RG 139

Ryu Seonghyeon, who had just barely regained his composure, gathered the medicine and a glass of lukewarm water before heading up to the second floor where Cha Seohu was. He had missed the timing to deny it out of surprise. It was something he never expected to hear in a place like this.

‘People these days probably wouldn’t even know that expression.’

Even he had only occasionally heard that word from a fifty-something Hunter he’d met in a dungeon or from his guildmaster. It wasn’t a term that someone who appeared to be Cha Seohu’s age, especially a mountain hermit, would naturally use. All the more so for someone who had been living deep in these remote mountains.

‘If that’s the case, then… it really means…’

That he was older than he looked.

Recalling the explanation he’d received from his guildmaster before coming to Mount Taebaek, Ryu Seonghyeon opened the door.

From within, he could faintly hear the sound of labored breathing under the blanket-covered chest. It was so soft that an ordinary person wouldn’t have picked it up.

Pushing aside his thoughts about the mountain man for now, Ryu Seonghyeon approached the bed, set the packet of medicine on the nightstand, and checked on Cha Seohu’s condition.

Cha Seohu’s face was still flushed as he lay there, sweating coldly with a furrowed brow. Though the blanket covered him, it was obvious that his neck and body were likely flushed red as well.

Feeling his burning forehead, Ryu Seonghyeon quickly reached for the medicine.

‘Powdered medicine, huh.’

He’d been wondering how to give medicine to Cha Seohu, who had passed out and had a swollen throat. If it were pills, it would’ve been even harder, so powdered medicine was relatively better. He poured lukewarm water onto a plate and gently mixed in the powder. Since it was a strong medicine, he wanted to wake him up and feed him something first before administering it—but that was just wishful thinking.

“Mm…”

Holding the spoon with the dissolved medicine, he looked back at Cha Seohu with a troubled expression.

The medicine was ready, but now he had to actually get him to take it. And he had no idea how.

That was the problem. Ryu Seonghyeon had never cared for anyone before—let alone fed medicine to someone unconscious. Taking care of someone awake was hard enough; tending to someone passed out was on another level.

After awkwardly picking up and putting down the spoon a few times, unsure of what to do, he finally set it down and reached out both hands toward Cha Seohu.

Cha Seohu was curled up like a shrimp from the aching pain that weighed down his limbs. Ryu Seonghyeon gently lifted his upper body. As he supported the limp man, Cha Seohu’s head drooped and rested against his shoulder.

Heat radiated from Cha Seohu’s body onto his shoulder and arm. Keeping him propped up like that, Ryu Seonghyeon scooped some of the medicine with the spoon and gently poured it into his slightly parted lips.

Thankfully, Cha Seohu still had the strength to swallow what entered his mouth; nothing spilled out. Only after that did Ryu Seonghyeon let out a sigh of relief and continue spooning the medicine into his mouth, one spoonful at a time.

“Ugh…”

After carefully feeding him the entire dose, Cha Seohu let out a groan, seemingly in discomfort.

At least he had held on through the whole process. Once it was done, Ryu Seonghyeon laid him back down on the bed and went to the bathroom to wet a clean towel.

After placing the damp towel on his forehead, the tension finally lifted. Ryu Seonghyeon slumped into the chair next to the bed and sighed. “Haa…”

His first attempt at nursing someone had been more difficult than he anticipated. His inexperience made it all the more challenging.

He had done his best, but he wasn’t sure if it would actually help. Since Cha Seohu was fast asleep and couldn’t answer, he could only wait and see if the medicine would take effect.

‘Still… doesn’t his face look more relaxed than before?’

Lying there, Cha Seohu’s furrowed brow had softened. His steady breathing and the absence of groaning also gave a sense of calm. Maybe it was just wishful thinking, but to Ryu Seonghyeon’s eyes, he genuinely looked much better. That thought made him realize, all over again, how surreal this situation was.

Not long ago, Cha Seohu had been a distant and awkward acquaintance. And now, here he was—nursing him through illness.

Ryu Seonghyeon began to understand, at least a little, why Kwon Taehyeok had been so anxious and attentive toward Cha Seohu. With a strange feeling lingering, he looked at Cha Seohu for a moment and let out a quiet chuckle.

‘It feels more like I was taking care of a kitten than a person.’

He looked fine now, but when he was sick and curled up under the blankets, he had resembled a small, ailing ball of fur.

As he checked the damp towel, lost in such a silly thought, a cute meowing sound rang out.

Meooow. Mrr.

A light-gray creature with its tail raised high came trotting in. A real cat, which he hadn’t even noticed entering the room, was now walking toward the bed.

Unfazed by Ryu Seonghyeon’s presence, the cat rubbed up against him without hesitation, then lightly hopped onto the bed.

