ICPBAG CH 06

Her eyelids, which had been shut tight, slowly opened at the vivid sensation. The man she met eyes with was a stranger, yet he was holding her as if she were someone precious.

A princess carry, maybe. She had never even been held like this by her previous boyfriend, but somehow, it didn’t feel bad.

“Body temperature. Normal. Requesting rescue support. Location—”

“…Ugh.”

“Behind the church at the intersection.”

The man looked down at her while sending out a rescue signal. On his chest was a uniform marked with a double-edged sword and a cross emblem.

‘Is he a soldier?’

The uniform, which must have originally been white, was now covered in soot and blood. Even so, the man’s jet-black hair was neatly framing his forehead, and his upright gaze was fixed on her.

Even though they had just met, truly—

“Are you conscious?”

“So handsome……”

The man showed a brief hint of confusion, but quickly composed himself and continued.

“Your name.”

“You’re handsome……”

“What grade.”

“I’m not a student. I’m… working……”

“Address.”

“Seoul City…… My head hurts… so much.”

“It’s okay. Rescue will arrive soon.”

Where was this, and who was he? Was she in danger? She was so confused that her thoughts wouldn’t function properly.

Her head felt like it would split open, and the man was handsome. Ridiculously, that was all she could think of.

“You’d better keep your eyes closed.”

Following his words, she shut her eyes again. She didn’t even have the strength to move a finger.

From within his arms came the unpleasant smell of gunpowder and blood, mixed faintly with the scent of soap.

That was the day she first opened her eyes in this world.

Only later did she learn that the one who rescued her that day was the main male lead of this novel, Joo Inhyeok.

As an S-rank national hunter affiliated with the Association, he had been dispatched to the scene and saved her.

Because of that, whether it was fate or coincidence that she survived at death’s door was impossible to tell.

However, one thing was certain: a setting different from the original had been added.

There had originally been someone else that Joo Inhyeok was supposed to rescue in that accident.

Instead of Kim Yuaan, it was she who had been saved by Joo Inhyeok.

Joo Inhyeok, who was meant to become Kim Yuaan’s savior and first love, had saved her instead. The starting point of the story had shifted.

Fortunately, Kim Yuaan did not die that day. If he had, she would have lived burdened with guilt.

Even if her very existence in this world was nothing but a contradiction…

“Lee Seo-ya. What are you thinking about?”

Her recollection had gone on too long.

Cha Wooshin’s languid voice snapped her back to reality. She was still inside the warehouse.

“Nothing.”

“What do you mean, nothing?”

“I was thinking about the schedule.”

She often avoided making eye contact with Cha Wooshin.

Due to the nature of awakened ones, their eyes glowed when they used abilities, and Cha Wooshin’s, unusually, glowed red.

His eyes, still affected from executing the traitor earlier, shone with an eerie red, like blood splattered across pale skin.

Moments like this were when she shouldn’t look away.

She met his gaze directly and continued.

“You need to have breakfast at the main house this morning. It is the Guild Leader’s birthday.”

“The old man… how old is he again?”

“He is forty-nine.”

It felt like she had answered that question at least ten times this year.

Cha Wooshin, with his pale, almost fragile-looking skin and striking features, smiled beautifully at her.

“Still a long way from dying.”

“…It’s late. Please go in and rest. I’ll finish up here.”

“Why? We’re going together.”

Among the guild members dressed in black, Cha Wooshin, with his bright face, approached.

The guild members quietly began collecting the unidentifiable remains scattered across the floor.

Darkened blood pooled everywhere, and the stench filled the air.

Without reacting, she picked up her tablet. Meanwhile, Cha Wooshin came close and casually wrapped an arm around her shoulders.

He pulled her close, resting his head against hers.

“Lee Seo-ya. Your oppa is really upset.”

‘Crazy bastard.’

She instinctively glared at the top of his head leaning against her. She almost tightened her grip. If she had been holding a weapon, she might have swung it.

Lately, this lunatic had been emphasizing that he was older than her. If he knew her real age, he’d realize she was older.

Ridiculous.

“Why are you like this again?”

She couldn’t bring herself to tell him to move his head.

“Those damn traitors keep showing up. How am I supposed to trust anyone? That bastard earlier, I almost—well, I held back. Mana’s too precious, right?”

“Yes. You showed restraint. It might be best to reorganize the management level.”

“Yeah. I’m really upset. So… want to sleep in my room tonight?”

“No.”

“You answer like a machine. Don’t you trust oppa?”

“No.”

“You don’t even get flustered anymore. That’s boring, Lee Seo-ya.”

Cha Wooshin was the type to spout nonsense for fun. He removed his head without hesitation and walked toward the exit.

