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Translator: Vine
Chapter Title: A Hidden Healer
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Alright. I have to admit what needs admitting.
I've always grumbled and complained about my powers being crappy, but honestly, when you think about it, they're actually pretty good.
Telekinesis, well... its versatility is just too good, and teleportation is exactly the kind of power suited for someone like me who needs to evade heroes.
Of course, the problem is that both telekinesis and teleportation are pretty pathetic in terms of raw power... But, well, if I don't think about the consequences, there's the advantage of being able to unleash considerable force. If I build up telekinetic stacks without using them and then unleash them all at once, it's actually quite strong, and theoretically, I can teleport long distances. The aftermath is the problem, though.
Anyway, all things considered, I can't say they're *that* bad.
Though, of course, they're still trash. Is there really any other super-powered individual besides me who passes out for days from the recoil after using their power just once in a spectacular way?
And now, it's gone beyond just passing out; I'm coughing up blood too.
"Cough."
After the bridge terror incident last time.
Floating around all day with telekinesis, stopping a car with psychokinesis at the last minute, and then long-distance teleportation.
I overworked my body again, and passed out for three days from the recoil. What am I, a sunfish?
Of course, passing out is practically an everyday occurrence for me now, so this felt short. Last time, when I collapsed at that Busan hotel, wasn't it about a week? Compared to that, it's definitely shorter.
But I wasn't coughing up blood like this even back then.
"No! Oppa! I'm telling you, let's go to the hospital and get this checked out!"
"Seo-eun, what am I supposed to tell them at the hospital? 'My internal organs are twisted from using telekinesis?' I'd get reported as an unregistered superhuman and end up in jail."
"Then what are you going to do?! Just keep coughing up blood like that?"
"Cough, it'll probably get better with time. Sigh, I'll handle it myself now, so go inside and get some sleep. It's late."
Seo-eun still watched me with a worried expression.
I waved my hand dismissively at her, telling her to leave.
As I wiped the blood from the corner of my mouth with a tissue.
Ms. Soo-bin also looked at me worriedly, saying she'd definitely figure out a solution if this continued tomorrow.
Then there was Cha Yoon, Lee Ha-yul's younger brother, who seems to like me. His eyes were practically brimming with tears, begging me not to die. Are elementary schoolers these days usually that sensitive?
And then there was Lee Ha-yul.
While everyone else was gathered around me, she alone stood by the door, a pale expression on her face, watching me from a distance.
She wore a look of what seemed like guilt.
She was probably blaming herself for not being able to step forward and help me, despite being able to.
Lee Ha-yul's healing ability, which she awakened when she was young.
Because of the trauma of almost being sold off by the orphanage director who discovered her power, she never revealed her ability to anyone.
Due to the director's strict control, even her own younger brother was unaware of it.
That's why she must have hidden her power when she first met me. Besides, I was pretty suspicious back then too.
But now, after all this time, it's clear she's opened up to me quite a bit.
When we first met, she'd constantly snap informal speech at me, but now she uses polite language.
Huh, now that I think about it, everyone in this house uses polite language with me now, don't they?
...I feel like I've become some kind of patriarchal figure.
Anyway, the conclusion is that she seems to be feeling guilty towards me.
I've given her a home, food, and money, but she can't repay me with anything.
And now, even though an opportunity to repay me has arisen, she's not taking it, so she seems to be blaming herself for that.
Well, I understand. It'd be a bit awkward for her to suddenly say, 'Actually, I have healing powers~ Sorry I didn't tell you~' right here. No matter how much she likes us, she fundamentally has a distrust of people.
Tsk, nothing I can do about it, I guess.
Still, I might as well pile on more guilt stacks for now. Eventually, the day will come when she reveals her power herself.
And so, I coughed up blood even more dramatically.
"Cough! Cooough!"
"Kyaa! Oppa, we can't let this go on! Let's go to the hospital!!"
"That's right, Da-in, we need to do something, anything!"
"Hyung, you can't die! Waaaaaah!"
...But somehow, everyone else got even more frantic, so I just stopped.
People can cough up a little blood sometimes, why are they making such a fuss?
Still, seeing Ha-yul's face turn even more ashen, it seems to have had some effect. Huh, but my conscience is starting to prickle...
Anyway, after the commotion died down, I sent everyone back to their rooms, telling them it was late and they should get some sleep. I told them I was feeling a bit better now and wasn't coughing up blood anymore, so I'd rest and recuperate by myself.
Everyone looked at me with uneasy eyes, but I told them I was fine. Part of it was just overdoing it to provoke Ha-yul a bit more. I need a healer.
After everyone had left.
I lay alone on the bed in my room.
Hmm, maybe I should get an IV drip or something.
The fatigue recovery device is great for recovering from exhaustion, but it has its limits since it doesn't actually cure illnesses.
Though, calling side effects from overusing my powers an 'illness' might be a stretch.
