This World is too Cruel to Men – Chapter 404

“How could that possibly become an opportunity?”

Well, if you think about it—no, you don’t even need to think too hard about it; it’s pretty simple.

So, what if the situation had remained the same?

In that case, it would have been best to keep quiet about my left arm.

Back then, that was the right decision… but didn’t Chae-rim just say it herself?

The situation has changed.

What if, in a world where I am the only one who looks like this, my secret about my left arm gets exposed?

It would do me no good at all.

Sure, I might have received some sympathetic looks from people, but… that would be about it.

And even those sympathetic gazes probably wouldn’t last long.

Ultimately, it’s just how humans are; they tend to reject anything different from themselves.

Let alone if something that’s perfectly fine everywhere else has turned into a monster only regarding my left arm!

There’s no need to say more.

And after those sympathetic looks faded away?

Wasn’t it likely that the Association, which had been waiting for that exact moment, would step in?

Under the pretense of wanting to protect me, of course.

Then, once they’d pushed me under their wing… they’d likely put me through all kinds of experiments in the name of finding a way to cure my left arm, or push me away to some isolated place to use me as a personal battery for heroes.

Without a doubt, that’s how it would go.

If sacrificing the freedom of one person could solidify their current structure, the Association wouldn’t hesitate for a second to do it.

I didn’t even have to look far; Bora right next to me is a prime example of that, isn’t she?

Sure, it seems they’ve taken good care of her talents, which I just happened to acquire, but that doesn’t erase the fact that they’ve been binding her freedom.

‘Anyway…’

Back then, it felt like the moment my left arm was exposed, the situation would spiral out of control—so it was decided that keeping it hidden was the best course of action…

But how about now?

In this miserable state, I mean, there are many others whose body parts have turned into an Another.

I had been unconscious for nearly a week, so I wasn’t exactly examining the situation microscopically, but… judging by what Chae-rim added later, it seemed to be the case.

If we think about it like that?

The ones who were monsters because of this incident were probably in more serious circumstances than I was.

Honestly, it makes sense… while my left arm transformed into another, those people had their heads turned into an Another!

Since my left arm was the only thing that changed, I could simply hide it well and go back to my regular life, but those folks?

They wouldn’t be able to live normally at all.

Unless they planned to wear a motorcycle helmet for the rest of their lives, there was no way around it.

‘…Wait a minute.’

Can the people who have turned into monsters even think at all?

As I followed that train of thought, I suddenly wondered.

It makes sense, given that their heads have turned into an Another, which likely affects the brain inside as well.

And what if they genuinely couldn’t think properly?

Could we still consider them people?

With no rationality left, they’d probably just lash out aggressively at anything they see.

The moment I hit that line of thought was right when…

Perhaps I had talked so much trying to explain everything, that my throat became slightly parched.

Chae-rim, having picked up a water bottle from the senior, quickly gulped down its contents in a few loud swallows.

“Anyway, uh… that’s what happened.”

Then, due to her hurried drinking, she wiped her hand across her arm because she had spilled a little and remarked that.

In that moment, one amusing point stood out:

It was Chae-rim’s expression after that.

Since I had been unconscious, she had to make quick decisions on her own, but maybe she was worried that I might feel hurt or upset about her choice?

While feigning to throw the empty bottle into the trash, she subtly glanced over at me, her expression revealing a hint of worry… It reminded me of a cat that just caused a big incident and was now glancing cautiously at its owner.

Of course, considering Chae-rim’s usual image, she was more like a tiger than a cat, but… after all, a tiger is still a part of the cat family, isn’t it?

So, it’s essentially the same thing.

Anyway… if I didn’t say I was okay, she might keep lingering like this indefinitely…

“Hey, why? Are you worried I’ll get mad or something?”

I figured I should say at least a word.

Normally, these things should be addressed on the spot to avoid bigger problems later.

And indeed, it seemed like she was worried about that part.

The moment I let those words slip, she flinched as if I’d poked her right in the breadbasket.

“N-no, well… it is true that I made a decision without considering your opinion, Dogun…”

And because she felt embarrassed by that fact, her voice grew softer and quieter than when she had just spoken.

‘Wow…’

Who would have thought I’d witness Chae-rim feeling down like this?

Perhaps it’s the first time I’ve seen her show this side of herself?

Not knowing how to respond, I fell into silence…

Then Bora and Yoonseo, who had gone to pick up the delivered food, returned, both holding paper bags marked with the logo of a famous porridge brand.

Upon seeing the atmosphere, which felt distinctly different from the usual, Yoonseo’s eyebrows lifted with curiosity.

“What’s up with the vibes? Did something happen while we were gone?”

Yoonseo walked in like someone exiting a department store after shopping, casually holding a bag presumably filled with porridge.

Simultaneously, she asked if we had encountered any incidents.

“Not really anything happened?”

“But why does the atmosphere feel like this?”

“What’s wrong with the atmosphere? It’s all good.”

“Good? This?”

Her incredulity was sharp, and honestly, the expression on her face was quite pointed for Yoonseo.

“By the way, you took a surprisingly long time, didn’t you? Did you two come across any incidents?”

I attempted to change the subject subtly with that remark, but… Unfortunately, it seemed my choice wasn’t as good as I hoped.

“Ah…”

Judging by the way both Yoonseo, who I was deep in conversation with, and Bora, who had been busy setting the porridge up to eat, showed their slightly shriveled expressions, it seemed I had struck a nerve.

“…It’s nothing much.”

So, should I have believed those words?

From their expressions alone, they clearly screamed, “Something happened!”

“What’s up? Did something go down?”

Did they perhaps get into a spat with someone?

I mean, is there really a crazy person out there who’d dare confront a currently active hero? But… the world is wide, and there are plenty of crazies.

Given that both Yoonseo and Bora aren’t exactly low-key either, and considering Chae-rim’s explanation about the Association’s growing influence lately?

There was plenty of reason to believe it.

Indeed, if you’re famous, there are many who dislike you for no particular reason.

I had thrown that out there hoping not to worry too much if something genuinely happened, but…

“I just… happened to see something troubling.”

Even after asking twice, their responses remained the same, and thankfully, it didn’t seem to be anything serious.

‘Oh, speaking of…’

Something troubling, huh?

What in the world did they see?

What could possibly trouble Yoonseo and Bora, leading them to such expressions after returning from picking up delivery?