The Novel's Extra - Side Story 60 – Chae Nayun (15)

Kim Hajin couldn’t follow the battle with his eyes. He could only see shadows flying around like blades and Wicked’s large thorns shooting up from the swamp.

An incredible amount of mana that Kim Hajin didn’t dare to measure exploded over the swamp as these humans who transcended ordinary mortals unleashed their abilities.

He focused on his objective in the presence of these monsters and connected the wire to his bullet with aether.

His plan was simple. Snipe the witch doctor in the heart and pull out the treasure from his body.

However, Kim Hajin couldn’t help but doubt. ‘Can someone like me pull it off?’ He was filled with anxiety. Still, he composed himself and decided to go for it.

No one had seen his face, so they wouldn’t come after him. The curse would be lifted the moment the witch doctor died. They could only suspect each other once the curse disappeared and would never imagine an extra like himself had been lurking.

Kim Hajin forced himself to calm down and held his breath to lower his heart rate. Even a single fidgeting finger could ruin the entire operation. He focused his senses and infused stigma into the aether wire already connected to the enhanced bullet.

The enhanced bullet would dissolve as soon as it penetrated the swamp dokkaebi’s hide and the wire would snatch away the witch doctor’s heart. The plan sounded perfect in theory. He only had to execute it now.

He had to get the timing precisely to the hundredth of a second. It wouldn’t be difficult since he could slow everything down with bullet time, which gave him an overwhelming advantage.

Kim Hajin could feel the moment growing closer as the clock ticked away. Everyone involved in this mess probably felt the same.

The swamp dokkaebi’s body became riddled with shadows and thorns. The monster tried to resist with all its strength, but the end was inevitable.

Wicked’s thorns restrained the swamp dokkaebi while Lee Byul sliced off a huge chunk of its flesh with her shadows.

The swamp dokkaebi was barely alive at this point. All they had to do was pull out the witch doctor from within.

— Also.

No one expected what would happen next.

Djinns fired their evil mana, Lee Byul controlled her shadows, Wicked shot her thorns, and Jin Yohan swung his Zhang Long Serpent Spear. Their eyes all darted in the same direction.

The dazzling light attracted everyone’s attention. Something flashed during the intense battle and flew towards the swamp dokkaebi’s chest like a comet.

Shwaaa!

Everyone witnessed it, but no one could react.

Guuu…

The swamp dokkaebi let out a low, eerie moan before falling to the ground. A strange tune came from its heart as moonlight shone on it.

A bullet pierced the swamp dokkaebi’s hide and killed the witch doctor inside. Then the wire attached to the bullet snatched away the Heart of the Amazon.

“What the hell?” someone muttered, but the curse disappeared before they could finish.

The curse spat everyone out after the caster died and they instantly returned to the city from the jungle.

“This is?”

Everything happened in a split second.

Wicked looked around her surroundings. She had returned to the city square and could see the colosseum in the distance. She looked to the side and saw the Chameleon Troupe.

Wicked glared at them and…

Chwaaaaak!

A venomous thorn shot up from the ground towards the Chameleon Troupe, but they easily dodged it. The thorn continued chasing, but failed to catch them.

Soon, Wicked stopped.

“That’s enough,” someone said from behind.

Wicked looked back and saw the head of the city along with dozens of hunters.

“No bloodshed is allowed in my city outside of the colosseum,” he said.

“…”

Wicked gritted her teeth and glared at the Chameleon Troupe. She realized her mistake. The Chameleon Troupe cleverly hid one of their members and went after the Heart of the Amazon.

However, she hadn’t sensed this hidden member at all the entire time they fought the swamp dokkaebi. She couldn’t help but be impressed while also feeling the urge to tear this person apart limb by limb.

On the other hand, the Chameleon Troupe remained quite calm. Wicked was hot as fire while they remained cold as ice.

Wicked instinctively blamed the Chameleon Troupe, but they simply observed the angry djinn. Why would Wicked be so angry if she stole the treasure?

Lee Byul concluded that either a third party intervened or the djinns were excellent actors. However, she could tell from the fire blazing in Wicked’s eyes that it was most likely the former. She knew very well that Wicked couldn’t put on such a realistic act.

