Chapter 4

"Hmm. Where should I cut?"

I am now experiencing a vicarious experience.

Like a pig hanging upside down in a butcher shop?

That's the kind of feeling.

Kiril stood me still and circled around me, examining me from head to toe, with a pitch-black knife (!) in her hand.

She muttered to herself, looking really conflicted, "Should I stab here? Or should I slice there?"

Finally, I couldn't hold it in and spoke up.

"You said earlier that I wouldn't die, right?"

"Yeah. Why?"

"I thought maybe you left out a qualifier. Like, 'before I kill you,' or something."

"What? Hahaha."

She laughed as if it was the funniest thing, holding her stomach with one arm.

Shit.

With a knife in hand, circling around me, how could it not be like this?

After a bout of laughter, Kiril patted my shoulder with the hand holding the knife.

"If I wanted you dead, I wouldn't have pulled you away from that nasty black toad, would I? By now, you should trust me…"

"Of course I trust you. If you just put away that dangerous thing."

"Hehe. Don't worry. I just decided."

"Huh?"

Kiril moved behind me with a subtle smile.

Snap.

"Ugh…!!"

From under both legs, a searing pain shot through my Achilles tendons.

With my legs weakening, I had to kneel and sit down.

I should have seen it coming when she was circling around me with the knife.

I can feel blood trickling down from my heels.

What?

What about trust?

"How is it? Fiery, right?"

"Thanks to you. I didn't expect to receive my Achilles tendons from you."

"Hehe. No need to frown. Because…"

Swish.

I could only stare at her with wide eyes.

She had just stabbed her own thigh with the knife that had just cut me.

"Ouch."

"What are you…"

Without a special answer, Kiril gathered the flowing blood in her palm.

Shh…

"?! "

A magical event unfolded.

The color of the blood on her palm began to change.

While blood usually changes color when it clots, this was on a different level.

It was as if a living entity, the blackened blood soon seeped into my feet.

"Ugh…!"

"Stay still."

As the things (?) flew to the wound, I flinched reflexively, but with my injured legs, I couldn't move.

Swoosh…

I can feel a definite energy at my heels.

It feels similar to when I was healed earlier.

The difference is that the energy from her didn't disappear but stayed at my toes.

"How is it? Do you feel nauseous or anything?"

"No. Apart from the pain gradually disappearing…"

"Phew~"

Kiril whistled in amazement.

"I thought you'd foam at the mouth for a couple of hours, but you're indeed a born poisoner."

"…Did you know it would be this hard?"

"Hehe. Puppy. There's no such thing as a free lunch in this world. You don't even realize how great a thing you've received."

"Since you mentioned it, may I ask? Did you just inject your blood into me?"

"Yeah. To be more precise, it's called Black Aether."

Black Aether.

I've heard that term somewhere.

Right.

It was what she said to me before killing a large monster.

Using Black Aether like that would be problematic.

"Since you summoned the Poison Serpent, your awakening seems complete… Did you faint at any point today?"

"Um… When the gate opened, for a moment."

"Huh. Lucky. To still be alive after losing consciousness in that gap. Or maybe it's because you're a poisoner."

She nodded slowly, muttering to herself.

"The awakening of a poisoner is different from the norm. Most die from the toxicity exploding in their bodies, unable to heal it. Your recent poor health is due to that. While other hunter types have a 1% death rate during awakening, poisoners have a 33% death rate."

"Then how did I…"

"It means your self-healing ability is that strong. I told you before, didn't I? Opposites attract. You might not realize it yet, but you've already been using your healing ability. Unconsciously."

Kiril's smile turned a bit bitter.

"Before a poisoner awakens, their body is flooded with toxic energy. Eventually, it can't be contained and is released externally. This is why family members die or fall into severe poisoning before the poisoner awakens."

Hae-sun's face hardened.

"Then is my sister…"

"No. Chunsong-hwa's condition is due to the toad. If it was because of you, she would have died long ago. Do you know how dangerous your poison is? Even A-rank Knights would turn to ashes with one dose."

Knight-type hunters are known for their robust bodies, engaging in close combat with monsters.

Especially at B-rank and above, they are nearly invincible, known as 'adamantine.'

To be able to take them down with one hit.

There was a time bomb in my body?

"Given the potency, your healing ability had its limits. It couldn't neutralize the poison completely, nor could it expel it, leading to side effects."

From head to toe.

Kiril's gaze scanned my body.

The grotesque spots that had appeared all over.

I thought it was a complex skin disease, but it was a side effect of not expelling the poison.

"Hehe. Now you understand? I said you were exceptionally good because of this. Your subconscious was desperately trying to contain the poison, knowing instinctively that it was dangerous to others."

Was I that good?

It was a hard story to believe.

"What's the most urgent? I thought cutting your feet would be best."

"Feet…"

"Right now, mobility is most important for you. You need quick feet to make a quick escape."

The mobility Kiril mentioned.

I didn't need to ask what it was.

"Poison Step…"

"Exactly. I'll teach you the Poison Step from now on."

