RE: Player again

305

[Chapter 097] [People Who Don't Show It (4)]

Bom-yeoreum was a person whose identity couldn't be grasped.

That was the first impression Eun-a felt after becoming her dedicated nurse.

A few years ago, when they met at YH World, she had introduced herself as an ordinary college student.

Eun-a didn't think much of it at the time, but seeing how she lived in the hospital, she began to think it might not have been a lie after all.

First of all, Bom-yeoreum spent almost all her time processing some kind of paperwork in the VVIP room.

Then she would have time to chat lightly with the hospital director who visited the room once a day to greet her.

The hospital director would bow deeply to her as if treating a superior.

It meant Bom-yeoreum was not an ordinary person.

"Unni, what's your real identity?"

So Eun-a once asked her, risking rudeness.

At that time, Bom-yeoreum smiled brightly and answered the question with a question.

"I wonder? Who do you think I am?"

It seemed Bom-yeoreum had no intention of telling her.

In the end, Eun-a had to guess her identity herself while doing her internship.

What a mysterious unni.

Bom-yeoreum had many faces.

She was serious when doing paperwork, and showed an authoritative atmosphere when dealing with the hospital director.

On the other hand, she spoke to her like a friendly older sister.

She even acted like a mischievous older sister teasing her younger brother to Eun-ha who occasionally visited the hospital.

A direct descendant of some group...

Sometimes from conversations, Bom-yeoreum seemed to be acquainted with Min Jun-sik of Alice Group.

The more she thought about her, the more she felt like she was falling into a labyrinth.

In the end, Eun-a was about to give up trying to find her identity.

What would it matter now to know who she was?

It was certain she was a good person.

Eun-a usually focused on helping Im Do-hee and being in charge of Bom-yeoreum's dedicated care while receiving envy from other nurses.

After Professor Kim's dismissal, her hospital life became very comfortable.

Moreover, since she was even put in charge of Bom-yeoreum whom the hospital director was fawning over, no one in the hospital tried to caution her.

Thanks to that, she became accustomed to human death while treating patients, and was able to use magic much more skillfully.

In addition, she could realize that prioritizing patients and making quick and accurate judgments were also important qualities for a supporter.

As well as the fact that there were implicit rules among the staff.

These were all things she couldn't learn under Park Hye-rim.

"Come to think of it, did you know Player Park Hye-rim also worked as an intern at Alice Hospital when she was in 3rd year high academy?" "What? Really? I heard about it for the first time. Hye-rim unni just told me to try working at Alice Hospital." "She must have high expectations for you. Player Park Hye-rim is thorough in everything and not someone who speaks carelessly. Eun-a, her telling you that means she believes you'll gain something here." "Hmm... is that so? But how do you know such things, unni? Are you perhaps acquainted with Hye-rim unni..."

"I wonder? How do I know?"

On the day Eun-a was gradually getting used to the workings of the hospital.

Bom-yeoreum said it was time for her to be discharged while packing her bags.

Bom-yeoreum who didn't tell her about herself until the end hugged Eun-a once and opened her mouth.

"As you make a name for yourself as a Player, Eun-a, someday a day will come when you can meet me. I'll be happily waiting for that day to come."

"Are you a Player too, unni? A Named?" "If you call me a Player, I'm a Player."

A meaningful smile.

Bom-yeoreum who closed her bag with a click walked to Lee Jung-hyun waiting outside.

"Hye-rim seems to be teaching you well, but if I were to give one piece of advice─"

Bom-yeoreum casually called Park Hye-rim's name.

She called it so naturally that Eun-a didn't notice.

"─No matter how capable you are Eun-a, you can't save everyone. If you save someone, someone else dies. If you're a Player, that time will come someday. What will you do then?"

"......"

Eun-a couldn't answer.

Even if she had become accustomed to someone's death while working as an intern, death was a principle of nature difficult to accept.

If placed in a situation where she had to choose one or the other.

Could she nonchalantly accept that one side dies in exchange for saving the other side?

"What you need most right now Eun-a is not the strength to try to save everyone, but to establish a firm belief in who to prioritize in extreme situations. Sometimes it's necessary to be cold-hearted."

Park Hye-rim had said it many times too.

That supporters need to be cruel.

To establish a firm belief in your heart.

"Yes... I'll keep that in mind."

I want to protect Eun-ha.

That heart hadn't changed.

But could that heart remain unchanged in any situation?

