Please Give Me A Kiss, Healer! Chapter 96

Jiwoo, who was already panicking, fell into an even deeper panic.

Cheolsu? Kim Cheolsu?

“K-Kangwoo, how do you know Cheolsu oppa?”

“Cheolsu oppa…”

The corner of Kangwoo’s mouth stiffened ever so slightly.

He lifted a strand of Jiwoo’s wavy hair and spoke again.

“Dongsik told me. He said a man named Kim Cheolsu was standing right next to you.”

Dongsik, you little brat!

Why would you tell him something so unnecessary and make things awkward?!

Forcing an awkward smile, Jiwoo hurriedly explained. He wasn’t even sure why he felt the need to explain, but somehow it felt absolutely necessary.

“Hahaha, Cheolsu oppa? Well… he’s the oppa I told you about before, remember? The one who lived next door to us until high school! Turns out he became a hunter with the Osan Guild too.”

In just those few sentences, the word oppa came out five times.

Each time it did, Kangwoo’s eyebrow twitched slightly.

“…So that’s how I ended up running into Cheolsu oppa. What an unbelievable coincidence, right?”

“Yeah. It really is quite the coincidence.”

Jiwoo secretly studied Kangwoo’s expression.

He still wore his usual gentle smile.

That’s strange. He looked upset earlier. Was I imagining it?

Just as Jiwoo tilted his head in confusion—

“Hunter Seo Kangwoo!”

Yoo Jaekyung and Cha Taepyeong came running down from the cliff.

Despite sprinting the entire distance without even being out of breath, Yoo Jaekyung immediately asked Kangwoo,

“How are you here, Hunter Seo Kangwoo? There wasn’t any way to contact the outside, so how did you… Ah.”

She glanced at Jiwoo and nodded in understanding.

Since Jiwoo possessed a rare skill like the Safe Zone, it wasn’t strange that he had some way of communicating with the outside world.

Instead, she asked another question.

“Did you come alone, Hunter Seo? Where are the reinforcements?”

“I was the only available person nearby, so I came ahead first. The Emergency Disaster Team will follow shortly, so there’s no need to worry.”

“The Emergency Disaster Team is coming?”

Jiwoo asked in surprise.

He had heard about them countless times, but this would be his first time actually meeting the infamous Emergency Disaster Team.

That’s… kind of scary.

People said the Emergency Disaster Team was filled with fanatics who were unnaturally obsessed with dungeons.

Everyone who learned Jiwoo’s secret—his second awakening—had warned him to be careful of the Emergency Disaster Team.

They even said they’d do illegal things without hesitation. Kidnapping, imprisonment, threats… eek!

As Jiwoo instinctively shrank back, Kangwoo blinked and tilted his head.

“Jiwoo, are you cold?”

“N-No. I’m fine.”

Even though Jiwoo waved it off, Kangwoo took off his jacket and draped it over Jiwoo’s shoulders anyway.

He even buttoned it up carefully.

Watching him do that made Jiwoo’s anxiety melt away as if it had never existed.

Right… nothing’s going to happen. No matter how terrifying they are… Kangwoo is still their leader.

Besides, now that Kangwoo had arrived, even the Krakens weren’t a problem anymore.

He was the one and only irregular SSS-rank Returnee—not just in Korea, but in the entire world.

Once the hunters who could still fight finished receiving treatment and rejoined the battle, they might even clear the dungeon before the Emergency Disaster Team arrived.

Just then, the radio crackled.

[This is Osan Team. One Kraken eliminated. Three injured. One unable to fight.]

Cha Taepyeong answered immediately.

“This is Special Team 7. Our battle is complete as well. Everyone survived. Four combat-capable members, one non-combatant.”

The non-combatant was O Nara.

Thinking of her sitting alone back at the base camp, Jiwoo let out a deep sigh.

“…”

Kangwoo silently watched him for a moment before pulling the communicator from the strap on his thigh.

“This is Emergency Disaster Team Leader Seo Kangwoo. Effective immediately, command of the entire raid force is transferred from the main team to the Emergency Disaster Team. All hunters who receive this transmission are to regroup at base camp immediately.”

[This is Donghae Team. Transmission received.]

[Osan Team copies.]

There wasn’t a hint of complaint.

In truth, everyone was relieved the Emergency Disaster Team had arrived.

They would be terrifying enemies—but as allies, there was no one more dependable.

“Shall we head back as well?”

Kangwoo suggested after gauging the distance to the newly appeared Krakens.

