The man opens his eyes. He forcibly focuses his blurry vision. The man, who was staring blankly ahead, soon came to his senses and hurriedly looked around.
Hazy memories like fog. Even so, some remain. Like Irina who threw him aside and ran out as soon as the explosive sound was heard. Like the fierce wind that poured in front of him as he wandered looking for that Irina.
And, like a woman who grabbed his collar.
A woman's voice is heard from somewhere.
At that, the man tries to turn his body and realizes one fact. That he's tied tightly to a chair and can't move at all.
Additionally, that his mouth is also completely blocked with tape.
"Don't waste your energy already. This is just the beginning, so save your screams for later."
The woman approaching while holding a chair was none other than Hyeon Sujin. At that, the man faints in shock and widens both eyes, raising his voice. Though that only amounted to extending "Mmph!" to "Mmmph!"
"I thought a lot about what to do when meeting someone like you."
"Should I start by cutting off limbs one by one from the beginning? Should I dissect flesh piece by piece and send the video to your family? With this kind of content. Hmm, is it a bit stale?"
Stopping mid-sentence, Hyeon Sujin coughs several times. When she removes the hand covering her mouth, red blood is smeared again.
Her body is a mess. It won't get better with just a day or two of rest. It's a situation where she needs at least a month of recuperation to barely return to normal. If she doesn't rest, she'd have to prepare for aftereffects.
The fight with another Elder, the battle with Irina immediately after. At the end, she even allowed Baek Seojin to land a direct critical hit. If her body were fine after all that, she'd be a monster, not a person.
'Or Irina. That crazy woman.'
Unfortunately, she's neither a monster nor Irina. She's an S-rank powerhouse, but also a person made of bone and flesh. When suffering critical injuries like now, it's right that she can't endure.
Actually, wasn't Kwak Hyuk eliminated by Irina? And Alexei from Russia, who agreed to help, was as seriously wounded as herself. He's probably barely surviving while hiding in his tunnel receiving treatment.
Originally, Hyeon Sujin should also immediately enter treatment and rest. But she had no intention of doing either. Right now, her head was full of only one thing. Getting information.
Pitch-black shadows gather around Hyeon Sujin. Their number is incomparably fewer than before and their color is unstable. It clearly shows how poor Hyeon Sujin's current condition is.
But the man wasn't at a level to notice that much. It would be strange if a non-ability user could tell.
"Let's do this. I ask and you answer. Ah, before that."
"If you give some strange answer that's not what I want, this small hole might become as big as your mouth."
While stabbing a needle-thin shadow into the man's hand. Hyeon Sujin continued speaking with a cold smile.
The man frantically nods his head. Watching that sight, Hyeon Sujin let out a sneer.
While they used every means to erase those dirty and ugly deeds. Even eliminating all the subordinates who worked hard underneath. Yet when it comes to the pain themselves, they all nod saying they'll spill everything.
She wanted to tear his mouth open while he was still alive, but endured. Right now, she needed someone with a loose tongue rather than a tight one.
"Good. Let's go quickly. There's no point in being stubborn since no one will appreciate it. Got it?"
While removing the tape attached to his mouth, Hyeon Sujin began the interrogation.
Hyeon Sujin who let out a sigh slowly got up.
Her body, still a mess, doesn't listen properly. If another Elder were targeting her, she'd be helplessly dead. Since there were those who made deals with the Elder she killed, the probability is high.
'So, there's no time to hesitate.'
The information obtained from the man was more surprising than expected.
The research facility has already secretly established itself. They had funds scraped together from here and there, so it was possible. The only reason experiments hadn't started yet was the lack of 'personnel.' Specifically, skilled researchers to take charge and conduct the research.
Thinking no more crises would come. Thinking humanity now held complete superiority over monsters. They completely disposed of that research and experiments and eliminated all related personnel. Thanks to that, they currently had to start from nothing.
"They say there's insufficient personnel to conduct experiments."
"Th, that's right. Since we eliminated all the previous personnel..."
"Then experiment conduction still has a long way to go?"
"That won't be the case. Anyway, if we pay a lot of money, we can get people quickly."
No time. She must move right now. By now, someone among the remaining involved parties might have noticed. If they quickly dispose of the research and experiment facilities, she'll miss them again. And if they hide thoroughly, even she would have difficulty securing them.
'The research facility was said to secretly proceed by purchasing a munitions factory in Changwon.'
