Chapter 25: What Can I Even Do?

Im Ha-neul.

Age 24.

As Yoo Chae-rin's editor, she grew up in quite a conservative household.

Her mother was rather strict and believed in traditional gender roles.

Though in this reversed world, those beliefs worked backwards.

From childhood, she was taught that "women" must be strong-willed and resilient, while "men" should know how to take care of themselves.

In her ascetic household, anything indecent was naturally to be avoided.

"Men and women should not sit together after age seven" was an absolute rule.

Of course, children raised in such strict households often rebel against those values. She wasn't particularly fond of her family's conservative ideology either.

That's why she declared independence by getting her own place as soon as she turned 20.

However, moving out didn't completely erase 20 years of ingrained education.

Her family's conservative values still lingered in her mind.

"Men" brazenly displaying their bodies is indecent!

This aligns with the saying that people should avoid pleasure and vulgarity!

Of course, while she did have some - no, quite a bit of sexual desire, she couldn't help how she was raised.

In internet terms, she was what you'd call a prude.

Serious, quiet, and strict. It's no wonder she moderated her chat so severely.

Maybe that's why she hadn't dated once despite being nearly 26 Korean age.

While she wanted to change this about herself... it's not easy to alter personality traits formed in childhood.

For these reasons, she had no immunity to "men."

Like most internet prudes, she would freeze up at the mere sight of a "man."

And now such a man had appeared before her eyes.

"Wh-what...?"

What's more, he was half-naked. She saw a man standing there dumbfounded, his upper body exposed.

Six-pack abs that looked like they belonged in a photo, broad back and shoulders, and long limbs. There was even a tattoo on his right collarbone, further emphasizing his indecency.

A tattoo in medieval times!

Just how debauched a life must he have led?

To this Confucian girl, the sight before her was far too stimulating.

Of course, Yor had bigger concerns than that.

Though still shirtless, covering up was the last thing on his mind.

After all, someone had just spotted his mark.

'Shit...'

Having reached that thought, Yor decided to immediately subdue Im Ha-neul.

He didn't entertain naive hopes like "maybe she didn't see it?" He'd already been frozen in shock for at least 2 seconds.

And in 2 seconds, human vision could easily catch sight of a collarbone tattoo.

So before she could do anything, he had to restrain her.

Having made his decision, Yor immediately grabbed her nape and pushed her back down as she tried to rise.

"Eek!"

Im Ha-neul, who had been trying to sit up, found herself back on the ground.

But it didn't end there.

Since she might try to get up again, he straddled her.

Still shirtless. While this created quite an inappropriate scene, Yor paid it no mind.

This was a situation that could genuinely ruin him.

"Ah, um. Wait, just a moment...!"

Of course, Im Ha-neul, unaware of the situation, could only blush furiously.

Yor looked at her and thought.

'Damn, what do I do?'

He might have to silence her permanently.

Having his mark discovered was that serious an issue for him.

But since she might be an Otherworlder, Yor decided to first check with 'Player's Eye.'

[The opposing NPC is hostile towards you!]

Sure enough, her status window appeared without fail.

So she was indeed an Otherworlder. Which meant he couldn't carry out the silencing he'd planned.

Realizing this, Yor let out a long sigh.

"Haah......"

Maybe he should have been more careful about sunbathing.

No, honestly he felt he'd done everything he could.

He'd waited patiently and thoroughly checked his surroundings before undressing.

Who could have predicted someone would fall from the sky?

And of all times, right when he had his shirt off.

Yes, this was what you'd call getting screwed over.

It was like someone in the heavens couldn't stand not tormenting him and dealt him an incredibly unfair hand!

While he felt truly wronged, what's done was done.

So Yor tried to think of solutions.

'What should I do?'

Permanent silencing was off the table. Even if he killed her, she'd just revive in 3 days anyway.

Rather, he needed to keep her here now.

At minimum, he had to prevent her from spreading word about his identity.

So how to keep her quiet?

... Well, unfortunately he hadn't figured that part out yet.

"Um... I'm really sorry for seeing your body. But could you please get off...?"

As Yor was in the middle of his thoughts.

