Chapter 7 – Blessing or Curse (Part 5)

They said she couldn’t return. But here she was, back in Korea. 

‘Why? Could it be that everything I experienced in the other world was just a dream?’

As she hesitantly stepped back, her body suddenly turned around. When she reached the living room with urgent footsteps, she saw the familiar scene she knew so well.

“What are you doing over there? Come quickly and eat.”

At that moment, a voice came from beside her. Turning her head, she saw her family gathered in the kitchen. Her mom was chopping ingredients with a knife, her dad was tasting the soup, and her sibling was serving rice… it was the daily life she saw every day. Unconsciously, Ria approached them.

“Ah!”

But just as she got closer to them, her mom let out a short scream. Blood started to well up from the split flesh where she had cut herself with the knife.

Instinctively, Ria’s hand reached out. But before it could touch, it was slapped away with a loud smack! The family members who had rushed to her mom took a step back together.

In an instant, the air sank low, and a quiet stillness settled in. Ria looked at her slapped hand once and then turned her head to look at her family. The series of actions unfolded slowly.

“Ah…”

Until the moment she met the fearful eyes of the three pairs of eyes looking at her.

Her head dropped down automatically. With her eyes burning, Ria bit the soft flesh inside her mouth hard and closed her eyes tightly before opening them again. Then, hiding her hand behind her back, she lifted her head with a nonchalant smile.

“I’ll get some ointment.”

Pretending to be calm, she turned her body and entered her room, closing the door behind her as if escaping. As soon as she did, her strength gave out, and she slid down to the floor. Hugging her knees, she took a deep breath and pressed her heated eyes.

‘Yes, this has to be reality. I just had a long, sweet dream. I created a reality-like dream because I wanted to see people who wouldn’t fear this ability.’

“…No.”

‘No, I don’t want this. I’d rather that be reality. I want you all, who need my ability and call it a blessing, to be my reality.

‘I can’t stand those eyes looking at me with fear anymore.’

“I miss you.”

Crying, she stood up and ran outside. Someone seemed to call her name from behind, but it didn’t matter.

All she could think about was escaping the suffocating place. The only thing that filled her mind was the baseless hope that they would come for her when she went outside.

Honk—. At that moment, a car horn blared loudly beside her. She was enveloped in bright light as she froze in her tracks, running mindlessly.

“…!”

When she opened her eyes again, she saw the ceiling she had longed for. It was the sixth day since she had collapsed.

***

“You seem to be in better health than before.”

The attending physician sighed with relief inwardly. He had been extremely worried about what would happen if her condition didn’t improve, but thankfully, it had. However, that thought didn’t last long.

“Young lady?”

Though her physical condition had improved, her outward appearance didn’t reflect it. Her eyes, staring at her hands on the blanket, seemed dazed.

“Is there anywhere you feel uncomfortable?”

As the worried physician tried to take out his medical instruments again, Ria finally came to her senses and shook her head. Just as he said, her queasy stomach had settled, and her body felt light, so there was nothing uncomfortable. Physically.

“…It would be best to continue taking your medication for now. Please call if you feel any discomfort at any time.”

The doctor, feeling uneasy, stood up, unable to insist on an examination any longer since she said she was fine.

After the doctor left, Ria, leaning against the head of the bed, slowly closed and opened her eyes, then turned her head to the four men still watching her with concern. They stood a little distance away from the bed.

As Ria gazed at them, a faint smile appeared on her face.

“Are you going to stay there?”

But they only moved their lips without saying anything and didn’t even come closer, causing her forced smile to tremble. Her hand gripped the blanket tightly.

‘They look like they’re dying to come closer.’

Their bitten lips, clenched fists, and sorrowful expressions revealed their feelings. The thought that they hated or were annoyed by her disappeared as quickly as it came. The problem was why they couldn’t come closer.

As soon as she recognized the unfamiliar distance, her body moved first. From the moment she woke up, she needed reassurance that they were real, that this wasn’t a dream, that she had truly returned, and that the earlier incident was just a terrible nightmare.

“Ah.”

But her body didn’t cooperate. As soon as she took a step, she collapsed to the floor.

There was no way her legs would regain strength quickly after six days of inactivity. The doctor had warned her not to overdo it from the start and not to walk alone, but her mind was still foggy enough that the advice didn’t register.

Her unfocused brown eyes turned to her useless legs.

If asked if she was surprised, well, not really. Perhaps because she had experienced something similar before, she only felt a strange sensation from the long-forgotten feeling. Or maybe it was because she wasn’t making proper judgments right now.

However, unlike her calm demeanor, they were not. The distance between them closed in an instant.

“Ria!”

“Young lady!”

As they approached in shock, Ria turned her head and finally understood why they hadn’t come closer.

Up close, their faces were quite a mess. Hollow eyes, slightly sunken cheeks, rough skin. Though still handsome, they looked undeniably tired and worn. Perhaps they didn’t want to show this to her.

Considering how Eden had run away once to shave his beard, it was entirely plausible.

Her unfocused eyes gradually found their focus as she looked at them. This was a moment when she was needed. With that thought flashing through her mind, Ria’s hand instinctively reached out. She intended to use her healing power on Kahin, who was closest, and then the others in turn.

“No, it’s alright. I’m fine, young lady.”

But before she could touch him, Kahin gently grabbed her hand. Ria’s pupils shook violently at the first rejection from them. 

‘This can’t be. This shouldn’t be happening…’

Seeing her brown eyes clouding with anxiety, Kahin quickly spoke with a sorrowful smile.

“It’s not because we dislike you, young lady. It’s just that…”

His other hand roughly swept over his face before he pulled Ria into his arms.

“You just woke up. We can’t accept your power in this state. Anyway, a few days of good sleep, and we’ll be back to normal.”

“I’m fine. It doesn’t take much energy…”

“We’re not fine. If you collapse again… then…”

His arms tightened around her. When he heard the reason why she had collapsed, he had been terrified. Her ability, which could turn into poison with one wrong move, was an inseparable part of her.

In other words, it could happen again. But they knew so little about her ability. They had barely found a way this time, but no one knew what would happen next.

Kahin closed his eyes, burying his face in her shoulder. Her unique scent, a mix of fragrant flowers and a hint of sweetness, filled his lungs, making him feel alive again. This incident made him realize once more how easily he could lose her.

Ria, quietly held in his arms, turned her gaze to the other three men. Their faces were filled with various emotions.

It was natural, as they had felt fear and helplessness for the first time in their lives.

The vague fear they imagined before hit them unprepared. They realized that their imagined emotions were just the tip of the iceberg.

The suffocating feeling and the agony of feeling all their blood draining from their bodies were overwhelming. For the first time, her ability, which they had considered a blessing, became something to fear. They feared it might consume Ria. They feared it might take her away from them.

That’s why they couldn’t approach her easily. The moment she saw their haggard appearances, she would naturally use her power. They didn’t want to create even the slightest risk for her.

They were still trapped on the day Ria had collapsed.