3 THE NEW NORMAL

WONHEE gulped down before she asked her boyfriend the question bugging her all this time. "Oppa, did you develop romantic feelings for Ruda Oppa?"

"I don't have romantic feelings for Ruda, Wonhee-ya," Seodam answered quickly. "I only see him as a colleague."

Whew.

Wonhee, who was relieved by Seodam's response, put down the lighter on the island counter between her and her boyfriend while collecting her thoughts.

She actually didn't see this coming.

When she received Seodam's call earlier, when he informed her that he had leveled up from being a B-Class Hunter to an A-Class Hunter, she thought it was a call for celebration.

And so, she decorated her penthouse with aesthetic vibes fit for a romantic dinner.

She even thought they would finally do the ~deed~ tonight.

But I didn't expect that Seodam Oppa came here with the intention of breaking up with me.

"I used to be an actress, Oppa," Wonhee reminded her boyfriend, smiling as a coping mechanism. It must be an occupational disease because she used to smile at the camera all the time. "I've kissed several actors while filming romantic scenes in the past. Can't I just think of that experience the same as you receiving Advanced Treatment from Ruda Oppa for your job?"

"It's not the same, Wonhee-ya. And you know that," Seodam said firmly. "Can you really stay with me even after knowing that I've slept with another person?"

While there were still some people who found the practice of a Hunter and Guide forming a sexual relationship to level up together unethical, the majority had come to accept it as the new normal.

Even Wonhee had come to accept the fact that Advanced Treatment was necessary to increase humankind's chances of survival.

After all, the Hunters and Guides keep Civilians like me safe.

But now…

"I can't," Wonhee admitted in a cracked voice, her tears rolling down her cheeks silently. "Just the thought of you sleeping with Ruda Oppa when we haven't done it yet is enough to break my heart. Even though I know that Advanced Treatment will help you level up, I can't say that I'm fine with it. I'm sorry for being small-minded, Oppa."

Seodam let out a sigh. "You don't have to apologize, Wonhee-ya. I should be the one saying 'sorry.'"

"But even after I confessed that it would kill me if you sleep with Ruda Oppa, you still won't change your mind?"

His face hardened. "I'm a Hunter, Wonhee-ya– a Hunter that works for the government. My duty comes first before my personal life."

"Oppa, why are you in a hurry to become an S-Class Hunter when you just got promoted to A-Class?"

"When the 'Outbreak' happened nine years ago, South Korea was the only country in the world that had four people awakened as S-Class Hunters," Seodam said in a serious tone. "Those natural four S-Class Hunters saved our country. We call them the Big 4 for that very reason."

She just nodded while listening intently to her boyfriend.

There wasn't a single person in their country who didn't know the Big 4– aka the pillars of their country.

"But, right now, only three of the Big 4 are active," Seodam continued. "You know what happened to the master of the Winter Guild, don't you?"

"It was all over the news last year. He's classified as an X-Class Hunter now."

X-Class.

It was when a Hunter who couldn't be guided by a Guide anymore finally snapped and lost their sanity.

"I plan to take his place, Wonhee-ya."

To say that she was shocked by Seodam's grandiose plan would be an understatement.

He wants to replace a natural S-Class Hunter…?

"I know what you're thinking," Seodam said after observing her reaction. "Even Civilians know that there's a vast difference in strength between a natural S-Class Hunter and a Hunter who leveled up to S-Class with hard work. I'm aware of that. Even so, I'd still like to take the challenge and become a new pillar for our country."

Ah.

Those eyes.

Wonhee had always loved the way Seodam's eyes would burn with determination every time he'd share his aspirations with her.

He's been ambitious since the first day we met, and I still like that about him.

And, so, it was her loss.

"Oppa, it's hard for me to end this relationship only after talking once," Wonhee said, swallowing her sobs. "Instead of breaking up right away, can we just take a break in the meantime?"

"You're right, Wonhee. We can't end this with just one conversation," Seodam said, his face softening up a bit. "Let's talk again after taking a break."

***

"DIDN'T I already warn you before that this would happen?"

I knew he'd say that.

Wonhee could barely see her best friend because of her swollen eyes that she got from crying all night, but she was comforted by his company despite his nagging. "Are you talking about that again, Yool-ah1?"

Yool, who was lying down on the sofa while wearing his wearable fleece blanket with sleeves, yawned before speaking. "I already told you that this world only exists inside a BL book that I've read in my previous world," he reminded her in a lazy voice. "Chu Wonhee, in that book, you're a villainess who served as an obstacle between Lee Seodam and Park Ruda's blooming love."

Right.

Wonhee's best friend, Gong Yool, came from a peaceful world where Cracks didn't exist.

In short, my best friend is a Transmigrator.

***

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