In the end, Lee Byul concluded that a third party stole the treasure. As to whom the third party was… that remained a mystery.

“Okay, I would like to ask everyone to disperse,” the head said.

Wicked glared at the old man, but he simply looked at her with a warm smile.

“So what do we do, boss?” Jin Yohan asked.

Lee Byul simply nodded and walked away.

Wicked glared at Lee Byul and composed herself, “We’re leaving. For now.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Wicked and her underlings left the scene.

The mosquito hiding and observing the scene buzzed away after confirming that he was safe.

***

‘Success! I didn’t get caught!’

This was probably the best result I ever achieved after living as an extra for six months!

“Yawn!”

I staggered forward after all the stress finally came crashing down on me. My legs gave out and I almost collapsed when someone caught me.

It was Yoo Yeonha.

I also saw Tomer and her group, but had no idea how Yoo Yeonha managed to convince them to tag along.

“Are you alright?” Yoo Yeonha asked.

I nodded since we finally escaped the curse.

Yoo Yeonha sighed in relief after confirming my response.

— Dadadada!

“What’s that?” Tomer asked while looking at the cloud of dust that someone kicked up as they rushed towards us.

That person approached at a frightening speed.

“HEY———!”

I finally relaxed after hearing that loud voice and seeing that big smile. I confirmed it was that idiot, who ran towards me without slowing down at all.

She ran with all her strength and we came dangerously close to crashing before she fully stopped at the final step.

I ended up in Chae Nayun’s arms.

“…”

I didn’t expect this. It caught me completely off guard as my heart had barely recovered from the previous stress.

I couldn’t tell if I was dreaming or not. Chae Nayun didn’t say a word. Instead, she wrapped her arms around my waist and hugged me.

“Hoo? What is this?” Yoo Yeonha coyly asked.

Chae Nayun buried her face in my chest and began trembling. This went on for a while before she rubbed her face on my shirt and stepped back.

I could see a small teardrop from her eyes.

“Did you cry…?” I asked her in disbelief.

She flinched and denied it, “Huh? W-What? What are you talking about? I didn’t cry because of you, okay? It’s not because of you…”

Chae Nayun went over to hug Yoo Yeonha. She tightly hugged her as if to make it obvious she was hugging her.

“Euk… N… Nayun… Let… go of… Euaaak…! Let me go!” Yoo Yeonha cried out and squirmed as she tried to break free from the suffocating hug.

Chae Nayun finally let go… only after something popped in Yoo Yeonha’s lower back.

My heart was still wildly beating in the midst of all this. Was it because of what just happened or something else? I had no idea.

“Who are these people?” Chae Nayun asked while looking at Tomer and the others behind us.

Yoo Yeonha rubbed her lower back and nonchalantly replied, “Ah, they’ll be with me from now on.”

Tomer corrected her, “Just for a while. We’ll be with her for just a while. Nice to meet you. My name is Tomer.”

“Hmm… I see…” Chae Nayun muttered while inspecting Tomer from head to toe.

A group suddenly appeared in the distance and shouted, “Hey! They’re over there!”

“Yoo Yeonha! Kim Hajin!”

“Are you guys alright?”

Kim Suho, Yi Yeonghan, Shin Jonghak, and Seo Youngji also reunited with them.

***

Of course, I returned to Cube without anyone finding out that I stole the Heart of the Amazon. Only after I stepped foot onto Cube did I finally feel relieved and the heavy burden on me was lifted.

However, I still had work to do.

The higher-ups at Cube called for the Pharmacy Club members involved in the colosseum incident.

Chae Nayun, Shin Jonghak, and Yoo Yeonha got away scot-free while Kim Suho and Yi Yeonghan received a small penalty. Meanwhile, they interrogated and grilled me.

— I’m asking you to spill the beans on what happened over there!

— Why did you go there?! Why was someone like you over there?!

— Witch Doctor? What happened to him?

— Were you their porter?

I wondered if this was the fate of someone without any connections. Screams, threats, punishments, penalties, expulsion… you name it. I endured the stream of criticisms and threats before finally leaving. I walked through the corridor and kicked my feet at the unfair treatment until I reached the main building.