She demonstrated the Poison Step a couple of times.

Whoosh!

Watching Kiril use the Poison Step was always astonishing.

A speed that made me doubt she was human.

Could I, who was sick until yesterday, use it?

Thump thump.

My heart started racing at the thought of learning a special ability.

I didn't think I had the makings of a hunter, but maybe I did.

"Try to naturally explode the sensation swirling at your feet. Over there."

Kiril pointed to the opposite side of the open space, the factory roof.

To leap that far in one jump.

It hits home how unrealistic the ability is.

'But…'

Under normal circumstances, I would have thought it was crazy, but somehow I felt I could do it.

Thanks to the Black Aether tickling my feet.

"Hurry up."

I nodded slightly and licked my lips.

It's not a normal action.

But I've already seen it through Kiril.

It's not impossible.

Most importantly, the special energy I feel under my feet.

Kiril's Black Aether was demanding to be used.

'After nearly dying several times a day, what's the big deal with this?'

With that thought, I exploded the energy swirling under my feet.

Whoosh!

"Whoa!!"

I couldn't help but let out a scream.

I jumped so fast and far that I almost lost my balance in mid-air.

Whoosh.

I barely managed to land.

My body jolted violently, but I didn't fall.

I succeeded on my first attempt, which was impressive.

"Unbelievable…"

Looking at where I had just taken off, I couldn't help but laugh.

It looked like at least 10 meters.

With this speed and agility, even a Knight would struggle to keep up.

"You're doing well."

From the opposite side of the factory, Kiril, with her arms crossed, smiled and showed her teeth.

* * *

She gave me a few tips and then turned to look in the direction of the gate.

"Puppy. Time to say goodbye."

"Huh?"

In the middle of explaining, saying goodbye.

Our first meeting was abrupt, but the farewell was even more sudden.

"Someone seems to be tracking me. I haven't been out in a long time, you know."

"Are you being chased?"

"Yeah, something like that."

She looked too cheerful for someone on the run.

Just as I was thinking that, she suddenly wrapped her arm around my neck.

"I won't see you for a while, so I need to give you a proper gift."

"What…"

Her face was suddenly very close to mine.

What is she doing?

My face heated up.

Was she only running in open countries?

Her deep features were even more pronounced up close.

Slightly tanned, attractive skin.

Lips redder than blood.

A beautifully arched nose.

Eyes that seemed to spin.

What?

"?"

Eyes that spin?

Is this a characteristic of poisoners?

Swoosh.

No.

The transparent cornea-like thing detached from her eye and attached to my right eye.

I blinked involuntarily, but there was no particular pain.

"Phew… I don't know how many times I've been surprised today."

"Hehe. Isn't it amazing?"

"I don't know what it is, but you can let go of me now."

"Why? Isn't the atmosphere good?"

Kiril laughed seductively and tightened her arm.

While she is beautiful, this kind of play is not welcome.

"You have bad breath."

"Ugh…!"

Obviously a lie, but it was effective.

Even with a look that said it couldn't be true, Kiril released me and stepped back.

Click.

Amazing.

The thing that just attached to my eye feels completely natural.

I can hardly believe something just attached to my eye.

It's not just that.

Suddenly, text appeared in the upper right corner of my vision.

Poisner Device - Prototype>

Recognizing new user - Compatibility test>

Verifying Poisoner-type biological response>

Synchronizing with user's body>

"Wow…"

I couldn't help but exclaim.

To think such functions are packed into a small lens.

I heard that advanced technology has rapidly developed since the appearance of monsters, but this is almost a cultural shock.

"How is it? Cool, right? This is a high-performance device that even the great Glory Guild guys haven't seen. It's Dr. Jin's masterpiece."

"Who is Dr. Jin?"

"Go find out. You'll meet him soon anyway."

"Curious, but I can't right now."

It's a device that could make your eyes roll.

I'm curious about the person who made it.

But for now, I need to stay by my sister's side.

"I'm the only one who can take care of my sister."

"Right. That's why I'm telling you."

"Huh?"

"Chunsong-hwa's injuries are almost healed, but the poison in her body can't be dealt with immediately. To heal the monster's poison, the person needs to be mentally and physically stable. You need to get the antidote from Dr. Jin."

I haven't mastered healing yet.

Kiril, being on the run, has to leave soon.

Meeting Dr. Jin is not a choice but a necessity.

Kiril was saying.

"Most of the information you need is in your head. The device will display the text automatically. Do you know what kind of eye-rolling device he'll give you?"

Shh.

A familiar energy surged from Kiril.

The same feeling I get when she uses the Poison Step.

She's really leaving.

I instinctively knew she would soon disappear.

"I've never received so much in my life."

"Really?"

"That's why… I don't know how to express my gratitude."

"Hehe. Then learn and come back. I'll wait for you."

My voice was choked, but Kiril remained cool.

She helped me a lot in a short time.

My nose tingled, but I tried to ask calmly.

"Will we… see each other again?"

Kiril smiled, showing her teeth.

"Definitely."

With that, Kiril vanished from my sight.