<strong>Hospitalization (5)</strong><hr>


    What the hell?


    Seriously, what does she think of me to want to install a hidden camera in my hospital room? Does she see me as someone who’d have sex even in a hospital?


    How did she find out…?


    <em>She does have a good eye for these things. Must be because she’s with the Iris Guild.</em>


    “Hmm… Scarlett.”


    “Yes?”


    “I’ll just give her a sex footage, and you can pass it along to Alice. Should be fine.”


    “I was thinking the same thing.”“I’ll let you know when the timing is right. Record it discreetly.”


    Scarlett needs to earn more trust, so asionally involving her in these matters wouldn’t hurt. Last time it was Liliana. Maybe I’ll film someone else next time for better customer satisfaction.


    <em>Knock, knock.</em>


    “You can’t do anything, right? This is a perfect opportunity to bully you now. Wanna join, Scout?”


    “I’m good.”


    Liliana was poking my side andughing.


    <em>Isn’t that too much for a patient?</em>


    “Fine, if it makes you happy.”


    Since she hadn’t seen me for a few days, I let Liliana express her concern through yful teasing, opening up my side on the bed for her.


    “What? No away…” Liliana stuck her tongue out and started fiddling with her smartwatch.


    <em>What’s gotten into her…?</em>


    <strong>★ Heroine Status Window</strong>


    <strong>[Liliana]</strong>


    <strong>[Affection: 97] (+1.3)</strong>


    <strong>[Lust: 85]</strong>


    <strong>[Appetite: 55]</strong>


    <strong>[Fatigue: 45]</strong>


    <strong>Current Status: I was worried too, but he doesn’t seem to care…</strong>


    <em>No, you said you weren’t worried… Haa…</em>


    I raised my arms and opened them wide for her. “Liliana~ You have no idea how much I’ve missed you.”


    “Lies. Every time you speak, lies juste out automatically.”


    “No, I’m serious. I’ve been thinking about you the whole time I’ve been here.”


    “Really…?”


    “Of course. Come here.” I tapped on the bed.


    As expected of a high-end hospital, the bed was spacious. Lilianay down next to me with a sulky face, and Iforted her by stroking her head.


    “I’ve thought of you the most because I see you the most.”


    Liliana looked at me while touching my body.


    “Really? Is it true?”


    Those eyes… they’re the eyes of a subus. She wants it.


    “Should we start filming?” Scarlett was already recording us with a small camera she’d brought along.


    “Fine… Make sure to keep an eye out.”


    The more footage, the better, so why not?


    I reached for Liliana’s body, trying to be as oblivious to the camera as possible.


    ***


    In the academy’s researchb, Moon Soorin engaged in a discussion with a researcher.


    “What were the analysis results?”


    “It’s an S-rank demon.”


    The topic was the skull-masked demon that Lee Hoyeon had encountered.


    “S-rank, you say? Was it tied to the Pandemic?”


    “We suspect so. This is the mask the demon wore.”


    Handing over the skull mask, the researcher continued, “It’s not an artifact with special effects, but it appears to be a symbol for their recognition. There might be a faction within the Pandemic.” ??Α?о????


    “I see. Thank you. I’ll be on my way.”


    “Please proceed with caution.”


    Moon Soorin left theb, holding the skull mask in her hand.


    “S-rank demon…”


    The thought of a student single-handedly defeating an S-rank demon was staggering. If this news broke out, it would undoubtedly ignite another media frenzy.


    However, Moon Soorin’s concern wasn’t about the publicity. She was more troubled by Lee Hoyeon’s current state—fallen into aa as a result. Though he was expected to recover without majorplications and visits would resume tomorrow, her frustration lingered.


    “Hoyeon…”


    Initially relieved when her grandfather promised to defend Lee Hoyeon, she now grappled with renewed worries.


    <em>What if he faces such peril again? I need to protect him.</em>


    [Soorin Noona, I love you.]


    Listening to the edited recording of Lee Hoyeon’s voice, Moon Soorin pondered her next steps.


    <em>What can I do to support Hoyeon?</em>


    <em>For starters, I must visit him. Face-to-facemunication is essential.</em>


    With a nod, Moon Soorin refocused on her earphones.


    ***


    The next morning, Liliana and Scarlett left right after filming the video.


    Scarlett imed she’d set up a camera in my room but refused to disclose its location, insisting I’d be too self-conscious if I knew.


    “She thinks she’s some kind of film director or what?”


    She mentioned she’d bring Nam Daeun over early this morning, so I’ll just wait.