Her voice came from below.

By now her face was as red as a tomato.

Perhaps from being in this position too long, she couldn't handle the embarrassment anymore.

To exaggerate slightly, if this continued much longer her brain might overheat and cause a nosebleed.

Honestly having forgotten about her for a moment, Yor considered briefly before getting off.

Since she was an Otherworlder, she could escape via 'Logout' anyway.

And if she tried to run physically, he could catch her.

As he moved off of her, Yor couldn't help but be surprised.

'...Oh boy.'

He'd just now noticed her upper body.

Two massive mounds nearly the size of her head came into view. Without a doubt, they were the largest he'd seen in person.

Even through her baggy robe, their size was apparent.

While not quite overwhelming, her chest took up a significant portion of his vision.

Though it briefly drew his attention, knowing the gravity of the situation, Yor quickly regained his focus.

He sat cross-legged across from her.

He'd put his shirt back on. Both because a proper conversation was needed and because, discovered or not, he couldn't keep being shirtless in front of her.

Just look at how red her face was.

Despite her cynical expression, she looked ready to burst at the slightest touch.

Of course, Yor remained tense throughout.

An awkward silence hung heavily between them.

Yor was the first to break it.

"Did... you see it all?"

"Ah, I'm sorry. I mean, I wasn't trying to look..."

Im Ha-neul stammered nervously. Yor cut her off and continued.

"No, not my body. This."

He pointed to his right collarbone.

Understanding what he meant, Ha-neul averted her eyes and spoke.

"W-well, having a tattoo isn't that big a deal... right?"

"Sigh..."

Yor sighed and continued.

"...What you saw today. Especially the tattoo on my collarbone. Don't tell anyone about it. Ever."

Let's think this through.

He needed to silence her.

Was there any way to ensure her silence completely?

"Absolutely not."

......There wasn't.

No matter how much he thought about it, he couldn't come up with an answer.

She was an Otherworlder. To them, this was just a game, and they could always escape back to their own world.

And that world had highly developed internet.

With just a few clicks of her fingers after returning, his identity could be exposed instantly.

Torture wasn't an option either. Even if it kept her quiet temporarily, who knew how her mind might change once she returned home.

Imprisonment was likely impossible too. As mentioned before, she had the 'Logout' escape button.

In the end, all he could do was try some threats and persuasion.

He had to rely on her goodwill.

And he was not someone who trusted in others' goodwill. His life thus far hadn't been that kind.

So he needed to prepare for the worst.

He had to consider abandoning this comfortable cave.

He might even need to enter the dangerous Deep Layer, which was preferable to dozens of hunters coming for his life.

'...Damn it.'

Having such thoughts, he suddenly wanted to blame the world.

Why wouldn't things go his way when he was living such a hard life?

Afterwards, Yor repeatedly asked her to keep quiet about it.

The atmosphere grew hostile. Though Im Ha-neul nodded several times saying she understood, he wouldn't easily let her go.

The air around them was thick with tension.

But strangely, Im Ha-neul felt no particular fear.

It wasn't that she was especially brave.

She still shrinks away slightly when groups of high school students gather near the convenience store.

And Yor's expression was particularly sharp too.

But why?

Somehow it felt like Yor, not Im Ha-neul, was the one cornered.

The one making threats seemed more vulnerable.

His appearance was like... yes.

Like a hedgehog backed into a corner, raising its quills. Like something spraying thorns in all directions to protect itself.

It was nearly sunset when Im Ha-neul was finally released.

He seemed unconcerned about her seeing his bare upper body - the only thing she was sworn to secrecy about was that tattoo.

'Just what was that tattoo...'

Was he that desperate to hide his past?

No, it seemed like more than just wanting to hide some wild youth.

For one thing, it was questionable whether such intricate tattoos were even possible in this era.

"Hmm..."

Her curiosity persisted even after she logged out.

Emerging from the capsule, she immediately went online.

It absolutely wasn't to spread the information on the community.

That wasn't her personality at all.

She was just curious. Wondering what made him react so sensitively.

After browsing the internet for a while, she found one piece of information.

Information related to the "Demon's Blood."