didn't do anything I swear! » Suho raised his hands in surrender taking them away from the cat at the same time. Let's just say it wasn't that pleased from the loss of contact on its head. Hajin would be better keeping the fact that the pats were incredibly soothing in just the right way in his grave.
« What do you mean you didn't do anything?? The cat is literally all over you? » Exclaimed Nayun in indignation.
No, I am not- Who said that!
« Just say you had the time to coax the cat while we were discussing- » Rachel rolled her eyes...
Why are they acting like I can't choose who to be petted by... I'm a responsible adult with free will (let's just ignore his cat-like appearance for now, it's only a small irrelevant detail for the point he's trying to prove.)
« Now that's not what I did and you know I wouldn't do that! »
« Do you really think you're in a position to make such claims? » Yeonha raised an eyebrow at the boy's futile attempt to defend himself. He should know by now they didn't trust any claim like that especially after all the reveals happening about a very low ranked cadet.
It's true that Suho enjoys this mysterious' cat company just as much as the others do but he's more than sure he didn't try to monopolise its attention! The cat willingly approached him and started to play with his hand as if they were already acquainted-- Maybe he was a cat person?
While the cadets were still arguing, Hajin briefly checked his paws looking at some sort of claws he happened to notice after he landed on the floor to escape the ‹humans'› hold, still not used to his shifted form, and wondering when his characters will end this ridiculous dispute that he likely doesn't have anything to do with.
[ ⚠ Reaction will restart after the end of the countdown... ⚠ ]
At least this system knows when to interpose itself and intervene. That's good to know I guess.
After the warning on the screen, the cadets seemed to forget about their previous argument and went back to their original sitting position waiting for the countdown to Hajin's dismay. Maybe watching them arguing would be better than them acquiring information about his life. He didn't have time to overthink and dwell on the inquiry he seemed to have developed as the countdown reached its end.
[ 3... 2.. 1. ]
"Salamander? Does anyone here have the water attribute?"
‹ If I remember correctly, no-one seemed to have one at the time, I'm glad we could get rid of that one easily. But Kim Hajin's later actions seem to contradict with his statement of not having a water attribute.... › Yeonha seemed to be lost in her thoughts and as the object of her questioning stared at her, he began to sweat. The reason of Hajin's sudden change in attitude was the face Yeonha was making as she stared blankly at the screen which meant she was analysing hypothesis she made whilst watching. Now with the luck he had today, he was sure she was thinking about his actions that day.
Why do I feel like she will analyse my reaction here- Wait what did I do back then to arise suspicion?
.
.
.
Oh.
Oh.
I think I know the reason she's scrupting the screen like that now.
‹ This weird entity will probably show me what happened so I guess a little bit of patience won't kill me. ›
As she shrugged, Hajin felt his shoulder muscles relax. The heavy suffocation he felt disappeared and didn't bother him anymore. He wasn't exactly sure of the cadets' current extent of information on his situation but better safe than sorry like they say.
‹ From their team, no one seems to have one ( water attribute) but I have a hunch Hajin will use his 'Stigma' ›
Rachel looked at the black cat sitting on the floor and picked it up to sit on her lap leaving her hand caressing his fur. The cat absently minded or not leaned into the touch.
Jayden asked as he stretched, but there was no 17 year old cadet who had accepted the mana of water. At the very least, one had to have undergone enlightenment to do so.
« Now why do I have something telling me this fact will have a relation with what will happen later with your team. »
Her brain was working fine at least.
« Your instincts aren't as faint as they seem to be. Yes, something weird happened later Nay- »
« NOW WHAT WAS THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN HUH! »
« You two should calm down, we wouldn't like to miss something because of another argument. »
The others seemed to be of the same opinion since they nodded at his statement. Only someone didn't look like they agreed with him.
Now, now no, in fact, you're very wrong Suho. It's actually better if they argue and you miss most of the information this snitching system might reveal again.
« But we can always ask the system to show us the scene again right? »
« Now that you mention it, it's very probable. »
[ The system does have a reload function. ]
Screw you-
It's Ramadan y'all meaning no bad words in this chapter: only peaceful exchanges between civilised minds. Where is the flavour in that--I'm dying... Of hunger and boredom..
It seemed Jayden didn't expect much, as he held up his sword without being disappointed.
« Bro's asking useless questions just for the fancy of it. » Jonghak
« It's better to make sure instead of just jumping at the salamander dimwit. » Train's directed a side glance at his remark provoking an offended grimace from the other.
"Well, I'm sure it'll be easy."
I also took out my handgun. A Salamander of that size should be low-intermediate rank grade 6.
Eight people were more than enough to kill it. But what worried me was how easy it seemed.
