Chapter 15

# 15

User Manual for the Reincarnated 015

Awakening

"Did you worry?"

"T... That... That's..."

"It's funny, kid. Look at you trying to act like it's not. You're obviously bothered by the fact that I went to see Ki-yeong, aren't you?"

"N... No, I didn't think that, Hye-young. O... Oppa can do whatever he wants, it's not really... related to me..."

"But your expression says otherwise..."

"I... I really didn't."

"Really? Don't make me laugh, girl. Who do you think I am? I know your sly nature. You look innocent and stupid, but your mind is sharp. Who would have thought you'd catch such a big fish so soon after coming here? Maybe you're better at it than you look... I can't understand it. Or maybe his tastes are just weird. You know, some people are attracted to those who seem lacking. Hmph."

I couldn't fully understand what she was saying.

"Again with that expression. You really don't like it, do you?"

"I... I... I'm sorry."

"What are you sorry for? You probably think he's a fool anyway..."

"N... No, that's not true. I... I just..."

"Does it seem like Ki-yeong really likes you? That he cares for you?"

"T... That's..."

"Don't delude yourself, stupid girl. You're just lucky. You happened to catch his eye first, and that's all. You don't know, but I know what kind of person he is. Ki-yeong doesn't trust people easily. He gets bored quickly and when he no longer needs someone, he discards them without mercy."

"O... Oppa isn't like that. And..."

"Maybe that's what you want to believe. Believing it helps you. But what can you do? I'm probably right... It might be fine now, but it will change over time. From what I see, you're the type that gets boring. Hmph. Haven't you heard that before?"

I bit my lip tightly.

I was very confused.

My head felt very hot. I wanted to shout something, but my voice wouldn't come out.

My body just kept trembling.

"I've never seen that expression before. Are you angry? Did I hit a nerve? You've always been the one who gets left behind, haven't you?"

"N... N... No, that's not true."

"Don't lie. It's all written on your face. Or maybe you're the one who gets taken advantage of a lot? Either way, it's equally miserable. Listen. Don't think you'll always be the first. What do you think is happening in places you can't see?"

Hye-young's face slowly got closer. The moment she whispered in my ear, I involuntarily shouted out loud.

"Ki-yeong... He's better than I thought."

"Don't lie!"

"Oh, you've been caught."

Tears kept welling up in my eyes.

I wanted to argue, to say something, but it felt like something was blocking my throat.

That woman is right.

I was abandoned by my parents and sisters.

I drifted away from friends and people I liked.

Maybe I really am the type that gets boring.

I always make mistakes and can't even speak properly.

Being isolated was a daily occurrence, and being alone was more comfortable.

But still.

'Oppa isn't like that.'

Oppa isn't that kind of person.

He's different from the others. He's fundamentally different from anyone I've met.

He said we were like family. He treated me like a younger sister and said he wanted to take care of me.

He always paid attention to me and took care of me. Deok-gu also said so.

Oppa told me every day that he cared for me.

He always encouraged me, saying it was okay to make mistakes and that I could do better.

He answered my silly questions with a smile and quietly watched over me.

"That's not true."

"That sounds like wishful thinking. Honestly, it could happen. Let me give you a warning, little sister. If you want something, take it before you get left behind. Otherwise, you'll lose everything."

"Stop it. Stop talking about Oppa like that..."

"I don't want to."

The moment I saw her smirking, I felt her push my shoulder.

My body naturally moved backward.

I fell on my butt and turned around, but Hye-young was already far away.

Voices started pouring in from all around.

"Good for you."

"What just happened?"

"Looks like our innocent girl will be left behind soon."

"Stop it. I don't want to hear it."

"What do you mean stop? Didn't you hear what she said? You'll be alone again soon... Who will you cling to then? Oh! Maybe there's no one left to cling to. It would have been better to stick with Seok-woo... Know your place. That's why you're alone."

"What will you do now that you're all alone?"

That can't be true.

'It can't be true.'

Oppa won't abandon me.

Oppa, who always said he would be with me, won't abandon me.

Oppa, who said we were like family, won't abandon me.

'But is that really true?'

But the woman's voice kept echoing in my head.

"It can't be true!"

"What? What just happened?"

"Did she just shout? She must be really angry..."

