He felt like he could finally breathe freely when he saw Baek Raehwan vanish. Being in the same room as him was too much pressure for Haemin, especially right after waking up after three days.
Seriously, for someone who Shiro made out of his ass, why is he so intimidating? And what did he call me? Minmin? Ugh, giving me goosebumps…
The cold sweat on his back was very telling of how much pressure Baek Raehwan exuded during their short conversation. Baek Haemin couldn't imagine what would happen if he didn't have the Soul Calming Cleanser skill.
Was it because he's an S-Rank Hunter? Oof, I want to gag…
Even though he's an SS-Rank Hunter himself, it's useless against high-ranking combat hunters. The pressure they have just by standing is enough to make an ordinary citizen vomit.
A groan escaped from his mouth, making Han Jiwon worry.
"Young master, are you alright? I could call oppa again…"
"No, no. I'm good. More importantly…"
He glanced at her neck.
"Jiwon, come here. Let me heal your wound."
He held his hand out, but Jiwon only stared at it before smiling. She shook her head.
"You can't, Haemin-nim. You just woke up from overusing your power, right? How dare I let you heal me, knowing that?"
"But it happened because I used it continuously. You heard your brother earlier. It's fine if I just use it once in a while."
Letting Han Jiwon walk away with that wound even though he could heal her did not sit well with him.
On the other hand, Jiwon seemed startled at his insistence. If it was the old Baek Haemin, nevermind offering, he would just pretend the wound didn't exist.
She had already noticed the changes in the young master's demeanor, but the most surprising thing about the current him is his new attitude about his power.
If it were the old young master…
"I don't want to. Jiwon, I don't want this anymore!"
The image of the young Baek Haemin screaming in horror came to her mind. A time when he lived constantly afraid of his own awakened powers.
Everybody had always misunderstood her young master, but she knew better. Han Jiwon knew that her young master was afraid of his powers, let alone using it.
Seeing him tell his older brother that he planned to use his abilities a lot more and help more people has moved her extremely. It's been nine years since she has known the Baek siblings, but it was the first time he had told Baek Raehwan something like that.
She doesn't know what suddenly came to him, but she found this change nice, too. Jiwon finally accepted Baek Haemin's hand.
"I understand, young master. Then, I'm in your care."
Ding!
[System:
Skill: Healing Hand (SS)
Activated.]
A warm light came from Haemin's palms, the same sensation he always had whenever he used his power. However, he noticed it felt hotter than the last time he used it in the dungeon.
Even though he's moving fine now, it seems Han Seokmin was right that he needs to rest more. Thankfully, the red finger marks on Jiwon's neck quickly vanished, so he didn't need to use his powers longer than a few seconds.
An SS-Rank skill really is too overpowered, huh? Even healing an A-Rank hunter is way too fast.
He remembered healing the Blue Dragon hunters all the time then, but that also wasn't too taxing for him.
But he still couldn't help but ask.
"Jiwon, won't you tell me who did this to you?"
"He he, are you that concerned, young master?"
She certainly finds her young master adorable, seeing how she still manages to giggle.
"I am."
Haemin could only frown at her. Even though it hasn't been long since he got transmigrated in this world, Jiwon has always been kind to him when everyone was too afraid to even approach him.
To think she got hurt in that short amount of time he was unconscious…
Jiwon looked down for a bit and smiled.
"It's because I didn't do a good job on guarding you, young master."
"What?"
What the heck is she saying? She even went to an A-Rank dungeon because of me. How is that not doing a good job? Hold on, don't tell me…
He bit his lip.
"Did… hyung did that to you?"
"Ah… well,"
Jiwon scratched her cheek.
Baek Haemin gritted his teeth at the realization. He should've known without asking. Han Jiwon is an A-Rank combat hunter. It was obvious that not just anyone could do this to her, unless they were another high-ranking hunter, of course.
It was true that Baek Raehwan was written to be overly obsessed with his younger brother. He didn't mind offending the country's sole SS-Rank Hunter, even to the point of openly threatening his life for everyone to see, all for the sake of avenging his brother's death.
His rage lasted even to the end of the whole series. That's how strong his affection was when it comes to his brother. However…
I accepted the job on my own. I also fainted due to my own carelessness. So then, why? Why would he…?
The hand holding Jiwon trembled. But her lips curled into a smile while she held onto her young master as if she was trying to tell him it was fine.
His shoulders drooped. He was now too ashamed to face her.
"...I'm sorry."
"No, don't say that, young master. I'll feel too bad if you do!"
Han Jiwon quickly made him raise his head, only to see a tear drip down his face.
"H, Haemin-nim?! What's wrong? I'm really alright, please don't cry! Hng, if you don't stop, I, I might cry too, you know?"
Perhaps because her young master teared up, Jiwon started bawling too.
"Why are you crying too, you idiot?"
Haemin wiped the snot on Jiwon's face.
"B, because Haemin-nim started it!"
Haemin looked at her strangely, and the two hugged each other in the room, not withholding any tears that came their way. He felt so bad for getting her caught up in the Baek siblings' odd relationship.
He hugged her even tighter. Was it because of his new body? He's not one to cry a lot when he was Baek Seungho, but since becoming Baek Haemin, he's become so much more tearful.
Don't worry, Jiwon-ah. I swear, I will protect you from that monster.
As to how he would do that, he wasn't sure yet.