Taking a deep breath, Hyeon Sujin immediately prepared to move. Since Irina is still in the hospital room, now is the perfect opportunity. If she delays more time, there's a high probability she won't be able to do anything.
"Don't exaggerate. I made it so you won't die."
What happened to the man who spilled information? She stuck needle-like shadows densely all over his body. She made it pass by all major organs so he'd only receive pain.
Later, after some time, she'll secretly notify the police. That there's a person captured at a certain location, so go rescue them. She's already extracted all the information, so there's no more business. And that man can't speak honestly since he has things that bother him too.
Honestly, she wanted to kill him right away.
She wanted to drain all the blood from his body or cut off his limbs.
But a certain incident from recently made her hesitate. Specifically, the incident when leaving the area after fighting with Baek Seojin.
'Baek Seojin. Because of that damn bastard.'
Both were in serious injury conditions. But if forced to compare, Baek Seojin's side was slightly better. If they fought desperately, she would be at a disadvantage.
But for some reason, at the last moment, Baek Seojin aimed not at her but at the shadow. Thanks to that, Hyeon Sujin, though injured, could secure the man. And she also gained the leeway to immediately leave that place.
Just as Hyeon Sujin was about to immediately leave the area, worried that Irina might fly over after dealing with Kwak Hyuk and Alexei. Baek Seojin called her name and spoke the next words.
"This is the first and last mercy. For that person who was in the same situation as me. For you whom that person loved. And for the past you whom everyone called a hero."
What he wanted to say was clear. There won't be a next time. If they clash again next time, he'll truly finish his 'revenge' then. It would have meant to stop now, but Hyeon Sujin had no intention of doing so.
And perhaps, Baek Seojin might already know too. That Hyeon Sujin has no intention of stopping. That she can't give up.
Finally, finally four days have passed and we've entered the fifth day. Wow. I endured this. It was really long, so long.
"Ugh! Really! I hate Seojin oppa!!"
I'm Irina, I hate you more. How can you cling for four straight days?
Does it make sense to go "heave-ho!" after two days with such a terrible wound in your stomach? Even I, with my ridiculously superior recovery ability, am still groaning.
Thanks to that, I had no choice but to be tormented by Irina for four days lying in bed. Even yesterday night, Irina who left her bed tried to climb on top. Saying we kissed and she saw my body, so now there's only one thing left.
Of course I was shocked and told her to get down immediately with a serious face.
Aren't you really impotent? With such a pretty woman climbing on, why refuse? No, damn it. Impotent or not, my body hurts and what do you want me to do?
Don't men and women, when tired, sleep first before sex? Moreover, I have penetrating leg wounds and injuries in other places too. Beyond fatigue, terrible pain still torments me day and night. What kind of secret business between men and women could happen there? Damn it.
"Seojin oppa is impotent, right?!"
I'm even tired of answering each time now. And if I say no here, the next repertoire is obvious.
"You're not impotent?! Then prove it. Let's do it quickly! That! Do that!"
I'd rather be impotent today. Really, please. I want to rest. You might not know, but this side still feels like dying from pain. This is the fifth day in the hospital room, how can you pester me for all 5 days!
"I'll be impotent just for today."
"What's that! If you're going to do it, do it forever!"
Then blue flames flicker in Irina's eyes.
...Why is she like that again? Hey. What are you planning to do? Don't come. Huh? Don't come! I'll scream if you come closer!
"Ugh. I don't know. Since it's come to this, I'll do it by force."
"What will you do by force! Stay away! I'm a patient right now!"
"Since you're a patient, just stay still! I'll take care of everything!"
"What can a virgin do!"
"Seojin oppa hasn't done it either!"
"Who said I haven't done it?"
I did everything before coming to this world, you woman! Don't treat me as the same level as you!
Irina who was approaching suddenly stops like that. Why? Why are you doing that again? Ominously.
"You didn't say you haven't done it. This means you have done it. ...Could it be, Kim Suhyeon. You did it with her?"
...What kind of nonsensical stream of consciousness is that suddenly?
"Come to think of it, suspicious! Going to the villa together too! Right, right! You did it, you did!"
"Did what! I didn't!"
Don't treat our Suhyeon as the same level as you, this pervert!
Suddenly hearing a knock, both I and Irina turned our heads to the door.
"Examiner! I, I heard that visiting is allowed from today! I'm coming in!!"
The voice from beyond the door was Suhyeon's.