Haa. No, but why am I *really* coughing up blood? Is it because I usually pass out for a week, but this time I woke up in three days? Or could my powers be degenerating, perhaps?
An uneasy feeling crept over me. Nah, it can't be.
...Still, how hard could it be to briefly stop a falling car? The amount of kinetic energy shouldn't be that great to begin with.
...Or is it? Is it a lot? I don't know.
Anyway, the more terror attacks I've pulled off recently, the more I feel like my body is taking a toll. I'm getting tired now.
Then again, it'd be weirder if my body *wasn't* worn out after four terror attacks in a year. Even among the main villains in the original story, none of them carried out attacks this often!
Indeed. It's only natural that it's difficult when I'm trying to replace almost every main villain Stardust encountered in the original story by myself. It's like I'd need ten bodies, and even that wouldn't be enough.
...No matter how much I think about it, I need to quickly create an Ego-Squad, or rather... a Villain Alliance. I should outsource and take a break. I'll just oversee things. Let others handle the terror attacks. Wouldn't it work if I just put a few restrictions on them and had them carry out attacks? The super-powered individuals I've recruited so far are also more support-oriented than combat-focused... Right, who in the original story had combat power and was someone I could control...
And so, I lay in bed with the lights off until dawn, not sleeping, just continuously devising plans.
No, I'd just woken up after being unconscious for three days; how could I possibly fall asleep just by lying back down?
As I lay there, conceptualizing my grand scheme, suddenly.
Creak—
I heard my door quietly creak open. What was that?
I thought about getting up, but decided to just keep lying there, pretending to be asleep. I figured the person wouldn't assume I was awake at this hour.
Soft footsteps. I heard someone approaching my bed. Who could it be?
Unable to resist my curiosity, I slightly opened my eyes.
In the dark room, I saw a small figure.
Only a silhouette was visible, but the only person in our house that short... seemed to be Ha-yul.
As she got close enough for her face to be visible, I quickly closed my eyes again.
Soon, I heard breathing right in front of my nose.
She stood there in front of my bed for a moment, then whispered in a very small voice.
"...Mister, are you asleep?"
Nope, not asleep.
But that wasn't an answer I could give. I just kept my mouth shut, pretending I hadn't heard anything, and continued to lie there, feigning sleep.
She waited for my reply for a moment, then, when I didn't stir, she finally let out a sigh of relief.
Then, she suddenly placed both her hands parallel on my body. What the—
Following that, she began to whisper in an even smaller voice than before.
"Mister. I'm sorry. For hiding my power even though I have it..."
"I'm truly grateful to you, Mister, for helping my brother and me, and I like you too, but..."
"Still, still, I just couldn't bring myself to say anything yet. I'm sorry, I'm so selfish and distrustful of people, I'm sorry. I'm sorry for being such a useless girl who received so much one-sided help from you, Mister, and can't even do this one thing in return."
She began her confession to me in a trembling voice.
No, hey. What's wrong? Are you getting sentimental in the middle of the night? Snap out of it, kid!
I wanted to tell her to stop, but I was officially supposed to be asleep. There was no way I could open my mouth.
...It seems my earlier coughing up blood had too good an effect. Did I look like I was practically dying? I couldn't get a grip on myself amidst this sudden emotional storm. Why is she suddenly digging herself into such a hole and blaming herself like this?
Now, I could even hear her sniffling beside me.
Hey, are you crying? Don't cry! I'm sorry...
This just made me feel like some pathetic adult. Like I'd become trash, making a high school girl cry...
After sniffling for a moment, she blew her nose once, then knelt in front of my bed and whispered again.
"Still, even if I can't confess my power... I'll help you from behind the scenes. I promise."
She spoke quietly, with a hint of resolute determination.
Then, from her hands, which were gripping my body, a small light flashed.
Then, a warm sensation entered my body, emanating from where her skin touched mine.
A soft, fluffy, yet warm and comforting energy enveloped my body.
How much time passed like that?
When the warm energy had circulated through every corner of my body, she finally removed her hands.
Her hands, which had been on me for a long time, were lifted from my body.
Slightly panting, she got up again and seemed to wipe her face as if wiping away sweat.
"Haa... I'm sorry I could only do this much. But... thank you always, Mister."
After saying that much, she finally left the room.
From the doorway, a soft 'Good night...' could be heard, and then the door finally closed.
Only after the footsteps in the hallway completely faded did I open my eyes.
"Whoa..."
I sat up and swung my arms around.
My body, which had been ailing and practically dying just moments before, was suddenly overflowing with vitality, as if it had regained all its strength.
The pain that had twisted my insides was gone, and I felt completely refreshed again.
"Ha-yul..."
Huh. No matter how I think about it, recruiting Ha-yul seems to have been the best decision ever.
My body's condition right now has suddenly gone from its worst to the best it's been all year!
"Thank you...!!"
Now I can just push my body to its limits!
Aside from being a bit overly emotional today, she seems like a really good kid.