As they followed him back toward base camp, Jiwoo secretly looked at Kangwoo’s back.

His breathtaking appearance hadn’t changed since the day they first met…

But somehow he feels unfamiliar. Like he’s a completely different person now.

The way he calmly led everyone was nothing like the Kangwoo Jiwoo remembered.

This was the man who had once been almost foolishly single-minded, charging recklessly toward Jiwoo alone.

There had even been a time when Jiwoo had tried negotiating with him, begging him to please act like a normal person.

But now that he’d actually changed…

Wait… am I actually disappointed? With Kangwoo?

Jiwoo bit his lip.

Then, as if that wasn’t enough, he slapped both cheeks with both hands.

Get a grip, Do Jiwoo. Disappointed? About what? You should be applauding him!

The battle must’ve fried my brain.

Or maybe those combat rations from earlier were spoiled!

Clenching his fists, Jiwoo pounded lightly at the strange ache that had been lingering in his chest.

 

 

***

 

 

 

The Donghae Team, Osan Team, and Special Team 7 all gathered together.

At base camp, the waiting healers quickly treated everyone’s injuries.

“Damn it! Why did the dungeon have to mutate all of a sudden… Why us?! Why did it have to be us?!”

Team Leader Go Jaepil vented his frustration, repeatedly kicking a nearby rock.

Of the Donghae Team’s seven hunters, three were seriously injured and two were missing.

The Osan Team had one seriously injured member and one missing.

The losses were devastating.

Nearly half of the raid force had been taken out of action.

Just as despair settled over everyone’s faces—

Their saviors arrived.

[Emergency Disaster Team. Three members. Gate entry complete.]

Walking toward them with the sun at their backs, the three newcomers looked as relaxed as though they were out for a picnic.

The tank leading them wore a pitch-black helmet that completely hid his face.

The pale-skinned man behind him carried an enormous longbow across his back.

And the third member—

“Team Leader Seo Kangwoo, we’ve arrived.”

A beautiful woman wearing an elegant smile stepped up beside Kangwoo.

“Hunter Lee Yeonwoo. Has the dungeon in Ulsan been cleared?”

“Yes. I thought I’d finally get some rest, but then I was immediately called to the East Sea.”

“Good work getting here. Once this dungeon is over, switch out with the next standby team.”

“I will. But Team Leader… who is this?”

Lee Yeonwoo gestured toward Jiwoo, who was standing beside Kangwoo.

Afraid Kangwoo might say something strange, Jiwoo hurriedly answered first.

“I’m Hunter Do Jiwoo from the Gongbaek Guild. I’m part of this raid team.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Hunter Do Jiwoo. I’m Lee Yeonwoo from the Emergency Disaster Team.”

Her deep teal eyes gave the impression that, true to her team’s reputation, she possessed extraordinary abilities.

“Team Leader Seo, how many monsters do we need to deal with?”

The DPS, who had been quietly listening from behind, finally spoke.

With the dark circles under his eyes, he looked like he wanted nothing more than to finish the raid and leave the dungeon.

“Team Leader Go Jaepil over there can explain the situation in detail.”

“Yes.”

The DPS staggered off toward the direction Kangwoo indicated.

The man in the black helmet followed after him, leaving only three people in the clearing.

“You said you’re with the Gongbaek Guild, correct? Is Guild Master Shin Woohyuk doing well?”

“Oh! You know our guild master?”

Jiwoo’s eyes widened.

Lee Yeonwoo answered warmly.

“Yes. Before I joined the Emergency Disaster Team, I was part of the Gongbaek Guild as well. I was on the guild master’s personal team.”

“Wow, the guild master’s personal team? I can’t believe what a coincidence!”

Knowing they had once belonged to the same guild instantly made Jiwoo feel closer to her.

On top of that, both of them happened to be healers, which were rare enough in dungeons.

“Then do you happen to know Team Leader Yoo Jaekyung too? She told me she used to be on the guild master’s personal team.”

“Oh, of course! Is Jaekyung here too?”

“Yes! She’s over in that tent, so if we go together—”

Jiwoo was smiling brightly as he spoke when—

“That’ll be enough.”

Kangwoo cut him off.

Then, in an icy voice, he separated Jiwoo and Lee Yeonwoo.

“The other team members have already gone to the briefing. How long are you two planning to stand here chatting about pointless things?”

“A-Ah… I was just happy to meet her…”

“So, Hunter Lee Yeonwoo, it seems you came to this dungeon for a social visit.”