"Now she's showing her true colors. Haha."

It can't be true. Oppa won't abandon me.

Oppa is different from others. He was always warm and affectionate.

'Even your sister abandoned you.'

"No, that's not true."

'Even your parents abandoned you.'

"That's not true. Oppa is different. Oppa is different."

He must be different.

It was very hard to calm down. It felt like I couldn't breathe properly.

My breathing got faster and my mind became hazy. Tears welled up in my eyes but didn't roll down my cheeks.

I could hear people mocking me, but I didn't really care. I needed something else.

My steps were heading towards where Oppa was.

'Just a little while. If I say I don't know something and go to him, he'll meet me.'

He will definitely meet me.

Just seeing his face would help me calm down.

As I was walking frantically, a voice came from somewhere.

It was Ji-hye's voice.

"Please gather for a moment, everyone."

"Yes."

"Tomorrow, Hyun-sung, Deok-gu, and Ki-yeong will be going out and plan to take some of the people here with them. You can get more details from Hyun-sung, and those who were called today should prepare accordingly."

I remember hearing that they would go together.

It was natural to think I could spend more time with them.

I don't know why I forgot about it. Now, I will have a little more time to be with them.

'That's a relief.'

I turned my head and saw Hyun-sung, Deok-gu, and Oppa coming out from behind Ji-hye.

'Oppa.'

His face was a bit more serious than usual, but he seemed calm.

My heart was pounding, but my head didn't hurt or feel dizzy.

The stuffy feeling I had earlier disappeared just by making eye contact.

I felt my face turn red for no reason.

'He was looking at this place.'

He was definitely looking at this place.

As the murmurs died down, Hyun-sung spoke quietly.

"First of all, I apologize for gathering you all despite your busy schedules. As you all know, it's impossible to survive here indefinitely. The food supply is decreasing day by day, and the number of survivors is increasing. We have food and water from the starting point, but it's not enough. We need to expand our activity range."

"Ah..."

"We need more people who can fight. I know you're afraid of those monsters. Some of you are not used to fighting, and some don't want to leave this place. But we have to move. If we don't, we'll all be in trouble. Therefore, we decided that it's right to go out with you all in sequence."

Next, Oppa spoke.

"Ki-yeong."

"Yes. I understand your fear. But there are things we can only get by fighting. As you know, this is not the Earth we lived in. You understand what the status window, system characteristics, and jobs mean. Fire."

A flame rose from his palm.

The eyes of the people around him widened.

"I don't know exactly how it works, but my job, as indicated in the status window, is a mage. I can't use many spells yet, but I'm just a normal person like you. I ran away from them because I was afraid and tried to avoid them. At first, it was just luck, but if you don't fear and fight, you can gain something. If the group gets stronger, we all get stronger, and we might be able to escape this place. We need to be more proactive."

"Ooh..."

"First, I'll take two people as an example. Baek."

"Ah..."

"And Hye-young."

"Yes, I'll do my best."

"I'll take these two first. Once they reach a certain level, we'll divide into groups and take the next person. Any questions?"

"Could you explain the criteria for selection?"

"Potential. And to alleviate your fears."

"Going out to hunt on our own..."

"I don't want to stop your free will, but I don't recommend it."

Murmurs were heard, but I couldn't hear them properly.

Instead, Hye-young's figure came into view.

I heard that others would go too, but I didn't expect Hye-young to go with them.

"Congratulations, sister."

"Don't get hurt."

"Hyun-sung, Ki-yeong, and Deok-gu are going too, so it should be fine. It's a bit scary, but we have to overcome it. It's good to have more people who can fight."

She was being congratulated by the people around her. I wasn't envious, but I felt strange.

'Don't take him away.'

When I hurriedly looked up at the stage again, I saw Oppa looking at Hye-young with a slight smile.

The voice I heard earlier kept echoing, and my breathing got faster.

'You're the type that gets boring.'

Hye-young ran up to the stage and shook hands with others.

'You'll be abandoned.'

'You'll be taken away.'

'Your sisters abandoned you.'

'Your parents too.'

'Stop it. Stop it. Stop it.'

'You will eventually...'

'Stop...'

'Abandoned...'

'I don't want to.'

At the moment Oppa shook Hye-young's hand, I felt something inside me collapse.