« So he had suspicions about that. If only he did speak his thoughts outloud though... » Yeonha
« I guess it'd be useless for him to make you on edge for the rest of the expedition than to keep his thoughts to himself. » Rachel
« You're right. He does think in a weird manner. »
That last bit wasn't really necessarily you know. You could have ended the conversation witg me keeping too much things to myself tsk-
The cat glared at the purple haired girl who was everything but aware of the black ball's antics.
The team members walked forward with their senses heightened.
"Oh, there it is."
Jayden pointed at the Salamander loafing around on the ground.
« I think we have eyes to see that guy that's just a thought. » Yeonha rolled her eyes at Nayun's sarcasm. She was tired of calling her out so she would stop using it since she held the concept.
However, she judged her unworthy of her efforts. She was too highly sophisticated for people like that.
No hate, I just like playing with these two and their interactions.
"...So you were right. I guess it's true you can find dog turd if you want to use it for medicine."
« Did he just- »
« Yeah he did- »
"It's the other way, retard."
« Great comeback. » Wow, if Rachel was praising him for getting back at someone maybe the world he created was coming to a halt. Don't call him dramatic but wasn't she supposed to be the angelic character in this novel??
His reaction was more than justified!
Jayden glared at me but quietly asked Kim Jingyu.
"Wasn't I right?"
"About what?"
"The Proverb. That you can find dog turd if you want to use it for medicine."
"It's the opposite, you can't find dog turd even if you want to use it for medicine."
"...Oh."
« Take that arse####! » It was understanding for Nayun to encourage this kind of behaviour though. Oddly enough, the tension between the blond and the brunette was still perceptible while they were on a truce. Truce about them judging every living being touching Hajin and defend him from what it looked like. These were still in denial of their feelings but they'll probably assume them at some point. Obviously not now but maybe later?
I know I said no bad words and I hope I didn't break my fast by writing it but I just had to in this part... Sorry (｡ŏ_ŏ)
After realizing his mistake, Jayden glanced at Yoo Yeonha, fearful that he had disappointed her.
« Can't you give him what he's looking for already?? » Jonghak
« What is this again. » Yeonha
« It's obvious he's seeking for your attention from the start. » Said Nayun throwing her hands in the air to accentuate on the obvious part. The concerned person looked at the two with deadpanned eyes. Were they serious or genuinely don't do it on purpose.
« No way on earth am I giving it to this one. He's too unworthy of it. » She said puffing her chest in pride.
His characters are continuing to be ooc... Was this a good sign or are they already broken? He had a lot of work for later, he's only hoping the inflected damage on their minds wasn't too big or he definitely couldn't deal with it this time around. Let's not think of such drastic impacts and focus on the present to monitor these five.
But Yoo Yeonha seemed uninterested in our conversation, as she imbued her magic power into her whip and prepared for battle.
« Show off. »
« How in the world am I showing off?? »
« Your whole entire existence i-- » She couldn't get her point across as she felt two hand wrapping on her throat beginning to tighten around her.
« I dare you to say that again. » She said pulling her fakest smile. The sadistic one Hajin prefer calling it.
« Kinky- »
Okay wtf-
( Wallah that's funny- I'm trying to save my skin here. )
From where the provocations were going Suho and Jonghak decided to take action because these two girls were capable of going wild- ( I didn't mean it in that way I promise)
They managed to detach Yeonha's hands after Hajin felt like hours and separated them by making Nayun switch seats with Jonghak.
Update on the sitting plan:
Rachel - Suho - Yeonha - Jonghak - Nayun.
The only person not bothered by the agitation happening was Rachel quietly enjoying the warm presence on her laps holding it while the others were either stopping a fight or the declencher of the fighting. The small ball held in a tight embrace was enjoying itself and the show before its sharp round blue eyes.
"Get ready. Though, if it's a switch, it should be a piece of cake. Huup!"
Yoo Yeonha swung her whip, which shot towards the tail like a snake.
"Kueek—"
« You look like you'd not like to waste time. » Rachel
« If I'm only here for one thing, why should I bother getting distracted by useless things? »
« You're right, grades and experience are better I guess. »
The cat surely got used to the calm exchanges between his characters and would have thought it was the end of it if the arms hugging him were not getting tighter as the tension rose. Yeonha was no better as he found her right eye twitch from all the comebacks she seemed to hold in her throat and not spill. He sighed exasperated from the childish pokes they were picking at each other. He sometimes forget they were still kids after all.
With its tail tied up by Yoo Yeonha's whip, the Salamander couldn't use its most powerful attack, firebreath.
Immediately afterwards, Kim Jingyu shot an arrow at its eye, while the warriors rushed forward to cut its skin.
In the blink of an eye, the Salamander was killed.
« You know, it's actually surprising for you to have a great team spirit. »
« At least I'm not like someone and try to monopolise the whole commotions.. » Jonghak and Yeonha were throwing daggers through their eyes. If it's not Nayun now it was Jonghak picking fights with the supposedly girl having a crush on him. The author wasn't so sure of the extent of that crush anymore.
