Chapter 7: Dan Ga-yeon(1)

Comet tilted her head in front of the single room and knocked on the door.

She heard a response inviting her in.

When she slightly opened the door and peeked inside, she saw Dan Ga-yeon sitting on the bed, looking at her.

Comet fully opened the door and entered, sitting on the chair next to the bed.

“Dan, you have no idea how surprised I was.”

“Haha… You were the first to find me, right? I vaguely remember that.”

“Really? How much do you remember?”

Dan Ga-yeon seemed to be sifting through her memories, her gaze drifting.

“I saw you looking down against the blue sky.”

Comet clapped her hands for no reason.

“And then?”

“Well, I was in a daze at that time.”

“I see. I was shocked. The smoke rising was too faint for a signal flare, so I was unsure, but I never expected you would be collapsed.”

“I really thought it was going to be a big deal. Thank you for staying with me until the rescue came.”

Dan Ga-yeon lowered her head.

“You can thank me as much as you want. What I did was nothing special.”

Comet smiled slightly.

“Nothing special? If a monster had come, I would have been dead before the rescue arrived. You saved me at least halfway.”

“If you see it that way, then yes. I saved you about halfway. So, half of the remaining life of Dan Ga-yeon is my share, right?”

“Haha.”

Dan Ga-yeon, who smiled faintly, handed over a plate of fruit. It was a somewhat awkward smile.

“Since you’re here, please eat before you go. I don’t have much of an appetite, so it’s hard to eat alone.”

Comet looked down at the fruit plate absentmindedly. It felt a bit scary to talk about life shares while the suspect of a murder was dodging the topic. She was quick-witted.

Comet received the plate and picked up the fork. She stabbed into a peach. It was sweet.

“It’s delicious. Fruit must be expensive. Did the chairman come by?”

“Just family.”

Since there seemed to be some family issues, Dan Ga-yeon hesitated to speak. Comet nodded slightly and put the fruit plate down.

“What happened with the signal flare? The smoke was too faint.”

Comet  asked casually. Dan Ga-yeon paused and turned her gaze away.

“The situation got tangled.”

Through the window, a few buildings were visible beneath the sky.

“Things were going smoothly until I heard some noise. I decided to check it out. Then I discovered the monster and thought I could catch it.”

The ticking of the clock echoed.

“There was magic resistance, so we devised a plan and attempted the hunt. But it was stronger than we expected, and it was a complete mess. One arm was broken, Jeong Jumu-gwan had difficulty using magic, and the monster was howling.”

Dan Ga-yeon squeezed a recycled rubber ball with her healing arm.

“But I thought that if I got just one chance, I could kill it, so I shouted for them to try something. Then Jeong Jumu-gwan shot the signal flare at the monster. Looking back now, it was a foolish move that sold the future, but it created an opening. So, I desperately finished off the monster.”

Comet blinked.

“After that, while we were coming down the mountain together, Jeong Jumu-gwan accidentally stumbled and died for no reason, and I collapsed trying to take the body with me.”

“You had bad luck.”

Dan Ga-yeon smiled faintly.

“Yeah. I had bad luck. If we had to find someone to blame, it would be up there in the sky. Let them eat dirt.”

The last curse sounded quite sincere.

Comet chuckled and opened her arms wide. She hugged Dan Ga-yeon tightly, and she could feel her surprise.

“Dan, you know I really like you, right?”

“Huh? Thank you…?”

Comet laughed quietly and freed herself from the embrace.

“I have good news. Are you curious?”

“If you ask like that, I feel like I should be curious even if I’m not.”

“Alright. Since you’re curious, I’ll let you know.”

Comet stood up and spun around happily. She felt great.

“The good news is…”

“You’ll be able to meet a complete death with my help.”

“It’s a secret.”

Dan Ga-yeon let out a hollow laugh.

“Sometimes it’s better not to know good things.”

Comet smiled softly.

“By the way, you said you have no appetite, right?”

“Yes. I’ve been treated, but I feel weak and have no appetite.”

“That means there’s a problem with your soul. It’s similar to how an Awakened one’s body changes when their assimilation rate decreases. Time will heal it, but…”

Comet pulled a small glass vial from her pocket.

“Just so happens that the world’s best necromancer is here? Here’s a gift for your visit.”

“What is this?”

“A special potion from the necromancer. It’s good for the soul.”

Dan Ga-yeon examined the small glass vial and held it up to the fluorescent light. The vial appeared transparent, as if it contained nothing. To someone who wasn’t a necromancer, it would look like an empty vial.

“Um, thank you.”

“Drink it right away.”

“How do I drink it?”

“Open the lid, and then drink it with the will to do so.”

Dan Ga-yeon glanced between Comet and the vial, as if trying to gauge whether this was a joke or serious.

“You don’t trust me?”

“Of course not.”