Ryu Seonghyeon hesitated for a moment, wondering if he should move the cat, but then felt its warm body heat and decided to leave it be. Honestly, that cat might be more helpful than he was, considering how lost he felt about what to do next.

***

Meow, mraow.

A sweet, affectionate meow echoed in the air. With my eyes closed, I imagined the owner of that sound, Eunbok. The pretty cat raised by the guildmaster. He was so adorable that he was practically the guild’s mascot.

Through Eunbok’s cries came a gentle voice.

“His complexion looks a bit better now. As expected, no one nurses Seohu better than you, Seonghyeon.” The moment that sentence ended, a hand softly brushed across my forehead. A quiet chuckle followed. “You don’t look flustered and panicky anymore.”

“I’ve gotten used to it.” Ryu Seonghyeon gently stroked my head, which was resting on his thigh.

“…Indeed. I can see why,” Song Ji-un replied knowingly. With the soft rustle of turning paper, he spoke again. “It would be nice if he just said he was feeling sick on time.”

“He does need a lot of care.”

At that slightly cold-sounding reply, Song Ji-un responded with a teasing tone, “So, do you not like it? If that’s how you feel, I’ll have another guild member take care of Seohu next time. Or maybe I’ll—”

“I don’t dislike it,” Ryu Seonghyeon cut Song Ji-un off. The hand that had been gently tapping his forehead moved down, softly brushing his cheek, and lightly tapping his lips. “I’m only happy to do it.”

“Hmm.”

“Of course, as you said, Guildmaster, if he’d just tell us when he’s sick, I couldn’t ask for anything more.”

At the ticklish sensation brushing my lips, my eyelids fluttered faintly. A large hand then gently covered my eyes.

As the warmth spread from the corner of my eyes, my consciousness quickly faded. I was already so deeply drowsy I couldn’t tell if this was a dream or reality—resisting sleep was impossible.

“Come to think of it, Seonghyeon, the house you’re trying to find…”

“As close to the guild as possible…”

“Right. That way Seohu can be comfortable…”

The soft, murmured conversation between Ryu Seonghyeon and Song Ji-un lulled me into a deeper sleep. Very deep.

***

Something warm and soft was nestled in my arms. As I groped at the unknown warm thing, a sharp, annoyed meow pierced my ears.

Mraow!

I jolted fully awake.

I quickly opened my eyes and sat up. There was a cat thumping its tail inside my arms, and the room was dark.

I reached out to turn on the standing lamp on the nightstand. Next to the lamp were a packet of medicine, a glass of water, and a damp towel that had clearly been used.

‘Did Big Bro help me?’

Maybe that’s why the bed felt so comfortable and my body felt much lighter than it had in the morning. The medicine must’ve worked well. Sure, my face still felt hot and my body was heavy, but just the fact that the headache and chills were gone was enough.

I climbed out of bed and stretched deeply before heading straight to the bathroom. My whole body felt gross with sweat.

Shhhhh!

Hot water poured over my head. As I showered, I thought back to the dream. I think it was something from before my regression, but all I could recall was a vague sense of nostalgia. I couldn’t really remember the details. Still, one thing was clear—it hadn’t been a nightmare.

‘Big Bro and I went to see the guildmaster… Was it a rare peaceful memory from back then?’

Every time I dreamed of my pre-regression life, it had always been that day. Nothing but awful nightmares. But this time was different. The details were blurry, but the feeling it left behind was surprisingly pleasant. Maybe it was because I slept well—my head felt clearer than it had in a while.

After finishing my shower, I pulled fresh clothes out from my inventory. This time, I threw on a black shirt directly over my bare skin and lazily buttoned it up.

Running a hand through my still-damp hair, I returned to the room and was met with a surprised look from Ryu Seonghyeon, who had just come back.

“Hunter Cha Seohu, are you sure you should be up? How are you feeling?”

“Better than this morning. I sweated a lot, so I went to wash up.” I smiled to reassure him, and he smiled back, but then flinched a little and awkwardly drew his shoulders in. His eyes had dropped to my chest.

“…Um, wouldn’t it be better to finish buttoning that up? You’re still recovering—you should dress warmly.”

“Oh, this?”

Ryu Seonghyeon turned his head away in a stiff, unnatural motion. I guess the sight of a guy with his chest wide open right in front of him was bothering him more than a little.

I got it, but unfortunately, I had no intention of changing—at least, not until I got what I came for.

“There’s actually something I want to check.”

“…Sorry?”

“I think there’s another reason I’ve been having trouble breathing—besides the cold.” I offered Ryu Seonghyeon, who looked completely confused, a polite suggestion, “So, Vicemaster, I’d like to ask for your cooperation.”