“…My apologies.”

The atmosphere froze instantly.

Lee Yeonwoo gave a respectful nod before immediately leaving, leaving only Jiwoo standing there stiffly.

I-I never imagined Kangwoo could be like this…

Until now, it had been impossible to picture.

He had always been nothing but kind and gentle toward Jiwoo.

Jiwoo never knew he had such a cold, sharp side.

“Jiwoo.”

“Y-Yes. Yes?”

Jiwoo couldn’t move, only darting his eyes around nervously.

I-Is he going to scold me too?

If he talks like that even to someone on his own team…

Is he about to lecture me for wasting time too?

His imagination ran wild.

Then Kangwoo moved his lips and said,

“I’m jealous.”

“I-I’m sorry… Huh? What?”

“I said I’m jealous.”

J-Jealous?

Wait… does that mean he’s jealous of me and Hunter Lee Yeonwoo talking?

As Jiwoo stood there speechless, Kangwoo stepped closer.

Shielding Jiwoo from everyone else’s view, he whispered,

“I’m jealous of anything that’s close to you, Jiwoo. Whether it’s another person… or anything else.”

The moment he finished speaking, something soft touched the back of Jiwoo’s hand.

Smack.

The tiny kissing sound snapped Jiwoo’s frozen brain back into motion.

“P-People might see!”

Startled, Jiwoo looked around frantically.

Fortunately, no one was nearby.

“Kangwoo, you can’t do this outside! What if someone saw us?!”

Jiwoo fanned his burning-red face with both hands.

“…I’d almost rather they did.”

“What?”

“I’ll be back, Jiwoo.”

With a brief smile, Kangwoo walked away—

Leaving Jiwoo behind, twisting himself into knots in sheer embarrassment.

As soon as he reached camp, Kangwoo left alone, saying he was going to clear out the nearby monsters.

Some time later—

“Jiwoo.”

A tall man pushed aside the tent flap and stepped inside.

Jiwoo, who had been waiting anxiously, jumped to his feet.

“You’re already finished?”

“Yeah. There weren’t many monsters nearby.”

Considering how worried Jiwoo had been, it was an absurdly simple answer.

Jiwoo circled Kangwoo, checking him over from head to toe.

“Are you hurt anywhere? Should I heal you? Or do you want to rest first? The bed here is actually really soft. Why don’t you lie down first—”

“Jiwoo, not that.”

“Not… that?”

“Yeah. We have something to settle first.”

Jiwoo blinked.

Settle?

Did I ever make some kind of deal with Kangwoo?

“I’m sorry. I don’t know what you’re talking abou—”

“Just a second.”

Gently interrupting him, Kangwoo spread both arms.

Before Jiwoo could stop him—

Smack.

He planted a kiss on Jiwoo’s cheek.

“W-Wh-What was tha—”

Smack.

“W-W-W—”

Smack. Smack.

“AAAAAAAHHHH!”

Only after receiving three more kisses in rapid succession did Jiwoo finally regain his senses.

He’s crazy! He has to be! He’s completely lost it!

Screaming, Jiwoo shoved against Kangwoo’s chest.

His cheeks burned as though they’d been scorched by fire, and he covered them with both hands.

In his entire life, Jiwoo had only ever been kissed once before.

And that one person had also been Kangwoo.

The very first time they met, Kangwoo had suddenly kissed his cheek.

K-Kissed…

He couldn’t even bring himself to look Kangwoo in the face.

His mind had gone completely blank, like a fresh white canvas.

As Jiwoo lowered his head, a large hand gently covered the back of his.

A low voice whispered beside his ear.

“Jiwoo. You said you’d grant me any wish.”

A wish?

“Ah… that…!”

Jiwoo suddenly remembered what he’d told Dongsik just a few hours earlier.

“Tell Kangwoo this. The raid team’s in danger, so if he comes quickly and helps us, I’ll grant him anything he wants!”

Jiwoo’s light-green eyes trembled.

Kangwoo slowly curled his lips into a smile as he leaned closer.

“Here it is. My wish.”

Smack.

Another warm kiss landed on Jiwoo’s cheek.

Unable to avoid his gaze anymore, Jiwoo finally looked at him.

“W-Why do you keep…”

“I missed you. I really did.”

When their eyes met, Kangwoo smiled softly.

“Why did you leave without telling me?”

The words sounded almost like a sulk.

Jiwoo stammered,

“W-Well… I mean… No, I did tell you. I sent you a text!”

