement. Frustrated, I exhaled harshly and glared at his back when a surprisingly calm voice reached me.
"Sang Heo."
"I told you, I'm not going to call you that."
Even now, he wants to correct how I address him?
I was so taken aback that I let out a hollow laugh, and just then, Simeon turned his head. The moment our eyes met, I forgot everything I wanted to say. The look in his eyes was the same as Sang's when he returned to the cathedral after a day of joyful play.
"Just a moment ago, you were calling it easily enough."
Leaving only a low chuckle behind, Simeon left the room.
He says it's a misunderstanding. He says he's not important and that he's not looking for 'that person.' But then, why are you doing this? What are you trying to get from me…?
If you're angry because 'Johan' left you, take it on me instead. If you do that, I'll accept it humbly, thinking it's my fault, my sin. But why are you being so kind to me? Why have you been by my side for four days, taking care of me, persistently wanting to be called by your name, and why are you even going to make me porridge yourself?
"…Don't be kind to me."
Don't smile as if being with me is something you enjoy.
"Please… blame me…."
Just hate me instead. That would be so much easier.
It feels like I've fallen into a maze with no exit. This inexplicable affection feels even more difficult to bear than hatred. The more it grows, the more the thorns wrap around me, ensuring that I can never forget him, not even for a single moment.
Does he know…? Why I can't reveal my true identity? Why I can't confess this curse?
I know. If I confessed, 'I tried to stay away from you because I didn't want to pass on the curse,'
I know exactly what answer I'd get.
I don't care about the curse.
"…Please like me, despite that."
No, maybe that's what I want to say to him.
A dry laugh escaped me as soon as I voiced what I'd been thinking for so long. Forgetting that what I was holding was a spirit item, I clenched my fist tightly out of frustration. At that moment, as I exhaled deeply and bowed my head, I felt a sudden chill run through my body, and my eyes snapped open. The next moment, strange characters appeared before my eyes.
['Pioneer of the Unknown ()' has been activated.]
It was a message I was all too familiar with but had long forgotten.
[Do you wish to view the awakening conditions for the spirit 'The Lost Fifth Page of Codex Gigas'?]
It was my awakening ability.
I was so startled by the sudden appearance of the words that I dropped the relic. As soon as it slipped from my hand, the words vanished from sight.
"What… is this….?"
My mind was in chaos. Staring blankly at the relic while holding my forehead, I finally began to piece my thoughts together.
First, let's summarize the conditions for my ability to activate.
First, there must be no one within a 5-meter radius. This was fulfilled when Simeon left the room.
Second, I must be in contact with the target. That's why the words disappeared as soon as I dropped the relic.
So, meeting those conditions is what triggered my ability after such a long time. But could my unique ability also apply to relics? I thought my ability only allowed me to see the awakening conditions of unawakened individuals….
A shiver ran down my spine as I pondered over the moment I first awakened.
"…No."
The description of my unique ability, 'Pioneer of the Unknown,' stated:
[You can view the conditions needed to manifest hidden abilities.]
Nowhere in that sentence is the word "person" or "unawakened." It was just me who limited the target to people. Judging by the situation just now, my unique ability also applies to relics.
But then, why didn't my ability trigger with
"Because they don't have hidden abilities…?"
That would make sense. So, what is
"Knock knock!"
Just as I'd cautiously reached out for the spirit item, there was a knock at the door. No, it was more like someone had spoken the words from the other side of the door. Judging by the high-pitched tone for a man, it wasn't Simeon nor his bodyguard either. I didn't know who it was, but the door swung open when I told them to come in.
"Hello!"
The person who greeted me with a cheerful smile looked like a high school boy.
He had bleached blonde hair and abundant piercings, making him appear quite striking. Not to mention, his trendy outfit looked like something you'd see in stylish, artsy Yeonnam-dong. He was entirely different from any Apostle I'd met before. His distinct features and bright smile made him look almost like an idol.
I stared blankly, wondering who this sudden guest was when I suddenly remembered what Simeon had mentioned.
"Are you the apostle who's supposed to heal me?"
"Ah, yes! My name is Raphael. I'm the 9th Apostle and an A-rank Hunter."
He looked young, but he was an A-rank Hunter. Moreover, awakened individuals with healing abilities are rare.
While I was silently admiring him, Raphael quickly approached the bed. He held out his hand for a handshake, and I took it, somewhat bewildered. With a bright smile, he eagerly shook my hand up and down, reminding me of a golden retriever.
"What about you, hyung?"
…Hyung? We hadn't even known each other for a minute, and he already decided on an affectionate title.
"I'm Hajae Shin. Not a Hunter, just unemployed."
"Then you're Hajae-hyung."
Simeon had said he liked people, and judging by how he treated me, it seemed true. His bright appearance and straightforward manner were oddly comforting rather than unsettling.
"What are the Chinese characters for your name?"
"Huh? Oh, it's 'Summer' for 'Ha' and 'Tree' for Jae.'"
"A tree in summer… That seems to suit you, Hyung."
After the long handshake ended, Raphael glanced around the room. He seemed to be looking for a place to sit, but no chair was in the room. Eventually, he casually brushed aside the page of Phenex spread out on the bed like it was just a scrap of paper and naturally sat down on the edge of the bed.
"Is this okay?"
He asked with a cheerful smile, and I unconsciously nodded in agreement.
"Actually, I already knew your name."
"From whom?"
"Yulia-noona."
"…Yulia?"
"You don't know her? Uh, she's the one with brown wavy hair, always wearing dresses…."
Suddenly, the face of a certain woman came to mind, and I couldn't help but exclaim.
"Oh!"