What if many people could be saved in exchange for sacrificing Eun-ha? What if friends could be saved by sacrificing Eun-ha?

What if family could be saved by sacrificing Eun-ha?

What if only she could survive by sacrificing Eun-ha?

Would she still protect Eun-ha even then?

Could she assume Eun-ha as the top priority in any situation?

Eun-a couldn't be certain even as she spoke.

She could only hope such a situation wouldn't come.

Perhaps reading her heart.

Bom-yeoreum hugged her again and murmured softly.

"I hope only good things happen. If you have any difficulties, rely on me. If you find out who I am, that is."

"...Yes, thank you unni."

Eun-a put her hands on her back.

Soon Bom-yeoreum who finished the hug turned her steps again.

"You said you'll join Regulus Clan? I'll remember that."

I should give some convenience to Regulus Clan next year.

Bom-yeoreum hid that intention while entrusting her bag to Lee Jung-hyun.

Eun-a who knew nothing saw her off as she walked away.

☆

Luminous Group's precious jewel.

She who grew up like a precious jewel in Luminous Group was certainly not a person with a tyrannical nature.

That's why Ha-yang could spend more comfortable time than when with other direct descendants.

Even though it hadn't been long since she met her.

She could understand why Han Seo-yeon, who didn't show interest in others, was close with her.

"Is there anything uncomfortable in your life?"

"No, I'm fine. Thank you so much for your consideration." "No, I haven't done anything."

Recently, Eun-ha visited Alice Hospital to see Eun-a whenever he had time.

Ha-yang also occasionally dropped by Alice Hospital to see Eun-a.

While also building friendship with Luminous Group's precious jewel currently hospitalized.

Since Han Seo-yeon went to study abroad in Japan, she had to maintain a foundation that could protect Eun-ha in her place.

That's why Luminous Group's precious jewel was a target she absolutely had to build friendship with.

Han Seo-yeon of Sirius Group had a knife-like aspect.

Choi Ye-jang of YH Group tried to look down on Eun-ha as a ruler.

If a problem occurred with Eun-ha, the two would likely not actively step forward but watch the situation.

So Han Seo-yeon had said before going to study abroad to recruit Luminous Group's precious jewel.

Saying all the people related to Luminous Group cherish her.

Therefore, Ha-yang prioritized her over building friendship with Choi Ye-jin, YH Group's direct descendant of the same age.

Moreover, Luminous Group's precious jewel was even kind-hearted.

Enough to understand why Luminous Group's associates cherish her.

"But since you came here today too, it seems your friend came with you?"

"That's right. Eun-ha went to meet Eun-a unni now." "I asked oppa about that person recently. From what I heard, it seems he's famous at the academy. What kind of person is he? Is he scary like the rumors say?"

"Hmm... what kind of person..."

In fact, Ha-yang had been dropping stories about Eun-ha while meeting her until now.

So that she would have a favorable impression of Eun-ha.

Because that way she would have no hesitation in supporting Eun-ha.

Ha-yang told her stories that would interest her as much as possible.

Even Eun-ha's silly actions seemed to make her laugh, since she couldn't go out much.

"So? What happened?"

"Really? There was such an incident." "That's amazing. I can't believe he's the same age as me."

She marveled while listening to the stories.

So Ha-yang excitedly listed more stories.

She could tell any number of stories about Eun-ha.

"What? He likes our group's sweets?"

"Yes! Eun-ha really likes sweet things. He even goes to taste the limited edition from Luminous Sweets every month."

"From the stories he sounds like a very mature person, but it seems he has quite cute sides too."

"Hmm... is that so?" "Yes, he must be cute."

Ha-yang smiled awkwardly.

She had never thought of Eun-ha as cute.

The him she thought of was mature, sometimes scary, and cruel. When he showed clumsy aspects occasionally, she thought it was unexpected but not cute.

Especially since entering the academy, Eun-ha was becoming an even scarier person.

Surely Luminous Group's precious jewel would think differently if she met Eun-ha too.

But she couldn't shatter her fantasy right now.

"Ah, that's right! Speaking of Luminous Sweets, oppa brought the limited edition that will be released next month recently..."

"Really!?"

"It should be on that table over there."

"Ah, this?" "Try some."

Ha-yang tasted the limited edition said to be released next month from Luminous Sweets.

It was indeed Luminous Sweets.

No wonder YH Group's Choi Ye-jang or Choi Ye-jin favored Luminous Sweets products over their own company's.

Ha-yang rolled the snack in her mouth until the sweetness disappeared.

