Baek Ahyeong Strategy (2)

★ Heroine Status Window

[Baek Ahyeong]

[Affection: 100] (+0.8)

[Lust: 95]

[Appetite: 45]

[Fatigue: 75]

Current Status: Why... Why can’t I control myself? Why...

“Ahyeong...” I forced myself to speak, my strength waning. Each movement of my tongue and lips felt agonizing.

“Do you still not get why I’m doing this?”

“Why... Why are you doing this...” Her voice quivered as she continued to heal me.

It’s the time. It’s the perfect moment to confess. But the words that should follow eluded me. My vision started to blur.

I won’t wake up in hell, will I? Please, let me open my eyes in the hospital. And I hope Ahyeong’s affection level hasn’t dropped. I put all my remaining strength into setting the flag; it shouldn’t drop, right?

“Hoyeon... Hoyeon!”

I felt her sobbing, clinging to me, then everything went dark.

“Hoyeon... Hoyeon!”

***

Baek Ahyeong clung to Lee Hoyeon’s chest, tears rolling down her cheeks. Thankfully, his heart was still beating. He’d collapsed, likely from mana exhaustion and the lingering effects of the skill.

Ahyeong unleashed her healing light, sparing no mana. First, she tended to the wounds on his back and then addressed his internal injuries.

His mana circuit is a mess... Whatever skill he used, it’ll require a lengthy recovery before he can use mana again.

“Why... why would you do this?” Ahyeong couldn’t understand.

Would someone go this far just for just a sexual partner? Maybe some would, but I know Hoyeon isn’t that type... He’s someone who looks out for his own interests.

Does... he really like me? Could he actually have feelings for me? He even hinted at it earlier.

In reality, his feelings no longer matter to her. Baek Ahyeong has decided not to hold back anymore. Whether or not he likes her is beside the point. Her burgeoning feelings are unstoppable. He has become an indispensable part of her life, someone she’ll stick with no matter what challenges come their way.

How can I express this feeling? The word love is not enough to describe it...

Someone I cherish?

Someone I yearn for?

Someone I hold dear?

Someone I admire?

Someone I rely on?

Regardless of the words chosen, her actions will remain steadfast. She won’t hold back any longer, and she won’t give up.

As she continued her treatment, she gently stroked Hoyeon’s cheek. His face, contorted in pain rather than relaxed, looked endearing to her. His masculine eyes, defined jawline, prominent nose, and lively lips.

Almost instinctively, Ahyeong’s hand moved to his lips. His slightly moist, soft lips seemed capable of stealing her very soul. She leaned down as if enchanted, but just before their lips met, she heard the sound of footsteps.

Clack—clack—

“...!”

She hastily lifted her head, she spotted a red-haired beauty approaching. She was smiling slightly.

Ahyeong had scanned the faces of the VIPs and guests earlier, but none matched that woman’s.

That means... she’s an enemy...

Gulp—

Ahyeong confronted the red-haired beauty, hiding Hoyeon behind her. With one hand still on him due to her ongoing treatment, she felt a pressure from the woman stronger than what she’d felt from the skull-masked figure earlier.

“Who are you?” Tense but composed, Ahyeong spoke, doing her best to hide any signs of unease.

“...”

The red-haired woman, Rebecca, licked her lips, then shifted her gaze past Baek Ahyeong to where Lee Hoyeon was concealed, flashing a radiant smile.

“Found you.”

“Ah!”

Ahyeong’s breathing hitched. She attempted to block the sudden appearance of the woman next to Hoyeon, but her movements seemed to be in slow motion.

Her body wouldn’t respond when she tried to prevent Rebecca’s hand from reaching Hoyeon’s face.

“What... is... happening...”

Current Status: Darling... I’m so relieved he’s awake.

I’m truly fortunate that the affection level remained at 100. I guess collapsing after setting the flag was a good move.

Affection level 100...

Given the various events that led to this, it’s the first time I’ve reached maximum affection with a heroine. I’m somewhat tense myself.

“There was quite the stir after you fainted. They said you freed several hunters before getting to me? Everyone was talking about you; many were worried.”

“Ah...”

Well, I guess it’s understandable, since I was breaking the barriers left and right without thinking.

“Almost every hunter at the party now sees you as a genius mage. Not bad, right?” Ahyeong grinned and started peeling an apple again.

Is this for real...? It’s nice to be laid-back, better than being all tears and drama. But it’s weird; the affection level’s at 100, yet she seems totally normal.

Ah...

That’s when I noticed Ahyeong’s hand, the one peeling the apple, was trembling slightly.

“How are you feeling? I’ve healed all your physical injuries. Your mana circuit is a mess, so recovery will take a while.”

I moved around a bit and felt fine. Even my back felt normal; the treatments seemed to have worked.

“You really are a saint, Ahyeong.”

While I was pleased with my recovery, Ahyeong hesitated, seemingly concerned about something.

Finally, she spoke up, “Why did you do that...?”

“Do what?”

“Why did you take the hit for me? You knew I would’ve been fine... Why...?” Baek Ahyeong stopped peeling the apple and looked at me, her eyes trembling, waiting for an answer.

“Ahyeong...”

“Why did you do that? Why? Acting like that, I can’t help but...”

Watching her let out all her pent-up feelings made me feel guilty. In a way, I brought this upon myself. And it’s time to put an end to this.

“Ahyeong, I love you.” I finally said the words I’d wanted to say for a long time.

“W-What..?”

“I love you, Baek Ahyeong. I mean it.”

“Stop lying... Don’t play with me again...”

I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her close. With her face all flushed, she looked into my eyes.

“Ahyeong, I’m a terrible person. You know that. I’ve violated and hurt you. I’ve been with other women and I’ll continue to do so. But I can’t help loving you.”

Every time I spoke, her eyes reddened.

It’s a terrible thing to say, but with an affection level of 100, maybe it’s okay to be upfront. My feelings are genuine, after all.

“I am this kind of person... will you still accept me?” As I spoke from the heart, she burst into tears, punching my chest weakly.

“Why, why did I fall for such trash...”

Thud— Thud—

“Trash... a rapist... a playboy...”

Her words hurt more than her fists. As her feeble punches dwindled, I caught her hand and looked into her eyes.

“I love you, darling. You’ll always be my number one.”

“I love you too... I’ve been waiting for this...”

We embraced each other. Normally, I’d squeeze her tight so she couldn’t get away, but I was too weak. I leaned on her instead.

Looks like it’ll be a while before I’m fully recovered.

Ahyeong, still teary-eyed, pushed me away briefly to wipe her eyes.

“You’re such a crybaby.” I tried to hold back my joy, but seeing her eyes filled with tears made me tease her.

“Darling, be quiet...” She tapped her smartwatch and made a call. “This is Baek Ahyeong. Student Lee Hoyeon is awake but still not in good condition. I need to start intensive treatment and care. Please restrict all visits.”

“Darling...?”

Why did she say that? I’m perfectly fine.

“Yes, no need for assistance. I’ll handle it all. The time frame... until he’s fully recovered. I’ll contact you then.” After hanging up, she started undressing.

It was only when she started taking off her formal blouse that it hit me, and I quickly said, “Darli—I mean, Miss Ahyeong, I’m just... too weak right now...”

“It’s okay, darling. I’ll take care of it.”

Seeing the predatory look in Baek Ahyeong’s eyes as she gazed at me, I felt like a mouse ensnared in a trap and started to undress.