This World is too Cruel to Men – Chapter 493

As Chae-rim pondered over the possibility of being caught in a lie regarding Dogun, she rolled up her sleeves and prepared to take action. Coincidentally, someone else was also thinking about Dogun at that moment—none other than Baeksulhwa.

‘It feels like it’s been ages…’

In reality, it had only been four days since she last met Dogun, but with how busy she’s been lately, it felt more like four weeks or even four months.

In that sense, when would this guy’s situation finally improve…?

It seemed like the Association was trying hard to do something about it, but from the perspective of someone who was getting worked to the bone day in and day out, it was honestly hard to notice any changes.

Thus, she felt nothing but disappointment.

She knew that given the current circumstances of the Association, it was hard to make bold attempts. Still, it would be great if they could give a sense that something was actually changing.

Honestly, if things remained as they are, even just that little bit more might allow everyone to hold onto a bit of hope.

‘Hmm…’

Coming from the Association’s standpoint, it was probably unavoidable.

If it were a situation where they could focus solely on the Another Ones and the villains like before, it would be one thing. But now, with the emergence of the monsterized from the recent attack, they had additional concerns to deal with.

It was like they had less manpower and double the workload.

In that sense, it truly was amazing that the current balance was being maintained.

Maybe that’s why everyone says that form is temporary, but class is eternal.

‘Honestly, even when I went out a little while ago, I didn’t cause any trouble at all. Wouldn’t it be reasonable to loosen the restrictions a bit?’

Yeah, in the end, what she was dissatisfied about was that.

How long did Dogun have to stay cooped up in that tiny hospital room?

Sure, there was the condition that he shouldn’t stray too far from Yoonseo’s side, but given they allowed a little outing before, it felt like the Association recognized that Dogun was different from the other monsterization victims.

So wouldn’t it be about time to lift his outing restrictions…?

In that light, she couldn’t help but feel envious of Yoonseo, who had miraculously received that opportunity.

Of course… it wasn’t like she disliked spending cozy time inside the hospital room with Dogun.

How could she even dislike that?

As long as she was with Dogun, anywhere was wonderful.

So, while the usual hospital dates weren’t bad, after all, memories shine brighter the more diverse they are, don’t they?

‘I want to go on a date with Dogun…’

Even if it was just for a single day, she had already heard that Dogun had his outing restrictions lifted, and she had even made a list of places that were hot right now and places she had wanted to visit but never had the chance to.

But to think it would really only last for that one day.

‘I know they’re busy, but isn’t this a bit too sloppy…?’

If they’re going to check on Dogun’s condition, they shouldn’t just do it once; it should be two or three times!

As she grumbled about things like that for a moment, she quickly adjusted her expression in front of the door leading to Dogun’s room.

She had no choice.

It wasn’t like she wasn’t frustrated, but honestly, the most frustrated one had to be Dogun, who was inside.

No matter how much her sister used her connections to secure the best and spacious room, it was still a hospital room at the end of the day.

Being stuck in such a place for nearly weeks must be incredibly frustrating, even without saying it out loud.

If he had been sick enough to be in the hospital, he could at least make excuses and rest, but Dogun was in perfectly good health.

That was precisely what would make it all the more stifling.

Of course… Dogun wasn’t the type to enjoy running around outside either.

When he did go outside, he typically enjoyed himself, but basically, he preferred staying inside the house.

Especially during cold winters like now, when the biting wind blew fiercely.

He often said that going outside in this weather was just freezing and tormenting.

So maybe he wasn’t as frustrated as she thought…

But humans are creatures that are more sensitive to losses, after all.

He might have grown to crave going out like he hadn’t before.

While she was lost in thoughts speculating about Dogun’s state, quickly adjusting her expression, it happened.

“Senior?”

Did Dogun catch sight of her approaching through the small window on the hospital room door?

His voice came through the door.

She immediately opened the door and walked in, finding Dogun stretching as if he had just gotten up to greet her.

“You made it!”

“Yeah! How have you been?”

“I’ve been doing well, of course. What about you, Senior?”

“Me? Well…”

She shrugged lightly as if nothing had changed, and Dogun’s face filled with concern.

“Are you still very busy?”

Was he worried that she pushed herself to visit him while tired?

Looking into Dogun’s eyes full of concern melted away the fatigue that had accumulated over the past four days like butter, and that feeling was so delightful that she could practically feel her smile rising without trying.

Still, she didn’t want to make him worry any more.

“Well… it’s pretty much the same.”

When she downplayed it as something she had gotten used to, Dogun let out a subtle sigh and motioned her to sit next to him.

“Come and sit here.”

“Huh? Why?”

“I thought I’d give you a massage since you’re here.”

“A, massage…?”

A massage? She swallowed hard reflexively at that.

Seeing her reaction, did Dogun misconstrue something?

“Are you… maybe against it?”

As he patted the side of his bed and looked at her as if gauging her feelings.

“Ah, no!”

Opposed? How could she possibly be?

It was just that… the problem was that it was Dogun who made that suggestion.

If she were to get a massage from Dogun, physical contact was bound to happen. And thinking about the sensations that would start to ignite inside her the moment they touched was honestly predictable.

Of course, it didn’t mean she didn’t like it… but still, considering she had just arrived, diving into that right away felt a bit… off, right?

It didn’t quite create the right atmosphere.

‘Though it wouldn’t be bad to talk afterwards while cuddling…’

Not just bad, she actually preferred it that way.

Thus, while her body, flushed from feeling good, was gradually cooling down, being embraced by Dogun felt like it was filling a void she hadn’t even realized was there.

It felt like she was becoming perfect as a human.

So she didn’t mind that.

But today, she wanted to take it easy, perhaps.

Thanks to that, she hesitated just a little… but regardless of those hesitations, her instincts were already pulling her towards Dogun’s proposal.

Maybe that’s why, after she regained focus, her feet were stealthily making their way toward him.

Though she found it somewhat absurd, since it had come to this, why not indulge a little?

At first, she could leisurely enjoy it, and when she simply couldn’t hold back anymore, she could set everything off in one go, right?

‘As long as I can hold back…’

It should be possible, right?

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She thought so, but… the moment Dogun’s unusually warm hands started to knead her body through her shoulders, she naturally realized how arrogant that thought had been.

Perhaps it was because she had just stepped inside from the outside cold.

Just the brush of Dogun’s touch against her cooler-than-usual skin sent shivers down her spine.

Everywhere Dogun’s hands touched felt as if her body was melting into a puddle.

Thanks to that alone, it was hard to keep her mind clear. But once the electric sensations began to flow through her, it became impossible to hold on any longer.

And so…

“Se, Senior…?!”

With an impulsive move, she pressed her lips against Dogun, who had been instinctively squeezing her thigh.