To my surprise, someone waited for me in front of the main entrance.

Chae Nayun smiled and waved, “You’re here?”

“Why are you here?” I curtly replied despite her warm greeting.

“I’m the club president. I sent the others back. No, they went back because they were busy,” Chae Nayun said.

Yoo Yeonha and Tomer went to Seoul. Kim Suho and Yi Yeonghan left to train. Shin Jonghak and Seo Youngji went to a café and said they had something to discuss.

“Is that so…”

“Yeah, I’m the only one who cares about you.”

“No, I don’t have anyone I can trust,” I shook my head and walked away.

“What the… Don’t say things like that…” Chae Nayun muttered and followed me.

It had already turned dark as I walked to the dorm. A cold sea breeze blew and the moon illuminated the night.

I wanted to walk alone in silence, but that was impossible with Chae Nayun.

She smirked and asked, “Hey, hey! What are you going to do?”

“About what?”

“We skipped two days of classes.”

“Doesn’t matter to me.”

Classes didn’t mean much. I couldn’t care less if I got good grades or not. The fact that I was half a hero wouldn’t change no matter how good my grades were.

“Hmm… Really? It doesn’t matter?” Chae Nayun muttered.

She seemed deep in thought while rubbing her cheek and smirked at me.

“Hey.”

“What now?”

“Where do you want to go next?”

Where to go next… I hadn’t thought of that. I briefly pondered and decided it would be best if we attended the colosseum a few more times to get the Soul Mana Vermillion. Then we should go to the mansion that Tomer mentioned.

“There’s this place related to the Tears of Heaven, so I’m thinking of going there during vacation. The exams are coming up soon, right?”

“Hmm? Really? Okay, then let’s do as you say,” Chae Nayun replied with a nod.

Her response slightly surprised me. Our archery duel would be coming up soon, but… did she perhaps forget about it?

“Hey,” she called me again.

“What?” I curtly responded and stopped to look ahead.

We reached a fork in the road. The right path led to the girls’ dorm and the left led to the boys’ dorm.

“Thanks…” Chae Nayun smiled and avoided my eyes.

I caught a whiff of her scent because of the breeze blowing in my direction. No, a bed of roses must’ve been nearby. It smelled really good…

“…?” I tilted my head in confusion. Why did she suddenly thank me?

Chae Nayun furrowed her brows and acted all shy. She came closer and whispered, “You’re doing your best. Honestly, you don’t have anything to gain from this club, right?”

‘Ah, that’s what she meant…’

I smiled in response because she was mistaken. It would be a huge boon if Chae Jinyoon recovered thanks to me. I wanted to fix the parts that deviated from the original story and make sure everything properly flowed.

“Oh right, do you want to play Half of Battery together?” Chae Nayun tapped my shoulder and asked.

“…”

I would’ve usually refused, but felt like agreeing today.

I didn’t know what changed my mind. Perhaps it was the beautiful night sky, but I kind of liked everything this idiot was doing tonight. I agreed since I figured I could be a good friend at least.

“… Just one game,” I said with a nod.

“Oh! Nice! Hey, come online as soon as you get back to your room! I’ll be waiting!” Chae Nayun exclaimed and ran to the dorms.

I was left all alone under the night sky. I looked up and thought about my ten remaining years in this world. An entire decade would be a long time, but it didn’t seem like it would be boring at all.

[Kim Hajin! Are you online?]

[Go go go go!]

[Go go go!]

[Go go go go go!]

I received a barrage of messages when I returned to my room.

‘Ah, maybe I should’ve refused after all. I feel so tired now that I’m home…’

I suddenly regretted the decision I made on the spur of the moment.

I sent her a reply.

[Wait.]

[Why? Why why why why why why why why?]

[I’m going to wash up first.]

[Ah, can’t you wash up later? ㅡ.ㅡ]

[Wait.]

[Ah, why?!]

[Wait.]

[Ah… Damn it… Alright, be quick. I’ll give you five minutes.]

[Wait.]

[Hey, I got it. Hurry and wash up… You better come online as soon as you’re done though.]

I looked out the window in the middle of texting and saw my faint reflection.

I was smiling.

I hadn’t seen myself smile like that ever since I came to this world.