CHAPTER 286: THE SECOND APOCALYPSE (6)

[The Previous World...]

"MUST YOU really go through such pain to save the world?"

"Oppa, I’ll be fine."

After spending time with her parents, Wonhee decided to spend time with Soobin.

Her older brother wouldn’t be coming with them on "D-Day" (aka the day she’d be giving her heart to the System) since he wasn’t a member of the Big 4.

And, so, she decided to visit Soobin.

"I can’t believe Semi Noona agreed to let you make that kind of sacrifice," Soobin said, sighing while shaking his head. "I’m just glad that she didn’t tell our parents about this."

Right.

Their parents were blissfully ignorant of what she was about to do.

[It’s alright since I’m not dying anyway.]

"Semi Unnie is busy making a potion that would help me go through the "sacrifice" without being in too much," Wonhee assured her older brother. "I’ll be fine, Oppa."

"Even so, I’m worried."

Wonhee felt a pang in her chest when she saw the pain and sadness in Soobin’s eyes.

And she knew why her older brother was feeling that way.

[Oppa already lost Geon Oppa— his husband— a few years ago due to Graham-ssi’s snapping. Oppa is afraid to lose me, too.]

"I will come back in one piece, Oppa," Wonhee assured her brother. "I promise."

"You better fulfill your promise, you little brat," Soobin said affectionately, and then he pulled her for a hug. "I can’t lose you, too, Hee-ya."

***

[D-DAY.]

Wonhee spent the past week with her friends and family.

So, now, she could say that she was ready.

The Big 4 were supposed to pick her up at her penthouse, so she waited for them after getting dolled up.

However, an unexpected guest arrived— someone she couldn’t ask to leave.

"Ruda-ssi, what would you like to drink?" Wonhee asked worriedly. "I have coffee, tea, juice, and even... soda."

It was awkward for her to say ’soda.’

After all, it sounded like ’SeoDa.’

It’s Ruda-ssi and Seodam-ssi’s "ship name."

"Thank you for the offer, but I don’t need anything," Park Ruda said indifferently. He didn’t even sit down even though Wonhee told him to be comfortable. "Wonhee-ya, are you stupid?"

"For letting you in my house even though we have a strained relationship?" Wonhee asked, shrugging. "It’s not like I’m looking down on you, Ruda-ssi. But as an S-Class Guide equipped with skills that could even take down the Big 4, I don’t think you’re much of a threat to me."

"Your arrogance will be your downfall."

"Did you just come here to insult me?"

"I don’t know what exactly is happening because Seodam refused to tell me, but I got the gist of it— you’re going to sacrifice yourself for the sake of the world," Ruda said bitterly. "Chu Wonhee, do you have a savior complex?"

Haaah.

"Ruda-ssi, don’t worry— if the System gives me the ability to choose who to save, I will definitely save everyone but you since you hate to be saved by someone with a savior complex, right?"

"Do you know why I hate you?"

"Because you’re insecure of me?"

"Because your kindness and generosity are both sickening," Park Ruda said with a disgusted look on his face. "And I’m sure Seodam feels the same way."

If she heard those words from Ruda five years ago, she would have burst into tears.

But she had already moved on from Lee Seodam.

Her awkwardness with Park Ruda had nothing to do with her ex-boyfriend.

This is why I’m awkward with Ruda-ssi— he clearly hates me for some stupid reason.

"If you hate my kindness and generosity that much, then make sure you leave the country after everything is over," Wonhee said, sighing while shaking her head. "Because you’ll hate me even more once the country hails me as the hero who saved the world. But, then again, you’d probably see me everywhere by then."

"Don’t say I didn’t warn you, Chu Wonhee," Park Ruda said, turning his back on her. "That sacrificial mindset of yours would literally kill you."

***

I SHOULDN’T have let Park Ruda in my home.

Wonhee was supposed to feel safe because she was surrounded by the Big 4.

Song Moonho.

Han Graham.

Lee Seodam.

And Jang Semi, her older sister.

Yet, Wonhee felt ominous.

As if something bad is about to happen.

This is all Ruda-ssi’s fault for ruining my day.

[Guide Chu Wonhee, are you ready?]

A Status Window appeared above the brain with colorful flowers in it.

Yes, that was the System.

Song Moonho and Semi, who had already seen the System before, didn’t react.

However, Graham and Lee Seodam looked half-surprised and half-amazed.

"That’s the System?" Graham asked in amusement. "It looks cool."

Really?

Wonhee thought it was a bit gruesome, though.

"It looks vulnerable, though."

Hmm?

That remark came from Lee Seodan who was looking at the System as if he was sizing it up.

What was wrong with Lee Seodam?

Is he trying to pick a fight with the System?

"It does look vulnerable," Song Moonho agreed with Lee Seodam’s statement while nodding. "But it’s still the System, so don’t lower your guard."

Lee Seodam just nodded politely.

"Enough chitchat," Semi said impatiently. "System-nim, let’s begin. I want this done and over with."

[You’re right, Hunter Jang Semi. But, before we begin, you should give Guide Chu Wonhee the potion that you made first. Once the process begins, your baby sister wouldn’t have the chance to take it anymore.

In the meantime, I will open the Gate in order to let Guide-Hunter Bitna in.]

Oh.

That made Wonhee smile.

I will finally get to meet Bitna in person!

"Hee-ya, here," Semi said, handing a beautiful orange vial to her. "Drink this. The potion I made will not only numb your physical pain— it will also numb the pain that your soul would cause you. Fortunately, I got my hands on materials that could protect our soul from any attack."

Wow.

Semi was probably the only Alchemist in the world who could do that.

Unnie is really the God Alchemist for a reason.

"Thank you, Unnie," Wonhee said sincerely. "I’ll drink it well."

The vial only contained a small amount of liquid.

It tastes like orange juice.

Wonhee finished the potion in one gulp, and it proved to be effective...

... as she didn’t feel any pain even when a sharp sword pierced through her chest.

What?

Semi, Song Moonho, and Graham also looked shocked.

But they weren’t looking at Wonhee— the three Hunters were looking at the traitor who stabbed her in the back.

Literally.

It seemed like Semi, Song Moonho, and Graham were being restrained by the strange black miasma hugging their bodies.

And Wonhee was in the same situation— the miasma around her ankles were keeping her in place.

"You should have made a potion to protect Wonhee’s heart and Core, Jang Semi," Lee Seodam said indifferently. "Who will save the world now that Wonhee’s heart and Core are both damaged beyond repair?"

And that was how Lee Seodam’s betrayal started the Second Apocalypse— by breaking Wonhee’s heart and Core, the two requirements needed to save the world.

***

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