Ryu Sunghyun, finally regaining his senses, grabbed the medicine and a glass of lukewarm water before heading up to the second floor where Cha Seohu was resting.
Flustered, he missed the chance to deny it. He never thought he'd hear something like that in a place like this.
'It's an expression most people these days wouldn't even know.'
It was a word he'd only occasionally heard from a fifty-something Hunter he'd met in a dungeon or from his own guildmaster.
It wasn't the kind of term that a mountain caretaker, who looked to be around Seohu's age, would naturally use. Especially not someone living out here in the middle of nowhere.
'That means... really...'
Was he actually older than he appeared?
Ryu Sunghyun recalled the explanation he had gotten from the guildmaster before coming to Taebaeksan as he opened the door.
Covered in blankets, Seohu's chest rose and fell faintly with a groaning sound. It was such a quiet noise that an ordinary person wouldn't have heard it.
Pushing thoughts of the caretaker aside, Ryu Sunghyun approached the bed, set the packet of medicine down on the nightstand, and checked on Cha Seohu's condition.
His brows were furrowed, and he was sweating coldly, his face still flushed. Though hidden beneath the covers, Ryu could easily imagine the redness had spread from his nape to various parts of his body.
Feeling his scorching forehead, Ryu Sunghyun hurriedly ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) opened the medicine packet.
'It's powder.'
He'd been worrying about how to administer the medicine to Cha Seohu, who was both unconscious and had a swollen throat, but if it was powder, that was easier than pills.
He poured lukewarm water onto a plate and gently stirred in the powder. It was said to be a strong medicine, and he'd have preferred to wake him and feed him something before giving it, but... that was just wishful thinking.
"Mm..."
Lifting a spoonful of the dissolved medicine, Ryu Sunghyun turned to Seohu, his face filled with uncertainty.
The medicine was ready. Now he just had to get him to take it. But he had no idea how to go about it.
That's right—Ryu Sunghyun had never nursed someone back to health before, let alone given medicine to someone unconscious.
It was already difficult enough to care for someone awake. Doing it for someone who had fainted was on a whole other level.
After nervously fiddling with the spoon for a while, Ryu finally set it down and reached out with both hands toward Cha Seohu.
Curled up like a shrimp, Seohu was clearly in pain from the ache that pressed on every limb. Ryu carefully lifted his upper body. As he supported Seohu's limp form, the latter's head lightly fell against his shoulder.
Seohu's warmth spread through his shoulder and arm. Holding him against his shoulder, Ryu scooped up the medicated water and gently poured it past Seohu's slightly parted lips.
Fortunately, Seohu had enough strength to swallow what entered his mouth. It didn't spill, and he managed to take it in.
Only then did Ryu let out a relieved breath and continue administering spoonful after spoonful of the medicine.
"Ugh..."
By the time he finished carefully feeding him all the medicine, Seohu let out a strained groan.
At least he had managed to hold out while taking the medicine. Ryu laid Seohu back onto the bed, went to the bathroom, and returned with a clean, damp towel.
Placing the wet towel on Seohu's forehead, Ryu finally felt his nerves ease. He sank into the chair beside the bed with a sigh, nearly collapsing into it.
"Haah..."
His first experience caring for someone sick was far more difficult than he had anticipated. The lack of experience made it all the harder.
He tried his best, but he wasn't sure if it would actually help. And with Seohu deeply asleep, he would have to wait until the medicine took effect to find out.
'Still... doesn't his face look more relaxed than before?'
Seohu, lying there, had his brow smoothed out. His breathing was steady, and he wasn't groaning anymore.
Maybe it was a delusion, but to Ryu's eyes, he genuinely looked much better. And with that thought, the whole situation began to feel strange.
Only a short while ago, Cha Seohu had been an awkward acquaintance. And now here he was, nursing him like this.
Ryu Sunghyun began to understand, just a little, why Kwon Taehyuk had fussed so much over Seohu's well-being.
Looking at him with a peculiar expression, Ryu let out a chuckle.
'Feels more like I'm taking care of a kitten than a person.'
Right now, it was fine, but when he'd been curled up under the blanket, weak and sick, Seohu had looked like a small, ill, furry creature.
Ryu was checking the towel absently when a cute meow echoed in the room.
Myaaak. Myaak.
A light-gray creature strutted in with its tail held high. A real cat—when had it even entered the room? It trotted confidently toward the bed.