Isn't she the Hunter who used her steel prosthetic leg to smash a monster? To be honest, I still get an uneasy feeling when I think of her face, smiling innocently after giving me sleeping pills. Because of that, even though I've seen her around the base, I haven't felt comfortable enough to introduce myself.
"I have something I want to ask you."
His eyes sparkled with curiosity, making me uneasy, and my hunch was right.
"Hyung, are you the 13th Apostle?"
"…What?"
The 13th Apostle? What kind of nonsense is that? As I frowned, Raphael looked at me bewildered, reading my reaction.
"Oh, aren't you?"
"Where did you hear that nonsense?"
"There was an article about it."
Raphael kindly took out his phone, opened an online news site, and showed it to me.
An article ranked first on the site, with a photo of me plastered right there. It was a picture of me half-leaning on Simeon, surrounded by reporters. Fortunately, the mask covered my face, and I wore a hoodie, but I could recognize myself, of course. The headline above it was written in bold letters.
Who is he my foot. I'm not an Apostle. And what's with the number 13… It's too unsettling.
The number 13 has long symbolized misfortune. There's a theory that it's because the 13th disciple of Jesus was a traitor. But that's just a rumor. Jesus never had 13 disciples in the first place. So, there's no way I'll ever become an Apostle.
"They might as well call me Judas."
I thought I was saying that to myself, but it slipped out. Raphael chuckled, lowering his head slightly, his laughter shaking his shoulders. Seeing that, I wondered if I was too blunt and hastily tried to correct myself.
"Anyway, I'm not. We just happened to have the same goals, so I helped out this time."
"Oh, that's all? I was hoping for a new face to join."
Raphael shrugged with disappointment and pulled something out of his pocket. It was a small leather pouch, barely big enough to hold some accessories. He loosened the string that tied the opening, revealing various minerals inside.
"What is that?"
"It's my precious collection and the materials that will heal your leg, Hyung."
"You're going to heal me with minerals?"
No matter how closely I examined them, they just looked like ordinary minerals. Some had a mysterious glow, suggesting they could be crafted into expensive gemstones, but they didn't seem like they could heal my leg. As I tilted my head in confusion, Raphael took out a tiny purple mineral and spoke as he held it up.
"I'll heal you by using the power of the gemstones. It's called 'The White Craftsman,' that's my ability."
Minerals. Power. Healing. The combination of those words only made me think of dubious pseudoscience.
"Is it like a germanium bracelet… something like that?"
"No, not that kind of pseudoscience!"
Perhaps he had been misunderstood before because Raphael passionately began explaining.
"Minerals are formed underground over a long time, influenced by temperature and pressure, right? Rare minerals, in particular, contain tremendous energy within their small bodies. This energy is further enhanced when an artisan meticulously crafts them."
"Hmm…"
"Imagine if the energy contained within the mineral could be transferred to a person."
"Uh…"
"So, by finding a mineral that resonates with the patient's wavelength… well, something like that."
Raphael must have noticed my focus waning because he gave up on explaining further, shaking his head slightly. Soon, he grabbed my hand and began placing and removing one gemstone after another on my palm.
"No… not this one either…"
His careful movements resembled an acupuncturist inserting needles. It seemed like he was trying to find a mineral that matched my wavelength, but I felt nothing. As I blankly blinked, I suddenly noticed something hanging from his waist.
"What's that?"
Raphael quickly lifted his shirt to show me when I motioned with my eyes. It was a dagger.
"Oh! This is for self-defense. Healing is my only ability, so I need to carry something like this when I go into the Rift."
The blade was safely sheathed, with the handle protruding in a way that made it easy to grip, much like a jackknife used in camping. Still, I wondered why someone with healing powers would carry a dagger.
"Do you go into the rift too, Raphael?"
"Of course. If everyone inside gets injured and can't make it out in time, it would be a disaster."
Raphael added that the blade was so sharp it could easily pierce even a monster's hide.
I guess it's a last resort if all the Hunters who can subdue monsters are down. Being a Hunter isn't an easy job, even for the awakened. After all, I'm bedridden from just one trip into the rift.
"But, hyung."
Raphael, still placing and removing gemstones from my hand, suddenly spoke.
"If you're injured this badly, shouldn't you inform your family? They must be worried."
An innocent question that made me cringe. Not knowing what to say, I awkwardly smiled.
"Um…"
Raphael noticed my expression belatedly, realizing his mistake, and made an 'oops' face.
"Oh… I'm sorry."
"It's okay. I didn't mention it, so it's no big deal."
I lightly shook my head, telling him not to worry. Even so, Raphael tried to change the subject as if trying to lift the suddenly gloomy atmosphere.
"But I think your friends would still be worried."
He probably didn't intend to hit another sore spot.
"It's embarrassing, but I don't really have anyone I could call a friend."
"What? Oh. Well, what about a girlfriend…?"
"Uh…"
"Don't tell me a boyfriend…?"
"Hmm…"
As my silence stretched on, Raphael's face grew paler. Seeing him freeze up with some unknown gemstone in hand, I started to feel bad. His gaze, half-lost, stared blankly at me until he suddenly stood up and bowed his head.
"I'm sorry for asking unnecessary questions…"
"No, it's really fine. It's only natural to be curious."
I tried to laugh it off to ease the tension, but it didn't help at all. In the end, I grabbed Raphael's arm and gently sat him back down on the bed. He glanced up at me, looking dejected, like a student summoned to the teacher's office.
As I found his pure-hearted demeanor quite endearing, Raphael cautiously spoke.
"Um… Honestly, I thought you and the Guild Leader were… in a special relationship."
"What?"
A special relationship? In a way, that's true. Our connection is far too complicated to explain simply. But it seemed like Raphael meant it in a romantic sense. His eyes carried a subtle expectation, hoping I'd say yes.