She couldn’t relax until he disappeared completely, but thankfully, he left quietly.

Left behind with the guild members working overtime, she finally let out a breath.

It was the 1,029th night of her undercover investigation.

“Miss. Are you alright?”

A man with a long scar across his mouth spoke up.

It was Choi Minseong, a B-rank guild member specializing in physical combat.

Despite his rough appearance, he fed stray cats and spoke with a dialect.

Of course she knew him. She had memorized the profiles of all Ha Baek guild members.

“The chief just put his arm around you.”

“So?”

“Did your shoulder dislocate?”

Not just Choi Minseong, but the other guild members were also looking at her with concern.

From their perspective, her safety and mental health were worrying.

“No. It’s still attached.”

For now.

“As expected, your mental strength is impressive.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment. Are we moving to the processing site now?”

“I’ll handle the rest and report. You should head back.”

“I’ll just finish inventory first.”

“Yes. Take it easy. Don’t overdo it.”

Ha Baek was both a top-ranking guild and the center of the underworld. At least among them, cohesion was strong.

Cases like betrayal or smuggling did happen, but they were rare.

There was a reason for that.

If you fell out of favor with Cha Wooshin, your life was over. And picking up the pieces of that ruined life was left to the guild members.

Those shattered remains… might one day be her own future.

She shook off the thought.

“Choi Minseong.”

“Yes, miss.”

“About that title… can we change it? You have more seniority than me.”

“Was it uncomfortable?”

“Yes.”

“I’m sorry!”

He bowed deeply.

“I shouldn’t have talked to you—no, I don’t mean you’re—!”

“Can you just call me by name like before?”

As she trailed off, the guild members’ expressions became strange.

“That’s not possible. It’s the chief’s orders.”

“Orders?”

“He said anyone who calls your name carelessly would be dealt with.”

This crazy bastard.

“And you’re following that?”

“He also said he’d slice our faces and hang us in the processing site for a week before throwing us into a gate.”

“…Let’s just get back to work.”

“Yes… let’s.”

Her return time was 3 a.m.

She wanted to collapse into bed immediately, but headed to the shower first.

The eerie atmosphere and metallic scent of bloodstones seemed to cling to her body.

After a thorough shower, she looked at her reflection.

A tired woman stared back.

Kang Iseo. A needless existence in this world, worn down by a harsh life.

She lay on the bed and began writing her daily report.

No personal opinions. Only facts.

After finishing, she attached the smuggled inventory list.

Sleep crept in, but she opened her skill window.

Awakened individuals had skill profiles, but hidden skills were locked.

Her passive skill:

[Bond]

[Switch to shared state]

[Send file to bonded target (no name)]

Half-asleep, she sent the file.

Then—

Read receipt.

A message appeared.

(no name)
“In the office.”

Her drowsiness vanished.

(no name)
“I’ve reviewed the report. Any additions?”

“No.”

(no name)
“How was the mastermind handled?”

“Cha Wooshin dealt with it.”

(no name)
“Understood.”

Then—

(no name)
“Are you alright?”

Not asking about her emotions.

Her condition.

“There are no issues.”

(no name)
“Understood.”

She had no one in this world to show weakness to.

Early morning.

A gate appeared in Ha Baek’s territory.

“Go.”

Cha Wooshin said.

She went.

At the site, Song Seokwoo greeted her with his usual crude remarks.

She responded sharply, and tensions rose.

Then—

She activated the raid system.

Seven members.

Buffs applied.

Dungeon level: 7.

Too high.

Monsters swarmed.

The boss was invisible.

Her [Dispel] skill failed.

Again.

Failed.

Again.

Finally—

The ground split.

The boss revealed signs.

Battle intensified.

Then—

A rookie hunter, Park Juhwan, went missing.

Possibly infected.

She made a decision.

“I’ll find him.”

Ignoring orders, she moved.

Through the tunnel.

Deeper.

The truth revealed—

A massive core.

A beating heart.

Park Juhwan was there, being drained.

She cut him free.

“Infection rate: 86%. Purifying.”

Then—

Pain.

A blood vessel wrapped her ankle.

Bones twisted.

Still, she held onto him.

“Got him.”

At that moment—

Reinforcements arrived.

Later that day.

In Cha Wooshin’s office—

“You’re injured.”

“I’m fine.”

“You’re not.”

She reported.

Then—

“You used to belong to Cha Minseung.”

Suspicion.

“Are you doubting me?”

“Wouldn’t I?”

“Then punish me first.”

Silence.

Close proximity.

Tension.

Then—

He smiled.

“I can’t. I like you.”

And just like that—

The moment passed.