Dan Ga-yeon opened the lid.

“What happens if I turn it upside down?”

“That’s fine too. It won’t spill.”

Dan Ga-yeon turned the vial upside down. Naturally, nothing happened. She glanced at Comet before straightening the vial and focusing on it. It seemed she was trying to muster the will to drink as described.

In fact, willpower wasn’t necessary. What kind of will do you need to drink? Comet watched silently.

Dan Ga-yeon held the vial and pretended to drink. One soul that had been in the vial screamed as it was swallowed.

Dan Ga-yeon opened her eyes wide and turned to Comet.

“It’s working!”

“Of course. From your reaction, it seems you didn’t trust me.”

“Haha…”

Comet shrugged her shoulders.

After that, trivial small talk followed. They started a conversation about how her appetite might come back, but hospital food is tasteless, and the topic shifted here and there.

Before long, the chairman visited with his aides.

“Sorry for coming late. I intended to arrive sooner, but work got in the way.”

“You’re not late. I’m just grateful you took the time to come visit given how busy you are.”

Dan Ga-yeon might have felt resentment towards the chairman, who had ordered the investigation to conclude, but she naturally maintained her manners.

The chairman nodded as if acknowledging his busy schedule.

“So, how is your condition?”

Dan Ga-yeon hesitated. It seemed she was intensely contemplating whether to feign illness for just a moment.

“I’m fine. The doctor said I need some mental and physical stability, but after drinking the potion you made, I feel really fine.”

“A potion?”

The chairman turned to Comet. His gaze seemed to question what kind of potion a necromancer would make.

Comet felt a bit offended as a necromancer, but it was the truth, so she couldn’t deny it. From an alchemist’s perspective, it was an embarrassing result to call it a potion.

Comet scratched her cheek absentmindedly.

“That’s good to hear. So when will you be discharged?”

The chairman seemed curious whether it was okay for her to go back to work immediately.

“After the mental and physical stability is complete…?”

From Comet’s perspective, it seemed like Dan Ga-yeon was in urgent need of mental and physical stability right now.

Hearing her vague answer, the chairman called for the doctor.

The doctor rushed in at the summons of the highest authority of the supernatural institution.

He checked Dan Ga-yeon’s condition and asked Comet for her necromantic opinion before quickly giving a diagnosis.

“Rest today, and we’ll check your condition again tomorrow.”

“What happens if I’m fine tomorrow?”

“You should be able to be discharged right away.”

Dan Ga-yeon’s complexion turned pale. She didn’t seem keen on going to work starting tomorrow.

“Hmm. Rest for about four days after being discharged and then go back to work. I’d like to give you a longer break, but the committee is busy right now.”

“Got it.”

“Then we’ll leave you to rest comfortably.”

“I’ll also take my leave. Let’s have a meal together later.”

Comet stopped by the restroom before leaving the hospital.

The chairman was smoking a cigarette beside the parked car. Comet stared at him for a moment before changing her direction.

“Hey! Comet.”

The chairman waved his hand as if summoning her. Comet scratched her cheek.

“Do you like the mountains?”

“No.”

“How about a walk?”

“Not sure.”

“Isn’t going out at night considered a walk? Then what are you doing at night? Actively retrieving souls?”

The chairman asked casually. Comet blinked in surprise.

“Of course, we’re going for a walk.”

“I see you like walks. Let’s go for a walk together now.”

The aide opened the car door, and the chairman got in. Comet was taken aback by the predetermined conclusion of the conversation.

As soon as Comet got in, the car started moving.

“Since my body has changed, there are many good things. My stamina is great, and there are no places that hurt.”

“I see.”

Comet nodded vaguely.

“When do necromancers usually equip their gear?”

“Gear? It depends on the build, but if it’s a melee combat-focused build, you should equip it from the start.”

“When do you think the world’s best necromancer should equip it?”

Comet stared blankly at the chairman.

“I already have a knife. The scythe is honestly just for show, so I probably wouldn’t carry it around. As for armor… well, if I need armor against an opponent, armor alone won’t be enough. My stats are low due to the assimilation rate.”

“Still, it would be good to have, right?”

“If I have it, the range of combat changes depending on its performance.”

“That’s great. I’ll get you an armor piece.”

Comet twisted a strand of hair.

“I’d accept it if you give it, but the committee isn’t exactly that generous, is it?”

“I, as the chairman, will manage that well. Which do you think is better, practicality or design?”

“Both.”

“Your demands are quite picky.”

“I’ve always been like that, haven’t I, Alchemist?”

“It won’t come out right away.”

“That’s only natural. Please take your time.”

Comet looked out the car window and felt a sense of déjà vu from the scenery.

“But where are we going?”

“For a walk.”

“Where to?”

“The mountain where Dan collapsed.”

Comet flinched for no reason.