"How is it?" "It's so delicious! I never thought I'd get to eat next month's limited edition in advance!"

"I can get it anytime if I tell oppa or father, so take it and share with your friends."

"Is it really okay?"

"Yes, please make sure to share with your friend Noh Eun-ha too. Since he likes our group's products, it makes me feel even better."

She was an angel.

Ha-yang who grasped her hand and conveyed thanks put the box containing the limited edition in her bag.

But her goodwill didn't stop there.

"And there's a Luminous Sweets Viking father is planning. He's thinking around May... should I ask him to let me go with my friends?"

"...Is it okay to just keep receiving?"

"Rather, I'm the one just receiving, aren't I? Alice Group lent such a nice hospital room like this... and above all, you're being my conversation partner." "What do you mean conversation partner. It's natural since we're friends."

"...Really? Thank you... really."

She blushed shyly.

On the other hand, Ha-yang gave a bitter smile.

Ha-yang certainly had the heart to want to become close with her.

Because she was kind and good.

But Ha-yang who initially approached her with a different purpose couldn't just be purely happy.

It was too painful that she approached her with ulterior motives.

The more she shone, the more so.

"Then... won't you tell me about your friend again?" "Sure, okay."

At first, she must have been a pure person like her too.

But meeting many people, she realized she couldn't just be pure.

Sometimes she needed to be cunning too.

"So?"

She had already graduated from the fairy tale world.

Ha-yang continued speaking while inwardly envying her who urged the story.

She was truly Luminous Group's precious jewel who didn't know the ways of the world.

☆

"Our Eun-ha, you came late today?"

"Since when was I your Eun-ha, noona?"

"Sigh, you have no affection until the end."

He was somewhat late today.

Eun-ha who visited the hospital late in the afternoon happened to meet Im Ga-eul in front of the entrance.

She who left Lee Jung-hyun behind approached and tried to pinch his cheek.

Of course, Eun-ha just looked up at her with a blank face.

"It's better not to make too many enemies. In the world of politicians, it's commonplace to cooperate with someone who was an enemy yesterday. Conversely, someone who was an ally today may become an enemy tomorrow."

As if seeing through him.

Im Ga-eul calmly advised.

She who was keeping a close eye on the Player Academy couldn't have not known what he had done so far.

His atrocities at the 1st year 1st semester end-of-term party would have spread in politics and business circles, and the story of him rejecting Kang Hyeon-cheol's offer would have spread in the Player industry.

Either way, it was a small world.

It was bound to spread.

Nevertheless, Eun-ha wasn't worried.

"I hope noona doesn't show mercy to enemies either. Showing fangs even once and eliminating them is the most efficient and wise method."

"Aren't you younger than me, Eun-ha? You speak as if you know everything? But dichotomous thinking is really not good. Sometimes gray exists too." "If it's not white, it's all black."

"That's a scary thought. You won't let even one betrayal slide?"

"Of course."

"And the people who gather around you will have to receive your strict standards."

"......"

Im Ga-eul reproaching him.

Eun-ha didn't answer. He just raised the corners of his mouth instead.

"You're really different from your noona. One is too soft-hearted, the other tries to be thoroughly discriminating. I don't know how you can have such different personalities..."

That's because I know the future.

That's because I was betrayed several times before the regression.

Above all, because I had to become the protagonist of the era to protect Ha Baek-ryeon.

I couldn't tolerate even one failure, and couldn't forgive even one betrayal.

It would be good to persuade if possible, but if persuasion was impossible, I intended to repay with death to avoid inefficient waste of time.

That's why I wrote a kill list.

I'm still writing it now.

"Well... anyway, I'll be looking forward to it. I hope only good things happen."

"Good things have to happen to me for good things to happen to noona too, right?"

"What are you saying? Anyway, I'm going."

Eun-ha saw off Im Ga-eul and Lee Jung-hyun passing by him.

☆

A new affiliation was decided.

It was dedicated again this time.

Moreover, VVIP again.

"Whew..."

Eun-a inhaled and exhaled.

Hoping the person beyond this door would be a good person.

"Hello. I'm Intern Noh Eun-a who was assigned as dedicated from today. I look forward to working with you."

"─Yes, hello."

Eun-a who bowed her head looked at her sitting on the bed upon hearing her voice.

She seemed like a very kind person.

The moment she saw her, Eun-a could sense it.

She knew this sensation well.

The sensation that she would become close with this person.