This World is too Cruel to Men – Chapter 279

Dogun’s Perspective

The whisper that slipped into my ear made my eyes widen as if the very essence of shock had washed over me.

It was that shocking.

‘You know…?’

But how…?

No matter how many thoughts I ran through my mind, I couldn’t figure it out.

That’s why I couldn’t help but feel confused.

What if, instead, either I or Chae-rim had just boldly gone out without caring?

The moment I heard those words echo in my ears, I would have thought, ‘Ah, the time has come…’ and rather than being startled like now, I would have accepted it with humility, my own way.

But we didn’t do that.

To be precise, I didn’t do that.

Every time I was led to a secret place by Chae-rim, I tried to be as careful as I could.

Perhaps influenced by my cautious demeanor, Chae-rim, who had seemed indifferent before, gradually started to be cautious as well.

And yet, somehow, we ended up getting caught by the Senior.

What had all my anxious efforts to remain undetected been for?

In one sense, I found myself pondering that question, while on another level, I felt curiosity bubble up.

So… when exactly had we been caught?

I could have sworn I’d been careful.

More than anything, I had been particularly wary of the Senior rather than Bora.

That was inevitable since our main stage of activity was the second floor rather than the first.

Therefore, I was more attentive to the Senior’s movements rather than Bora, who mainly lingered on the first floor… and yet, here I was, caught.

No matter how hard I tried, was it all in vain before the limits of being in the same space?

Even while I thought of moving past that, one part remained incomprehensible: when had we been caught?

Well, if there had been some situation or circumstance to warrant it, I could understand, but there had been none.

Had there ever been a close call regarding my relationship with Chae-rim?

I swear to the heavens, not even once.

And yet, to be subjected to such probing…

‘Ah, could it be…’

Are you fishing for information?

At first, I had been so flustered that I hadn’t even considered that possibility. But thinking about it, there was indeed a significant chance of that.

So, I internally vowed not to act rashly based on my own assumptions and create an irreversible situation.

“Seems like you’re deep in thought, huh?”

Right after I made that resolution, my determination shattered with the sound of the whisper that followed.

“So… was it good? Sneaking off with your sister in the bathroom?”

Bathroom.

The moment that word slipped from the Senior’s mouth, I had no choice but to abandon further thoughts.

It was one thing to have suspicions, but knowing the exact place that Chae-rim had dragged me into meant it couldn’t just be a mere feeling of something amiss.

“Curious, huh? How I know about that fact?”

“…”

Well… that was accurate.

“I’m just as curious. How did you two end up in such a relationship?”

The moment she mentioned that, it seemed she had no intention of waiting for an answer, immediately changing the subject.

And honestly, I didn’t intend to reveal anything either.

How could I possibly speak the truth?

In the end, the reason was that we had sneaked off for a Happy Time while everyone was out of the house, and Chae-rim had caught me right then.

But to admit that out loud?

Even if I had to bite my tongue and die, there was no way I could do that.

While I harbored such thoughts and was mentally preparing to keep my mouth shut no matter what the Senior said—

“Is it… because of that arm?”

Just as I solidified my resolve, half of the answer spilled from the Senior’s lips, echoing near my ear.

The main reason was indeed that the alcohol had intoxicated us at that time, and Chae-rim had caught us in that state, but I couldn’t deny that it also had a part to play, causing me to flinch and react involuntarily.

Seeing my reaction, perhaps she gained certainty.

“…It’s true, isn’t it?”

Her voice, now clearer than before, resonated in my ear.

“Honestly… I’ve always been curious. The reason you’ve been wearing bandages long after they should have been taken off… and the reason you especially bundle your left arm in gloves and sleeves after the bandages are off.”

What could I say?

The Senior still didn’t know about my left arm.

That was inevitable since I hadn’t told her.

Besides, just as the Senior had said, I always kept it tightly wrapped.

“I believed that someday, Dogun would be the first to tell me, so even though I was curious, I kept it to myself…”

If I was honest, I didn’t feel the need to talk about it at all.

It was simply that I saw no benefit in telling the truth.

Of course, later on, if the Senior figured out the secrets I was hiding, I thought she might feel a bit hurt by that truth.

Considering that Yoonseo and Chae-rim already knew about my left arm, if such a situation really came to pass, it would be all the more painful.

Still, my feelings hadn’t changed.

The reason was simple.

Even considering that point, I thought revealing it was not the right move.

It had to be really gruesome to just be subjected to a bemused glance… what I was usually hiding was far beyond just a pinch of disgust.

Thus, I had kept it a secret for so long… but who said the world had eternal secrets?

“At this point, I guess I have no choice but to ask.”

“…”

“What exactly are you hiding?”

Ultimately, this scenario had arrived.

Even if I wanted to retreat, it was not a situation where I could easily back down.

Naturally, given the Senior’s personality, if I strongly refused here, she might drop the topic and move on.

However… doing so would mean I would have to face a rift in our relationship.

That was inevitable since, unlike others who chose to hide things from the start, the Senior had openly shared a secret related to herself with me.

If she had confided in me, and I continued to hide my own secret, even the most easygoing Senior would likely feel let down.

Thus, in the end, my only choice was to reveal my secret to the Senior.

However, making that decision wasn’t easy.

I felt that if I were to reveal the truth and receive a gaze full of dread, like staring at a monster, I wouldn’t be able to handle it.

“…Don’t be too shocked.”

Still, it had to be done, so I finally opened my mouth.

And then, after saying that?

I glanced briefly at the Senior and began to carefully pull down the sleeve that had been covering my arm.

The Senior’s eyes, which had been quietly watching me, widened right after that.

Was she surprised?

After all, if something gruesome suddenly emerged, it was only natural for her to react that way.

Thanks to her response, the speed at which I was pushing down the sleeve slowed momentarily, but I didn’t stop and continued to pull it down.

And when I finally removed the glove from my left hand…

The Senior’s face blanched as she looked at me with trembling eyes.

‘Just as I thought…’

Was it horrifying?

I had anticipated this, but when it actually happened, the sting in my chest was far sharper than expected as I forced a bitter smile.

“…I’m sorry.”

Her voice that seemed on the brink of tears flowed into my ears.

“I’m sorry… so please don’t make that face.”

After hearing the unexpected apology shot at me in that moment?

I ended up recounting how I had ended up in such a state to the Senior, explaining my circumstances as if I were rambling.

The Senior listened intently, not interrupting or interjecting my words.

“I see… so that’s why…”

“Still, even with this appearance, I do have one amazing ability.”

The moment I said that with a hint of self-deprecation, it was.

“Don’t speak so disparagingly about yourself.”

As her hand reached out and gently wrapped around my left hand, it felt as if she was trying to convey that she wasn’t the least bit put off by me.

The issue came right after that connection was made.

Just as it had happened with Yoonseo, was the feeling of reawakening the Talent Organ really that strange?

“Uh?!”

Perhaps it was due to the cornered situation created by the Senior, but along with a strangely pleasant sound, the Senior started to shiver while still tightly grasping my hand.