    The chairman made an announcement about the academy’s positionst night.


    Heid outpelling evidence, ranging from the artifacts in the Hall of Fame building that I detonated during the Celestial Festival to the magic circle used in the terrorist acts, along with the anticipated damages and so forth.


    Why didn’t he act sooner with such concrete evidence? Damn old man.


    Regardless, most of those conspiring against me have vanished.


    The so-called ‘truth Lee Hoyeon is hiding’ or something and the shitty organization called ‘LeeSumJin’ are facing criticism.


    “The world seems to be getting back on track. That twisted world that looked down upon talents like me from the academy is finally crumbling.”


    <strong>——————————–</strong>


    <strong>[Interview Summary with Iron Blood Guild Leader Regarding Lee Hoyeon]</strong>


    <strong>– Meeting him in person, you can’t help but be impressed. It’s like catching a glimpse of Korea’s future.</strong>


    <strong>– I’m convinced he’s the talent that will guide the domestic hunter society.</strong>


    <strong>Well, I guess I can admit that much, lol.</strong>


    <strong>——————————–</strong>


    [When you really think about it, it’s absurd. The academy is creating a celebrity? They should at least make it somewhat believable, lol.]


    [The academy is still pulling the wool over the public’s eyes. All that evidence is manipted, and the interviews being released are clearly staged.]


    [Now, shut up, you annoying critter from the Shin Young Guild.]


    “Sure, sure.”


    Those pests will just have to sort themselves out.


    While the Shin Young Guild has yet to issue an official response to the controversy, they couldn’t stop the barrage of damning revtions that kept unfolding.


    Starting with the seemingly innocent team leader, the disclosures just kepting. Sure, a behemoth like Shin Young won’t crumble from this alone, but it’s definitely a significant hit. I wonder if things will settle down a bit after this.


    <em>Dr. Kang Hyorin just needs to bring evidence about the Buyers Guild.</em>


    It won’t be long before they realize Nam Daehee is missing. They might have even caught wind of it by now. Kang Hyorin supposedly set up a magic circle, but days have passed already.


    While pondering these thoughts, I was casually scrolling through somemunity posts.


    <em>Knock—knock—</em>


    “Lee Hoyeon, you have visitors.”


    The knock broke my train of thought. It was my nurse.


    “Who is it?”


    “Scout and two others are here.”


    “Ah… Okay, let them in.”


    So she used ‘Scout’ to avoid catching Alice’s attention. The other two must be Nam Daeun and Nam Daehee.


    I sat up in bed, getting ready to greet my guests.


    ***


    Scarlett, Nam Daeun, and Nam Daehee were en route to Lee Hoyeon’s room.


    “…”


    “You seem tense. Nervous?”


    Scarlett broke the silence as they headed to the room, having received permission for the visit. She observed the quiet Nam Daeun.


    “A bit, yeah.”


    Nam Daeun was troubled, contemting why Lee Hoyeon had helped them and what had motivated him.


    “It’s alright, sis. You’re really close friends with him, after all.”


    “Yeah, but let’s keep the volume down in the room.”


    Nam Daeun’s smartwatch buzzed. It was from the Buyers Guild, but she opted to ignore it. Nam Daehee was right beside her, and Lee Hoyeon had advised her to disregard any calls.


    <em>Buzz—</em>


    Something on Scarlett’s chest started vibrating—it was Liliana’s transformed ne. It had been acting up since they left the dorm.


    Scarlett touched the ne gently, as if to soothe it. “We’re almost there. Just hold on.”


    Soon, they reached the room. “Visiting hours are limited. Enjoy your time!” the nurse said, leading them in before vanishing.


    <em>Knock—knock—</em>


    “Hoyeon, may wee in?” Scarlett knocked on the door as the spokesperson.


    “Come in.”


    They entered upon hearing the voice from inside. Hoyeon was seated against the wall, facing them.


    “You’re here early. Feel free to sit. There’s no food, but there are drinks in the fridge,” he said, ncing at Daeun and Daehee, who were looking around.


    “Hello, handsome oppa. I came with big sis.”


    “Hey, hello.”@@novelbin@@


    After acknowledging the somewhat reserved Daehee, Hoyeon’s eyes met Daeun’s stoic gaze.


    <em>What’s that look about?</em>


    After spending so much time with Liliana, Hoyeon could read her eyes like a book, but Nam Daeun remained an enigma.


    For the record, Liliana, now back in her subus form, was rummaging through the fridge, deciding on what drink to grab.<hr>