Thinking about it, most combination between these five would lead to some friction whether wanted or not. Rachel couldn't be sorted next to Yeonha and Nayun, Suho and Jonghak would probably ( Surely ) start a fight within ten minutes and Nayun and Yeonha were not holding back in terms of provocation. What was the point in making them all sit in one row at this point?
There wasn't anything for me to do.
« Nah, your teamwork isn't so perfect in the end. »
« Mind keeping your mouth shut for one sec? It's not a surprise it makes my ears bleed. »
« Stop attacking me! You're just upset you didn't get to form a proper relation with Hajin now that you know what is going on with him! » Accused Nayun scrupulously.
« Stop making it about yourself and redirecting the blame on me- »
Suho could see the heavy vein forming on Jonghak's forehead as the two ladies on his sides were bickering back and forth without sign to be nearing its end. The agitated boy's mouth twitched, he turned his head to the left and was about to yell at the two to stop when his golden eyes landed on Suho and Rachel's gaze.
They were shaking their head to prevent him from reacting negatively to the stimulation around him. They were right, it was no use to reason with the two girls since they communicated this way usually so how would it change to a normal exchange if he somehow managed to intervene and make them stop.
"Easy as pie. That was amazing, Yoo Yeonha-ssi. How did you instantly grab its tail like that?"
« Oh~ So now the flatter card is used? Excited to see gun boy's reaction. » Hajin rolled his eyes at the nickname. He thought the boy grew tired of this one and seeing him use it after so much time...
I refuse to take care of these modified version of my novel's characters. It was like they were exposed to uv lights and went through multiple layers of mutation to get where they were now.
He hoped his timeline was different from these beasts' because there was no way he was ready to confront them. Maybe in ten years he could?
It happens to be a thought though.
Jayden flattered Yoo Yeonha, to which she returned a smile.
« You seem to react positively to praise, maybe I should try it sometime... »
« Praise coming from you? You'd have to loath me to get a smile from me. » Yeonha responded to Nayun with an acutely prideful tone. Their conversation were one hundred percent provocation but the more he witnessed these the more he noticed a gruesome fondness that grew between them. It was quite the appreciative atmosphere and had a calmness Hajin still did not get used to from how they reacted everytime he gave them attention.
It wasn't such a bad idea for the cadets to grow fond of each other but he didn't know the repercussions these tied links would have on the plot so he truly hoped his reserved personality's secrets wouldn't be exposed in their entirety for the plot's sake.
Feeling vain at how easy the fight was, I stepped towards them.
At that moment...
« Of course... »
« Something has to happen with him... »
The cat looked at the screen as he heard a collective sigh. He guessed they already reacted to multiple situations where he was put in the same position. Now that he had the time to reflect on this comment, he never noticed how each time, something happened to him.
Of course, he knew it was because of his luck and he was grateful for all the great advantages he had gained from it. However, it put him in some tight situations and if someone told him he could strangle the person responsible for all these modifications and odd events, he'd jump on the opportunity without a second thought.
Thwick. I tripped on a rock. I fell forward silently and instinctively grabbed onto what was in front of me. Most likely, it was Yoo Yeonha's head.
« Wait--WHAT? » Yeonha was already growing irritated at the near coming teasing.
« So you telling to eat dirt was something you've already did. »
« Guess you were talking from experience ha- »
« The next remark I hear will get a free strangling from me got it. » The warning came through gritted teeth and in a harsh breath as if the person responsible of the saying was holding a pent up frustration she couldn't get rid of.
A shudder ran down Nayun and Jonghak's spine. They couldn't laugh at the menace because they knew she wasn't kidding. Playing with fire was dangerous but once you add fuel to it you better run far or tru to appease the wild flames.
I'm sorry if it gets too philosophical I had to read 20 books these past two weeks and it takes some time before switching to normal speech again or do you prefer it that way?
"Kyak—"
A high-pitched scream rang out.
« May I ask from who? » Rachel
The question initiated a deadpanned sigh from Yeonha. How hurried she was to finish with the scene concerning her and the unknown to her cat in one of her rival's arms. To Rachel, it was a simple question of curiosity, never did she think it would get such a tired expression out of the purple haired girl. Even after learning about her irritation, she'd still ask it.
At the same time, a sharp and unnatural object brushed past my hand and Yoo Yeonha's hair.
Thud.
« I'm pretty surprised. Hajin's luck won't cease to amaze me. » Suho
« I wanna know what happened next--Hey what was your reaction? » Jonghak
« It's crucial information right now! » Yep, they were trying their best to provock the girl. There was just no other way to explain what was happening. Yeonha was twisting in her seat in discomfort and infuriation. She threw a punch at the nearest person to her side causing the boy to writhe in pain. Her punch weren't to take lightly.
Yoo Yeonha fell.
"W-What? Is it an ambush!?"
The screen started to fade and the room was ungulfed in a tight dark shade.
« ... What happens next? »