“…”

Kangwoo narrowed his eyes.

Jiwoo hurriedly changed the subject.

“But how did you get here so fast? Weren’t you in Seoul?”

“Mmm.”

“Did you… follow me all the way to the East Sea?”

“Wherever you are is where I should be.”

“But how did you even know I came to the East Sea? Wait… don’t tell me!”

Do Heeseong, you little traitor! You sold me out!

Jiwoo slapped his knee.

Chuckling, Kangwoo took Jiwoo’s hand in his.

“Don’t be so angry. No matter where you go, I always know where you are.”

So he’d already known Jiwoo had come to the East Sea on business.

Thinking about it carefully…

That was actually a little terrifying.

But somehow Jiwoo wasn’t even surprised anymore.

After all, the Emergency Disaster Team had access to information on every dungeon in the country.

If Kangwoo wanted to, he could easily track Special Team 7’s location.

So that’s why he wasn’t angry.

Jiwoo had expected him to at least look hurt.

Instead, Kangwoo remained just as gentle as ever.

Except…

He absolutely refused to let go of Jiwoo’s hand.

He’s gotten way more touchy!

Kangwoo behaved as though he couldn’t survive even a single second without physical contact.

As Jiwoo silently screamed inside and bit his lip, Kangwoo intertwined their fingers and tilted his head.

“S-Stop that.”

“You promised to grant my wish.”

Smack.

A light kiss landed on the back of Jiwoo’s hand.

The ticklish sensation made Jiwoo flinch.

“Are you really okay with a wish like this?”

“It’s more than I deserve.”

“…How much longer are you planning to keep this up?”

“If you’re okay with it, Jiwoo… all day.”

After kissing Jiwoo’s fingertips, Kangwoo looked into his eyes.

Their faces were so close their breaths mingled.

Contrary to Jiwoo’s expectation that Kangwoo would remain perfectly composed, the corners of Kangwoo’s eyes were faintly flushed red.

He looked even more embarrassed than Jiwoo, the one receiving all the kisses.

Wait… why is he reacting like that when he’s the one doing it?

Anyone watching would think Jiwoo had been the one making advances!

Even while trembling, Jiwoo couldn’t help feeling wronged.

Besides…

He’d been so flustered earlier that he’d forgotten.

Now isn’t the time to let him distract me.

If I don’t ask now, who knows when I’ll get another chance?

There was something Jiwoo absolutely had to ask Kangwoo.

Still holding the hand Kangwoo refused to release, Jiwoo gently pulled it toward himself.

“I have something I want to ask.”

“Mhm.”

“…If I ask… will you answer me? Anything?”

“……”

Without replying, Kangwoo simply stared at him.

“……”

“……”

A stubborn silence stretched between them.

As always, Jiwoo was the first to surrender.

“Kangwoo… sir.”

“Kangwoo.”

He corrected the way Jiwoo addressed him.

Normally, Jiwoo would have called him whatever he wanted.

But this time, Jiwoo steeled himself.

What is this? He always just says whatever he wants.

Meeting Kangwoo’s gaze without looking away, Jiwoo bit his lip.

Kangwoo slowly lowered his eyes.

“…If I said I’d answer everything, that would be a lie. And you hate it when I lie, Jiwoo.”

Most people hated being lied to.

But Jiwoo realized there was another meaning hidden in Kangwoo’s words.

“I’ve never told you I hate it when you lie.”

“You did.”

“No, I didn’t.”

“…You did. A long time ago.”

Again with that ‘long time ago’!

Jiwoo frowned.

He swore he’d never met anyone named Seo Kangwoo in his entire life.

Yet Kangwoo always repeated the same thing.

It felt as though someone was trying to force memories onto him that didn’t exist.

“You’re mistaken. You’re confusing me with that person… Juu.”

“…Jiwoo.”

“Who is that person? Who is she? Why do you…”

…keep seeing her whenever you look at me?

His throat tightened, and the rest of the words refused to come out.

He had thought he’d finally be able to question Kangwoo about her.

But now that he was actually standing before him…

He couldn’t say it.

He was too afraid of the answer.

What if… I’m really just her replacement?

Kangwoo… Dongsik… even all the household guests… they all think I’m her.

If I keep digging into this… and Kangwoo himself confirms that he’s been mistaking me for someone else…

The hopeful fantasy inside him burst without warning.

Like being pricked by a needle, his chest ached with a sharp, painful sting.