Not seeming the least bit wary, the cat brushed up against Ryu and hopped lightly onto the bed.
Ryu hesitated, considering whether he should shoo it away, but then felt its warm body heat and left it be. Honestly, the cat might be more helpful than him, stumbling around not knowing what to do.
Myaaak, nyaong.
A meow, filled with affection, echoed nearby. With eyes still closed, I thought of who that meow belonged to.
Eunbok. The lovely cat that the Guildmaster kept. So sweet that she might as well have been the guild's mascot.
[Your complexion's looking better.]
Amid Eunbok's mewling came a soft voice.
[As expected, no one nurses Seohu like you do, Sunghyun.]
As the words ended, a hand gently stroked my forehead. A low chuckle followed.
[You're not flailing around in a panic anymore.]
[I've gotten used to it.]
Ryu Sunghyun gently stroked my head, which was resting on his thigh.
[Well, I suppose you would.]
Song Jiwoon answered knowingly. With the soft rustle of a page turning, he spoke again.
[It'd be great if you'd just tell us when you're sick.]
[He takes a lot of work.]
To that somewhat cold response, Song Jiwoon asked playfully,
[So, you don't like it? If that's the case, I can have another guild member take care of Seohu next time. Or maybe I'll—]
[I don't dislike it.]
Ryu Sunghyun cut him off. The hand that had been stroking my forehead moved down to gently caress my cheek, then lightly tapped my lips.
[I'm happy to do it.]
[Hmm.]
[Though I do agree with you, Guildmaster. If he'd just say when he's sick, that would be ideal.]
As his fingers brushed over my lips, my eyelids twitched. Then something warm and large covered my eyes, completely cupping them.
The warmth spreading from the touch pulled me deeper into unconsciousness. Whether it was a dream or reality was already blurred, and I had no strength to resist the sleep.
[By the way, Sunghyun—about that house you're looking at...]
[The closer to the guild... the better...]
[Right. Seohu should be comfortable...]
The murmuring voices of Ryu Sunghyun and Song Jiwoon lulled me to sleep. All the way into the deepest reaches of it.
Something hot and soft was nestled in my arms. As I groped at the warm, unfamiliar object, a grumpy meow pierced my ears.
Myaaak!
I snapped awake.
I hurriedly opened my eyes and sat up. A cat, tail twitching in my arms, and a room steeped in darkness greeted me.
I reached out and turned on the standing lamp on the nightstand. Next to it were the medicine packet, the glass of water, and a used towel all placed together.
'Did Sunghyun-hyung help me?'
Maybe that's why the bed felt so nice, and my body was much lighter than it had been in the morning. The medicine must've worked pretty well.
My face was still hot, and I felt sluggish, but the fever and chills were gone, and that was enough.
I climbed out of bed and stretched long before heading straight to the bathroom. My whole body was soaked in sweat and it felt gross.
Shaaah!
Hot water poured down over my head. As I showered, I thought about the dream.
I was pretty sure it was something from before the regression. The emotion lingered, but the details were fuzzy. Still, one thing was clear—it hadn't been a nightmare.
'Hyung and I went to meet the Guildmaster... maybe I dreamed of a rare moment of peace before everything fell apart.'
Until now, whenever I dreamed of the past, it had always been of "that day." The worst kind of nightmare.
But this one was different. Even if I didn't remember the details, the feeling it left behind was nice. I'd slept well, and my head felt clear.
After the shower, I took out a new outfit from my inventory. This time, I threw on a black shirt directly over my bare skin and only half-buttoned it.
My hair was still damp as I pushed it back and returned to the room, where I found Ryu Sunghyun back in his spot, greeting me with a startled look.
"Cha Seohu Hunter, are you alright? How's your condition?"
"Better than this morning. I sweated a lot, so I took a shower."
I smiled to reassure him, and Ryu Sunghyun smiled back—but then flinched. His eyes had drifted to my chest.
"...Well, perhaps you should finish buttoning your shirt. You're still recovering, so it's better to stay warm."
"Oh, this?"
Ryu Sunghyun awkwardly turned his head. Clearly, seeing another man's chest out in the open was getting to him.
I understood, but unfortunately, I had no intention of changing until I got what I needed.
"There's something I'd like to confirm."
"Yes?"
"I have a feeling the reason I'm having trouble breathing isn't just the cold."
I offered Ryu Sunghyun a polite request.
"So, Vice Guildmaster... I'll need your cooperation."

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